Huston had a birthday

For Huston's birthday, all he wanted was camping gear. And to go camping.

 Well, our camping buddies pooped out on us, as well as we felt we need to watch General Conference with some of his family members who have been needing a little extra encouragement. We were bummed, but made a great family weekend out of it.

The past 4-5 weeks someone has visited our house or been in town. Ive been needing/begging for some alone time with just our little family and Huston agreed.

So Friday night Huston set up his new tent he got for his birthday. We did a family movie night on our new air mattress in the tent, and Maylie was obsessed, she loved it.

Saturday we went to breakfast at biscuits 

and then we took one of my parents kayaks to saguaro lake and just enjoyed the beautiful weather and went swimming and packed a lunch.

It was so refreshing to spend time with just our little family of three, and you could tell Maylie was also very happy to have mommy and daddy's FULL attention.

Sunday, on Huston's actual day we hosted a conference party at our house with Huston's siblings and cousin Kallie. We ate food all day (our tradition) beginning with waffles, and ending with cafe rio sweet pork. All the birthday boys requests. It was  a wonderful day watching the word of the Lord from our prophets and apostles.

Im so blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life.

This weekend is also the 8 year anniversary of our first date. :) So glad and grateful for that first date 8 years ago. :) I never imagined how important that day would be in my life.

Things I'm loving

Essential oils. I just became a doterra rep. Not planning to really excel just did it for personal use and I'm excited to use and learn about them! 

My fall candles from bath and body works arrived. I'm obsessed. I got the scent: aleaves, sweater weather, and pumpkin. My only hope is they last until Christmas. You guys these are there best candles. 

Maylies little porch table we redid together. 

All our bushes are in bloom! 

My mom got me these darling place mats! This is as good as it gets until my entry way is completed! I'm not going all out for decor this year. 

Maylie has to help with all projects around here. She loves it. And loves her dad more! 

Ode to my job

My job.... And I ... Have a love hate relationship. Sometimes I'm a die hard and others I'm like... Ya no thank you. 

All in all... I'm starting to realize the wondrous blessing of this job. You see, i constantly preach positivity. Positive support for my clients and parents is what I am. I teach people to embrace the littlest positive outcomes and in return they will see the big ones. 

I've started to realize the change in my own mindset. And I realized this is not just a job anymore... It's improving my own mental health. 

Some days I don't get dressed or feel pretty, but my babies needs are met and I cleaned up or read books all day, or even made my tired husband dinner. Those are small victories! I brushed my teeth, woohoo! 

When I'm feeling Whiney about not having every waking project in my house finished, or not being able to afford something...I stop and think ... I have a full pantry, a loving husband, and a beautiful baby. The struggling single mother I work with would give anything for a helping husband who 

works full time and a full pantry to feed her kid. I've got it made!!! When I preach to celebrate the small victories to my families, I need to stop and take my own advice! 

What a blessing it is that I ONE .. Have a job! And TWO it's blessing my own life. 

I'm feeling grateful. Even though some days I hate that I have to work and leave my baby... It's best for myself. 

"Ride"

Maylies new favorite word. Whenever she knows she's going to "nee nee and papas" she says really loud "I ride" haha it's hilarious. Lately maylie has been learning to ride ponies with aunt Marlie and she loves loves loves it! I love to see my kid so happy about something! She was definately pre-designed as an animal lover! 

She got riding boots 

Labor Day

IFor Labor Day we went to lakeside! Where I enjoyed majority of my childhood doing anything and everything not very girly. What can I say? Dirt is the best. 

Anywho... It was a much needed and wonderful getaway into 20 degree or so cooler weather. 

Huston put up a swing set with Danny on Saturday 

It took all day and he wasn't thrilled but that night we went to dinner and a ride on the mountain. We saw dear and enjoyed the smell of pine 

Maylie enjoyed ample cousins to play with. Namely Kannon and brooklee and brinley

The flowers were in serious bloom 

We took maylie crawdad fishing. My favorite pastime. She loved it. 

Maylie would scream "ride" if she heard anyone going on the ranger without her. It's also a good nap buddy for restless mountain babies 

Yes that's maylies car seat in the ranger. 

My childhood came to life with a Dutch oven family cookout. I cried a lot because I missed my Gillespie grandparents. I vividly remember eating biscuit dough while "helping" grandpa cook them. 

Best food around! 

We finished the weekend with a ranger ride through town and lunch with my parents! Then a boat ride on the lake with our wonderful lakeside neighbors. 

We had such a wonderful weekend surrounded by family Such a nice change of pace. 

Guest room facelift

Once again I do not have a before photo. But imagine a mattress on a frame and nothing else pretty much. 

This weekend we had many visitors and when they left I figured our guest deserved a better space than a just a mattress. 

I now have a favorite room in the house haha. I mean my guest room is prettier than my own room. 

I love how it turned out. 

Tv area

I want to remember my house. In the stages. Haha this is to help me remember however I don't have any before pictures :/ 

My most recent project was a new entertainment center and decorating above/around my tv 

I love the turn out. 

This is what I was going for: 

This is what I got: