Thursday, June 27, 2019

Thankful Thursday: Our Fathers Edition




So it's time for another Thankful Thursday.  Please linkup with Patty 
and Me!  If you have shared what you are thankful for this month, we would love to hear all about it!

 This month we chose either Fatherhood OR the End of School...feel free to share on either topic OR choose your own!



I decided to share my gratitude for fathers

I will start with my Dad Pete

He is a Leo and my mom always jokes and calls him "Leo The Lion"....he likes to graze on meat the way lions do...he is a calming force until you get him all riled up!  Ha ha!  He has always been a wonderful provider and a lover of animals....and just the best Dad ever!  I am so grateful for the way he taught me work ethic...how to build friendships and how to just take care of business. 




Next My Father In Law.  He and my Mother In Law (may she Rest In Peace) loved me unconditionally from Day 1.  He always made me feel part of the family and has always been there with a lending hand.  Once we had our girls, he became even more of a help and Eva, especially, gets to spend so much special time with him.  I am forever grateful



Last, but not least, one of the best Dads I have ever met-  My husband Rob.  I met Rob when he was a Single Dad and I could not get over how much he did for his kids...and all alone...I still get a lump in my throat when I remember the creative meals he would put together or how nothing brought him more joy then spending every night at the baseball and softball fields.  When we had our girls together, he became a complete rock star in my eyes.  I suffered from postpartum but really didn't let on to anyone- I was too ashamed and just buried myself in work (what else is new)...the only time I wasn't in a state of panic, both times, was when my hubby was around showing me how its done.  My girls both have special relationships with him because of this AND I am forever grateful that God brought us together- he is truly my soulmate



There ya have it!  The three most important Dads in my life and so grateful for them!



https://fresh.inlinkz.com/p/2ec4179c3d5744869ee65e00937ffd1a

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

What's Up Wednesday (June 2019)




It's time for my favorite linkup of the month!  We are answering the questions above...here is "What's Up" with us:

Linking up with the lovely ladies HERE

What We're Eating This Week


 So....Meal Planning is out the window for the summer and our meals on the grill are on repeat in these parts.


Some recent faves and things we will be having again this week include


TJ's Chicken Burgers with Corn On The Cob and Steamed Green Beans


Chicken on the Grill with BLT Pasta Salad
I loosely based our salad on THIS recipe



and Veggie Pasta sauteed with Roasted Chicken and Broccoli (Fish Sticks and Tots for the Kiddos)

(Birds Eye is my fave brand)

Zach will be moving out this weekend- very bittersweet but time for him to take the next step in his adulthood- excited for him and sad all at the same time!  I whipped him up two big meals and froze them and he can take them out as needed- Chicken Broccoli and Ziti.  You can find my recipe HERE and Stuffed Shells with Meat Sauce



What I'm Reminiscing About


Summers past...we are gearing up for a weekend at the beach with Mimi and Papa and we can't wait!








What I'm Loving


Time outside!  Specifically time exercising outside and a return to Griffin Park....the fresh air feels so good...I LOVE Summer!






What We've Been  Up To



Mama and Daddy enjoyed a long weekend in Nashville with some Besties


Diana and Mama made it through a pointe shoe emergency ;)
 

We have been enjoying outdoor time especially on the weekends at home on our deck!
 


We loved watching Diana dance in her End Of The Year Production of Peter Pan
 


We didn't love that the Bruins lost but we loved the tradition of the games 

  
Mama enjoyed the Annual PTA Awards Nights


Diana had a blast at Canobie with her besties
 

and had to say goodbye to her FAVORITE year of dance thus far...best kids...best teacher
 

We christened the Batson's new pool!
 

We spent Father's Day with our Favorite Dads!
 



Diana had a great year in 5th Grade!
 

Eva is wrapping up Pre-K and it is so bittersweet!
 

and there has been swimming....
 

and even more swimming ;)
 

and beach time with besties...these two have been friends since they were 18 months old...squishes my heart!
 


What I'm Dreading


Daddy traveling...don't get me wrong...I am so happy for him..he reached a goal and is now able to attend his organization's largest sales conference with customers in Las Vegas...but I will miss him....and it is a lot of work balancing my job and 100% of the home responsibilities while he is gone...but I am on a mission to rock it! Just dreading it a little




What I'm Working On


My 2019 Goals...personally and professionally!!!  On-going process...on-going work...I am determined!



What I'm Excited About


Our Town Fireworks Tonight!  We always pack a picnic dinner and meet up with friends for the festivities-the kids have SO MUCH FUN!



What I'm Watching/Reading



Our regular shows are over for the season BUT some Summer Specialties started back up and I am psyched


Our favorite family, the Busbys, are back with their precious quints in Outdaughtered on TLC




and while we are on TLC, Kate Gosselin from Kate Plus 8 is back with her new reality dating show and it is like a train wreck...I...can't...look...away...check it out on TLC...it's called "Kate Plus Date"



and as I have mentioned, the girls and I are indulging in Dance Moms...we started from the beginning and we are devouring a few episodes a night...it is so fun...yes guilty pleasure...but so fun!  (We also watch the new episodes on Tuesday nights too of course!)




and my two books for June are....


The Love Season by Elin Hilderbrand- one of her older ones- another winner- it did not disappoint!

Another tragic love story set in beautiful Nantucket with vivid descriptions of passion, food and the backdrop of New England's most beautiful island.


and I am making my way through Mrs. Everything- a new novel by one of my favorite authors who doesn't write very often anymore- Jennifer Weiner.



It is GOOOODDDDD....I always fall in love with her characters and love her writing especially when she is talking about passion and/or family drama...I won't want this one to end...


What I'm Listening To...


Some new and recent fave songs include

Me!  Taylor Swift (featuring Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco




Sucker by the Jonas Brothers



and we have been listening to some 1950's jazz during our weekend drives to the beach- pure bliss!



What I'm Wearing


Shorts...in 2019...the first time since the early 2000's really





 and did I mention this track suit?  I am not one for sweats but my bestie didn't give me a choice and guess what?  I LOVE it and want to wear it every day :)






What I'm Doing This Weekend



We have a full and fun weekend planned.....

Grilling on the Deck on Friday Night, Rob's Family Reunion on Saturday, Pool Time at our Besties on Saturday Night and a Birthday Pool Party on Sunday...let's hope the weather holds up for all of this outdoor fun!





What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month


More time to spend with Mimi and Papa and A Weekend at Our Friend's House on Lake Winnipesaukee





What Else Is New?

We made our summer list!  Well the girls did and I supervised and I am excited to help them check off all of the boxes!



That's a wrap!  What have you been up to?