Sunday, December 20, 2015

The One with 36 Things...


I love birthdays.  I keep wondering if I will ever start dreading them... I hope I never do.

Today is my 36th birthday and I wanted to share
36 things I have learned so far in this blessed life...


1.  If your kids are mad at you...don't worry, you are doing something right.
Being a good parent means you're probably going to make your kids mad more often than you would like.

2.  Life is too short to dread Mondays.
Pick a job that you enjoy.  
Don't let money be a reason that you stay in a job you hate.
Trust that God will take care of you.

3.  Do not chase boys/men.
The sooner you stop doing this and wait for a worthy man to pursue you, the sooner you will realize how worthy you are.  

4.  Have an extra makeup bag for your office.  
You never know when you might want a touch up.

5.  Your children need love in different ways.  Figure out what makes each child feel loved and fill up their love tanks the best you can.

6.  If you find yourself having trouble staying off of your phone while driving.... put it in the passenger floorboard.  
Then it won't be within reach.

7.  Say No sometimes and don't feel like you have to explain yourself.  
Be comfortable saying No.

8.  Men are not mind readers.  
In order for them to know what you want, you must tell them.

9.  Be a low maintenance friend.

10.  Giving the Silent Treatment will never solve anything.

11.  Give others grace.

12.  When your gas tank falls below 1/2 full, 
go ahead and fill up.  Then you won't have to hurry and get gas before work or school.
...Or coast into some place on fumes and a prayer.

13.  Choose Joy.
Don't think others are going to make you happy.
Create your own happiness by choosing joy.

14.  When raising kids, it's much easier
 to loosen up the reigns later than to try and tighten them up later.

15.  Embrace your quirks and your weirdness.  
That is what makes you YOU.  Don't try to be somebody else.  
Just be the best you that you can.

16.  Be kind to everyone, 
but choose to spend your precious time with others 
that fill your life with joy and happiness.  
Don't waste your time with people that drain you.

17.  Give give give give give...  
and then give some more.

18.  Have expectations for your kids, but no one else!
Expectations will only cause heartache.

19.  When trying to answer the dreaded, 
"Where do you want to eat?" question... 
You pick a place and your spouse picks a place. 
 Using the alphabet, the name of the place that comes first is Heads and the other is Tails.  Now flip a coin, any coin will do.  Winner is the place you shall eat at.  You're welcome.


20.  The Truth Shall Set You Free...
Always speak the truth in love.

21.  Hide Scripture in your heart.  
Being able to pull these up in your thoughts
when you need them most will lead to more peace in your world.

22.  The only one still talking about your past is you....so stop.  
Let it go.

23.  Your house may never be perfect.  Invite people over anyway.  True friends are there to see you, not your home.

24.  Silence is golden.  
The less you say, the less trouble you can get into.  

25.  No one can ever take your education away.
Learn as much as you can.

26.  Don't settle.  
Wait for the guy that sees you through the eyes of God.

27.  It's fun to experiment with new recipes, but always have a handful of ones that are easy to throw together and still delicious.
Something for that potluck or for the family that just had a baby...
and of course a yummy dessert.

28.  Make your bed each morning.
Trust me, just do it.

29.  Do not under any circumstances forget to take a day just for you every once in a while.
 You deserve it.

30.  and for the love of everything holy, 
please do Date Night with your spouse at least once a month.
You won't regret it.

31.  Don't buy things because they are "cute" or "cheap"...only buy stuff you love.  
Surround yourself with only things you love and get rid of the rest.

32.  If you want to be a rebel, when you begin a new book read the last page first.

33.  Don't just blow your paychecks.  
10% tithe, 20% savings, 70% spending
and for when you get real serious...live on one spouse's paycheck and put the other one in savings.

34.  When you mess up, admit it.  
Don't blame others or point out others' mistakes.
Own your mistakes and learn from them.

35.  Never forget your love story.
Save old photos, text messages, etc.
Read them from time to time and remember the person you fell in love with.  Remember your story and always treat them how you did in the beginning.

36.  If you want to wear a tiara on your birthday, do it.
It's your day.


______________________________________________________

and my favorite part of blogging ---- a GIVEAWAY!!

To celebrate my 36th Birthday, I'm giving away a copy of Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling"

Just in time to begin this devotional as 2016 starts!

Giveaway will close on Wednesday 12/23/15 at 12:00 a.m. (CST)

Good luck!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, November 13, 2015

The One with My Two Cents for What It's Worth (which ain't much)

First of all, I never say ain't...so don't take that title too seriously...


Winning is great, but
Winning isn't everything. 
Now I know what people say about people that say that ;) but seriously, after all of the injuries and deaths that have occurred this football season, how could you disagree??

I could sit around all day and think about the what ifs... 
What if they had ran this play?
What if they had scored these points?
What if that penalty didn't happen?
What if this coach or that coach was here or there or everywhere??
What if?
What if?
What if?

Maybe this season didn't go as you had expected or wanted...but what did happen this season?

in my opinion,

The community was excited about Friday Night Lights.
Tradition.
Athletes got to experience things throughout the season that mean being a Bobcat.
The players worked hard and realized that they were capable of pushing past their limits.
and most importantly, THEY HAD FUN!

Especially, to those seniors that means something.
More than one came up to us last night and told Coach Sims how much fun they had this season.

I was good last night until ol' Coach Charlie hugged me.  Then I lost it...
In his simple, wise words he told me, 
"The sun will shine tomorrow.  It won't be bright, but it will shine."

The most important thing you can do when you lose is == LEARN.

I'm so happy to be Home and I love being a Bobcat.  
I take great pride and honor in being a Bobcat.
I bleed Bobcat Blue.

But seasons will come and seasons will go.  Games will be won and games will be lost.
While you may also love being a Bobcat...amidst all of it...
let's not forget the Ultimate Role that we are called to be which is a Man or Woman of God.


_________________________________________________________________________________

Bobcats,
I am so proud of you all.
Your heart.  Your character.  Your passion.
Congrats on a great season!

Coach Sims,
Win or Lose -- You know that I will ALWAYS love you!
I know your heart.
It speaks to me even when we do not share any words.
I'm so proud of the man you are!
<3


Until next season, Friday Night Lights -- I will sure miss you!

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

The One with the Introduction of Presleigh Belle


Welcome, to Tuesday Talk. {on a Wednesday}
 A little link party that happens every Tuesday and occasionally I show up.

I am the worst co-host ever, but the other co-hosts are true gems and you should definitely take the time to check out their blogs. 
These ladies know how to throw a link party, let me tell ya....

As most of you know, we found out we were expecting the day after Christmas and last Thursday we welcomed our sweet daughter into this world.

I would like to introduce you to her.


First of all, her name -----> It is a name that Jason threw out and I wasn't crazy about until I saw it somewhere spelled Presleigh.  What makes us like it even more is that his sister's name is Erleigh sooooo that worked out.  Belle was my Nanny's middle name.  
She passed away in 2007 from cancer.
I think she would've been pleased.
I miss her.

{from Mommy's belly to Daddy's arms}
Photos by my sweet Mom @gwenalisa on IG

The sign that my aunt made for the hospital door for our guests to sign.

Jason and I meeting our precious bundle of joy.
Life changing.

One of the football captains delivered this sweet card to us in the hospital from the team.
Made my day.

We also received a nice card from Jason's boss that said that they hoped "Presleigh had her Mom's heart and her Dad's passion..."
Awww...

These are some flowers that we received in the hospital from a kind friend.

Our first family picture.
I graduated with Ericka from Ericka Moore Photography and she always takes incredible pictures of our family.
Love her, her family and her work.

This is the sign that my aunt made for our front yard.


This is Presleigh in her "Going Home Outfit."  Olivia came home from the hospital in this same dress and so did I back in 1979! My Nanny (dad's mom) and my Buck (mom's dad) purchased this dress when I was born.


Sims, Party of Five <3
Right after we first got home from the hospital we took some quick pictures out in the front yard by our sign.
So much love in this one photo that my mom captured.
I love them all sooooo much.
Our hearts are so full!!

Jason had a very memorable week.
He coached his first game as the Athletic Director/Head Football Coach for the Childress Bobcats {our hometown} and he witnessed the birth of his baby girl.
His story made the Amarillo Globe News.

This was the first football game that I have ever missed.... and even though it was hard for me (I won't go into detail because I know there would only be like 1.5 people that would "get it" ... of course it was worth it because look at Presleigh <pure joy>!

The Bobcats won their game 15-14 against the Wellington Skyrockets and I had a precious friend/coach's wife that sat with me at the hospital during the game and we listened to it on the radio that another dear friend brought me.

A memorable week, for sure.


These are the beautiful flowers that my parents sent us.

We have had so many family and friends taking such good care of us.
We are blessed with all of the kindness that abounds amongst the people in our little world.

If you are reading this and are a part of our little world, 
please know how thankful we are for you.
You have helped make this week and this entire pregnancy special.

______________________________________________________

I know Tuesday Talk was yesterday....but there is STILL time to link up!
Be sure and check out the blogs of the other co-hosts and take some time to read some of the other blogs that link up!

Hope you have a fiercely blessed Wednesday and the rest of the week.



Michelle Grammie Time
Christina Waltzing in Beauty
Lauren Simply Free
Jess & Katie Sweet Little Ones
Becky BYBMG




Tuesday, July 28, 2015

The One with Guarding Your Heart - Tuesday Talk



At times, I am so disappointed with how vulnerable and scary this world can be.
Watching the news can be heart wrenching sometimes.

Social Media is no different.  
I love it for many reasons, but also hate it for some.

This morning I was on Instagram and looking at the pictures on my husband's account.  On one of his recent pictures I clicked on the "likers" and was disappointed to see some random girls that had liked this particular picture. 
It wasn't your normal random girl, but an account that had in my opinion very inappropriate pictures.
...there were 3 different account and the same girl owned 2 of them.

Not only were there the pictures available for everyone to see, but in her profile listed a number connected to an app for anyone to call her.

I mean wha???

You know, as if our lives here on Earth aren't hard enough....
We have our own battles to fight and it can be hard enough without others & Satan throwing new things in our way to throw us off track.

We MUST guard our hearts.
There are things out there that are just waiting for us to stumble.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23

Not only is my concern for adults in this world, but also for the children.

I think of the boys that are in my husband's athletic program.  
How often do these accounts comes across their IG feed?

You can block them and report them, but the pictures are still there.

I pray for adults and children to not give up the fight.
To not stop looking for the good in this world.
To continue to choose to only look at things that bring God glory.

"Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word." Psalm 119:37

I hope your day is filled with blessings!

xoxoxoxo....


Michelle - Grammie Time
Christina - Waltzing in Beauty
 Lauren - Simply Free
 Jess & Katie - Sweet Little Ones
Whitney - Polka Dotty Place
 Becky - BYBMG
 Elizabeth - All Kinds of Things
 Sarah - Abiding in Grace









Wednesday, July 15, 2015

The One with the Stressed Mama and the Verse that Reminds Me It's All Okay

Y'all, what a day.  What a week.  I have this amazing job that allows me to be off some during the summer.  This is my first summer to have this luxury.  I'm sold.  It's been so nice. ....but this week has been testing this Mama.  

Like today.... I wanted this happy, summer day spent with Mommy... Yay!!! Let's go to the park, let's bake cookies, let's sing songs and dance, read books, yada yada yada....   Except I feel like I spent the entire day getting onto my kids for fighting or not listening or telling them to put their shoes up again for the millionth time when I know they know where they go........ 

I want my kids to grow up remembering their childhood with me as a fun, loving time.... I don't want them to remember me as a stressed Mama that only cared if their rooms were clean.

It's so hard to find the balance amongst the chaos.  I want a tidy home, I want to teach the kids to be responsible, but honestly I look around sometimes and just throw my hands up because I feel like I can never get ahead and stay there.

I know these days won't last forever.  I know I need to enjoy playing with my kids and not worry about the dishes.... but surely there is a way to do both?  

Maybe I've seen too many Instagram feeds with happy Mamas and their happy babies and their spectacular homes and they always look so darn cute.  Maybe I look around and see these Moms who have grown kids and think, Now they have it all together...... they look great, spend time with their girlfriends and don't seem as frazzled as I feel.

At night when I finally plop down on our sofa....I think when am I going to get this Motherhood thing right? and now I'm about to add one more little one to our nest.  

I'm thankful that tomorrow is a new day and I get a chance to be better, to not get upset about the messes and to be the Mom that I want my kids to remember.  

I'm thankful for the peace that can come over this Mama's heart when I remember who is in control...

I'm thankful for lessons that can be learned through studying God's word and the reminders from Him that we are not to be anxious about anything.  

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6




xoxoxoxo.....



Tuesday, July 7, 2015

The One with The Fourth - Tuesday Talk


Our last Fourth as a family of Four!
We took off to my parents' house and had a wonderful time.
The night we got there we popped a few fireworks in their driveway.
Their dog Lila chased after a smoke bomb and picked it up in her mouth.  Dad and Jason had to save her and then keep her away from it until it was done smoking.  To make it worse or more entertaining... it wasn't a regular smoke bomb, but one of the camo ones that last forever.  Dad and Jason guarded Lila like they were playing in the NBA... it was good stuff.

The next morning on the 4th... Dad made a delicious breakfast for us.  
French toast, bacon and eggs made to order :)

That afternoon we headed to Fort Worth to eat at the restaurant where my brother, Thad works.  
After a delicious meal, we took off for our Firework Adventure at the 
Fort Worth Botanical Gardens.



I had taken the kids here in 2011, but it was Jason's first time to go. 
We had our blanket, picnic basket and were ready to listen to the symphony and watch the beautiful fireworks.
Overall, it was a great Fourth.  Very relaxing and fun just hanging out with my parents.

I hope you all enjoyed your holiday as much as we did!!

xoxoxoxo....

_________________________________________________________________________________

Michelle - Grammie Time
Christina - Waltzing in Beauty
 Lauren - Simply Free
 Jess & Katie - Sweet Little Ones
Whitney - Polka Dotty Place
 Becky - BYBMG
 Elizabeth - All Kinds of Things
 Sarah - Abiding in Grace