Finish This #50

Happy Birthday to meeee!!!!!!

Today is my birthday. I’m 21 with 10 years experience. If you’re not good at math, that means I’m 31. But who’s counting?!

FINISH THIS WEEK 50 ….. If this is your first time here, welcome. If you’re a repeat participant, thanks for playing along and joining the shenanigans. Your co-hosts are LISA (COASTLINED), JEN (The Arizona Russums), BECKY (The Java Mama) and NICOLE (Three 31) and the instructions are simple: answer the prompts on your blog and add the post to the link up. Next week, we’ll do it all over again with a new set of prompts (located at the bottom of this post). Let’s get started!

The *YEAR IN REVIEW* link up begins December 31 – that’s in TWO weeks. Get your posts ready NOW!
If you are a blogger then you absolutely MUST complete the *YEAR IN REVIEW* questionnaire. If you need some inspiration, click HERE. Please share with others.

1. Getting older
means I’m getting better, hopefully. Turning 30 last year was mind-blowing. Two days after my birthday, I gave birth to Kamden and my life changed forever, in the best way possible. I feel like my relationship with God and faith are stronger than ever; my marriage is incredible; I love being a boy mom; and I’m (slowly) getting stronger and prioritizing my health every day. I am grateful and blessed, and hopefully wiser with age!

2. My best kept secret
wouldn’t be a secret if I told you my best kept secret! Instead, I’ll share a few nuggets of wisdom for you to digest: 1) Never buy cheap toilet paper. Ever. 2)

3. My guilty pleasures
are cookie dough and reading erotic novels. Christian Grey has NOTHING on Gideon Cross, just saying.

4. My favorite place in the world
at home with Husband and Kamden. They are my world.

Prompts for WEEK 51 — December 24
My favorite Christmas tradition
My most memorable Christmas
The best gift I’ve ever received
The gift I’d rather forget

Finish This #49

FINISH THIS WEEK 49 ….. If this is your first time here, welcome. If you’re a repeat participant, thanks for playing along and joining the shenanigans. Your co-hosts are LISA (COASTLINED), JEN (The Arizona Russums), BECKY (The Java Mama) and NICOLE (Three 31) and the instructions are simple: answer the prompts on your blog and add the post to the link up. Next week, we’ll do it all over again with a new set of prompts (located at the bottom of this post). Let’s get started!

The *YEAR IN REVIEW* link up begins December 31.
If you are a blogger then you absolutely MUST complete the *YEAR IN REVIEW* questionnaire. If you need some inspiration, click HERE. Please share with others.

1. My ideal winter weekend
consists of cold weather (below 50-degrees), watching college football, and eating chili with Fritos chips. For Thanksgiving one year, I’d really love to go to New York City for the Macy’s parade and Christmas tree is Rockefeller Center. I’d also like to spend Christmas in Colorado (or someplace in the Rocky Mountains) surrounded by snow and an actual winter wonderland. And, if I’m planning dreamy vacations, I’d like to spend another Christmas on the beach and build a snowman in the sand. I wouldn’t say no to any of these opportunities – hint to Husband!!!

2. My favorite song lyric

I’ll paint my mood in shades of blue, paint my soul to be with you
I’ll sketch your lips in shaded tones, draw your mouth to my own
I’ll draw your arms around my waist, then all doubt I shall erase
I’ll paint the rain that softly lands on your wind-blown hair
I’ll trace a hand to wipe out your tears, a look to calm your fears
A silhouette of dark and light, while we hold each other oh so tight
I’ll paint a sun to warm your heart, swearing that we’ll never part
I’ll paint the truth, show how I feel try to make you completely real
I’ll use a brush so light and fine, to draw you close and make you mine
I’ll draw the years all passing by, so much to learn so much to try
That’s the colour of my love
And with this ring our lives will start, swearing that we’ll never part
I offer what you cannot buy, devoted love until we die
THE COLOUR OF MY LOVE – Celine Dion

3. I smile because
I have so much to be grateful for, including my faith, family, friends, and good health. I’m smiling because my parents are here  and we’re celebrating Kamden’s first birthday this Saturday. It’s so good to be with them and watch them love on their one and only grandchild. I am incredibly blessed!

Prompts for WEEK 50 — December 17
Getting older is
My best kept secret
My guilty pleasure
My favorite place in the world

Finish This #48

FINISH THIS WEEK 48 ….. If this is your first time here, welcome. If you’re a repeat participant, thanks for playing along and joining the shenanigans. Your co-hosts are LISA (COASTLINED), JEN (The Arizona Russums), BECKY (The Java Mama) and NICOLE (Three 31) and the instructions are simple: answer the prompts on your blog and add the post to the link up. Next week, we’ll do it all over again with a new set of prompts (located at the bottom of this post). Let’s get started!

The *YEAR IN REVIEW* link up begins December 31.
If you are a blogger then you absolutely MUST complete the *YEAR IN REVIEW* questionnaire. If you need some inspiration, click HERE. Please share with others.

1. My biggest fan
is my husband. My entire family is very supportive of me, I don’t want to dismiss any of them.

2. My great blessing is
Kamden. The love I have for this child is indescribable; I can’t imagine being a mom to anyone else, which is why he’ll be an only child!

3. Sometimes, all you need to feel better about life is
is a good cry sesh, a big spoonful of cookie dough, and a phone call with your mother. I may or may not have participated in all three activities recently. Being a mom is hard.

Prompts for WEEK 49 — December 10
My ideal winter weekend
My favorite song lyric
I smile because

Finish This #47

FINISH THIS WEEK 47 ….. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 

If this is your first time here, welcome. If you’re a repeat participant, thanks for playing along and joining the shenanigans. Your co-hosts are LISA (COASTLINED), JEN (The Arizona Russums), BECKY (The Java Mama) and NICOLE (Three 31) and the instructions are simple: answer the prompts on your blog and add the post to the link up. Next week, we’ll do it all over again with a new set of prompts (located at the bottom of this post). Let’s get started!

The *YEAR IN REVIEW* link up begins December 31.
If you are a blogger then you absolutely MUST complete the *YEAR IN REVIEW* questionnaire. If you need some inspiration, click HERE. Please share with others.

1. My favorite Thanksgiving tradition
is being with loved ones. Whether I’m in Texas or Kentucky with family and friends, I enjoy being with the people I love. The food is a major plus, but the company is best. We laugh, we joke, and we have a good time. If I’m in Kentucky (Louisville, specifically), we always get the playing cards out for a game of Progressive Rummy. In years past, on Thanksgiving Day, instead of battling the long lines and craziness that is Black Friday shopping, we’d go to Churchill Downs and watch live horse racing. If I’m celebrating Thanksgiving in Texas, depending on the weather,  Husband and I grab our guns and fishing poles and head to the pond. We put targets against the dam to shoot and, when we’re done, we have a contest to see who catches the most fish. After walking the long distance from the house to the pond, we’re ready for Round Two of more turkey, dressing, yeast rolls, and desserts!

2. My most memorable Thanksgiving was
I have fond memories of every holiday, including Thanksgiving. 2012 was bittersweet because I was in Kentucky and saw my cousin, Brian, before he deployed to Afghanistan. (He’s back home, safe and sound!) Last Thanksgiving (2013) was pretty memorable because I was eight months pregnant. I literally ate ALLLLLL day long but it was a few bites here, a couple bites there, and I had to pee every two minutes. I told my in-laws not to make me laugh or I’d have to change my pants. Speaking of pants, I highly recommend wearing maternity clothes at the Thanksgiving dinner table. The stretchy, elastic panels are super comfortable and the ultimate wardrobe staple for over-eating. If you’re wondering if I still own a pair of pregnant pants, YES I DO!

3. My favorite Thanksgiving food or dish
turkey (duh!), dressing (stuffing, whatever you call it), and cranberry relish. In years past, I’ve made sausage and cornbread dressing, my Mom’s signature cranberry relish. Since I am a big fan of carbs, dressing (or is it stuffing?) takes up a significant portion of my plate. And I always go back for seconds. And thirds. For the record: I think I like ‘dressing’ best because stuffing a raw turkey’s butt with a mixture of cubed bread, vegetables, and seasonings then eating it later is disgusting and cause for salmonella. Ain’t nobody got time for salmonella!

4. I’m so thankful
for God’s grace; my family and friends; an abundant milk supply; and stretchy fat pants.

Prompts for WEEK 48 — December 3
My biggest fan
My great blessing is
Sometimes, all you need to feel better about life is

Finish This #46

IT’S WEEK 46 OF FINISH THIS … If this is your first time here, welcome. If you’re a repeat participant, thanks for playing along and joining the shenanigans. Your co-hosts are LISA (COASTLINED), JEN (The Arizona Russums), BECKY (The Java Mama) and NICOLE (Three 31) and the instructions are simple: answer the prompts on your blog and add the post to the link up. Next week, we’ll do it all over again with a new set of prompts (located at the bottom of this post). Let’s get started!

The *YEAR IN REVIEW* link up is fast approaching, make sure you’ve completed the questionnaire by December 31 and participate!
If you are a blogger then you absolutely MUST complete the *YEAR IN REVIEW* questionnaire. If you’ve never completed a similar questionnaire, click HERE. This special event will take place during WEEK 52 of the Finish This link-up, beginning Wednesday, December 31. Please share this with other bloggers. In case you’re easily distracted or forgetful, I’ll periodically remind you of this awesome event!

1. If I could fly to any destination tomorrow, I’d go to
domestic // I’d go to Kentucky for an extra long Thanksgiving holiday. Or to New York City for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, I’ve always thought spending the holidays (Thanksgiving or Christmas) in NYC would be mucho-fun.

international // I’m not picky. I really want to return to Jerusalem. Now that I’ve been and I’ve studied more of the sites and places I saw last year, I want to go back with a fresh, better perspective. I also think I missed a lot of details because I was so overwhelmed by the WOW that is The Holy Land … and taking 3,000 pictures! I also want to see the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican. One of these days I’m going to enjoy one of those cabanas in Bora Bora that hover above the ocean too. Don’t mind me, I’ll just be floating with the fishies.

2. My best advice for travelling is
allow extra time in the airport or on the roads. Husband makes major fun of me because I want to get to the airport at least two hours prior to our departure time and I’m a nervous wreck if we’re cutting it too close. I hate – LOATHE – being late, and I sure as hell don’t want to miss a flight because that’s wasted money!!!!! Now that I’m a Mom and have travelled with Kamden, I think extra time and patience are even more important. Even though Kamden was a rock star on his first plane ride, and slept the majority of all the flights, I had plenty of patience packed.

3. I like to travel because
I love re-visiting places I’ve enjoyed in the past and new places I’ve never been. The sense of adventure is exciting to me, and not always having a specified schedule is nice too. If I want some time to rest and relax, I can. Or, if I want to explore and seek adventures, I can do that too. Wherever I go, I always eat a restaurants the locals recommend – I never eat at chain establishments. BORING! I wish Husband enjoyed travelling but he’s a homebody. (sigh.)

Prompts for WEEK 47– November 26
My favorite Thanksgiving tradition
My most memorable Thanksgiving was
My favorite Thanksgiving food or dish
I’m so thankful

Finish This #45

IT’S WEEK 45 OF FINISH THIS … If this is your first time here, welcome. If you’re a repeat participant, thanks for playing along and joining the shenanigans. Your co-hosts are LISA (COASTLINED), JEN (The Arizona Russums), BECKY (The Java Mama) and NICOLE (Three 31) and the instructions are simple: answer the prompts on your blog and add the post to the link up. Next week, we’ll do it all over again with a new set of prompts (located at the bottom of this post). Let’s get started!

Have you heard about the *YEAR IN REVIEW* questionnaire and link up happening in December?
If you are a blogger then you absolutely MUST complete the *YEAR IN REVIEW* questionnaire. If you’ve never completed a similar questionnaire, click HERE. This special event will take place during WEEK 52 of the Finish This link-up, beginning Wednesday, December 31. Please share this with other bloggers. In case you’re easily distracted or forgetful, I’ll periodically remind you of this awesome event!

1. The best physical feature on my body is
I’d say it’s my smile but Kamden and the countless number of NICU babies eating my breast milk would say my boobs.

2. The best physical feature on my spouse’s body is
Husband’s hands. He’s got really big hands, long fingers, clean and trimmed nails (most of the time), and no calluses. His feet are the same way, except when his toenails scratch me when we’re in bed and I jump up immediately to grab the clippers. Ain’t nobody got time for shenanigans like toenails touching you while trying to sleep. Pffft.

Prompts for WEEK 46– November 19
If I could fly to any destination tomorrow, I’d go to
My best advice for travelling is
I (like / dislike) to travel because

Finish This #44

IT’S WEEK 44 OF FINISH THIS … If this is your first time here, welcome. If you’re a repeat participant, thanks for playing along and joining the shenanigans. Your co-hosts are LISA (COASTLINED), JEN (The Arizona Russums), BECKY (The Java Mama) and NICOLE (Three 31) and the instructions are simple: answer the prompts on your blog and add the post to the link up. Next week, we’ll do it all over again with a new set of prompts (located at the bottom of this post). Let’s get started!

Have you heard about the *YEAR IN REVIEW* questionnaire and link up happening in December?
If you are a blogger then you absolutely MUST complete the *YEAR IN REVIEW* questionnaire. If you’ve never completed a similar questionnaire, click HERE. This special event will take place during WEEK 52 of the Finish This link-up, beginning Wednesday, December 31. Please share this with other bloggers. In case you’re easily distracted or forgetful, I’ll periodically remind you of this awesome event!

1. _______ makes me smile because
Email messages, Facebook posts, and blog comments from moms breastfeeding and/or pumping make me smile because they remind me of the community that is motherhood. I get messages on a daily basis from women asking me about my breastfeeding experience and current journey as an exclusive pumper. I have quite the intimate relationship with my hands-free bra and Medela pump, and I’m grateful that my supply is abundant to feed not only Kamden but the countless NICU babies who receive my donor milk. A year ago, my only wish was to have skin-to-skin contact and hope Kamden latched on after his birth. My ultimate goal was to breastfeed six months … he’s 10 months and we’re both doing really well. As successful as my breastfeeding experience is, there are moms out there who are not as fortunate, for a variety of reasons. But I get excited when a mom reaches out to me because I’m willing to share my story and the tricks or techniques that work for me. I’m not saying what I do is the only way or the right way, but I’ve certainly had some success doing what I’m doing! What is most incredible, however, is every email message, social media post, or blog comment represents a relationship. We are all women bonded by the struggles and triumphs that is motherhood, whether we breastfeed, pump, formula-feed, or a combination of all three. We’re all trying our very best to love, nurture, and feed our little one and it’s a beautiful thing.

2. I put my trust
in The One who created me. Simple as that. But it’s easier said than done, especially when my human tendencies and habits and desires want to be in control. It’s a daily struggle but thank God he doesn’t give up on me!

3. I don’t
share bed linens (i.e. pillows, blankets, or sheets) with Husband. In the (almost) eight years of marriage, we have slept under the same sheet or blanket once – and we both woke up, miserable and cold, neither of us were covered. Ever since, he has his own pillows, top sheet, and blanket and I have mine. This mandatory rule is in effect even when we are staying in a hotel or a friend or family member’s home. Having your own covers is the REAL definition of happily ever after.

Prompts for WEEK 45– November 12
The best physical feature on my body is
The best physical feature on my spouse’s body is

Finish This #43

IT’S WEEK 43 OF FINISH THIS … If this is your first time here, welcome. If you’re a repeat participant, thanks for playing along and joining the shenanigans. Your co-hosts are LISA (COASTLINED), JEN (The Arizona Russums), BECKY (The Java Mama) and NICOLE (Three 31) and the instructions are simple: answer the prompts on your blog and add the post to the link up. Next week, we’ll do it all over again with a new set of prompts (located at the bottom of this post). Let’s get started!

Have you heard about the *YEAR IN REVIEW* questionnaire and link up happening in December?
If you are a blogger then you absolutely MUST complete the *YEAR IN REVIEW* questionnaire. If you’ve never completed a similar questionnaire, click HERE. This special event will take place during WEEK 52 of the Finish This link-up, beginning Wednesday, December 31. Please share this with other bloggers. In case you’re easily distracted or forgetful, I’ll periodically remind you of this awesome event!

1. As a kid, my favorite Halloween costume was
anything that I happened to be wearing? I didn’t dress up that often as a kid, Halloween wasn’t that big of a deal. I specifically remember wearing a particular costume (a pumpkin) several years in a row because I didn’t want anything else. I was a cheerleader one year, only because my Nana had purchased the outfit for me to wear at a University of Kentucky basketball game. It was a legit cheerleader’s uniform, but tasteful and appropriate for a young girl to wear. I had coordinating ribbons in my hair and giant blue and white pom-poms too. I was the bomb-dot-com in my mind! My parents took me trick-or-treating in our small town, mostly to friends’ homes, and then we went about our usual schedule. We had parties at school where we made our own capes or masks to wear, but I don’t remember such elaborate (and often inappropriate) costumes like there are today. Too much time, energy, focus, and money is spent in my opinion!

2. As an adult, I celebrate Halloween by
baking cupcakes and sharing them with children and adults at the church’s trunk-or-treat and fall festival. When I run out of cupcakes, which doesn’t take very long, I resort to the few bags of candy I have. I’ve never been one to celebrate Halloween and get all dolled up, and I don’t spend a ton of money on sugar-laden sweets either, but I like to socialize and see others enjoy the fun and festivities that is modern-day Halloween. Now that Kamden is here, the celebration is a bit more fun. This year will be pretty low-key since he’s less than a year old and doesn’t care about costumes or candy or trick-or-treating, but I think we’ll enjoy it more in years to come. With Halloween just days away, Kamden has a t-shirt to wear this Friday night at trunk-or-treat in the church parking lot. If I’m a bad mother for not buying an elaborate costume or making some specialized DIY version, oh well. I’m not losing any sleep over the matter and, frankly, he isn’t either. Husband’s going to trunk-or-treat hoping to use Kamden has a way to score a free Snickers bar.

3. My favorite candy is
RED Skittles. I hate the purple ones, I pick those out and either throw them way or give them to someone I know likes them. Plus, with my dairy (cow’s milk) allergy, I can’t have any of the chocolate candy bars. But I sure miss Reese’s cups and Three Musketeer bars though. Mmmm, the nougat in a Three Musketeer is sooooo good.

Prompts for WEEK 44– November 5
_____ makes me smile because
I put my trust
I don’t

Finish This #42

IT’S WEEK 42 OF FINISH THIS … If this is your first time here, welcome. If you’re a repeat participant, thanks for playing along and joining the shenanigans. Your co-hosts are LISA (COASTLINED), JEN (The Arizona Russums), BECKY (The Java Mama) and NICOLE (Three 31) and the instructions are simple: answer the prompts on your blog and add the post to the link up. Next week, we’ll do it all over again with a new set of prompts (located at the bottom of this post). Let’s get started!

Today’s post is short and sweet because I have something special to share …
If you are a blogger then you absolutely MUST complete the *YEAR IN REVIEW* questionnaire. If you’ve never completed a similar questionnaire, click HERE. This special event will take place during WEEK 52 of the Finish This link-up, beginning Wednesday, December 31. Please share this with other bloggers. In case you’re easily distracted or forgetful, I’ll periodically remind you of this awesome event!

1. It took me a long time to realize
in the realm of friendships, it’s best to have four quarters than 100 pennies. I have a lot of friends, acquaintances even, but there’s an exclusive group of folks who would answer my call in the middle of the night. And I would do the same for them.

2. I surround myself with
family, friends, and good food. What’s better than that?!

Prompts for WEEK 43– October 29
As a kid, my favorite Halloween costume was
As an adult, I celebrate Halloween by
My favorite candy is

Finish This #41

IT’S WEEK 41 OF FINISH THIS … If this is your first time here, welcome. If you’re a repeat participant, thanks for playing along and joining the shenanigans. Your co-hosts are LISA (COASTLINED), JEN (The Arizona Russums), BECKY (The Java Mama) and NICOLE (Three 31) and the instructions are simple: answer the prompts on your blog and add the post to the link up. Next week, we’ll do it all over again with a new set of prompts (located at the bottom of this post). Let’s get started!

CHALLENGE FOR YOU … visit at least three (3) blogs and comment on their “Finish This” post. Even if you don’t know the person, introduce yourself and leave a genuine comment. If you know a blogger who would like to participate in this link up, invite them to join us. Blogging is about building communities!

1. I feel like a bad-ass when
I have pumped more than 15 ounces of breast milk in a single session; delivered a cooler full of said breast milk to the milk bank; cooked an amazing meal for my family and friends; taken a frame-worthy photo; declined assistance from an employee and bagged my own groceries; saved money on said groceries by using a coupon; completed a Pinterest-inspired DIY project; learned a new trick in Lightroom; washed, folded, and put away a load of laundry; cleaned the entire house; blogged more than once or twice in a single week; completed a tough group exercise class; shooting handguns or target rifles (specifically my dad’s .338 Lapua!); delivering a funny one-liner at the right time; parallel parking (successfully, on the first try) in front of a busy restaurant with patrons watching; driving along Highway 174 and catching every green light; driving Husband’s truck and pulling a trailer; stopping the fuel pump on an even dollar amount; answered a Jeopardy question correctly; solved a Wheel of Fortune puzzle before a contestant; and when my legs are smooth-shaved and Husband notices (heyyyyy!).

2. One thing that always cheers me up
watching and listening to Husband and Kamden play. These two goobers will cure whatever ails you. Their laughs are contagious and the belly-wiggling kind.

3. The quotes I live by

Invite your blogging friends and come back next Wednesday for another round of Finish This where we’ll answer another set of prompts!

Prompst for WEEK 42– October 22
It took me a long time to realize
I surround myself with