Friday Five!

CURRENTLY...

Favorite Pandora Station:
Did you know there is a "Spa" station on Pandora? Well, there is and it is amazing! I poured myself a bubble bath with lavender essential oils, a glass of wine, and drifted away in my kindle. Thank you Pandora for creating stations that make you relax and drift away like a queen. 

Favorite Devise:
Jeffrey got me a FitBit for my Birthday and I am obsessed! I consistently check my steps a

nd calories. I find myself walking in place just to reach "step goals". AND... for anyone that has a FitBit, how oh how do you read 10,000 steps? I celebrate 5,000 when my wrist buzzes!

Favorite Oil:
I have been defusing the "Breath" essential oil each night and I can tell a HUGE difference in my sleep patterns. Since Jeffrey is away, it is hard for me to sleep. Once I started defusing, it got a lot easier. Even my Fitbit agrees. I went from over 20 restless points to like 7!!! HIGH-FIVE on sleeping! Now if only they could create an oil to make getting up at 5:00 am easy.

Favorite girly item:
I have been using the heck out of my Nume curling wand and I am officially obsessed! It came with five different wands so I am always switching and changing curl types. Want to know the the best part? Ok, ok, i'll tell you... it LASTS ALL DAY!!!!!!!!!! Can I get an Amen?!? My hair is so thin and just plain yuck! I have never found a curling iron that keeps my hair curly until now! This is a BIG deal for me, if you couldn't tell.

Favorite Student:
I know, I know you aren't supposed to have favorites, but this sweet 1st grader painted me an amazing picture of my puppy, Roxie, for my Birthday! How can she not be your favorite? God has blessed this cutie-pie with a big, artistic talent. Now that I have boasted on her, I can go back to making all ten of them my favorites (most of the time *wink-wink*).

What are some of your current favorites?

New Hobbies

A lot of people have been asking me about what Kombucha is and how I make it. Here is my 2 gallon glass jar with my scoby, whom I have named Seymour! I ferment my kombucha in the jar for a week. 

Here is a better picture of Seymour. He has gotten so BIG since I first got him!

When I cannot brew another batch of tea for a while, I store Seymour in 2 cups of tea and place him back into my container, covered by a breathable cloth until next time I make tea. It's like a pet.

Once my Kombucha is ready, I bottle the tea and let them carbonate for 3-5 days before I drink them!

If you haven't had the chance to try Kombucha tea, I highly recommend it! 

I am feeling 29!

Wasn't I the CUTEST baby ever!

This is the last year in my twenties. Excuse me while I scream in shock. Where, oh where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday I was seven years old performing in my first play! Yep, that is me in the cute pink dress! 1999 Kelsey was so cute! 29 year old Kelsey is pretty cute too, I guess.

I am on the 3rd row 5th in from the right!

A lot has happened in the past year for me! I was able to check a lot off of my 30 before 30 list. YAY! There are still a few more to go, but I have another year all you nay-sayers!

28 treated me very well. Jeffrey and I spent an entire year in our home here in Charleston (that's 2 years in one place...high-five) and have fallen completely in love with the city! Our favorite thing is to run at the beach and then jump in the water and play (where else can you do this?? Charleston is the bomb!).

I have a new job teaching 1st grade at a Private Christian School and I love it!!! Christ-centered education is the best education. I am loved and spoiled everyday. I wake up smiling because I get to work at such an amazing school. Thanks 28, this was a great milestone.

Look at that sas! 

Jeffrey and I traveled a ton this past birth year. We went to California and Vegas with little trips along the way. All in all, 28 was great, but 29 is going to be even better! I have high expectations for you 29! It is the last year of my twenties after all.

I have so many things to look forward to in this golden year of 29! Just to name a few: Jeffrey and I are going to IRELAND and ENGLAND in September for 10 days, Texas in April and New York (these are just the trips we have planned)! We are beyond excited. I have a wonderful job I love and Jeffrey is already excelling at his new job. Y'all, they are already talking about a promotion! God willing we are going to move closer to my job and our church soon, and we have high hopes for a big-bright future.

God is faithful and keeps his promises, what a wonderful gift and reminder as I enter the last year of my twenties. So, here is to me and making myself the best I can and doing "life" the best I can. Here is to 29 and the best year yet. I cannot wait to see what God has in store. Y'all I can feel it, it's going to be good, oh so delightfully good!

Please check out my cousins in the background! Gotta love 90's fashion!

What goals do you have? What advice would you give this 29 year old? AND... Have you ever had the clarity from God that something is going to be good?

cheers!

Why Dad's are the best!

I mean, look at this face! 

Today is my Dad's 60th BIRTHDAY! Mr. John Ross has graced this Earth for 60 years... what a lucky Earth this is! My dad is the best and has always been there for his little girl! Here are my top five reasons why little girls with good dads are SO (times a million) lucky.

1. You can dance on their feet! Why exert all of your child-like energy when you can stand on your dad and make him do all the work? Thanks dad for never saying no or turning me away. You stuck your feet out and let me dance on them all day!

2. They are goofy! Mom's, your funny and all, but dad's, there is something about them that is so funny! My dad would always make me laugh. Not like a little giggle, but a gut-wrenching, bottom of your stomach laugh until you cry!

3. They play with you! No matter what it might be, sports, tea-party, dolls, or feet-dancing, my dad did it all. Dad's are the best at getting on a kids level and playing.

4. You are their princess. I get teary eyed every time I think about my dad seeing me in my prom dress or wedding dress. He was so proud and had tears in his eyes. When your dad tells you you're beautiful you remember every second of that moment.

5. They treat you like a princess. I loved getting roses and cards from my dad. He was my first love and always showed me how a girl should be treated...spoiled! I cherish every card, rose, candy, saying, and hug I have ever gotten from my dad!

This is a girl that loves her daddy!

Dad, you are the best! Thank you for letting me dance on your feet, for making me belly-laugh, and for treating me like a princess. Happy Birthday!

-Kelsey

10 Ways You know You are Truly Type-A

Y'all, I am so Type-A, people laugh and joke all the time about how ridiculously organized and multi-tasking I can be. For all of my fellow Type-A blog followers, I had to write a post just for you! Being ridiculously organized is wonderful; however, it has its downsides too.

How to truly know if you are Type-A

1. You are a perfectionist. When it comes to yourself, your work, your look, your anything, it has to be a certain way. If it isn't, you fixate over it until it is.

2. You are your biggest critique. No one needs to give you negative thoughts because you have already thought of them times a million more.

3. You make lists about lists. You literally have a list that says, "make another list".

4. If something is out of place you can feel it.

5. Everything is color-coded.

6. Anxiety... the struggle is real!

7. You have nervous ticks like biting the inside of your lip to help you cope.

8. You rewrite your already made lists a million times because they aren't perfect.

9. You plan every second of your day, week, month, year, and make (...you guessed it...) a list about it.

10. You are nodding your head and laughing as you read each one of these.

How many of these pertain to you? Now, I am off to color-code my grocery list and weekly meal plan!

-Kelsey

The Great Mountain Marriage Test

Sometimes a mountain getaway is all you need. Jeffrey and I jumped in the car Friday after work and drove 5 hours to the North Georgia mountains.

On the way, we listened to music and sang at the top of our lungs, ate Moe's, and talked about life. All of this occurred in the first hour... then it got real! Our blissful, mountain ready car turned into "are we there yet?", "how much longer?", and "you just said 3 hours, 3 hours ago!".

When we finally reached 4 hours into our adventure, we were at the base of the mountain. Let me tell you, nothing tests a marriage more then going up a mountain at 10:00pm with the foggiest fog surrounding you. There was a lot of "OH my gosh", "Watch out!", "Kelsey, I cant drive!", "AHHHH!", and "I can see the road".

After a great deal of heart dropping turns, panting, and straight up scary roads we made it!!!!! Jeffrey and I cheered and hugged because we were still alive. We felt so gratified. Yeah, we made it up the scary mountain at night together, as a team *high-five*!

After our crazy trip, we had a blast. It was so wonderful to see some of our life-long best friends and spend a weekend away. There should be 30th birthday parties in the mountains every weekend!

Jeffrey and I now know, our marriage can survive a scary trip up a mountain at night in the deep-fog! Now, thats something to be proud of! What has your marriage survived?

-Kelsey 

Friday Five Favorites

CURRENTLY...

Listening:
I am in LOVE with this new song by Jana K. Doesn't it speak to every high school crush you ever had? (besides the ones we regret of course) *wink-wink*

Making:
Silhouette Cameo: I have been crafting and experimenting with my Cameo and I love it. It is pretty easy to use and it makes the coolest cards, stickers, and iron-ons. I can't wait to learn more. If you own a cutting-machine, I would love advice and ideas!

Loving:
Tory Burch "Reva" flats: Jeffrey got me these for Christmas, and I am obsessed. They are the most comfortable flats I have ever owned. I was between these and the Tory Burch "minnie" flats. When I tried on the "minnie", I didn't like them at all. They fit awkwardly on me, squished my feet, and I didn't like the look of them. The "Reva's" are a must have and look so classy!

Eating:
Smoothies: I have been making a smoothie every morning to start my day healthy, since it tends to go down hill after that. My favorite smoothie is banana, pumpkin puree, cinnamon and coconut milk.

Watching:
Nurse Jackie: Since Making a Murderer has been watched and obsessed over, I decided to binge watch a new Netflix show. Nurse Jackie follows the life of a middle-aged nurse, wife, mom, and recovering drug addict who is trying to "make it" in the world.

What are some of your current favorites?

-Kelsey

When Facebook Speaks to my Soul!

I was procrastinating cleaning our home so naturally, I was searching Facebook. I came across a post asking for one word to sum up your 2016 resolution. How can I pick only one word, I am a woman of very many words? I thought long and hard… nothing. I decided to cheat and look at the answer of the person who posted this challenge. Her response was, intentional. Wow, what a powerful word. Good thing I cheated huh!?!?

I thought long and hard about the word intentional and what it meant for my life. What does this word mean and more importantly, how can I apply it in my life. Let’s just say, this word spoke to me. I want to be intentional in 2016! To me this word means so much more than one definition.

When I say, I am going to read scripture more that’s great but how am I going to do that? Add in the word intend and you get, “I intend on reading scripture more”. See the difference? The later means, I will make intentional time. I will make this a routine and part of my “daily schedule”. When you are intentional you are doing it on purpose.

I say, I want to exercise and eat healthy, but really I might run some here or there and eat healthy until there is a bag of chips in front of me. When I am intentionally exercising and eating healthy, I am doing it with purpose. I am aware of it and making a true life change.

This year, I will try to be intentional with my personal and spiritual goals. Instead of being nice, I will intentionally talk to others and observe who might need an extra hand or an extra listening ear. Being nice is great, but being intentionally nice is that much better.

I challenge you to be intentional with your life goals and to think of one word to represent your resolutions and “worldly-plan” for 2016. 

-Kelsey

Life is Good, So Good!

Sometimes, all you need in life is a day at the beach with your husband!

Jeffrey and I had a FULL weekend (like most weekends are) so we decided to relax and "play" on Sunday. After church and our errands, we went to the beach and ran around like we were kids. We had a blast. It was the perfect escape from being an adult.

y'all, how handsome is this man? Answer: VERY!!!

Sweet Roxie had an absolute blast running around and jumping waves.

I just adore our little family!

Charleston is one of the best places.

Go out and be a kid and "play" every once in a while, you will be glad you did.

Now, back to reality!

-Kelsey

Hippie Status

I love my pearls and heels as much as all the other southern girly girls... can I get an amen... BUT, I am a total nerdy hippie at heart.

I started brewing my own kombucha tea! I am obsessed with the natural probiotic health benefits kombutcha has to offer. Since I love it so much I decided to make my own. There is currently a glass jar of "tea" brewing with live cultures in my home office... hippie status #1!

Hippie status #2, I am an Earth Fare, Whole Foods, no GMO, no preservatives, all natural food loving kind of girl. I have celiacs disease which means I cannot have gluten, food dies, or some dairy. Due to my diet already being restricted I began gravitating more towards GMO and preservative free foods. I can tell a HUGE difference. When we eat clean, both Jeffrey and I have more energy and have zero bloating. I never look at carbs, sugars, or fat. All I care about is no preservatives, it is so freeing. We have been "clean eating" for 2 years and gluten free for over 5! Since then Jeffrey has lost over 30 pounds and I am now smaller then I was in college and even high school!

Hippie status #3 is essential oils. I have jumped on the band-wagon and I am never getting off. We have been diffusing tons of oil mixtures and I have noticed a big change in our sleep patterns. My favorite mixture is eucalyptus and peppermint. The other night I was pretty stressed so I put some lavender across my forehead, I kid you not, in about 10 minutes I was completely calm. If you know my hyper-active self, that is amazing!

I have become a pilates hippie woman which brings me to hippie status #4. I am "that person" who checks her posture and makes sure her spine moves in all directions each day. My pilates instructor is basically amazing and I can tell a difference in the way I stand and sit. My favorite piece of equipment is the jump board. We have a love/hate relationship!

Lastly, hippie status #5, is vitamins. I have been taking Juice plus, fish oil, catalyst, and on guard (by essential oils) everyday for 4 months. I am so alert and have completely eliminated the 2:30/3:00 crash. Y'all, I feel so clear headed, it is crazy. I had no idea how foggy and tired my life was until I began taking vitamins. In addition to that, I have not been sick once. Not even a cold! Lets all go knock on wood please. This mixture works great for me, but I would suggest trying different (all natural) vitamins until you find the right blend for you.

So there you  have it, five reasons why I am a total hippie in heels. I would highly recommend trying any of these options, they will do nothing but help you and it can't hurt to try. If you would like anymore information about anything please contact me. What quirks do you have?

-Kelsey 

Game-night!

Please excuse my horrendous appearance, I just get so excited about game-nights.

One of my favorite things to do in the entire world is game-night. There is nothing better than snuggling around a table with good friends in competition. It's great. I may not be the most competitive and I hardly ever win, but I love board games, card games, heck I like any game.

It should be no surprise that Jeffrey and I rang in the new year with friends by, you guessed it, playing games. Here are a list of my five favorite games:

5. Flux // This was one of our first card games given to us by friends in Raleigh. This is a game where the rules are always changing so it keeps you on your toes. I love that we can play this game 100,000,000 times and it will always be different.

4. Pandemic // In this game you literally save the world from virus. I like to pretend I work for the CDC when I play this game. The most appealing thing is Jeffrey and I can play it together without a large group of people.

3. Coup // What I love about this game is, YOU GET TO LIE!!!! I hate lying and I cannot lie to save my life, but I love this game. I think the fact that everyone is lying and that it is acceptable makes it okay for me. If you don't have this game, it is a must have!

2. Cards Against Humanity // I mean, come on, who doesn't like this game? It is amazing, don't lie!

And the #1 game-night game is..... *drum roll please*

1. Exploding Kittens // This game is not as horrible as it sounds. The idea is to not explode so you have cards to make other players draw cards. It is an exciting game full of suspense. Defiantly a must have for any game-night.

All of these can be found on Amazon.
What are some of your favorite games? I would love to add more to our game-night repertoire. Happy gaming blogging world!!!

-Kelsey