# 3 Favorite thing

3. Another one of  my favorite things is my Chi flat iron. Anything that can make my hair to go from the left pic to the right deserves to be noticed. There are even people these days that don't even know my hair is curly and as you can see from my high school track picture- it is VERY curly and thick.

I will say some people have had trouble with their chi's dying on them but if you buy it from overstock you can also buy a warrantee pretty cheaply and it is worth it!

My favorite things

So a few months ago, I read on my friend Rachel's blog about a favorite party her and her bible study had. They all brought something for the group that was their favorite thing- like a certain soap , hair product, coffee mug, etc. Then they all made something to eat that was their favorite and shared that and played some games with favorite facts - movie, scripture, etc. I loved the idea and even shared it with my mother in law, Chris who is hosting a favorite party tomorrow with her bible study. I would love to have one myself but until then i thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorites with you. Post by post.

Sometimes I will share a few favorites, sometimes just one. Depends on the mood.

1. First off I love my Dyson vacuum cleaner. It's a DC25 Animal.

We have a dog, Fenway, (see below) who sheds A LOT. When we were thinking about getting a dog just after we got married, I somehow convinced Rick that golden retrievers usually only shed certain times of the year. Not Fenway, (though we still aren't convinced he's truely a golden- a story for another time) he sheds all the time. Anyone who comes over ends up leaving with a fenway hair covered outfit- too bad dog hair covered clothes aren't all the rage these days. So when we starting having kids who crawled all over our fenway hair covered floors we decided to go for it. That and a very very nice day after Thanksgiving sale 2 years ago that allowed it to be possible. Since getting it a year and a half ago, I can't imagine my life without it. It works amazing and with no bag it is so easy to clean! If you are in the market check out the deal site Bradsdeals.com and they usually post when they go on sale somewhere.  

2. Though I think it goes without saying, my kitchen aid mixer is a regular part of my cooking and baking routine.  Though most ladies wait for their wedding, my parents were awesome and gave me one for christmas about 6 years ago and I haven't looked back since. 

In this pic my friend Jessica is using my mixer, proving that it really can make anyone a baker. Ha, just kidding Jess... I really do love it. If you know me at all, you know I bake sugary treats with it several times a week. However, lately rick and I have been using it to make fresh pasta and it is awesome. It is a little more work, but totally worth it. Other things it can do - (if you have the attachments) shred just about anything, grind meat, knead dough, and the list goes on and on. I use it to my my homemade pimento cheese for the summer. Yum! 

Well that's all for now. Stay tuned for more of my favorite things! Sorry I'm not rich enough like Oprah to give all you 4 readers out there one of all my favorites. :)

Happy (Late) Father's Day

So I was working on this Father's day post last night and in the process of looking for pictures I looked a little too hard and got caught up in all the pictures we have. So needless to say the post didn't happen. So here is a little belated Father's day post. 

Rick with our new addition- Jackson. This was a few weeks ago- Jackson is MUCH bigger now. (that post coming soon)

 I love how much Rick loves our kids. He takes time out of working and playing to love on and give them attention. I love how he comforts Reagan when she gets a boo boo. He scoops her up and even lets her yell loudly in his ear, while he soothes her back to her playful self. I love how he is teaching them to play- to not take life too seriously. Most of all, I love that he is a dad that is in the parenting with me. He doesn't just sit by and let me do it all, he's right there next to me changing those diapers (and there are a lot with you young-ins) and cleaning up messes, and hugging our babies. He is a terrific dad! 

 Now my Dad is one great Father too! He taught me so much and I am who I am because of him and my mom's love, support, and guidance. He taught me the importance of hard work, but also about playing too. He taught me how to water ski, so many hours in the lake treading water, just so I could get up on those skis. He taught me how to play softball and took time to play with me in the back yard and go to my games. He gave me a love for the beach and is now passing that along to my kids too! In a time where so many dads are absent from their kids lives, I was truly blessed to have one just the opposite! I am so grateful to have him as a dad!

Finally, I want to recognize, Gilbert, Rick's dad. I am so grateful for the way he shepherded Rick and taught him how to love well.  I know that Rick learned so much about being a good husband and father from following in his dad's footsteps. Though, Rick terrorized his father growing up and still does on occasion- I love they have a close relationship. I hope Jackson and Rick will be the same one day! 

Happy (late) Father's day Dad's! 

New initiative

So I was talking to a good friend the other day and she said she doesn't check my blog anymore because I never post anything. That is true and I completely don't blame her. I continue to read and keep up with other people's blogs but I have had a hard time keeping up with my own.

Well, I am determined to turn over a new leaf. I am in Orlando for a few weeks while Rick takes seminary classes here with CRU. Since I have 2 young-ins I won't be taking any this go round. So I have decided to try to use my time wisely. I want to do some writing here on the blog as well as learn a little sewing. My mother in law is an incredible seamstress and I hope to pick up a few things from her.

So this is my "keep me accountable- blog post" with hopefully more to come!

Professional pics

So a few months ago, I bought a living social or groupon for some professional pictures to be taken of our family. I was hoping to get them in time to use for our Christmas card but they booked up too fast. But I am so excited to have some 1 year pics of Reagan and a good family picture to hang in our house. 

Sadly, Reagan wouldn't smile at the camera, but our photographer was excited that she would at least look at the camera. I guess thats better than some kids do. 

Overall, i was pretty excited. We got to keep the best 15 files, which is why I liked the deal to start with. I figure now I can print as much as I want. They requested that if we posted them somewhere to post with their logo. 

Enjoy! 

Her serious look. 

This is one of my favorites. 

Love her cute little smirk in this pic. 

This is my favorite of the family. 

These last 2 I love of her. Those baby blue eyes are captured really well. 

Reagan's first birthday party!

So yes I am very behind on posting things here but oh well. This was at least within the month which is big for me! 

Here are a few of the decorations.  I got lots of ideas off of pinterest. And I had a lot of help from one of my old disciples, Carly. (She is more crafty than me!) 

Strawberry cupcakes with cupcake toppers we made. I had to buy a hot glue gun. My crafting has begun! 

The Spread. All her party guests were over 20 so we just had adult food. 

Cute tissue paper balls Carly taught me how to make. Okay lets be honest, I made one, it wasn't great so she did the other 3. :)

This banner of pictures was definitely a pinterest idea. It turned out good, I think. 

Some of her party guests. 

Gigi and Pops came in town for the party! 

Me and some students that love Reagan!

My Dad and Rick kicked some butt on the foosball table. 

More party guests. 

Carly (who helped me so much with the party)

Her first birthday cake. 

Everyone waiting for her to shove the cupcake in her face....it never happened. 

Her messy face. We had to help her eat it. Maybe next year we can see if she can do more damage. 

Opening gifts. She loves tissue paper! 

So some girls got Reagan an Alabama 101 book and a UF 101 Book. She started reading the Alabama book and she threw down the UF book...my kinda girl! 

Gigi and Pops! 

Family photo...though we couldn't get her to look. Oh well. 

Thanks for checking in and reading! 

Random Fall stuff

So I realize I am very behind blogging. Reagan just turned one (post to come) and I haven't posted since she turned 9 months. So I figured instead of just skipping to her one year pics, I would post a few fun pics from the last few months. Sorry if it is a long post!

At fall retreat, all the girls loved hanging out with Reagan.

Rick teaching the guys to be dads!

the kingsley ladies

Starting to eat real food. She is eating better now! 

During the Bama vs. UF game. 

happy girl

We took lots of pictures in a pumpkin patch. She refused to smile in any of them. :)

She dressed up like a flower on Halloween. The Cutest flower I've ever seen. 

Rick and I made a trip to B'ham and we visited with my good friend Ashley and her son Ryder.

I think Reagan has found her first boyfriend. 

Daddy-Reagan time! 

Thanksgiving with the Griggs Family! 

My sister, Heather, brother in law, Jared, and their son Will

My dad, Pops, and Reagan

Another blog coming soon for Reagan's first year festivities and our new arrival in April!