Weekend Recap

Hey Ya'll!
It was a busy busy weekend here as always.
We never seem to stop running.
I have high hopes that once fall rolls around things will slow down and have a bit more structure.
But who am I kidding?!?

Saturday we had services for my friend, Nick. It was a lovely service. And though the circumstances were not good, it was nice to see friends from my past that I have lost touch with. And also see family that we seem to see with far too much time between visits.

Sunday I got some work done around the house. Got my garden almost all weeded. Helped Zach take pictures of some houses for work. I even made it to Costco! On a Sunday! Eek! Then we spent the evening with friends and family for a wonderful dinner.

So.... not super busy. But we never seemed to slow down.

This week we have some new things in store. Zach has spent some time looking through my Recipes on Pinterest. He chose some new foods to try out for dinner throughout the week. I'm going to get started with that tomorrow evening and share what we have. Should make for a fun week.

Tonight we are having dinner with family and friends again! So Excited! My Aunt Jutta, who is from here, will be making one of my most favorite meals while she is in town. Bratwursts, German Potato Salad, Cucumber Salad. I can't wait!

So, that's it for now. I'm gonna leave you with a cutie pic :)

My niece, Maci-Moosa, who didn't want her pic taken.

She is nothing like me at all! 

And I stand to that :)

Dreams

I met the most interesting woman today. I met her through shopping on Craigslist. Now I know what you're thinking; "You met her on Craigslist? What could you possibly be thinking??"

But I'm not crazy! She was lovely. I bought a Little Tikes Rocking Horse from her for Zoie. She is cleaning house and cleaning out. Preparing for her families move to Florida. They are moving just because. Can you believe it? Can you think of a better reason?!? I sure can't.

She and her husband like the warm weather and surfing. Why not follow your dreams of living where you love to be outside? That's what it's really all about, isn't it? Following your dreams. I wish I was that brave. She was so inspirational. She knew exactly what she wanted out of life and she was working toward it.

I have dreams and goals and things I love. It doesn't take much more than a a goal and the ability to get off your butt to do what you want. That's all it really takes. Sure, it's scary! But what isn't these days?? We live in a time where everything is scary. People are scary, getting sick is scary, global warming is scary. Heck, even shopping on Craigslist is scary. But it doesn't have to be.

So... From here on out, I have a plan. To figure out what my real goals in life are and follow those to fulfill my dreams and have a happy heart.

What are your goals and dreams?
Are you following them?
How happy is your heart?

Maybe we all need to meet an inspirational woman to figure out that we can live however we want. Life is short. What will you do with yours?

Embrace the Camera - August 16

Hello Lovely Readers!

Welcome to my new readers!

For those of you new around here,
Thursday is the day we Embrace the Camera.

As mom's we are usually found behind the camera. This gives us the little extra push we need to get ourselves out from behind the camera and in front of it where our beautiful faces belong. You can read more about it here. Think Link-Up is hosted by the ever lovely Emily Anderson from The Anderson Crew.

So get yourself out there and go link up with Emily on
today's Embrace Post.

Today, I'd like to embrace my parents! On Monday, they celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary! Way to Go Mom and Dad!!! We all love you, for without you, there wouldn't be an us. My family is what it is today because of you and the values you taught me growing up. I couldn't be the mom I am today without the guidance and examples you have shown me. Thank You! 

Okay Ladies! 

Go Embrace the Camera!

A Friend

Sorry for my absence the last few days. I have been spending some time with my Aunt and my 2nd Aunt.

On Monday morning, my dear friend Nick lost his battle to cancer. It was a sad day for his family, friends, and all that were touched by him.

Nick was an amazing father of two young kiddos and husband to an amazing wife. This wonderful family has been a part if my life and a part of my families life for more than 25 years. He was my cousin's best friend growing up. His mom was like my Auntie. I don't have a single childhood memory of my cousin that doesn't include Nick. He too, was like my cousin. I will always have a special place in my heart for him.

Things will not be the same without him.
He will always be loved.
He will never be forgotten.

A Little Las Vegas

Things are finally starting to slow down around here... sort of.

The last few weeks have been ca-razy! 

It started off with Zach and I making a quick trip down to Vegas for the Furniture World Market.

That is where nearly all of the furniture vendors in the world have a store front. Twice a year, they hold a market for the worlds furniture buyers (Us) to see the new products arriving in the coming months.

How do I describe it?

HUGE!!!

Three HUGE buildings FULL of furniture!

I was in Home Decor Heaven.

I even found two things that are a must have ... for me anyway.

A chair for Zoie's room.

See that cool dresser in the background??  With the purple??

You can change out the color on the drawer!! 

How cool is that?!?

I think there were 6 colors to choose from.

The headboard and nightstands have the same feature. 

You can even put in your own pictures!
Love!

Also saw some bedding that I'm pretty sure Maci-Moose would die for.

Pink Camo!

Country Girl Must Have!!

It was a long few days full of lots of walking and testing out couches and recliners. Lots of dining room sets; you want to know the new thing in dining? Long tables. Everyone had them. Kitchen or dining tables that are only 32 or 36 inches wide, but up to 120 inches long. 

Very cool... if you have the space for it. 

I got a ton of new ideas for home decor. I love decor :)

And if you haven't noticed by shopping around online yet...

the current color to have is gray.

Get it ... Or Get Left Out!

~Enough Furniture~

The best part of our trip? 

I got to meet up with the lovely Kristine from The Foley Fam.

We met in person for the first time after being bloggy friends for almost 2 years!

How can I describe her?
AWESOME.SAUCE! (Her word, I like it) :)

Isn't she beautiful?!?

Plus... we got to eat this!

Well ... We Tried!

But after this pizza ...

We only ate about 1/2 of the dessert.

Love you girl! Can't wait to see you again in November!

We can get some of that Ube Ice Cream you can't stop talking about.

When Zach and I got home, we had exactly 2 days to get ready for my baby sisters wedding... that was happening in my front yard. Luckily my parents took care of a lot while we were gone. Thank you Parents!!

I'll try to get that blogged soon.

Til then, Peace Out Peeps!

... and a little sneak peak ...

Embracing the Camera - August 9

Good Thursday Morning!

As most of you know, Tuesday was my birthday.

WooooooHooooo for being 32!!

My Moose spent the night with us on Monday so she could be the first one to wake up and tell me Happy Birthday. #Swoon #Myheartisfull

We snapped this early morning pic under Maci's insistence.

See the bags under my eyes??

That is because Maci HAD to sleep on my bedroom floor right next to my bed. She needed to be the first to wake up and be the first to tell me Happy Birthday.

She just HAD to beat her Uncle :)

I had no idea she snored like a freight train! Where did that come from?? I think she snores worse than her Papa. We need to get those tonsils checked... Or maybe it's the gaping hole in the front of her mouth? 

Hope you all have a great day! 

Go link up with Emily.

You will meet some amazing women and find some great friends.

I did!

It's a Blog Hop!!

Good Morning Lovelies! 

If you are new here; Welcome!!

If not; Welcome Back!

It's BLOG HOP time!

This is my first time in a blog hop. I am joining up with Kristine over at The Foley Fam.

She is an amazing Momma and I am proud to call her my Friend.

For those of you new around here, Welcome!

My name is Kara!

I like to write about my family and the things going on in our lives. Sometimes I probably over share to much, but who doesn't really? 

I am the wife to my Super-Husband, Zach. We've been together for 9 years and married for 5. I couldn't imagine my live without this Mister. (Incoming Cheesy Line) He Completes Me :)

Hood River, June 2012 (The spot we married, 5 years later)

We have a beautiful nine month old baby girl.

Zoie Katherine

And I have three step-kiddos from Zach's previous marriage.

Jake, Ariana, and Ryleigh

We live in Washington State and love it! We have four beautiful seasons, even though winter seems a little longer than the rest... and gets longer every year. So much for global warming...

Thank you for stopping by my little blog. I'd love for you to join us through GFC!

Have a great Wednesday my new friends.

If you haven't already, go link up with Kristine.

32 Years Young

It's hard to believe this day has arrived.
Growing up I thought 30 was Soooo Olllld....

And now I've gone and passed it!

Back in the day, I was never gonna age.

I think this was my 10th birthday

30 can't be old if 32 isn't old.

You are only as old as you feel and I could still be 25 :)

It is a lot more fun watching my kiddos age than it is watching myself, but that is life and I wouldn't change it for anything.

Today I have a long list of nothing to accomplish... I wish

Who am I kidding? I still have the wedding to clean up after, some grocery shopping to do, lunch with my husband, those huckleberries aren't going to pick themselves, and a garden to weed.

Oh, and I still owe you a weekend update!
I'll get to it soon :)

Happy Tuesday

It's Friday!!!

Whoa! Busy week!

I don't even know where the time has gone, been running like crazy.

Big post of the week coming soon, probably Sunday.

This lady (my baby sister) is getting married tomorrow and it's at my house. 

So needless to say, things are a little insane around here today.

But, It's also GIVEAWAY day!!

I only got 3 entries. A little bummed, but I'll get those numbers up.

And the winner is...

Mrs K.

Way to go lady!! I will email you shortly :)

Happy Friday Peeps!!