{ blog-cation }

I saw a quote once [forgive me for not knowing the source] and it said, "Life:  It's what happens when you're not on Facebook."  Funny, kinda true, and also sort of sad.  But, since life's been busy lately, I've made up a new term called "blog-cation."  A vacation from blogging.  Blogging isn't a chore, in fact I wish life wasn't so busy so I could blog more.  But, then what would I blog about without a busy life?!  Anyways, here's a little of what we've been up to lately...

We took a trip to San Diego then came home and it was my turn to host bunco...

This candle (below) is heavenly - it's lavendar scent and it's a soy candle.  It's almost always lit. The little cream and sugar holder I found at Goodwill right before bunco - they're handmade and so cute.

 We celebrated my birthday and my hubby did an awesome job keeping our 8 nieces & nephews entertained.  He got them each their own balloon and big bag full of candy.  He also got them their own cupcakes - It was wild, crazy, hyper fun! This is very typical of our family get togethers and it's always a blast to get all the kids together.

Here's my mom with my oldest niece and nephew:  Luke & Bella.  It makes me sad they're getting SO big! Our newest nephew will be coming late November though and we can't wait to have another tiny baby in the family!

 Here we're celebrating my little brother-in-law's b-day.  We went to an authentic Moroccan restaurant that had awesome food and such a fun setting, complete with a belly dancer! 

The birthday celebration continued with a girls night!  Between our two families, our nieces and nephews, and our friends we almost always have a Birthday celebration!

Here's a wreath I put together super fast.  The R is from TJMaxx, the wreath was $3 at Wal-mart and the ribbon was on clearance at wal-mart.  I painted the R (it was black) and tied it all together.  I can't believe it's already time for a fall wreath now...I might just skip right to a christmas wreath next !

Been trying to get caught up on all my magazines!  Plus I just started a new Bible Study.  There's not enough hours in the day !

Here's a couple pics of my office - I've been slowly getting it all re-done.  I'll do a separate blogpost on that once it's finished.

This chalkboard frame in my office is inspired by my best friend in San Diego's daughter's nursery (did you track all that?!).  She told me about this spray paint from Home Depot that's the perfect shade of Orange.  Now I think of little Ruth (her daughter) whenever I see it.

 We FINALLY are getting our dining room in order.  For the longest time it was just an empty, white room.  We painted the walls, hung the chandelier my hubby got me last Christmas, finally had our dining room table delivered AND, my family got me this awesome mirror for my birthday!  We still don't have the right chairs (long story) but I don't even care - at least we have a place to sit and eat now :)  AND, we both have big families we can now put the 2 leaves in and host family get-togethers.

So friends, that's a very small taste of what we've been up to.  I promise to be a better blogger (or at least try to post more often).  Then again, as I sit here blogging I'm feeling an overwhelming pressure and sense of urgency because I still have a ton of laundry to do, I need to give my husband a haircut, get groceries for the week, finish a craft I started (that's taking up half my kitchen), and the list goes on and on...is the weekend really already over?!  Anyways, I hope you're all enjoying a cozy fall!  

Love,

The Reeds 

{ lovely weekends }

Last weekend my sisters, mom and I all went shopping for one of my sisters' birthday. We have developed a tradition that we always make a day of shopping whenever any of us has a birthday. 

Here are some pics of our fun day . . .

 We ate at the cheesecake factory and shopped alllll day.  We spent a good chunk of time checking out the Nordstrom sale and each got a new pair of boots for fall - can't wait to wear them!

I went to the H&M in Portland for the first time and they had the cutest stuff.

I got these two shirts there (great because I can wear them to work) and some more gold bracelets that were only about 5 bucks.

I also got this nail polish called love & beauty (in pink) and this cute make up bag at the Forever 21 accessory store [Forlove 21].  This nail polish was only $2.80! A far cry from the $7+ you would spend on Essie nail polish [ don't get me wrong, I love Essie, it's just stinkin' expensive ]. 

you can also buy it online [ here ]

I have to brag just a bit about the Mr.  While we were up shopping all day in Portland he was at home and cleaned the house, bought the groceries for the week, did laundry and took care of all the household chores.

I love that man.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

{ best friend }

Have you heard that Michael W. Smith song,

"friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them...?"

Maybe I'm just old, but that song is stuck in my head today, because today is my best friend's birthday.

We call eachother "FFTW" (friend from the womb) because our Mom's were friends before we were even born.  She's not the kinda friend that comes and goes, she's been here since I was little. 

 

yes friends, I had a mullet .

I think we were 7 here

this is us and our mom's at my wedding

She's the friend that is always supporting me, listening to me and encouraging me, and I'm so thankful we already have a lifetime of fun memories together. [Including sneaking out of my parents house in high school to go meet up with our boyfriends.  Sorry Mom & Dad]. 

She's the friend that learned to drive and we would cruise around in her parents mini van. 

She's the friend I got glamour shots with. 

She's the friend that I always had matching Easter [and every other outfit] outfits with.

 

She's the friend I always want to talk to first when anything good, or bad happens.  She's the friend that knows everything about me and STILL accepts & loves me :)

She's also the friend I prayed everyday would marry my brother, so that we could be sisters.



my brother, her and me. I've forgiven them for not getting married & making us sisters ; ]

She's the friend that we would memorize songs to [remember that Little Rascal's song, "L is for the way you Look at me..."?!].  She's the friend I always wanted to be like: tall, drop-dead-gorgeous, smart, flawless skin, and skinny [ and could eat whatever she wants and never gains weight ]. 

My other nickname for her is "sheesh" somehow I came up with that years ago even though her real name is Necia [pronounced nee-shaw] :)

I love her, I cherish our friendship, and cannot tell you how blessed I feel to have her as my forever best friend!  I know that we'll be friends even when we're old and gray, still having fun & laughing our head's off :)

Happy Birthday Sheesh!!!

Love you !

XOXO,

fftw