{5 on friday} #2

Happy Friday! Is it just me, or does this week feel like it has flown by?!? I'm excited to be linking up with some of my favorite bloggers for a new series called "Five on Friday"! Such a fun way to wrap up the week, and if you're like me, I love having "a little bit of direction" on what to write about!

 

 

{one} mimosa bar + brunch

Two weekends ago, I hosted a brunch for some of my co-workers. I have been dying to use my "mimosa bar goodies" for quite some time, so this was my perfect opportunity! It was so fun! I'm ready for my next get together! Brunch, anyone?!?

 

 

{two} this quote

If you follow me on Instagram, you saw this quote I posted the other day! I love it so much, I wanted to share here! I think sometimes we forget to just be our self. We live in a culture that tells us "how to look", "what to wear", "the perfect size", "the perfect this and the perfect that"...and on and on. While those things aren't necessarily bad, they can definitely begin to have an affect on us. A lesson I had to learn {and am still learning and probably will continue to learn} is that comparison is the thief of joy. Isn't that so true? Ok, I'm done preaching....maybe this was just a little something I needed to hear at the moment.   

 

 

{three} can't get enough of this...

If you know me at all, you know I have a slight problem with all things sweet! I am normally a chocoholic, but recently tried this Banana Pudding ice cream and can't get enough! It really does taste just like homemade southern banana pudding! Go buy it! You'll thank me later! ;)

 

 

{four} guilty pleasure

It's back! The Bachelorette! The time of year when my hubby returns to the bedroom to watch TV {he is most definitely not a fan}! Did anyone watch Monday night? I think Desiree seems so sweet and genuine. As far as the guys...not too sure yet! The season premiere is always a little awkward for me to watch, I must admit. What can I say, I'm hooked!

 

  

{five} back to the beach

So excited to be heading to the beach again this weekend! We get to spend the weekend with some of our family, celebrate a special birthday and take E on her first boat ride {just to name a few of our weekend activities}! Summer...you're oh so close! Only a week left of work until summer break {officially} begins!



 

Here's to the weekend, friends!

memorial day weekend recap {photo dump}

We had a very relaxed, family filled Memorial Day Weekend! Here is a recap of our weekend! 

 

Ella enjoying her new water sprinkler beach ball! As you can tell....she did have a ball!

 Playing in the sun can be tiring! We enjoyed a little down time before Aunt Jess came to visit!

 

They were {both} all smiles! So thankful Jess was able to visit for the day! Can you tell she is my sis?!?!

 

We finally turned E's chair around for the first time! She really feels like a big girl now! 

 

We made our first trip of the summer to the neighborhood pool! Her most favorite was the slide! As soon as she would come down, she would state her most used phrase "I want more"!!! 

 Daddy grilled out ribs and corn on the cob for dinner! Yummy!!

Finley even joined in on the dress-up party! Thank goodness she is such a good sport!

 

But it wouldn't near as much fun if only Finley was dressed up! I went into E's room and found her like this!! Such a mess....I think we're in trouble! ;)

 

 Mommy really was around....I'm just always the picture taker!

Ta da! And there you have our weekend re-cap! 

 

As I mentioned in yesterdays post, I've joined in and am now on bloglovin'! I hope you'll follow along with us!

 

 



{easy peach cobbler}

Happy Memorial Day! I thought this recipe was most appropriate! We are spending the day with very minimal plans {yeah!!}, lots of sunshine, swimming, grilling out, family and fun! A perfect day in my book! Here is a yummy recipe for an {easy} peach cobbler pie...perfect for a hot summer day!

 

Easy Peach Cobbler

 

Ingredients



• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup milk
• 4 cups fresh peach slices
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Ground cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)

Directions

1. Melt butter in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish.
2. Combine flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt; add milk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Pour batter over butter (do not stir).
3. Bring remaining 1 cup sugar, peach slices, and lemon juice to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly; pour over batter (do not stir). Sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired.
4. Bake at 375° for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Serve cobbler warm or cool.

Let's not forget all the men and women who have and are currently serving and fighting for our freedom daily. Freedom is not free! And thank you to all of the families who have loved ones serving. I know it is a sacrifice on your part as well!

I'm jumping on the bandwagon and joining Bloglovin! Hope you'll follow along here:
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{friday fancies} memorial weekend wear

Friday + a long weekend ahead = very happy girl! I'm linking up again this week with Friday Fancies to share our favorite memorial weekend wear. I'm all about dressing casual and comfy {but that doesn't mean it can't be cute, right}! My hubby just got back in town from a five day trip, so we're ready to relax and spend time together as a family. No "must-have" plans on our agenda...so no telling what we'll get ourselves into!! ;) Hope you all have a wonderful long weekend!  

{friday fancies} memorial weekend wear by jenni824 featuring kain

Thank you to all the men and women who serve our country to fight for our freedoms daily! We celebrate YOU!

 

I'm also linking up with my friend Darci @ The Good Life Blog for her first 5 on Friday link-up! So, I guess you could say these are my Top 5 {actually 6} Memorial Day weekend wears! Next week will be better! hehe! Thanks Darci for asking me to link-up anyways!!!

 

{thursday thoughts}

I'm sure most of you have been doing the same thing as me and keeping your eyes glued to the TV over the past several days with the horrible devastations in OK. It just makes you sad. I can't imagine the feelings and emotions these parents, children, teachers, first responders, etc. are feeling at this very moment. Some have lost everything. Everything...can you even begin to imagine? Certaintly not me. Precious lives were lost in such a tragic way.

 

 

So, today I am thankful. I'm thankful for my family, my home, my job, my friends, my church and church family, food, clothing, and the list goes on and on. May our eyes be opened during this very moment. This world needs hope, comfort, love and peace. This world needs Christ. We need to be the light in this dark world. Please join me as we continue to lift up all of those affected in prayer! This IS our only hope!

 

Speaking of thankful, one of my very best friends gave birth to her first baby! Such a fun time and stage of life we are in right now!

 

 

And yes, he did smile for the first time while I held him! I don't even care if it was gas.....hehehe!

 

 

Ella made a special sign to welcome her new friend into this world!!

 

While I visited baby Connor in the hospital, Ella got to spend some quality time with my parents, Mimi and Papa! Again, I'm SO thankful that we live close to both sets of E's grandparents. Something I do not take for granted!

 

 

I still can't believe Memorial Day weekend is almost here! Maybe it's just me, but this year has gone by so fast! Only 2 more weeks left of school, then it's the summer time, baby!!! Happy Day, my friends! I am thankful for YOU!

 

 

  

{guest blogging @ eat.pray.love.run}

Hello, lovelies! If you're looking for me today, you can find me here! I'm so excited to be guest posting for one of my very best friends. She welcomed her first baby into this world yesterday! Ahh...there is no feeling like it! I hope you'll stop by and say "hello"!

 

Happy Tuesday!!

{these boots are made for walking}

I'm so excited to share with you some of my very favorite pictures from Ella's 19 month photo shoot taken about 3 weeks ago! Jen did an amazing job of capturing all of E's many many expressions {which can sometimes be very tricky with an energetic, full of life 19 month old}! Little Miss was SO very excited to wear her new little boots. Priceless memories! So glad we have them to share! 

 

 

 

 Wishing you a Happy Monday full of lots of joy and laughs!

{friday fancies} stripe my fancy

They're everywhere....stripes.....of all kinds, colors and in almost all of our favorite sites, magazines and stores! I am excited to be linking up with Friday Fancies today.

I couldn't put just one outfit together, so instead, I decided to do a mommy and me combo! Can you tell I had just a little fun with this?!?!

  

Hmm.....I think I have a little shopping to do! I also want to thank EVERYONE who guest posted for the All About Mommy series! I had so much fun and loved getting to work with each and every one of you! If anything, it made me appreciate the "blogging world" even more and helped me realize what a huge support system it can be! Y'all are awesome! For my new followers and readers, I hope you will continue to journey with us at Down with the Dearmores!

Wishing you a fun and relaxing weekend! 

{All About Mommy} when in need

Hi!  I'm Shay!  Some people know me as the Mix and Match Mama...

...a foodie blogger who makes food simple and delicious for busy women on the go.

Some people know me as their mama...

...that's Kensington and Smith.  They're 3 and 4 and make my world go round.

And some people know me as the Bachelor's big sister...

...that's me and my little brother Sean.  

But...my most important role...I am a child of God.  Saved by grace.  Thank you Jesus that I have that role.

My road to mommyhood wasn't easy.  It was long and complicated and really made me dig deep to find my faith, peace, joy and happiness in Christ.  You can read all about my struggles to become a mom here.

A lot of women ask me where I draw comfort in times of heartache...in times of struggle and uncertainty.  For me, I always go back to the scripture.  Here are some of my favorite scriptures that help me when I'm having a hard time...

For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

Do not be anxious about anything.  But in everything with prayer and petition and thanksgiving in your heart, present your requests to God and a peace that transforms all others will guard your heart and your mind. Philippians 4:6-7

Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid.  For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9

I feel like the Bible is the very best way to spend time with God...but if you need a little supplication...a little something to help you get started, this book is amazing...

You can find it online here.  It's a daily devotional of scripture...the perfect way to start your day.


Being a mom is the most wonderful job I'll ever have...but it's also the hardest.  No mom is perfect.  No mom has all the answers.  No mom can fix anything.  That's why I think it's so important as moms to memorize scripture, read our Bibles, pray, pray, and pray some more for our roles as mothers.

Thank you so much Jennifer for letting me share with you and your readers today!  You can keep up with my family life everyday over at Mix and Match Family, my foodie blog is Mix and Match Mama, I'm on Pinterest here, Twitter here and Face Book here.

I love new mommy friends who have hearts for their families and the Lord! 

{WILW}

It's been a really long time since I've done a WILW!

And there are a few things I've discovered lately that I HAD to share with you! ;)












 1. Target Mossimo straw bag. I've had my eye on this since the day it arrived in the stores {since I'm a Target regular and all}! I finally gave in and am so glad I did! I used it this past weekend on our beach getaway and it was perfect. It's sturdy, comfy to carry and oh so cute!

2. Anthropologie Dishtowel. I can't say it's mine yet, but hopefully soon! I love the colors and especially the little message! You can find it here.

3. My new favorite Sonic drink. Diet Sprite+Cranberry+Vanilla. Yummy and refreshing goodness! You have to let me know if you try it out!

4. Revlon BB Cream. If you know me well, you know I pretty much stick to the same make-up all the time and don't really branch out. But, I decided to try after seeing tons of pins on Pinterest about BB Creams. I have to say, I was quite impressed! It feels very light on your face {which is a mega plus for me} and looks very natural + includes SPF.

What are some things you're loving lately? Please do share! Happy Humpday!