5 Friday Favorites: November 16, 2018

Happy Friday, Friends. 

It's time for my Friday link up with A Little Bit of Everything, Grace and Love, and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick. 

Well, it's been a minute, huh? I've not been in this space much lately and I've missed a few Friday Favorites in a row so in this one we'll cover some favorites from the past few weeks.

1. A Trip To Texas

Kyle and I found that we had a weekend open before the High School basketball season started with nothing on the schedule, so we planned a trip to Texas to see my parents in my hometown and a side trip to Austin to see my brother and his kiddos and go to the Texas vs. West Virginia game.

Unfortunately, Steve and Drew couldn't join us since they had his final fall baseball tournament in North Carolina and Joe is doing that college education thing, so the two of us took off together. I highly recommend getting some one on one time with each of your kids. While you don't have to take a trip to Austin to do it, I do recommend that because it is hands down the best city in the world.

The weather was glorious and I was absolutely bursting with joy walking around campus and seeing all my people decked out in burnt orange. I was able to catch up with a bunch of my sorority sisters which was the absolute best.

Kyle and I basically did not miss a meal nor did we miss an in-between-meals meal. Did I eat Tex-Mex three times in 36 hours? Yes, I did. Did I eat BBQ, Pepperoni Rolls dipped in ranch dressing and Whataburger and . . . wait for it . . . a Steak Finger Basket from Dairy Queen? Unfortunately, yes, I did. This is not something I necessarily recommend, but it was what it was.

Here's the thing about spending time one on one, Mamas. You don't have to try that hard. Don't have an expectation that you're going to have some amazing moment of connection with your teenager. You don't always need to push for a deep conversation. You don't always have to try to fill the silent moments. (Be assured that with boys there can be long stretches of silent moments.) Talk about football or food or movies or maybe even spend some time ranking burgers from Five Guys, Whataburger, and In and Out. Or just zip it, lady. Walk quietly side by side. See him. Sometimes we're so busy trying to teach them something or thinking we need to pull some deep feelings out of them that we stop seeing them. These seemingly mundane conversations and these awkward silences are meaningful and important and they can make beautiful memories for both of you.

And here's where I tell you that we actually lost the game in the last minute when West Virginia decided to go for a two point conversion for the win instead of kicking the extra point for the tie to force overtime. And I think we can all agree that I have come a long way because I was so happy to be in my stadium with my people that I actually handled the loss surprisingly well. It was kinda weird. But as I walked out of the stadium, I looked over and saw this beauty and I felt like all was right in the world.

I will say, however, that for at least a week I would find myself at random moments picturing that quarterback basically walking into the end zone and wondering how in the actual heck we couldn't figure out how to tackle that darn guy. So, maybe I haven't come so far after all.

2. Lauren Daigle's Album (ALL OF IT)

especially Love Like This

I have listened to this song 300 times or more and I am not even close to tired of it. As I came back from Texas on the plane with so much gratitude for my family and the amazing time we had I listened to it over and over with tears streaming down my face. It's just so beautiful I can't get over it.

3. Educated 

by Tara Westover

Y'all. This book IS SO GOOD. If you liked The Glass Castle you'll like this one. Fascinating story, very well written. Maybe the best book I've read this year.

4. Greenheart Juice

I've mentioned Greenheart Juice before and I'm so excited that they now have a shop not too far away from me in Aldie, Virginia. Their juices are so good. My favorites are the Sassy Sunshine - especially great if you're fighting a cold - and the Glorious Greens. Last week a couple of my girls and I went to their adorable new space for breakfast and I ordered an Acai Bowl even thought I didn't know how to pronounce Acai. I can tell you that I wasn't sure exactly what all was in it, but it was amazing. I highly recommend a trip down 50 west to their shop in Aldie if you're in my area.

5. Miss Spa Facial Sheet Masks

Ok. I can't exactly tell you that these facial sheet masks are technically a favorite yet, but I am full of hope and anticipation for how they will change my life. I chose the Bee Venom because I am a sucker for some weirdo ingredient which might tell you the desperation that I'm feeling about my face these days. Does venom seem a little aggressive? Perhaps, yes. I don't think there's time for passivity anymore, friends. Also, these are really cheap. You can get four for $10.00 on Amazon, but you can also buy them individually for close to nothing at CVS or Target.

That's it for today. Have a great weekend and Happy Thanksgiving!

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