Currently May/June 2020

I skipped last month’s post on purpose. With current events and everything going on in the news it just didn’t feel right at the time, so I’m combining the two months together.

May was stressful. Between work, planning a cross-country trip during a pandemic, and heartbreaking news headlines, it was a roller coaster for sure. We were also still working on the refinance of our home, which was also a bit of a roller coaster as well. Thankfully we finally closed!

As for June, it’s actually been quite a fun month. I flew across the country to my dear friend’s wedding. It was seriously so nice to put my phone away and soak in all the fun of what turned into an amazing girls weekend.

I came home completely exhausted and yet refreshed all at the same time! Mikey and Gryffin were troopers while I was gone for nearly 4 days! Which, by the way, was the first time I had been away longer than a day trip.

Here’s what else we’ve been up to the past couple months…

Currently Watching

The BBC version of Pride & Prejudice. This is a small spoiler of my next section, but since I was reading the book I also wanted to watch the movie as I’m going through it. Amazon Prime split the 6 hour movie into episodes, which is perfect since I barely have more than an hour or two sit down and watch anything. It’s perfect to turn on while I’m folding a load of laundry.

Currently Reading

Oooh do I have a lot to share in this section!

Don’t Overthink It by Anne Bogel (who also has a blog, Modern Mrs. Darcy, which I highly recommend checking out)

Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life by [Anne Bogel]

Finished! I’m pretty picky when it comes to buying books. I’m very happy to report that I enjoyed this book so much I ended up buying it half way through. As it turned out, I THOUGHT I was only half way through when I ordered the book, but instead I was only 2 chapters from the end. I would have been more disappointed except for the fact I know I will read it again.

Even though this was a self-help type book, she really drew me in with her stories. I really appreciated her point of view that overthinking also encompasses a variety of things that generally take up brain space, like clutter, for example. She covered a variety of topics and subjects that all related to overthinking. I really enjoyed it.

Look at me being an over achiever here…

I’m also listening to the audio book “Boundaries” by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend.

Boundaries, Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life

I already know I’m going to have to check it out again, probably as an e-book. I’m only 8 chapters in and already want to refer back to a couple things he’s talked about. I might even just end up buying this one too.

I also chose Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen for some light reading before bed.

Pride and Prejudice by [Jane Austen]

I actually just finished this! I have read this book once before as a requirement for a class. To be honest, I did not enjoy it at the time but I knew it was only because I required to read it. 15 years later and I finally picked it up for fun. I’m happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

And last but not least Keep it Moving: Lessons for the Rest of Your Life, by Twyla Tharp.

I actually had this book on hold at our library before the Covid-19 shutdown, so I was happy to receive an email last week letting me know the book was available via curbside pickup! I believe the book recommendation came from Anne Bogel after reading on her blog, but I could be mistaken. Since I have 3 books going right now the timing isn’t the best but it’s causing me to get some serious reading in this month!

Currently Making/Baking

This No Bake Oreo Cheesecake by Aimee with Shugary Sweets.

My husband loves cheesecake, so on his birthday I try and make him one every year. This was an easy recipe and it turned out as good as it looks!

This particular recipe calls for 2 pre-made oreo crusts, but since I couldn’t find any at the grocery store I ended up having to make my own. I wasn’t disappointing though, because just look at that!

Current Favorite

I’ve been on a shopping kick via Amazon lately. After discovering I was in need of a new lip color I decided to branch out and try something new when I found this Milani lipstick. It arrived and I immediately fell in love.

At just under $5 I figured I couldn’t really go wrong and chose the shade called Rose Femme – the name sounded lovely. The color is perfect! Slightly dark for summer, but rosey enough that I can still get away with it. I loved it so much that I ended up purchasing a second in a different color. It goes on so smooth and doesn’t leave my lips dry or flakey. Oh, and it smells good too!

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Well, that’s all for now. I hope you all are hanging in there. Have a wonderful, safe, and happy July.

Much love to you all,

Cami

Currently – August 2019

So here we are…the last day of the August. I usually start looking forward to fall by now, but honestly, I’m just not ready! I have absolutely loved this summer!

Here’s what we’ve been up to this month…

Currently Watching

Movies have included Aladdin (which you can read about during our Staycation Recap) & Mary Poppins. Actually, I’m only halfway through Marry Poppins, but the rest should be finished tonight.

Mikey has also watched the Pokemon movie.

Currently Reading

Ok, so I haven’t started reading it yet, but Unseen has made it on my to-read list after a friend told me about it. I’m looking forward to this one!

Currently Making/Baking

Tamale Pie!

Ok, so I honestly think this deserves a post all it’s own where I share the recipe…and a picture, ha. The recipe is very versatile and you can serve it different ways. It’s delicious!

Fun fact, the same friend who told me about the book is the same one who shared the recipe with me. Don’t you love friends like these??

Also, because they are just that good, I am keeping these brownies on my list. I have made them so much this summer!

Ghiradelli Triple Fudge Brownies

Ghirardelli Chocolate Triple Fudge Brownie Mix, 19-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12)

Current Obsession

Blogilates!

I am sure this has made it on a past Currently post, but Cassie Ho has AMAZING workouts and they are all free on her YouTube channel! She also has a beginner calendar on her website that has a workout plan, including links to the videos for the day. It has been working so well for me!

I took a very, very, veeeeerrrrrrry long break from working out after having a baby. I tried getting back into working out, but for one reason or another my workout routines were just not sticking.

Finally, after 2 1/2 years, I finally have a chunk of time after work that I’m able to fit in a 30 minute workout and stretch. I feel amazing…ok, sore, but amazing!

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I hope you all have had an amazing August and have a wonderful fall season!

Much Love,

Cami

Currently – February 2018

I almost missed this month’s Currently post, but I made it!  I’m going to keep this one short, but here’s what we’ve been up to this month.

Currently Watching

The Olympics!  I realize it’s over now, but it was nice to watch after putting our little Gryffin down to bed.  My favorite is always the the ice skating.  It’s amazing how effortless it looks!  My hubby’s favorite is the snowboarding.

Currently Reading

“The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman.  I just started this book but it’s a great read! (or in my case listen since I have the audio book).  I thought this was the perfect pick for this month since it was not only Valentine’s day this past month but also our 10 year wedding anniversary!

I was reading the Purpose Driven Life, but I’m having to put this book on hold and will pick it up at a later time.  I’m just not able to focus on this book like I would like to.

Currently Making/Baking

Steak Fajitas! (recipe here) This has been one of our go-to meals for the past couple months.  My husband has been the one to make it lately but we love it.  We eat it with a side of mexican rice and guacamole with Tostito’s lime chips.  So yummy!

Current Obsession

Whenever Bars!  One of my coworkers gave one for me to try and I have been hooked every since.  I was able to find them at Walmart for about $5.  I have mentioned before, but my baby is dairy intolerant and since I’m still nursing I have to cut dairy out of my diet as well.  It’s nice to switch things up from the Kind Bars every now and then.  Plus it tastes like you’re eating a cookie. :)

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I hope you all have had a great February!!

January Recap & 2018 Goals

Here we are half way through February and, wow, that happened fast!   I meant to post this a couple weeks ago – oops!  I felt like my little family spent almost the whole month of January being sick.  Poor little Gryffin had it the worst.  He had a stomach bug, followed immediately but a horrible cold which included a fever that lasted off and on for two weeks.  Thankfully that bug is behind us but I can’t wait for this cold and flu season to be over with.

In addition to the cold virus going around and dealing with the stress from that, we also found out that the in-home daycare we had been taking Gryffin to since he was 8 weeks old was closing.  I’m not going to lie, I’ve been pretty emotional about it.  For as much as I hate having to work full time, Amber had been his second mom and having to find someone new was rather heart wrenching.  We have completely been blessed having someone we could trust.  After a few weeks of searching we finally found a place that has been a good fit (more on this in the next update).

So now with that recap I will dive into how I did with my goals.

Goals 

In a previous post I had written what I hoped to accomplish for the whole year.  After having a baby I’ve had to intentionally let some things go (such as a clean house at all times) and other things seemed to have fallen by the wayside, but now I’m to the point where I’m ready to start getting a handle on things.  The month of January I wanted to focus on getting back into my Bible, praying, and being rooted in Christ.

Here is what I had planned for the month of January and the details of how I did.

Be – Rooted 

  1. Go through a devotional  
  2. Start a prayer journal 
  3. Go to church/listen to sermons every Sunday 

Book of the month:  Of Mess and Moxie:Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life by Jen Hatmker

* Here is the breakdown and details on how I did.

1 – Go through a devotional  I’m giving myself a half point here.  I started off reading through The Purpose Driven Life.  It was really good and I enjoyed it.  The downfall is that the chapters were longer than I could handle most nights.  By the time I get my baby to bed I’m exhausted and struggle not to fall asleep on the couch.  This turned into a fail by the second week.

Solution: Getting the audio book from our library.  This isn’t the most ideal solution since I only have the audio book for a certain amount of days, but it’s still better than nothing, especially since I really did want to finish it.

Since my main goal was to try and get into reading my Bible more I started going through reading plans with the You Version Bible app.  These plans tend to be short and I can usually manage to read the day’s section when I crawl into bed.

2 – Start a prayer journal  For the same reason as above, I am just way too tired at the end of the day to keep up with it.  As for the weekends, I still find myself scrambling for time.

Solution: Bag it.  I figured it would be best for baby steps so for now I will stick with Bible reading plans.

3 – Go to church/listen to sermons every Sunday  Guys – this one is so embarrassing for me to admit…we listened to only one sermon the whole month.  I have my excuses, but it just doesn’t cut it.

Solution:  Really make it a priority and schedule it.  My husband works graveyard which is why it’s so difficult to actually go to church.  We don’t have an excuse to not listen to a sermon online.  I plan to actually schedule it like we would a doctor’s appointment and make it happen.

Book of the Month: Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker.  Ooooh my gosh you guys!  I loved this book!  I found it by a complete accident while browsing through audio books through our libaray – I saw it and though it looked like it might be good.  I started in on my Monday morning commute and got to work feeling like I just had the best pep talk for my day…no…for my life.  Jen Hatmaker is hilarious and sooo much of what she said was incredibly relate-able.  I felt like every day I was hanging out and listening to a friend.  I plan to buy a hard copy of this book.  I highly recommend everyone listens to the audio book at least once though.  She reads the book herself and makes it that much more enjoyable (this is the one and only book, so far, that I give this recommendation to).

My hope is that everything I work on will carry on into the next month as I add to my goals.  I don’t expect to be successful all the time, but I am hoping that the more I try and the more I work on it that eventually it will stick and become just part of my routine.

Hope you all are having a wonderful February.  Stay tuned for the next update!


 

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Currently – January 2018

Happy January!  I hope you all are having a wonderful year so far.  We got to ring in the new year with friends and spent the night playing games and eating food!  Since then it’s been a slightly rough month since we have come down the a flu bug.  Thankfully we’re all starting to feel better but it really did a number on us!

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

Currently Watching

Live P.D. – I don’t exactly know how we found this show but it’s pretty cool.  It’s like the show COPS…but live.  Some episodes are pretty eventful and others not so much.

The Office – As we have time.

Currently Reading

The Purpose Driven Life – I was looking for a devotional to start the new year off with and this fell into that category.  So far I’m definitely not disappointed!

I’m also waiting for the audio book of Of Mess and Moxie, by Jen Hatmaker to become available through our library’s online program.  I like to listen to podcasts and audio books on my commute to and from work.

Currently Making/Baking

Apple Crescent Dumplings (recipe here).  I made these for Thanksgiving and have the ingredients to make them again.  They are pretty darn yummy!

Current Obsession

Kind Breakfast Bars.  I found out early on that Gryffin was senstive to dairy and since I’m still nursing dairy is out for me too.  These make a great dairy-free, on the go breakfast!  I have one every single morning with my one little cup of coffee. :)

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I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are having a great January!