The One with the Choice

Today I was perusing my book by Joyce Meyer, 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life.... I was reading #11 Don't Make Mountains Out of Molehills....

There is a line in there that says......
"There are multiple opportunities each day to become upset about something, but we have the choice to let them go and remain at peace."

That is so true... we do have a choice to choose whether we have a good day or a bad day.  
We have a choice on what's going to matter to us each day.
We have a choice on how we are going to 
see our lives and ourselves.

It made me think of this picture of me from a few years back:::

I posted it on Instagram with the caption::

Happiness is a choice...and I choose to be happy!

I had recently gone through a pretty dark and twisty time....

I had finally decided to give up my dark past and live my life for Jesus {again}.

Best decision I ever made.

Hands down.

Unbeknownst to me.... I would start dating a handsome fella {second best decision I ever made} shortly after I decided 

to put my life back on the right path....

He is the epitome of Choosing to be Happy.

He has got that down and he continues to be an encourager for me on those days that I fall back into negative thoughts....

or entertain fear. 

Because that does happen sometimes.

Is everyday perfect, no.

Is motherhood hard, sometimes.

Is marriage something you have to 

work hard at everyday, of course.

Is it all rainbows and butterflies....no.

but I choose to be happy.

I have Jesus in my corner and my faithful, happy 

husband by my side 

and that is more than enough.

The One with Chaos to Clutter-free

Tonight I will begin reading a pre-released copy of "Chaos to Clutter-free: 16 Realistic Steps to an Organized Home" 
by Davonne Parks.  
She is the author of two other ebooks that you can find on her blog.   

I can't wait to read this.  I am always on the hunt for new ways to keep my home organized. 

I hope to do a review on this book very soon.  

The release date is October 6th and Davonne has graciously decided to give 5 of my lucky readers a FREE copy of this ebook!!!

(check back next week for my review and the giveaway)

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Here's some more information on the author:

Davonne Parks believes that some of life’s richest moments happen when we embrace the beauty of imperfection as we extend grace to ourselves and others. She and her husband, Nathan, have two sweet daughters, Lily and Grace. Davonne has written three non-fiction eBooks and she blogs about organization, simplicity, and heart-filled motherhood. Davonne also offers free personalized organizational tips as part of her brand-new Get Organized challenge.

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Hope you all had the Best Monday EVER :)

Monday's Top 5 {#23}

Happy Monday!

It's time to get this great week started....

Here's my Top 5 for this Monday ---->

1) Organizing Inspiration

I am a big fan of everything having a "home" within our home.

I have a lot of work and purging to do ... but one day everything WILL have its own home.

I saw this picture on Pinterest last week and I set out to make this happen.  I'm really good at letting myself get distracted because there is just soooo much to do, but I'm happy to report that this little task was completed yesterday...with the help of my 

awesome husband.  

So I can check that off my list.  I know it's a small thing, but I'm so happy our ladder has a home.

2) Fall Party Inspiration

Are you having any fall parties? 

What a cute way to display your drinks!

via Crafts a la mode

3) Life Inspiration

4) Fashion Inspiration

I love the navy & orange combo...

5) Gifting Inspiration

Last year for Christmas we started this with our kids.

Gifts were just getting out of control and they already had 

so much it was ridiculous.

This works out perfect for us....

They get 

1 gift they want

1 gift they need

1 gift to wear

1 gift to read.

Just enough.

Our next Link Party will be on October 13th.

Have some great fall decor ideas,

link up with us!!!

Hope you guys have a fabulous week :)

xoxoxoxoxo.....

The One with the Fall Home Tour

A while ago I stumbled upon this Fall Home Tour and I have been soaking up some fall inspiration ever since.

Today I wanted to share it with you::::

Eclectically Fall Home Tour

Just click on this link and start there.... at the bottom of each post you will see a new link to check out the next home on the tour!!!

So fun!

Hope you all have a very blessed Sunday!!

xoxoxo....

The One with the Spray Paint

Here lately it has been hard for me to find a lot of free time to blog, but while Coach Sims is firing up the grill I thought I would post about this new bookshelf for Olivia's room.

I am crafty by no means....but I can sure spray paint!

Recently, we moved a few things out of Olivia's bedroom to make room for the super adorable tee pee that I won from Dolly and Frances!

I wanted a tee pee in her room to make her a little reading nook.  Around here we all LOVE reading and I hope to pass that passion onto our children.

I needed a bookshelf to hold some of Olivia's books near her little reading nook.

I walked into Ballyhoo [You gotta stop there...I'm telling ya!!] one day and stumbled upon this little gem for a great price.

It wasn't ideal for standing up books, but for that price....and size I knew it would work just fine!

In the left of this picture you will see a small glimpse of the tee pee...

One day (or one year) from now when I finally finish in her room I will show you the whole thing.

Less is more, right?

On the shelf are her favorite books --- Olivia books, Fancy Nancy books and some of her chapter books.

I put all of her other random books in a bucket that will go behind the tee pee.

Well, the steaks are done........ :)

Have a great night!

xoxoxo....

What I Wore Wednesday {#15}

Welcome to What I Wore Wednesday!!!

This started as a way for me to start dressing a little more better & together and it turned into me getting tired of seeing so many pictures of myself & then into well... I really like to have these pictures as references for future outfits......so I will only 

post every other week instead of each

 week.

Do I win the award for the longest run-on sentence?

I promise you guys I know proper grammar....but when it comes to blogging I prefer to type the way I think and not the way I was taught.  Each time...I think Oh I hope my high school English teachers never see this! <------ Just like that....I know when to use quotations etc....I just choose not to.

Anyway....

On to the funny faces ------->  :)

Thursday - Work & JV Football Game

Cardigan - The Loft

Shirt - Amelia's Fashion Exchange

Jeans - The Loft

Boots - Ugg (New)

Friday - Work & Pep Rally

Cardigan - Ann Taylor

Shirt - Gift from Kessie (New) 

Jeans - J. Jill

Sandals - Target

Coach Sims & I right after the Pep Rally!

Thanks soooo much for my shirt, Kessie! I love it!!!

Ok...and can we take a minute to talk about my new boots? Uggs....you are either a lover or a hater.  I am obvi a lover..... I have wanted a pair forever and finally bought some...

Perfect fall boot for me....I'm going to try 

not to wear them everyday.

Friday Night - Varsity Football Game *Homecoming*

One of my cute dates...

Jean Jacket - Levi's

Shirt - The Express

Jeans - The Loft

Boots - Ugg (New)

Necklace - Amelia's Fashion Exchange

Earrings - Ballyhoo

Tuesday - Work

This picture has a total Mug Shot Look to it...oh well.

Cardigan - Walmart

Shirt - The Express

Jeans - Ann Taylor

Sandals - Target

Thursday - Work, Junior High & JV Football Games

Cardigan - Walmart

Shirt - Kohl's

Pants - The Express

Shoes - Steve Madden

Watch - Michael Kors

Sunday - Church :)

Cardigan - The Loft

Can you tell it's currently one of my favorites?

Shirt - Amelia's Fashion Exchange

Jeans - Ann Taylor

Shoes - Steve Madden

Necklace & Earrings - Amelia's Fashion Exchange

See folks, around here...I share the good, the bad & the ugly.... :)

Are you linking up too? If so, please leave me a comment...I would love to read your post!!

xoxoxo....

linking up with the pleated poppy

                                                        

Monday's Top 5 {#22}

I started this blog series....because I truly believe that life is too short to dread Mondays....

Here are 5 things that just might may your Monday a little more inspiring......

1) Life Inspiration

45 Life Lessons from a "90 year old woman"

Read them HERE

2) Fitness Inspiration

3) Fall Inspiration

via www.todayscreativeblog.net

4) Fashion Inspiration

I need a tulle skirt.  I don't know where I'd wear it....but I need one in my life!

via Pinterest

5) Creative Inspiration

Hope you all have a wonderful week....

Enjoy all of it, even today --- Monday!

xoxoxo.....

Good News Friday {#11}

Football is amazing, wonderful, fun....

one of the BEST games ever......

but this message from Peyton Manning makes my heart happy because that is TRUTH!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

xoxoxo...

The One with the Boys and Their Moms...

Is this not the coolest picture?

I was so glad the Moms shared it with me....
and I wanted to share it with you!

Tonight these guys and the rest of their teammates
 played an awesome game!!!
They beat the Munday Moguls 34 - 22....

Good Job, Boys!!!

Also, congrats to the junior high team.... they also won their game tonight ---- 24 - 8!!!

GO INDIANS GO

The One with Summer Vacation Part Two

I am finally posting about the second part of our family vacation from this summer. 
See our Part One HERE.

It takes me forever to edit all of our pictures.....but this afternoon...I made the time to do it.

I would say I took the time....but I had to MAKE the time or else I would've done more laundry, read more of my book, watched more tv, organized another drawer or washed more dishes..... but I kept my focus on doing 1 thing at a time... (thanks God for the words you spoke through Joyce Meyer's book --- 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life - Day 2)

Anyway...back to the vacay pictures:::

After we got the truck fixed (or so we thought) we took off down the highway and headed to my parents' house.
The truck was not 100% fixed and it took us 5 hours to make a 3 hour trip, but that's ok.  We were all just happy to be together.

Plus, we were going to Six Flags the next day :)

We went to Six Flags with my parents and my brother & his wife.

The BEFORE Picture

The kids were sooooo excited....they were all smiles!

Once we got into the gate...they were super serious 

about our plans.....

Then we waited over an hour for the boys: Jason, my Dad and my brother, Thad to ride the Pandemonium.  

The kids were really patient and so good while they waited.  

You can't really tell in these pictures... but before the ride, my dad was fired up to ride it....

Then by the end of it....Thad was laughing really hard, Jason had his hands up and my dad was covering his face!! :) 

This is how I feel about roller coasters so I wasn't about to ride one.

I don't know if you guys know this or not ;) ....but Jonah LOVES batman so this was fun for him...

Jonah & the Batmobile

Then the kids proceeded to ride the Batwing 3 times....

They rode the Runaway Mine Train together...

and then we let them drive us around in the 

Chaparral Antique Cars.

We played in the park allllllll day and IT WAS SO MUCH FUN...

Once it got dark...we rode a few more rides and then 

played a bunch of games.

A quick picture in front of the carousel...

The AFTER Picture

...and then we left.

I love them.

We spent a week with both of our families, made lots of memories and didn't have to spend a ton of $ to do it....

Great summer vacay!!!

[and don't think after awhile I won't move this post back to July 2014 where it belongs.... I have chronological order issues.....]

xoxoxo...