Hello from the Atlanta hospital. I wrote this post a few days before I checked in to the ER, was admitted for a week, and was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. It doesn’t feel right to post this February’s monthly edit without first acknowledging everything that I just went through. It’s heavy, and it’s a lot, and I will be sharing more in another blog post when I’m ready.
The good news is I am okay. I am healing. And my doctors have a plan in place to put me in remission.
I did want to say a huge thank you to everyone who reached out after I posted about my autoimmune disease on my Instagram story. Truly, the stories you shared and solidarity you provided are helping me to get through this and see brighter days ahead. I’m super hopeful for the future now that I have a diagnosis to years of ongoing issues, and continuing to trust in God’s greater plan over my life!
With all that said, I still want to keep this favorites post light, easy and breezy. I am a creature of habit, so you can expect to see the usual: I recapped the books I read, some of my favorite podcasts I listened to, a scary amount of TV and movies I binged, some of my favorite items I’m loving and a yummy recipe from the month. Let’s dive in:
THE RECAP:
Valentine’s Day 2024:
We had a wonderful Valentine’s Day this year! We started the morning making a heart shaped pancake breakfast with our favorite Kodiak pancake mix. Such a simple, easy way to make this day fun for your little ones. I got these heart shaped cookie cutters off of Amazon for $5!
We then got Blakely dressed in pink and packed up the snacks she was bringing for her class! It was the first year having Blakely in school so we got to bring her class friends a special apple pouch snack. Blakely loved helping me DIY these and put them together. I just found this free printable online, printed them at home on colored card stock, punched holes in them and tied them to each pouch!
Later that weekend, Casey’s parents gifted us a couples massage for Valentine’s Day and it was beyond wonderful and much needed!! Such a special treat!
Other fun photos from the month:
- Had a mommy daughter date at The Salty Donut in Buckhead and it was DELICIOUS! We got the little munchins and a glazed donut. I also got a vanilla latte that was so good.
- Lots of yoga this month! Been loving this in the mornings or on my lunch break to get in some mindful movement and stretching. I use Yoga With Adriene’s free YouTube videos!
- We house sat and dog sat for Casey’s aunt and uncle over President’s Day weekend and it was so fun! They have a home gym in their basement that was so nice and convenient to get in a morning workout!
- We visited Casey’s moms side of the family last weekend in Carrollton, Georgia to celebrate his grandma’s 90th birthday! We had a big fiesta and it was a blast. There are a few other kids in the family around Blakely’s age so she was having the time of her life with them!
- It was Dr. Seuss week at school this past week and the photo below is crazy hat or headband day LOL!
Let’s get into all the February things below:
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1) READING…
TOM LAKE by Ann Patchett ⭐⭐⭐.5/5
THOUGHTS: I listened to this one on audio and it was so beautifully narrated by Meryl Streep. It’s an easy, dreamy, slow, nostalgic read. The storyline follows Lara who tells the story of her life and former romance with now famous actor Peter Duke. The timeline jumps back and forth from Lara in her youth and Lara in the present day (2020), where Lara and her three daughters are now picking cherries on their family farm and listening to Lara’s stories to help pass the time. Although this one was cute, light, and I enjoyed the youthful love and storytelling, it lacked depth and interest for me at times.
THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
THOUGHTS: “We were there.”
What a powerful, moving, raw look into the emotion, the friendships, the loss and the battles the women of the Vietnam war experienced during their time there as nurses, and the struggles they faced when they returned home. They were forgotten, unsupported, and misunderstood. This book is so important and one of the best books I’ve read in a while. As per usual with Kristin Hannah’s books, the character development is incredible and the storytelling is utterly gripping. From the beginning I found myself rooting for Frankie who is likable, real, passionate, and brave. The way Frankie transforms throughout the novel is an unembellished, intense, true to life look at what women went through after returning from Vietnam.
FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
THOUGHTS: A thrilling fantasy filled with action, steam, and twists! I enjoyed this one! It was way overhyped in my opinion, especially after reading the ACOTAR series that was just 11/10, but I still enjoyed the fast-paced storyline, a transformative underdog heroine, and the dynamic of a slow-burn romance. You’ll like this series if you enjoyed Hunger Games & Divergent! Not sure if I’ll be reading the second book. Did you like that one if you read it??
2) LISTENING TO…
- WOAH That’s Good Podcast with Sadie Robertson ↓
OUR BEST ADVICE: DEALING WITH GOSSIP, ANXIETY, LONELINESS, DRAMA … I love Sadie Robertson and this episode with her husband had so much truth in it! If you’re dealing with too much gossip, overwhelmed with anxiety, loneliness or experiencing drama give this episode a listen!
- THE SKINNY CONFIDENTIAL PODCAST ↓
JOHN STAMOS TELLS ALL & KEEPS US WANTING MORE… This was such a fun episode with great banter and chemistry between the hosts and John Stamos. Stamos discusses is new memoir, reflects on his career, his journey to fame and his family and friends. Just an interesting episode if you’re a fan of John Stamos!
- TEXAS HOLD ‘EM by Beyoncé ↓
This song has been on repeat and I can’t wait for her whole country album!!!
3) WATCHING…
LOTS of TV and movies this month:
- THE BACHELOR… Is anyone else obsessed with Joey and this season!? It’s so good. My favorite currently is Daisy, but I think him and Maria have the best chemistry. Would be happy to see him with any of the final 4 girls honestly!!! So excited for hometowns.
- JURY DUTY… Casey and I binged this show in like two days it was HILARIOUS!!! I can’t believe they pulled it off. All the different characters are so funny too. People say it’s The Office + The Truman Show collided.
- PRISCILLA… Skip this movie in my opinion. It was really sad and ended abruptly with no closure. Honestly had more questions after the movie about Priscilla and Elvis’s relationship than I had going in it. I enjoyed the Elvis movie way more!
- UPGRADED… Such a cute romance movie on Prime! Great storyline and not cheesy… I enjoyed!!
- LOVE IS BLIND… This season is crazyyyyy and so good. I will honestly be surprised if any of the couples get married and stay together at this point! We have one more episode to go next Wednesday!
- WONKA… Skip this one too! I wanted to love this one so much because I love musicals and the previews looked good, but the storyline was too bizarre.
- ANYONE BUT YOU... Late to the game on this movie but it’s finally out on Prime! I thought it was super cute. Definitely a little too hyped up, but worth the watch if you like romcoms! The chemistry between Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell is too good!
5) CURRENTLY LOVING…
1) AFFORDABLE TODDLER BLOW UP BED… for upcoming travel days!
2) GYM SOCKS… upgrade your gym fit!
3) FREEZER SOUP CONTAINERS… not sure why I’m just now discovering these but they are a game changer for leftovers!
EATING…
Turkey, Spinach & Black Bean Taquitos | The recipe ♡
This Mexican dish is SO GOOD, comes together in 30 minutes, and makes for great leftovers. Highly recommend you try this for your next Taco Tuesday! Between me, my husband and my 3 year old, these were a hit in my house.
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