Life is Too Short

Woke up this morning to a text from my cousin.

Her ex-husband had passed away tragically on Friday.

Right away a lump in my throat formed and I could feel the tears coming on.

We haven't seen Andy in years.

We were there to celebrate at their wedding years ago.

Now it doesn't seem that long ago...

Andy is the father of my cousin's baby girl Areyana.

My heart aches for her.

It aches for their families.

I ask that you please add them to your prayers.
They will need all the extra they can get.
Thank you so much friends!

Baby girl and me when they came to visit us in March this year

I'm not sure of God's plan for anyone, including myself.
Everyone experiences different things, and I think there's a specific reason.
Even if I don't understand why.

Sometimes when I realize how blessed I am to have found Nate I think how would I go on if Nate was to ever leave this Earth.
I wouldn't want to.

I know it's such a morbid thought.
I know it's selfish too.

I've dealt with death and I know it comes with this life.

It's unavoidable. 

I know for certain tomorrow is not promised to any of us.

I also know how easy it is to get caught up in "the little things" and to be blinded to what is most important.

Last February we dealt with a loss.

I wrote the letter below to M&M at the time, but wanted to share it today as well.

Count your blessing today friends.

I've talked about living intentionally in our lives, sometimes I need to remind myself.

Source: livelifehappy.com via Kristine Foley on Pinterest

Dear M&M,

Life should be celebrated, in everyday and in everything. 

And when it is a person's time to go, their life should still be celebrated. 
Even tho it shouldn't take someone passing away to stop and think and be grateful for things we do have right here and right now, it sure is a huge reminder of what really is important.

I am thankful for you both. 

I am thankful for your Daddy. 

I am thankful for our families and their love and support. 

I am thankful for wonderful friends who have been there thru so much, and who continue to be known in our lives. 

Life is too short. 

Take time to tell the people who you care about that you love them. Don't ever assume they know. Celebrating life and your love ones never goes out of style, and the more you do it, the happier and richer your life will be.

I love you, my girls.

Love,
Momma

{This Month's Featured Sponsor}

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Sunday FUNday Link Up Party + Features

Welcome to the Sunday FUNday Link Up Partay!
If it's your first time here, welcome and please feel free to introduce yourself in the comments. Read more about Sunday FUNday here. 
Link up your projects, Momma advice, fashion posts, anything goes!

I will be showcasing my favorites on my Facebook page and pinning them on my Pinterest Page thruout the week!

*I ask that you follow this blog in some way shape or form

(via GFC, Bloglovin, RSS feed, or by email)
*Visit at least TWO other links, because sharing the love is gooooooood!

*Grab the PARTY button below to spread the word, the more the merrier

<center><a href="http://www.thefoleyfam.com"><img src="http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee420/nkfoley/225224_1032849554959_1637031987_92395_857_n1-1.jpg" /></a></center>

THANKS to everyone who linked up last week!

Totally inspired by you all, and even got some crafting and baking in this week! #forreal #feltsogood

A few are showcased below.

If I've showed you off feel free to grab a featured button on my sidebar <<<< and get your brag on!

Sarah over at Alderberry Hill never disappoints! Love her fabric pumpkins she linked up last week! I'm picturing girly fabrics covering the girl's pumpkins! 

The Boneyard Wreath linked up by Noreen over at Crafty Journal is so clever!

 Some other great reads that were linked up was this sensitive issue post from Karissa at A Fresh Start on a Budget.

And Megan from Shaping Up To Be A Mom shared the Nitty Gritty about Google Analytics.

Thanks again lovelies!

Now the party goods!

You still have time to enter to win 11 prizes from my spectacular September Sponsors! ONE WINNER TAKES ALL. 
Ends tonight.

Click here to enter.

 
Be sure to come back and Link It Up Party Animals!

 

{This Month's Featured Sponsor}

Two Hoots & a Holler

The {Wright} Stuff + Bonus Target Gift Card GIVEAWAY

We just clicked.

By {We}, I mean the lovely Kristen and myself!

She is one of the sweetest gals I've met here in Blogland, and I'm so lucky to call her a friend. You will def want to check her out! #nojoke

Learn more about her awesome.sauce.ness below and she's giving away some awesome.ness too! #luckies

 

A little something about who you are:

Hi y'all! I'm Kristen and I blog over at The Wright Stuff! 

I started blogging to keep in touch with all our family and friends...it's been so much more than that. I've made some amazing friends and have found a community to be a part of! I love getting to know my readers so stop on by anytime!!!

 

Who/What do you blog about?

I love to blog about everything....military man, my dogs, fashion, family, friends, and beauty (a girls favorite things!). I'm not an expert on anything but I love to try out new stuff and share it with all of you. I use my blog as a way to keep in touch and as a journal. 

Why do you blog? 

I first started blogging to keep in touch with our family and friends when my husband commissioned into the air force. Now I blog for so much more than that....it's given me a new community!

Favorite Go To Recipe?

My favorite go to recipe is a great spicy black bean burger recipe. It's easy and quick and delicious...oh and it gives enough for leftovers! (and is easy to double or triple!!!) 

What is your one must-have Fall necessity?

I am loving a fun fall colored skinny jean and a dark shirt! So Fun!!! In fact I have a new outfit I'm dying to try...red skinnys with a navy and white polka dot shirt!!!! Plus, I'm dying to pull out my riding boots!!!! They make every outfit cute! 

 

If you could snap your fingers and be anywhere in the world right at this second, where would it be?

Hmmm....I'm pretty happy with right here at my new house with my military man and pups! But.....If i had to pick somewhere else I'd snap myself to Destin on the beach with a big pina colada in my hand! We got engaged there and out of all the nice beaches I've been to...it's my all-time favorite! 

********************************

I can totally picture Kristen and I sipping Pina Coladas and chatting 100 miles an hour, talking in exclamation points! #haha #loveher

Today she is giving away a $25 Gift Card to The Red Ball Store Target! Another love we share. #swoon

Please note the first two entries are mandatory.

You must complete them to be eligible to win this giveaway, or all your entries will be void! Gooooood luck and hope ya'll are having a fab weekend so far!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday {Love} Letters

It is FRIDAY right?! #scatteredbrain
M&M are going camping with Gpa and Gma and the Hubs is working...
Can you say girl's night this weekend?! #yesplease 
Bring.It.On.

Dear Baby Daddy, day date? Don't mind if we do! So glad we snuck it in this week. Love you and I love that we can have fun just the two of us! #always

Dear Magpie, you amaze me every.single.day. baby girl! You are sooo brave and fearless. Love how you have to swing on the bar and "oooo oo oooo" like a monkey every.single.time. before you plop down and slide on down the slide. #lovethis #idontwanttoforget #loveyou

Dear Mia, one day you LOVE the swings the next day you HATE the swings. #girlprobs Your birthday is coming and we are so VERY excited to celebrate you our baby love! #oneyear #craziness #fangs #droooool

Dear Lola, thanks for watching the girls so Nate and I could get some alone time just the two of us. We are so grateful for you. Love you Momma! #teaparty

Dear DQ {Snickers Blizzard}, your new "mini" size is seriously perfect for me! #period #thankyou #getinmybelly

Dear Treadmill, it was well past 11pm when everyone went to bed tonight. You and I had a date. #hurtsogood "You were meant for me. And I was meant for you." #namethattune

Dear Other Foley Fam, We love you! That is all... for fear of spilling the beans {wink wink}. 

My awesome SIL Brit, you need to follow her blog!

Dear Mia's Birthday Party Site, are you ready for me? I've got the vision. Mad Hatter Tea Party. Alice in Wonderland. Now to transfer it from my head to real life. #wishmeluck

Dear Maggie, love that you love to draw and color. I sit watching you. Fascinated. You are so focused. You are getting so big way too fast! #slowdown

Dear Mia, YOU are talking so well. We are so proud! You heard a dog barking on our walk and plain as day sad "dog" and looked around for it. How is this possible?! First two running girls, now two jabbering girls. #wearescrewed

Dear Husband, who always gets two letters, how is it that are baby girl is going to be ONE! So when people ask, "how old are your babies?" We've got a one year old and a two year old. BAM! #livingthedreamwithyou #soblessed

Pumpkin Patch 2010

Dear Friends, HUGE THANK YOU for reading this here ole' blog-o. Means so much! I {big fluffy} heart you. and you. and you. My big ole' Sponsor Group GiVEAWAY ends on Sunday, so be sure to get your entries in! #adspacegalore #andmore Still accepting sponsors thru the weekend! Get in on the goods here.

And with that peace out friends.
Fishing and camping out tonight! #soexcited
What's on your agenda this weekend?
Make it a FUN one! XOXOXO

{This Month's Featured Sponsor}

Two Hoots & a Holler

Operation: Get Me in a Bikini #8 - w/ some Results!

Sponsorship availability has been updated for next month.
If you're looking to grow your shop or blog check out what I offer here and shoot me an email jandmseyecandy at hotmail dot com to book your spot.

So the results from our experiment yesterday...
#fakeout

Source: thefoleyfam.com via Kristine Foley on Pinterest

#delicious
Remember how I thought I came up with an original recipe #eh #wrong
My friend Tracy pointed out she pinned the same shiz last week #wth?!

So yeah... not as original as I thought...

Sometimes you win some, sometimes you don't.

And even tho it's not a {Foley Original} in our case we are still #winning

Bada-bing. Bada-boom.

Besides the two ingredients, I would also suggest the following:

An unclothed baby girl ragamuffin.

In other words a cute helper/assistant.

Since I literally was winging it I cooked the batch of deliciousness in these pretties.

I have no clue what size either is.

All I do know is my 13x9 glass pan was already being used.

The Hubs Cherry/Blueberry Torte #drooooolworthy #FoleyfamORIGINALrecipe #ifItoldyaIdhavetokillya

Since I used glass pans I followed the directions on the cake mix box.

325 degrees for 35 min.

Perfection people. 

We topped ours with Dream Whip and they were gone.

Hence no finished picture. #theresthatwordagain #hence

If you like the taste of pumpkin, your taste buds will be dancing happily.

Anyone want to come over and help us eat all these goods?

Ya'll are more than welcome! #openinvitation

Wanna know how my bum is still feeling AMAZEBALLS after devouring all the yumminess in our home lately?

BAM!

Meet my new best friend!

So have ya'll heard of Craigslist?

I'll give you one better!

There's Facebook Yardsales peeps!

Seriously, check your surrounding areas out. #PRONTO

I posted in the wanted section in our hometown and within a couple hours I had someone offer this beauty up with a yardsale pricetag!! #whoohoo

It has shocks, a fan, everything #realupinhurr #fancyshmanzy

So yeah I've been busting my butt trying to make up for no running last week.

remember this post about looking like a "poor overweight midget wannabe runner" ?

Well now I can do it in the privacy of my own home. #yourewelcome #canIgetawootwoot

I haven't stepped on a scale recently so not sure if I've even lost any weight.

I know I feel good.

Obvs I can tell because of all the self portraits and #OOTD pics I've been taking. 

#haha

I like it. I'm having fun with it!

How are YOU doing in your fitness goals? Still kickin butt? #hopeso

Week 6 for me

Session 1 - 52 min. Run 5 minutes. Walk 1 minute. Do this 7 times. 

Session 2 - 38 min. Run 3 minutes. Walk 1 minute. Do this 7 times. 

Session 3 - 50 min. Run 3 minutes. Walk 1 minute. Do this 10 times.

***Friendly Reminder***
Today is the last day to enter to win your choice of a Cents of Style piece!

1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : 8

You have till the end of this month to get your free scarf by placing a $20 or more order! 

Remember to use code {0512} to receive 10% off your entire order 

*Please note the total has to be $20 AFTER using the discount code for you to receive the free scarf.

Linkin up below. Join me!

{This Month's Featured Sponsor}

Two Hoots & a Holler

Bloglovin Hoppity Hop Hop - Link Up Party!!

Hello hello!!

Where did September go?! #saywhat

It's that time of the month!

The last Thursday of every month I host this FABULOUS

Bloglovin Hop with some pretty FABULOUS ladies!

Let's get down to biznazz shall we?!

 Instructions on how to partay like a ROCKSTAR:

*Please follow each host's blog via Bloglovin.
We made it easy for you! We are the first SIX links below.
***I will go thru EACH link so you are guaranteed a follow back***

*Link up {your BLOGLOVIN Link} to the party below!

*Mingle with other party-goers!

*As always bonus points if you spread the word, because the more the merrier!!

Ready, set, link up! Looking forward to checking you out! XOXO

Link up your Bloglovin' account and follow others!  

After you link up below

come back and enter to win ad space from us!!

I also have my September Sponsor Group Giveaway happening now!

11 prizes to ONE lucky reader! Goooood luck!

If you want in on  
The Foley Fam Sponsorship opportunity ,
check out the details here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{This Month's Featured Sponsor}

Two Hoots & a Holler

Do you Believe in Fate?

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter you'd have already witnessed the awesome.ness below, and I know for sure you would want to watch it again. #yourewelcome

If you don't follow me there why don't cha? don't miss out!

If you see or hear anything today please let it be the vid below! #dramaticmuch

#singitwithme

Didn't that make your day?

I know it did mine. #holla

So remember this post when I was all gung-ho about chopping off my hair?

Well this Momma has been on her game and one good hair day after another is making me want to NOT cut it.#surprisesurprise

I posted the pic below on my Facebook yesterday asking to cut or not to cut?

Please don't mind the no make up face... I showered and did my hair what more do you want from me?!

The resounding poll was n to the o.

Today was my appointment.

Driving there I still wasn't sure.

Maybe just for a trim.

For sure a good scalp massage.

I was dreaming about the scalp massage as I was heading over and what do you know?

My stylist called to cancel. #iswear

Fate?

I think so.

For now I'm still sporting my long do.

Or more like do not... today anyway. 

I got a couple emails about where I got my anal beads statement necklace.

Sorry for not posting the link.

I was too lazy to look it up yesterday #truth

Went to look it up today {cuz I love ya'll} 

and it's no longer available to purchase. #figures

I apologize for my slowness.

I just searched J Crew Bubble necklace on Ebay and bam!

I got it for less than $12 with free shipping!!

#jcrewhasnothingonme 

Totally wishing I would've gotten all the colors now.

I see them on GroopDealz often for even cheaper than what I paid, 

so keep a look out.

The Hubs worked last night so to keep M&M busy we attempted some crafting!

With paper and glue! #bestillmyheart

And like most some projects, we didn't finish.

But if when we do, I'll show you what we whipped up!

Speaking of whipping up!

Have you tried this?!

You take a cake mix and just add in one other ingredient and somehow a delicious yummy dessert is made?? #truth

The Hubs and I were discussing Mia's birthday cake/cupcakes.

I remember this easy recipe I pinned forever and a day ago, and how I wanted to use Dr. Pepper and a chocolate cake mix. #nextup

So we started spouting off two ingredients to make a cake with and that's where the little diddy below came in.

I found both ingredients in our pantry. #lovethat

And it's baking as I type this. #fingerscrossed
 

Hope you have a great hump day!

Off to patent the "recipe" above {wink wink}.

{This Month's Featured Sponsor}

Two Hoots & a Holler

Did You Hear the News?

From a friend on Facebook - thanks Alicia :)

Monday.Night.Football.

If you haven't heard by now This is what happened last night.

In other words we got screwed.

And by we, 

I mean The Pack.

I get it.

I've even said it before.

Bitchin doesn't get you anywhere.

Especially if the outcome isn't going to change.

BUT that doesn't make things right.

Not only as a Green Bay Packer Fan #forlife 

but as a football fan, I tried to sleep on it and still woke up this morning 

with a bad taste in my mouth.

Pretty sure Mia Pia woke up with a bad taste in her mouth too. #ha

Yes, the Packers didn't play a {great} game and there were bad calls all.night.long. for BOTH teams...

BUT when the outcome of the game was in fact actually on the line for that last play and that last call was the wrong one.... #disgusted

That was my bitch fest in regards to that.

Take it or Leave it.

And now we move on, 

because really what else can you do right?!

Just keep swinging, just keep swinging

Or swimming.

Or bitchin.

Whatever floats your boat.

I feel your pain friends.

In other news...

both M&M are sleeping right now.

Yes that's marker on Magpie's face {no worries it's non-toxic} & she's nakie {don't judge}

Hence why I can bitch to ya'll in the middle of the day.

Hence why I showered and got dressed today. 

#BAM

 Shirt: Old Navy, Tank: Walmart, Jeans: Hydraulic; Ross, Statement Necklace: Ebay, Bangles: Cents of Style

Loving my anal beads statement necklace! #Ravenlove

And my bangles which I've been sporting every.single.day. this week!

Have ya'll taken advantage of this deal yet?

Help a sistah out and let me know what you're getting?

I can't make up my mind! #decisionsdecisions

We have until the end of the month peeps! #ticktock

Peace out lovers!

XOXOXO

P.S. I dislike the word hence... #fyi

 

{This Month's Featured Sponsor}

Two Hoots & a Holler