{Currently // May}

Happy Tuesday! I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. We sure did. But, now it's all about catching up for me today. We got in around 4:30 pm yesterday and didn't unpack anything but our phone chargers. We weren't ready to let go of the holiday weekend just yet! So we grilled some burgers, watched the Ranger game and then had popsicles on the porch. We soaked up every last second of it. Now I have over 300 photos to sort through as well as 20 something videos on the GoPro!

Anyhow, today is all about what is currently going on in our little world.

Loving //
Life, my sweet family, our church & church family, photos, making sweet memories on our trips.

Reading //
Wild and Free: A hope-filled anthem for the woman who feels she is both too much and never enough. By Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan

The Anthem of Wild and Free

The world may tell us we're too much and never enough.

But we can walk wildly in who God created us to be

and rest freely in the work Jesus did for us. 

We do not have to be confined or conformed by cultural expectations.

We are unchained from our past and unafraid of our future. 

We choose compassion over comparison.

We love without condition, without reserve.

Our eyes are on God; we hold nothing back;

we run fast and strong; we do not hide our light.

We aren't wild and free for our sake alone;

rather we sing life, hope and truth over the world 

with abandon - just as our God sings over us.

We are wild and free.

And we are poised to do mighty things, in Christ alone.

{excerpt from the book}

Listening to //
The Chris Tomlin with Matt Redman station on Pandora, 94.9 KLTY, or 'Ever Be' by Bethel.

Eating //
Fairly healthy {even while camping this weekend...wahoo}. I've cut out carbs and trying to eat less and better in general.

Drinking //
All the water. {with strawberry or cherry packets} I rarely have diet soda anymore and do not feel dependent on it anymore. I actually crave and prefer water now. This is big for me!

Watching //
Trying to catch-up on shows, but I am so behind. The last thing I watched was about 30 minutes of the first episode of the bachelorette.

Missing //
Our church and church family. We didn't go this weekend because we were 4+ hours away camping. I saw photos and videos on FB and was so sad that we missed such an amazing Sunday with our church. They sang all of my favorite songs, had baptisms at church and then again at a creek not too far from our church. Looked like an amazing day!

Also missing our sweet Diesel boy! We kenneled him this trip and I miss him something fierce. Nate will pick him up today after work.

Feeling //
All the feels! Mason is just about done with Kindergarten and it's so bittersweet. I can't believe how fast this year flew by! He has had an amazing Kinder year and I am so, so grateful for his amazing teacher and school. But, I am also excited to have him home with me this summer. And to have that one on one time again.

Looking forward to //
Oh so much! Summer! Weekend camping trips. Swim lessons. Summer vacation. Having Mason home with me.

Needing //
To catch-up. On emails, blogs, photos, videos, laundry, housework, Instagram, etc. This list never ends.

Enjoying //
My camera and taking {and learning} photos on manual mode. I am obsessed, really. I take my camera everywhere with me now.

Marveling at //
God's amazing grace and unending love. I am so undeserving, but oh so grateful.

Thinking about //
Things I can do with Mason this summer. I hope to find a couple of little camps that he can do.

What's going on in your world currently?

{Oh Hey Friday // IG // Rednose}

Happy Friday!! I am off today {wahoo} for an extra long weekend. But, I have to start the day off with some dr appts. {yuck}! I am so looking forward to this long weekend. Joining in for Oh Hey Friday!

{O N E} // Posts from the week...

Weekend Wrap-up and birthday lunch // Summer and Vacation Bucketlists

Birthday letter to my six year old // Guys Behind the Blog

{T W O} // I've been working on my IG and trying to find my 'style' and to have a cohesive feed. I am loving how much turquoise and bright colors have been in our lifes lately! A sure sign that summer is on its way!! But, man...trying to have a cohesive feed is so freakin' hard. There are so many pictures that I want to post, but can't because they don't 'fit' my IG. #thestruggle

{T H R E E} // This little guy learned how to ride his bike with no training wheels within 10-15 minutes on Tuesday and by Friday he was riding a mile. {full post on this coming soon!} So proud of him!!

{F O U R} // Mason and I joined in for #rednose yesterday and had so much fun with it! I've loved scrolling the hashtag on IG

{F I V E} // I ran out of time and that's all I got! Hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend!!

{Guys Behind the Blog // May}

It's time for one of my most favorite link-ups that Betsy and Laura-Jean host, The Guys Behind the Blog. I love sending Nate the questions via email each month and then getting his answers. Sometimes I can totally predict what he will say, but other times I am surprised. I think I have a pretty good idea of how he would answer all of these....

May Questions

In preparation for the upcoming season, May’s questions are going to focus on everything summery. However, there is a little bit of a twist! Next month’s questions will be would-you-rather-style. Enjoy!

1. Would you rather have to wear your swimsuit to work OR have to carry around a large beach umbrella open all day at work?

Probably wear my swimsuit to work, but either way I would hear about it nonstop from the shop guys.


2. Would you rather play on an MLB team OR get to tour with your favorite band all summer?

Texas Rangers, without a doubt.

3. Would you rather go to the beach and forget your towel OR go to the beach and forget your sunscreen?

I could go without either one.

*and he's not lying. He would never have a towel if I didn't pack one for him.


4. Would you rather take a week-long vacation to anywhere in the world OR take a month-long vacation but have to stay within 100 miles of home?

A month off work! Sign me up!


5. Would you rather get to have as much ice cream as you want this summer, but only be able to get vanilla OR only get to have ice cream three times this summer, but you can have whatever flavors you want?

I would be good with only eating chocolate 3 times this summer. 

And there you have it! Not a lot to his answers this time since it was a this or that type of thing. Did your guy join in this time?

{Happy SIXTH birthday Mason}

My dear Mason Lane,

Happy, happy birthday my sweet boy! I can't believe that today we are celebrating you turning SIX years old. I mean, I feel like we've been celebrating all month long since we had your birthday party so early, and then birthday lunch this past weekend. And believe me, you deserve to be celebrated for a month straight!! But today is your actual birthday and today you are six years old. It goes without saying, but I can't believe how fast those six years flew by. I mentioned the other day that you were no longer the little toddler at the park on the swings begging to be pushed, but now the big kid on the monkey bars and it is so, so true. This was a big year of growth for you, sweet boy.

Six years ago I met you for the very first time and knew that my heart and my soul would never been the same. You wrecked me in big and beautiful ways and showed me what true unconditional love was.  Being a parent is awesome, but being your parent is the most amazing gift from God! You are the sweetest little boy with the most tender soul. You love and you love hard. Making people smile is what you love to do and you throw out compliments and manners like confetti. Your joy is infectious and I can't help but smile every time I look at you. And most times I am left in tears thanking God for you. I'm not sure what we ever did to deserve you, but I will be forever thankful.

You are also a smart little boy and wise beyond your years. Kindergarten was a big year for you and you excelled beyond belief. All year you have managed to stay quite a bit above the curve as far as where you should be at that point. I've mentioned before, but you are reading at a level of 14 {maybe higher by now} and testing as a 2nd grader in the month of October! You amaze us. I jokingly asked you the other day, "what are we going to do when you're smarter than Mommy and Daddy?" - you just laughed. Then I said, "and how will we ever help you with homework if you're smarter than us?" to which you replied, "I won't need any help!" ha. I hope you're right about that because it's been ages since your Daddy or I have had to do algebra! You learn fast and retain knowledge like a little sponge. We can tell you something one time and you remember it forever. Sometimes it's hard for you to shut that brain off, though. You tend to ask the most complex questions at bedtime.

You have been thriving in so many areas lately and amazing us everyday! First was the great news about your schooling and that you're going to be tested for the gifted and talented program, you've been on green almost the whole entire month and only have 1 red day, then you mastered the monkey bars (both of your little palms are so calloused), learned to tie your shoes (we've always put you in shoes without laces for school), and now you are riding your bicycle with no training wheels! So proud of you, sweet boy!

Oh my sweet boy...you have a heart for Jesus and love learning about him! You love going to church and you love your "Jesus" songs (as you call them!). It makes my heart burst to see you on fire for Jesus!  I pray that you always follow Jesus and live for Him.

My sweet Mason. I love you! I love you something fierce and I thank God every single day for bringing you into my life. You are the joy in my heart and my favorite little guy. Every minute I get to spend with you is a true gift from God and a moment I will treasure always. You are are a treasure. Your sweet little heart and your tender soul teach me things every single day. Our hearts are so strongly connected and we love hard.

Happy SIXTH birthday to the one that made me a mama. I love you with all of my heart and soul sweet boy.

At SIX here are a few of your favorite things...

Favorite color? Red

Favorite food? Macaroni & chicken nuggets

Favorite snack? Yogurt

Favorite toy? Bike & Green Machine
Favorite TV show? Lab Rats

Favorite movie? Batman vs Superman

Favorite animal? Diesel (dog)

Favorite drink? Big Blue & Big Red

Favorite song? Soul on Fire by Third Day, Feel It by Toby Mac, Alone by Hollyn

Who is your best friend? Tanner & Gavin

Favorite place to go? Disney World

What do you want to be when you grow up? A bike rider and a policeman

{Summer & Vacation 2016 Bucketlists}

I know that the first day of summer isn't technically until June 20th, but with temperatures already creeping up to the 90's and school letting out in 6.5 days we are starting our summer early. So today I am sharing our summer bucket list. And, since I have vacation on the brain, I also made bucketlists for each of our vacation destinations!!

  

What is on your summer bucketlist? If you've ever been to New Orleans or Panama City Beach and have suggestions on what to do, please send them my way!

{Weekend Wrap-up // Birthday lunch}

Happy Monday!

We had a really great weekend and I am sad to see it go. It was the perfect mix of resting and playing. Friday was all about resting and being lazy since Nathan and I were both still not feeling 100%. Nathan actually ran fever on Friday. We grabbed a late supper and just relaxed at home.

Saturday was a day of celebrating our sweet boy! Nate's parents wanted to take him to lunch since his birthday falls on Wednesday this week. Mason loves Babe's so we took him to the one that my cousin works at. Her location is close to Nate's Grandma so we were able to pick her up as well. It was a really nice time. Mason got to wear a funky chicken hat and beak and flap around like a chicken while the waitresses sang happy birthday to him. He was precious!
  

This Babe's location is in an old {but revived} part of downtown Arlington right next to a still operating Opry-style theater. It's so neat! Another part I love about this location is the turquoise Babes bus they have parked out front! Mason and I went to check it out and take some pictures!!!

     

I need a turquoise bus in my life!

After lunch we went back to Nate's parents for Mason to open gifts. He was totally spoiled with a Batman mask that converts your voice to Batman's, a Batman action figure set, Batman gloves, a Batman towel, a Batman book, a Batman pocket knife, swim trunks and a rash guard, and an outfit. I think there was more, but that is what I remember.

       

So much fun!!

That evening we ate supper and went to Academy to get Mason some new tennis shoes. Then back home to get ready for church the next day.

Sunday was church and my brother in law joined us! It was so nice to introduce him to our church family and to have him in service. After church we came home and ate lunch and then Nate was off to mow. Mason hopped in his little truck and went to his Nana's saying, "bye mom, see you later, I love you". I got a little glimpse of my future and I don't think I liked it. I just pray that when he's 16 and hopping in his truck to leave that it's to go to his Nana's still. One can pray.

While the boys were gone I played on snapchat cleaned the inside of the house and did laundry for a couple of hours.

But, then I started missing my boy and walked over to get him, He held my hand as he drove back on his little truck and melted me. Just before he took off to play with the neighbor girl. sigh. {you can see the whole thing on my snapchat story!} They drove their little power wheels, played on scooters and watched the crop-duster fly over our house.

       

Then Nate, Mason and I loaded up and went fishing {more on this later}. We had such a great time.

How was your weekend? I hope it was a beautiful one!

{Oh Hey Friday // Kinder program // New hairs // Vacation}

Oh hey Friday, hey! I am so glad it's the weekend. It's been one long and tiring week. I can't seem to shake this darn virus. Just when I am feeling better and think I am on the mend, it comes back with a vengeance. It's been real fun. ugh. And now Nate is running fever and has a sore throat. Praying that it totally passes our little man! Anyhow, I am so glad it's the weekend.

Time for Oh Hey Friday! It's been a pretty uneventful week for us of just resting at home and trying to get better.

{O N E} // Posts from this week. Only two...womp, womp. #thanksagainvirus

Weekend Wrap-up // Spring Bucketlist Update

{T W O} // Mason had a little Kindergarten Music program before pick-up yesterday! It was so cute. And of course one of the songs made me cry...something about it's been a great year, but we're moving on. How are we 8.5 days away from being done with Kindergarten??? So dang bittersweet.


Kinder Music Program from Crystal Hall on Vimeo.
{T H R E E} // I finally got my mullet cut and highlighted. And I'm not lying when I said mullet. The back of my hair was growing faster than the sides and it looked awful. It's been needing done for a while, but if y'all remember my hair dresser is like 1 hour and 15 minutes away. Well, I have a cousin that has completed cosmetology school over 9 months ago and has been working at a high end salon in the metroplex for a while. She has done several family members hair and they have been ranting and raving over her. So I messaged her and asked if she would want to do my hair. She came to my house Wednesday evening!!! And she did amazing. She uses a really high end product that restores the oils that the bleach normally pulls out. My hair was left feeling so soft and in much better shape than before I highlighted it. And for the cut, we just evened everything out and cutoff the dead ends. I want nothing more than for my hair to be long again, but a cut was necessary.  Maybe my thyroid will get in check and my hair will actually grow. One can hope! Also, I am so embarrassed that I am showing a before picture. ha.

{F O U R} // I've been collecting books for Mason's Kindergarten graduation. They don't have a graduation per-say, but we will celebrate. On our last Scholastic book order form this book was suggested as a graduation book:

Oh my word! I haven't even made it through the whole book yet. It is so freakin' sweet and makes me so weepy! If you don't have this one, I recommend you getting it. Yes, even though I haven't finished it I am recommending it. I also got "Curious You, On Your Way" and "The Little Engine that Could" which both have good messages. Any others you recommend?

{F I V E} // We finally nailed down our vacation for this summer and we are so excited. We will be traveling for 10 whole days. We are starting off with a weekend in New Orleans and then driving to Panama City Beach for the rest of the time! We've never been to either place. So, if you have any tips or places we must go please share!!!

That's all I've got! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

{Spring Bucketlist Update // Bike Rides, Park Dates and Flying Kites}

We have checked off several more things from our spring time bucket list! Summer is knocking on our door, so I am not sure if we will finish these last few things or not. If not, we'll just carry them over to our summer bucketlist. ;)

We have actually snuck in a few park dates this spring! There is an elementary school around the corner from us and they actually have a pretty decent park. One day on the way to pick up Mason from school I started thinking that some time outside was very much needed. So, I dropped in the dollar store by his school to grab a few outdoor things to bring to the park with us. I bought cap guns, wooden airplanes, finger kites {because I couldn't find one single full size kite}, silly string, a frisbee, etc. We had so much fun! Another time we went we grabbed some snowcones before we went. We should have done that in reverse to cool down after the park, but we weren't thinking right.

This is one that we are going to have to keep working on! One evening we decided to ride over to my in-laws house on our bikes. It's exactly half a mile from driveway to driveway. No big deal. However, we didn't take into account that it's harder on a bike with training wheels on the uneven roads we have in our neighborhood. There were times Mason would get high-centered. And his little legs were working in overdrive. He got tired on our ride back and Nate ended up pulling his bike while I walked him on my bike. We were a hot sweaty mess!

Another thing we've recently checked off our spring bucket list is spring cleaning! There's nothing like expecting visitors to make you clean your house really good! ha.

We are 65% done with our list. I hope to check off a few more, but if not, I am okay with that. We've done a lot and have had a great and busy spring.

Did you make a spring list? Are you close to being done?