What Shall I Call This?

A blogging break?
The beginning of the end?
Time out?

It's been awhile folks, and it's going to be awhile. Life is full. My family is well, just busy. I think over four years of blogging has been a great run, but my heart isn't in it anymore. I'm struggling to find time to update my little slice of Internet Heaven. While I can't say this leave will be permanent,  it's how it's going to be right now. Thanks for hanging out, checking in and being on my journey with me.

And you never know, maybe I'll get the itch to blog again, and well, maybe not. So be it.

Smooches!

Liebster Award

I've been nominated by Stephanie over at Life, Unexpectedly for the Liebster Award. Cool, right?  I had to do a little research to find out what the award meant, but basically it's a way to acknowledge smaller blogs on the interwebz. That's me! So, Stephanie asked some questions of me, and I'm happy to participate! 

1. What's your favorite fruit?
I like just plain old bananas. I'm so boring, but they're without a doubt, my favorite.

2. Do you get your "5 a day" on a regular basis?
Does this mean fruits and veggies? Nope. I get one or two..maybe.

3. Sweet or savory?
Load on the sweet, baby. It's all I need in my life.

4. Do you have a lucky number?
It's so cliche to say "7" but I've always had a special place for 7s. I like 3, too.

5. What do you order at Starbucks?
I don't. I very rarely go to Starbucks. Give me a Sheetz. I like their frozen mochas or iced lattes with sugar free caramel & vanilla and skim.

6. Share your comfort food?
Ice Cream. I could eat it for every meal.

7. Have you filed for your taxes already?
Yes, and we filed Married but separate because that was going to give us the biggest return. Then there was an issue where we didn't get all of our money because of something with childcare and we had to redo our file and now we're expecting another check. 

8. What was the last thing you bought (except groceries)?
This morning I bought a French Vanilla Cappuccino from a local gas station. YUM!

9. What is your favorite animal and why?
Dogs. Except mine. But I really do love dogs because they're loyal and cuddly and make great best friends.

10. What is a color you would never wear?
I'm not a huge fan of the color red. I will wear it and have worn it, it's just not my favorite!

11. Are you happy with your name?
I mean, when you compare it with what my mom was going to name me (Autumn), Karen sounds drab and boring. I would have liked Autumn better! :)

Thursday Thoughts

**I need Spring, like, two weeks ago. I've already broken out the flip-flops, so get with the program, weather.

**I have been using the My Fitness Pal app for almost a week now, and while it's a pain to track all of your food, it really does help. I'm not snacking at night anymore and I'm more determined to work out so I can get some calories back!

**I'm heading to Atlantic City this weekend for a bachelorette party. I'm hoping to stay up past 11:00. It's been fun dress shopping and buying penis straws, though.

**I've heard the rota-virus has been making it's way around the toddler world again. Knock on wood that it misses mine.

Anything to share? Link up with Ramblings of a Suburban Mom!

WW: Family Shots

Book Review: Requiem

Author: Lauren Oliver
Age: YA
Format: Kindle 
Genre: Dystopian

Summary:
Lena is back the Wilds after saving Julian. The wilds are no longer safe, and Lena and her friends must find a look to join the resistance in order to find peace. Hana is still living in the city after her procedure and about to be married to the mayor. Only Hana remembers more than she should...

Since learning that Alex is alive, Lena has to learn to live with being in love with two boys, both who know her very differently.

Follow a story told from alternating perspectives of Hana and Lena. There are new characters, the fight for freedom from the "cure" and lots of action and dramatics.

Thoughts: 
I had such high hopes for this final book in the trilogy. I could not put it down. I loved that Alex was back and Lena had to deal with her emotions now that she was in love with Julian. I absolutely hated the ending and wanted to scream when it was over. I need closure, and there was none in this story. Very disappointing, but I would still recommend it to anyone who loved some YA dystopian!

Catch The Moment: April

Linking up with Nurse Loves Farmer and Simply Stavish with a couple moments that I caught with my camera over the last few weeks.

We had a 80th surprise birthday party for my Nana. She was in shock!

Weston at one of our many egg hunts from this past weekend.

The boys going through their loot!

Sunday Social

Thought I would do a quick link-up on this fine Easter morning! We've been busy all weekend with egg hunts and stuffing our faces, so there's not a lot of time for much else! :)
1. What is your favorite type of workout to do?  Anything that makes me move. I really like Jillian's kickboxing DVD. The workouts are exactly 20 minutes, it's constant moving and I feel great when I'm done!
2. What is your favorite guilty pleasure candy or sweet.  Two Words: Ice Cream. It's doesn't matter what kind really, but this is amazing:
3. What is one thing you continuously forget to do?  Remember where my keys are. Ask anyone, those things are lost all of the time. I continuously forget to keep them in the same place so I know where the are!
4. Do you prefer post-its or phone reminders? Post its. I can't get into using the phone for reminders yet...although I do...I just don't prefer it!
5. What is your favorite picture currently on your phone that always makes you smile. This was taken at Christmas and I have it as my main screen. I can't help but smile!

A Successful Construction Themed Birthday Party

We had Weston's 2nd birthday party last Sunday. You can see my original post here about what I was thinking about doing.

I ended up just going with a basic black & yellow theme {doubles as a Steelers theme, so WIN}. I actually had a hard time finding construction plates and cups, so it was easier to use a solid theme.

I did find a nice banner on Amazon. I didn't get any pictures of it hung.

We had a "build your own taco" bar. Get it, build? I used dump trucks for the chips.

My SIL made cake-pops, yum!

The cake was from a local grocery store.

It was a successful party and while I didn't go "all out" on the theme, I thought it was just right for Wes!