Top 10

1. I took a Top 10 vacay last week. Ryan and I spent the weekend in Birmingham, I had a CEU course. It was great to get away, but being in class all weekend after working all week is exhausting. 

2. While in Birmingham, I got to see my beautiful and amazing friend, Drea. You know how you have those people in your life who you can pick right up with like no time has passed? That would be this girl. Thanks for the good times, Goose! 

3. Ryan recently discovered old episodes of "He-Man" on Amazon Prime. Hayes keeps calling him "I-Man." 

4. Still struggling with my addiction to sweet tea. And potato salad. Oh, and let's go ahead and add cajun roasted potatoes from Log Cabin to that addiction list. 

5. Is it weird that I want to make a hair appointment in Ohio when we go back to visit? I don't think it is. Ryan acts like it's the most insane thing he's ever heard. Boys don't understand the importance of trusting the person who does your hair...

6. So we all know snowballs are delicious, right? You know what takes that deliciousness over the top? A King Cake flavored snowball. With cream on top.

7. Homecare in Louisiana....y'all. More than once, the road I'm driving on turns to dirt. And no one has house numbers on their houses. And GPS is the most useless tool in the world. I still love it though;)

8. You know how sometimes you see something that is so crazy, you wish you could take a picture because others need to see it to believe it? But you can't take a picture because it isn't super appropriate? It happens to me way too often. 

I saw this pillow last week. Like, a throw pillow on someone's couch. It had a lovely crocheted design and in the middle was a flower. And in the middle of the flower was a baby's face. Like the face from a baby doll. And there were two sleeves coming out from the flower. Only one of them had a plastic hand. Not sure what happened to the other hand...

9. Drew's Tunes is a foundation created by an amazing family to celebrate the life of their beautiful son, Drew. I know Drew's mama, Georgia, through tons of mutual friends/sorority sisters. Georgia and her husband have turned a devastating tragedy into something beautiful and have become such an inspiration to so many people. They are doing a beautiful job honoring their baby and I encourage everyone to check out Drew's Tunes and support them however you can.

10. Pray for patience.

Top 10

1. Work is picking up! I think I may need a personal assistant soon to help me keep track of my 17 different jobs. Anyone interested?

2. I don't really have 17 jobs. But it feels like it some days.

3. We've officially entered the rough-housing phase in this house. I feel like I'm living with mini WWE stars. And if I had to put my money on one...it would probably be Keller.

4. Do y'all think sweet tea might be laced with drugs? I do.

5. We had lots of "play dates" this past week. Hayes got to hang with his buddy Luke who was born right after him. Luke kept calling Hayes "Blade." How cute is that? I didn't even want to correct him. I said we could laugh about it in 10 years when he still calls him Blade. Because they are best friends now. Hayes decided. And 3 year olds never change their mind about anything. Ever.

6. Want to know the sign of a good boss? They bring you a snowball while you are doing computer training. True story.

7. I'm traveling to Birmingham this weekend for a continuing ed course. What am I even going to do with all of that alone time?!?!

8. The official launch of the Epps sisters' blog is getting closer!!! Who's excited???

9. Earlier, Ryan was telling Hayes goodnight...
H: "Daddy, what's in your mouth?"
R: "Nothing" (opens his mouth to prove it)
H: " Daddy, I smell something. I smell chocolate."
I mean, Ryan had just finished eating some chocolate ice cream that we were hiding from Hayes...

10. Prayers for a sweet friend who lost her mom unexpectedly this weekend. I know her heart is broken and my heart breaks for her little boys who will miss their grandma.

Top 10

1. Fresh fig preserves, brie cheese, bacon...you really can't go wrong with this combo. Trust me.

2. The job situation for me has exploded. In a good way. No official news yet, but lots of exciting things are happening! 

3. We spent some quality time with this sweet doggie this week. Allie's humans were at the beach so we went to visit her each day. Hayes just loved bossing around "baby Allie." I'm pretty sure Allie loved it when I came alone...

4. Ryan and I have switched vehicles recently and the one I drive now doesn't have bluetooth. I am miserable without it. Yeah yeah. I know. First world problems.

5. I think I'm addicted to sweet tea. Actually, I know I am. Hayes might be addicted as well. He asked to have some with breakfast this week...

6. Hayes pretends to be a cat. Usually when he is asked to do something he doesn't want to do. For example:

"Hayes wash your hands."

"Um, I can't. Cats don't wash their hands."

7. #RFGoNaked Day was this past week. For every make-up free selfie posted, Rodan & Fields donated a dollar to buildOn, a foundation that builds schools for kids in need. I love that R&F gives back to the community. They were able to donate $30,000!! And I love that their products make women everywhere feel confident going make-up free! 

8. My mom has turned into a quilting machine. Either she's going to open up a quilt shop soon, or she's planning on not using the heater this winter.

9. Is it weird that I'm already thinking about party themes for Keller's second birthday? 

Bulldozers keep popping into my mind. Because Keller is one. 

10. Pray for healing and good news for everyone waiting for healing and good news.

Top 10!

1. Debbie's snowballs have always been a West Monroe favorite. They are seriously better than any other version of a snowcone/snowball I've ever had. Thank goodness they make sugar free versions for H&K.

btw, how much do you love that super cute Mr. P's pelican tee?

2. At our last visit to Debbie's, there were several groups of people who kept taking pictures of Debbie's. While we were sitting out front enjoying our treats.
At first I thought, "Hey! Maybe they are blog fans!" Actually, I didn't think that.
As it turns out, Debbie's was in an episode of Duck Dynasty. Makes sense since all of the members of the paparazzi were decked out in Duck Dynasty gear.

3. Note to self. Don't ask your husband to take pictures of you for your new blog profile. He may act like he's all into it, but he'll use it against you later. And he'll never tell you when your hair is messed up.

4. My super talented friend, Lisa, designed this tank and her super talented husband, Matt, printed it. I love having talented friends. Visit them at Blue Moon Screen Printing!

5. Who needs a burger bun? Just use tomatoes.

6. My sassy sister turned 26 this week. I didn't even know the chaos, happiness, anger, laughter, and tears that she would bring into my life then...and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

7. Why don't people crimp their hair anymore?

8. Ryan just ate homemade ice cream for the first time. There goes Robin, again. Changing lives and waistlines, one dish at a time.

9. Hayes asked if he could flush a quarter down the toilet. I'm not even going to try to understand that one.

10. When God blesses you, don't stop after thanking him. Use your blessings to bless others.

Top 10!

1. We had a family jam session in the car today, complete with pretend microphones. Hayes would sing each line after us. My favorite? When we sang "you are the best thing" and Hayes would sing "you are the best fang!!" Kids.

2. I am still doing lots of part time speech work, no full time. But I am having so much fun with my Rodan & Fields business!! I am grateful for the extra time to devote to growing my side business into something more!

3. Speaking of growing businesses...how much fun would it be to start a party planning business? Who wants to be my guinea pig????

4. We ate at Nonna's in Monroe for my birthday dinner. It was amazing. Seriously. Just ask Ryan about the rabbit.

5. I have an obsession with navy. And stripes.

6. I also have an obsession with buying local. Anyone with birthdays coming up should expect some locally made goodies!

7. Keller met Marleigh this weekend. Marleigh, a super cute little baby, belongs to my bestie Brittany. Keller was so in love with her. It was pretty precious...although I was slightly worried for Marleigh's safety a few times...he doesn't have the gentle concept down yet.

8. Hayes is developing quite the southern twang. It only comes out on certain words or in certain short phrases. And it is so exaggerated. And hilarious.

9. We took the boys to a zoo for the first time this weekend. Hayes' attention span made for a quick trip through. Each animal/exhibit got about 2.5 seconds of his attention before moving on to the next. He gives ESPN way more of his attention...

10. Pray for quietness and peace in our soul. Pray for the mindset to let God do his job and concentrate on listening to him instead of wasting our energy trying to control everything...and everyone. So thankful for this message in church this morning!! It was needed in the midst of our chaotic life.

Top 10

1. Ready for a real life story? This cutie got his first haircut this weekend. It was during his bath and I did it while chasing his wiggly little self around the tub.

And during that haircut, his brother was puking in the toilet next to us. Seriously. It was a little crowded with me, my scissors, a naked and wet Keller yelling no, no, Ryan and a puking Hayes...talk about family togetherness.

2. Speaking of puking during haircuts...Hayes had his first non-screaming haircut!!! Praise. Jesus.

3. The boys had a good first week at the new daycare! Hayes thinks his "new friends' house" is pretty cool because it has a "tower" on top. (New friends' house is in a church with a pretty, white steeple) I love how his brain works.

4. Mom and I had a mini shopping spree. Thanks to Loft, I now have some new grown up clothes in my wardrobe. Finding clothes that aren't too short, tight, cropped, or see through is kinda hard these days...

5. I went to River Market in Monroe this weekend with mom. It was such a pretty day and fun to check out local vendors!

6. Um....it's starting to sound like we did a lot of shopping this past week....

7. We stopped by the Mr. P's Tees booth at River Market. Keller man made it on their blog!! If you haven't checked their tees out, you really should. The designs are so southern and unique! And the shirts are crazy comfortable.

8. I discovered a new music crush. Erick Baker. Check him out if you like sweet, husky, soulful man voice...

9. Amazon Prime is amazing. We already know this. But did you know that Amazon Prime now has a music library?!?! You should check it out....there is TONS of free music!!

10. Pray for bravery. And patience.

Fourth of July!

Y'all. July 4, 2014. The weather was so perfect!!! We headed out to my grandparents' house in the country for an afternoon full of good food, family, baby kitties, exploring, and more good food. 

I picked up these adorable "Be Brave" shirts for the boys from Miss Persnickety Joon's in West Monroe. There was a great piece in my latest Bayou Life magazine (thanks Melanie!) about the owner of Miss PJoons and her tshirt designs. This design was inspired by her son, Gabe. He was born at 26 weeks and has Cerebral Palsy. It's a cool story...so get an issue of Bayou Life and read it. Or just stop by Miss PJoons and get your own tee!!

Grandma and Grandpa have a collection of kittens at their house. Hayes adopted one as his own and spent a whole bunch of quality time with that poor kitty. Luckily, he left without wanting to take it home.

We all know Keller likes to eat. Watching him tear into this corn cob was pretty entertaining...

I have so many great childhood memories at Grandma & Grandpa's and I can't wait for Hayes and Keller to have the same! Maybe next time we can convince them to ride the 4-wheeler...