Memorial Day Weekend

I said I wasn’t going to post today, yet here I am. Lucky you 😉

Let’s recap the great three-day weekend we just had! Friday I left work about an hour early because pretty much everyone was gone for the holiday weekend. I came home and did my work-out. Our family didn’t really have plans, so my dad and brothers decided to go to our high school’s baseball team playoff game. And I tagged along. Our high school’s team went pretty far, but ended up losing this game. I. Miss. High School. Baseball. My brother played on the JV team this year. Can’t wait to watch him at the Varsity level next season!

Ry wouldn’t take a selfie with me, so I had to take this. Just 3 Middletons watching our favorite sport.

Saturday morning I woke up and was craving pancakes. Stop it, I know what you’re thinking! They’re not burned they’re just gluten free, okay?!

And then sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee and blogging the rest of the morning while it was raining because….so relaxing!

And then I went to Em‘s house Saturday night to watch a movie with her, Tyler, and her dad for his birthday. He made us watch Something About Mary (I think that’s what it’s called) and it was aaaawwwfffuuuullllllllll. Haha! Tyler, Emily, and I hated it!

So after the movie was over, Tyler and I went home and crashed. Sunday morning brought the normal Yoga and Church. Plus I added a lunch date with Reeana at Dickey’s – aka our restaurant. In high school we went here every single Sunday pretty much after Church with her parents. I was basically her adopted sister. (Sorry about the mid-talking pic of you, Ree!)

I came home to see mom made the siblings homemade cheesey pizza, LIKE WHAT?! This looks straight out of a restaurant, I was so impressed with her. Not to mention it smelled delicious and was full of gluten and lactose so I couldn’t have a bite.

At lunch Reeana asked if I wanted to go hiking. I was just thinking the other day how I wanted to go hiking, so I said for sure let’s go! She came and picked me up and we went about 45 minutes away to what was suppose to be a beautiful trail to hike.

As soon as we got there they told us everything was closed off because of flooding. Seriously, Texas, seriously? We were super upset we drove out there to not be able to see anything, so we went driving around near that site and saw a bunch of cars parked on the side of the road. Naturally we stopped and got out to see that there were a lot of people lined up fishing. We decided it would be brilliant to make our own trail and hike up the hill next to where all these people were.

And it was…until I started taking on water with soaking wet shoes and socks. Thank you, flooding! And even after putting on bug spray I ended up with a ton of bug bites all over my legs! But it was fun getting to talk to and spend time with this girl. We live so close to each other, but still don’t get to see each other that much thanks to big kid jobs and her studying for the LSAT.

The view was still pretty despite the long grass we went trekking through. Could you imagine what life would be like had God not given us trails, and greenery, and rain, and friends, and on and on an on? Sometimes I have those moments where i’m sitting there thinking “Wow how awesome of a Creator we have to give us all of this!”.

She throws up this sign and I still am friends with her. I don’t know – I ask myself why all the time 😉 #hornsdown

I love being outdoors. We have plans to come again and go on the normal trail when it opens. IF IT EVER STOPS RAINING IN TEXAS!

I got home Sunday night and showered and we had dinner as a family. Morgan said she was going with JP somewhere (Emily’s brother) so I said okay i’m coming and tagged along with them because #whatelseisagirltodo and we ended up going back to Emily’s house with them and watching another awful movie. Haha!

That they picked out. Never again.

Yesterday was Emily and JP’s dad’s birthday so we planned to go to Top Golf, but it was super busy. So we drove to Dallas, got lunch, Morgan and I went shopping, the two of us worked out together, had dinner, and now i’m here blogging. And that was my weekend. And now you’re caught up. Aren’t you glad??? Me too!

Now it’s back to work today. Sigh. Long weekends with good friends and family are too fun 😦

Friday Favorites: One (more) less semester! Edition

Happy Friday! Happy May! Happy Summer!

Today is a happy day, my friends. And I love a happy day. Let’s get to it with Friday Favorites this morning with Andrea, Narci, and Erika.

Weekend #1

To kick off my first weekend of SUMMER i’m headed to my favorite city early tomorrow morning with my dad. We’re going Saturday – Monday. So, I most likely won’t be around here on Monday. I’ll be on the red-eye from Boston back to Dallas while you’re each cuddled up in your own bed. 😦

Special Stella & Dot Mother’s Day Promotion

Good deals are one of my favorite things. Stella & Dot wants to wish all mom’s an early Happy Mother’s Day! As a gift, they are offering a special mother’s day deal… when you spend $50 on Stella & Dot goodies, you’ll be able to get their gorgeous red and blue Union Square scarf for only $14.99 (a $59 value)! Take advantage of this promotion by purchasing your favorite things by May 9, 9:00pm PST.

You could get your own pair of these beauties.

Or possibly this necklace that i’ve been dyyyyying to have?

So many cute options!!

Giveaway Winner

A CONGRATULATIONS is in order for Emily Skillestad!!

Yay, Emily! E-mail me for your own color of this favorite necklace of mine!

* Reminder to everyone else: When entering giveaways, make sure that you are entering as many ways as possible for a higher chance to win! *

A senior in college?

I’ll let that one try to soak in here for a little bit. I can’t believe it was four months ago that this picture was taken and I was posting this blog post. It was definitely not easy, but it only means i’m one semester closer to be done completely!!!

And that I was driving to campus as a new transfer student.

And this is how I spent my little lunch breaks every Tuesday and Thursday.

But that’s come and gone. Don’t you think it’s so strange how when you’re in the middle of a certain period of time it feels like it takes forever, but when you’re done you look back and think “WOW, that flew by”? Reeana and I were talking about that last night. Once you hit middle school, life just turns upside down 😉 ahaha

What DOES love look like?

This song. I listen to Today’s Christian radio on Pandora and this song came on the other day. I loved the lyrics so I “liked” it. I listened to it twice on the way to school yesterday morning – because it has become my new favorite song – and the lyrics just gave me chills. The lyrics are so real. You should just listen to it. I don’t know if i’m extra emotional this week from lack of sleep, but I even got a little teary-eyed when I really started thinking about it. It’s not a sad song by any means, it’s just puts a lot of this into perspective for you.

My favorite drink this week?

A smoothie. I’ve been really into making one as i’m cooling down/stretching. This day was an antioxidant blend of fruit, a banana, almond butter, milk, and ice cubes.

My favorite food this week is broccoli. Like had it every day this week kind of favorite. Right now my mom is gagging. She hates anything remotely healthy.

See. I even got some last night when I met Reeana for dinner.

#goodlookingout

Speaking of Reeana, I got this text from her on Wednesday night. She just knows me so well to know that if she texts me to look at website full of jewelry that I WILL stop in the middle of my statistics studying and waste spend an hour or so looking at all the things I want and will probably decide I need. #goodlookingout Ree

So many things I want!!!! I told her my bank account is going to hate her later. For example, I love this bag!

Have you heard of this website before? Am I the only one out of the loop??

Well, that wraps it up for today. Have a GREAT weekend, everyone. Can’t wait to read about them all on Monday.

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Weekend Recap: Home Alone edition

Mom and dad are in Hawaii for their Anniversary (a couple months early). I’m so glad they went!! This week i’m holding down the fort with Rugrat 1, Rugrat 2, and Rugrat 3.

Thursday night I finally saw Reeana since she’s been home from her graduation in December. We went to Mi Cocina and hung out for 2 hours. We talked about being old with jobs, graduation, law school, and all that big kid stuff. It was so fun!! Love spending time with this friend 🙂 And how cute is she in this picture???

And what’s good ol’ Mexican food without some Bud and lime?

Friday morning I went in to the office and was super productive. Because always.

After I got home from work I had a couple hours before Ry had to be at his baseball practice. So I did some dishes. Morgan was at her soccer game and after we left I got a call from Rick saying he was locked out of the house. HAHA! He whinned and complained for 2 hours….however I got them Little Caesers breadsticks and pizza and when we got home the four of us sat around the table and laughed about Rick acting like he was #OMGSOFREEZING from being outside that long. Drama!

Saturday morning I slept until 11. HALLELUJAH. And I “connected over a cup” of vanilla coffee with cinnamon and watched my Hart of Dixie recording. Best. Show. Y’all.

And then to get the siblings to stop whining about how there is no food in our house. (Wrong, there were just no bagel bites) I had to go to the grocery store. But look at this weather!!!! February in TX means sunny and 70. No complaints 🙂

And Saturday afternoon I got a much-needed haircut. Hey, thanks for buying dad 😉

Saturday night I babysat this little cutie and we multi-tasked while playing Mario Kart and eating Doritos.

Sunday morning I went to Yoga as per the every other week usual.

And Rugrat 3 had practice Sunday afternoon, so Morg and I drove to pick him up. Not gonna lie..I almost broke a sweat out there! Beautiful sunshine!

They begged me for Subway, so being the awesome big sis in charge that I am, I obliged so they could get sandwiches. And definitely not so I could get sweet tea or anything 🙂

And I just want to leave you with this picture before we wrap up here, so we can all hate on my parents for being in beautiful Hawaii while each of us are at work/school/the gym/wherever this Monday morning.

Yes. I know.

21 part two

(update: part one is here)

So as I was sitting by the fire blogging, mom made us Chili’s frozen margaritas…they were nasty. But I liked the thought and the little umbrella.

My dad remembered they had plans to go to the local bar for a little bit on Saturday night to see a band that was playing. I was almost 21 so I decided to start it off right with some 50 year olds!

I was the youngest one there, so my dad begged me to request his favorite song. He bought one of their CD’s and everyone there signed it….including the lead singer of the band.

 

“I’ve got gross hair, but I don’t care because it’s midnight and I just turned 21!!!” “I’ll shower in the morning.”

I woke up to my dad begging me to tell him what to get me at Starbucks that morning, haha. So finally after me being half asleep at 9:00 I agreed. And when I got out of the shower I had my coffee and gluten-free muffin my mom bought me from the Unrefined Bakery sitting there waiting for me.

“It’s Molly’s birthday, so we bought ourselves donuts”………WHAT?!

My birthday fell not only on a Sunday, but on the Sunday everyone goes back to college from being here for Christmas break. So I celebrated with my friends while having mimosas and breakfast tacos:)

 

I don’t want to brag or anything, but I’ve got the best friends out there. Thanks for coming Emily, Emily, Reeana, Morgan and Jonathan.

  

The Emilys both had to leave early, but we cracked out the gluten-free cake (That everyone loved) hahah not! I mean, I thought it was good. But when it’s the only thing you an have, of course it’s good! Did my mom not do an AMAZING job ordering a leopard print cake for me. If this doesn’t prove to you that I love leopard print, I don’t know what will.

As Morgan and I walked back to the car we noticed someone (or some bird) left her a pretty little surprise. It’s two days later and this is still on there…i’m just saying.

I got home to the house decorated like this 🙂

And we watched the Cowboys game until it ended.

I opened presents and Ry gave me this coat and scarf. Everyone was so distracted by the Cowboys game that I didn’t get pictures with anyone else. It was all cowboys>Molly that’s just rude.

Rick wanted me to have gluten free beer. Haha!

Then around 5:00 we got in the car and went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant in downtown. Ry was so excited!

Margaritas and fish tacos. Be still my heart.

My birthday was fun. I’m grateful for the people in my life now and I can only imagine what 21 has in store for me. I’m hoping next year will be even better than 20 and filled with plenty of family, fun, friends, and lots of love. That’s all you can ask for, right?

I already know 21 is going to bring me:

-One year closer to graduating college
-My sister graduating high school and going off to college
-My friends 21st birthdays
-Lots of traveling
-Probably some tears
-Probably some laughs
-Probably some obstacles
-Most definitely some good times

But isn’t that LIFE? At least i’ll be getting one more year’s worth of experience. I know i’m not guaranteed tomorrow, so today i’m thankful I made it this far. And i’m hoping for many, many more birthdays to come! Bring it on 21!!

Meet My Peeps: Reeana

It’s another day of Meet My Peeps! Everyone say “Hello, it’s

Reeana

How do I know Reeana?
We met through volleyball in 7th grade when she moved here, but our friendship grew freshman year in high school when I saw her at my Church one morning and jumped on her because one of my friends was actually there. We went to a small Church in the next town over. We definitely didn’t really know of each other then, so she was probably a little freaked out, but it’s okay because look at us now. ^^^

What do I love about Reeana?
I’ll tell you what I don’t love,,,the fact that she wears that gaudy orange color. And puts her horns up in our pics…OU girl and UT girl…rivals forever. BUT! She’s always genuinely interested in what I have to say, has good feedback for me, and has always been there for me no matter what, she’s the logical one of us two, she’s not annoying like I am, and that’s what I love…that she’s the ying to my yang. She’s so good at making fun of herself. She’s my editor. She’s my religious leader. And she asks me for style advice (I love it) (like I know anything) (hehe). I think she’s fabulous. And yes I admit I wore a little orange when I went on her college visit with her. We won’t talk about it…

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Reeana?
Being introverts! She and I allllllways laugh about this and send each other weird introvert quotes we find on the internet. Or usually I do. These pictures below were taken in the same day. The first one is her being reunited with her car keys that she left in Anthropologie…and check out my totally rad double chin as we are pointing to the Kendra Scott store we could never afford. Because anything in there is the price of my bed. And i’d rather have my bed. Not bashing any of you Kendra lovers….but college.

It’s the little things like these days that make out friendship so fun 😉
Oh, also she made me a handmade book of all our favorite memories together…of which I still LOL thinking about some. You can always find us at Dickey’s or Tin Star.

What do I think is one fun fact about Reeana?

First of all, if you call her “Ree-aw-nah” she’ll probably strangle you, so don’t do that because I wouldn’t want her to strangle anyone. But I think also the fact she’s graduating NEXT MONTH is super duper fascinating. I’m telling you her determination is insane and I need it!

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Okay, here with go with the interview!!

What is your name? Age?
Reeana Keenen- I just joined the ranks of the real adults and turned 21 on October 12th!

1. If money weren’t an object, what would you do with your life?
I would probably move to the mountains somewhere and do outdoorsy, fun things all the time. I love to kayak and like hiking, too. I’d probably also spend a lot of time writing-I really like writing essays (nerdy, I know) and I want to get better at creative writing, too.
(Determination…)

2. List 3 of your favorite things.
Mexican food, books, and wine

3. If you were another person would you be friends with you?
Well, that’s kind of a hard question. That would have to depend on what kind of person I were. If I was like how I am now, i’d probably be friends with myself. But I also know there are people who don’t like me at all and who think i’m annoying. I definitely have my flaws, but i’d like to think i’d be friends with me if I were someone else. I mean, i’m pretty funny after all.
(Only she would make this so thought out)

4. What annoys you most about me?
I don’t know that anything really annoys me about you. We’ve been friends for so long that, at this point, i’ve one to love your flaws and ignore the little things you do that might annoy me. And i’m sure you’re the same way toward me-something i’m constantly and forever grateful for!

5. Do you like taking this?
Sure, why not. If I weren’t taking this right now, i’d be doing homework, so this is a welcome distraction!

6. Who’s the first person you’d call if you had a bad day?
I’d probably call my brother. We’re very close and I feel like he’s one of the few people who can calm me down when i’m stressed and cheer me up when i’m sad. He’s basically my life coach, fairy godmother, brother and best friend all in one.

7. What’s one thing I don’t know about you?
You might not know that I really like to write and to draw and paint (even though I don’t really have time to do it often. But then again, maybe you do know that! We’ve been friends since the 7th grade!

8. What is your favorite Bible verse?
2 Cor. 12:9- “My grade is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness; therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

I love this verse because it remind me that God doesn’t expect me to be perfect. And in fact, it is my weaknesses and my recognition of my imperfect nature that makes me strong, through God’s grace alone.
(Told you…spiritual leader in our relationship!)

9. What is one thing you hid from your parents?
What they don’t know, won’t hurt them.
(Dun dun dunnnnnnnn)

10. What would you rather be doing than this right now?
Ehhh, napping? Watching Gilmore girls?
(Yes, Gilmore girls, yes!!)

11. Who is the funniest person you know?
Allison? My brother?

12. What is a “color of your life”?
Blue-even though sometimes I get really stressed out, everything works out and normally ends up being better than I expected it to be.

13. What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Christmas, because everything is happier around Christmas time and I really like cold weather. I have a lot of happy memories associated with Christmas!

Thanks for participating Weeeeana, Lots of love!!!

Glad y’all got to meet one of my oldie goldie’s today (meaning she’s been around a while).
If you missed any of my previous people, check it out HERE!