Summer Beauty Favorites

Just a quick one....
These are my Top 4 Summer Beauty Favorites!!
They are new to me, and I have loved using them the last few months.

Hope you are having a great week.
XO

That time we went to the swimmin' hole

A few weeks back, Justin begged me to set up a camping trip...
and I agreed that it would be great to get out and spend some "quality time" together
but reminded him that it is the middle of summer....in Texas.
We compromised on a one night trip to a state park just outside Austin, so if it was a total bust we wouldn't be out a bunch of money or travel time.
That, and they have great pizza at the Mellow Mushroom in Austin.
And great pizza can make all the difference sometimes.

So we made the reservation, and counted down the days.
Once Saturday came around we packed it all up (so much stuff to pack....)
and hit the road to McKinney Falls State Park.
The Upper and Lower Falls are the parks main attraction, and they are quite pretty.
BUT, upon closer inspection, in the summer they more closely resemble a slimy, stinky swimmin' hole.
Now before you go and judge me, you have to understand a few things.

#1 If there is any creepy tummy bug to be contracted from a water source, I will get it!  Trust me.
#2 I have watched too many episodes of Turtle Man to be happily wading in a cloudy murky pond of sorts without being paranoid about what is under the water.
#3 I am very smell sensitive....and getting my whole body in something that smells rather suspect is nearly impossible for me.

I did get in, and take a swim, with Justin and kids close behind me. We watched people jump from the rock ledge, and heard people squeal as something under the water was biting them....fish, turtles???
I lasted about 30 minutes and knew it was time to move on. On the swim back to the shore, a turtle popped up right in front of me to amp up my anxiety....oh, my.
I know I am a "spoiled valley girl", but I couldn't help but feeling so proud of myself for conquering my fear (temporarily), and setting a good example for my kids.
Paige was in tears about the whole thing, so I knew I needed to play along like I was loving it!
River loved every minute of it...he even jumped off the ledge with Justin into the water below.
Should I be nervous about this......

The Upper Falls

 

 

A quick picture with the kids.....but Justin always goes paparazzi style and takes about 20 more before I rip the camera out of his hands.

The Lower Falls....more user friendly....no slime.

Back at camp, we all enjoyed our turn in the new hammock.  It is a two person hammock, so it is actually comfy to share with a friend...or a brother!

I personally enjoyed a little time all by myself....but then the paparazzi took over.

River wanted to go off exploring, but a cautious Momma kept him close by.
Texas has too many creepy things out and about this time of year....snakes, scorpions, and tarantulas.

Cutest Daddy/Daughter shot ever.  Two peas in a pod for sure.

Always art to be made, wherever we go.

And we managed to squeeze in a family game of SORRY.
Paige won.

We headed over to the park as the sun was setting.  We wanted the kids to have some free time in a safer setting, where I didn't have to worry so much about their every step!

And then it was time to take one last hike to watch the sun go down.

There may or may not have been a Bobcat track on the trail....
I wasn't about to disagree with the 4 year old expert.

Mr. Turtle came up to check us out...

All in all it was a great time. 
I will spare you the details of how hot and uncomfortable it truly was....
but this is Texas.
And camping in Texas in the summer may not be for everyone....unless you have an air conditioned trailer.
But this is about making memories with our kids, and they had a blast.
I will be a hot, sweaty, stinky mess of a mom to make them happy....
and let's face it....it makes my husband pretty happy too.

We ended the trip with a morning swim at the Deep Eddy Pool in Austin (which is super cool and historic),
and lunch at the Mellow Mushroom. 
Till next time....

Lash Love is Real Love

Hi!
Today, I have some thoughts on the latest Influenster VoxBox I received in the mail....
and it's always cool to get free stuff in the mail,
BUT it is extra cool to get FREE Mary Kay in the mail.
Influenster is cool like that.
(that is my disclaimer that all the products I am talking about were free, but my opinions are entirely honest and my own)
 
Okay. On to the good stuff.

So this box of wonder had 4 great products and a lovely makeup brush included.
I love all 4 of the products....even the lipstick!
The quality is great, they did not irritate my skin or eyes, and the packaging is very nice.

The Lash Love is my favorite, and I feel that it truly is lengthening without any clumps!
My short straight lashes were instantly transformed, without even using a eyelash curler.
Amazing.

The Lash Primer may or may not be doing anything for me.
I can't tell yet.
I have tried it with and without the Lash Love....and I am still unsure.
Maybe it is just a nice conditioner for my lashes.

The Cream Eye Color is lovely, and they sent the color Violet Storm.
It is very sheer and creamy, and build-able for the right amount of color.  A nice shade of purple for my brown eyes! 

The lipstick is also lovely!
And you know I am still not a true lipstick fan.....
but this True Dimensions Lipstick, in the color Pink Cherie is fun, on-trend, and so creamy!

Even without make-up on, a swipe of lipstick, and swipe of eye color, and mascara makes me feel much more put together!
The Cream Eye Color/Concealer brush that was included is also lovely.
Super soft, and very nice quality.

Out my window, I had a visitor....pretty impressive camouflage he has going for himself.

If you want to be an Influenster too, you can sign up here, or I can send you an invite via email.
Just let me know!
This is my third VoxBox review, and definitely my favorite!

Till next time.....
I have some new favorites to share.....

Super-Lovey-Dovey-Anniversary post

A long time ago, I heard about this boy who was really good at soccer....

He was kind of a trouble-maker (not my type)

But, we went to the same high school, and I thought he was cute.....

My friend Cory and I would run by his house sometimes, hoping to see him.....

silly girls!!

I would have never believed anyone if they had told me that we would one day get married.....

BUT......

That kid with the shaggy hair, and lame tattoo (top row, second from the left)

has been the love of my life for 11 years now.

We have grown up so much in the last 11 years, and I am so proud of the man he is today.

He still loves Jimmy Buffet music....always will......

He challenges me to be my best, and is my biggest cheerleader.....

He has taken me halfway across the world and back twice, and I didn't die.....

Well, almost.....

He sacrifices for his country, and his honorable service makes me so proud.

He is setting such a great example for our children of hard work, dedication and service.

Yes, we have spent some time apart from one another, sometimes months at a time....

and it hurts.

It hurts when people complain their spouse is gone for a weekend, or a week,

when I have had to be alone, without family, for months on end.....

raising our sweet children, and trying my best to explain why Daddy is gone.....

But this has made us so strong, and forced us to grow in ways I never dreamed of.

We have so much fun together, and he always makes me laugh.

Always.

He is my best friend, and is always there to give advice or just listen.

He is a good person to have in your corner.....

He has always taken such good care of our family and has given me the opportunity to stay home with our children during these precious years.

This has been the most incredible gift.

He is an amazing Father.

Man, did I pick a good one!

He loves our children so fiercely, and is so protective over them.

I have no doubt that Paige will marry a super hero, because nobody will come close to her Daddy!

River has the best example of how to be strong, kind, and courageous.

He loves to have fun with them.

He knows how to be silly, and goof around......

And how to make them feel special.

He is their hero.

My hero.

He came home from a month-long work trip with this photograph tattooed on his arm because he missed them so much.

They think that is pretty special.

He took off as much work as possible when I had both of the kids.

He loved being there for every moment.

 

He loves life, and being outdoors.

He is a kid at heart.

And every year I am reminded at how much fun I have to look forward to.

I love this man, and I feel incredibly blessed to have him in my life.

My Mom's Father, my Grandpa Allphin, passed away years before I met Justin,

but I can't help feel like falling in love with Justin was his gift to me.

After he passed away, my parents divorced, and I felt very alone.

I always felt safe, loved, and entertained with my Grandpa.

He knew I would be safe, loved, and entertained by this man......

He would have approved.

Here's to the last 7 years as Mr. and Mrs. and to the next 70.

"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being in love which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two."

-- Captain Corelli's Mandolin

Summer is A' Coming

He all!
Yet another month has passed without a peep over here.
Summer is almost here, and I promise to be back in action,
since I won't be "working" till the Fall.

Things I have planned:

Another 30/30 for fun...
Ideas to share that I will be planning for my classroom...
Make-Up dump....what I am getting rid of, what I am stocking up on...
"Favorite Things" Party....so excited to plan this one!
Anniversary Update....
Kids Birthday Party planning....
Fitness Info. and Encouragement....

It's all going to be good.  I promise!
Miss you.
Love you.

(Safe travels Cindi....XO)

Monday

Morning!
So....a few things...

1) Thank you so much to all of you for your supportive words for Justin.  It makes his race wounds not hurt so bad.....well, not really...but you know what I mean.  He is always appreciative of the support!

2) Justin did so well for his first Full Ironman, and let me just say that he did it on 2 weeks of training...literally.  We don't recommend that method...but it just kind of worked out that way for him.  Participating in an Ironman race is not inexpensive, but the HITS Triathlon Series is trying to make them more accessible to people who are on a budget....like us.  The race staff was amazing, and so helpful.

3) Here is my workout for the day.  Your butt will thank you later, if you choose to follow along.



4) LOVING this project idea...

5) We are off to the Library!

XOXO

an Ironman story

Marble Falls, TX
Our weekend started out rather simple.
We all went to the pre-race meeting for the half and full Iron man participants.
Questions were answered....
"what do we do if there is lightening while we are out on the swim???"
"why is there no lane closure out on hwy 71??"
"will there be strippers??" (say what??? Oh, you mean people to strip you of your wetsuit....THOSE strippers. Gotcha.)

We went out to dinner and settled in for an early bedtime at the hotel.

Then morning came.
We dropped Justin off, told him good luck, and returned after the kids and I had eaten breakfast and packed up the hotel room.
We had just missed him in the transition area.

(watching some fire ants....just before said fire ants crawled in to his shoes and started to sting)

Thank goodness for Benedryl.

Our set-up for the day....

Seeking shelter in the shade as the temperature starts to climb.

Getting hot now....sweaty and humid and....."why are we here" hot.

Caught a glimpse of him at the halfway point (mile 56) on his bike ride

HUGS help.

And back out for 56 more miles of joy.

DONE.....with that part of it anyway.

Getting powered up for the marathon.

Why am I here?????

And we wait......

Attitudes start flaring after waiting all day....up at 5am......bad idea....

Running off those attitude problems....

AND....after waiting for 15 hours.....
He crossed the finish line.
He is an Ironman.

2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run.

And in my mind I had the camera ready to go...
to capture that ONE moment we had waited 15 hrs. for...
and I got this.

NICE.
Good thing there will be official race photos.

He has done it again.
Till' the next challenge, may you be inspired to try something new and seemingly impossible.
Even if it is giving up chocolate for a week, because the little things are ultimately the big things.
And even though I have shared this many times before....these men were Justin's inspiration.
And I kind of think they always will be.