Holiday Home: Summer Edition

You might say I go into decorating withdrawals during the summer months, as the holidays are few and far between.  You might even go so far as to say that's why I am not a huge summer fan...pathetic, I know.  To prevent finding myself at a weak moment and bolting to drag out the fall decorations,  I searched around and found some cute summer pieces that I felt would bring some festiveness to our home during the dog days of summer.  Prepare for an overload of pineapples, popsicles, and sunshine.  Check out our home, and I'm sure Cam will show up somewhere, in all of their summer glory:)

Sour Patch Watermelons are my weakness.  I have recently ditched them with the hubby away...too dangerous for a one woman show!

I am in love with these pom pom pineapples.  And I'm also in love with supporting the handmade business-thank you Honestly Crafted by Melly;)  It just makes my day to receive a handwritten thank you from the person who created your purchase...I have a feeling these will be a summer tradition for years to come!

And our summer blockbuster playing on the T.V...Harry the Bunny, anyone?

I'm telling you...I get a whiff of that baby every time I walk by...I love the natural scent of pineapples.

Mmmm.  Mmmmm.  Mmmm.

I spy a cell phone...

And your weekly dose of the Camster:)

Happy Half CHRISTmas!  

I'm gonna have to think of a kid-friendly tradition

 to start with that...hmmm.

{Sources: Napkins, Small Ikat Bowl, Candle-Target, Straws-The Simply Chic Shop, Faux florals-Home Goods, Summer Banner- Ichabods Imagination, Pineapple Garland -cited above, White Felt Ball Garland- West Elm}

Saturday Morning Profanity

Most mornings I wake up to an alarm clock.  Apparently these days, are coming to an end.

6:48 a.m. Saturday morning, I woke up to hear a very disgruntled Cambino screaming and barking (what only could have been) the worst cuss words he has ever heard come out of his Daddy's mouth! It sounded a little something like this: Ya ya ta ta ya ta ya Yaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!  Rawr!  I at least know the "rawr" is an accurate interpretation.  I mean he was letting me have it.  I peaked across the threshold (he sleeps in his pack n' play right outside our door) to see what happened to my sweet angel baby and that's all it took.  He became silent, bent down, grabbed his zebra, and reached up at me grinning.  This. is. not. good. folks.

Once I got him out of the crib...he reached toward the living room.  The second his little feet touched the ground he made his way as straight to his guitar (more on this later) as he could go.  He whirled around, looked at me, gave me his notorious squinty-toothy grin, and began strumming... zebra in hand.

  You know, what momma in the world needs sleep?  Especially after you get a full four hours.  Maybe my recent decision to start staying up late on Friday nights has run its course? 

Once he got his jam session in, of course he was ready for something else exciting.  What's up next Mom?  I whipped up a sippy of milk for him and helped myself to a very large cup of coffee.  I coaxed him back into bed with me for some morning Musti and Mitten the Kitten.  Of course he had to be just like momma and have a pen, notebook... remote too.  You can imagine...That went well.  

I love Saturday mornings!:)

Happy Summer Solstice!

Summer Solstice is upon us...tomorrow is the first official day of summer.  Though, I have to say, it's actually felt like summer for about two months now and this girl is already over it and ready for fall and Christmas.  But I'll humor you summer lovers out there and suppress that excitement for at least one more month.  Deeeeecccckkkk the Haaaaalllllsss!

With summers in the South comes unbearable heat, and with the unbearable heat comes the need for a swimsuit to slip into to enjoy the pool or lake.  That's why this post is all about...drumroll please<give me a Clark Griswold tzzzzzzzzz>... swimsuits!

I'm going to be real with you for a bit in this post and talk about an insecurity of mine that I've mentioned before.  Yes, I had Cam over a year ago...and yes I am back at my prebaby weight...but that doesn't mean I feel great in a bathing suit!  I feel like my tummy could still use a few more crunches and I bare a couple of the dreaded stretch marks.  Boy, am I glad that someone brought one pieces and high waisted bikinis back to life!  

Even though I am a mom now...as a 20 something, I still desire something young and fresh...and these babies have that written all over them:

{1} {2} {3} {4} {5} {6}

And I can't get over how cute this cover up is...#beachshoppinglist #pleasegoonsale

Wildfox Tunic

Some additional, budget savvy finds for the summer season include this beach bag, this cover-up, and these flip flops:)  And for little bit?  I love these swim diapers (LOVE my Honest goods), and these summer pj's... his - hers.  What are some of your favorite finds of the summer?:)

And, as for June With Jillian...I'm back in the game!  So far, I have completed 3 workouts this week (4 if I can keep going hard until tomorrow).  MUCH better than the measly one I squeezed in last week.  I'm coming for you baby pouch...

Happy Weekend, everyone!

Closet Time

Gonna get a little serious and personal today.  Lately, I have been feeling something I can only describe as a "spiritually numbness".  Ever been there?  Well I hate it.  I hate feeling like I am distanced from God.  I hate when it's hard for me to find time for Him.    When it's hard to pray.  Life can get tough sometimes, and when you don't have Him to lean on...anything you face is SO much harder!

One of my favorite pastors visited our church a couple of Sundays ago and he fed me something I needed.  (God knows what we need and when we need it, huh?)  The pastor posed this question: "When you pray, do you ever give God a chance to respond?"  What?  God doesn't speak in an audible voice.  He doesn't always answer prayers in a timely fashion...  What did he mean? 

"Do you ever call a friend, and talk for a solid 10 minutes and then hang up the phone?  Why do we treat our conversations with God any different?"  Hmmmmm.  Maybe this guy has a point.

"Take time to pause.  To listen.  To meditate in His word.  He may lead you to a scripture, to a thought.  Give Him time to do something."  Worth a shot, right?

So, in my desperate attempt to grow and get past this numb phase, here I am in my closet.  Right after I put Cam down for the night, here I can find peace and quiet with the least amount of distractions.  Here...I can escape the world for a bit and listen.  To pray-even if I feel like my prayers are reaching the roof and bouncing right back down.  I know he hears me.  And...low and behold.  The second night in the closet... I found this gem from a hand-me-down devotional passed down from my Mom:)

"I'm convinced that in every woman's life there are "seasons"- a time to be single, to be married, to have small babies and children, teenagers.  Every season is different, with varied demands, schedules and responsibilities."  

She concluded that a woman will not spend her entire life on a mountain top.  At times God leads her into the valleys, where the going is rough and time for extended communion with Him seems sparse.  But God provides even in those "valley" times.  He has ministered to my need through a Christian radio program, a phone call from a friend, a song or a verse.  Or in my case through a Pastor from Dallas, Texas and a little hand-me-down devotional! (from "Love (and Baby Powder) Covers All" by Marilyn Gwaltney Barnes)

How perfect is that?  Seek and you will find...;)

Weekend Tales: Fathers Day Weekend

We overslept this morning and I'm pretty sure it was because we I stayed up baking every. night. this weekend.  Perhaps my nervous energy and the dream of being chased by a giant Cat causing me to drown in a pool of sprinkles were to blame?  I don't know.  Whatever the reason, today I was left with the Monday blues and walked around the job like a snot-nosed Zombie.

Don't even ask how #junewithjillian is going:(  But I did manage to avoid the cookies we baked, with one workout under my belt!  I think I can be pretty proud of that and try to get back on track this week!  Heres to hoping this week is a little less eventful!

Eventful?  Why you might ask?  Well, the Mr. decided to take a job in North DAKOTA.  Yes you read that right.  Not Carolina...DAKOTA!  He left early Friday morning, which left Cam and I scrambling to throw together something special for Fathers Day all why trying to process the goodbye.

We went for the homemade touch this year since this craziness left us with a little less extra cash in the piggy back.  But we did sneak in an "I.O.U" Panthers game ticket of his choice this year.  Surprisingly enough, I think the candy, picture of Cam, and yo-yo were what won his heart.  And this is the gift that just keeps on giving because his baked goods are on their way to him wrapped in a fleece jacket (yep, apparently that's North Dakota in June?).  If only we could cram ourselves in the box with them!  We miss him so bad we can't stand it.

                                           

And for the other special guys in our life, we shared the cookie and cake pop wealth.  Cam was the BEST helper.  I mean, check out the excellent penmanship on the cards...#nailedit  Now to get him to understand we can't do that to just anything as he headed for the walls next.

I also have to mention our local Relay for Life that took place this past Friday.  It was such an honor to be a part, especially this year, as we honored Aunt Karen.  The last I heard, our church raised over $2000 this year.  I am so proud of all that worked so hard for such a near and dear cause.  If you have the opportunity to be involved...do so!  You will be so glad you did!

I especially appreciated the kid-friendly atmosphere at the Relay... Cam had the time of his life twerking to the bluegrass and stalking the person in the Cat costume (i.e. the Cat in my dream?).  I think we only ran up to the cat 135, 674 time to giggle, stare, point, squeal, and give it a high five.  Kudos to you big Cat!  Thank you for making the Camster's night:)

Happy Monday everyone!

Tacos and Dragons

  As a speech therapist, one of my passions has become literacy.  No matter how young a child is...never underestimate the power of a book.  I always knew that one of my goals as a mom would be to instill a love of books within my kids.  Technology is just fine, but it will never take the place of a good ole paper book.  So far...we are book crazy.  Books are one of Cam's goto "toys!"  #proudmommystatus

Every now and then I run into a childrens book I just can't get enough of.  "Dragons Love Tacos" has not only stolen my heart, but Cam's as well!  It is so. stink in'. cute. and perfect for Toddlers!  We have had so much fun looking at the hilarious illustrations and laughing at all of the funny things the dragons do...(and not to mention, the always famous *Fitzy appearances).  We loved this book so much in fact, that we had to make tacos for supper one evening this week:)  

*Fitzy appearance: anytime Cam sees a dog (especially in books) he gets so cracked up and excited and yells "Fitzy!"  "Fitzy!" Mr. Fitz is our dog;)

{Dragons Love Tacos}

Fun things to do with your toddler with "Dragons Love Tacos" (or any storybook you choose):

Consider that for your baby to enjoy any book, they must be actively engaged!  Have fun with it:)

1.  After you read the text, have some fun pointing and talking about the pictures.  Cam gets so giggly every time we do this!  He loves to look at every little detail, make sure he gets to point at the pictures, smell any plants he may see, and make a varoom sound if he spots a vehicle.  But I think he enjoys getting the opportunity to "read" to mama the most:  "Tu, tu, ta, ka, ma, ma, da," anyone?

2.  Never underestimate the power of inflection...kiddos eat it up.  And you better believe they will do it when it's their turn!  Cutest. thing. ever.

3.  Let THEM turn the pages.  Sometimes this backfires on me and Cam goes rip happy.  Board books are awesome at this age...  But think about it, allowing them to turn the page not only helps keep them attentive, but they begin to learn "basics" of reading.

4.  Don't be afraid to change the story up for little ones, to make it more enjoyable.  This is where my "Fitzy" prompts come in:)  Cam loves puppies so much, I always point them out and make them apart of the story- even if that isn't the authors intention.

5.  Activities, activities, activities!  If your child is old enough-tie in an activity like creating a dragon for an art activity or have them write their own story about a taco party they threw for a dragon.  

6.  Obviously...make tacos and play with stuffed dragons:)

Happy Hump Day and God Bless! :)

                                                            

If you are a fellow Speechie, here is a link to an activity to pair with the book!  So, so cute.

Weekend Tales: Graduation

18 years have passed as I have had the pleasure of watching this little girl grow into a beautiful, well-accomplished, young lady.  I speak for my whole family when I say that I am so proud of her and pray that she always follows the Lord's path for her life.  This weekend was extra special because we were blessed enough to see her graduate high school!

 Way to go Class of 2014!  Congrats to my sister, my friend:)   

Top: Me, Brother, Sister   Bottom: Brother, Sister, Mom, Me

To celebrate...we had a lot of dinners, ceremonies, and cookouts to attend.  Let's just say Cam was in baby heaven (aside from the ceremony part).  I must say though...he was very well behaved at the graduation and baccalaureate services aside from the constant crowd surfing and 500 lbs of Goldfish he single handedly put away!

He is becoming quite the sugar giver...

And Cam is quite the swimmer these days.

And if you follow my instagram @cassidyadams, you have already gotten this memo!
We take approx 109,023 stuffed animals with us wherever we go.  Just kidding...
ok, maybe 10.  But it is the cutest. thing. I have ever. seen!  Can we do this forever??

And, since it was a special occasion, which tends to always put me in a baking mood ...my mini sous chef and I gave these pink lemonade cupcakes for "C" a whirl Sunday morning.
Find the yummy recipe here.

*Find these cute grad cap straws at Target and cut in half for a festive cupcake topper;)
I also found a chalk pen and wrote captions on the top before serving...Have fun with it!

Happy Monday!

June With Jillian

I have been SO incredibly sore this week that I have barely been able to walk... let me just say- I don't hate it!  Why do I tend to easily forget how much better I feel when I take a little time to squeeze in some exercise.  I think I have pretty much used the excuse, "I don't have time," for over a year now and let's just face it.  That baby kangaroo-ish pouch on my stomach isn't going to disappear or tone itself up on it's own.  It takes some will power and effort.  

Since forcing myself to start that first video...I have experienced better sleep, more energy, and have a sense of personal accomplishment at the end of the day.  Even better?  That little pooch in my stomach is toning up just after joining Jillian for a minimum of three workouts.  

When I first started doing Jillian videos, about five years ago...I thought you have got to be kidding me.  Who can suffer through this torture!?  Nonetheless, I stuck with her.  I guess it had something to do with the challenge and how good I felt after I completed one of her workouts.  Or maybe I loved tuning into the mental part of the workout where your mind tells you to quit, but you fight that negativity and push through to the end because you know you can.  You realize you are strong enough.  So empowering... not just after a workout, but in life as well!  I can honestly say, I was in the best shape of my life when I regularly did her workouts before I became pregnant with Cam.  So here's to summer!  I'm ready to do this;)

I tried to start the "June with Jillian" challenge last year, but with a newborn...who had day and night confusion resulting in minimal sleep for this mommy-it was just absolutely unrealistic.  These days- we have somewhat of a schedule going and I am able (yes, no longer making excuses) to squeeze in a workout during evening nap time or just after he goes to sleep.  And for those days when neither are viable?  We will just go for a run:)  Mommy =  flexibility.  

So far, I have exercised with Jillian 4 of the 5 days of June.  I'm not going to challenge myself with something unrealistic...and hey, if I don't meet the goal then the world's not going to come falling down.  My goal is to workout at least 5 times a week throughout the month of June.  I'm ready to get the old Cassidy back.  I'm ready for a little me time;)  If any of you would like to join...I'd love some company;) 

Is it safe to say Happy Friday???

#pandpfitnesschallenge #junewithjillian