What's Up Wednesday! ⋆ Growing Up Kemper

Is this serious? The last Wednesday of the month already? Remember that time that February took 582 days to get through and then September BLEW by…even faster than the summer months. Let’s enjoy it while we can, take it all in, and get outside all day, everyday because it’s fall, pumpkin!

So with the last Wednesday of the month, I like to team up with Shay, Mel, and Sheaffer for a What’s Up Wednesday!

What We’re Eating This Week

When you don’t have an oven, you get reaaaaall creative, reaaaaall fast! Did you know…you can cook eggs in a skillet by using a griddle to heat it? Or you can brown meat using a crock pot on high? Amazing how thrifty you get! 🙂

So needless to say, I’m still working on perfecting any and all slow cooker recipes as we get into the fall months. Two of my recent favorites are my Ham, Potato and Corn Soup and a DELICIOUS sweet potato chili.

What I’m Reminiscing About

My sweet first-born turned THREE this week!! Jacks had his birthday on the 24th and we celebrated a true Jackson Cruz kinda day. We headed downtown Kansas City to spend an afternoon at Union Station to see the model train exhibit and then took the KC Streetcar to get cupcakes. So to go back…we went to a TRAIN station to see model TRAINS, then rode the streetcar (TRAIN) downtown to get cake. Ohhh, Jacks. Kansas City was made for you sweet boy. 🙂

Every birthday is special and a moment to look back at how far they’e grown and become their own individual. I always take a beat to look through pictures, watch their videos, and remember just how they’ve grown. Don’t let the party and decorations take away from YOUR day, too. You’ve taught, nurtured, and loved these little babes to this point. Take some time to see all that you’ve done!

What I’m Loving

Fall front porches! Quite possibly my favorite part of fall decorations are the mums, pumpkins, and dark grasses that grace our front porches this time of year. I realized after buying four massive mums that 1. Our front porch doesn’t get enough sunlight. 2. Remodelers don’t really watch where they walk. I’ve had a pot break and way too many spills to count. Maybe my fall porch can wait until AFTER this is all done. 🙂

So in the meantime, let me plot and plan away! I just purchased this adorable mat from Etsy and I’m dying to put it out!

I did request the 18×30″ rug, as described in her listing.

I’m going to do a cute stack with a black and white buffalo check rug I found on Amazon. Pictures to come soon!!

What We’ve Been Up To

With Jacks going back to school, it’s been Colton’s time to shine! He’s gotten some serious one-on-one time and I can tell he’s already loving his Tuesdays and Thursdays.

What I’m Working On

I decided a few of the projects on our main level were easy enough for us to DIY and save a little cash. So this week I’m going to start tackling the first of those. Our brick fireplace.

I’m going to work on whitewashing the brick and installing shiplap above the mantle and behind the shelves on either side. And you better believe a blog post will be coming soon on it!

What I’m Excited About

Hocus Pocus…on repeat…all October long!

What I’m Watching/Reading

Well, starting October 1st, you know what it will be! *cough. cough. look up.* In the meantime I will be sobbing every Tuesday over the latest and greatest “This Is Us.” That show and that cast!! It’s complete catharsis after every episode and I feel like I come out of it a little weathered and a little worn down, but a better person for it.

There are also some cute new shows I’m really excited for!

What I’m Wearing

I’m all about the fall staples. Slouchy sweaters, skinny jeans and booties…or more realistically….slouchy sweaters and leggings. 🙂 Did you see my Fall Staples post?

I just came across this asymmetrical fleece and I have it saved in my shopping cart in every single color. I have to decide which one I love the most to buy (but do I pick one?), and nab this before it sells out! The most perfect fleece I’ve seen!

What I’m Doing this Weekend

Jacks goes in to have his tonsils and adenoids removed on Wednesday, so we are going to hit the weekend hard with football, bike rides, pumpkin patches, and more apple cider donuts than this girl should eat. I’m going to take the “keep busy and eat your feelings” approach going into this surgery. 🙂

I hope you have adventures awaiting you today! Happy Wednesday!