Friday Favorites - Hello 2019!!

Hey friends! Just popping in to share some highlights from our week...or rather, the first week+ of the new year because they've all sort of jumbled together and we don't have our regular rhythm going yet. It's been a hard week (+, ha) but also good. Ah life, why you gotta be so complicated??

Every year, I treat myself to a new flowering plant to celebrate a brand new year, AND to have some color and life around me. This is a hard time of year in New England when we're often simply stuck indoors and everything seems so lifeless and dull. I've been doing this for over a decade now, so you might think I've got quite the assortment of flowering plants. Not so. My green thumb does not extend to indoor plants for some reason, ha!

Also, Levi wanted to read with me, so we were both doing some devotional studies. :)

And Story Time is back in session at the library...yay!

Big changes are on the horizon for this little guy. He's ready (I think), but I'm not! But I am. I don't know. This big age gap and having one in college, some in high school, and a middle schooler and toddler is a blessing beyond measure, it truly is BUT it often leaves me curled up in the fetal position with emotion overload. I don't think I can even accurately describe the mess that's inside my head most days lately. Anyhoo, I moved some furniture around to make room for a big boy bed and I LOVE the difference it makes. I'll share more pics soon!

Meal prep is ON, and my kitchen only sees the sun in the early afternoon, and it's been really dreary and dark lately, so this was a wonderful sight! Dinner cooking and sun pouring in. (I'm interested in the instant-pot but we've committed to a no-spend January and one didn't come for Christmas, so... good ol' crock-pot it is!)

Sweetest little smile and some fresh air! Hooray!

Lastly, at least it looks pretty, right?

Just don't look down at my floors because all that lovely out there becomes a never-ending mess in here.

Okay, it's Friday! I mean, it's Fri-yayyyyyy!!! Let's make it a good one, and have a super weekend!



Linking up for Friday Favorites today!

Friday Favorites... Getting Ready for Halloween!

Busy busy week over here, certainly with its ups and downs, but here are some of the favorites! I'm joining in with Friday Favorites today for the first time in a loong time... I used to get more blogging done and I love this little online community but lately I feel so out of the game, so to speak, and I really miss it. If you're reading, hello! I'm really glad you're here! :)

Finally getting outside!!

This October is the coldest, wettest October on record, and it kinda stinks. We haven't been able to get outside as much as we're used to, and knowing that winter is on its way sooner rather than later...well, normally we live outside during the month of October. Hooray for spontaneous breaks and playing in the backyard!

I feel like I haven't shown my face around here in a long while, so, hey! :)

Story Time Thursdays! 

I adore our little library and all the friends we've made each week.

Watching my kiddos do things that inspire them! 

Jonah has been volunteering at a nursing home for a school community service project, and he thrives there. I got to see him in action on this day when I went in to sing along with his playing. The sweet elderly ladies are IN LOVE with him, and it was just about the cutest thing I have ever seen!

Fall colors!

Despite the rain and grey skies, the colors this year are out of this world gorgeous! I did snap some pics on the few sunny days we've had.

School drop offs - it was pouring when we left the house, and by the time we got to this hill, the sun had begun to rise up our of the dark grey sky...it was AMAZING! It's blurry, but I was driving, so...oops!

 

Road trips!!

We headed over to Rhode Island to tour colleges on Wednesday. It was a LONG day with Levi, who slept zero seconds in the car, ugh, and I certainly paid for that all day yesterday, BUT it was a really nice day spent together with our Jonah.

College looks pretty good on him, right? I can't believe we are here. AGAIN. Make it stoppppppp!

Exceptionally weird weather day in RI too, but we saw this on the way home!

 Making memories with family!

My Mom knits all our Christmas stockings around here, and yesterday was the big trip to pick out his very own yarn for his stocking. My Mom, Mimi, was telling him he needed to choose one, ha ha. (I have a few that I use as loaners until they're old enough to choose their own colors, ha!)

Sports Life!!

This girl had a fabulous field hockey season, and she really loves the game! It was fun to watch! They had their big tournament day over the past weekend- they lost in over time, and for some reason, she seemed to take that loss much harder. There were other losses throughout the season, so.... ha ha

Halloween costumes!!!

Here's a quick look back at last year's theme! So much fun! I'm excited about this year and I'm almost done sewing, just in time for our town's Halloween Party tonight, ha! You'll have to check back to see! It's not an all out family theme again, but Isabelle reaaalllllly wanted to match Levi again, and since he has no opinion in the matter, sure! :)

You can find me on IG @bethanylivs_life too :)

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! xx

Friday Favorites!

So much for my intentions of actually posting this summer, ha ha! This has actually been a pretty low key week for us, and I STILL haven't been able to make the time to do it! Posts are coming, I promise. ;) I've still got garden and landscaping updates, as well as some changes in our bedroom and in Levi's room. Oh, and when Ethan heads to college, we'll be changing up the boys' shared space downstairs...but we're not going to even think about that just yet, right? Right. #cuethetears Or rather: #staymybaby

Anyhoo. I digress. :)

I know so many of you are packing in all things summer because you're gearing up for school in a few weeks, or LESS! I've got to say, I can't even imagine. And also, I think I might be a little jealous, HA! Summers are so different with big kids, they really are. Not necessarily bad, just different. Good thing I've still got two smaller ones to keep summers fun! ;)

I have to share this one! It just cracks me up! We've spent a LOT of time out here this year and I do love it. Twice this week we've had thunderstorms roll in in mere minutes and have had to evacuate rather quickly. I don't mind getting caught out in the rain, and the cooler air that came along with it felt SOOOOO good. It has been a really hot summer this year!

I don't know if this is nation wide, but a few theaters near us have summer movies for a dollar. It is fabulous! I brought the boys when they were small, and then with Isabelle, and I have the best memories of some fun trips to the movies and lunch with them. Well, this year I thought I'd brave the trip there with Levi, not really thinking he'd make it through, but he did great! He got a little antsy part way through, but then I just busted out some snacks and that did the trick. My Mom and Dad ended up coming with us last minute, and it was just the best morning. So fun! We saw Ferdinand- I thought it was adorable. And I only partially cried at two...no, three... parts. What a sap. I can't help it! Animal movies just get to me!

Look at Mr. Social! Waving to everyone, just saying "hey." SO unlike him- what is happening to my serious little guy?!?!?

Then we went out for lunch and got ice cream cones! My Dad, Grampy, treated, which was so sweet, and it worked out perfectly since I'd left my wallet in a JoAnn's bag in the sewing room (I'd dropped it in there quick when Levi took off toward the parking lot and had to run and grab his hand.) Such a beautiful summer day! And isn't Isabelle's new haircut the cutest! Her texture was just made for that style- I love it!

Here's a little sneak peek of my garden. It's small but has been growing so, so well. I think I may add another box next summer. Being out in our backyard on summer nights is probably my favorite thing to do!

So excited about this rose! The plant was nearly dead last month- shortly after planting it (Mother's Day gift), it lost its leaves and looked pitiful, so I've been babying it a bit, and this rose just opened the other day. Gorgeous!!!

I've also been quite busy sewing! These white dresses are my favorites, and apparently they're other Mama's as well because I seriously cannot keep up! Thank you so much to those who have supported me and my family! It means so much. :)

Simple White Coming Home / Blessing Baptism Dress

I hear from Mamas that these dresses are being worn as simple but elegant blessing and baptism dresses, beach portrait dresses, coming home dresses, and yes, of course... summer nightgowns! They're cotton and so soft, no harsh chemicals. They look so darling in pictures, especially sister sets, and can be made up to size 9/10!

White Petite Polka Dot Blessing Baptism Dress

(this dress has a ruffle at hem also)

Big brothers are the best! I find lots of gems on my phone that just make me smile. I love that they're always playing with Levi. I can't begin to explain the joy that he has brought to our whole family.

Speaking of Levi... he's up, time to go. Hope you have the best day and a super weekend! 

Joining in with Erika, Andrea and Narci today! Thanks, ladies!

Friday Favorites...School's (Finally) Out!

Hooray for Friday! AND it's the first official day of summer break for us, so we are packing up and heading to the beach today! I had not anticipated a wake up call of 4:58, and then NOT going back to sleep, ugh, but what can you do? Clearly, baby cakes did not get the memo that Mama gets to have a fun/non-traumatizing first morning of summer break, too.

It has been so hard to keep up with everything lately, especially the blog! Just life with five kids, I guess. :)

This is our third summer here, and I am seriously giddy-excited over the flowers in bloom right now. We worked really hard and the pay off is nothing short of glorious. I've run out of vases and jelly jars with all the bouquets we keep picking, and we looove giving some to friends and neighbors.

The veggies are doing great! I'm so excited!

Like I mentioned above, Levi has had some major sleep issues lately, everything from protesting naps- umm, nope- to taking over an hour to settle down at night to waking up with the birds. Literally. This view is a favorite for sure and I savor it, not knowing when it will happen next! Whyyyyyyy?

He adores his lovey over his face, but I always go in and move it to the side. They look like such angels when they're asleep, don't they?

We'll be doing much more of this in the coming days! He looked so intent, like he was in charge of getting things done, ha! And he still lines things up along the edge just so...maybe he'll be an engineer or architect?? Or an artist! :)

We've also been spending lots of time out here - this was the very first time Levi let us put him in his "boat" and bring him out deep. I think he'll be a fish just like the rest of them in no time.

Lastly, one of our very favorite traditions is ice cream sundaes for dinner on the last day of school! I have to say, it was strange not having Ethan be a part of it for the very first time, but he was off doing college-y /adult things. Jonah is too cool to be photographed with his sundae. ;)

Okay, so LAST last. Two things about this: I'm having an internal dilemma/debate over whether to embrace the grays that are coming in. I'm thinking, no, not yet, but I am not a high maintenance kind of girl- I'm 43 (and a half!!) and I rarely wear more make-up than mascara and lip balm, so... I'm thinking that just isn't going to change any time soon. Plus, my emotions have been alllll over the place with the changes going on here, and I'm just not feeling my best and not making good food choices- yes, a salad would be lovely but it takes so long to make, and this box of Oreos is RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW. Ugh. It's bad. So I'm recommitting to...something anyway, and hoping to feel- and look!- better. Levi and I went on a nice long walk yesterday- lots of hills! Here I am with no make up and all sweaty- I felt out of shape and pitiful, but happy to be moving in the right direction.

Okay, I had better go get things ready for our little adventure today! Have a super day and a wonderful weekend!

It's much easier for me to keep up with IG, so my personal account is @bethanylivs_life and my shop account is @roseandruffle ...having a great sale over there till the end of the month! :)

I'm joining in with Andrea, Narci and Erika today - you should too! Such a fun way to find new blogs and such...thanks, ladies!

Friday Favorites...Busy Days

I am SO glad today is Friday! I feel like I say that a lot- who doesn't??- but today I reeeeaaaally mean it. :)

I'm joining in for Friday Favorites a little late today, which pretty much sums up this week for me, ha ha. Busy busy busy! As I type this, I am well aware of the fact that I should be getting ready for Isabelle's recital, plus getting Levi ready. #priorities

Last night was Isabelle's school concert- she did great, though I admit, I look at her recently and suddenly she seems so grown up and it puts a lump in my throat. Wasn't she just my little girl like yesterday? So when I wasn't choking back tears, I actually really enjoyed the concert! ha ha

My favorite- and one and only- girl!!!

Front porch blooms - my favorites!!!

This speaks for itself. Right? His smiles are definitely my favorites!

Favorite pastime this week FOR SURE has been all the outside play time after school and after dinner. I adore this time!

My favorite high school senior! We did some pictures the other day and I love how they turned out. I need to do some more casual ones. Ironically, this photo didn't come out clear like I'd hoped, but I love the barn backdrop and his easy going smile, so I'm going to play around with it, ha ha. I'll share the other pics soon! And tomorrow is PROM! How on earth did we get here already?!

  She and I are severely outnumbered so doing girly things is a real favorite!

And this photo just popped up and has me feeling all the feels. Ah. Motherhood, you are not for the faint of heart. I remember this very moment like it was yesterday!