Currently

It's always hard to just start when you've stepped away for a bit.  So I thought I'd just share some of what is happening currently.  I am currently...

Sitting outside on the back deck, sipping on some fruit punch rehydrate and banging out this little blog post.  My fingers just needed to feel the keys under them and share what's on my heart, in my mind and what I've been up to.  I started that Mary Kay Andrews book last night, as I need a lighthearted beach read to just ease my mind a bit, with all that's been happening.

Cooking- I made this yummy and easy pasta dish the other week.  I just sliced up summer squash/zucchini, cooked in on a grill pain with a little extra virgin olive oil & this TS spice.  I sprinkled parm cheese at the end.  I boiled the pasta and then tossed it all together in the grill pan. So good!

Drinking- Iced chai soy lattes.  My jam!

Enjoying a little day date with my girl! We went to Wegmans and the Farmer's Market.  It was so nice to give her my undivided attention.

LOVING this hot Summer weather.  I don't remember having such great weather for so often and I am not taking any of it for granted!

Grateful for my mom staying with us; even under these conditions, it has enabled Joe and I so many little opportunities to spend some one on one time.  This was a day where we went out to lunch!

Getting all sorts of determination lately.  I feel like 'the next big thing' for us is around the corner. We just keep surrounding ourselves with positive people and those who truly 'get us' and it's really making for a beautiful life.

Feeling so blessed to these curly haired babes.  So many times I just find myself sitting and staring; watching them be siblings.  They bicker, of course, but when they're sweet and nice?  Melts my mama heart big time.

Amazed by this sunset at our land; how perfect will this view be?

Adoring this brand new tote that launched today in KEEP!  {Shop my mystery hostess social & enter to win rewards!}

Obsessing over these two necklaces combined to create a festive look for the 4th! {Tulum & Bliss}

What are you currently up to?

Happy Things

I'm really trying to focus on all of the positives, not that I don't always, but even more so right now.

 I have my first in home social for KEEP on Friday, as long as things are staying the same... I'm excited to chat with some new ladies and spread some positivity.  I just love that new key fob in the stripes/coral--it may be on its way to me as we type. ;)

Saturday was so hot and sunny, I made sure to clean the deck off and enjoy it a bit. 

It honestly felt really good to do my makeup and try to feel normal around here.

I call this our little oasis and tough I didn't get much planted, a few pops of color are really nice to see. My sister brought my mom back and we all sat outside for awhile and the kids played in the water table and we had a nice time, for what we're going through and all.

Sunday I brought the kids up to see Daddy briefly at the tent sale--the clown was there and they enjoyed seeing her.  Brooke wanted to be a doggy, imagine that! She loved it.

My Club W/ Winc arrived this morning!! I'm super impressed with all of the wine I've tried.  I hear the rosé is really good so that may be one of the firsts I open!  If you'd like to try a free $13 bottle, use this link and if you order 4 bottles, shipping is free! I think the prices are perfect for the types of wine they send. You can skip a month, but I'm not really sure why you'd want to. Haha

The sun is shining and we're just taking things one day at a time.  I think I need to go read some more of my book that has been neglected these last few weeks.   Have a good day!

Life Lately...

My heart has been hurting so deeply this past week.  I don't think I can truly put into words the intense emotions I have felt over the last seven days.  To start at the beginning, my youngest sister is an addict.  I know I've mentioned it a few times here or there, but it's something I don't like to talk about.

But I turn here to share a little piece of my heart, because every time you see a 'junkie,' remember it is someone's daughter, sister, or brother or son...that even though they are exactly where they are because of their choices, it doesn't mean for a second that they are unloved.  If I showed you a photograph of my sister 10 years ago, you'd say we looked like twins.  Her gorgeous blonde hair and big dark brown eyes, are so much like mine.  And today if I showed you what she looked like, your stomach would turn and you may even cry.  All I see is the little girl who sang Disney songs and ran around with too many stuffed animals.  Those are the memories I keep close to my heart; but at the moment she lays almost lifeless and sedated.

It's something we've all tried countless times over the past 12 years to get her to stop.  But the truth is, you can't make someone stop or change unless they truly want to.  The lifestyle she chose for herself is a parent's worst nightmare.  I can't remember the last time us three girls all hung out under normal circumstances.  And now we've all been together more than ever.

She went into the ER because she had been feeling sick for awhile, but I'm afraid she waited a little too long.  She has MRSA and her entire body has been attacked.  She currently lays in ICU.

I'm not really ready to go into all of the terrible issues it's causing amongst all of her major organs, but for the last week she has been kept alive by countless meds, antibiotics and an incredible team of doctors and nurses and a ventilator.

Life Support.

She's alive, but it's still a 50/50 chance of survival.

She is sedated and has no idea we are really there; my mom has been up staying with us or at the hospital with her, and all sense of normalcy has gone out the window this past week.

So we wait.  We pray.  We hope for miracle after miracle, that if and when she does come out of this (which from the sounds of how badly her lungs are damaged, it'd take months) that the biggest miracle of all, would be that she can walk away from her old ways of living. That she can clean herself up and get healthy.

Of course turning on the news or opening FB yesterday, we see even more devastation in our world.

My heart aches and I continue to pray for strength, for me, for my family and now for the countless number of families that are dealing with the Orlando tragedy.

I keep trying to reach for a little bit of normal, but it's so damn tough right now.

The every day dishes, the laundry, the spilled drink or missing toy---those are blessings.

Perspective is everything.  I wake up each morning hoping that it was just a bad dream and that it's all not real.  On top of it, it's my husband's crazy tent sale, so he has been so helpful, as everyone at his job has too, but he needs to work 9am til 10-11pm every night, so it's just a lot for all of us right now.

I hope to blog some more and keep myself occupied, as this could go on for weeks or months, but you just never know folks.  I try so hard to be real and share that my life, though in some photos or posts may seem perfect, there are many demons our families that we deal with.  There are more heartaches and true pain caused by those whom we are supposed to love most.

The only thing we can control is right now, this very moment.  Our thoughts, our minds, our hearts.  I want to scream and cry and be so mad and angry...

But my husband, my children, my mother, father, sisters, brother, and friends deserve better.

It's this waiting that kills us most; and so today I am trying to resume to my regular life as best as possible.  I'm paying bills, I'm going to workout damnit! I'm going to play with my kids and continue to pray, because really it's out of my hands; it always has been and I will not let this break my spirit or bring me down more than it already has.

If you have a little extra room in your heart to send positive, healing energy, prayer, or whatever you believe, we welcome it.  God has certainly lifted us up this past week, and I know it's always up to him.

All my love,
Jenn

Fashion Friday: Toronto Edition

TGIF Loves!!

One of my favorite things about vacationing is trying to not look like a tourist! haha No really, I love accessorizing and planning my outfits, but I fully admit it's hard to do on the day to day with two little itty bitties.  Since it was just hubs and I away, I had lots of time to play!


I picked out my Old Navy Pixie Pants (two years ago, I bought them and then got prego!) and a black/white striped Target top I just bought last month.

I went with my MK watch and my chandelier earrings & SD ring.

I brought my lightweight animal print scarf (Marshalls) just in case it was chilly.

Since I figured we'd be doing a lot of walking, I wore my Coach tennis shoes.

My first purchase of the weekend was this beauty! I loved the style, color & price point! {$60}

That night for dinner I used my new bag, wore the Riveria SD necklace and my black swing dress from ON and black lularo leggings and Target sandals.

Saturday morning we wanted to do some shopping and it was a tad cooler, so I opted for my 3/4 length black and white top and a hot pink scarf and black skinnies with holes in the knees---which seemed to be THE pair of jeans everyone was rocking that weekend! I highly suggest you get a pair! {similar here}

I love the turning point key on the horizontal pendant.

My Keep of the day overlooking the city!

I love the versatility of these Kaia earrings--keep them small or add on the chandelier!

All shopped out!

I picked up some new bralette halters from Pink and OMG I love them!! They add a little sexy to a plain tee or tank! Cute, comfy & supportive = winning!

I picked up this red Caftan dress from Express and wore it out to dinner Saturday night. I wore leggings too, since I wasn't sure how cold it would get and how much we'd walk.

I loved dressing it up a bit more with this gorgeous SD statement necklace. {Similar here}

Cheers!! xx

I confess...

....that I totally pushed pause on my cleanse. I have 5 days left, but I could not resist an ice cream cone and a few cocktails over the holiday weekend. I'll restart June 6th! Join me?

...I already ordered some new Summer items that launched today from our collection! The coral branch is SO pretty and will be the perfect Summer accessory.

...I'm hoping my Mystery Hostess Party gains momentum and that some lucky girl will win a ton of Keep loot!!

...I am addicted to reading.  Legit.  I can't stop listening to Pretty Girls, although I can because it's rather disturbing and messed up, so I don't listen while little ears are present.

...I love the smell of a hot morning.  I opened the sliding glass door up to let Holly out and it smells so good!  72 at 7:00, YES!

...June is always a long and tough month with how much hubby has to work, but I know that the money is good and we have some down time coming up in July.

...I'm all about the self-tanners lately. I just bought Jergens to slather on again and I have to say, it's not too shabby! I don't love the smell but the price is good. I want to try some others too, since I love the Summer glow but don't want crispy skin!

...I'm so proud of our little girl; she got on stage last night for her dress rehearsal and did really really well!!  I may have teared up and my mouth was on perma smile.  She was amazing.  She looked so grown up and her curly blonde hair is getting long---be still my mama heart. I love her so.

...I also am loving how much Brookie is enjoying reading! All it took was a few new books and me reading in front of her and she's totally hooked again. For awhile she didn't want much to do with them, but I made a big deal when I came home from B&N and she has me read them a few times a day.

...I have my first pre-school meeting next week and I'm actually really looking forward to it! I am excited for this new chapter in our lives.

...I finally worked out again yesterday for the first time in awhile.  My arms are sore, but it felt so good!

...I'm super ecstatic for my friend Elizabeth and her new venture, Glamour by Elizabeth.  She is such a caring, sweet soul with TONS of beauty advice! When I've been sporting my yoga pants and tees for too long, I look to her for some inspiration.  Confidence is key and she is spilling all her secrets as to how she stays glam, day to day!

...hubby was out the door by 7am for a Dr appointment and I was able to eat my breakfast in quiet, write this blog and there's still no stir from up above...I may even get a quick shower in!

...nothing is more important than where you are right now, in this moment, and so just breathe.  You can't focus on what has happened in the past and you cannot worry about the future.

Happy Thursday!

Beach Day

After hitting up Wal-Mart for some Summer clothes for the kids, Joe was out and about washing his car, running to the bank etc and texted me that I should meet him at the beach with the kids.

I think it took me 15 minutes to scramble suits, bags, toys, sunscreen and we were on our way!

In 8.5 years I don't think I've ever seen him enjoy our beach so much! I'm not sure who had more fun in the sand, Joe or the kids!

On a whim I bought this $15 set of sand toys hoping they'd play with them at least one time at the beach this Summer.

I had no idea they'd be put right to good use~

I cannot stand how cute he is with his hat on.

The water was obviously still cold, but they loved it!

Bradley has no fear and wanted to go right in.

The perfect view!

Joe was a little bummed that he couldn't see his mote in action, but I assured him we'd be back again this season.  Everyone was covered in sand and Bradley may have eaten some, but it was so much fun.

So I was totally mid-cleanse and decided with the holiday weekend and the almost 90 degree days, I had to push pause.  I totally enjoyed a chocolate ice cream cone with my loves and don't regret it one bit.

Brooke went for the vanilla and Daddy & Bubs shared watermelon sorbet.

She received lots of compliments on her new Elsa dress.

Both kids fell asleep on the way home (15 minutes!) and were still tired the next day. 

Summer 16 is gonna be a good one, I can't wait for all the fun we're going to have!