high five for friday

1. I have sworn my whole adult life that I would never own a mini-van.  EVER.  For the last four years Chris has told me I would change my mind, and I swore up and down that he was wrong.  I would not give in.  We've talked about Subaru Outbacks, Honda Pilots- basically larger SUVs as my next "family" car.  Well I'm eating my words now.  For the first time this week I admited that I see the value and practicality of a mini-van.
Here's the conversation that changed my mind: a friend was talking about the hassle of finding a place to park their large suburban so that she could have enough space to open both back doors to get kids in and out of car seats.  She talked about with a mini-van you can park anywhere and you don't have large doors that swing out.  The automatic door close feature is pretty sweet too.  Is it weird that I'm using the word sweet to describe a mini-van?
We don't need one now, but in a couple years when we're thinking about kid #3, having the extra seats for all the kids and their friends will be a plus.  So I introduce to you my new dream car: Honda Odyssey- with a sun roof.

2.  I am not a fan of guns.  But I married a man who had two.  So now by default I am a gun owner.  I don't particularly like that fact, but it is what it is.  Now with a little one running around the house and opening drawers we have been talking about a way to "lock" up the gun yet still have it accessible in the event of an emergency.  Read between the lines: I told Chris he needed to ask for a small gun safe for Christmas.  My parents drove down last week and brought back all our Christmas presents since we couldn't fly home with them very easily.  So this week Chris and I have been working to gun-safe our home.  Although this isn't the exact model that we have...it is pretty close.  It is basically a small safe that can fit in a drawer with an electronic lock.

So again I'm not a fan of guns, but if some creep decides he wants to make my home a target- Mama Bear will not hesitate to open that drawer and protect her babies.  And yes, I do know how to use it...

3.  I decided this week that I like oatmeal if it has enough maple syrup on it.  I'm trying to cut down on the processed cereal I eat.  One because it is processed and two because it is a bit on the expensive side.  Oatmeal is a healthy and CHEAP alternative.  (I buy organic oats from the DeKalb Farmers Market for next to nothing.  Seriously that 1/2 gallon jar costs less than $2)  When I was having trouble with my milk supply and having trouble nursing Phoebe after she was born I tried EVERY trick in the book to increase my milk supply.  Eating oatmeal was one of them.  I hated it, but with enough brown sugar (which completely negated any health benefit) I could stomach it.  Maple syrup is a natural sweetener, which makes it a much better option than brown sugar.  And it is pretty good on oatmeal too :)

4.  I am LOVING this new shelf/coat rack that my Dad made for us and put up last weekend.  The highlight of my week just might be hanging my coat and purse on it when we get home.  (More on the shelf next week...)

5. Today marks day #1 of the RUF Wives Retreat.  I love this weekend!  Basically all the RUF wives leave the kids at home with the husband (ok some women do bring nursing babies, but not me) for the weekend and head to Atlanta.  It is a great time to connect with other wives who "get" what it means to be married to college minister and can completely relate to both the joys and struggles.  It is always filled with great teaching, great fellowship, and great fun.  This year the main speaker is Paige Benton Brown.  If you are familiar with reformed PCA circles you have probably heard of her.  We refer her article Singled out for God to college and post-college single girls quite often.  It was written over 10 years ago, but it really is a great article about singleness and Christianity if you are interested.

Have a great weekend!

Linking up with Lauren 

A few of my favorite things...

Here are a few of my favorite things.  

These are mostly splurge items and special treats, but I love them!

1. Aveda- I really do love this company and their products.  I like their business model and commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability.  I exclusively use their make-up now (except for my mascara which is whatever Cover Girl or Maybelline is on-sale at Costco) and I use their lipstick. (It is not pictured because it stays in my purse.)  Not only do I love their make-up, but they also have a great rewards program.  I've been a Pure Privilege rewards member for almost 10 years now. It is a great deal there and there are lots of free samples, reward points that you can "cash" in for free products, as well as birthday gifts.  I think there might be a one time fee to join the program now, but it was free when I first joined- even better.  The foundation brush was my latest reward, and I must say I love it!  I had tried several Target brushes, but they always ended up shedding on me and I did not like the way the felt on my face.  

The Aveda hand relief is a special treat; it is not cheap.  But it is my favorite lotion in the winter time.  I love, love, love the smell and it makes my hands soft without feeling greasy.  And Good Housekeeping just rated it their #1 splurge hand cream in the Jan 2013 issue.

2. Burt's Bees Ultra Conditioning lip balm.  I am addicted to chapstick.  There is always at least one in my purse, one on my nightstand, one in my make-up bag, and one in my husbands pocket- just in case.  I like this ultra conditioning formula; it goes on easy and smooth.  I also appreciate this company's commitment to natural ingredients and social responsibility. 

3. Harry & David Pears.  If you've never had a Harry and David pear then you've never had a good pear.  Really.  They taste SO MUCH better than any pear I've ever had from a grocery store or market.  They are succulent, juicy, and full of flavor.  My family always bought boxes of pears around the holidays and Mom used to send me boxes if I couldn't come home for Christmas.  This year I bought a Living Social Deal for a box of pears and savored EVERY one.  These are super expensive, but honestly worth every penny for a holiday splurge.

4. Speciality Coffee Drinks.  Yum!  The fancier the name the better: Milky Way Latte, Spanish Mocha, Carmel Brulee Latte, you get the idea.  I do love Starbucks and probably end up there more frequently than not for my coffee splurges because it is just down the road, but I will say that for the most part I prefer the local coffee shops.  Back in DE at my parents house this past week I enjoyed a Milky Way Latte from Brew Ha-Ha.

5. Mani/Pedi.  My mom has spoiled me.  Whenever she's in town or I'm at home she treats me to a mani/pedi.  I love being pampered and really I think my hands and feet look so much prettier when my nails are painted.  And goodness knows, I can't paint my own...

I realize my nails look black in these pictures, but it is actually a really pretty deep eggplant color.

What are some of your favorite splurge items or treats?

And oh yeah, Katie is hosting another great group giveaway over at ...for Lauren and Lauren.  I'm giving away an Aveda hand lotion gift set.  You know you want to try some...

Linking up with Lauren for High Five for Friday