Thursday... Embracing the Camera

It's Thursday...

It's the last day of February...

Seriously, where did the month go???

We were up EARLY this morning!
Zoie thought that 4:45 was a good time to wake up. Ugh... Tired Mama

We had a grand plan to go have coffee with our Mommy & Me group.

But instead we get to take my step-daughter to the Dr.

Boo... on both cancelled plans and sick kiddos!

After that, we should probably get some groceries.

Saw this on Facebook. Bwahahahaha

Then finally...

Today we are embracing the camera! 

We used to link up with The Anderson Crew to embrace the camera with our babies every Thursday. Unfortunately people were taking advantage and she isn't doing the link up right now. Boo on them! 

But Zoie and I are embracing anyway. Cause it's still important. I have realized this more lately as I go through pics of Zoie from the last year and realize there are a lot of her, and a lot of her and her dad. But I am almost always the one behind the camera which means not a lot of pics of her and me. So I am trying to get out and get more taken of the two of us.

It's important to get in front of the camera once in a while so your kids can also see you while they were growing up and not just themselves. 

Hope you all have a great Thursday!

It's raining here! Which we LOVE... Cause it's not snow :o)

Currently

Happy Hump Day!

What a week it has been already!

Zach and I took advantage of the one slow day he has had all month and took a little overnight away. Just the two of us. It was SO nice! We stayed at the Northern Quest Casino, which is only about 20 minutes from our house. It has a very nice hotel and some great restaurants. A nice getaway that is still close to home.

My sister stayed with Zozo, which was perfect. She was able to have some niece time. Maci got some cousin time all to herself. 
#Freebabysitter

Plus, Auntie let's her play in the sink.

Can't beat that!

The best part of going away for a night??

Coming home to HUGE hugs from my little snuggle bug.

Now...

 I am Currently:

Watching: Zach sneak bites of Honey Nut Cheerios to Zoie.

Listening to: Good Morning America coming from the t.v. in the kitchen. 

#Shouldprobturnthatdown #gma #weloveyourobin

Eating: Protein and Veggies! 

#15lbstogo #swimsuitseasonisaroundthecorner

Sipping: Coffee with Sugar Free Creamer

#fatassprobs #nosugarforme

Obsessed with: Getting my new business going! Loving on Zoie! Getting healthy and losing pounds!

Missing: The sunshine! and Warm weather!

#needsomevitaminD

Loving: Listening to Zoie try to say new words.

#happyheart

Dreaming Of: Our trip to Arizona for Spring Break! Can't wait to be in warm weather! I thought we weren't going to make it. Airfare costs litterally a fortune during that week. But yesterday I found a screaming deal I couldn't pass up.

#bringonthesun #vitaminDaddict

Can't Wait for: Again... our trip to Arizona! And, my website to be finished. It's so close I can taste it!

Have you entered the giveaway yet?

I have a live giveaway on my Chasing Zoie Facebook!

A beautiful Easter dress from Mud Pie.

Go Get Entered!!

Hope you all have a Fab Wednesday!

Sunday Social - Feb 24

Well... we've made it to the last Sunday in February.

March is right around the corner, and hopefully with that comes Spring!

We need Spring around here, I'm tired of the cold.

Today we are linking up with Neely, answering some of life's toughest questions... about Middle School!

1. Biggest Middle School fashion mistake? Is it wrong to say EVERYTHING?!?! I did not have the best fashion sense and my parents didn't have a ton of money... so let's just say, I wasn't voted best dressed. I was pretty much the definition of awkward. 
2. Who were you're best friends? Sarah, Heidi, and Donita I am beyond happy to say that I still talk with all of these girls! Sarah and I have been friends for 19 years and she is still one of my closest friends. I'm totally bummed that I don't have pics from back then... :(
3. What was a typical weekend like for you in High School?
Sports practices, football games, chores, babysitting, more chores. I wasn't a rebel in any way, shape, or form. My Dad did a pretty good job scaring us into being good.
4. Did you have a boyfriend? I had a boyfriend my senior year, Matt. But he was older than me and that freaked out my parents... so that didn't last very long. Otherwise, I had a lot of friends that were boys, but since we all grew up together we were like family and could never date. Being good friends was far more important to me anyway and I am still friends with most of them.
5. Did you have any secret codes with your friends? No secret codes. I'm not really a 'secret' kind of person.
6. If you could relive one day/moment/experience form middle school or high school, what would it be? I hate to be the one that brings up the sad memories... but I would like to erase the car accident I got in my senior year. It changed a lot of lives, including my parents, and I'd give anything to take that day away.
Ok!
Back to the happy! Did you hear?
I'm opening a new boutique clothing store online! It's called Chasing Zoie! You can read a little about it HERE.
AND...
I'm having a giveaway on the Chasing Zoie Facebook to celebrate! So Come. Check. It. Out!
Happy Sunday!
Don't forget to watch the Oscars tonight. 

It's OK Thursday

Is it already Thursday?? Where did the week go?

I swear, it was just Monday...

Thursday is the day we become OK with the the silliness of our week!
It's OK That I didn't get my kitchen floor cleaned before company on Tuesday.  (We sanded blocks, it would have been pointless)
It's OK  That Maci lost her other middle tooth on Sunday. #supercute

It's OK That I forgot my socks when we went bowling on Monday. #vendingmachinesocksrock

It's OK That my laundry room remodel is taking 2 weeks longer than it was supposed to. #I'mnotoutofunderwearyet
It's OK That I spent a little too much time playing a silly Facebook game yesterday. #Iwasbored #thatneverhappens
It's OK That some of my recent business order is backordered. #Ohwait #noitsnot #UGH
It's OK  That I didn't shower yesterday. #It'soverrated
It's OK That I spent a good couple hours on Pinterest yesterday. #Igotanewone #gottafillitup #comefollowME

What are you OK with this lovely Thursday Morning??
We're off to MOPs today!
I LOVE my MOPs Mamas!
Go Link Up with Neely!


A few more pics from bowling! Love Bowling!

What is Love?

Linking up with the ever amazing Kristine from The Foley Fam This morning.

Making a list of what LOVE is in our house. Love is more that hugs and kisses and "I love you's"

I see Zach's love for me when he: 

Gets up with Zoie and let's me sleep in a few extra minutes.

Makes the girls breakfast so I can get my work done.

Works VERY HARD so that I can stay home with Zoie.

Allows me to follow my dreams.

Always tells me he likes my food (Even when he doesn't).

Takes me out for pizza and beer when I've had "One of those days'.

Does tequila shots when I really want them, Cause he HATES tequila. (It's my fav!)

Supports me and the parenting decisions I make.

Makes time for me every day!

Plays on the floor with Zoie and reads book with her.

There are SO Many Others, but I won't gross you out with the mushy stuff.

Happy Wednesday!

Remember that today is Love Your Pet day!

So go outside and throw a ball or snuggle on the couch for a few.

Your pet will love you for it.

Changing Things Up

Hello Lovelies!

We are changing things up a little over at Everyday Exciting!

I am opening a retail website specializing in 

boutique clothing and accessories!

And I couldn't be more excited!!

For the last couple of weeks I have been working diligently on my new website with my good friend Carissa from Designing Fresh. We've spent time coming up with a business name, logo design, and now she is putting some more touches on the website while I am working on my Facebook. 

Which you can find here. 

Please follow Chasing Zoie on Facebook!
We'd love to have you!

Over the next few weeks we are also going to be changing this little blog of mine to mirror that of my website. We'll also be moving the blog over to the website, and hopefully will have no hiccups with the transition.  You can expect the same fun you have come to love, so have no fear!
We'll just be changing the name and layout and color scheme... etc. 
You know how it goes.

I hope you'll stick around and see everything new we'll have to offer.

Social Sunday - February 17

Good Morning Friends!

It's a Sunday Social kind of day! Valentines Style!

1. What is the best Valentine's Day you ever had?

This one is definitely one for the books ... as in ... one to remember. 

We don't usually go all out for Valentine's Day here, which is why our Valentine's wasn't the best this year. You can read about it HERE, or catch a quick recap below.

2. Worst Valentine's Day you ever had?

This one is harder to forget than I would like. It was 2002. I was dating Greg at the time and he was extremely sick. We spent the majority of the day in the emergency room. Went home around 7 where I spent the rest of the evening crying on the couch and he was so drugged up he could barely move. He ended up getting worse and died at the hospital 5 days later. Not something I am always open about, but also not something easily forgotten on Valentine's Day. 

So Ya... Worst Valentine's Day ever! Actually... Worst February/Year ever!

OKAY... Something Cheerier!!!

3. What did you do for Valentine's Day this year?

Let's see... 

My husband got me some flowers, a meat cleaver, 

and a dump truck.

We followed that off with my poor baby girl barfing all over her pretty shirt and my ipad in the truck. Then left my (then feeling much better) baby with her big sister so we could go out to lunch and watch the new Die Hard movie. 

Yippee Kay-Yay!

Zoie was SUPER CUTE in her pretty Valentine shirt though.

(Before the barf)

Yup... One for the memory bank!

4. Best Valentine's idea if you're single?

Go out with your friends and drink something yummy and eat something with lots of chocolate in it. Cause calories don't count on Valentine's Day. And anyone who tells you different can Piss Off!

5. Favorite Valentine Candy?

That would be the good old original conversation hearts. But only the yellow and the orange ones... and sometimes green.

6. Favorite Valentine's memory from your childhood?

I can't remember how old I was, but I know it was some time in middle school. My parents had left us all cards with envelopes full of valentine candy. It was seriously the best! My parents NEVER let us have candy unless is was Christmas and then it was limited. But this time they gave us each enough to last... well at least several days. I remember treasuring that candy and hiding from my brothers in my sock drawer. I'd only eat one piece a day. It was wonderful. 

It was a really big deal because my parents didn't have a lot of money when we were kids. This was one of those times they tried to help us forget that.

So that's it for Valentine's Day!

At least until next year!

Next week we'll tackle some hard ones:
The Awkward Years! 

Eeek!!

Happy Sunday Friends!

Valentine's Day

Good morning bloggy friends. It is another beautiful day here in Eastern WA and I couldn't be happier to see the sun shining!! This time of year it is a rare occurrence.

It's still FREEZING! But at least the sun is out. (Big Smiles)

I hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day. Ours was pretty good.

My hubby got me flowers and a big meat cleaver. Just what I wanted for Valentine's... Or not 😉 ...

We also found out that we won a bid for a dump truck for his work. Yay us! #sensethesarcasm

Just what every girl wants for Valentines Day, a meat cleaver and a dump truck. Why not top the day off Zoie throwing up all over herself in the car and the new Die Hard movie? Cause that was our day.

So... Not a terrible day. But probably not one for the books either. It's a good thing I love him more than anything!

I'd love to hear about your V-Day! Put your link in comments so I can read all about it.

Sunshine and Doldrums

Hi There!!

Things have been quiet around here. 

Both in the real world and the blog world. 

Sorry for that! 

Although, it was a bit like Spring today, which gave us a new look at our week. We woke up to sunshine and blue skies for the first time in MONTHS! It was SO nice to see the sun shining. Our moods really needed that boost it gave us.

We finally came up with a name for my upcoming business adventure.

Chasing Zoie - Boutique Clothing & Accessories

What do ya think? 

That was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. 

We are frantically working on a logo and hope to have our Facebook up and ready to start selling by next week. (Fingers Crossed)

I am working with the lovely and talented Carissa at Designing Fresh! 

I am lucky enough to call her my friend and am so glad to be working with her on this project. She is amazingly talented!

Not a lot planned for Valentine's Day tomorrow.

My husband has recruited Ariana to hang with Zoie so we can go out to lunch and maybe catch a movie. He's not big on Valentine's, so I am happy with the low key day.

What are your big Valentine plans?

I'd love to hear about it in comments. :)

Random Facts About Me

My husband and I were driving to Idaho the other day and I just HAD to stop and get myself some Valentine Candy Hearts! #lovethem #wishtheywerehereallyear

After chatting and snacking for a while, he noticed that I was only eating the orange and the yellow ones. 

"Why are you picking out the good ones?" He said to me. I hadn't noticed. But that is exactly what I was doing. I've done it for so long it has become second nature, I guess.

This prompted a discussion on Totally Random Weird Things about me.

The list is short for now, but I'm sure I'll have a follow up soon as he keeps pointing out my crazy.

Want to see the list? 

Totally Random Facts About Kara

I only like the yellow and orange conversation hearts. Sometimes I'll eat a green one, but never white or pink.

Tweezing my eyebrows makes me sneeze.

My pets are named after NCIS characters.

Ziva the Dog and Jethro the Cat.

In just 6 short weeks, Ziva's gonna have puppies. 

What should we name them?

Tequila is my favorite alcoholic drink.

But mostly I'm a beer girl.

My favorite candy is a Chick-o-Stick.

#dotheyevenstillmakethose

Eating fresh pineapple and banana makes my lips itch.

I don't like to sleep with covers unless its freezing. I get to hot.

When I get hot in my sleep I have nightmares. :(

I listen to books on cd when I drive.

#OldLady

The Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich are my favorite. I could listen to them over and over and over... oh wait, I do that!

I don't like to wear shoes.
At home I usually go barefoot, and when I go out I'm usually in flip flops. Even in the winter, unless it's really wet outside.

I think that's enough for now!

Sorry to bore you :)

Happy Wednesday.

Currently

I am jumping on this "Currently" bandwagon that all of my friends seem to be doing. Ya! I'm a follower, so what.

I am currently:

Watching: The Big Bang Theory. I just recently fell in love with this show and am currently trying to catch up on past episodes. It's just too bad Netflix doesn't have CBS shows, or they'd have my business. #booonthem

Listening To: Clocks Ticking! My husband collects clocks. There are currently 6 of them in our office... and he wants to bring home more. I feel like Captain Hook. "Stop the ticking!"

Eating: A bowl of mixed nuts. #mycurrentgotosnack

Drinking: Water 

Obsessed With: Boutique Children's Clothes Yay!

Missing: A friend I lost a long time ago. Things like Superbowl Sunday and his recent birthday make me think about him more. And miss him! #Iknowyou'rewatchingoutforus #thanksforbeingmyguardianangel

Loving: My new business! I seriously can't wait to share!! Are you excited yet? Cause I'm Excited!

Not Loving: People that lie to me or my kids. Especially when I know it but there really isn't a way for me to confront it.

Dreaming Of: My next vacation. Can't decide on Spring Break. Yellowstone? Mt Rushmore? The Beach? To me it's a no brainer, but making the decision as a family is hard! #Ilovethebeach

Hearing: Zoie waking up from her nap and talking to her Lovey.

Hope you all have a great Tuesday!

Furniture Market

Good Morning My Lovely Friends!
And WELCOME to all my new followers!
I cant' wait to get to know you all when I check out your blogs and follow you back :)

As I mentioned the other day, Zach and I went to the World Market Center.

Twice a year furniture manufacturers and dealers from around the world meet in Las Vegas to show designers and furniture vendors, like us, all of their new product line. 

It's pretty much a GIANT mall full of every kind of furniture and decor you can possibly think of.

LOVE IT!

I am a decor junky! I spent a lot of time walking through the decor suites.

Did you know the color of the year is Emerald.

Love Emerald.
Can't wait to start using it.

There are a lot of Navy Blues.

And also Yellow and Gray.

Gray is huge and I can't wait to start using it. Although, I am a little behind the times on the gray.
I think I'm going to put it in my master bedroom.

I'm still not sure if I found more ideas for my house or for the store.
But we had a great time and met some great new people.

Stay tuned for more on my home-based business.
Working on the website now!
SO Excited!!

Sunday Social - Feb 3

It's a beautiful Sunday Morning here in the Pacific Northwest.

Did anyone else get that tiny glimpse of sun yesterday?

Things have been busy here. Since we returned from Vegas on Wednesday, I have been working on starting my own home-based business. I am so crazy excited I can't even tell you. 

Everything is still unfinished right now, but I promise, as soon as there is something to share, I Will!

I can't wait to show you all what I am working on. 

As for Today, it is a Sunday Social kind of day. I am linking up with A Complete Waste of Makeup to answer some of life craziest questions.

 1. If you were stuck on an island what are the two material items you would want to have?
Definitely my ipad so I could Skype with my Hubs. Assuming he isn't with me of course. There will be wifi! Second, I would bring a machete to fend off large creatures and to get food. Something fun and something practical.
2. What are two TV shows you’d watch over and over?

NCIS and The Big Bang Theory Wish they were all with me on the deserted island. :) Can't get enough head slapping Bazinga! 

3. If your house was on fire what two things aside from family, pets, etc would you grab?
My phone, because that is where the majority of my pictures are and Zoie's Lovey. Can't go anywhere without Lovey.

4. What are your two most favorite articles of clothing?

My True Religion jeans and my North Face Sweatshirt. Gotta get my money out of them. Do ya feel me? They both also fit the best out of everything in my closet.

5. What two movies that you saw in the past year would you recommend to us?

Zero Dark Thirty

Amazing!

&

One for the Money

Most people didn't see this one, but I read all the books and I loved it :)

How would you answer?

Ziva

I had every intention of writing a great post this morning.

I had it all planned out and almost ready to go. 

Then I got a call from my husband that our dog, Ziva had followed him out the driveway. I went to get her and in the 5 minutes it took me to wrangle Zoie and get outside, she was gone.

I spent the better part of the afternoon and well into the evening looking for her. I knocked on doors, drove for hours calling her name, and finally gave in when it was so dark I couldn't see 5 feet out my window. 

I was heart broken. She is my first baby. I had no idea where she was. Did someone have her? Did a coyote get her? Is she just lost? Is she hurt and can't walk? I was terrified. I spent most of the evening sitting on the front porch calling her name. And finally went to bed for a sleepless night around midnight.

I got up about 530 hoping against all hope that someone had called or emailed or had seen my Craiglist ad. Nothing. Then around 730, when it was finally light out again and I was getting ready to go out for another drive, the call came in. Someone had seen a post on the SCRAPs website that someone in my area had found a chocolate lab. 

I immediately called them and gave Ziva's description. It was her! There was no doubt!

I drove over immediately and there she was. Safe and Sound!

She had spent the night with a wonderful family about a mile or so away. In the comfort of their barn she spent the night with their black lab, Lily.

I cannot explain to you the relief I felt when I pulled in their driveway and there she was. Just as excited to see me, as I was to see her. 

Our baby is now home and safe and as exhausted as I am, now sleeping in her warm bed. Alive! Well! I could not have asked for a better outcome. I cannot thank that family enough for taking such good care of our baby girl.

Thank You! #justisn'tenough