What's Up Wednesday

 I'm joining Mel, Shay, and Sheaffer for their What's Up Wednesday link-up!

What we're eating this week:

Monday-Nixon had a baseball game right in the middle of dinner time so we grabbed something after his game.

Tuesday-Baked fish and veggies for us.  Fish and macaroni and cheese for the kiddos.  :)

Wednesday-Chicken Caesar Rice Bowls are one of our favorite weeknight meals.

Thursday-Steak and Wedge Burgers with sweet potato fries.

Friday-Bowen has a tee-ball game and then we're dining out with one of our favorite couples.

What I'm Reminiscing About:

On May 9th, 2017, we boarded a flight headed to China to pick up our girl.  I cannot believe in just a few weeks we'll be celebrating the one year anniversary of that special day.  It's been quite a year and we're still in awe of what a big God we serve.

If you missed any of my China recaps, you can see them here...

*Part 1

*Part 2

*Part 3

*Part 4

*Part 5

*Part 6

*Part 7

*Welcome Home

What I'm Loving:

This picture is all kinds of blurry, BUT I'm loving a date night snuck in between kids' sports and activities.  Last Thursday our calendar was BLANK!  EEK!  So I grabbed a babysitter and Tab and I enjoyed a nice, kid-free dinner complete with DESSERT!

What We've Been Up To:

We took some new family pictures with Narci to use with my new blog design.  {Yes, it's FINALLY happening!}

On Friday, these two enjoyed the best lazy morning with a movie in my bed.

We've been watching Bowen play tee-ball.

Ebby Lee and I snuck out of the house for a little Starbucks date.

And Britty and I have been loving on our friends and their new baby, Violet.  She is absolutely precious and I'm pretty sure Britt's face sums up how we were both feeling when we met her.

What I'm Dreading:

I don't think I'm dreading anything at the moment.  :)

What I'm Working On:

All kinds of Disney Land and Sea Vacations for families like YOU!  If you've been thinking of taking a Disney World vacation or maybe a Disney Cruise or possibly even combining them, then please shoot us an e-mail.  We'd love to help!  

mixandmatchtravelagency@yahoo.com

We're also sending new clients to Mexico and cruises all over the world.

Shay and I have a big promotion going for anyone booking a trip during the month of May.  Everyone who books a trip during May will be entered to win a $500 Visa gift card!  Yes, we'll throw all the names in a big bowl and draw out one lucky winner who will receive a $500 gift card!  Now is the time to book!

What I'm Excited About:

SUMMER!!!!

What I'm watching/reading:

The Orphan's Tale

Right now, this has totally captured my attention.  I'll keep you posted on what I think about the ending.  :)

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

And I shared my love of all things Southern Charm earlier this week.

What I'm Listening To:

Our love of The Greatest Showman soundtrack is still going strong.  Just yesterday on the drive back from Dallas, it appeared like Britt was fast asleep.  Then one of the songs on this soundtrack came on and she POPPED her head up like she'd been awake the whole time.  The music gets the Slaughters going.  :)

What I'm Wearing:

I've been dressing up for church each week, but other than that...lately I've been in workout gear ALL THE TIME!  {My Easter dress is now 40% off!}  If you're on the hunt for some new dresses, you can see my other dress recommendations in this post.

What I'm Doing This Weekend:

This weekend Bowen has a tee-ball game and Patrick {pictured above holding him} and Mackenzie {our oldest babysitter and part of the family} are coming to watch.  I might as well have invited Santa Claus himself to watch Bowen play.  He's pretty pumped!  #andsoarewe

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month:

Our neighborhood is always a good time over Memorial Day weekend.  I'm looking forward to the outdoor parties, the fireworks, the pool time, and possibly this particular night out without a baby in tow.  :)  ha!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  XO

Slaughter Updates

Hey Everyone!

I feel like it's time for a little Slaughter update.  Just a quick way of keeping you in the loop of what's going on with all six of us.  ;)

BRITT:

As you can see from the picture, Britt has hit the stage where she's into everything.  She loves going in the pantry, pulling out the broom, and carrying it around the house.  #herfavoritepasttime  We have her big palate repair check-up today actually where we'll discuss anything and everything cleft palate related.  I remember getting the goal of twenty words for this appointment six months ago.  Just last night, Ebby Lee and I counted and we think she has more like twelve-if we get to count words like, "um", and "oh".  Do those count?  We were just referred to a new speech therapist who specializes in cleft lip/palate and we'll see her tomorrow.  I have super high hopes for that appointment as well.  And the truth is, when I get stressed about how much ground we still have to cover it takes me all of two seconds to start being grateful for just how far we've come.  Her receptive language is AMAZING!  If you guys remember, she was just sitting when we got her eleven months ago.  Now she can JUMP {and actually get a little air}, climb up/down the steps, and she stepped up on a curb just yesterday all by herself.  She's come so very far.  We're super proud of her!

BOWEN:

I cannot even believe that in just four short months Bowen Slaughter will be headed to kindergarten.  I feel like he's right on the cusp of complete big boy, and that makes me want to sob my head off.   Bowen used to prefer hanging inside when Nixon was outside playing, but now he can hold his own in a game of Four Square like everyone else.  He has preschool graduation coming up soon.  And I just signed him up to play soccer this summer.  He's been dying to play and we've had a hard time fitting ALL THE THINGS in for everyone.  It's officially his turn and he couldn't be happier about it all.  Meanwhile, I'm watching his beginner tee-ball game and oh, so glad there are no outs.  #see  #hesstilllittle  #right 

NIXON:

Nixon Slaughter is eight going on eighteen.  He has officially hit the age where he doesn't want to be seen in public kissing his mom.  I never dreamed that day would come so soon {which is probably why I'm even sadder Bowen is growing up!  ha!}  Nixon's second grade year has not been ideal.  His class is on their third teacher of the year.  Yes, third.  The first teacher got a new job in the district.  We were all so excited for her {but sad to see her go} and the second teacher resigned rather quickly.  So, he's on his third and when you're in second grade that can be tough.  But...he's handled it like a champ.  He's rolled with the punches, learned new expectations {yet, again}, and has shown us how resilient eight-year-olds really are.  {By the way, we love our school.  I'm not bashing it at all...just being honest about how this school year has been for Nix.  Things happen.  I totally get it, and I'm super proud of him.}  I must add-Nixon is still putty in his baby sister's hands.  #sheknowshowtoworkhim

EBBY LEE:

Ebby Lee is my little helper.  She keeps her room super clean {and for that I'm so thankful}, is always down to help tidy up a space, and is on top of her other responsibilities.  She tends to drive the boys crazy with her mother hen ways.  I'm secretly thankful she takes a turn and gives me a break in the pecking department.  ;)  Last weekend the boys were out of town and we watched two girly movies {that were legit movies I wanted to watch}.  And in moments like that I'm reminded this whole growing up thing isn't so bad after all.

TAB AND ERIKA:

Tab recently started a new job.  He stepped out of the insurance world and right into one of his client's offices.  He's loving the challenge of a new industry, getting to learn the tricks of a new trade, and meeting all kinds of new people.  The down side is he's been traveling quite a bit to meet everyone plus had a few football outings as well which made for lots of nights away over the last couple months.  I think the majority of that is over other than some random trips here and there.  He's also coaching one tough, undefeated tee-ball team {did I mention there are no outs?}, watching all the other sports, teaching Britty obnoxious things that only dads will teach, and managing to listen to me get in ALL THE WORDS at the end of the night.  ;)

I, on the other hand, am doing my best to keep our house running smoothly, to have dinner on the table, to encourage everyone to use their manners, to teach Britty ALL THE WORDS, to send families on amazing vacations, to plan random date nights for us {happened just last week-WAHOO!}, to create new drills for third grade volleyball practice, to point all my people to Jesus, to love on those around me, and to share a little of my crazy with all of YOU.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Hope you enjoyed our updates.  XO

Let's Talk...Southern Charm

Happy Monday!

Friends, let's talk about something REALLY serious...

 Just kidding.  :)

Not serious at all.  But who out there is watching Southern Charm?

Anyone with me?  Raise your hand if you're out there. 

I started watching Southern Charm last year.  I was way behind, started all the way back at Season One, and am caught up right now watching Season Five.  It's a guilty pleasure, reality television show that follows the lives of seven adults all living in Charleston, South Carolina.  And it's good.  It's real good.  {Rated R}

Photo Courtesy of Bravo

The main cast is made up of some living on family money, some who married into money, some super hard working making their own money, and others are jobless and you wonder how they have any money!  Or at least I do!  :)

A few of my FAVORITE things about this show...

Photo Courtesy of Bravo

*CAMERAN!  Do you follow Cameran on Instagram?  She is one of my favorite feeds to follow.  She is a new mama and is always keepin' it real.  Most of the time we can ALL relate!  One of my favorite things she's shared lately was a picture of an eaten rotisserie chicken and her caption said something about one of her favorite meals to make for her husband is the rotisserie chicken from Publix.  She went on to say she even prefers to serve it in the plastic container from the store.  ha!  We've ALL been there.  Haven't we?  And most often on the show I feel like she is the voice of reason.  #loveher

Dress

*ALL THE COLORS!  Most of the time the cast is chock full of bright vibrant colors. This cast does not shy away from the colors.  I love it.  I got finished watching this week and MIGHT have hopped on Lilly Pullitzer's website to try a couple things.  All of her prints scream, "SUMMER VACATION!!" to me so I'm getting prepared.

*Speaking of ALL THE COLORS...I also ordered a spring/summer Barrington tote and if that palm beach leaf pattern doesn't scream, "SUMMER!".  Then I don't know what does.  I left the initials blank so you can imagine your own there.  ha!

*THESE TWO...Shep and Austen...I've loved watching their friendship, {WAIT FOR IT} their SOUTHERN CHARM, and their dating lives play out on the show but HOW DO THEY HAVE MONEY TO LIVE?!  Shep has family money.  Right?  But what about Austen?  And if Chelsea isn't the most precious thing!  I'm not sure why one of these guys isn't doing everything they can to snatch her up?!  #shesgorgeous

*The MUSIC...The show has fun, catchy music and I seriously find myself dancing along as I watch.  #yesidothat

*THE DRAMA...Let's be real, the reason we enjoy reality television is the drama.  Right?  This show isn't lacking in the drama department.

*TAKES ME BACK...I think the music, the people, and the vibe of the show takes me back to one of my very favorite weekends.  I know this was New Orleans and the show is all Charleston, but I do see a few similarities.  {By the way, are you watching Southern Charm-New Orleans?!}  Apparently, I really let my people know how much fun that wedding weekend was because we were just talking about weddings the other day and Ebby Lee let us all know she wants to get married in New Orleans.  And she's never been, BUT she knows a wedding there is a good time.  :)

If you're looking for a show to keep you entertained, well look no further.  The drama, the architecture of the gorgeous city, the cast of characters, and well-the Southern Charm will keep you coming back for more every week on Bravo.  You can catch up on episodes via the Bravo app, purchase on Amazon Prime, or maybe catch reruns on Bravo-if you're lucky?

If you're a Southern Charm watcher, please share and tell me your FAVORITE thing about the show!  

Have a GREAT day, Everyone!

XO