What I'm Reading: January 2018

This might possibly be my favorite post yet!  I LOVE reading!  It is something I have always enjoyed and I definitely made it a priority this past year!  I recently discovered Goodreads (I have no idea how I didn't know about their existence earlier) and I've been tracking my January books there.  I'm kinda bummed I didn't start logging my books from the beginning of 2017 because I read over 70 books last year!

Before I talk about the books I read this month, I want to share my two very favorite books from 2017: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover and Night Road by Kristin Hannah.

I think I was in mourning when It Ends With Us actually ended.  I love when I get so into a book that it actually makes it hard to move on and find a new one to read.  This was definitely that kind of a book.  If you haven't read it, go now and check it out from the library!  I'm also positive that I have now read all of Colleen Hoover's books and I don't think I've found one that I didn't enjoy.  

Night Road by Kristin Hannah had me in tears the majority of the book.  This one got my mama heart hard.  Definitely be prepared with lots of tissues and warn your children in advance that they will be getting a lot of hugs as you're reading.  I remember I used to go into my girls' room after I got done reading for the night and I would just sob as I rocked them.  It is that kind of book.  I read quite a few others by Kristin Hannah and they all elicit lots of tears.

Alright now that we've taken that little trip down memory lane, it's time to move onto 2018!  I read 8 books this past month and actually started the 9th but didn't finish so it'll have to wait until February!  I'm not very good about writing summaries without giving anything away so I am going to rank the books I read in order from boring ------> you have to get this book immediately!  

Secrets in Summer was not the first book I read this year but it was after a Diane Chamberlain book and I always like to balance out heavy, intense books with something a little lighter.  I have never been to Nantucket but Nancy Thayer usually makes me want to plan a trip with her easy reads.  In my opinion, Secrets in Summer, was a little slow to go anywhere and I felt like the same scenario kept repeating itself.  Definitely not my favorite from her.

Breakwater Bay was just ok, as well.  I don't think I've ever read anything by this author and I was just eh after I finished reading.  I was able to get through it fine but I was hoping it would end quickly and I could move onto a new one.  

Heat Wave by Nancy Thayer was a cute, easy book to read.  It had some twists that I definitely did not expect.  Again, this book was based on Nantucket and the main character was very likable.  I would check out this one over Secrets in Summer, for sure!

I also read two Elin Hilderbrand books this month.  I first got hooked on her books when I read Winter Street a few years back.  The Quinn Family won me over and Elin has released a new book in the series every year.  She surprised readers with writing the fourth and final in the series: Winter Solstice.  I felt like it was shorter than her other books but it did a nice job of tying everything up and you walked away feeling like all questions had been answered.  You definitely need to read the Winter Series in order though because they each build on the one before.  

I also made it through one of her newest releases, The Identicals, which I spent quite a few months on the wait list at the library for.  It was a typical Elin Hilderbrand book (which are very similar to Nancy Thayer) and I would recommend. 

I like all kinds of books and I've heard great things about The Breakdown so I decided to give it a try.  This book kept me guessing the entire time and I never saw the ending coming.  I actually struggled to fall asleep one night after reading a few chapters because it had me kind of spooked.  I would probably recommend reading it in the sunlight and not when you are home alone, but I really enjoyed it!

Last but not least, my very favorite books this month though were by Diane Chamberlain.  I read one of her books last year and then kind of forgot about her.  If you haven't noticed, once I find an author I like, I tend to stick to their books until I work my way through them.  I just hate reading books that I don't enjoy or can't wait to end, so I like to stick with what I know will be good.  I read a lot of different books but you will definitely see repeated authors probably every month. The Silent Sister and Pretending to Dance were excellent and I'm still thinking about how good they were and how I wish the story went on longer.  I'm on the wait list for another one of hers and I can't wait to get it!

Those were the eight books I read this month (plus two from last year) so 10 books in total to go check out!  PLEASE send me any book suggestions for next month!  I love hearing what other people are enjoying!

Also, if you want to see what I'm reading before I do my monthly reviews, check me out on Goodreads -----> here.

xo,

Kylie

Life Lately

Hi Friends!  It has been so quiet around here because this...

and this...

Goodness I cannot wait for spring!  Indiana has actually had fairly warm weather these past few days and the sun is currently shining through my windows BUT tomorrow it is supposed to snow...again...and it kind of makes me want to cry.  I am all for snow until Christmas and then I just want to skip straight to summer and lake season!  Anyone else?

Throwback above to my babies at the lake a few years ago!  Ahh I can hardly wait to see those cute booties in a bikini again this summer!  This picture gives me all the feels...and now I must go find matching monogram swimsuits for them (sorry Tommy)!

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Aside from the cold, dark, long January days, we have also been battling nonstop double ear infections with Teagen.  She has basically had an ear infection since October and she finally got a consultation with the ENT Doctors last week and her tubes are scheduled for this upcoming Friday!  I'm a worrier by nature and it drives my husband insane but these tubes are really getting to me.  I know it is a procedure that is so common but when they had to discuss the risks/complications with me, I about freaked out.  I am just praying hard that they are successful and Teagen gets some much needed relief.  If you have a moment, any extra prayers sent her way for Friday would make this mama very thankful!  Side note: I do realize that the doctors office looks super creepy and like something out of a horror movie; however, I swear they are legit (but they definitely might want to consider redecorating)!

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We have also been dealing with Kenna Ann and her bedtime routine.  She transitioned into a big girl bed when we moved into our new house so she had just turned 2 a few months prior.  She never knew she could get out of her bed unless Tommy and I were there with her and it.was.glorious.  This went on for at least a year and I would hear other moms talk about how their kids would come into their room 5x a night and I would just be so happy that Kenna didn't know any better. Well, that joy has since changed.  Over the holidays, my darling husband decided that it would be fun to teach Kenna how to get out of her bed on her own...and as I'm sure you can imagine, it was the worst choice he has ever made!  She just creeps around the house now and I seriously never know where I will find her.  One morning at 4:28 AM I found her breathing next to my face and I woke up screaming.  Another time I heard a noise downstairs around 6 AM, and I walked into the kitchen and she was sitting on the counter eating puppy chow.  I dread bedtime now because I know it is going to be a battle to actually coninve her to stay in her bed.  What are some ways that you use to keep your kids in bed?  The one upside now is that she stays dry all night long because she gets up so many times to "use the bathroom" during the night, but I still am just worried about her safety and I also like a full nights sleep without fearing that she is going to be starring at me when I wake up.  I found this Toddler Monitor on Instagram and I am seriously considering it.  I'm sure it'll probably go off multiple times at night but I will at least know when she has left her room so I can go find her.  My biggest fear is that she will escape out of the house (because if any 3 year old could manage how to unlock all the doors, it would be this girl) and we wouldn't know until she was already lost.  The Toddler Monitor is currently having a flash sale of 20% off and free shipping (use code FLASH) so I think now is the time to purchase!  I will keep you updated (and fingers crossed that it works)!

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One exciting thing is that we booked our mini spring break getaway last week!  My husband and I do not have the same spring breaks (which is definitely a bummer) so we always have to plan just a long weekend to go somewhere.  Last year we took the girls to Cincinnati and we seriously had the best time.  We visited the Newport Aquarium, Great Wolf Lodge, and The Cincinnati Zoo and we enjoyed every second of it.  We just decided to repeat our trip again this year because I doubt the girls really remember a lot of it and I can't wait!  While I would like to be in Florida, sipping on a margarita and eating conch fritters, this is kinda the next best thing...kinda! 

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Tommy and I also managed a date night this weekend and it was the first one in I can't even tell you how long.  We used some gift cards from Christmas and it was a great (and cheap) time!  I'm already dreaming of going back to DeBrands to get that dessert again! Yum!  We also got a Redbox and I would HIGHLY recommend Thank You For Your Service.  It's usually a pretty high chance that I fall asleep during movies, but I was so into it that my eyes never even drifted closed.  It was heartbreaking and definitely opened my eyes to what our Veterans go through when they come back from war.

That is pretty much what has been going on in the Baldwin Home lately.  Make sure to come back on Wednesday because I'm going to be talking about the 8 books I read this month and there are some great ones on the list!  

Have a great night!  Only 5 more days until Friday (but who's counting)!

xo,

Kylie 

Kitchen Bar Update

We built a new house a little over a year ago and one of my favorite things since moving in is adding personal touches throughout.  We really didn't upgrade a lot of cosmetic items when building because we knew that we could do it ourselves after we moved in and save a ton of money.

A few months ago I was wandering (typical) around Hobby Lobby and came across these faux wood vinyl panels.  I wasn't quite sure what I would do with them at the time, but I picked them up because they were on sale and figured I would find something to put them on.  To be honest, they sat in the trunk of my car for at least a month before I brought them inside with the thought that I would put them on our kitchen bar.  I finally decided to tackle the project over winter break and I am so excited with how it turned out!

I thought it would be a two person job, but after getting started, I only needed another hand a few times.  The panels were a little long for our bar, but I just cut the last piece that touched the wall because I figured a shorter panel would be less noticeable on that side.  I also realized about halfway through that I was going to need to cut the last set of panels in half, so I should have started at the bottom and worked my way up, but I didn't, and I don't think it is super noticeable.  I also ended up about 4 panels short so I had to go buy a second box but it still only cost me under $40 and a couple of hours to complete.  

bar stools l faux wood vinyl panels

Fun Fact: If you hover over any of my pictures, the Pinterest button will pop up and you can easily save it to one of your boards for future reference!  

I just love the finished project and it was seriously so easy and cheap that I'm trying to think of other places to put it!  I have so many more house ideas that I want to tackle and I just need to pick one and put Tommy to work!  I'll keep you updated!

xo,

Kylie

My Girls

Being a mom is a hard job.  This world can be so scary and all I can do is pray hard that my babies will be safe and happy and kind.  That they will go out into this world and be good and faithful servants.  Sometimes I have the hardest time believing that God actually gave me these beautiful baby girls.  I definitely don't deserve them and I will never know why He choose me to be their Mama.  They are truly everything I ever wanted and prayed for and that thought brings me to tears almost daily.  They are so beautiful and kind and precious and I just don't know how I lived my life before them.  Let me be honest though...they exhaust me...like sometimes I'm counting down the minutes until bedtime. But they also give me a joy that I never even knew was possible.  I am unworthy of them, that is for sure, but I will forever be grateful that they are mine. 

When I was browsing Instagram one day before Christmas, I came across this wall hanging and immediately purchased it.  This is exactly how I want my girls to live.  These words just spoke to me and I couldn't have said it better myself for what I want my girls to remember as they are growing up.  

wall hanging

So go out and move mountains, sweet girls.  You are so deeply loved.

And just because I feel like crying some more today, let's take a trip down memory lane...

Kenna - Newborn

Kenna - 6 Months

Family Photos - Summer 2015

Kenna - 1 Year

Teagen's Maternity Photos

Teagen - 1 Day Old

Teagen - Newborn

Family Photos - Summer 2016

Kenna - 2 Years

Teagen - 6 Months

Teagen - 1 Year / Kenna - 3 Years

Christmas Card Pictures - December 2017

Excuse me while I sob into my coffee!  Why don't they stay that little?  These pictures are giving me major baby fever!  I think a little boy would look pretty cute in between those sweet girls!  ;)

Happy Monday!

xo,

Kylie