Kyle's Christmas Countdown

The longer we've been together it seems the harder it gets for me to shop for Kyle.

Oddly enough, the opposite seems true on his end.

This year I really had no idea what to get Kyle, plus he's bought himself some bigger things he wanted recently.

I had already decided to do a few little things (although I don't know what exactly), but I wanted to do something else as well. 

I was reading Rachel's post about her and her husband's Christmas countdown and thought it was such a cute idea. 

I was just having trouble thinking of what all to add to it. 

Later that same day I came across this pin from the Dating Diva's.

Both ideas focused on doing a countdown with things you could do with/for your spouse.

I didn't have a good spot, so it's squished onto my picture hanger. You can see the numbers ready to go!

 I decided to combine both ideas to make mine. 

I came up with ideas based on the five love languages.

1. Acts of Service- things I can do for Kyle. I included physical touch in this category such as a foot massage. 

2. Quality Time- things to go do together. Not all of these are Christmas related, but it's a great way to make sure we get in some of those activities.

3. Words of Affirmation- Some days are just notes about what I love or am thankful for or about him.

4. Gifts- most things in this category are small treats or desserts we don't normally have. 

Each category is typed in its own font and they are spread out so we don't have two things in the same category back to back. 

I printed it out on cardstock and then printed a simple green border with the date on the other side.

Now we just have to wait for December!
 

Kyle doesn't seem too thrilled yet, but he has no idea what the cards contain. All I've told him was that starting December 1st he gets to flip the card every morning to see what that day has. Hopefully it'll end up being something exciting for him!

Linking up with Melissa, Sarah, and Amber

High Five for Black Friday

1. My beautiful best friend just got engaged and I couldn't be more thrilled!

2. My childhood best friend is getting married next week! We had her bachelorette party Sunday.

3. These two cuties not only decided to dress up at dinner, but had all these items with them!

4. Kyle and I braved Black Friday Thursday at Target!

5. I think we made had a pretty decent first black friday shopping experience.

Thankful Thanksgiving

I'm amazed at how quickly this month has flown by! 

Some of my kinders still tell me it's the month of October every morning. 

And no wonder, we haven't been in school for a full week all month. 

Despite all those breaks I still feel extremely behind. 

This is the first Thanksgiving in years that it just doesn't feel like Thanksgiving. 

In years past I've tried to get done with classes as quickly as possible so I could rush home. 

I would spend the holiday around my family. 

This year, I worked through Wednesday. 

I came home to my own house and spent my evening like any other. 

Until I actually see family today I don't think it'll feel like a holiday. 

Some things I'm thankful for this year:

Two amazing families who get along.

My wonderful husband who I can't imagine my life without.

A beautiful best friend who has stuck around since I was 7.

Being able to live near all of our family.

A job doing something I love.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I've been wanting to try my hand at homemade laundry detergent for awhile.

There was a point a while back where I fell completely in love with the Duggar Family. Thank you Netflix instant streaming! In one of the episodes they make laundry detergent for their family and I thought, "well I could surely try that." 

Of course, I never got around to it. 

I kept pinning pins on pinterest of all these different recipes.

But I didn't want to make a huge batch. 

I had nowhere to store it and what if I didn't like it.

This past week for some reason it seems as if everyone is making their own laundry detergent. 

I keep finding tutorials everywhere.

Since I was almost out of detergent I decided that now was the time to do it. 

I came across this pin that had a smaller recipe amount than the ones I had previously seen.

You need four ingredients
1/2 cup Super Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1/2 a bar of soap
1 gallon of water

Grate half a bar of soap into a large pot.
I used Dove, but I've heard any kind will work.

Add half a gallon of water and cook on medium until all the soap has dissolved.

Once all the soap has dissolved, add the borax and super washing soda and bring to a boil.

It will expand a lot and start to coagulate a bit.
Take off the heat and add the other half gallon of water.
Mix together.

I allowed mine to cool and coagulate a bit more before I poured it into the gallon jug.

Let sit for 24 hours before use.

Use 1/2 a cup in your laundry. It is extremly low sudsing, so don't worry.
It is also safe for HE washers, which is what I have.

I spent under $6 for all the materials and still have enough to make 3 more batches.
The two powders will last a really long time.

One thing I have heard is that it doesn't get out stains quite as well so make sure you're pre-treating.
It does however make your whites brighter.

No more crazy expensive containers of laundry detergent for me!

Linking up with Melissa, Sarah, and Amber

All The Little Things

The past few weeks have been super busy!

I can't believe how quickly time is flying by and Thanksgiving is almost upon us. 

A few weeks back I went to my childhood best friend's bridal shower. 

It was at a cute little tea house.

We were able to try all sorts of yummy teas, which was fun since I don't like buying different flavors of tea in case I don't like them. 

Later that same week, Kyle drove up to his best friend's bachelor party. 

I followed close behind the following day to get there in time for the wedding festivities.

It was a beautiful wedding, although pretty cold for us Floridians since Sandy had just brought through a cold front! 

Luckily, the rain stopped in time for their outdoor wedding and cocktail hour. 

First Dance

Their Cake Topper

 

The three best friends finally all married.

  Before we left, we met our cousin Amanda in Downtown Disney for lunch. 

Despite the crazy traffic there that afternoon it was nice to get a chance to see her. 

After looking at multiple places, we finally found a couch that we both liked. 

It was our first big purchase together and we love it. 

Now we just need to host a movie night.

School has been a little stressful. 

I feel like I'm constantly trying to keep up with all the meetings and things to do that aren't teaching.

Plus, my little demon child completely drains me everyday. 

If I didn't have him in my classroom I honestly feel like I would enjoy teaching so much more. 

He just takes up so much time and energy that I don't know what to do anymore. 

On the plus side, I got my first scholastic order of the year in. 

Any other teachers get extra excited to see that book box?

YOLO LinkUp!

Copycat Wendy's Frosty

Kyle and I love getting ice cream.

In fact, we've even joked that we need to start an ice cream fund to support our habit. 

I was thrilled when we got our ice cream maker. 

I was certain that I would use it all the time.

While I love homemade ice cream, it's actually decently expensive to make. 

When I found this simple recipe for frosty's I decided to try it!

It's only three ingredients.

1/2 gallon of chocolate milk

1 can condensed milk

8oz cool whip

Blend together 1/2 the chocolate milk, the cool whip, and the condensed milk. 
Pour into the ice cream maker and add chocolate milk to the fill line.
Mine didn't even take half the chocolate milk.


Follow the ice cream maker's directions and enjoy!

Linking up with Melissa, Sarah, and Amber!