High Five for Friday

It's FRIDAY! This week went super fast, which is good, because it means we're a week closer to heading home for the holidays!

First, here are two important reminders:

1. The THAT just happened Thursday Link Party is still open. Don't forget to link up each Thursday and share/read some crazy funny stories. 

2. The Stella and Dot Buy One, Gift One program for military service women, spouses and daughters is still going on. Beginning tomorrow, for every $50 you spend in December, you receive $25 in Dot Dollars to spend in January. Please consider helping this cause along, they seriously deserve it. You can read more about it here, shop here, or contact me for any questions. 

Now onto H54F with Lauren :)

1// We set up our Christmas tree and Bubba LOVES it. It's a constant battle trying to keep him from tugging down the ornaments but to hear him say "wow" every morning when I turn it on, makes it totally worth it. 

2// Their bond just keeps getting stronger. Charlie, our lab, is the best dog ever. No matter how much Bubba pulls on her tail, ears, steals her bone, climbs over her, or lays on her, she doesn't even flinch. Last night, Bubba climbed down and fell asleep on her. Melt.

3// Cake fight! Haha I don't know why, but I just really wanted to smash cake in my husband's face the other night. Naturally, he retaliated. I love that we can laugh and be silly. 

4// Night time snuggles. Usually I have to nurse him to get him to sleep but last night, he just laid down next to me and knocked out. I love this. 

5// My friend Kaitlyn posted about a young man who is battling cancer, again. Bubba and I decided to make cards to brighten his day and help him persevere through the hard days. We are putting them in the mail today :) 

Have a great weekend friends!

THAT just happened Thursday {link party}

THAT just happened Thursday is back! I know you have some crazy stories from the past week; you know, the stories where you say:

what the hell?

omg

::smh::

did that really just happen?!

Oh, THAT just happened.

The rules are simple

1// Follow Samantha & Kaitlyn via GFC

2// Write up a post, link it up here, pee yourself laughing at everyone else

Your post can literally be 2 lines if you want...we don't care. As long as it is ridiculous, shocking, unbelievable, or hilarious.

Grab a Button & Link Up!

<br><div class="THAT just happened" style="width: 200px; margin: 0 auto;"> <br><a href="http://hooahandhiccups.blogspot.com"><br><img src="http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q501/Wifessionals/ThatJustHappenedButton.png" alt="THAT just happened" width="200" height="200" /><br></a><br></div> <!--end button code box--><br>

So here is my OMG moment of the week:

Having a boy, I've heard the horror stories of getting peed on while changing their diapers. Luckily, I have only gotten peed on maybe once or twice, and in almost 11 months, that's pretty impressive.

No, this isn't a story about getting peed on, it's better than that.

I was changing Bubba the other morning and of course, it's a big surprise he has to get his diaper changed. He hates it and gets super upset. Screams, cries, fusses, and rolls.

Well, he rolled over, and stood up, butt nakey. Before I could grab him and lay him back down, he starts peeing on the carpet. My husband screams "NO!" so Bubba stops in fear, mid stream, starts to walk towards me, and starts peeing some more.

I yell "Bubba, NO!" and again, he stops mid stream, walks closer to me, and starts peeing again.

My husband and I were rolling laughing. Tears streaming, abs hurting, and serious disbelief.

It's all fun and games until the floor gets peed on. Yes, THAT just happened.

Bubba's First Snow Experience

Growing up in Ohio, I saw my fair share of snow. We'd get all bundled up, play outside in the white wonderland, and come inside for hot soup and hot chocolate. 

Bubba saw his first snowfall yesterday and it was SO much fun. We only stayed outside for a few minutes but his confused expression was priceless. 

With each milestone that passes, I'm reminded of how precious time truly is. I cannot believe our little man will be one in a little over a month. Where has the time gone? How can I slow it down? 

I guess the answer is I can't. So I try and document it and live in the moment as much as I possibly can. I can't imagine life without him nor can I remember life before him. He is our everything, and we love him more than words can say. 

Feeling extra lovey dovey; I plan on holding my baby a little tighter today. 

Don't let these precious moments pass you by...<3

November Cara Box Reveal!

Having a kid is an even bigger excuse to act like one, which is why I was SO excited about this month's Cara Box! In case you don't know what a Cara Box is, head over to Wifessionals to read all about it :) This month's theme was CHILDHOOD.

I was paired up with Katy over at Tripping Down the Aisle and she is an absolute doll! She graduated college the same year I did, is married, and blogs about a variety of things. I've had a great time getting to know her this month and can't wait to continue our bloggy friendship :) 

Here's what was in my box!

The coolest part?! She labeled everything with a reason as to why it reminded her of her childhood. Here's why I got what I did:

Tree bag: she used to climb trees at her grandparents house.

Princess coloring book and crayons: Coloring is something she does to relieve stress (even now) and she has two books in her night stand!

Candy Land bandaids: She has Barbie and Angry Birds in her medicine cabinet haha love these! Probably my favorite :) 

Pedicure kit and nail polish: Her mom and her always had monthly mani and pedi dates together. 

Candle: She is a fire bug! This candle smells AWESOME. 

Punch balloons: Her papa used to buy them for her at the beach to drive her parents nuts haha these were Bubba's favorite part of my Cara Box, for sure.

Tigger Puzzle: She loves Tigger and puzzles and was a Tiger at Clemson University. 

Nerds: Her favorite candy... which apparently my husband liked too because they're gone and I didn't get any...

Sign: Smile, Giggle, Be Silly. I LOVE THIS. Sitting as a reminder next to my bed. 

Socks: She loved funky socks and these are perfect for my Christmas party this weekend!

Lip Gloss: Her Aunt used to give her make-up all the time. 

Cookie cutter and sprinkles: She loves to bake and I can't wait to make these with my little family this year!

She put together such a thoughtful package and I absolutely loved everything. Her note was beautiful and I am so blessed to have "met" her. 

Thanks again Katy, and thank you Kaitlyn for inventing this amazing event!

Can't wait until next month!!

Stella and Dot: Buy One, Gift One

IT'S HERE LADIES! The promotion is here! I first introduced this Trunk Show here, but now it's officially open.

I just want to give you a little background on why this means so much to me. First and foremost, let me say that I'm not doing this for profit or for free jewelry; I'm hosting this because I think it's such an amazing cause. 

Have you ever wished your parent, sibling, significant other, or spouse a "Merry Christmas" through a computer screen? Or been without a hot meal or hot shower for weeks at a time? Have you ever looked at pictures of your loved ones on Facebook or talked to them on the phone and longed to be celebrating the holidays with them instead of on a cold cot in a tent with 30 other people, 3,000 miles away from home?

Our military service women, spouses, and daughters all sacrifice so much when it comes to the call of duty. If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you know that my husband and I endured a 10 month deployment through most holidays and it was not easy. I'm not doing this for myself but I believe that this is a beautiful opportunity for our military community. 

Brighten someone else's day this holiday season by participating in this buy one, gift one promotion. Whether you buy one of these beautiful necklaces for yourself, a family member, or a friend, you are also bringing a smile to someone else's face who deserves or needs a smile more than you know. 

You can shop my Online Trunk Show here . The necklaces included in the promotion are:

Soar Necklace

Lucky Charm Necklace

Tree of Life Necklace

With Love Necklace

Watch Over You Necklace
Secret Garden Necklace

Please make sure you place all orders through my trunk show; I plan on applying my hostess credits towards more of these necklaces! The link above will take you there and then if you'd like to check to make sure you're getting the promotion, you can click here. It should say you're shopping my trunk show in the top left corner.

Please let me know if you have any questions and happy shopping! 

EASY DIY Christmas Wreath

I know it may have been a bit early, but I've had this baby up on the door for a few weeks now. It's the first year I've been able to decorate my own house since Z is actually home and not deployed or training. This wreath only cost me about $18 and it was super easy to make. 

Materials:

Base wreath ( I found mine at Michael's for $7.99)

Flowers

Leaves

Whatever other embellishments you'd like

The flowers and leaves I chose

Pull them apart so they are each on their own piece of wire

Base wreath (already had a bow!)

Pull back greenery and securely stick wire in

Layer 1 

Layer 2 

Layer 3

Finished! 

Total cost: $18

Total time: 10 minutes

Can't beat that, right? What kinds of holiday projects have you done?! 

guest post: woman in a man's world

Hey everybody! I'm Katie and I blog over at Woman in a man's world. I chose my blogs title for good reason... My life is full of men! I have five brothers, my husband, my son, and of course, my daddy. I wouldn't trade any one of them! I'm a girly girl but I love my guys!

I mostly blog about the struggles and blessings in my life as a mommy and wife. Every once in a while I'll throw in a recipe or project I've done recently. Today I happen to have a super yummy recipe to share!

chocolate chip pound cake

ingredients

31/2 cups of all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

4 eggs

4 egg yolks

1 tbsp vanilla

11/2 cups unsalted butter

2 cups sugar

1 12-oz pkg milk chocolate chips

directions

1. preheat oven to 325*F. Grease and flour two 9x3x5-in loaf pans. In medium bowl stir together flour and salt. In small bowl stir together eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla.

2. In food processor blend butter and sugar until very light and fluffy. Gradually add egg mixture, blending until combined. The batter will be liquid, like cake batter. Pour batter into large bowl and gradually add flour mixture, stirring until just combined. The batter will be like cookie dough. Gently stir in chocolate chips.

3. Divide batter between prepared loaf pans, spreading evenly. Bake about 75-80 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10-15 minutes. Remove cakes from pans and cool completely. Or do like me and eat a warm slice, mmmm :)

This pound cake is perfect for the holidays. With one batch you make two gifts! Or you could gift one and keep the other ;)

You could also use mini loaf pans to make even more gifts!

I hope ya'll enjoy it as much as my hubby did and I hope you'll stop by my neck of the internet. You might just wanna stick around for awhile!

Last full day in the O-H

Today is the last day we really get to spend time in Ohio with our family and friends. It's been such a great, jam packed weekend and I cannot wait to come back mid December for 3 whole weeks!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Bubba has added new words to his vocabulary:

Touchdown

Ball

Uh-oh 

Juice 

and my favorite...

HE MARCHES! It's the funniest thing ever and he kind of looks like Ronnie from Jersey Shore when he busts out dance moves on the Karma dance floor. I'm attempting to capture this on video but my little monkey doesn't like to perform on command. 

We're headed to lunch to watch the Ohio State vs. Michigan game later and hopefully Bubba Man can sit still let me watch a little bit of the game. 

I'm going to have a giveaway and gift guide coming soon so stay tuned for a few of my favorite gift ideas this holiday season! 

Cheers, and happy Saturday! 

High Five for Friday

Linking up with Lauren for H54F! Extra thankful to be home this week but "here are a few of my favorite things"... ahhhh CHRISTMAS is right around the corner :)

1// Bubba's first Happy Meal! I don't plan on promoting fast food but we were traveling, it kept him occupied, and it reminded me of childhood. 

2// Our Thrift Store Christmas sweater finds... I am BEYOND excited for our Ugly Christmas Sweater Party next weekend! 

3// Our Thanksgiving photo :) So glad Z was home this year...

4// Carmel Frappuccino; the only thing that helped me survive a 7 hour car ride to Ohio.

5// Bubba's Black Friday surprise! I love his imagination... he's the greatest. 

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and continues to have a great weekend :) Check back tomorrow for a great guest post! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

If you've been following along, you know that I started a new tradition for my little family this year.

And today, we opened all of them! After reading them, I am even more thankful for my husband. son, and my life. We have been blessed with so many wonderful things and seeing them tangibly in front of me today just reminded me even more. 

What we're thankful for:

I'm thankful for Zach. He's the most amazing person I have ever met and I'm so lucky to get to spend forever with him.

I am thankful for other soldiers and heros that serve our country and protect us.

I am so thankful that you know how to cook and you always have an awesome meal planned. 

I am thankful that we get to spend holidays with family and friends.

Thankful for fast food. 

I am thankful that we were blessed enough to be able to have a child. 

I'm thankful for my education.

Thankful people actually read my blog.

Thankful Zach will be home for Turkey Day.

Thankful for a great father AND husband. I couldn't ask for a better one.

I am so thankful to have a loving, caring, wife like you to take care of me when I'm sick. 

Thankful for being able to get a good education.

Thankful we have a steady income and can provide for Bubba.

Thankful for my creativity.

Thankful for my health.

I am thankful for you; my beautiful wife who I could not live without. 

I am thankful for being able to spend time with my family.

I am thankful for family and friends that care as much about us as we do about them. 

Today I am thankful for our veterans, but more importantly their families that endure the same, if not more than we do. Like my beautiful wife.

I am thankful that I was able to return safe from war. 

I am thankful that Bubba is healthy. 

I'm thankful for our beautiful baby boy.

I am so thankful for the love that my wife and I share.

Thankful for having a wife who surprises me. 

Thankful that Charlie is such a good dog. 

Thankful my child is an angel. 

I am thankful to have a roof over my head and food on the table.

I am thankful that I have found someone to spend the rest of my life with. 

I am so thankful that you are a good mother to our son. 

I'm thankful for good friends. 

I have thankful for our good communication. 

Thankful that my wife lets me do the things that make me happy (soccer, COD). 

Thankful for coffee.

Thankful for my amazing parents. 

Thankful for my husband's forgiveness.

Thankful I'm a good cook (surprisingly) and can meal plan. 

Thankful for good trustworthy friends to watch Bubba. 

Thankful for Mickey, Jake, and Doc McStuffins (must have been a rough day haha)

Thankful for my husband's service.

Thankful for Skype so I was able to see/talk to Z frequently on deployment. 

I am thankful for my wife. She is the best. The end. 

Z has been away the past 2 years for Thanksgiving and waking up, having breakfast, and watching the parade have never been so special. 

Hope you're all enjoying your morning and day. Amongst the football, possible hangovers, and food, remember what today is truly about!

And THAT just happened will return next week... taking this week off :) Enjoy!

November Birchbox

I know, I know, I've been such a slacker with reviewing my Birchbox. I've had a super crazy month and some things came up; plus, it wouldn't be a good review unless I fully tried all of the products, right? 

But I have to say, this might have been my favorite month yet! I'll get to my favorite sample in a minute! But in case you're new to the blog and don't know what Birchbox is, "it's the best way to discover new beauty, grooming and lifestyle products." 

When you join, you receive monthly deliveries of top product samples from high-end brands. It's only $10 a month and it's always a surprise (the best part!)

This month's box was centered around Thanksgiving (for obvious reasons), and I loved that they included a box for us to spread the love!

Lulu Organics | Lavender and Clary Sage Hair Powder
ModelCo | Fibre Lashxtend Lengthening Mascara
Mox Botanicals | Pomegrante and Fig Lip Butter
One Love Organics | Aromatic Body Serum
John Varvatos Artisan (Did you know they have a Birchbox for men?!)

 They even included a gift for that special man in my life. Hubby seemed to approve of the scent :)

I haven't gotten to use this yet but as a mommy of a toddler, there are days when I don't get to wash this mane. I can't wait to throw this stuff on during one of my many bad hair days.

Ok so this was THE best part! A full size mascara!! I love that it doesn't clump or go on thick, but I will say I need a few coats to make me feel like it's dark enough. But I couldn't buy this for $10 so it was such a great treat to find in this month's box.

A coupon for $15 off Chromatic gallerie shoes. 

This stuff is aaaaahhhmazing. It isn't gooey or sticky and is super hydrating. And I love how small it is, doesn't take up space and I can throw it in Bubba's diaper bag when I'm on the run.

This wasn't my favorite at first (being honest). I tried it mid day and felt greasy and oily. However, when I used it after a shower (which I think you're supposed to do) it worked a lot better. I wasn't a fan of the smell either though, and don't think I would purchase this particular product...

And there you have it! I love getting these samples in the mail; it makes me feel like I'm doing something for myself when normally, my day to day consists of cooking, cleaning, changing diapers, and picking crusty sweet potatoes off my shoulder. Every girl needs to do something for herself, don't you think?

Want to join in on the fun? Find more about it here :) 

Guest Post: Prayers and Pearls

Hey there to all of the lovely Hooah and Hiccups readers!

I am Chrissy and I blog at Prayers and Pearls!  

I am so excited to be writing my first guest post ever! :) 

I am from Music City (Nashville, TN) and I am a student at Middle Tennessee State University!

I blog mostly about college life, my darling honey bunches of oats, that sweet part of dating when you're not yet engaged to your high school sweetheart of six years, crafts, and prayer! :) 

Today I bring to you a "Pinspired" craft that is one of the coolest, easiest things I've ever made for someone's birthday! 

I saw this and fell in love with it! It just so happens that my best friend Liz has a heart in two states, so I thought it'd be sweet to do two states on a board for her! 

Supplies included:

a board that is 1.5" thick (so the nails don't go through it)

a box of nails 

yarn in the color you want

paint for painting the board

Computer and Printer

Scissors

Paint the board.

Then, print the outlines of the states you want.  

Cut them out and place them on the dried board.

Nail the outline of the state like so, making sure you nail every nook and cranny.

String the yarn around the state.  I did mine in a circle, going from one side to another, but stripes would be fun, or diagonal criss-crosses would be cool too.  

I did a bee line type design to connect the two with a heart in the middle

I then found a sweet quote to paint on the board.  Next time, I'll paint before I start, though.  

:) There you have it.  It took me maybe an hour? Definitely a great gift or decoration if you're looking for something to fill that blank spot on the wall.  

I hope you make your way over to my blog and hang out for a while! :) 

Thanks again to sweet Samantha for giving me a guest post on her wonderful blog! :)