The One with the Last Day of School

This is how I found Sleeping Beauty this morning....

I cannot believe another school year has come and gone.  I cannot believe we now have a Kindergartner and a 3rd Grader!

Next year the kids will be going to a new school! It is a little bittersweet, but it's time.  I think it is really going to be a wonderful change for our family.  Driving back and forth each day has been hard for them.  I think that with Jonah going into Kindergarten it will be the perfect transition year.

 First Day of School

Last Day of School

 We are looking forward to a fun-filled summer!!

Happy days are ahead...

What I Wore Wednesday {#6}

Frankly, I am tired of seeing pictures of myself.  ....and it seems like Wednesday comes around really fast.

But alas, here I am posting What I Wore.....because I have a sincere hope that one day I will look back and see a difference in not only my weight, but in my outfits...etc.

Sooooo if you are tired of seeing pics of me too, I'm sorry but....this is more for me than you....

Last Wednesday - work, church

Oh and do you see that glimpse of a book on my nightstand? It's the Nester's new book and it is so lovely and real and practical and funny.  Her philosophy is... It Doesn't Have to be Perfect to be Beautiful..... I have been reading here blog since I stumbled upon this post back in 2008 about nail holes.... I used to be petrified about putting holes in my walls...until that day! 

Go getcha a copy :) 

Buy it here...

Okay back to the clothes...

Shirt - from my Mom

Jeans - Walmart

Sandals - Old Navy

Earrings and bracelet - made by my Mom

Watch - Michael Kors

Thursday - work

I look super serious in all of these pictures....

Cardigan - Target

Shirt - from my mom

Jeans - Walmart

Sandals - Old Navy

Watch - Michael Kors

Sweet Olivia was blessed with 3 new dresses this week for her 8th birthday.  They were all gifts from her Uncle Thad and Aunt Jenny....

Thank you both so much...she loved them all!

Dress - Target 

Shoes - Payless

Friday - work

Rainy Day - Yay!!

Shirt - from my mom 

Pants - Calvin Klein

Boots - Walmart

Sunday - church

And...where I show you how short the curtains are on my closet... I've been meaning to add some fabric to the end of those, but haven't.  I love the burlap too much to buy new ones.

Just keeping it real.

Jenny....maybe you can help me out!

Shirt - Old Navy ... I'm obviously loving it

Jeans - The Loft

Shoes - from my Mom

Thank goodness for Mom!

Olivia's 2nd sweet dress..

Cardigan - Gap Kids

Dress - Target

Shoes - Payless

Necklace - from the Steeds on her 1st birthday

Tuesday - work

Cardigan - TJ Maxx

Shirt - Blackburn's

Jeans - Walmart

Shoes - Target

Earrings - gift from Rachel

Wednesday - job interview, work, 2nd grade awards assembly

Before the interview....

Dress - from my Mimi

I have no shame in accepting clothing from other women in my family :)

Boots - Steve Madden

After the interview....

Shirt - from my Mom :)

Jeans - Walmart

Sandals - Old Navy

Watch - Michael Kors

Earrings - gift from Rachel

Sunglasses - Claire's 

At the Awards Assembly... This is Olivia's 3rd sweet dress.  She said she was posing in this pic....

An official 3rd Grader...geez. Time is flying.

Yay for rain....yay for long weekends and short work weeks.....

I hope each of you have had a wonderful week so far!!!!

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

*Linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy*

Monday's Top 5 {#9}

Happy Memorial Day!

Thank you to ALL Veterans who have served and are serving our country!

1) Having a Memorial Day get together and need a quick and easy snack idea?

How about these fruit skewers?

Beautiful, simple and delicious

2) Here's a recipe for Mocha Ice Pops

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups hot brewed coffee
• 4-5 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Whisk coffee, sugar to taste and cocoa in a medium bowl until the sugar has dissolved. Whisk in half-and-half, vanilla and salt until combined.
2. Divide the mixture among freezer-pop molds. Insert the sticks and freeze until completely firm, about 6 hours. Dip the molds briefly in hot water before unfolding.

Recipe found here...

3) Stitch Fix

If you know me...you know my love for Stitch Fix.

Have you got the Monday blues? Well, check out this awesome service that delivers cute clothes to your doorstep.

Find it here...

4) Looking for a new summer pool/beach tote....

How about this cutie?

At Francesca's for only $20.

Buy it here...

5) My Wish for the 2014 Graduates...

Enjoy your week!

xoxoxo...

Lately.

Something wonderful happened this morning..... I got to sleep in until 12:21 p.m.  I can't remember the last time that happened.  I have been crazy busy and this sleep was much needed.  I'm usually always up fairly early on a Saturday, but not today :)

Another rare thing happened today....we were home all day! We had absolutely nothing to do.  I used the time to get caught up on home stuff.  I worked on our budget.  I still needed to "close out" April's budget on our Mint account and catch up on this month's budget.  Then I cleaned out our fridge and pantry.  I made a menu for the week and then made my grocery list.  The kids and I went grocery shopping and since I had done our budget I knew exactly how much money I had for groceries this week.  

It's little things like this that help me as the busy week gets here.  When I make the time to do these home things like keeping up with our budget and menu planning....I feel like I'm running the day instead of the day running me.  

We have been enjoying some glorious rain.  Thank you, Lord!

This boy is now officially a Kindergartner!!!

I can hardly believe it....

Two of my favorite guys...

These two go way back....like since they were in diapers!

Bella, one of Jonah's sweetest friends, will also be a Kindergartner next year...

Only Gigi can send birthday packages filled with lots of confetti :)

Oh...guess who is going to see the Browns play this fall? This girl!! Jason bought us tickets to go watch them play the Saints in September.  

He also ordered a new Manziel jersey and has been patiently waiting for it.....I'm talking... checking the mailbox every single day....and he never checks the mail!

When it finally came in...I was the one to find it in the mailbox so I thought it would be fun to make a little scavenger hunt around the house instead of just handing it to him.  He loved it :)

One of my favorite things is cutting flowers from my very own yard and bringing them inside to enjoy.  Here is a beautiful white rose from our front yard! :) 

Happy - Happy - Happy

Also,,,,, one of my Love Languages is Affirmation

 and Jason does a great job at fulfilling that for me....

I love this framed chalkboard I bought from Poppy Tree Frames!

....but I love his sweet messages more!!!

Don't forget our Link Parties that are coming up!

The next one will be June 9th...get your favorite summer recipes ready!

Happy Weekend, friends! 

xoxoxo...

What I Wore Wednesday {#5}

 Hello again.

I'm linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy.  Several years ago she began a series called What I Wore Wednesday.  It was a way to keep herself accountable and not spend all of her days in sweats or pajamas....

I thought it was a fabulous idea and I've been linking up with her blog for the past 5 weeks.

This week I only have pictures of 3 outfits and you've probably seen them before....

Friday - work, dinner with a friend

Star Shirt - Old Navy

Jeans - Walmart

Shoes - Target

Watch - Michael Kors

Earrings & Bracelet - made by my sweet, talented Mom

Sunday - church

Cardigan - JCPenney

Shirt - Kohl's

Jeans - Walmart

Shoes - Petite Sophisticate

Clutch - Ballyhoo 

Monday - work, Board Meeting

I wore this cardi/sweater combo last week and really liked it.... so...

Cardigan - J. Crew

Shirt - J. Crew

Pants - Calvin Klein

Sandals - Target

Necklace - gift from my friend, Shanna

...and in Fitness News - I put this little project together.

I went to my local antique shop and bought these glass jars and marbles.

I bought the stickers at Walmart and TaDa...my very own Visual Motivation to lose those pounds.

The jars say To Lose and Have Lost....

I have also worked out twice this week.  Well, once was a good one...for tonight's I was on the phone with work for all of it....but I still got some walking in.

Hopefully, those marbles will move to the other jar soon :)

Hope you all have had a wonderful week so far!!!

The One with Encouraging Our Children

Raising our children is something that we only get one shot at.  At our house I feel like I am at times more of a Drill Sargent than a Mommy.  We are so busy running around I find myself saying Hurry Up or Let's go, let's go, let's go.... Or the limited time we are at home it's do your homework, eat your supper, take your bath, brush your teeth, read a book, go to bed...... Boom, Boom, Boom.  

I try to be conscious of this.  I try to let them linger and let them enjoy their play time in the backyard or doing imaginary play.  They are only little once.

They are so precious.  I look at their sweet faces and I think I can't believe you won't be little forever.  Time passes so fast.

I feel like 85% of the time I'm a pretty good Mama....

I try to teach them to be kind.  I teach them scripture.  I try to let them be kids while also teaching them life lessons that will benefit them later on in life.  I try to teach them manners and responsibility.  I try to teach them how important school and a good education are.  I show them love and tell them that's the Greatest Commandment...

but that 15% -  I let life get things all crazy and I don't react in the best way.  I raise my voice to make a point.  I rush them.  I get distracted by emails and social media.  I criticize instead of encourage.

Oh how I wish I would encourage 100% of the time.  

I think that is so powerful.

A friend of mine on Facebook shared this post from Hands Free Mama and it is so good.  Just a good reminder on how to use encouragement towards our little ones....even our older ones benefit more from encouragement than anything else!!! :)

To Build (or Break) a Child's Spirit

I have seen the book, "Hands Free Mama," floating around....I think it will be my next purchase.  I also want to add her blog to my list on Bloglovin'!!! Such good posts.

____________________________________________________

In our small town yesterday there was a horrible accident that involved one of our young boys.  As a mama, I just can't imagine how heartbreaking it must be to learn that your child has been injured or in pain.  Fortunately, he is doing well and resting before he has to have another surgery this week.

I am so proud of his friends and teammates that

 took great care of him.  

Prayers are being said just for you, Austin!  

We hope you feel better real soon!!!

The One with Why I Blog....

A couple of weeks ago I did a guest post 
over at The Vanilla Tulip...and I wanted to share that here for some of you new readers :)

______________________________________


Why I Blog???

I don't blog because I think our story is better or more meaningful than yours...

I don't blog because I think I'm perfect.

I blog to humble me.

I blog because I want to be authentic.

I want to share my story...the good to inspire and the bad to encourage.

I am where I am now because of Jesus.

Without Him, I would still be lost in darkness.  

I blog because I want my children to have their story recorded.

I blog because I want to make others smile.

I blog because I love my husband and am so proud of him.

I don't want to be popular.

I don't want to have millions of followers just because.

I blog because having my tiny space in this world means something to me and I want to celebrate it.

The meaning behind my blog....

When I started blogging last year I knew that the main things I would write about would be Faith, Family & Football.  We have a little girly girl, Olivia Kate and also a little boy, Jonah Daniel (Jonah Bear) that is ALL boy! We came up with Tiaras & Touchdowns to reflect both of our kids and my husband's career...he is an Athletic Director/Head Football Coach...in Texas.  Football in Texas is almost a religion of it's own...especially Texas High School Football.  

I am not a coach, but I do use Mrs. Coach Sims on most of my social media.  Right after my husband and I were married I wanted to change my Twitter name.  He suggested to make it similar to his...so that is what I did.  The first time I was called Mrs. Coach Sims was at a Quanah baseball game in Clarendon.  We walked up into the stands and a Mr. Alex Alaniz said...Hello Coach Sims....hello Mrs. Coach Sims...and that is where the name began.  

I love it because I love my husband so much and because I admire how much he enjoys his job.  I spend most of my days following him around as he chases his dreams and I wouldn't spend them any other way.

Now, the Introductions...

My Family

Jason, Me, Olivia & Jonah

My Sweet Husband

Jason

doing what he loves...

Jason, Olivia & Jonah

after a football game 2013

Olivia & Jonah

Halloween 2013

Texas Rangers Game

2013

Our Wedding Day

06/16/12

This is the theme I am trying to embrace for my life in 2014...

via @bestillclothingcompany

Thank you so much for reading my post! I look forward to getting to know you!

xoxo...

MrsCoachSims