The Texas Teels

my grandma called me yesterday (made my day!) just to see how we were doing and to tell me she "read that blog thing on your mom's phone".  she told me she's proud of me for writing... so that got me thinking i should probably actually keep writing something. 

i do have a praise report to share!

we went back to the doctor last monday so they could recheck presley's lungs from the pneumonia. she hadn't been coughing in over a week, so i figured she was good.... and she was! so thankful for that. BUT, while she was checking presley's heart the doctor casually says "remind me...did we talk about the murmur last time?" well CUE all the blood rushing from my face and me scrambling to say "UHHH NOOOOO...." in the nicest way. she said it was probably just from growing, and that was common, but that she wanted me to see a pediatric cardiologist. 

i immediately texted my girlfriend from church, helen, who is a nurse practitioner and an actual angel. she recommended a cardiologist and offered some (much needed and helpful) explanation.

we were able to get into the cardiologist yesterday morning, and after the longest appointment ever (long waits, but also a VERY thorough ultrasound and ekg and long talk with the doctor), he said her heart was perfectly normal. he said whatever sound they heard was normal, and nothing to even be concerned about. he said if they hear it again in six months or even five years from now, it's NORMAL. he said a lot of times murmurs are from defects or holes in the heart, but her heart looked great and her blood flow was perfect. i know a lot of people don't get such good news after a visit like that, so i am VERY VERY thankful (and VERY VERY relieved!) my girl is ok! 

besides that, not too much going on over here at the teel household. we are back in our routines with school and dance and church and hallmark movies.

back when i was on social media, instagram to be specific, one of my very favorite accounts to follow was @things.i.bought.and.liked ...basically she posts about, get this, things she bought...and liked. mind blowing, right? but it was SUCH GOOD STUFF. like everything from everyday household items, to beauty products, to books she read, etc. literally all kinds of stuff. if you're on instagram and you aren't following her, you are really missing out.

annnyway, i thought i'd post some things i bought and liked, just in case anyone wants to make their lives a little brighter.

1. THIS blow dryer. if you want to live your best life, you need this thing. i have watched countless youtube videos and read a bajillion pinterest articles about how to give yourself a blow out. and i just could never do it. my arms don't work that way. but with this thing, this miracle worker, i am able to give myself a blow out in MINUTES. volume for days. 

2. this TOOTHBRUSH. it is just the right amount of electric...meaning it doesn't shoot toothpaste across your mirror if you accidentally pop it out of your mouth for a second. and, they automatically ship you new heads every 3 months, so you basically feel verrrry put together and on top of things... even if you aren't.

also, one of my very favorite things to do is shop from aliexpress which is like china's version of amazon. you can find things for verrrry verrrrry cheap, if you don't mind waiting a month to get them. so here are my favorite things i've bought so far.

1. this wireless charger. my phone has the ability to charge wireless-ly, and i wasn't about to spend $50 to try it. so i found this for $2.39 and it works perfectly! i have it on my kitchen counter at the moment and while i'm cooking or doing dishes, i'll throw it on there to charge.

2. this pen/pencil pouch. i used to keep a pen in the spine of my bible, but then i got a hardcover bible and it kept falling out... or RANDY would steal it. so i got this nifty little case that has an elastic strap to attach to my bible that holds several pens!

3. this countertop vacuum. is this frivolous? yes. and for $6 it is one of my favorite mom hacks. i just zoom it over the table after every meal and snack. bonus points because presley loves to use it too! 

4. this ear tool. don't gag... but this thing is awesome. it has a super bright light that lets you see what you're doing when you need to go elbow deep on your kids earwax. it is super sturdy and fancy looking.

5. these earring backs. i've talked about these before... but these are THE BEST purchase i have made from china thus far. they keep all your post earrings sitting perfectly in your cute little ears. it is magical.

your aliexpress carts should be filling up now, but here are some other things i buy there regularly...

phone cases, screen protectors, mini melissa knock offs for presley, those cool silicone shoelaces, and packing cubes (you NEED these if you travel a lot!).

ok, that's all i've got for now. i'll leave you with some pictures of the world's cutest kids.