Friday, February 28, 2020

Five on Friday

ONE


Trent got a new bed!

We are still slowing doing all the 'fun' stuff on the kids' room switcheroo.
One thing we need for Trent was a new bed. 
He originally wanted bunk beds, but Brent and I decided we didn't want them.
So we found a really cool steel and wood bed, and we put it together this week.
And Trent loves it! We did get him a Queen-size so he can grow into it.
I can't wait to put some stuff on the walls and get him a new bookshelf.

[Yes, he will be getting a queen-sized mattress, ha]
TWO 

Me and White Supremacy

I just read this amazing book but it comes with daily reading and prompts.
I think it would be really interesting to do with a small group.
Would anyone want to read this with me and answer the questions together?
I think it'll be hard to be totally honest with our own part in racism...
but also really helpful keeping us dedicated to anti-racism work?


THREE

Sleep Number

After many, many months of talking about needing a new mattress...
literally forever - 
I think I mentioned needing a new mattress multiple times in Currently posts - 
we bought a sleep number mattress and get it next week!!!!
We had actually looked at Sleep Number before Christmas, 
and of course my favorite was one of the most expensive ones ha.
There was a huge President's Day sale and we saved 50%!!!

I'll share all about it once we get it. {grin}


FOUR

Snow!

Paige had her first snow a few weeks ago!
Being Texas it was the tiniest of dustings, but the kids were SO excited!


FIVE

The Heartbeat Challenge

Guess who's about to get another Jazzercise tanktop for another challenge?
If you guessed me, you're right!

21 classes in 29 days for Heart Health Month. Killing it!



Thursday, February 27, 2020

Life Lately

All the randoms that weren't important enough for their own post, ha!

Peek-a-boo Paige

Our school does a kindness campaign, I love it!

When you were your big sister's ballet recital outfit up to the dance studio

Happy birthday, Bodey!


Nap Part 1

Nap Part 2

I didn't do a good job documenting Valentine's Day this year,
but we did get the kids some cute, little presents.
Although Trent was disappointed his his and I had to get him something else!
*They love this song called It's Raining Tacos so I got him a card game called Tacos vs. Burritos and he was so cute 'Mom, I know this makes me sound really rude and I should be thankful, but I don't want this.' So I got him some Baby Blues comic books instead!* 

When your neighbor's nail lady makes house calls!
Getting a pedicure while on a conference call - perfection.

Congratulations Tom and Jessica!

Still loving her lessons!

Sneaking a picture of his fresh haircut

Will she EVER sleep in her bed?

Selfies at Trent's basketball game 

Curls for church!
Spoiler alert - they all fell out, ha
We're going to try the CHI next time.

I got one braid in and she changed her mind.
Tried to let me keep her hair this way. #nope

I'm so excited it's almost March - bring on spring! I've already seen a few bluebonnets, and I'm getting so excited!

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Living That Meme Life

I love when a good meme speaks to me. I've taken some screen shots lately of ones that I really related to, and what is a blog good for if not sharing funny memes so we can all have a good chuckle today?

This fits me, huh?

We're simple creatures really.

I never waste time.

100% TRUTH

Drew Gurley, I am looking at you!

Paige brought the diaper caddy in the car yesterday.
The DIAPER CADDY.

I feel so heard with this one!

I personally never do this. {grin}

In all honesty, it's all me.

I saw this and died. Brent, you get this.


Monday, February 24, 2020

Currently: Rainy Days

Current Book(s)


Current Song

Yes, another Jazzercise song
Talk - Why Don't We

Current TV Show

Netflix for the win, again!

Current Podcast

This is what I'm starting next!
1619” is a New York Times audio series, hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones, that examines the long shadow of American slavery.

Current Drink

Had an Arnold Palmer today and it was fabulous.
But did you know there is a spiked Shirley Temple?
A Shirley Temple was my favorite drink as a kid, and I must try the spiked one!

Current Food

I had a Chipotle salad for dinner, and it was PERFECTION!
Starting a juice cleanse tomorrow ha.

Current Shame-Inducing Pleasure

I'm really enjoying listening to the audiobooks for Outlander.
I know it's super nerdy, but they are great to listen to.
I'm getting ready for the 9th book that will come out this year {hopefully} - 
it's been since 2014 that we've had an Outlander book, so I'm getting excited!

I'm currently on disk 9 of 36 for the 3rd book!

Current Outfit

Well this is embarrassing - but not surprising - 
I'm wearing the same t-shirt as last month. {grin}

Current Celebrity Crush

I'M DYING!!!

Current Mood

I'm freaking out just a little - 
I got a new phone from work last week - I cracked the screen on my old phone.
Well, I swear when I checked it after restoring it, all my pictures were there.
I have from October 2019 onward.
And now they aren't. I'm relatively certain all of them are on my computer,
but I loved having so many of the older pictures on my phone.
WHERE DID THEY GO??? HOW DO I GET THEM OFF THE CLOUD???

Current Anticipation

Starting to plan for Spring Break for the kiddos!
Planning a day trip with friends to a state park
and hopefully a zoo trip with my cousin.

Current Wishlist

As evidenced by my outfit above, I need some new clothes.
Brent even gave me money for Christmas just for that purpose.
But I'm dead-set on being at least a size smaller...so...

Current Film

This has too many actors that I like to not go see it!

Current Picture

Finally went and got paint samples for Drew's room!


Friday, February 21, 2020

Broadway Across America: Come From Away

Last night I went to see Come From Away with a few of my girlfriends. This is my 3rd Broadway Across America play in the last 8 months, and I love that I'm getting back into more theater!


Plot: 7,000 passengers are stranded after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in a small town in Newfoundland, where they were housed and welcomed.

Review: ERMAGAWD! This was PHENOMENAL. I experienced every emotion in this musical - I laughed so hard, my heart broke, I felt such pride for my country, love for humanity, everything. This was an amazing production - the way it all was done was pure genius. I loved the songs, the acting, the story - of course - was amazing. This could easily be in my top 5 of musicals. If you have the chance to see this, DO IT! I loved every second!!!

~Jennifer~Rhonda~Allena~Susie~
We all LOVED it!!


Thursday, February 20, 2020

Weight Loss Journaling

I keep yo-yoing with my weight and healthy eating. I'm currently down a little {yay!} but up from my low before Christmas {boo!}. I saw a picture of me from a few years ago, and I forgot how good I used to look, ha. I am sure you guys are all sick of hearing me talk about my progress...well my lack of progress! I definitely am whining about this a lot - and I get so annoyed at myself.

So...I think I'm going to post monthly about this topic. Which might make me sound more annoying? But I'm hoping will be motivation! I turn 40 in less than 6 months, and I WILL be at my goal by then which is 25-30 pounds down! I am going to post starting info, goals for the month {food, exercise, pounds to lose, etc.}, and then I'll post at the start of the next month how that month went and so on. I think it will help me to be accountable to y'all...or at least I hope so!

The jeans I want to fit back into...
this is 1 month before I got pregnant with Paige.

I'll start journaling at the start of March. Here's to some great successes - and less whining! {grin}

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Kidisms

How about a round of Kidisms? I've been taking notes on my phone and have some great ones, or so I think, to share! I have quite a few so get a cup of coffee and settle in. This is Paige-heavy, but 3 is a little funnier with messing things up ha.

Paige's pen died and said 'My pen ran out of batteries.'


Paige got in my lap before getting out of the car at school one day and said 'What is that smell?' When I said I didn't know, she said 'It's your breath, your toothpaste washed off.'

Drew still says a few words wrong. Aposably - supposedly - is a recent one that I thought was so cute.

One of our neighbors is one of my best friends, and we saw 2 older ladies walking one day and commented on these cute old ladies walking and hoping this would be us when we were old. Trent heard us and deadpanned 'You need to take out the cute part.' Oh snap!


Some song lyrics Paige has gotten wrong lately - wrong but oh so cute!
-Mary Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With silver bells and cockleshells taco shells and pretty maids all in a row.
-Twinkle, twinkle, little star, up a-bubba the world so high
-I don't care...what the big boys say {Let it go}

Trent commented on being dressed up for some family pictures and saying he thought his outfit was degrading until he saw Reid and Grant {Susie's sons}, ha. He's such a punk.


Brent made chicken friend steak, and Paige asked for 'some of that deer chicken'.

Drew was having some stomach issues and said 'I love when I make cloud poop.'

A joke Trent made up:
Q: What do you call a homeless caveman?
A: A hobo sapien!


Paige is still rear-facing, and one Sunday on the way to church she shouted out 'We forgot Mommy!' No baby girl, I'm just the driver! She also got out of dance early one day when I was in jazzercise {the next suite in the same shopping center} and she told one of the other moms 'I losed my mama!'

When Drew had a loose tooth, she said 'My sweet tooth is about to fall out.'


Paige has been getting attitude - she is SO spoiled - 'I am not throwing away my trash.' and 'Get your hands off of me.' We need to work on her attitude!


Drew was counting and said '4, 4 and a half, 4 and 2 quarters, 4 and a dollar.'

We have been working on getting her to stay in her bed and using a new toy as a bribe. Her response 'I don't want a toy.' Well, dang, that was our trump card!

Trent and I were talking about Harry Potter {I know, I know} and he started talking about 'Ravendor' and 'Gryffinclaw'. We both cracked up.

I got a picture of this moment!

I think Paige is watching too much YouTube. How do I know this? She told the big kids 'Before we start, give us a thumbs up and subscribe to our channel.' Oops!

I told you I had a lot of funny stories to share!

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Book Worm

I had some fun book worm things to talk about - and I know almost everyone who reads my blog will agree that being a book worm is fun. {grin}

1) Y'all know I am a giant Harry Potter nerd and would find nothing more enjoyable than making references to the HP world all day. Well, I was on a conference call one time at work and made a crack about wishing I was a Griffyndor but knowing I'm really a Hufflepuff. I mean who doesn't WANT to be a Griffyndor?!?! Well, crickets. NO ONE I WAS TALKING TO HAD EVER READ HARRY POTTER. I was in shock but also a little embarrassed that I made this little crack with words that sounded like gobbledy-gook that no one understood ha. BUT to make matters worse, I tried the same little joke a few weeks later with a different group of people and GOT THE SAME REACTION. #killmenow

2) I found this printable on IG and thought it would be really fun to fill in throughout the year. I'm struggling already though to decide my favorite for January. I'm debating between The Printed Letter Bookshop and A Place For Us. The Printed Letter Bookshop was just a fabulous read [nerd alert, I wanted to use the word delightful, but I use that too often describing books, so I looked up synonyms ha] that made my heart happy while A Place For Us most certainly did NOT make my heart happy but was very powerful and moving and impactful... Can I have a tie?


3) I've really gotten into updating/using Goodreads. I never really understood the purpose before, but I downloaded the app and am having fun seeing what other people are reading, instantly updating my 'Read' shelf or 'Want to Read' shelf {which I can tell is going to grow to be huge}, rating books in the moment, and reading others' reviews. I set a goal for the year of 100 books {less than 2018, more than 2019}, and I like that it keeps track of where I am in relation to the goal {currently 1 behind the pace, AAAAAHHHH}. Anyone want to be my friend? HA.

4) A little bit related to #3, if I 100% read or listen to my child read a book, even if it's a bit on the easy side but over 100 pages...should I count it toward my goal? For example, Drew and I finished the 2nd Babysitter Club book last night. It was over 150 pages, and I read it all out loud to her. Now on the flip-side, T read some of Just Mercy to himself {and got in trouble for it since I had specifically told him he couldn't read that alone since I wasn't sure if it was too mature for him and have definitely edited out some sentences when reading together}, so I wouldn't count that towards my goal. Thoughts?

Any super nerdy book worm stories you want to share?

Friday, February 14, 2020

Jobs I Dream About

Sometimes I will daydream about jobs that I think would be a lot of fun or a good fit for my personality. I basically fell into Accounting, so sometimes I wonder what I could be doing if 39-year-old Allena could go back and talk to 18-year-old Allena.

*Sidebar: Here's how I landed in Accounting. I started out without a major and my counselor suggested I try an Accounting class. It was really easy, and I did well in the class, so the professor told me about a 5-year program where you got your Bachelor and Master degree at the same time, had an internship, and walked away with a full-time job. It sounded really awesome, and the bonus was that Brent red-shirted his freshman year in golf, so I knew he'd be at his school for 5 years too. A&M was much closer to SFA than Austin was, so I applied to the program, got it, and here we are.*

1) Midwife or Doula - This one shouldn't surprise anyone who knows me or has read my blog for any length of time. I love everything about pregnancy, delivery, and newborn care [except being the one who has a newborn]. This is definitely the #1 'what if' I have. At one point, early in my career, I actually looked into going back to school to become an L&D nurse, but even with 2 degrees, I was lacking in so many pre-reqs I would have had to spend a lot of time getting those classes taken.

2) Librarian - I've always enjoyed reading, but the older I get, the more I LOVE reading. I also love to talk about books with people. Give and get recommendations, enjoy a great discussion about a book, all of it. I think I would be a good librarian!

3) Owning a Bookstore - Why not combine my business background with my love of books and own a bookstore? Wouldn't that be so fun! I know working retail is a lot of work, but this is my fantasy, so I'm going to focus on the fun. We have a really cute local bookstore that is owned by a group of women, and it's great - there is a cafe, they do an in-store book club, they host trivia nights - all of that sounds fabulous!

4) Barista - For years, I've thought it would be fun to work at a coffee shop. I could see myself doing this someday when I retire {or volunteering at a library, ha} - chat a little with people, make delicious drinks, so fun!

5) Owning a Boutique - Similar to a bookstore, I think it would be a fun life to own a little boutique. There is a nearby store that I'm obsessed with - 4 friends started it, and they each have a separate talent - one makes t-shirts, one makes wooden signs, one makes earrings, etc. - and have created such a fun store.

If you could do your dream job, what would you choose to do?

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

The Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Yesterday was a doozy of a day. It started off badly, and I told myself, 'Surely today will have to go up from here.' Nope.
It started off with getting into an argument with Trent over a piece of gum. It wasn't really about a piece of gum, it was about him not listening and constantly being defiant with me. I have been holding in a lot of upset feelings at his disrespect [therapy appointment is next week ha], and my reaction was disproportionate to his behavior...but I am human and I had hit my limit. I sent him to school with bad words still floating in the air around us. And I hated myself for it.

Yesterday was a gloomy, rainy, cold, gray day. That never helps my mood.

A partner at work suggested something that was utterly ridiculous and my response might not have had my usual filtering in place.

I did get a workout in, but after I got home I found out that our beloved preschool teacher lost her son in a car accident on Monday. I don't think I know a kinder woman. She loved on Trent when he was at his most unlovable, and I am broken-hearted for her. Add to that my guilt over the fight with Trent, and I was a mess for a good chunk of the day.

Brent and I also were grumpy with each other for a little part of the morning - before we learned of this death. I don't like when we're out of sorts. Luckily, we are much more mature as adults than we were as teens and were able to talk through our miscommunication.

The kids picked on each other a lot after school.

I just felt really sad and out of sorts all day. Luckily, for me, tomorrow is another day. A good friend of mine, who is also a trauma therapist, and I were talking about this loss as her kids also went to this school. And she told me Parenting is a unique form of vulnerability. And that really struck a chord with me - if that isn't the simplest sentence conveying the most complex emotions then I don't know what is!

I have no point to this post except I was hoping getting these thoughts out of my head might help me feel a little less yucky. I don't need to move to Australia, and I am fortunate that my good days immeasurably outnumber my bad. But man I don't want to repeat yesterday ever again.