Last week was pretty busy, with one thing happening after another. Thankfully, I had something to look forward to: a get-away with my sister Amanda!
We left Friday morning and came back on Saturday afternoon. We spent pretty much the entire time talking, shopping, laughing and eating. And being extremely silly. Amanda has three children and two of them are toddlers, and I have six children, so it was a time of wonderful refreshment for both of us. Plus, it was just so nice to spend a long chunk of time with each other. I’m always so thankful to God for Amanda. She’s been such a blessing to me in so many ways. This was the first time the two of us traveled together for a mini-vacation.
We stopped at a spa and got our nails done. Boy was that a treat. Oh I forgot to mention, that of course we took Seth with us. He was a joy to have along, but he did get a little ornery at the nail salon.
I chose BRIGHT PINK polish for my nails, and Amanda got a French pedicure.
Seth looks cute even when he’s ornery, doesn’t he?
We stopped at several shops….Yankee Candle, and the two antique stores we visited were my favorite ones.
We spent the night in a hotel. Seth fell right to sleep with no problems and Amanda and I each got into our own beds and watched TV until 10, when neither one of us could keep our eyes open anymore.
One of the shows we watched was “What Not to Wear” and the next day Amanda got all inspired and decided that it was time for me to update my wardrobe….so, after a power lunch at the Crackerbarrel, we headed for the mall. Truthfully, I was quite grateful for her help. Shopping for clothes has NOT been on my list of priorities for a long time. And who better than a sister to be honest about what looks good and what doesn’t? I’m older than she is but she can be pretty bossy at times, too. Ha ha….
Here are the outfits that she picked out for me, and that I bought. We came home and I tried everything on (again) and she took the pictures. Everything is new, except for the shoes. Lots of laughter here, too.
(really random info): I don’t normally answer questions publicly unless they are very important. Last week I was asked if my husband, Rich, had teeth. Apparently one of my bloggy friends noticed that Rich never shows his teeth when he smiles and so she wondered, “does he have any”. My first reaction was to write something like, “You guessed it! I’m in love with a toothless man!” but I wasn’t sure if anyone (Rich, most of all) would get the joke.
The answer to the question is yes, Rich does have teeth. He just doesn’t like to flash them in a smile.
Amanda and I made him try for us this weekend, though.
See? Perfectly nice teeth! I love you, honey!
So, that’s the story of my weekend trip with Amanda…..we plan on trying to do more outings like that. I think it’s important, now and then, to get away from the daily routine and do something totally different. I came home recharged and ready to settle down with the children and the housework again. And I’ve read enough about the benefits of laughter to know that I got LOTS of good out of all the giggling the two of us did this weekend!
I love you, sissy!
Good to be Home 
I’m really happy you had a wonderful weekend with your sister! Sounds like y’all had alot of fun. 🙂 You look really nice in the new clothes! 😀 have a wonderful, blessed week!
oh how fun!! painted toes, new clothes, and a sister get away!! makes me want to get away too…..=) Your sis did a good job helping you pick out clothes…….very cute!
Sounds like a blast. And glad you’re feeling refreshed and ready to face the world again.
oooh! What fun! Can’t think of a better get away (of course right after a get away w/the hubs!:) than one with a sister; and you did all the things that would rank highest on my list….pedicures, shopping for new clothes, and at antique stores, and eating…so happy for you that you got out and had such a fabulous time! As a mom with 6 children, I’m sure you more than deserved a time away…and don’t you just feel like you can love your family a lot ‘better’ when you’ve been away? Your new outfits look super; you’re a beautiful lady!! have a wonderful week; can’t believe it’s the start of September this week!!
Oooo, I love those orange shoes! 🙂
What fun — my sister lives in Europe, so we don’t have much time together! Love the new clothes!
So fun!
At first I thought Amanda gave you her shirt to try on, because it looks so similar! That outfit with the blue shirt is wonderful on you, I also love the red! I HATE clothes shopping but would enjoy it so much more with my sisters or a friend. I always end up in the wrong section where there are cute clothes but made for much younger women who have never had children and I end up stuck in the dressing room not able to get the shirts over my head…or hopping around trying to get the jeans on.The yellow shirt is so happy and look at those shoes you are wearing with it! I just went back up and noticed your pretty toes in the picture where you are sitting in the rocker.So great that Amanda lives near you so that you can do this with her, the only thing that would top it would be to have your Mom there as well, right?
Love the first outfit and am sort of jelous(in a good way:) about your sister time! My sister lives far away and I’d love to spend a weekend with her!
OH, I LOVE IT ALL!!! Yay for sister-time…what fun. Funny thing is I never really noticed that Rich doesn’t show his teeth when he smiles 🙂 Those outfits all look great on you Shanda!
Did I mention that you look GREAT mommy of SIX!!!!
That sounds wonderful! I am glad you had a good time, and I do love your new outfits! I would love to have a day with one of my sisters, but they are far, far away. We really do treasure the few times every couple of years when we can get together, though. Sisters are precious gifts.
What beautiful women you are ! Isn’t it great to have such sisterday . Well done to clothe yourself so nicely ! Can anyone believe you are mother of many ? Such slim silhouette and kind face…your hushband must be such a proud man as well.Have wonderful daysGodeliva van Ariadone
I LOVE the blue sweater most of all, but all your new clothes are super cute! It’s nice to get away with your sister, isn’t it? My mom and sister and I go away every year in mid-August to do our school shopping at an outlet mall on the other side of the state, and there is always a lot of laughter and love.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the last outfit!!! Can I borrow it?!?!
I love all the new clothes, you look great! What a wonderful weekend to break away from your everyday routine and just be able to spend some fun time with Amanda.
It must be something in the air … my sister and I spent hours on the phone this weekend hammering out a new fashion style for me. Something that didn’t say “frumpy young mother!” I love your new look; so chic! Sounds like a wonderful weekend overall. Praise God for sisters!
Wow WE DID HAVE A GREAT TIME! I love you too, and I love the momories we made together! ~SISSY
What a fun weekend! I like your new outfits, they are cute. I especially like your new blue shirt in the top picture. I was laughing when you wrote about your husband not smiling with his teeth. This has been a laughing matter in our family for quite some years now. My entire family smiles with no teeth. All my sisters, my brothers, and both my parents. As we all started getting married, we realized all the in laws smile with their teeth! So if there is ever a family picture taken, one can easily spot the in laws! However, we are working on showing teeth for a more natural look! =)Thanks for your post, I always enjoy them. Have a good Monday!
Sounds like such a great weekend! Cute clothes!!
Unlike yours, my break from blogging was not planned! But it feels good to be on here again, and Shanda, this post went straight to my heart!!! There is nothing like sister-time to invigorate and refresh, and seeing you and Amanda together is sooooo precious. It also makes me homesick for my own sisters (which I hope to see again in mid-October). I smiled at all your new outfits and loved the different poses, especially the one of you holding your Fiesta coffee mug. You are cute, cute, CUTE, and you’re lookin’ very good too! No baby weight to be seen; you go girl! Oh, btw, my younger sisters, especially the 17- and 19-year-old ones, are also happily bossy when it comes to advising me on my wardrobe. Love it! (I am really not much of a shopper.)I laughed and laughed and laughed at what you said about Rich’s teeth! Poor guy! (Would he have ever guessed that one of his duties to his wife’s xanga world of friends would be to prove that he had teeth?! LOL!) GLAD YOU HAD A WEEKEND FULL OF LAUGHTER! Love and have missed you. ❤ ❤ ❤
what an awesome time with your sister! looks wonderful and makes me miss mine….the clothes she helped pick out are great!!! that first one is SUPER AWESOME on you 🙂
I’ve noticed that this year they are making shirts different and pretty – interesting necklines and pretty fronts. You wear them all very well, Shanda. Who else has 6 children and can wear that red top with the elastic band at the hem around the tummy and look as good as you???? Not many!You didn’t really go antique shopping and to Yankee Candle without buying anything, did you?!! It’s almost time for me to break out my new Yankee Candles that I ordered in the mail. Some of the votive candles I ordered are their new fall scents.
I’m so glad you had a great weekend with your sister!! I love your new clothes. You both did a great job!!
I can totally relate to the teeth – I don’t like to smile with my teeth at all – I think I got it from my dad, who is the same way. my inlaws and family have huge smiles and huge teeth and they all smile as big as possible and they got all over me for not smiling huge like them and with teeth – saying it wasn’t good to have expressions that weren’t all big smile-y ones. I tried to break out of my mold, not be me, but ya know, I’m still more comfortable just smiling like I like – which is less is more I guess – and since I’m not as outgoing in personality, it just fits me better. I’m glad your husband is just himself and I think his non-teeth smiles look very peaceful and calm and manly. Not that it matters what anyone thinks LOL! but sense folks were sharing opinions . . . 🙂 :)the clothing is wonderful on you! ! ! I had a sister shop day (w/ babies!) just this past Saturday. I am the one who likes to advise her on clothing though – maybe it’s just a younger sister thing ! 🙂 I am glad you are back on xanga – — :)Alyssa
oh how fun! Last week I got to spend 5 days with my sister and it was so fun! It’d been several years since we’d spent much time together at all.
That is too funny Shanda! I always thought the same thing, why doesn’t Rich show his teeth! haha I like all the outfits you chose, so stylish.:) My favorite is the one you have on in the pic where you are sitting on Rich’s lap. Glad your back, missed you and your blog.Beth in Iowa
LOL! I’m the one who asked about Rich’s teeth. Wow! He has such a nice (tooth) smile! I hope he shows his teeth more often.
Love all your new outfits!
You are one stylish woman! 🙂
What a delightful time with your sis! Sounds like a perfect time of fun, fellowship, and recharging! The store looks super interesting. You look fabulous in your new outfits, so cute! Great pic of you and Rich…he always smiles so sweetly, especially with you and kids in his arms…never worried about his lack of teeth LOL.
****Why didn’t you show the BEFOR PICTURE which is the reason why I insisted on going clothes shopping?*****
@annamanda – Because for some reason the picture is sideways when I try to open it up to load it on my site. It’s a hideous picture, anyway. LOL I just tried again just for you but it’s still the wrong way. I have to leave here in 20 minutes to get the kid’s to music lessons…and I need to go make some COFFEE……I miss you!
You must have had a lovely time. You and your sister could be models. I am sure you could put anything on and it would look beautiful! It must be getting a little cooler up there~~~Blessings
Oh, I love your new outfits!!! What a fabulous weekend. I love the black top and necklace! Ok, how do you do it? You look awesome–it’s hard to believe you have 6 kids!
I miss you to spent 1/2 of last night crying….because I think everything hit me all at once…I miss you and had a blast and asked Jason “why have we never done that befor”…I miss mom and dad…abbies going into 4th grade this week…I am so emotional! xoxo ~ Amanda
That is so great that you got away! I’m glad you feel re-charged! Love you! Lish
all the new outfits look great! love that blue shirt. we don’t have cable but whenever we’re at a hotel that clothes show is one i always try to find and really like watching. is it just me or has your hair grown out fast since you got it cut? i like it that length. very pretty~ you and the hair! 🙂 glad you had a nice weekend.
I’m so glad you guys had such an awesome time! I love the pictures, and your new clothes are awesome. You go, girl. 😀 I actually laughed out loud over the Rich’s teeth thing…hehe. I love you girl, I hope you have a great night.
You look so cute in the clothes! But then I think you ALWAYS look cute in your clothes! You have great taste. 🙂
I can’t believe you have as many children as you do! You have a great figure, and the clothes you picked out are fabulous! How did you get the pregnancy weight off so fast? I need to know the secret!!!
@Nadine – I actually haven’t lost all the weight I gained with Seth…but, what helps is nursing and keeping active. It usually takes about a year for me to get my weight back down after having a baby. (I gain about 25 lbs) I don’t have a regular exercise routine, but I do like to go for walks. Thanks so much for the comment!