Life Lately

Recently, Ethan and I have talked about getting our eyes checked out. We figured that we read so much and sit a computer so much that it would be good to figure out how our little eyes are doing. So we did some research, found a good opthamologist, and made appointments. Then we found a better opthamologist, made appointments with her and canceled our other ones. Saturday we show up for out appointments and the doctor was so sweet. She let me ask all my questions and made me feel like I was a smart patient for asking so many questions and wanting to know the details. I always think I'm annoying when I do that, and maybe I am, but she made me feel good about it. The diagnosis? My right eye is far sighted and my left eye is near sighted, but both are just barely that way. So apparently, my eyes only work together for about 3 hours a day and then they start to compete against each other. This has caused all sorts of little issues, like feeling dizzy, slow to focus on things, headaches. And I know what you're thinking...how did you not know you had a vision problem? Well, friend, I've never had one before and all my symptoms were so slight that I never put them all together. So there. Now I have glasses. And now that I'm not feeling cross-eyed as much, I'm really getting used to them. Here they are:

Ethan needs glasses too, but his aren't ready yet. Actually, his glasses are only for reading and studying. His eyes aren't really that bad, but the doctor wants him to prevent any damage from straining them so much.

All that to say, we're glasses wearers now. And we also really like our opthamologist. And I now have a new (rather expensive) accessory to put with my outfits. Although I only have one pair right now. That's ok...I really like the pair I got.

Hiatus

I took an unintentional hiatus from the blog. I just didn't have anything to say once I quit doing 30 for 30. My life is really not all that interesting, although I greatly enjoy it, so I figure nobody really wants to know what all is going on. But then I read other people's blogs about random stuff and I enjoy that, so I'm back!

Spring break was last week. I didn't go anywhere fun, but I had a good time anyway. Ethan went skiing in Colorado so I had people over every night and it was awesome! Look at Ethan, a natural at all things athletic:

He's cute!

Anyway, I thought I would share with you some pictures that are kind of old, some from early on in our marriage and some from early in our move to Texas. I think they are fun.

This is at our rehearsal dinner at Fat Tuesdays in Jackson, MS. Great food, great people. We look like babies:


This is my great grandma. She passed away a few years ago and I am so thankful she was able to be at my wedding in good health. She was hilarious. This will always be one of my favorite pictures:

When Ethan and I were first married, we helped run a tutoring center in a lower income apartment complex. We LOVED the kids there so much. We had a group come and play soccer with our kids one summer and this little guy didn't want to run around much, thus he became my attachment for the day. I'm glad they snapped this picture:

Ethan and I got to go to LA for a conference. This is us at Dodger stadium looking out over the city. I love it:

My sister...even though I have the scary eyes in this pic, I really like this one. I can SORT OF see how people think we look alike here:

I love Puerto Rico. So much. The country. The people. The food. The frappes. This is us on a mission trip there a few years ago in front of the best frappe stand:

We are SO good at Rock Band:

That is all for today. Thanks for looking/reading!

Favorite Hair Products

So, as of right now, I have a few favorites.

My hair is weird.

It used to be really curly:

me and kimmie, circa 2007

Now, it's like this:

Actually, I'm growing it out now, but you get the idea.

Anyway, so I have been using a lot more heat on it than I d

id when it was curly and I am trying to take care of it. My hair gets really oily at the roots, but dry on the ends.

1. I really like the new Tresseme Dry Shampoo. I blogged about it earlier in this post. I bought the correct brush and I have been using it. Let me tell you something...it totally works! I spray it on my roots around my face, leave for a few minutes, brush it out and I'm good to go. It leaves my hair looking, feeling, and smelling clean without weighing it down at all. I'm a fan. It is allowing me to be gentler on my hair because I don't have to wash and dry it every day. Hooray!

2. I bought this product this weekend and I love it. It works just as promised!!

Nexxus Pro Mend

Like I said, it works as promised. I bought the leave in conditioner only and I have used it twice now and I'm not kidding, my split ends are repaired now. It smells great and it doesn't weigh my hair down. I am a big fan now, I may even purchase other products in this line.

3. I bought a teasing comb. I watched a hair tutorial by Linley on her blog (which is awesome, by the way) and she talked about how to add volume to your hair with a teasing comb. Well I bought one and I love it. Don't judge me.

Just wanted to share those few things.

I hope you all had a great Wednesday. Mine was ok, thanks for asking!

30 for 30 Recap

I just wanted to see what my 30 for 30 outfits looked like, side by side. I don't think it's really bad. For my first time around, I think I overall really enjoyed the challenge.

If you care, here's the recap:

Day 26-30

So I'm all caught up on photos.

Please excuse the numbers on the photos. I got all confused!

Day 27:

Day 28:

Day 29, day time:

Day 29, night:

Day 30:

Funny story:

When Ethan and I went to Mississippi a few weeks ago, my dad was talking to me about this whole challenge. I showed him Kendi's blog as I was explaining the point of the challenge and why I was doing it. We came across a picture of Kendi with her fake glasses on and I just mentioned that they were an accessory, she doesn't actually wear glasses. Well, he thought that was funny. He had to run to the store later and when he came home, be brought me a 3 pack of reader glasses and insisted that I take a picture with them on to be like "Kendri," as he calls her.

So this one's for you, Dad:

I'm working on some collage pictures to recap. I'll post that later.

Still Vote for Kimmie!!!

Vote here.

She's in the running. Kimmie is #13 right now, but we only have 2 days to get her to #1. We can do this!!

Five Things Friday

For Five Things Friday, I am giving you my 5 favorite websites where you can shop guilt free. What does that mean? Well, it means that when you purchase something from their sites, you are actually helping someone! I'll explain:

1. fashionABLE

The scarves sold on this website are made by women in Africa. When you purchase a scarf, the money goes back to them, providing for them and their families and creating more jobs for other women who are stuck in poverty.

I love this yellow one:

2. Sseko Designs (say-ko)

The sandals sold by Sseko Designs are made by women in Uganda. They work for 9 months to earn money to pay for a university education. It's a really cool site and company. The sandals come with a sole and then with removable straps. You can purchase as many straps as you want and tie them in about a bizillion different ways. I ordered some in January and I LOVE them.

I really like these (and a blue and white stripe one):

3. Noonday Collection

At Noonday Collection, you can purchase accessories for you and your home. They are all handmade by artisans across the world, providing income for them to keep them out of poverty. The proceeds from the purchase go toward the Noonday family's adoption from Rwanda. Once they raise their money, they will continue raising money to support other families who are adopting.

I love these items, but I had a REALLY hard time selecting a top 3:

4. TOMS

Who doesn't love a good pair of TOMS? You probably already know that when you purchase a pair of TOMS, they give a pair to someone in poverty who doesn't own shoes, playing a part in helping to prevent diseases people contract by walking barefoot so much.

I have 2 pair already, but I love the spring line. My 3 favs are:

5. The Ho Family

I love these people! Calvin and Erica are really good friends of ours and we just adore their family, including little Liam, who currently lives in Ethiopia, waiting to join his forever family, the Hos. They are raising money to bring Liam home and I love the options they have. I have purchased coffee bean bracelets from them as gifts and they were a big hit. I love that they have coffee (from Just Love Coffee) you can buy, and the company gives money back to them for their adoption fund. Please check out their site and see how absolutely adorable their family is!

Case in point:

Happy weekend!

Love to you!

Vote for Kimmie!!

This is my friend, Kimmie:



She is one of my heroes! Seriously.

She has overcome so much in her only 27 years and she is such a solid believer in Jesus.

She has entered a contest to win a trip to Hawaii and she really deserves to win. But, I bet you're like me and you're thinking, why should I vote for this girl that I don't even know and help her win a trip to Hawaii. Well, let me share with you some reasons:

1. She has survived 2 brain surgeries. She thought she could never have a baby and she DID!
2. She completed P90X after having her baby and looks AMAZING
3. She and her husband didn't get a honeymoon so winning a trip to Hawaii would be awesome
4. She loves Jesus
5. She's hilarious. Just check out her blog.
6. Because if you like me at all, then you'll love Kimmie and she could use your vote!!

We have til Friday to get her to number one so please vote every day on every computer you can. Don't forget to verify the vote after you click the vote button. I'll update her link every day so you can find her directly.


Please please please do this for Kimmie, William, and bebe Willow! :)

Vote here.

I Made It!!

Today is the last day of 30 for 30!!!

I could not be any happier that I made it to the end. I know I've failed on my posting as of late, but I will update with the end of the pictures to complete my journey.

For now, let me share with you what I learned and why I am thankful that I participated in this challenge:

1. I do not have a lot of money to just go shopping all the time. The main thing about this challenge is that you are not allowed to shop and you have to use only what you pick as your 30 items to remix into different outfits. I learned that I don't have to shop in stores, but I can shop my closet!

2. I learned more about what I do and do not like. For example, as it turns out, I really like tucking shirts in to skirts and pants. I've never really done that before because I always thought it would look funny. I tried it a few times and decided that I really like the look and that I can pull it off. I also have a new found love for belts.

3. I am so happy to know how many different outfits I have in my closet right now. I can't wait to expand it out to the rest of my clothes and see really what I've got going on!

4. I found some really cool blogs and made some cool blog "friends."

5. I discovered Picnik, via Linley at Dwelling and Telling.

6. I kept up with my blog better than I ever have before.

7. I have the satisfaction of knowing I started AND finished something challenging.

So, there you have it! I think I may do the next one and if I do, I want you to participate with me!!