30 in 30: 12: Adopt a Zoo Animal

I learned along time ago that you could adopt animals from the zoo. And it always stuck with me. As a huge animal lover, I always thought it was such a nice way to give back. So when I was making my 30 in 30 list, this one was an automatic one for me. So in October I looked up both Fort Worth Zoo and Dallas Zoo to see which program I liked better. I went with Fort Worth. 

So here we are: 30 in 30: number 12: Adopt a Zoo Animal

When deciding which animal I wanted to adopt, I went to my sister and sister in laws for help. I sent a text with my top 8 animals I was considering and ask them to ask the kiddos which one they thought I should adopt. All of them sent back different answers! So I was back to square one. I picked the package that would send me a stuffed animal of the animal I chose and I knew I wanted it to go into Brody's room, for him to have. He already had an elephant, frog, and a giraffe at the time so I decided against them. I also didn't want to pick anything to girly for his room. So the flamingos were out!  

I grew up in Irving. And I was an Irving Toy Tiger for Irving High School. My mind kept going back to tigers. So I decided on a white tiger. They are beautiful and manly and there is something so peaceful about them. So I filled out the form, paid my money and waited for them to send me my adopted zoo animal. It is so cute how it comes. The box has holes around the sides so your "animal" can breathe. It came with a certificate of adoption, the zoo animal, 2 tickets to the zoo, a picture of your zoo animal and fun facts about your animal. 

At the checkout page, you can dedicate your adoption to someone or for something and I thought what better way then to dedicate to all the children in my life. So I added everyone's name and thought I was done. I got an email the following day saying she was going to try to get everyone's name on the certificate but she wasn't sure they would all fit. Luckily she was able to because it really meant a great deal to me that they were on there. 

So because they sent me free tickets to the zoo, I knew I wanted to wait till Brody was old enough to actually enjoy it. So last Friday we loaded up and went. I made my way to the white tiger and did my best to take a picture of him. Besides the penguins, he was the most popular animal there. Just so beautiful. 

I have yet to name the stuffed animal. Brody sleeps with him in his bed every night so I should figure out what to call him. 

You can help me with that!!! What do you think I should name him? Tell me your suggestions on names and I will pick the one I love the most. 

If you are interested in adopting your own zoo animal (it makes for a great birthday gift for a child or in honor of someone), please visit https://www.fortworthzoo.org/support/adoption/ to learn more about the programs and packages you can choose from. 

Loving

Dear Diary,

Every so often, I like to tell you about the things I just can't live without. A few products/items/things I use/eat/love on the daily. 

Let's check it out. 

Superhero shirt
I bought this shirt a few months back for Brody and I couldn't wait for him to wear it. And what better day to wear it then today. National Superhero Day. It is from Emerald Sky and you all know how much I love them! Head on over to their website for more products. Oh and I heard a rumor that tomorrow they are having a flash sale on something super awesome so follow them on instagram so you can find out what that is. 

Veggie Fries

I am huge french fry lover. Could eat french fries everyday. So when Bobby brought these home, I was a little hesitant. But OMG! They are amazing. Come in 4 different flavors (our favs are carrot and broccoli). They crisp up super nice and best thing, Brody devours them. He makes yummm sounds the whole time he eats them. Bonus: they are gluten free and packed full of veggies. We buy them at Sprouts. 

Qi'a Bars

I found these at Kroger and bought just one flavor because I wasn't sure of them. I am hesitant on protein bars because I don't like a protein taste. Why I love Quest bars so much. I originally bought the Blueberry Cashew Pumpkin Seed because I knew it would have sweetness to it. LOVED it. So the next week, I bought all 5 flavors. LOVED them all. My favorite is the Roasted Peanut Dark Chocolate. Has real dark chocolate pieces in it. The 3 other flavors are; Dark Chocolate Cranberry Almond, Mocha Cocoa Hazelnut and Nuts & Seeds & Sea Salt. 

Bath and Body Works

A while back, I got a Bath and Body Works coupon for a free travel size item of my choosing. So I hopped in the car and went. The girl there showed me a section of the travel items, and after smelling a few I settled on one scent. You know sometimes you truly don't know the smell until you use it. So I got it home and forgot about it. Weeks later I pulled it out because I was out of bath soap and tried it out. It was like my childhood came flooding back to me. Has that ever happened to you? You smell something and it takes you back. I still can not tell you what this smell reminds me of, all I know is it just makes me feel like a little girl again. Everytime I use it, I try my hardest to remember what it is. Oh well! It's called MoonLight Path and I am addicted. To the point I placed an online order of almost all the products that come in that smell. Bobby loves it too. Win win

Coachella
So Coachella was over the past two weekends (thank you Instagram for the thousand reminders) and I always look forward to seeing what people wear. It's the place to be. Anyone who is everyone is there. If you are a celebrity, you show up sometime between the two weekends. Each year it gets bigger and better. And one year I am going. I made a promise to myself I am going. It seems like so much fun! Anyways....H&M always does a Coachella line and I always buy from it. I just love the laid back hippy style it is. Go look and shop. Favorite pieces this year are:

Alisan Porter
I am so in love with this girl. You might remember her as Curly Sue all those years ago. Well she is all grown up and now on The Voice on Team Christina. She has the voice of an angel. Everytime she sings, I get goose bumps. I am supporting her to win this year. It is time for a girl to win and time a girl coach to win. Look her up on YouTube to see all of her performance. You will be blown away! 

Gevalia Kaffe Cappuccino
When I was at Target a few weeks ago (Brody and I go weekly) I saw this coffee in the coffee aisle. So I bought it. It looked interesting and I love cappuccinos. I had no idea how amazing it would be. I add a little bit of my favorite creamer, add in the dry milk (which smells like marshmallows) and then do the Keurig like normal. Then once it's done, I stir it really good and it becomes all frothy. OMG! I am addicted. 

Dannon Light & Fit Greek Mousse
So I have always loved yogurt. But they can have a lot of sugar and there are some that really aren't good for you. Dannon put out a Light & Fit which was only 80 calories and I ate them all up. Then I noticed a couple months ago, they put out this mousse version. So I bought one to try about a month ago and lord help me. They are the best yogurts I have ever had. They are light and airy and feel kind of like a marshmallow in your mouth. Yoplait makes one as well and they are just as good but they are 100 calories. My favorite flavor of the Dannon is the Salted Caramel. 

Think there is something I need to try or would love or a place I just have to shop from, let me know! 

Love, Me

Angela and Donna

Over the weekend, someone I love dearly got married. Well....sort of. They had already been married so this was more of a renew their vows in front of their friends and family ordeal. But never the less, it was beautiful. 

When Bobby and I got married, we had our reception at this place called Lofty Spaces in Dallas. Well, their wedding/reception happened to be at the same location. It was so neat going back after all these years. I still love that place so very much! 

My kid was in the best of moods. Like overly happy. You wouldn't know it by our family photo but the rest of the night, he was laughing and smiling and just great. He got Aunt Kara time, Pop time, Mimi time and even Uncle Tim time! He didn't have to share anyone's attention with his cousins. It made for a great night. 

This kid! My sister captured this for me. I love when I am with someone who likes to take photos as much as me and tries to capture the small things. 

Curtis walking Angela down the aisle. Weddings are my favorite. I could go to weddings everyday. They just showcase love at it's ultimate high. 

Angela and Donna saying their vows. 

Ok.....why can't he smile like this for Bobby and me in our photo? Oh I know why.....because momma is behind the camera and it's his cue to smile. When everyone else is behind the camera and momma is holding him, he frowns or gets his serious face on! 

 Again, Brody is Uncle Tim's favorite child EVER. He just doesn't hold children and he will hold Brody. It may be for 30 seconds and we have to force him but I get my picture. Tim is so handsome! 

 Brody got to meet Donna. He got to meet Angela too but I don't have a photo unfortunately.

Fun times with Pop. Or I like to call it "Pop gives me cookies and I go crazy for the next 20 minutes!"

 My boys! Lord help me. My husband couldn't be any hotter and my son couldn't be any cuter. #blessed

They also have the best relationship. I have noticed that when we get in a large crowd or an unfamiliar area, Brody gravitates towards Bobby. Like he is his protector no matter what. And I love that! 

#thatbellytho

 And then we have some Aunt Kara time. I tell you....this kid was in heaven all night. Usually there is a 7 year old in his face and a 2 year old saying Brobee Brobee Brobee all night. So the fact that he got everyone to himself made for one happy baby! 

So I stole this next photo off of facebook because I wanted you to see how beautiful Angela looked! Angela, I hope you don't mind :-) 

Favorite photos of the night: 

My dad and my son

My beautiful family

Donna and Angela,

I am so excited for the both of you. Marriage is such a special thing. Having someone to love is the best feeling in the world. Knowing that you have a best friend for life, in everything that you do, just makes this world seem like a better place. I pray for a long life of happiness and adventure and love for the both of you. Love you both and Congratulations!