Currently February 2020

/ Cami Grace / Leave a comment

Sooo…I wasn’t expecting to be MIA in January, but this year has been off to a rough, rough start. A new schedule to adjust to, my sister-in-law’s unexpected passing, a funeral, followed by weeks of vertigo. It feels as though January chewed us up and spit us out. I am so very thankful we are in a new month. Things are finally starting to feel a little more stable and getting back to “normal”. Although, I say that, but as I’m about to ready to post this, I’ve been up all night with a sick kiddo with a stomach virus…ha.

I really don’t have much to add between the above paragraph and the below list so I’m going to just jump in here!

Here’s what we’ve been up to lately…

Currently Watching

The Office.

Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, and B.J. Novak in The Office (2005)

I watch an episode here and there when I have some downtime and could use the comic relief. I know it’s just a show, but I love Jim and Pam.

As for Gryffin, he now LOVES Toy Story, especially Toy Story 3. I probably have been letting him watch a little more tv than I should the past month, so I plan on cutting him back a bit.

Currently Reading

Finished! – Unseen: The Gift of Being Hidden in a World that Loves to Be Noticed by Sara Hagerty

I had to check it out 3 times, but I am finally finished! I have a hard time putting my feelings into words on this book. At first I just had a hard time relating to the author, our stories and personalities are just different, but the things she had to say were true and in some ways eye opening. She really drove home that our value and what we do when no one is looking matters…and it matters to God and God alone – He is the only one we need to worry about pleasing.

I really admire how she handles her kids situations and challenges that have come along the way. There are certain chapters I would like to re-read just because I think I could get even more out of them, so I might even check it out again to re-read some of it.

I haven’t picked up another book yet. I really would like a good fiction that I can’t put down, but I’ve become so darn picky these days that it’s hard to find one I can get into. I used to love “The Baby-Sitter’s Club” in grade school and “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” in high school, but my gosh, as an adult I haven’t found a series I’ve been able to get hooked on. Any recommendations (that are clean)??

Currently Making/Baking

Now that Mikey is going to school full time and working I am doing almost all the cooking, which is totally fine, but it makes me realize how spoiled I was! One of my new favorite recipes has been this Ninja Foodi Pineapple Chicken.

pressure cooker pineapple chicken

It does takes more prep than I would like (mostly because I have to cut the chicken into pieces), but the cook time goes really fast. It tastes really good and it makes a lot, which is perfect because we love leftovers. Plus, Gryffin likes it a lot, so it’s win, win, win. :)

Current Favorite (Formerly “Obsession”)

My Planner!! This is the Legend Planner and I’m in love with it! I usually go with the Happy Planner, but I decided to try something different and I’m so glad I did. It’s small and yet has just enough room for everything I need. It’s great for goal setting, it has a full calendar view and a detailed weekly planner. There is plenty of space to write out my daily to-do lists and includes space to write out weekly goals as well. It’s the planner I never knew I needed in my life.

PC: Amazon
PC: Amazon

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I do have more posts planned, but I just need some time as we continue to adjust and deal with what life is throwing at us. I hope you all are having a wonderful February and happy belated Valentines day!

Much Love,

Cami

Hello 2020!

/ Cami Grace / Leave a comment

As every year comes to an end I can’t help but reminisce and think over the past year. This past year comes with a lot of mixed feelings. In the past there’s been a “good riddance” vibe, but this year is a little different. I’m so glad I have blogged throughout the year because honestly I know I would have forgotten some pretty fun moments. This year didn’t quite go like I thought it would…but that’s how it usually goes, doesn’t it? ;)

Starting January 2019 I had chosen a word of the year, which was “Courage”. I had one goal and one dream and that was to start my own freelancing business as a virtual assistant. I have the knowledge and capability to be successful, but when it came time to actually make the jump of investing in my business my husband and I suddenly didn’t have peace. At the time I wasn’t sure why, BUT I knew I needed to wait. Looking back I can see why, but it would take a long time to get into that. Honestly, if an opportunity falls into my lap I would like to snatch it up, but for now I’ll wait.

Looking back my word of the year should have been “Family”. This year, more than ever, that’s what it’s been about and I couldn’t be more blessed by it.

While being miles and miles apart, I have taken a loved ones hand and walked with her down the darkest and most terrifying road of her life…no…road doesn’t cut it…it’s more like full-blown off-roading through a jungle – now that feels more accurate. The things she’s gone through and the conversations we’ve had are absolutely unreal.

Seeing someone I deeply love go through something incredibly, gut-wrenchingly difficult is one of the hardest thing I’ve done in my life. You want so badly to take it away from them and yet your hands are tied and you have to watch them go through it. I have never spent so much time on my knees in prayer. I’m so incredibly thankful that we have a big God and we’ve seen and experienced Him move in big ways.

Some of you, although the situations may be different, whether it be an illness or something else, know exactly what this is like. If that’s you and are going through something similar I wish I could squeeze you and tell you that by the grace of God we will all get through this…one way or another.

While all of this has been extremely difficult, there has been lots of joy and laughter this past year as well. There have been some really amazing memories made with my own little family as Mikey and I took Gryffin and checked things off our summer bucket list! Again, I’m so glad I documented it all because somehow it’s so easy to forget.

After a summer full of fun and laughter, this fall/winter has been quiet and cozy. I’m all about quiet and cozy. Mikey and I have been able to go on quite a few date nights and get back in touch with each other again. We’ve done a lot of kid trades with my brother and sister-in-law to make date nights happen, so that means we’ve gotten a lot of nephew time in as well. Speaking of which, we just welcomed a brand new nephew born into our family this past month! So yes, this year has truly indeed been all about family. <3

As I look into 2020 it holds a lot of hopes and dreams…and uncertainty. Mikey will be starting classes again at one of the community colleges near us. It’s a year long certificate program and then will he continue on to finish his AA after. We’re looking forward to new opportunities that will open up.

While Mikey will be juggling full time work and full time school, I’ll be trying to pick up the pieces in between. We have some pretty fun trips in the works for the summer. I will be jet-setting across the country to Pennsylvania where I will be in a dear friends wedding. We also have a family reunion type trip coming and will be visiting Kansas for the first time! I am also really hoping to make it to Chicago to visit my parents. I’ve also had a desire start vlogging – so maybe I can even take you all along with me! It’s a bit out of my comfort zone putting myself out there, but I also think it’s kinda fun!

As for the rest of the year…well we don’t really know what that’s going to look like, but we’re always excited to see what God has in store and prayerfully commit this year to Him.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year!

Much Love and Many Blessings,

Cami

Currently – December 2019

/ Cami Grace / Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe we are at the end of the month and end of the year no less. I have another post coming as a re-cap of the year, but let’s just say there are a lot of mixed feelings with this year ending.

This past month has been both chaotic and quiet. Work was chaotic…completely chaotic. Home life felt pretty quiet. For once in our life we were actually ahead of the game for Christmas shopping (thank you Amazon!). I was even in the mood to bake a couple batches of cookies, which is pretty rare. We also welcomed a new little baby nephew to our family. I was so excited to finally meet him last week! I’ve had my share of baby snuggles, which makes me one happy auntie. Christmas came and it’s suddenly over, just like that.

Anyway…here’s what we’ve been up to this month.

Currently Watching

I think we’ve watched a bit of everything this month! Amazon Prime had a Hallmark quality Christmas movie, “Snowed-Inn Christmas”, which I was not at all disappointed to watch. Of course there is a big cheese factor to these Santa Christmas movies, but it was kinda cute.

On Disney Plus, Mikey and I are watching “The Mandalorian” and Gryffin watched Mickey Mouse’s “Once Upon a Christmas” and “Twice Upon a Christmas” a couple times.

Currently Reading

Unseen: The Gift of Being Hidden in a World that Loves to Be Noticed by Sara Hagerty

I’m still not done with this one. This is a book that I just can’t listen to for hours at a time because I really want what she’s saying to sink in. I’ve had to re-check it out twice and I’m pretty sure I might have to make it 3 times, but I’m getting there.

Currently Making/Baking

Ooooh I have been making and baking up a storm! Well…a storm for me might be more like a sprinkle to others.

For cookies, I made these Andes Mint Cookies by Six Sisters Stuff

PC: Six Sister Stuff

I found this recipe via Pinterest years ago and I’ve made them almost every year since. It’s probably the easiest cookie recipe ever. They are so soft and minty and yuummmy.

I also made these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies by Sally’s Baking Addiction

PC: Sally’s Baking Addiction

I have talked about these cookies a few times on my blog because they are just so darn good! If you love pumpkin and love chocolate, then goooo make these cookies!

In the none-sweet world, I have also made Pozole. I use a recipe that was handed down from a friend – my favorite kind of recipe! We recently won a Ninja Foodie and it’s quickly becoming my best friend. I used it on this recipe and it turned out so, so good! It’s on my to-do list to take a pic and put the recipe on my blog. It’s rich and spicy in flavor and delicious!

Current Obsession

I actually don’t have anything to share this month here. My focus has been on family and spending time with them…everything else has faded in the background and I’m definitely more than okay with that.

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I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas and enjoy the rest of the month…all 2 days of it! :)

Much Love,

Cami

Currently – November 2019

/ Cami Grace / Leave a comment

Compared to last month, this month has been quite eventful. The first weekend of the month I went to a small baby shower for my sister-in-law. The second weekend we watched my nephews overnight at their house – 3 small boys in one house and another cousin that came to visit the next day, so make that 4 small boys. It was super fun, but super exhausting!

Mikey and I were also able to go on another date night (woot woot!). No pictures this time, but we went out to our favorite all-you-can-eat Mongolian restaurant and chatted the night away.

Then we went to a Friends-giving this past Tuesday, which was really nice and then there was of course acutal Thanksgiving…which turned out to be kind of a bummer. Gryffin came down with a nasty, awful cold, complete with a 103.5 fever…poor guy! We got his fever down, but stayed home all day and missed out spending time with family. My brother was awesome and brought us over some turkey, stuffing, etc. and we traded them with rolls and a bottle of sparkling cider. The fact we still ended with some turkey and pie made it somewhat better. :)

Anyway…here’s what else we’ve been up to this month.

Currently Watching

Helllooooo Disney +

Image result for disney plus

There has been lots of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (thank goodness we have a break from Blippi!), The Little Mermaid, The Aristocats, Cars, and Monster’s Inc.

Also, Doug! Did anyone else grow up watching this?? Gosh, it’s so nice to see parts of my childhood back! It was kind of exciting.

Currently Reading

Cold Tangerines: Celebrating the Extraordinary Nature of Everyday Life by Shauna Niequist

I finished a book! This, in and of itself, deserves to be documented because it has been that long since I have finished a book cover to cover. Granted, this was an audio book, but it still counts!

I enjoyed it overall. It’s not going on my “favorites” book list, but I don’t regret reading it either. This book was full of little snippets of the ups and downs in her life. Some parts were more relate-able than others, but I absolutely loved the way she wrote. Her descriptions were perfectly detailed, making it an enjoyable journey as she took you along with her as she shared each part of her life story and the lessons she learned.

My only “complaint” is that the stories she shared of her life were not in order. She organized them by subject rather than consecutive events. This kind of drove me nuts and made me wonder if I somehow had the book on “shuffle”. With that being said I wouldn’t let that stop you from reading it.

Unseen: The Gift of Being Hidden in a World that Loves to Be Noticed by Sara Hagerty

Ok, this is back on my list. I had to re-check it out as an audio book after I finished Cold Tangerines. This is the kind of book you let certain insights sink in and your marinate on it for a bit. I think it would be better if I read this as a book book, so I could underline and highlight and take my time, but for now I’m making progress with the audio book and it will do.

Currently Making/Baking

Dairy Free Potato Corn Chowder – You can click the link to the recipe and photos here.

This is my most favorite fall and winter soup recipe! I’ve mentioned many times that my little 2 1/2 year old is sensitive to dairy so it was so exciting to find the perfect fall soup that we can all enjoy. *happy sigh*

PC & Recipe from Regina with leelicious.com

Current Obsession

Deep cleaning!

While spring seems to be the most popular time to deep clean for most people, there is something about the holidays that makes me feel the need to clean like a crazy, mad woman.

After being cooped up inside for so long I start really noticing the grime that settles in over time – anywhere from the extremely dusty blinds in the bathroom, to the laundry room floor that I keep putting off, to the dishwasher base and filter.

I took advantage of daycare this week (before Gryffin got sick) and took some extra time off so I could spend an entire day scrubbing the bathroom from the ceiling to floor.

I created a detailed bathroom deep cleaning list and plan to share that with you in the months to come. I would share it now but I need to make a few tweaks to it. I also want to work on a few more deep cleaning lists as well, including the kitchen, laundry room, and living room…so just something to look forward to in future. ;)

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I honestly can’t believe December is here tomorrow! I hope you all had a wonderful November and a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!!

Much Love,

Cami

Sometimes Breaks are Necessary

/ Cami Grace / Leave a comment

I’ve been a little absent and inconsistent with my blog lately. For as good as my intentions are to keep up with my once a week posting schedule it’s been pretty hard to do. I actually enjoy writing during my lunch breaks at work but I’ve been so busy that my breaks are often cut short or I’m too mentally drained to put anything down on paper…I guess screen in this case, hehe.  Sometimes it’s necessary to cut back in some areas so we can be successful in others.

We’re gearing up for the holidays at work and with that comes tons of logo apparel ordering and holiday party RSVP’s, not to mention the usual workflow which has increased as well.  I’m definitely not complaining, just explaining.

All this to say I am not giving up on my blog, just needing to take a small break until I can get through this month. Thanks for bearing with me on this.  I will back in the next couple weeks!

Much Love,

Cami