Friday Favorites
Like last week, I’m feeling like I blinked and it is time for Friday Favorites. Emotions have been all over the place and work has been very busy but today I’ve got to tie everything up and get these emotions in check because tomorrow we will be hitting the road to Omaha for the College World Series! Aren’t you glad there will be an end to all my baseball posts?!!
{ONE}
I could not start my Friday Favorites without including this news! We have been counting down the days to the MLB draft for months and it definitely has been one of those things I knew was out of my control but the unknown was weighing on me. God has a perfect plan and I know this so why I ever even try to figure things out myself is beyond me. Riley was drafted 79th overall in the top of the 3rd round on Tuesday by the Houston Astros and we are so excited for him. There are still lots of unknowns until the College World Series is over but this is now behind us and there is no more wondering. So Go Frogs….and Go Astros!
And just because I couldn’t help myself to take a look back down memory lane, here he is in his very first Astros uniform. He must be about 12 in this picture and I’m only posting because I’m confident he doesn’t read my blog!
{TWO}
Some people cringe at the thought of a road trip and while we would all love to hop on an airplane for a quick trip to Omaha that is not practical for our family so we embrace the crazy and will hit the road in the morning! My kids actually do great on the road and this will actually be the 3rd summer in a row that we have made this trip. I like to find a few fun things together that we can do in the car and remembered my friend Kim at Hunt and Host had recently written this post with lots of great links for car games. Here are a few of our favorite games to play!
We have used the State Plate Hunt App since 2009 when we road tripped to Destin, Florida. It is simple to use and if we all have it on our devices it can become a competition. I like that we can set up a new game for each trip and actually when the kids were younger we set it up for the summer just in town and were amazed at how many states we found.
Who doesn’t love a game of BINGO! We have a set like this from last year and the kids love it. There are plenty of free printable online but these cards are a little more durable.
There will be long stretches when we will drive with nothing to look at but land so I have also created some word search puzzles with words unique to our trip using the puzzle maker found here. Dillon didn’t think it was quite good enough so I’m excited he will work on making it better today!
{THREE}
If you have been around here at all you know I have this amazing sister-in-law! Last Saturday after the baseball game she took Carly Jo and her friend Holden back to her room where they first ordered room service….you would have thought they won the lottery over the tiny bottles of ketchup! Then she took them on a carriage ride around downtown Fort Worth!
And was even brave enough to let them look around in some shops!
When I arrived to pick them up they were riding up and down the escalator dancing like fools but having so much fun!
Aunt Amy always has treat bags and snacks ready for my kids in an instance and is always available for some fun. Lucky kids!
{FOUR}
Y’all I cannot believe it but my little Dutch Buddy will be celebrating his 1st birthday tomorrow! I really did not realize how much this little guy was going to add to my life but he has been with us since August and I can’t imagine our house without him.
Hoping to celebrate tonight with a little doggy cake. Pinterest of course has tons of cake recipes and this post by Irresistible Pets had several recipes to choose from. Can’t wait to celebrate!
{FIVE}
I ran across this yesterday and it really stuck with me.
I am overwhelmed by the support and love people have shown us this week. My sweet boy has had some struggles this past month and there have definitely been many people who have chosen to “celebrate” his failure over all the success he has had and some even directly to me. We don’t really understand some times what lesson God has in store for us but we know his plan is perfect and this is just another part of the journey. I am grateful today for all of you who have prayed for us and celebrated with us as you definitely have drowned out those people who chose not to.
We would love some extra prayers for safe travels and can’t wait to share our adventure! If you would like to follow along hop on over to Instagram.
Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!
Visit my contact page to find all the fun places I may be linking up!
Safe trip and prayers lifted to you and your family. Happy Birthday to your pup – will give my pups extra treats today in honor of him! Enjoy!
What!?! No way!! That is awesome!! You must be so proud!!! Go Astros! (Well, Go Mariners…..and then, Go Astros!). 😉 Have a great weekend!
I know right?!! Still feels kind of unreal. Have a super weekend.
Congratulations to you all on your son getting drafted!! That's awesome! And those car games totally brought me back to our family road trips growing up 🙂
Thank you! We didn't travel much when I was growing up so I have so much fun dragging my brood around! Have a great weekend.
OH my goodness how sweet is that puppy?!
Have a safe road trip and congrats to Riley!!
Thank you! Have a super weekend.
OK, first off, I am super excited for your family about Riley's draft—how awesome! I've loved following along with all your pics this week too! I had that same exact BINGO car game when I was growing up too—I'll have to ask my sister if she kept it 🙂 Now to the real essence of my needing to comment—I can totally relate to Carly Jo and her friend's excitement of the little ketchup bottle!!!! I still feel the same way and usually ask for a second so that I can bring it home. {insert I'm not ashamed at all emoji face} Have a great weekend Shelly!
Ok, so I'm new to your blog {Thanks, September Farm linkup! :)} So I assume Riley is your son…? That is so awesome about him getting drafted! Congratulation to him and your family! Such exciting times and news! I love that app you shared for the license plates! My husband and I always play that game and it'd be really cool to keep track of! Happy Friday!
Hi Katie! Yes….Riley is my son. 🙂 We are super excited! Definitely download the app…I'm just a tad competitive and probably have more fun than my kids with this one! Have a great weekend.
Found you through some other blogs I read, and I just love your blog! Since I'm slightly OCD, I started at the beginning…LOL. I appreciate your heart and the personal stories you've shared. And of course, love the fashion! Congrats to your son, and have a safe trip!
Thank you Anne that is so sweet!
I have wondered all week how Riley did in the draft and I am SO HAPPY for him and all of you! What an exciting time in his life!! and yours too! Cant imagine anyone NOT being happy for such a fine young man! Enjoy the road trip and I will look forward to seeing your IG posts with great pleasure!!! Have a safe trip and lots of fun and memories!!! Go TCU!!!
Thank you Kim! Have a super weekend!
Safe travels to your family! I am so excited for Riley's success. That is such a big deal, and I know you must be so proud of him!!! Have a fun weekend. 🙂
Thank you Tanya! We are super excited. Have a great weekend.
I haven't been around here long, but that's your son who got drafted by the Astros?! Wow, congrats to him (and you deserve some credit too, for raising him, of course)! Your pup is sooo cute! And I'm sorry some people are being the opposite of supportive. 🙁
Yes mam…that is my son. 🙂 My Dutch Buddy is the sweetest….can't wait to celebrate his birthday. Have a great weekend Mattie!
Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!! How exciting — you must be beyond proud. Our oldest played his first year of Little League this year and that alone filled me with so much joy to watch. I can't even imagine how much seeing your son get drafted would make your heart want to burst. I mean, come on. So wonderful!!!!!
Thank you Becky! We are very excited for Riley. It really does seem like yesterday I was watching him play little league. Enjoy every moment and always stress to him that having fun is the most important.
You know I LOVE a good road trip! And as much as I will miss you while you are gone, please try to stay a while and bring home a National Chamlionship!!! Can't wait to celebrate Dutch Buddy. I've got a fun Pinterest fail to share with him! Hehe!
I read your blog every day, but usually never comment. I just wanted to say congratulations to your son and your whole family! I was paying close attention to the draft to see when a Riley from TCU when get drafted. Good Luck to TCU this weekend!!
Thank you so much for reading along! It has been an exciting time for our family!
We leave Sunday and hope to run into y'all (again) at the CWS! Even my Jessica is thinking about catching a game to try and see "Riley Ferrell!" I cannot imagine how stressful life is with all of your talented kiddos. Know that you inspire many of us…so much. I open your blog every day hoping that you have a new post! Love and prayers from the DS Riley (and huge Astros!!!) Fan Club!
It is crazy and stressful but knowing they love it so much makes it worth it. I'm hoping to just soak up this last trip to the CWS. Praying God gives Riley a clear mind and surrounds him with confidence. I've been a little behind with the blog but hopefully my mind will be clear again soon! Thanks for following along and being so kind! We are grateful Austin is such a loyal follower!
AWESOME news, Shelly!!!!! 🙂 Congratulations to your son! Hope you all are having a great weekend!
Add 5 more cheerleaders (ehm, yell leaders) for those Frogs! Excited to tag along on this journey and so excited for you all! And that picture of him in the Astros uniform – perfect. MLB Hall of Fame worthy! 🙂
I have loved following Riley's story and sharing it with AJ!!!