It's Friday!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

1)  So  I got this ombre nail kit for my birthday on Sunday from one of my wonderful sisters and I'm dying to use it.  Problem is my nails are terrible right now.  Hoping this weekend sometime to go get them done and see if they will use this kit to paint them.  

2) Wednesday had a great day with my little family.  Let the boys play outside in their pool and water table all morning, had lunch, then took them swimming at one of their grandparents, napped, then headed to a parade, and finished off  the night with a trip to our ice cream shop Homewood and our nightly cuddle fest.  Wish every day could be that great!

3)  I signed up to run my first full marathon.  I'm freaking out a little bit.  We have about 25 weeks but I'm still nervous as all get out.  I wanted to do a full but was still nervous and some days was thinking I should run another first but this one was nearing selling out so we went for it.  Lucky for us the next day it was sold out! We have a big group going down to Memphis for this one.  Running the full it will be my mom, myself, my sister and my sisters hubby.  Then running the half will be my other sister, and her mother in law.  Since it's a fairly close one of to home we also have some people coming with to watch including my hubby this time.  It should be a fun trip now just to build up to running that stinking far in the next half a year!

4)  I'm so thankful to stay at home most days to get to witness moments like this.  This afternoon before nap, Noah wanted to watch a little TV and of course Carson wanted to, too.  He is Noah's little shadow and copies everything he does so since Noah wanted to lay on the couch with the "circle blanket" he had to too!

5) Feeling extra blessed this week. I got to go on two lunch dates with Matthew this week.  Some days I work I run errands since I don't have the boys but this week I skipped them and went out to eat with him instead.  And my kids are just so darn adorable.  Have had so many cute/ sweet moments with them this week.

Watching a movie before bed one night.  They thought it was so cool to put the pillows on the floor!  Carson wanted to do it the next morning too.  

In case you missed it on Instagram, the boys love helping their dad do anything.  Noah got to plant some more seeds in the garden and they both helped water.  

Today they were having a blast pulling leaves off the trees and bringing them to me.  

Preparing for a Little One Link Up

My friend Kaitlyn and I came up with a great idea that I absolutely love.

As you know, Kaitlyn is expecting her first child. This can be so overwhelming and I know that other first time moms probably feel the same. She has so many questions and would love to hear the opinions of moms who have already been through this a time or two before.

Because of this, we are hosting a weekly series to try and get some answers to some of the most common questions.


Here are the topics we still have for future weeks:


Friday, May 31: Cloth Diapers vs. Disposables

Friday, June 7: To Vaccinate or Not To Vaccinate

Friday, June 14: Tips For Quick Recovery After Labor

Friday, June 21: Struggling With Postpartum Depression

Friday, June 28: BabyWise vs. Attachment Parenting

Friday, July 5: What You Really Need In A Diaper Bag

Friday, July 12: Buying vs. Making Baby Food

Friday, July 19: Cord Blood Banking vs. Not Cord Blood Banking

Friday, July 26: Moving Baby To Solids: Ideas, Tips & Tricks

Friday, August 2: Shopping For A Little One: Favorite Stores & Shops

Friday, August 9: Introducing Your Child Into A Home With Older Siblings Or Pets

Friday, August 16: How To Stay Connected To Your Partner

Friday, August 23: Baby-Proofing Your Home

Friday, August 30: Baby-Proofing Your Marriage

So without further ado, let's get on with this weeks Topic


Tips For A Quick Recovery After Labor:

Hi, Wifessionals readers! I'm Hayley and I normally blog over at A Beautiful Exchange. I'm so excited to be here with you to share a few tips about a healthy, speedy recovery after the birth of your sweet one. Whether you are having a natural birth or a C-section, these tips can help you rest your body while adjusting to life with a newborn!

Accept help: It's so hard during the first few days to want to be the best mother you could have ever pictured yourself being. You can't get enough of the little miracle cuddling close to you in your arms and you want to be there for every cry, hiccup, grunt, and gurgle. While all of those things are absoutely fabulous, you need to keep in mind that your body has just gone through something pretty traumatic. Beautiful, but traumatic. Maybe so. Either way, you should allow family members or
friends to give a helping hand. Thanfully accept offers from people wanting to help--just not too much! My mom came and stayed with us 2 nights after my son was born. I only woke up to nurse and it really helped to get that physical and mental rest!

Don't feel like you have to entertain guests: Because let's face it, they are not coming to visit you. They may say they are, but we all know they just want to hold the baby. While it's nice to have friends and family to stop by, don't work yourself too hard trying to the keep the house tidy, or offering drinks and snacks to people. If there are too many people asking to stop in, say NO! Chances are they will see the baby at some point, even if it is just on Facebook.

Sleep when the baby sleeps: If you do not do this, you will be completely exhausted. Once you get towards the end of your pregnancy, it may help to start trying to go to bed earlier. Your rest is extremely important while your body is healing--everything else can wait! Sleep is one of the first things to go once you have a baby, but take advantage of the multiple naps your newborn will take throughout the day. If you have things that you feel like just have to get done, do it while the baby is awake, just close by in a bouncy seat or swing!

Drink plenty of water: This especially goes for you ladies that will be breastfeeding. Your body needs lots of water to keep your milk supply up and full of the nutrients that the baby needs. Get a cute water bottle or cup and add that to your hospital bag. Get in the habit of drinking plenty of water all throughout the day, if you haven't already.

Accept extra supplies from the hospital: Anything that is in your room when you leave (with the exception of the baby blanket and obvious hospital property) is yours to keep. When you are about to check out, load up any and everything that you have been using. This includes the SUPER SUPER size pads and ice packs, along with the stylish gauze underwear. You may feel like you are walking like a dinosaur, but you will be so thankful to have the supplies handy when you need them.

Ice is your friend! The hospital will give you a few extra of the "pad size" ice packs. Do not under estimate the power of those things. Before I gave birth, the thought of an ice pack hanging out in my underwear made me cringe, but I am so glad that I had plenty of them! They help soothe the pain really nicely, especially after the irritation of a shower or using the bathroom.

Eat well: Don't be in a hurry to shed that baby weight! Breastfeeding babies thrive off of the fat content that is found in breast milk. Keep in mind that just like when you were pregnant, everything that you ingest will somehow effect your baby as well! Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and protein! This goes for all of you that aren't breastfeeding, too. Your body needs plenty of vitamins and nutrients to properly heal. Continue taking your prenatal vitamins, as well!

I hope these tips have helped out some fellow mommas! I really appreciate Kaitlyn and Jennifer letting me hang out with you guys today and can't wait to read everything that is coming up in this little series! I hope you guys will come and visit me at A Beautiful Exchange! 

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Looking Outward

I don't know what kind of selfish rut I'm in, but I think I have been here for quite awhile and I don't like it.   I was talking to my best friend the other day about how some people are just so good at being nice and doing special things for others.  I don't know about you but I want to be one of those people and I'm just so far from it.

* I want to be more generous.
* I want to be more thoughtful
* I want to make someone else's day
* I want to make my friends and family members feel loved
* I want to be someone who sends cards for no reason


I know there are lots of random acts of kindness challenges all over and those are great but  I really want to do it a little bit differently and concentrate on the wonderful people already in my life and not the strangers.  I'm so blessed to have so many awesome family members and friends and never take the time to show them how much I care or how much I appreciate them.

That brings me to a personal challenge I'm going to start next week and wanted to encourage you guys to follow along when you can.
I'm going to start with 7 challenges, one for each day for a week.  I will be starting Monday the 17th.

Day 1  Check in with a friend I haven't spoke with in awhile

Day 2 Visit a Grandparent

Day 3  Send 2 cards just because

Day 4 Send a friend/ family member flowers

Day 5  Offer to babysit a friend's kids so they can have a date

Day 6 Bake a friend/family member some goodies

Day 7 Shower people with compliments

I'm excited to start this and if you plan to join along let me know.  

Also if you have ideas for another week, comment below or email five27jones@gmail.com

Need Volunteers

Hey blogland!

Posted this on Instagram last night.  Filled a few spots but have two left!

Who wants them?

Almost 30

My birthday was last Sunday and I started out the day to myself getting in a 5 mile run.
It was a quiet run and I was lonely.  Just the week before I was running with 17,000 people all on the same trail in San Diego with beautiful scenery and adrenaline like I've never experienced before.   But as I ran down those lonely country roads I also did a lot of thinking about my life thus far.  I was overwhelmed with thinking about all that we have.

I just turned 29 this year, and a few weeks before my birthday my hubby turned 30.  30 sounds so much older than any number in the 20's and  I can't believe I'm almost there.  Age doesn't bother me now but someday I'm sure it will.   I have terrible skin, but yet have such a baby face.  I've always hated it, but someday will like it when everyone thinks I'm younger.  

Anyways,  since most of you don't really know me.

Here's what I wanted for myself as shallow as it sounds by this age

Kids after 30 because I really wanted to get my career going first

Big city career in fashion

Live in a big city

Wear high heels every day and dress up every day. 

I always pictured myself walking down the city streets, with heels, dresses and skirts, and a briefcase.  

To Be "Successful"

Well now  that I'm 29 here's my life

2 young boys and plan on being done having children

Live in my hometown which is pretty small and we actually live outside of it.

My house is covered by fields on 3 sides.

I wear flats, boots, or flip flops most days.

I still love fashion and dress up when I can but honestly most of the time I live in yoga pants and a plain colored tshirt

My life is truly very far away from glamorous!

I don't do anything with my fashion degree because I work with my husband at his optometry office.

Now by comparing the two, one would assume, I'm possibly not happy with my life or that I don't feel successful.  

I won't lie, of course I have days where I'm not completely happy, days where I do want more.  Days when I want that feeling of success and something of my own.  But at the same time, 99% of days, I'm completely happy with my life.  

I can't imagine my life without my boys, they bring me more joy than anything I have ever known.  

We actually spent a year living in the middle of downtown Chicago and I didn't like it like I thought I would.  I loved getting to experience what we did while we were there.  I was always around people but still felt lonely.  I missed our friends and family like crazy and couldn't wait to get back to them.  

With my career I knew that if Matthew and I were to get married, I knew we would end up back in our hometown because he had plans to join his father's optometry practice.  That was something I really thought and prayed about before we got married because I knew a big career using my degree just wouldn't be in the cards where we live. 

Now I'm actively trying to find someone for my job at work because more than anything I want to be a full time SAHM to my boys before they go to school.  I never thought I would want a van and to be the mom who stayed home.  I always thought I would need something more.   (I didn't realize how hard being a mom would be obviously when I thought that)  I have in the last few years really wanted to start a business and have had multiple ideas that would work in our small town and still hope to do so someday but most likely not when our kids are this young.  

I have shared this quote before but wasn't sure if I had on here and this truly sums up my life so far.

God knew what I would want.  He knew what the desires of my heart were going to be and he picked my perfect mate for my  unknown dream life.  We are blessed beyond measure and living the life that was made for us. Here's to another year, that I'm sure will be better than the last!  Here's to living in the country with my two kids and just being a mom without some fancy career.  Here's to my happy !  

Tuesday Topics- Seven

This week Seven things about my job! 

1)  I work with my husband and father in law who are both optometrists at our family optometric practice.

2)  I only generally work 2 days a week.

3)  I'm supposed to be the office manager, but never really have been.  I'm non confrontational, everyone is older than me and let's face it you can't be a manager when you are only there 2 days a week and really only have time for things you have to do.

4)  The place makes me eat chocolate.  I have never really been a big chocolate eater until I started there.  They have a candy drawer stocked with goodies at all times.  Gets me every time!

5)  I have worked there since August of 2008, started out full time but went down to part time when Noah was born.

6)  We are currently looking for someone to replace me as I'm working toward being a full time SAHM

7)  I don't need glasses or contacts yet so that stinks but at least I can always use sunglasses so I can get my pick for free.  Coach frames, yes please! 

This is our new office we built in 2009, and it turned out great.  I got to help plan and pick everything out.  It was challenging but fun at the same time.  We are quite proud of it and I know my husband plans to spend the life of his career here!  

Weekend Shenanigans

Boy did this weekend go by fast!

Friday was blah, I spent the day trying to recover our house and the laundry from vacation.  I usually have to clean the house as soon as I get back, not this time,  I kept putting it off so finally got myself organized, did some cleaning, wrote some bills, you know the boring grown up stuff.   It did feel great.
The boys spent the morning whining, screaming and playing the normal!  They did seem to play a little more though and I got some good quality time in with them too.  Friday night was family night, dinner at home, then  we headed to the Park and local ice cream stand.  Our boys love the park, and we seriously have been going there a lot lately.

 Carson my monkey.  One of his new things, anything he can hold on, he likes to swing from.  

Family photo on the slide

And Another on the Merry go Round.  Yeah we were those dorks taking selfies at the park!  

Our affectionate child.  Loves giving kisses and hugs!

Saturday Matthew worked in the am as usual and after the boys naps we headed to my cutie patootie little nephews first birthday party.  I can't believe he is already 1.  They had his party at the park and had a cookout so you know the boys enjoyed it.  Hunter really loved his cake, especially the icing.

Then Saturday night Hunter and his Aunt Kate, (my sister) came over and hung out with us until bedtime.

Hunter loved his first popsicle, and my boys never turn them down.

My world!

 Noah also gave the boys some tractor rides.  It's his new thing, amazing how much happiness tying these two things together can bring them.

Sunday we headed to church then to my dad and Dinah's for a birthday cookout.  My grandma turned 85, my aunt 50 and me 29 so we had a party for all of us.  I was the only one with a boring non special birthday year.  We did have some delicious food and the boys always enjoy "papas" .

The boys also kind of went swimming, we thought it was too cold but they were fine so they played mostly on the steps and with the water.

The rest of the day was filled with naps by all, dinner at my favorite mexican place with my mom and other family, then some more family time at home with my sweet little boys.  Tonight they did seem extra sweet and fun.  Love nights like these!

Hope you had a great weekend too!

Here's to another Monday!

Linking up with Sami for Weekend Shenanigans

Menu Planning Monday

Menu Planning Monday

Monday- Pollo Loco from Plain Chicken, recipe can be found here.  Every time we go to local Mexican place I order this so was pretty excited when I saw this recipe.  Going to give it a try!

Tuesday  BBQ Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas/  Salad

Wednesday-  Steak, Grilled Potatoes, Asparagus

Thursdays- Leftovers

Friday-  Hamburgers, Roasted Zucchini and Fries

I also want to try a healthy dessert/ snack this week.  Maybe this one, healthier version of the Wendy's Frosty

Or this healthy homemade strawberry ice cream

Linking up with Org Junkie