Girls Trip: 2021 Toyota Avalon

My bestie Ellen and I recently went on a girls trip to celebrate a friend’s 40th birthday and we both also turn 40 in a couple of months…*cough* *cough*

Anyway, we will talk about that dreaded milestone later.  On our road trip I got the chance to drive the brand new 2021 Avalon up to Hot Springs, AR.  It’s so beautiful and scenic up there.  We must have seen at least 100 deer and despite the rain all weekend we had a great time visiting, eating, and watching movies.  We also took a trip to Ulta to check out makeup and hair goodies.  Ya know all the stuff girls do 🙂I owned an Avalon for 11 years and it is still my VERY favorite car that I’ve ever owned.  I miss it…and each time I drive the newer versions it just reiterates why I love the Avalon so much.

I shall point out a few of my favorite features for y’all in case you want to check them out:

Heads up display.  Know your speed- day and night.  It’s right in front of your eyeballs. 

This midnight blue color is gorgeous!  I’m rolling up picking Ellen up for our trip.

Navigation is key, especially on those city highways to country roads.

Booty warmers and Booty air conditioners make my life complete.  This will DEFINITELY be in my next car.  We sure did have a good time jamming to XM Radio and 90’s on 9 too.  All the songs we grew up with.  We always stop at Burger King…that’s our place to go.  Their Impossible Whopper is LEGIT y’all!

Drivers side view.  This tan/brown leather is the perfect color.  It’s super soft and rich and the perfect go-between a dark and light shade.

Oh!  I also got to visit with my twin sister Bonnie who drove up to Hot Springs to visit too! Yay!

Backup and overhead cameras

The back seat area is as spacious as an SUV, and even has more room than some SUV’s on the market.  It’s definitely a luxury ride.

Front dash display and cupholders for all the different sized cups.

These are the adorable cottages we stayed at in Hot Springs.  They were so nice and clean on the inside.  Each one even has a garage- but they were in the middle of a reno so we parked outside.  They are doing a great job at updating all the cottages though.

Check out the 2021 Toyota Avalon HERE or you can also go to my Instagram HERE and watch my “CARS” stories to see the entire video.

Thanks for reading…and looking forward to a healthier & happier 2021 and some fun TRAVEL!!!

Fall 2020 Recap : Part 1

I’m a bad blogger these days.  I started back to work full-time during a pandemic and I LOVE my new job….but gosh it sure doesn’t leave much time for writing my thoughts down these days.  Regardless I’m thankful to be gainfully employed at a job I love and hope that now that Heidi is a bit older I can carve in some more time at the computer.  I know Instagram is the place you’ll find me most days, but there is also something to be said about the art of writing it all down too.

Here is Connor and Heidi on Halloween 2020.  A vampire and his little batty sister.  I can’t believe Connor is over half way finished with 5th grade and next year we’ll have a middle schooler on our hands.  He’s a great big bro and they love and annoy each other just as I imagined 🙂

Heidi at 15-16 months old.

Pumpkin patch pics 2020.  We love our home and the fact that we live right across from a pumpkin patch every year is just as fun!

We had a great fall despite all that is going on in the world right now.  Praying this next year is full of happiness, health, and a much brighter outlook.  Incredibly blessed by my family and friends and forever grateful for each one.  God is so GOOD!

Next up….All the Christmas recaps of 2020!!!

The Summer of 2020….Blah!

I have been the worst blogger in the history of bloggers.  So much has happened that I can hardly keep up with everything, let alone sit down and write it all out.  But….alas….here I am writing for the sake of writing and the memories we made.  I remember the days I used to blog every single day, but a lot’s change in 10 years, so these days you’ll mostly find me over on Instagram.

So, for the sake of memories here I am with a crap load of saved photos from this crazy long summer (aka the longest spring break ever).

We spent a lot of time in the pool and barbequing burgers.  Heidi took her first official dips in the pool this summer too and she loved the water.  

We got out to eat at an actual restaurant on the 4th of July and even burned a few sparklers 🙂

Connor and I had the best time at the Gaylord Hotel over the summer for their Summerfest.  It’s definitely something we’ll plan to do again.  Everything was so nice and the rooms were super clean.  The hotel took every precaution to remain clean and sanitary and we felt very safe while staying there.  It’s been awhile since I’ve spent some one on one time with Connor since Heidi was born, so he spent the night with Mama and we ordered room service.  He was so excited to order room service and felt incredibly important and “fancy” in doing so.  It’s the little things in life y’all.

Heidi came for the day to swim in the water park.  We had the best time and love that the Gaylord Hotel is right in our own city.  The Christmas ICE festivities will be a bit different this year, but you can read more about that on their website too!

The most ginormous cookies EVER!!!

Thank you Gaylord Texas for the BEST STAY EVER!!!  The memories we made are priceless.

Next recap is our trip to Arkansas to see family.  We were blessed to drive this 2020 Toyota Highlander for our trip and it was a dream.  Did I mention we actually got a new car too???  Terence got a 2020 RAV 4 Hybrid, and so far is loving it!

With two kids now the more room the merrier.  I love the cream interior and the third row seating option as well.
Heads up display

A backup camera that is waaaay more than just a back up cam.  It’s like a drone hovering over your car.  Super cool!

REAR AIR.  Need I say more…this is summer in Texas.  This is my absolute dream to have one day!

Pull down sun shades for the kiddos.  I love this car, maybe someday I can upgrade to this because the Highlander is exactly the kind of SUV I’d want.

When we reached Arkansas we had a great time visiting family.  The boys favorite thing was visiting the creek and going swimming.  I grew up swimming in the creeks every summer, so it was awesome to be able to take my kids and let them experience that too.

Connor and Jarrett jumping off the rocks

Beautiful waterfall The boys eating their smore’s on the farm.

We had a birthday cake for Heidi too in Arkansas and it was so delicious!

Lunch at our favorite place YaYa’s in Little Rock.

Farm tomatoes the BEST ever….

Heading back home to Texas

I also recently left my job of 5 1/2 years to go back into banking.  It was a bittersweet day, but I will always have the best memories from Oliver Dental.  They are like family and mean the world to me!  I love my new job and it’s nice to be back to work full time and I’ve met so many wonderful people in the process.  God is always watching over me and I’m excited for what the future holds.

Of course it’s hard to leave my kiddos every day and I’m not as involved at Connor’s school, but hey it’s 2020…so who is 100% these days?  I’m just thankful for God’s provision and and a great new opportunity.

 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11Well, that is our summer in a big old nutshell.  I’m sure I’m missing a bunch of stuff…but I’ll try to be more diligent with this whole blogging thing.

xo, Becky

YIPPEE!!! For some Patience My Friends

This post is sponsored by Yippee

Hey y’all it’s finally fall-ish here in Texas.  That literally means one day it’s 90 degrees and the next it’s 65, but I’ll take that over 100 degree heat any day!  It’s actually been a bit chilly at night and we love to light the fireplace and drink hot tea or cocoa.  If you follow me on Instagram then you may have seen my posts about one of our favorite streaming channels called YIPPEE

Okay, so I know everyone is spending a lot more time at home these days and our kids are stuck inside.  That will probably only get more frequent as cooler temps hit us because nobody wants to go outside and freeze + sneeze!  So, what are you doing to keep your kids busy besides school and well….school?  I know all of our sports were cancelled for a long time and the world sort of stood still.  That had me looking at a lot of alternative entertainment options, especially for my kiddos.

Let me tell you a little bit about YIPPEE and why I love it so much!  YIPPEE features all new VeggieTales episodes every month.  There are 54 original VeggieTales original episodes to choose from too.   You can try the YIPPEE channel for 7 days free and if you don’t like it then just cancel and don’t worry about it!  I have a feeling you’ll be coming back again though.  I grew up watching VeggieTales, it seems like they’ve been around forever.  I love Bob and Larry and the clean, friendly, & fun stories they tell along with all the other characters.

The best way to enjoy YIPPEE is with the whole family because you don’t have to worry about language or violence.  It’s just good faith filled and family oriented TV for everyone.  A good cup of hot cocoa doesn’t hurt either *wink* *wink* (Or in my case coffee!!!)

YIPPEE just released a new VeggieTales episode called “Patience Takes Practice”.  We watched it a couple of nights ago and it’s soooooo cute!  I love how it references Noah and the Ark and how he had to be patient and wait upon God throughout all his trials and his journey through the flood.

Synopsis:

Larry has a great idea for an upcoming show: the story of the Wright Brothers and their invention of the airplane. Larry loves airplanes! Bob likes the idea a lot but he gets terribly impatient with everyone while putting together the show. Bob’s can’t wait attitude creates all kinds of chaos and hurt feelings amongst the crew. Petunia has an idea on how to fix all the trouble on set and rallies the Veggies to perform the story of Noah. Noah was a man who had to do a lot of waiting and while he waited he learned to be patient. From Noah, Bob learned that patience takes practice and that in the end how you treat your friends matter most!

One of the best things about YIPPEE is that you can watch it anywhere- on your TV, computer, phone, or tablet.  Anywhere you go YIPPEE can go with YOU!  Here Connor is watching VeggieTales on the computer while eating dinner 🙂

Speaking of Connor…he’s been a VeggieTales fan since he was a young turnip too!  I love this picture of him and his Larry. He’s always been so obsessed with stuffed animals and I remember how crazy he was for Larry the Cucumber.

If you have any questions about the YIPPEE App feel free to ask away or message me.  My family has been so blessed by this channel and all it has to offer.  I know that I’m protecting and shielding their little eyes, ears, and hearts from the craziness in the world with YIPPEE  It’s just wholesome, good shows your kids will actually want to watch over and over again.  If you’re ready to start your FREE 7-day trial click HERE.  I promise you’ll love it just as much as we do!

xo Becky

It’s Almost FALL & I’m Here For It Y’ALL!

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx

Fall is finally right around the corner.  I know everyone is trying to rush 2020 outta here.  I really hope we can all enjoy the fall season and the holidays that bring joy and happiness this time of year as well.  Being locked up indoors has everyone struggling to look and feel their best these days.  Oh what I wouldn’t give for an actual pedicure!!!  I don’t think I’ve had one since February, but thank goodness it’s almost boot season, then perhaps I don’t care as much.  It’s more about feeling better about myself.  Even if I am just at home in my jammies.

I recently got the opportunity to try some fun new items with BabbleBoxx that lifted my spirits and helped me look and feel better.  This box was filled with items that were used to pamper and treat myself to a fun makeover.  I’d love to share my experience with you and some awesome discount codes too!

The first item was a Custom Hair Dye from e-Salon.  I’ve actually used e-Salon hair color a few times now and really love it.  E-Salon mixed my very own custom color according to what I’m looking for.  It’s made-to-order, custom hair color individually crafted by a colorist to achieve your ultimate color goal.  The first couple of times I wanted to tweak my hair color a bit, so in the notes on my next shipment I included which direction I wanted to go.  I prefer an ash blonde color instead of a more golden tone.  Eventually we found something that works for me.  If you are a Blondie like me I highly recommend the Blonde Neutralizer Tint Rinse.  It gets rid of unwanted yellow and brassy tones and it makes a world of difference for blonde hair. The kit includes:

Your personal colorist will factor in your color goals and you can even submit photos of your current hair color and what you would like it to look like.  It helps your stylist get a better idea of what you are looking for.  Your personal colorist can formulate a shade down to the exact combination of depth and tone that lets you be you.  Made-to-order, and never mass produced, our custom color creates less waste. Making it sustainable and better for the environment.

Here is my BEFORE + AFTER my hair color makeover:

I used to read like 10 books a month before Heidi was born.  I still read these days, but not near as much as I used to.  I’ve always been an avid reader and when I find a good book it’s hard to tear myself away.  There’s no greater escape than a good book!  A Fool’s Paradise from Robyn Williams lures readers into an intriguing world of lifelike imagery and memorable, colorful characters. A Fool’s Paradise is robust with suspense, romance, tragedy, humor and elements of the supernatural intricately woven into a series of well-conceived plot twists guaranteed to leave readers spellbound.

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A Fool’s Paradise reveals the story of Dr. Aaryn Jamison, one of the nation’s most prominent African American physicians. She is brilliant, successful and has a penchant for mountain climbing. Gifted with healing hands, she is more comfortable in the healing realm of the supernatural than she is in a glittering world of lustful, intimacy starved, celebrity-driven fortune seekers.  Enter Jayson Denali, internationally acclaimed  Academy award-winning actor. The handsome, charismatic superstar rose from meager beginnings to become king among Hollywood’s elite.  Passions simmer and fate plunges these two down a startling road of self-discovery fraught with meddling parents, scheming ex-lovers, jealous co-stars and an ever watchful, over-protective entourage.  Savor the richness, enchantment, and emotionally infused chemistry of genuine relationships of the heart.  Robyn Williams’ A Fool’s Paradise melds passion, suspense and the supernatural as Dr. Aaryn Jamison, one of the nation’s most prominent African American physicians, meets Jayson Denali, internationally acclaimed Academy award-winning actor. The characters’ stories of growing up poor, becoming self-aware survivors, trusting in mentors along the way and then strangely falling for them are so relatable, one becomes an unwitting passenger on the tumultuous journey borne between this book’s two covers.
I’ve read the first few chapters so far and I can’t wait to dig into it some more.  It’s looking like a pretty good read so far!   Also, Hollywood insiders take note: There’s a really good film on the horizon here.
You can purchase the e-book for $4.49 HERE.

The next product is GrandeLIPS Hydrating Lip Plumper is a high gloss, volumizing lip plumper infused with a nourishing cocktail of Volulip™ and hyaluronic acid for instant and long-term hydrating benefits. This plumper instantly improves lip volume in 3-5 minutes and hydrates dry areas. GrandeLIPS Plumper’s unique cushion applicator easily wipes clean & combines effortlessly with other lip products.  My lips get so dry,  especially when cooler weather hits.  When I tried this product I could definitely feel it “plumping” and it really moisturized my dry lips.
Use Promo Code: SELFCARE10 for 10% off entire purchase on grandecosmetics.com

I’m loving this Hand Sanitizer from Born Basic.  Born Basic was “born” from the desire to accomplish a very basic goal: making an everyday product readily available for the everyday person. Company spokesperson states, “There are no gimmicks and flashy packaging to distract from what the product is. Our messaging is very straightforward and basic so the customer knows exactly what they are getting.”
This hand sanitizer glides on easily and does not leave a sticky residue or have a strong alcohol smell. (The smell is actually really really nice!)  The updated re-launch of Born Basic made sure to include an alcohol content of 62% as well as moisture preserving agents to give the best feel and consumer experience. There is no strong alcohol smell and the packaging is fun, clean, and basic, as well as the product is easy to use!
Born Basic Hand sanitizer is 62% instead of 70% alcohol or 65% alcohol – which is more moisturizing with less alcohol content but still effectively kills germs per FDA guidelines.

I found a whole bunch at my local Super Target last weekend.  The price point is very affordable – 33 ounce at $5.99, 16.9 ounce at $3.99, 3 ounce at $1.99.  It comes in 3 sizes.
Born Basic is a US company & family owned which I love!  You can find it exclusively at Target stores or on their website HERE.
And last, but not least are a couple of fab products from Kerasal.  Kerasal is a leading brand in footcare for tough to tackle foot problems. Whether you are looking to for an at home pedicure solution for dry, cracked feet or looking to tackle tough toenail problems, Kerasal has you covered.  Did I mention before that my last pedicure was in February???

A) Kerasal Intensive Foot Repair: This is an exfoliating moisturizer that is clinically proven to hydrate/moisturize dry feet while exfoliating away dead skin. Visible results in 1 Day (or overnight). High customer satisfaction appealing to consumer need for “at home pedicure”. Most people often see visible results after just one application.
B) Kerasal Multi-Purpose Nail Repair: This is solution to improve the appearance of nails damaged by a variety of conditions. Kerasal’s patented formula helps improve nail appearance by reducing discoloration, smoothing thesurface, normalizing thickness and hydrating the nail. Its effective, clear formula penetrates the nail to restore a healthy appearance. Whether it is Nail Fungus, Nail Psoriasis, Aging Nails, or Gel Manicure Damaged Nails – look to Kerasal Multi-Purpose Nail Repair for a visible difference.

I have the weakest nails and I can’t wait to dig into these and help my feet and nails look and feel better.  Kerasal products can be found on Amazon or Target.

It’s almost fall and I’m HERE for it ya’ll!  I hope you enjoyed my review of all these fun items to get you ready to cozy up for fall and check them out yourselves.  BabbleBoxx always sends the best things to try and I’m so incredibly thankful for such an awesome company that allows me to share with you!  In the mean time go get yourself a pumpkin spice latte, read a novel, dye your hair, give yourself a pedicure and all that good stuff!  Most of all HAVE FUN!!!

xo Becky

We Have a 5th Grader!

Connor James it seems like I have documented every milestone of your life on this blog.  Although I haven’t been as frequent at blogging as of late, I sure am glad you have all these memories stored somewhere.  I need to make it a point to post more like I used to for both you and Heidi.  Someday when I’m old and gray you both can read what Mama wrote and laugh about it all!

I’ll recap our summer (or the longest spring break ever) in another post…but I wanted to post your first day of 5th grade picture.  You look like a grown man!  TIME= THIEF!!!

Flashback to your first day of Kindergarten.  Seems like yesterday.

Heidi is almost walking.  You saw her stand this weekend and were so excited!  We had fun in the pool this past weekend.  It’s so incredibly hot here in August.  It’s been over 100 degrees outside, it sure is nice to have a pool to dunk into….especially in times like these.

Love you sweet boy.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 

Heidi’s 1st Birthday

I can’t believe a year has flown by so fast and yet so slow at the same time!  Heidi…my sweet angel girl you turned ONE on July 1st and of course Mama is behind on everything these days.  This has been the craziest year, so we weren’t able to throw you and big party like your brother’s HERE.  Poor baby you kind of got the second child shaft….not to mention the dang Covid!

So it was just me, your Daddy, Connor, and Auntie Ellen.  We sure did celebrate you though and you enjoyed your cake unlike Connor who screamed and wouldn’t touch it.  Ha ha!

You are my little ray of sunshine.  My rainbow baby after a heartbreaking loss.  I love you more than you’ll ever know!

Some things you love:

  • Baby Shark
  • Dancing to any kind of upbeat music
  • crawling and climbing on ANYTHING!
  • You can say “Mama” and “Dada”
  • You love your bottle and are little Miss Independent
  • Yogi Melts are your favorite
  • You are pretty much eating table food, but love noodles and pasta
  • You have two teeth, but are cutting so many others right now.  They need to come in already!!!
  • You are sleeping in your crib through the night and doing a great job!
  • Your curly hair and raised eyebrow are my favorite things
  • You LOVE to cuddle and give hugs

Here are some pictures of our little celebration.  I know this year hasn’t been the best, but you are certainly a blessing and a gift from God.  I thank God every day for you and your precious life.  I never dreamed I’d have another baby, let alone a sweet precious girl.  I love you my forever best friend.

Happy Birthday “Heidi Bug” you are the sweetest girl ever.