What's Up Wednesday

I thought I would join Shay and Sheaffer today for What's Up Wednesday!

1.  What we are eating this week?

Scott and I are doing Keto.  I've had people ask me about meal ideas.  I think Keto is easy because we stick to mostly meat and veggies.  Sheet pan dinners work great - just minus any potatoes.  And you can add cheese! Taco bowls are a favorite.  Just skip carbs and dessert.

2.  What I'm reminiscing about:

Last year on this week  I went on a girls weekend with my best friends and it was the most fun I've had in forever.  We don't get together often so I love thinking back to what a special time that was.

3.   What I'm loving:

New make up I just bought from Sephora with a Christmas gift card! I will have to do a separate post soon on it soon! I'm also loving having a clean closet for the first time in about two years.  Hoping I can get all of our closets and drawers to look the same soon.

4.  What I've been up to:

Just life! School and laundry and doctor appointments and boring old normal stuff!

5.  What I'm dreading:

Nothing that I can think of!

6.  What I'm working on:

I'm working on getting organized!!!!

7.  What I'm excited about?

We just booked a trip to Disney for the fall and we are taking Will Holden and I can't WAIT!!!! 

8.   What I'm watching/reading:

I love a good medical show - so I'm loving the Resident, Chicago Med and New Amsterdam.  

9. What I'm listening to:

I think I tend to listen to podcasts more than music these days.  I have a ton that I love.  

That sounds Fun with Annie Downs

The Big Boo cast

Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

Popcast

Treasured Girls 

Melissa Radke

10.  What I'm wearing:

I just ordered several new things from Zara that were on an amazing sale recently.  I need to share a few with you! And of course I wear my walmart poncho nearly every other day! 

11.  What I'm doing this weekend:

We don't have big plans.  We like to lay low for the super bowl and I have no interest this year but I'm sure Scott will be watching.  It's going to be in the 60's so I hope we can get OUTSIDE for once and go for long walks or something! 

12.  What I'm looking forward to next month:

Harper has the 4th grade Father/Daughter dance, Valentines parties and just a non busy month! I love the early winter months when things are a little slower! 

Lately

I thought I would share just a few highlights from the last week.  

Will Holden had PJ day at school on Wednesday.  But of course, I forgot so I got him all dressed and right when we were about to leave - I remembered and had to quickly change him.  And all I could find were Christmas PJs.  Which he wears Christmas PJs most night and will for a few months - why not? 

I was the Mystery Reader in Harper's Class that afternoon.  I love being able to do things at the kids school and I love that they always want me to come.  I love getting to know the kids in their classes! 

 

Thursday the kids all had dentist appointments.  I get so tickled at the dentist because Will Holden never behaves better than when we are there.  And it's not fear because he LOVES the dentist.  He can't WAIT to go.  But he is always just so busy and loud - just a regular three year old boy.  But at the dentist he lays so still and lets them do whatever they need to.  He has never cried or squirmed.  He got his first x rays and he was PERFECT.  Maybe it's the weighted blanket.  Maybe they are piping laughing gas through the vents.  I don't know what is happening but I need some of it at home. ha! Hollis got a little treatment done and it was tougher that she thought it would be.  She was crying and upset so I ended up letting her spend the rest of the day home.  I could just tell she was fragile and needed a day off.  That so rarely happens that I didn't feel bad.

Friday morning was SOOOOOO cold.  I ran quickly to the store after dropping off the kids for school.  I spontaneously decided to go for a walk.  It was sunny and seemed warmer but it was only 15 degrees.  It was so cold that I was the only person on the trails.  Me and about 20 deer.  The deer were everywhere and they were so close to me.  They stood staring at me and it kind of creeped me out.  I started wondering if deer ever attacked.  I didn't think they did but later on in the day I googled and they do.  So I guess I should have been more nervous.  

I guess I should be nervous to be walking on a trail by myself anyway.  I have never been when no one else was on it - usually it's FULL.  But I'm the only crazy person who would get out in that cold.  I nearly died of hypothermia because I didn't have gloves or a hat.  ha!  It snowed later in the afternoon and was so pretty but didn't stay around long.  

Saturday morning we decided to go to Fast Lanes and bowl and play games.  It was crowded since we got there right when it opened and we had a good time.  Hollis always beats us all.  We ate lunch out and then went home and did stuff around the house.  I had planned to cook dinner at home but last minute we decided to go out to eat.  We went to an old favorite - DOE's.  We haven't been in years and especially never with kids but it was so good and the kids were great.  

Yesterday we had church.  WE came home for lunch and Harper had to be back early for choir try outs.  The girls had choir and GA's and Scott and I went to a special prayer time at church.  

And here we are in the last few days of January! 

Quiet, Cold days of January

I haven't blogged much lately because there just hasn't been a lot to report.  We are back into just the normal day to day.  

We had a quiet weekend.  We woke up Saturday morning to a dusting of snow.  We haven't had any snow in probably 5 years so my kids were thrilled.  It really wasn't even enough to play in but they had dressed themselves right after breakfast and ran out to play.  It was SOOOO cold.  I had something to go to Saturday night but everything got cancelled.  

So I took advantage and spent the entire day in my pj's cleaning out my closet.  I have needed to do that for years and I did a BIG purge.  It looks so much better.  It had just overwhelmed and depressed me for a while.  My house is usually fairly clean but that closet has just haunted me.  I could never find anything and it was just a disaster.  It felt good to get that done.  

They cancelled our Sunday school on Sunday so we just had church.  We went and ate lunch with the Ormons and then that afternoon the kids had choir and GA'.s  Sarah Kate came home with us and spent the night.  The girls stayed up until midnight watching "When Calls the Heart".  My girls are obsessed.  

We haven't been to our children's museum in a long time so we decided to go Monday since we were out of school.  Of course so did every other kid in NWA.  It was kind of a madhouse but we had a good time.  

It was a good way to spend an afternoon.  

When we left we found a new bird statue that we had to get a picture in front of.  

The kids made a you tube video of our visit! 

The girls were back in school today and WH and I went to Bible Study at church and then ate lunch with Laurie.  

I texted Laurie this picture because WH was so mad at dinner because we wouldn't let him have any more ranch dressing on his plate.  You would have to know how much Laurie HATES ranch dressing.  I told her this is her face when someone tries to give her ranch dressing. ha! 

If you found all of this riveting - I'm going a day in the life on my instastories over on my instagram.  I'm sure it will be SUPER exciting! :-) 

Celebrate Good Times

Harper turned 10 yesterday! I just can barely believe it! 

When people say it goes by fast - they aren't kidding! I feel like she was just born.  She is such a joy.  I'm so grateful to be her mom.  We celebrated her Saturday but I couldn't let the day pass without making her day special.  TEN is a monumental age! Double digits! 

I told the girls I would come bring them lunch and eat with them.  Hollis has lunch first.  We were sitting at a table right outside the library and Harper's class was in the library.  Harper saw me and mouthed through the window "where is my lunch?"  I tried to act like I forgot.  She looked so upset.  When she came out I said "I didn't bring you lunch.  Because I'm TAKING you to lunch".  I had already talked to her teacher about it so I checked her out so we could have a couple of hours together! 

Our first stop was Fish City Grill.  (WHY DOES SHE LOOK SO OLD?)

She is my gumbo obsessed partner! So our fav treat is a cup or bowl of gumbo! 

Next we went to Claire's.  She LOVES to wear choker necklaces.  She has one she wears almost every day so I let her get a couple of new ones! And in good Claire's fashion - we got something free with the purchase of two things so she picked out BFF necklaces for she and Hollis which I thought was really sweet.  

We went to Nothing Bundt Cake and got some little mini cakes.  She thought it was so fun.  And now I need to admit that Scott and I have been on keto since New Years and it's going well but we both had a small cheat moment last night ate a little bundt cake and we both decided it was the best cake ever.  He has already requested one for his birthday.  

When we got home, there was a knock at the door.  My parents and Aunt Linda surprised Harper by coming for a visit to see her.  They brought her a gift and stayed to visit for a while.  

Right after they left, Sarah Kate showed up at the door with cupcakes for Harper.  It was SO sweet and another great surprise! I love these two! 

When Scott got home - Harper opened her presents.  She wanted two things - this Barbie head that she could fix hair and makeup on and a new Bible.  She was THRILLED with both.  And I love that at 10 - these are the things she wanted most.  

Our town has a new restaurant at the small private airport.   Louise Thaden was one of the first female pilots in the U.S.  She lived in Bentonville and was friends with Amelia Earhart who used to visit her in the summer.  The restuarant is named after her - Louise.  We decided to try it out last night. 

I had chicken and vegetables and it was so good.  The vegetables were DELICIOUS! We all loved it.  

And we got to look at a few airplanes too! 

10 years of celebrating! She said this was the best birthday yet.  

Harper's Arrival from Kelly Stamps on Vimeo.

I shared this on social media but this is the video Scott made on Harper's first birthday of her birth and time in the hospital.  I think it's a sweet 13 minute testimony.  Warning - it will make you cry!

A Perfect Ten

We were still out of school last Monday and it was almost 70 degrees so we put on shorts and t-shirts and went for a long walk on a new trail.  Our town has a TON of the nicest trails for walking and bike riding.  I LOVE them.  

We had a great day.  But it was time to go back to school! 

The girls wanted to sleep in braids so they would have wavy hair to start second semester! They went back with all smiles! I can't believe the year is half over! 

Will Holden and I started back to Bible Study on Tuesday.  

I'm doing Authentic by James Macdonald.  I think it's going to be really good.  I love his studies! 

Wednesday Will Holden went back to school.  I'm not going to lie - I had a little skip in my step.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE being with my kids.  But I'm also someone who just likes to be alone.  I need a few hours a lone a week or I get kind of crazy.  So after 3 weeks of togetherness during Christmas break - it was nice to have a few hours asleep.  I got my hair done and ran some errands! 

Saturday we celebrated Harper's birthday a few days early.  She invited just a couple of friends to go out to lunch and to a movie.  We ate at chilis and were going to the 12:40 show of A Dog's Way Home.  In typical Kelly fashion - I pulled up our tickets at lunch and realized that I had bought them for FRIDAY.  (I bought them ON Friday but thought I had gotten them for Saturday).  I called the theatre in a panic and they were so nice.  They got us tickets for a later showing.  It actually worked out great because we went home and had cake and opened presents and then went to the movie.  

She wanted an ice cream cake.  She always gets ice cream cakes and usually from Dairy Queen but I thought I would try Cold Stone this year.  I got a small cake that would be enough for the kids but wouldn't leave any to tempt Scott and I since we are on Keto.  It looked SOOOO good  but we didn't cave.  

Harper and two of her best friends.  I always pray for her to have sweet friends.  It's one of my biggest hopes for her.  

Why does she look SO old? Ten feels so grown up! I think it's just a great age.  I hate that she's growing so fast but I also LOVE LOVE this age and watching her become the person she is.  

I really hope her wishes come true.  After the movie we came back and the girls all ended up staying for dinner.  The kids had pizza and I fixed steaks and salad for me and Scott and Steve came over because Laurie and Emily were out of town.  The guys watched the Cowboy game while I took the girls home.  

Yesterday we had church and then we walked to lunch with our friends.  It was FREEZING COLD but it's not a long walk.  It was fun to visit.  Hollis went home with Joseph for a couple of hours to play.  The kids started back to choir and activities at church and then Scott and I went up to pray.  Our church has started a new prayer time on Sunday nights - it's kind of come and go to just pray over our church and any requests or needs or anything really.  

And now it's Monday again! Hope you have a great one! 

What's APP?????

If you know me - you know my great love for Sonic.  I LOVE a Sonic vanilla diet coke.  Well, this summer I discovered the Sonic app.  More specifically I discovered that if you used the Sonic app to order your drinks - they were 1/2 price ALL DAY! A L L   D A Y!!! AND it constantly gives you rewards like free tater tots or milkshakes! So I soon became great friends with the Sonic app.  And it also is like being a Sonic VIP.  You just pull it up, order, and then pull into a stall and "check in" and the screen will pop up and say "Welcome back Kelly!" and your drink is out so fast! Or you can go through the drive through and tell them you ordered on the app.  It's amazing!

Then recently - I started a coffee obsession.  Starbucks is not my favorite coffee spot but I had a few gift cards so I plugged them into the Starbucks app and realized I could order ahead on this also and either run in and it was ready right away without waiting in line or I could drive thru and it was faster.  AND once again - you get "reward stars" that earn you free drinks! I am all about FREE REWARDS! 

Really, the only fast food we eat is generally Chickfila.  But ours is so fast and they have people always working outside in line so I never really understood a reason to use the "one" app.  UNTIL about a few weeks ago when I ordered a nugget tray on it for a school function and I realized that you can get points and rewards on this app too and it adds up FAST! I have since learned you can order ahead (or like I do when I get in the back of the drive thru line) OR you can order like normal inside or outside and then have them scan your app to give you credit.  ALSO - you can order on the app and park and they will bring it out to you.  Hello - moms of young kids! You can also go inside and let your kids play in the playground or just sit with them at the table and order from your table on the app and they will bring it to you (instead of standing in line with toddlers).  Genius! This is by far the best app that I have found! It's "my pleasure" to share it with you! 

So then I talked about these apps on Instagram and asked for what other ones you are using out there  and here is what I found.

McDonalds (who knew?)

Panera (I have never ordered on this app but I do get MYpanera rewards.  But their drive thru is slow so it makes sense to order ahead so it's ready when you get there)

Pizza Hut (can earn free pizza)

Dominos (you can earn free pizza)

Slim Chickens (if you have one - you get $4 of free food for every $50 you spend)

Chipotle (You can order ahead. No rewards yet - but it's coming) 

Chili's (they give you rewards and free dessert on your birthday)

Outback (you get 50% off on every 4th visit!) 

What other ones do you use? Just a few extra seconds on your phone can save you time and money! It's totally worth it.  I have a sweet friend that is so good at this.  She saves up and makes a day of it - gets her free Starbucks and her free Chickfila and her free pizza all on one day! 

Christmas Break

 We have been enjoying our last full week of Christmas break.  Today is our last day - the girls go back tomorrow and Will Holden starts Wednesday.  Yes - it does seem like we have been out a LONG time! We have enjoyed it but I think we are all ready for structure.  Tomorrow is going to HURT! The girls have been sleeping in and are going to hate getting up early.  

On Monday, Scott's parents left and I had physical therapy for my feet.  (Yes - I did a few sessions - long story).  Then we went and tried out a new pizza place that was having a soft opening - MJ's Pizzeria in Centerton.  It was good.  

We went to LifeWay so Scott could get a new Bible.  Then we checked out pets at petsmart.  

 

We came home and I pulled this tent out of the attic for the kids to play in.  Scott's mom got this a few years ago but it's so big we just didn't have room for it.  But I pulled it out and they had a great time!

Listen - I don't want y'all to be jealous of how fun and crazy our NYE was.  The girls and I snuggled up and binge watched "When Calls the Heart".  I fell asleep at 9.  Scott and the girls stayed up until around 11:30.  But I was so tired! 

My friend Marci picked me up on Tuesday morning to hit the Dillards New Year sale.  Have y'all been? It's INSANE! Like Disney World has nothing on it.  People are EVERYWHERE.  You can barely move.  I really didn't go in wanting anything.  And I didn't buy one thing but it was fun to go.  We walked down to Sephora and there wasn't one person there.  

The rest of Tuesday looked a lot like this.  This was the middle of Scott cleaning out our pantry.  It looks good now.  January always makes me want to PURGE.  I'm tackling our closets over the next few weeks.  

 

Wednesday, Hollis went to play with her friend Joseph and I picked up Sarah Kate to spend the day with us.  There is a used book store about 20 minutes from us that a few people told me about.  You can order books online and then pick up.  So we went to pick up the books I ordered.  I got the girls 6 books for $10!!! 

I didn't get it all in a picture but they had a huge Christmas tree made out of books. 

 I got Harper a few Trixie Belden books! They were my favorite.  I think I'm going to have to read them too! 

They filmed a you tube video.  ha! 

Thursday Harper had another friend over to play.  They had a great time.  It's a little hard to have play dates when your little brother wants to be in the middle of things.  

Friday we cleaned and the kids drew and wrote and we stayed in shorts or Pj's.  

We babysat one of our friends' baby for a few hours.  She was PRECIOUS.  My girls were thrilled out of their mind to watch her (with me).  Will Holden wasn't too happy to not be the baby.  

He warmed up to her.  Maybe this will be their first date. ha! 

Saturday it was 60 degrees.  We have been wanting to go ice skating at our sweet little skating rink downtown.  We never had time during Christmas or it was too cold. Saturday was perfect!!! 

Will Holden wanted to skate but didn't love it.  We barely got going and he wanted to quit but we had to make it around the rink to get out.  It felt like it took us 45 to skate one lap. ha! 

Yesterday we had church.  It was in the 60's and we are eating keto so we walked to eat lunch at Flying Fish.  It was so good.  

I love being able to walk to places.  Laurie took Harper roller skating with her girls that afternoon.  She made me want to start going to the roller rink more often.  I LOVE to roller skate. ha! And apparently there is an interesting crowd there. ha! 

We have a long list to conquer on our last free day today but it's been a nice break! It won't be long until Spring break comes!