What's Up February 2021

What's Up February!

Holy cow that month went fast!

Linking up with Sheaffer & Shay today to recap the month of February :)

What we're eating this week...

Monday - Broccoli & Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

Tuesday - Breakfast (Eggs, Sausage, Bacon, Potatoes)

Wednesday - Meatloaf

Thursday - Pork Chops & Veggies

Friday - Leftovers

Weekend - Out ;)

What I'm reminiscing about...

Honestly, last year at this time.

Things were so normal.

It was only a few short weeks later than everything started shutting down and the world as we knew it hasn't been the same since.

What I'm loving...

Reading through the Bible and listening to the daily podcast through The Bible Recap.

I am learning so much!

If you have always wanted to read through the Bible, this is a great way to do it.

What we've been up to...

Soccer, soccer and more soccer!

If we aren't going to soccer practice, we are going to soccer lessons or a soccer game.

But I still don't want to be called a soccer mom 😬

With all the snow it has been rather peaceful around our house.

We have had lots of visitors enjoying our property...and I love it!

Thankfully, X did have school around Valentine's Day and he was able to exchange valentines with his classmates.

I literally made this box last minute for him from a video I found on Pinterest.

Not too bad considering I didn't have any of the right colors :)

And it was finally warm enough, but snowy enough to head outside and have a little fun!

Love that little arm up at the end for a successful run! lol!

What I'm dreading...

Nothing at the moment :)

What I'm working on...

Finally picking out some décor pieces for the house.

I just shared some of the new pillow covers I ordered for sectional yesterday (along with my other prime finds).

Fingers crossed things look as good together as they do in my mind ;)

I am working towards a modern/rustic/industrial vibe with just a hint of farmhouse because I love black and white plaid :)

What I'm excited about...

Getting back on track with the blog.

I have so many things and ideas I want to share, just need to find the time to get it all typed out ;)

I would also love to hear what you would like to see more of on here.

Let me know in the comments below - fashion, home decor, mom life, etc.

What I'm watching/reading...

We finally finished Downton Abbey.

And I loved watching that show :)

I literally watched all 3 seasons of Cobra Kai while I was at home sick two weeks ago.

And now I'm anxiously awaiting for another season ;)

And I am staying caught up on all my normal shows - Blue Bloods, The Blacklist, Riverdale, This Is Us

And I started watching Walker and I'm loving it!

I watched the old Walker, Texas Ranger years ago and loved it as well.

What I'm listening to...

Anything and everything country, pop, 90's hip-hop/rap, and rock.

Still listening to the Jennie Allen podcast and truly loving it!

I am honestly getting so much from it!

This one especially spoke to me.

What I'm wearing...

Still lots of layers because it is winter in Ohio ;)

Boots, jeans, and sweaters are on repeat over here.

I did manage to actually wear something business casual for work this week 😂

What I'm doing this weekend...

X's team has a bye this weekend so Mic and I are trying to plan a day date of some sort.

I'm thinking lunch and then furniture and home decor shopping ;)

What I'm looking forward to next month...

St. Patrick's Day - one of my favorite holidays!

And by the end of the month X has his first outdoor soccer game of the season!

Praying the snow starts melting before then 🙏

What else is new...

Nothing much!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

What's Up January 2021

We made it 1 month into the new year 🙌

Linking up with Shay & Sheaffer today for What's Up Wednesday - January Edition!

What we're eating this week...

Monday - Burgers & Veggies

Tuesday - Pork Chops & Corn

Wednesday - Tacos & Chipotle Rice

Thursday - Chicken & Potatoes

Friday - Pizza

Weekend - Who Knows!

What I'm reminiscing about...

Being a kid.

When life wasn't so stressful.

When we didn't have to deal with the internet and social media.

What I'm loving...

Watching X show off all the hard work he has put in at his after school soccer sessions.

His coach was super impressed with him :)

And he played in his first indoor game of the season this past weekend and did great!

What we've been up to...

Work, school, soccer practices and (now) games,

and watching football.

What I'm dreading...

Taking down our Christmas trees.

Yes, they are still up and it is the longest we have ever left them up.

I blame 2020 and moving into the house so late into the holiday season.

Honestly, we need something to put in the place of the trees but I don't know what.

I would actually love other trees there, but I'm at a loss for what type, etc.

Nothing that needs a lot of dusting ;)

Any suggestions?

What I'm working on...

Trying to pick out mirrors and sconces for the house and it is so hard!

Every time I think we have it narrowed down something changes and we don't order anything :(

These are a few we are currently leaning towards for some of the spaces, but aren't sold on them enough to pull the trigger and get them ordered.

What I'm excited about...

To be honest, nothing.

Maybe it is just the mood I am in these days, but nothing makes me excited right now.

What I'm watching/reading...

Red Oaks and Blue Bloods are the only shows I have watched lately.

But most of the shows I watch have started back up, but I just haven't had the time to watch them.

My DVR currently has episodes of The Blacklist, Big Sky and This Is Us waiting to be watched.

What I'm listening to...

Podcasts these days.

I mentioned it in a recent post, but I am listening to The Bible Recap and Jennie Allen's podcast, Made for This.

So good!

What I'm wearing...

Lots of sweaters or layers!

It is fairy cold here in Ohio.

AND...any time I can get away with wearing jeans I'm a happy camper :)

I literally live in them 95% of the time!

What I'm doing this weekend...

Running X around to his soccer practice, lesson and game.

Other than that...nothing is planned.

What I'm looking forward to next month...

Again, it must be my current mood...but there isn't anything I have planned for next month.

What else is new...

X had to do a project for school that was his life on a timeline.

I loved getting to work on this with him :)

He was so proud of it and felt really good when he got a wonderful grade on it!

And this week is Kindness Week at school.

His teacher assigned him and another student the job of putting a message into the fence.

He was SO PROUD of their work!

And that is it for the month of January!

Head over to my Instagram page to check out #TheRealBuild stories I have saved in highlights, and to enter my new monthly giftaway!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

What's Up December!

Let's take a look at what has been going on for the last month today!

What we're eating this week...

Monday - Lots of leftovers! lol!

Tuesday - Sloppy Joes

Wednesday - Spaghetti and meatballs

Thursday - Appetizers and Pizza

Friday - Cabbage & noodles with pork chops for New Years Day!

Weekend - ???

What I'm reminiscing about...

This time last year when we had no idea what was coming a few months later.

While it was great to not have those worries, I really did/do appreciate the change in lifestyle a bit more now.

It made me slow down and appreciate more of the little things :)

What I'm loving...

Being home!

It has been a long couple of years, but we are finally in our home.

While it isn't 100% complete, it feels so good to be there!

What we've been up to...

Virtual school :(

Not gonna lie, it isn't easy.

Between zoom calls and helping X with his school work in between those calls, it leaves me very little time to actually get my stuff done for work.

Just a little stressful ;)

Celebrating X turning 9 years old!

I turned 42 this month as well :)

Why do kids do this when you want to take a picture with them? :/

X had a quick visit from one of his favorite teachers this month :)

And I received a super sweet birthday from Andrea :)

She is just so thoughtful! 💓

What I'm dreading...

Nothing at the moment :)

What I'm working on...

Meal planning to get things back on track starting Monday!

If you want to join me, just head here for more info and to sign up :)

You can read about my previous rounds here.

What I'm excited about...

A new year means a new planner!

Not that I can fill it with much these days, but I just love the freshness of those pages ready to be written on :)

#thisisyouryear

What I'm watching/reading...

We are finishing up the final season of Downton Abbey very soon!

And we are anxiously waiting for Big Sky to return :)

Other than that, lots of NFL - specifically the Cleveland Browns.

We also started watching Aerial Cities.

We really enjoyed Aerial America, so the City version was a no brainer :)

What I'm listening to...

My dad made a few cd's for X for his birthday and Christmas, so those are on repeat every single time we are in the car.

Here a few that are his favorites right now...

Juke Box Hero - Foreigner

Kyptonite - 3 Doors Down

If Today Was Your Last Day - Nickelback

Detroit Rock City - Kiss

When I was actually by myself for a moment, I had Christmas music on blast pretty much all month.

What I'm wearing...

Sweaters, jeans, graphic tees, and booties have become my uniform as of late.

With a mix of work from home, and going to the office that is about as much as I can put together these days!

What I'm doing this weekend...

I'm not ready to take our Christmas decor down just yet since it went up so late with the move.

So the only thing I have on tap for this weekend is watching lots of football!

My Cleveland Browns need to pull off a win against the Steelers on Sunday to make the playoffs!

What I'm looking forward to next month...

A new start!

Not that things will be much different in a pandemic, but I also love January for trying new things.

Plus, I am hoping to actually get a moment or two to write some blog posts.

X has taken over this computer with all his school stuff.

The only reason I have a chance to write this post now is because he is on Christmas break. :/

What else is new...

X loved having a elf to keep up with this year.

Our guy didn't arrive until the 9th, so he didn't have too many tricks to pull on us ;)

Arrival day!

X decided to name him Drift (after Fortnite of course 😉).

He must have realized that he had his work cut out for him, because he stole some of my favorite coffee to keep him alert!

That coffee must have ran right through him, because he made a visit to our master bathroom to try out Mic's toy 😜

Next up was a snowball fight with some other furry friends!

He made his way back downstairs by hitching a ride on our rail climber penguin.

Drift caught the drift that X plays A LOT of video games, so he brought him a different one to try.

X wasn't a fan when Drift snagged his birthday balloons and wished me a Happy Birthday.

Q-tip snowflakes in honor of our first heavy snow of the winter!

X got a kick out him thinking this was the way to do the floss from Fortnite :)

PU! 

The Cleveland Browns were playing that day, so Drift decided to show his support and cheer them on to victory!

All Aboard the Shoe-Shoe Train!

This was by far X's favorite day!

Every time we opened the fridge we had to be careful not to get shot by the milk that had gone bad ;)

X has bins full of Legos, so Drift decided to play with them and let us know how many days left until Christmas.

His final day he left with a goodbye note and some mementos so X wouldn't erase him from his memory ;)

And that is it for most of December!

I'll be back tomorrow share some of my favorite pics from Christmas and such :)

XOXO ~ Vanessa