scarves and mittens and boots and snow

SNOW!

We never get snow here. We NEVER get snow here. School dismissed early, worked closed early...it's glorious.

Did I mention that we never get snow here?

It's so much fun to see the kids' reaction to it. They couldn't wait to get their layers upon layers of clothes on and wander out into the magical land that used to be their boring yard.

Pictures, so far:

A little runny nose with that snow? :/



I love this picture. This little church (and it's blue door) is next to our house. If you look closely, you can see the white cross through the tree branches.



We have this old little building on our property....and one of these days, I will find something to do with it.

Captured this red headed, red cheeked guy in mid snowball throw. He was mighty proud of himself.

 

 

Selfies in the snow.

 

And this man.

 

It's still coming down pretty hard. School is already closed for tomorrow, and my kids have officially declared this the best day ever! More pictures to come, I'm sure. Happy snow day, y'all!

#7. I don't like milk unless it's in cereal

A recent Instagram post by one of my favorites, Natalie Fredrick, got me thinkin' -- People are so much more than what meets the eye. Of course this is not a new revelation, by any means. "Don't judge a book by it's cover" is something we are taught in elementary school. Even still, it's something we are all guilty of forgetting from time to time.

Natalie is the witty, sarcastic, drop dead gorgeous owner of Top Knot Goods, an online shop dedicated to easy going yet ever-so trendy clothing...you'll find yourself lusting over everything from furry jackets to trucker hats with vintage patches. Natalie is known as @topknotgoods on Instagram, and she is currently hosting a giveaway asking her followers to create a post titled "20 Things about me". After compiling my list, and laughing at how ridiculous some of them are, I couldn't help but read what other followers (even Natalie herself) had listed as their 20 interesting/random facts. I was surprised by many and was, again, reminded that there is no such thing as normal...no such thing as perfection. We are all really fabulous and unique! -- And, yes, I have written about this before, but it never hurts to have a little beginning of the week reminder. Right?

My list consisted of things like: veins gross me out, I don't like milk unless it's in cereal, and I really hate my waist long hair. -- Just to name a few.

I know....I'm deep. My #21 would be that I work in a pest control office (this one), and I hate bugs. I know more about bugs and termites than I ever thought possible. Just when you thought I couldn't get any more interesting...BAM!

It's a fun giveaway though, and reading other instagramer's facts has been entertaining! Head over to @topknotgoods to follow along and enter. Winners are announced Wednesday. You will NOT be sorry you ran across this store!

Speaking of GIVEAWAYS -- I am currently in the midst of a little giveaway too! I have teamed up with my good friend, Brandie of Oliver Ann Luke, to give one lucky winner some pretty adorable items for their little one. Head over to my Instagram feed, @xohappychance, to enter. Our winner will be selected at random and announced tomorrow. So, hurry!


Here's what the weekend looked like at our house:



Madilyn had a Birthday last Friday! #9 to be exact! She wished for guinea pigs, and guinea pigs she got. They are brothers, and their names are Buddy and Snickers. Bentley (the dog) pretty much wants to have them for dinner. 

 

 

Wyatt was just Wyatt--every little ounce of him.

And It was cold. What's new?

Happy Monday, Happy MLK day, and Happy picking your 20 things! xoxo

Baseball hats to hide messy hair

A few things I am thankful for today:

1. Annslie's love for music. I don't know anyone else who loves music like my Annslie Rain. I am always amazed by how much she reminds me of myself. My first born, my sidekick, my heart and soul.

2. Madilyn's never ending curiosity about the Bible and God. I don't have all the answers for  her now, but I hope she and I can learn together. She is such an incredible, witty, and smart little girl who is eager to discover new things. She is going to be something spectacular someday.

3. Wyatt's new dance moves. As soon as he got home today, he pressed play, turned up the volume, and did his thang all over the house.

4. Baseball hats to hide messy hair.

5. Sunshine. Sweet, sweet, glorious sunshine. We had a sneak peek of Spring today.

6. The roof that kept us warm on the coldest day of our lives last week.

7. Best friends who I can go months without seeing, yet pick right back up with as soon as we are together again. The memories we share will forever be cherished, and the memories our children will share together someday, will surely give us all gray hair!

8. New friends who already "get" me -- and old friends who I have reconnected with...can't imagine my life without them.

9. A husband who can truly fix anything. (Like anything) A husband who puts everyone's needs/wants above his own. A husband that does things for people who will never even know he was the one who did them. I never worry because I KNOW we are taken care of. That's such a blessing.

10. Starbucks gift cards.

11. Co-workers and bosses who are like a second family.

12. Allison's infinite I love you's. Hearing those words from her, along with the one thousand and one hugs she gives when she's here, confirms that I am doing something right. We often question our parenting skills with our own children, but that insecurity is majorly magnified when it's your step-children. You just want to be loved and accepted by them, and Allison never fails to let me know I'm doin' alright. I love her.

13. Keith Urban's new CD.

14. "Me" days like I had today. Doing nothing of much importance. The kids were gone and Robby was at work. I do love these days, but I am always more than ready for my people to come back home.

15. My parents and siblings...aka the coolest people on Earth, to my kids.

16. Happy Chances. xoxo

What are you thankful for today?

scenes of 7 degrees

Our house, lately, has looked like this.

Lots of pajamas, unbrushed frizzy little girl hair, messy playrooms, lazy dogs, and fires a blaze. It's been cold, y'all. Like cold, cold. Like 7ish degrees cold. Like school-is-out, shut-down-the-town cold. We have pretty much stayed indoors, at any cost.

This is the coldest day that my children have ever lived. I told them that this morning. They weren't impressed.

As much as I love the Fall and Winter seasons, I am really longing for warmer months right now. I mean, if we aren't going to get snow, then I'm pretty much done with this Winter.  I am ready for longer days with firefly chasing and popsicles and bare feet and cooking outside. Who's with me?

Stay warm, friends. xoxo