What's Up Wednesday: April 2015

I am a long time reader of Melissa's blog Larson Lingo and decided I would join in on her What's Up Wednesday for this month.

*What We're Eating This Week: I am trying to get myself and our entire family along with me back on the healthy eating bandwagon. Just adding in more fruits and vegetables in general and also more whole foods. Tonight I am making Zucchini & Vegetable Quesadillas from One Lovely Life.

Don't worry, I also made these Healthy Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Bars from Half Baked Harvest.

*What I'm Reminiscing About: I took on the major task of sorting through the kids too small and too warm clothing this week. It is always fun to look back on what they were wearing throughout the last year or so and how much they have grown and changed. (And oh my word, why do three children have this much clothing?!!! We are certainly blessed!)

*What I'm Loving: The weather this week is absolute perfection. This is why I endure the cold winter days. These perfect spring days with no humidity and no bugs. We have been living outside as much as possible.

*What We've Been Up To: See above!! I will have to share some pictures of what the backyard is looking like in spring. That is what really sold us on this house and it is charming me again!

*What I'm Dreading: I really am not dreading anything at the moment. Maybe the night time because the kids sleep has been awful lately.
*What I'm Working On: I just delivered another set of caddies and crayon rolls. I love how these red and black houndstooth ones turned out. The store found the wooden Wisconsin buttons and they match perfectly!

*What I'm Excited About: We are heading to my parents' this weekend. The college my father teaches at is doing a children's theater production of the Ugly Duckling. I am sure the girls will love it!
*What I'm Watching/Reading: You can catch up on my latest book selections here. I am so happy that Call the Midwife is Back! I usually don't watch it live since it is on at 7 here and it isn't exactly for children (or all husbands for that matter.)
*What I'm Listening Too: I love hearing all of the birds in our yard. The Red Wing Blackbird in particular makes me feel totally at peace.
*What I'm Wearing: I am actually participating in a Spring Clothing Challenge right now. It is really helping me get use out of my clothing and upping my outfit game everyday. I will have to post on this at some point. This is my outfit of the day for today.

*What I'm Doing This Weekend: See above!
*What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month: My Peachy is turning 6!!!
*What Else Is New: I am really getting back into working on our house. The ideas are percolating. Now it is just a matter of deciding what to tackle! Stay tuned!

What I Am Reading

I love to hear what other people are reading. So here are some of the books that I have enjoyed lately, in case you are looking for a good read.

I have discovered the author Liane Moriarity. I had been hearing lots of buzz on the internet about her and when I saw The Husband's Secret at a friend's house this winter, I borrowed it and devoured it.

I just finished up What Alice Forgot in an equally quick fashion.

Both books have good characters with an equally strong plot. They aren't super light, but also aren't too heavy.

Since I wasn't able to get another ebook of hers right away, I read How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donahue. I have read other books by Meg and they are always good light reads. This one was as well.

On a different level of reading, I also borrowed The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst. This was an excellent read for me in determining how to best make use of my time at this point of my life. If you are at all struggling with over commitment or even the guilt of not being committed enough, I highly recommend this book.

It has been a bit since I read it, but I will mention it here. I enjoyed many of the parts of the book Carry On, Warrior by blogger Glennon Doyle Melton. Some parts had me laughing so hard that I ha to share with Mr. Cherry what was so funny. (I don't think he found it nearly as humorous as I did.) Some parts got a bit long and I am pretty sure you could just read her blog and get the same content. However, as a mom and wife, this book did resonate with me.

There you have it. What I have been reading. How about you? Any good recommendations?

A Spring In Our Step

Oh boy, you guys, last week was a loooonnggg week. Someone at church used the term, Easter hangover, and I am totally stealing that. We had such a wonderful long Easter weekend and then we returned to routine and it was rough. The kids were challenging me and I just didn't have the energy to deal with it in a nice, calm manor. Cream was laying low at the beginning of the week and by the end all of the kids had colds. Yuck! But, enough with the negative. We made it through and this week has been so much better. 

We didn't get any pictures on Easter weekend of our family. Peachy had an Easter concert at her school on Tuesday, so I tried to get a few pictures of the kids then. Most looked like this:

This is the best I got of all three.

I did get a few of the girls.

We celebrated my birthday on Sunday. Peachy, my perpetual party planner, wanted to go big. I told her, she just needed to be a obedient listener for the day. She admitted that would be really hard. Ha! We didn't do much, but when you are, ahem, thirty something, that is a-okay! 

We went to church and went out to fast food for lunch. Then the girls and I went to the local figure skating club's annual show. We picked up the best ever DQ ice cream cake and each ate a big piece for supper. A great way to celebrate, really.

The weather this weekend was very spring-like! And today is even better. That is a huge game changer for me. The gorgeous days and being outside make life so, so, so much happier. Today I went for a walk with Cream and Shortcake in the morning and then again with all three after lunch. I may not have gotten much else done today, but that is a benefit of staying home full time. I can always fold laundry tomorrow.

I also picked up a pack of grapefruit shandy at Target the other day. (I love living in a state where you can buy alcohol where you normally shop.) It is so light and refreshing. Perfect for these warm days and sipping on the patio.

I am not the only one who is loving the nice weather. Shortcake can't get enough of being outside. Gone are the days of sitting nicely on a blanket or in the stroller. He wants to be off exploring. I am so afraid he is going to crack his head open this summer. Lets hope his guardian angels are working overtime.

I hope and pray that you all had a great Easter and are fully recovered and enjoying spring as well.