What's Up Wednesday!

Hi!! Happy Wednesday!

Can you believe next week we will be in February?!? This month has FLOWN by!

So...it is the last Wednesday of the month...which means it is time for another What's Up Wednesday Post! I am joining Mel, Shay and Sheaffer for their super fun link up party!

What we're eating this week...Well...Aaron has been tied up at work a lot and hasn't been home for dinner...so the kids and I have been having some really gourmet meals as a result of this. Peanut butter sandwiches and applesauce and pancakes have been some of the fine dining that has taken place at our house! HA! Seriously though- when Aaron isn't home for dinner...I keep it SIMPLE.  Just for fun- I looked up "peanut butter and jelly" on Pinterest and you would not believe the amazingness that popped up!! Check out this link if you love PBJ as much as we do!

What I'm reminiscing about... I am a pretty sentimental person...so I am ALWAYS reminiscing about something :) I would say as of VERY recently, like yesterday, I was thinking about when Aaron and I first started dating (because I had just watched the Bachelor the night before :) We seriously had the BEST time dating!! We both agreed though, that even though we have been together for over 9 years...we still feel like boyfriend and girlfriend...but we also have that wonderful bond and level of intimacy between us that only comes from being married and going through LOTS of stuff together!

What I am loving....soooo...I do NOT want this to come off sound vain at all- but I am really loving my current hair color! HA! I had my hair highlighted at the end of December and I told my stylist to just kind of go for it as far as what colors to put in my hair.  The only thing I told her was that I wanted to it look bright and fresh. She worked her magic and did an awesome job and gave me a great cut too! Considering I have had many a time at the salon where I have walked out and hated my hair...I ALWAYS appreciate when I love it!
Not sure if you can see in this picture...but she did some really pretty blonde highlights and then added in some caramel highlights too!
P.S. I can't handle James. He is so DARN cute!! :)

Speaking of hair...I am also loving my Not Your Mother's Dry Shampoo! For the last several months, I had switched over to using Batiste Dry Shampoo...which I really like too- but I was getting SO much white residue in my hair when I used it!!! I switched back to my Not Your Mother's Dry Shampoo just last week and while I prefer the smell of the Batiste Dry Shampoo...I like Not Your Mother's Dry Shampoo better overall. 

What we've been up to...Honestly we haven't been up to much!

Our weeks have been full with school and a few extra things here and there. We haven't had many plans on the weekend...but we always manage to be busy the entire time! 

One thing I started in the New Year was to take a picture of the kids EVERY Sunday after church.  I can't wait to put together a collage of a year's worth of "Sunday Best" pictures of my precious kiddos!! In just a few more months, there will be another little person in these pictures!! 

What I'm dreading...I am really not dreading anything...but if I HAD to answer this question-  I would say I am dreading or just actively disliking :) that we still have a couple more months of winter to get through. It really hasn't been that bad of a winter- so I don't feel like I can complain too much...but wow. what I would give for some warm sunshine on my face and flip flops on my feet! HA!

What I am working on...well...I actually wrote a post about this last week! I am working on getting organized with how I make each of my kids' yearly photo books. I am ALMOST done with Cora's (about 6 months behind- UGH). I need to hustle and get Charlotte's done (2 months behind on that one) and then I am going to start my new organization system. My goal is to be completely update with everything by the time Baby #5 arrives at the end of April.  Which means I really need to GET TO WORK! HA!

What I'm excited about...

I have several things I am excited about! My parents are coming for a quick visit tomorrow! YAY! And because my parents are going to be here- Aaron and I are going out on a date for his birthday on Friday!  SUPER YAY!  

And finally- I really am excited to be teaming up with Erica and Leigh for a new monthly link up – Pinspiration Wednesday!  

The first Wednesday of each month beginning February 3, we will link-up together and share our favorite Pinterest Inspirations based on an established topic for the month. February’s topic is: Share your favorite Super Bowl Recipes! Grab our button and come share in the fun!  I love linking up with others – and finding Pinterest Inspiration is going to be so much fun!!

What I am watching/reading...LOVING the new show Chicago Med and this Season of the Bachelor!! I am a HUGE fan of Chicago PD and Chicago Fire- so Chicago Med has been an awesome edition!! And The Bachelor. So much to say so little time. HA!

I have not enjoyed watching The Bachelor this much in a LONG time. Ben is a total class act and is so adorable. There are a lot of GREAT girls on this season and several CRAZY ones that are driving me batty. It is SO bad to watch that it is GOOD. HA! My husband has been watching it with me and his commentary is SO funny! I have not looked at any of the spoilers- but if I had to guess- I am thinking it is going to be down to Becca, Cailla and Lauren B. at the end!!

And I am currently reading The Matchmaker!! I LOVED reading Winter Stroll and Winter Street and my friend Johannah mentioned that she really liked The Matchmaker- so that is what I started on next! I am only a couple chapters into it- but so far I am hooked!

What I am listening to...Pandora. Always Pandora :) Some of my favorite channels are: Matt Wertz Radio, Dave Barnes Radio and Sam Smith Radio!!

What I'm wearing...this maternity tunic from Target- I just LOVE it! It is one of those tops that looks really nice- but really it is just a glorified sweatshirt! HA! 

And for pants- I am wearing these compression maternity leggings from Old Navy.

I got them to wear when I work out- but I am also loving wearing them as "everyday" pants! So I have been alternating wearing one pair to the gym and making sure the other pair is clean so I can wear them when I get home from the gym! 

And finally, I am wearing and loving my Old Navy Full Panel Maternity Skinny Jeans! 

April mentioned these were her favorite maternity jeans- so I decided to get them and I love them! As with all maternity jeans, they need to pulled up every now and then- but I love the wash, they are very slimming and look great with tall boots!

What I'm doing this weekend...My parents will be here Friday and Aaron and I will be going out to celebrate his birthday! Saturday we don't really have any plans- but I think we are going to rent Burnt and watch that! Sunday, our church is having a blood drive and pancake breakfast...so I am thinking that is where we will end up after Mass! :)

What I'm looking forward to next month...Valentine's Day!! I think Valentine's Day is such a fun holiday and I LOVE getting my kids a few little treats to make the day extra special.  This year I picked a "theme" for the girls' treats and I think they are going to love it! I will share more about what I got them next week!  And if you haven't seen these ADORABLE Valentines Target has in their Dollar Spot- go check them out today!! 

Here are just a few of our favorites:

What else is new...Nothing really! Just enjoying being where we are RIGHT NOW :)

BONUS QUESTION: What is Your Favorite Valentine's Treat? This one was hard for me!! I can't really indulge in desserts with a lot of dairy in them- but if that was not a factor- I would say a big slice of original cheesecake with a yummy strawberry sauce drizzled all over it!! Also- I LOVE chocolate covered strawberries- which I think are such a classic Valentine's treat!

Hope you have the BEST day!!!