One of these days, I’ll actually get a Friday Favorites post up on a Friday—but hey, life happens! We came to Arizona for a baptism and ended up extending our stay. We've been soaking up time with family and loving on our sweet new Godson. It’s definitely hot here, but the kids have been having a blast in the pool!
We also celebrated birthdays with my flourless mini Samoa brownie skillet.
Before we left Texas, the kids were living their best lives with daily sprinkler sessions on our old Costco splash mat. Unfortunately, I was today years old when I learned about chiggers—and let’s just say the kids got eaten alive. It’s been four weeks and those bites are still hanging around like uninvited guests. Major mom fail. Oooopssss.
My official summer playlist starts around Fathers Day weekend and goes through the month of July.
Also, I seriously miss being able to buy alcohol at Costco! We've been sipping on their Espresso Martini on repeat—it's dangerously good. I wish they carried it in Texas, but alas… I’m sure there are other places to get it, but Costco just makes it feel right.
The obsession is this pacifier and baby bottle set for her babies. She loves watching her Godmama feed her brand-new baby—and insists on feeding her own baby at the same time. It's the cutest little copycat moment!
The BEST neck pillow
You guys… this pillow saved me. 🙌 I was dealing with serious neck discomfort and TMJ pain, and nothing was helping. I couldn’t find a single comfortable way to sleep—unless I ditched the pillow entirely (which, not ideal 😅).
I tried a few options from Amazon, but this one was hands down the winner. Total game-changer. The center has a removable foam insert, so you still get neck support without pushing your head into that awkward forward position. It’s legit amazing.
My Favorite Electrolytes
I always get asked this time of year about electrolytes. 💦 So here’s my take:
I don’t typically recommend Liquid I.V.—unless you’re sweating for over two hours, sick, or on your period. Otherwise, it’s a lot of salt for most people.
It’s not that I worry about salt and blood pressure (unless you already have hypertension—then yes, it can make it worse), but too much salt can impact immune system function and contribute to dysregulation.
My go-to electrolyte supplement is Go Hydrate—we’ve used it for years! It’s a more balanced option, not overloaded with sodium, and it even includes a little vitamin D. Perfect for everyday hydration support without going overboard.
Swimshorts
Soooooo, you know how kids want to swim all the time? Which means Mom doesn’t always have time to jump in the shower for a little grooming. 😅
Yes, 100% laser hair removal is on my agenda this year—but in the meantime, these swim shorts are my go-to. I just throw them on over my swimsuit and we’re good to go! 🙌
My Quiet Book
Okay, so while I love the idea of quiet books, I learned the hard way that Mom is usually the one picking up all the pieces and trying (unsuccessfully) to keep the set together. 😅
When I saw this one online, I grabbed it before our trip to Arizona as something to entertain NJ—since TV shows still don’t really hold her attention.
It held her interest for about 10 minutes (which honestly felt like a win), but the best part? No loose pieces. Everything is attached, so nothing to clean up! 🙌
I think it could work great for church too—we’ll see. Funny enough, the boys have actually been super into it and have been playing with it more than she has! 😂
Reusable Stickers
While the quiet book gave us about 10 minutes of entertainment, these stickers bought us a solid 30–40 minutes. 🙌
They’re the clear, reusable kind that stick to windows and glass, so NJ was happily decorating the airplane window and having a grand old time. Highly recommend these for keeping toddlers entertained—especially during travel!
The only downside? She couldn’t peel them off herself like she can with bubble stickers, but honestly, the extra help was worth the extended peace. 😅
That's it for Fridays Favorites! As for us, we have all the things packed up in our rental in Texas and I can't wait to tell you more about where we will land next!
I have so much to tell you guys—but I can't spill the beans just yet. Yes, we're moving again! Our Texas rental was suddenly put up for sale, so it's another summer, another move. But honestly, I think this one worked out for the best, and I’ll share more soon.
Friday Fitness
I’ve finally been back in the gym, lifting again—and the sense of normalcy feels soooo good. The gym truly is my happy place.
My reasons for working out have changed so much over the years. It’s no longer about how skinny I can be—it’s about strength, bone density, metabolism, and long-term health. The gym used to feel like a punishment; now it feels like a privilege.
I started back with just bodyweight, then moved to about half the weight I used to lift. Now I’m gradually building back up to my usual strength—and I’m proud of every step.
Flashbacks
Sarah says
I can't wait to read about where you end up next! And yes to enjoying the process of building back strength. It's so easy to focus on the outcome instead of appreciating the hard word it takes to get there!