New Vera Goodness (a.k.a. Things I Need)

By now you know about my infatuation with Vera Bradley. It's no secret, and I am not ashamed. I am trying to get myself under control, but how can I when they keep coming out with new things?

Like This:

And This:

Seriously, who doesn't need this stuff? I think it is very fun and summer-y. It's too bad my blog isn't famous, because then I could totally get Vera to send me stuff for free. That may just be my new goal in life. I like to dream big. And did I mention these?


I didn't think so.

Do Not Pass Go

I have always liked to play board games, but I have shied away from them more in the past. Frankly, board games are very high stress to someone as competitive as me, and I just didn't want to bother with all that. Lately, though, we have had an opportunity to play a bunch of board games with friends, and it has been a blast. It may just be my new favorite thing.

Two of our recent faves:

*Settlers of Catan. Seth and Jessica had talked a lot about this game, so we thought we would give it a try. I would highly suggest playing this game the first time with an experienced player. The first time we played we stared at the board for two hours before even rolling the dice.

*Mystery of the Abbey. We just played this with our friends Bo and Carrie, and it was a lot of fun. Kind of like a grown up Clue. Unless you just really like Colonel Mustard.

Mystery of the Abbey is a Days of Wonder game, and I think we will definitely be checking out more of these, especially the Big Adventure Games.

Anywho, board games may not be your thing, but if they are you should definitely check these out. Don't think you can walk in off the street with Chutes and Ladders experience and master these games. You have to come to play. And you have to invite me.

Do you have any favorites I need to know about?

Weekend Update

What a fun weekend! We got things started off right with dinner and a movie. If you haven't seen Monsters Vs. Aliens I must say that the new 3D technolgy is so cool! The thought of wearing 3D glasses for 90 minutes would have made me sick in the past, but this is so different. It was probably the cool glasses. Much better than the ones @ WDW that feel like they are digging into your skull. Check it out...not the best movie ever, but it will keep you laughing. We especially enjoyed this guy:


Saturday was spent at Barnes and Noble, Lowe's, and working in the yard. I must say that when you are "drug-free" it gives you so much more energy! Plus, getting off the couch and away from the TV doesn't hurt...

On to the work week, but getting super close to summer!

Someday is Today

Many times I day I find myself thinking, "Oh...that would make for an interesting blog." Sometimes I even start composing blog posts in my head. Usually, though, by the time I get home I have completely forgotten what it is I meant to write about, though. Today, I know exactly what I want to say, but I have had to kind of force myself to get up and get working on it. I mean...Lost is on!

This week, our church started the book One Month to Live. I am only on day four, but already I know that God has me reading it at this time of my life for a reason! Lately, I have really been called to live life to the fullest everyday. I think it's because I know that I am not where I thought I would be by now, but I don't want to wallow in that fact. I don't want to sit at home on the couch and wait for my someday to arrive. I want to wake up and realize that someday is here. My life is going on right now, exactly in the way God planned it, and if I don't start paying attention I may miss it!

I think if we let it, life can pass us by while we wait for the next big thing. I know I have been guilty of this. When I finish grad school, things will be so different. When I finally become a librarian, life will be different. When I have a baby, life will be different. Well, it will be different, but I shouldn't waste the days and experiences I am having now.

In the book, Kerry Shook asks, "What does it mean for you to accept and honor your current season?" That question really hit home to me. In response I wrote, "Living life to the fullest despite the fact that you think things should be going different. Truly treasuring the experiences you have had because of the season you find yourself in. And, thanking God for the season He has you in, because it is meant to bring you closer to Him."

Are you honoring where God currently has you or are you spending all your time waiting for Someday to get here? For me, it's a daily struggle, but I desire to honor each day that God gives me and live it to the fullest.

So...I created a list of blessings that have come through this season in my life, because I want to remember that while I was waiting for "Someday" I tried to live "Everyday" with joy.

1. I have been able to spend more one on one time with my amazing husband than I thought I would.
2. I have learned what it means to wait on God.
3. I have been able to go on fun trips (yay Disney World!) with friends.
4. Sleeping in on Saturday morning...enough said.
5. Saturday morning movies (did you KNOW that the first movie of the day is super cheap????)
6. and more and more everyday

You Are What You Read

Last week was National Library Week, and we also had Library Workers Day. My wonderful friends and coworkers made this fun display and great scrapbookish gift basket for me. It was so sweet!

Appreciation Take-Out

I made these for two of our secretaries at school. I'm not sure why I always end up volunteering for this stuff, but I do. It's the people pleaser in me!

What Comes Around Goes Around

Today I sat in my office and had a coversation with a 5th grade boy about how alternative rock anti-authority bands are totally coming back after being overshadowed by pop for the past few years. He was shocked and amazed that I knew the name of his favorite band: Green Day. After all, he wasn't even born when their first record came out. When I said that I knew some of their songs, I thought he was going to pass out. When did I get old? I distinctly remember having this conversation with my mother several times, except it was me who was shocked that my mom would be cool enough to know about the bands I liked. I guess what comes aroung goes around.

Soon I'm going to be telling them stories about back when I was in school. Wait...I already do that. Oh well.

Plates Galore

I have been trying to get motivated to do some things around my house, but I always seem to be so lazy on the weekends! Well, I have a little project I finally got around to this weekend. In Frisco, with zero lot line houses, there is a rule that the builder has to include a "light well." Basically, that's a fancy name for a sliding door that looks out onto a brick wall. The idea is to let some light in through the window (as opposed to the windows that keep light out), but it can be kind of a weird space. When we moved in, I put an iron stand out there with flowers, and it really does look pretty. I think this is one of the only pictures I have:


Anywho, I was planning on getting curtains, but I really do like all the light it lets in. So, I turned to the source of all my inspiration these days: blog stalking. I have seen so many girls decorate with plate groupings, so I thought I'd try it. I saw a great guest tutorial at Bless Our Nest awhile back, so I collected my plates and went to town!


First, you trace your plates onto paper and cut them out. It is much easier to place the paper on the wall first! I would have been readjusting all afternoon if I hadn't taken the time to do this.


Then, voila! You can actually nail the plate right over the paper to make sure you got it even. Then, you just pull at the paper and it rips right off the wall.


Random picture...I love these bunnies from Pier One, so I put them in the arrangement on my dining room table. Not forever. Just for now.

Easter Eggs...Kinda

So yesterday, when I went off on my tangent, I actually started my post to tell you about two different things...both having to do with eggs in a weird way.

First, this guy has ended up being very handy. In an attempt to boost my "good egg" production, I am on fabulous fertility shots. They make you feel super. I promise. Well, I have to take them at the same time every night (7:15), and being the social butterfly I am, I don't tend to be home around then. So...I have taken to toting my needles and medicine around with me in my sassy new Vera bag. I thought there may be an issue when I took it into the ballpark the other day, but nobody said anything. Maybe I don't have that junkie look about me. Or maybe they were afraid I would get them with a dirty needle. Either way, I was good to go. At any rate, I would like to declare myself "Sassily Infertile."

Onto the next discussion: The Ped Egg. Oh yes, I bought one. And it really did work really well! Ever since the 3Day, my feet have just been terrible, and as Katie and Kristin can attest to, the pedicure technicians (is that what you call them?) tend to bust out the gloves and acid when they see me coming. I can't justify getting a pedicure right now (fertility shots do not go on sale...ever), so I bought a Ped Egg. If you don't want a mental image of what came off of my feet then you should stop reading now. Because when I emptied that thing I had a big ol' hand full of skin sand. That's a technical term. And don't worry...I washed my hands.

So...that's it. Much better than Easter eggs...right?

No Fits

Most of you know that Mike and I are going through fertility treatments, but I don't really talk about it too much on here. It's not at all that I mind sharing. If you know me well enough, you know I'll tell anyone just about anything. I guess it's mostly that although infertility is a big part of my life right now, I am determined to not make it my whole life. I know that some people (hi mom!) wonder how I am handling it all, and frankly, I would say pretty well. I hear stories about people who say it was just the absolute worst and that they cried and cried and cried...and cried some more.

Well, it is the hardest thing I have ever been through. And sometimes I do want to cry. Sometimes I do cry. But as time goes on, I don't really feel the need anymore. Sometimes treatments don't work. Sometimes treatments make me not feel so hot. My friends are getting pregnant, having babies, getting pregnant again. But so what? Is the world supposed to stop because I can't have a baby? Not only would it be incredibly selfish of me to wish it would, but I wouldn't have any cute babies to play with while I wait for my own!

So, every day I tell myself the same thing I tell my kids at school "You Get What You Get, and You Don't Throw a Fit." I have talked about it before, but who am I to tell God that now is the time for me to have a baby? I want one, sure, but through this time I have definitely learned what it means to wait on His timing! So, I'll take what I get...no fits here (well...at least most of the time).

Opening Day!

Opening Day has come and gone. Sigh. But...that just means that baseball season is here! We love baseball season here in the McDonough house (it has been an aquired taste for me I must admit). My dad worked for the Rangers when I was younger though, so I have always enjoyed being out at the stadium. I just love everything about it.

Yesterday was super fun. We went out to the annual tailgate for just a little bit, because it was SO COLD! I thought my hands were going to freeze off. Luckily, it was much warmer inside the stadium and out of the wind. I had to slather up with the good ol' SPF 50 that everyone laughs at me for. Not everyone, though, because a lady definitely stopped and asked me if she could use some. Apparently it is my goal to be known as the "girl who brings sunscreen."


Caleb before his GiGi got there to convince him to put in his earplugs.


Post earplugs and with food...much better.


Captain...Not as cool as the yellow chicken from back in the day, but whatev.

Overall, a great day at the ballpark! Now we just have to convince Jessica to come back...apparently getting your face broken by a ball makes you not want to come back!

We just got back from seeing baby Eli! He is so stinkin' pretty. You can only get away with calling a boy pretty for so long, so I am going to do it while I can.

Jess and Seth are doing great. Jess had a much better time of it this go around, which she deserved after all of that insulin junk. She was looking mighty put together for just having had a baby, as you can see here. I can't wait to go back and see them all tomorrow!