Slice of Life: February 7th, 2018

Good morning and Happy Hump Day!

I always look forward to Wednesday because it’s the one day a week that both girls are in school all day. It’s glorious! Lat fall, I envisioned this to be my one day a week where I could do whatever I wanted, but I usually end up filling it with appointments and tasks that are simply easier to do without the kids around. Very rarely have I been able to park it in a coffee shop and crank out blogging like I intended, but that’s okay! I’m grateful regardless that everybody gets a few hours away from each other. 😉 Seeing Sadie bolt into her classroom week after week makes me so stinkin’ happy!

Here’s a quick slice of our lives lately, filled with a few fun things we’ve been up to as well as some recommendations for beauty products, clothing, and a charitable activity.

Last week we went over to Fort Riley for the Volunteer of the Quarter ceremony, where I received an award for my time as FRG leader. I was nominated by Jamie’s former BN Commander’s wife, who I adore. She hopped up to take this picture of me that she sent me later, and I about died laughing at how seemingly lovingly I’m looking at General Martin (the commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley). Ha! Being at Army functions like this is when I usually feel a little pang of nostalgia about how this life that we know as an Active duty family is about to end. It’s a weird feeling, because this Army life is all I’ve known as an adult, and there is something so comforting in the familiarity of that. Such a mixed bag.

On Saturday I snuck away for a couple of hours to serve on a “moms panel” to field questions from women around Kansas who are farmers/ranchers or spouses of them. They are all a part of a group called Common Ground Kansas, and they were interested to hear from us as consumers who have little to zero farming knowledge or background. I also got to hug several women that I’ve met throughout the last few years via various blogging/farming events, so that was the best part. Thanks, Jenny, for sharing this pic that I stole from IG. 🙂

Do you remember Piggy? You know, the silicone pot holder that we got from this visit to Kim’s farm? I was so happy to see Kim, and since she knows we’re moving, she brought along this bag of popcorn that they grew on their farm! She said she also tried to bring along another Piggy too. Ha! I was so excited about this popcorn since we never eat any that’s not popped in a bag; Hadley also squealed when she saw the bag. 🙂

I asked Kim if I could share where you guys could buy her home-grown popcorn, but she said it’s not available for shipping yet. Hopefully soon though! (Here’s a link to an interview I did with her last fall all about her farm and her life in rural Kansas.)

Later that night, we rounded everybody up and headed west about 40 minutes to Abilene. Ever since I worked for Rachel’s Challenge and traveled the country, I’ve had this fascination with how different interstate landscapes look. Though many people say they loathe driving across Kansas because it’s so flat and boring, there are also parts that are so quintessential Kansas and truly beautiful. You can’t see for miles and miles on the interstate in many states, but in Kansas you totally can. Catch it at sunrise or sunset, and you’ll be in for a treat, especially if you’re in the passenger seat.

We went to Abilene so that we could eat dinner at Brookville Hotel one more time. Our neighbors and their three elementary-ages kiddos came with us, so the adults and kids alike all had a great. Brookville Hotel is unique in that there are no menus and your food is served family-style. I like it more for the experience and old-hotel atmosphere than anything, but the food is good too. It’s definitely not to be missed if you get stationed at Fort Riley!

I caught Jamie snoozing with Sadie on Sunday afternoon. They stayed like this for nearly two hours. I’m not sure who enjoyed it more, but my money is on Jamie. I think we’d have 10 more babies just so that he could soak up those chest naps. That’s always his favorite part of the newborn stage, so his big 21 month old baby sleeping on him was a total treat.

Jamie makes my heart swell by how much he loves our girls. It’s weird how when we started dating at 20 years old, I knew I wanted to marry someone who would be a good father. I never questioned if Jamie would be after seeing his interactions with the kids we’d come across. If you’re single, put “be an amazing father” on your list of criteria when looking for a husband. It’s so important and such a blessing.

Now, enough with my sappy stuff! Let’s chat about my new favorite mascara because I loooooove it! I got this in December after reading about it on Cupcakes and Cashmere, and I ordered it instantly! It makes my natural lashes look as long as they’ve ever looked.

Be forewarned though that this stuff is somewhat difficult to take off. You know how waterproof mascara is a little difficult to fully take off sometimes? This stuff is the same way, but even more so. I use a Neutrogena eye makeup remover on a cotton pad, and it takes a little work in the evening and in the morning to get it fully off, but I do the best I can without doing too much rubbing and then put on a fresh coat right to top.

If you’ve been side-eyeing the whole “high rise jeans” trend, you may want to give it a try with ! My friend Kait bought a pair after two of her girlfriends raved about them during a trip, and then I bought a pair after Kait talked about it. A couple weeks later our friend Chelsea also bought a pair, so now we’re the three matching blogger friends who are all obsessed with our Levis! Ha!

They fit super true to size, IMO. They’re not stretchy though like a lot of jeans these days, so either order your normal size, or if you’re in between or want them to fit looser (since that’s a popular look with the high-rise pants), go up one. They’re available in tons of washes, and some have rips and others don’t. Hope you like them!

Last month I shared a little bit about the neat Christmas gift that my brother David gave Hadley. It was a pillow that we made together and sent off to a homeless shelter via “Little Loving Hands” company.

I received this message from a reader last week who told me about her experience with the company after hearing about it on my blog. I loved her idea of doing this with her students, and I was also pleased to see her positive feedback about the company. Just thought I’d share about them again because I love supporting small businesses like this when I’m able to, especially those that have a heart for charity and inspiring others to do good and think of others.

And finally, last but certainly not least, I have an exciting business opportunity for you! If you’re interested in owning your own embroidery machine and starting your own Etsy shop or business, this may be a great deal for you.

My best friend Amberlee lives in Atlanta, and she and her husband are selling their entire business. They’ve only had it about a year, but she no longer has the time to devote to a full-fledged business (baby #2 is on his way!) She received WAY more business via Etsy than she EVER thought she would, which was amazing, but she found she wasn’t interested in building a booming business quite that fast at this time with two tiny kiddos.

All of this to say that her machine is INCREDIBLE, and she’s selling it with all of the stuff she still has. If you’re within driving distance of Atlanta and want to find a way to start making significant money from home, here’s a potential opportunity. She and her sweet husband Brandon will teach you everything you need to know. I remember being floored at how fast and talented they were within just a week of getting the machine. I also couldn’t believe the droves of people ordering from her on Etsy!

Anyway, just wanted to share because I thought this was such a great opportunity for someone who wants to make money from home, especially after seeing the flood of customers she had online so quickly.

Here’s her online listing for more information and to contact her. She is definitely willing to negotiate price.

Let’s chat!

1. What do you use to get off your eye makeup?
2. Do you have a business from home? What is it? Do you like working from home?
3. If your family got out of the military recently, do you ever miss it or feel nostalgic?
4. How much do you know about farm life? How interested are you in learning about where and how your food is grown?