Happy WHAT’S UP WEDNESDAY, friends!
If you’re here for our weekly WELLNESS WEDNESDAY, no worries, I’ve sprinkled in a little WORKOUTS IN A WEEK in today’s post too 🙂 .
Speaking of which, I was thinking about you guys on Saturday morning. I typically don’t go to my neighborhood Starbucks on Saturday mornings, but this last weekend, I was up early driving to Arlington to see my grandmother and stopped by on my way. It was about 7:30 AM and as I was getting my coffee, a big group of runners were sitting on the patio. The group had at least 30 people in it. You could tell they had all finished running and were enjoying coffee and goodies with each other after. I watched them a bit through the window, and it just made me SMILE. There were men and women and people of all ages and it was such a clear and perfect example of COMMUNITY.
I have these little convos in my head when I want to tell you guys something and at that moment, I was having such a conversation. I just loved that on Saturday morning, this eclectic bunch of people were together having community. It made my heart full. Community is such a special thing.
Okay, as always, on the last Wednesday of every month, Sheaffer and I host this little linky party where we share what’s going on with us right now. It’s a little food, a little family, a little what we’re wearing, a little what we’re doing, a little what we’re watching and a little bit of everything else all in one post.
Happy last Wednesday in April!
I shared this recipe in my DAY IN THE LIFE earlier this week…
…but if you need a quick and easy meal, try my EASY BAKED MEATBALLS. I often make them earlier in the day and then keep them warm in the slow cooker until we’re ready to eat. This also makes it handy on those nights when we eat in shifts. It’s a go-to recipe around here!
I shared this on Instagram on Monday, but we are officially transitioning from all the “firsts” in our family to all the “lasts”.
On Monday, Mades had her last field trip of the school year which made it my last elementary school field trip EVER.
It feels like just yesterday that we were on Kensington’s very first elementary school field trip to the pumpkin patch.
After 12 years of going to the zoo, the museum, art gallery, theater, aquarium, and so many other destinations with with my kids and their classes, we are done.
It went by so so fast, friends.
Mades had an elective this year where you studied history through the American Girl stories, so for their field trip, we visited the American Girl store in Dallas. It was such a sweet day with my last little elementary student.
You guys, I’m telling you…
I told you that when I bought them last summer and then reminded you of that several times since, but after putting them on again last week on Nantucket, I ordered me another pair for McKinney…
…on Nantucket, I have navy, so I bought black for McKinney. THESE LEGGINGS come in many other colors too. I am going to make a bold statement right here…but in my opinion, they are BETTER than Lulu or Athleta. Yup. I said it. And they’re a fraction of the price. They’re buttery soft, have pockets, have a great stretch (but not too stretchy where they get baggy).
All sorts of sweet spring things…
…spring football has started! We had our first of three spring scrimmages last Thursday before the spring game in May.
After several months of not having football, it’s always nice to get a taste of it this time of year. We sure love that #75.
A coffee date with my favorite middle schooler is always a fun way to start the day 🙂 .
Mades and I met my parents in their town on Friday for lunch. I have LOVED having this girl at home with me on Fridays over the last two school years. Next year, she’ll be in the 6th grade and this sweet season will be over with, but goodness, I have enjoyed it so so much.
Kensington and I have been counting down since about November…
…and we were SO EXCITED to go see the new Michael movie with Ebby Lee on Friday night. We were downright GIDDY!
Now you know that I grew up OBSESSED with Michael Jackson. He was my Taylor Swift a la 1994. And I’ve shared before that one time I accidentally saw him in person in an alley in Downtown Disney when I was twelve. It was just my dad and me and Michael Jackson with a small entourage (about five or six people) in an alley behind a store (he was leaving the store, I was using a pay phone to call my friend Lynsey to tell her that I just saw Michael Jackson in said store…and then he came out the backdoor where I was standing). He had on those famous cropped black pants with bright pink socks and black shoes. I remember is so clearly because HE WAS MY TAYLOR SWIFT.
If you grew up loving the music and the dancing too, this movie is such a fun two hours.
On Saturday night, Andrew and Smith had plans, Kensington had plans, Mades had plans and that left Ashby and me. She asked me if we could go to The Yard with two of her sweet friends. I said YES, YES and proceeded to have the sweetest night with these girls…
…we ate outside (it was gorgeous), we played a million rounds of different trivia games, Heads Up, and cards. These three girls had me laughing all night long. After dinner, we got cookies and then they all came back to our house. It was the best night with the best middle schoolers…
…they gave me a silly face on our way out. Sweet night with sweet girls.
Speaking of which…
…Andrew took Ashby and her bestie Addie to see the Yankees play the Texas Rangers on Monday night…
…they all went with this guy here. This is Art, and he’s one of our beloved neighbors. He’s from New York and a huge Yankees fan…AND he is also a former baseball player himself. He played in the minor league for the Dodgers back in the day. His house is between ours and Addie’s, so the four neighbors all went together to see the game.
They all stayed up way too late and had way too much fun watching a team I really don’t like. Make that two teams I really don’t like.
It’s almost MAY! I have nothing but happy vibes right now.
I always get excited to share WELLNESS WEDNESDAY with you, so today, I’m adding a bit of that into this post with…my latest edition of WORKOUTS IN A WEEK!
Here’s the deal about me (this is me…I’m not saying this needs to be you)…I have learned that I operate so much better when I just workout every day. For DECADES (two of which documented here, so you know this to be true), I had workout days and “off” days, and if I’m being honest, that messed with my head. I am such a routine person. I am someone who loves to find daily routines to savor and enjoy (rituals!) that having workout days and non-workout days just kind of messed up every day. The inconsistency made my workout days less fun and then also made my non-workout days feel like I was missing out on something.
A few years ago, I just decided to workout every day. Period.
If I workout every day then I don’t have to dread “workout days” or change things for “workout days” or over-think “workout days” or beat myself up when I skip “workout days”. That was a lot of silly nonsense in my head. Now, working out (or as I like to refer to it…being active) is just a natural part of every single day.
The re-frame absolutely made a big difference for me.
There are some days that I’m not active (for instance, if I’m getting up at 3:00 AM for a flight, I am not working out), but most of the days of the year, I do.
What I do each week varies but at the same time, it’s pretty consistent. I *aim* for four days of lifting weights, one day of yoga, a day of something that gets my heartrate up, and then a day of walking and recharging. That’s my *typical* goal each week. I only allow myself 40 to 60 minutes depending on the day.
Here’s what I’ve done over the last week…
WEDNESDAY:
I went to an early morning hot yoga class. The temp gets up to around 110, and I love it. I started doing yoga 25 years ago, and it was an immediate love affair. I walked the Charlie and Yankee that day too…
THURSDAY:
I went for a three mile run followed by…
…a one mile really brisk walk with Charlie.
FRIDAY:
It was bicep and back day in my gym…
…and then I walked with my weighted vest.
SATURDAY:
This is me post-three mile run.
SUNDAY:
Early morning leg day at the gym! After that…
…a before church walk with the dog.
MONDAY:
Here I am headed to a heated strength training class. I wear my eye patches every morning on my way to workout. Ha! It kills two birds with one stone. This class is 60 minutes of torture, but I love it! It’s gets up to about 100 degrees, and we do a mix of weights and cardio. It’s a killer!
TUESDAY:
Early morning walk with my neighbor and friend Lauren! We walked 3 miles and even stopped to get her Starbucks along the way. This day is all about recharging and enjoying the time outside and the company.
And those were my workouts in a week 😉 .
My APRIL BOOK REVIEW is coming up!
In the meantime…
…I hope you’ll join us for our MAY BOOK CLUB! I am so so excited to be reading Mad Mabel by one of my very very favorite authors!
ON REPEAT!
A whole big smorgasbord…
You know I always say it, but Target has the BEST PJS EVER! Truly, they are so so good!
TENNIS SKIRT + GAUZE SHIRT on repeat
TANK + SKIRT + HEELS (I love this skirt! It comes in five other colors)
CROCHET TANK + JEANS + SANDALS
BEACH SWEATER + SHORTS + SANDALS
We are celebrating…
…CATHERINE!
Today is my sweet sister-in-law’s birthday, and we are celebrating her BIG this weekend (as it’s a BIG birthday!).
The Shulls cannot wait to celebrate this special lady.
IT’S ALMOST MAY!
May makes me giddy.
School ends in May.
The weather is gorgeous in May.
Being outside is extra good in May.
I cannot wait for MAY!
And that’s this month’s WHAT’S UP WEDNESDAY!
If you blogged along with us today, please link up below.
Have a wonderful day, friends! I’ll see you back here tomorrow! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
I always these monthly recaps! Your workouts always give me such great ideas too!
Have a great day!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Ruth says
Haha! I think we’re all obsessed with Michael Jackson all over again. What a fantastic movie!
Morgyn says
Happy birthday to Catherine! She’s so gorgeous. A natural beauty. Very youthful looking. How fortunate for you to have such a sweet SIL.
josie says
Where will madeley go to school next year? will she follow in ashby’s path and join her? I’m sure it would be so fun for them to be at the same school next year!
Mix and Match Mama says
Mades goes from elementary to middle school in 6th grade, and Ashby’s school is only for 7th and 8th graders.
Sheaffer says
You know what would be fun? I need to go on a 3 mile run and take a picture of myself after I’m done. Then we need to put the picture of my face next to the picture of your face. I bet they would look different. (But listen, we both know that this will never happen, because I won’t be going on a 3 mile run.)
Mix and Match Mama says
I actually cackled. Bahahaha!
Emily says
Wow, so much goodness in today’s post!!
That American Girl elective class sounds like something I would have LOVED in elementary school!
Brown says
What size do you wear in the leggings?
Mix and Match Mama says
xs! They are fabulous!
Paula Hobbs says
That picture of you and Smith in the green is my all time FAV!!! Happy, happy, happy Birthday, Catherine!!! I hope you guys have the BEST time celebrating her!
Meredith says
I love the way you explained your theory for working out everyday. I am the exact same way, and sometimes feel like I’m crazy for it, The way you put it makes so much sense!
lee ann vicary says
As a grandma I can tell you it may not be your last field trip. A couple of years ago my daughter and son-in-law were busy and I got to take off work to do a field trip with my granddaughters class. (I wasn’t the only grandma either) Littles want someone that’s “theirs” on their field trips and when mom or dad couldn’t go my daughter asked if I’d mind taking off work to go to the park and to a pizza place where the kids got to all make their own pizzas. I loved it and managed to be an extra grandma for a few kids in her class that didn’t have someone. It was even more fun that when I went with my daughter. Hopefully you will get to do this too. In the far distant future!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwww! Well that’s a very sweet thing for me to hope for in the future. xx
Marian says
I am not a grandma yet (hopefully not for a while!) but I have 3 grown children and I was going to say the same thing! I hope to be around and available to do field trips when needed!
Lisa D says
I love how you “re-framed” your workouts to “being active” every day. Perhaps you could somehow reframe the way you think about “the lasts” that are coming up? If I put everything as “this is the last time we’ll do…” I’d be bawling my eyes out all the time! You seem like a sentimental lady and all those “lasts” could have you in an emotional heap. Our job as mothers is to give our kids wings to fly! All that to say, I get it.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love the reframe! Thank YOU for sharing, Lisa. xx
SS says
Shay, so much to say!!! It was fun reading this.
I was a big Michael Jackson fan (which in turn has rubbed off on our kiddo). About 5 yrs ago we bought the Michael Jackson Just Dance game for the Wii…if you still have a Wii see if you can find that game….I think we found it on Ebay. It is so much fun…different hits from different eras that you get to dance too. We play it, have so much fun and just laugh, especially trying to do the lean. I never saw him, but my Aunt did in concert and got us a Tshirt. We also loved Prince at that time. So when we went to visit my Gram in Minnesota we asked her to take us to Lake Minnetonka…we were sure he was going to be there. If you have seen Purple Rain…you know!!
Thanks for sharing your neighbor’s baseball story. My grampa was quite the player back in the day as well and tried out, but his family needed him to farm. He was an umpire for little league for some players who went pro. One he remembers is Dave Rozema…Tigers.
Have fun with all the end of school year stuff!!! I can’t believe you will have a Sr already!!! I mean geesh…time goes so fast. Have a fun weekend wish your sister-in-law a Happy Birthday!!!
Amber says
I agree on the working out everyday versus some days. I’m still working on that discipline and I so wish I was born a morning person but when I wake up and workout early, the whole day is so much better! Working towards making that an everyday habit versus a few day habit.
I’m sure you have shared this in many other posts but what is the workout tank you are wearing?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes and yes! Okay, which tank?
Melissa says
If you’re going out links, those pink shorts are adorable. 😉 I’m scrolling through your comments to see if anyone else has requested the link.
Mix and Match Mama says
On today’s Friday Faves!
Amber says
The workout ones from your run and the white one please, assuming they are the same in different colors but I could be wrong!
Mix and Match Mama says
They are on today’s Friday Faves!! I had so many requests for these, that I included them today.
Alison says
Madeley’s history class and field trip sound like such a fun way to learn! I’d love a post on fun and easy ways to support your artsy child! My daughter is really into crafting and that is not my gift. I keep tossing her packs of construction paper, but I’d love some fun ideas to encourage her passion if you/Madeley have any to share!
Mix and Match Mama says
Crafting is not my gift either…I need to read someone’s else post on the subject. I do my best, but I am just not a crafty creative person.
Julie says
I didnt know AG did something like that. How fun!
K.K. says
I love the Michael Jackson story!! I think I’m going to have to see this movie!!
Heather says
How do you get your eye patches to stay in place? I ordered the same ones you have and they just immediately slide down my cheeks. 🙁
And then I recently started using these with the cracked heel lotion and they are an absolute game changer! After the first night I used them, I thought of you because of how much better they make the cracked heel lotion work: https://www.scheels.com/p/81967702644?queryID=5018b694533a638e
Mix and Match Mama says
Are you applying them after moisturizing? I’m applying them to my dry face and they stay in place!
Marian says
With all your talk about “hot” activities at the gym all I can think of is the scene in Landman where the mom (played by Ali Larter) slips the guy at the front desk of their gym a bribe so that he will turn the heat up – she and her daughter sweat like crazy on the stairmaster!!! Great show by the way if you have not seen it.
Mix and Match Mama says
Bahahaha! I have totally seen that!
Lauren Palmer says
I love that Art made theh M&MM blog! Also, thanks for letting me get Starbucks on our walk yesterday. 🤣☕️🏃🏼♀️
Mix and Match Mama says
He’s such a fun neighbor…YOU ARE TOO! xx
Sarah M says
I sooooo feel the comment about working out everyday and it mattering.
I go to a heated workout class almost everyday and it’s become my routine. I savor it and look forward to it! We have different class offerings each day but I can only attend 6am to make it to work on time, so I am basically forced to go to whatever that offering is. For some reason, the lower body lifting class is TOUGH for me mentally and I have had a tendency the last few months to skip. Well- I am noticing that Tuesdays when I skip class, I am having harder days than normal. Work is slow and sluggish, mood is different, etc. and I am totally attributing it to the fact I got out of my routine, didn’t get up and seize the day, and didn’t move my body! I never wanted to face that, but I think I just did and I need to push myself to be better 😉 now, it’s getting warmer in South Dakota, so a walk and something else might just do the trick but man! It feels like a motivator to hear you say that you notice the same thing and now me to actually admit it! Thank you thank you!!
Kara says
Totally agree… those leggings truly are the best!
Leslie says
Do you happen to have a link for your Red Sox sweatshirt?
Mix and Match Mama says
I bought it a few years ago at the Jersey Street Store right there at Fenway Park!
Nicole says
This post gave me SO many happy ideas, I had to take notes on my phone. 😂🥰 Thanks!!
INSPO
NEVER say no again to a school thing. This season goes way too fast! These are the best days of your life! 🥹 Don’t miss it!
Idea: friend date night with the kids.
Playing cards.
Movie out, one on one.
Lunch date with my mom.
Walk with weighted vest.
Before church walk with Scott.
Funny also, because I’ve been dipping my toe back into running! It’s the spring season!! 😍🙌🏻
Mix and Match Mama says
I love this list SO SO MUCH, Nicole!! I’m so happy you shared it!
Marybeth says
Can you tell us more about our your cancer scare back in the day. Did you or did you not have cancer.
Mix and Match Mama says
I have blogged a lot about skin checks and why they’re important. I’ve had several yucky spots removed from my back, but thankfully, none of them have been melanoma. I’m a big big fan of skin checks!! You can read one of the posts here: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2015/07/another-post-on-skin-checks/. Get your skin checks!
Marybeth says
Oh thanks for that info. I agree skin checks are vital. However, I was specifically talking about the one blog post you did years ago … this one… I found a lump on my neck when I was 17 sitting in US History class…the doctors took me in for surgery and removed it along with all of my lymph nodes on my right side and a ton of tissue. It was a really scary time. They severed all of the nerves on the right side of my neck and thus, I have no feeling on the right side of my neck, cheek and jaw. It’s been 13 years, so I hardly think about it any more but if you were to touch my right cheek, I wouldn’t feel a thing. I was healed. The Lord blessed me and healed me…I don’t know why. Some people are healed before the storm (like me), some people have to travel through the storm and come out on the other side, and some people, are called home to Heaven during the storm. I didn’t have to undergo chemo or radiation and for that, I’m grateful. Five months after I was healed, my 65 year old grandfather died of the exact same kind of cancer, lymphoma.
So, did you have lymphoma or no?
Thank you so much! 😊
Mix and Match Mama says
I think my post answers your question 🙂 . I did not have to travel through the storm.
Libby says
I’m so shocked to see so many people supporting and loving the Michael Jackson movie. Especially as Christians, to support someone who was a known child predator is a bit shocking. I understand people love his music and he did make great music, but he was a terrible human being whom is being glamorized. I truly don’t want this to come across his mean snarky comment, but I just feel like so many Christians put their faith aside when it comes to popular culture. You promote a beautiful family focused blog and it is such an encouragement to others, I just think that as Christians we need to be careful about what we are normalizing.