Monday's Top 5 {#2}

Happy Monday!! I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Here are my top 5 for this Monday.  Enjoy :)

1) Super Cute Easter Wreath

I just bought this precious wreath for our front door! I hope it arrives before Easter....

Buy it here...

2) Inspiration

 

3) A recipe from Mama's Kitchen - Salisbury Steak (Slow Cooker)

This recipe is a crowd pleaser.  Especially for those who have husbands that are meat and potato guys.  Plus, you make it in your slow cooker....so simple.  Win. Win.  

Ingredients:

2 lbs. lean ground beef

1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix

1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup

1 (1 ounce) packet au jus mix

3/4/ cup water

Directions:

1.  In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, onion soup mix, bread crumbs and milk using your hands.  Shape into 8 patties.

2.  Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Dredge the patties in flour just to coat and quickly brown on both sides in the hot skillet.  Place browned patties into the slow cooker stacking alternately like a pyramid.  In a medium bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup, au jus mix and water.  Pour over the meat.  Cook on the Low setting for 4 to 5 hours, until ground beef is well done.

*I found the original recipe here at allrecipes.com*

4) Labradoodle

Now how can he not make your Monday better?!?

Adorable.

5) Countdown to Easter
Visit this website for Bible stories and activities to do with your children this Easter...

                                         

I hope you guys have a wonderful week!!!

Things I Learned in March...

Today I am linking up with Emily Freeman again @ Chatting at the Sky.  I have done this once before back in July and enjoyed it, so here we go...
(tbh {that's "to be honest" for those that aren't up on the teenager lingo ;) }...some of these I learned in the months right after this last post)

1.  Someone told me that you can purchase an entire bag of PINK Starbursts.  Is this true? I must find out for sure.  Those are the best ones.

2.  That deer graze by the moon.  The best time to hunt deer is early in the morning when the moon is still out and the sun is coming up..... Is this true? I, myself, have never hunted before, but I'm curious...

3.  That it's a good day to fish when all of the cows are standing.  This one I do not know myself either, but my friend Hayley told me that and I do not question her.  At all.  She knows about life.  And stuff.

4. Mr. Pibb is actually Pibb Extra now.  Apparently, it changed a long time ago....  Either way it is still no Dr. Pepper.  I only order it if we are at the movies and I just have to.    

5.  Done is truly better than perfect.  Especially, when it is regarding my home.  I always want things to be perfect, but Jason is great about helping me just get things done.  I've realized that if I don't like something I can change it later.  The world does not end.  Who knew? :)

Then I got lost while reading Emily's list of things she learned in March.
Such as.... "3. If you ask Siri “What planes are flying over my head?” she will give you a list of planes that can possibly be seen in the sky from where you’re standing: the name of the airplane, the flight number, and the altitude."

Oh my.  I did that and Siri listed several planes that were flying in the blue skies above me.  I said a prayer for each of those flights.  That's amazing, Siri.

and her 4.

"So the other day, I had several deadlines looming so naturally I thought it was a great time to download My Heritage app and find out which celebrity I’m looking like these days. I took a quick selfie and waited for my results."

Then I downloaded the My Heritage app myself....hahaha.  Time not wasted.  The kids got a kick out of this app last night.  So fun.  Tomorrow I will try to post all of our pics.  They are classic.
Try it yourself and check out some of the other links on Emily's post.

Happy Wednesday, friends. 
"Time you enjoyed wasting, was not wasted." - John Lennon

Monday's Top 5 {#1}

I, for one, think life is too short to dread Mondays! I'm not saying go ahead and just quit your job today if you aren't happy!!! ....but you should not have to be miserable all day.  For one -----> just choose to be happy! Happiness comes from our circumstances, but joy comes from the Lord! ...and joy is a gift that is offered to you and you and you and YOU! :)

Just in case you need a little extra to make your Monday awesome...here are my Top 5!

1) Manic Monday by The Bangles (Live Acoustic)

2) Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture in N 58

Buy here...

3) Inspiration



4) Coffee & Tea Spoons by Jessica N. Designs 
(she also has cute Christmas ornaments)

Buy here...

5) Cute summer shoes from Lulu's

Buy here...

I hope you have a lovely day! 



The One with the {sad, but so good}Trailer

Sooo last night was Date Night.... We went to Wichita Falls which is almost two hours away, but not quite.  It is crazy how far we have to drive for dinner & a movie.  We ate at Olive Garden which is a restaurant that we had one of our first dates at, so I enjoy going there and then we went to see Divergent.   A couple of months ago I read the book and then I convinced Jason to read it....so we were both fired up to see it.

Dinner was yummy as usual.  While we were there we worked on Day 10 of our Marriage Challenge, which was soooooo good.  Such a simple and refreshing challenge for couples.  Then we went to see the movie which was really good until the last 10 minutes.  I won't spoil it for you guys (because I hate spoilers), but it followed the book really closely until the simulation.  

The trailer below is one that came on before Divergent.  It is so good.  As I was watching the trailer out loud I was saying... "Oh my goodness.  Oh wow.  So good.  I have to read this book"  ......to which Jason replied, "You are going to have to see that without me." {it's a super sad one} The best part is the lady sitting in front of us turned around and said, "I'll go with you."  Love that.  

Watch the trailer...it's a tear jerker.

The One with the Fab Idea....and a Giveaway

Some people enjoy their coffee while they read their morning newspaper or flip through the news on their phones......but I enjoy my coffee while catching up on my favorite blogs on Bloglovin! ....and today as I was reading a new post by another one of my favorite bloggers (Casey Leigh)  I learned about a fabulous idea....it's called Bloggers Closet!!!

You know how all of these bloggers have been using Instagram to clean out their closets and sell their cute clothes...well now there is a website just for that!! So don't delay...start shopping today! Fabulous Bargains for everyone!!! :) 

Read the full blog here and don't forget to sign up for her Giveaway!!!

The Wiegands: Tuesday Giveaway {$100 gift card} .

The One with Vogue and SJP

I adore Sarah Jessica Parker.  I came across this super cute interview that Vogue did.  Such a great idea.  I love it.

Enjoy.

The One with the Missing Key

This morning was quite eventful at our house.  I gathered up all of my things and headed to my car to begin the 30 mile journey to take the kids to school.  Then I discovered that my car key was not in its usual spot.  How is this possible I thought.... I almost always put my key in the same spot.  I am not super organized I have just had this same kind of morning too many times and have (for the most part) learned my lesson.  After 10 minutes of looking I stop and prayed... {God I have no idea why this is happening or what lesson I am supposed to learn from it, but I am in this moment to learn and I have faith I will find this key.  I won't get upset or freak out.  I know we are going to be late and life will go on}.  Shortly after that I remembered that I did in fact put it in its usual spot (high five), but Olivia had grabbed it to get into the trunk....after some baby doll related item I am sure. 

When looking for a lost item...I always try to channel Bill Cosby.  Do you remember this episode? It is what I always think about while hunting down a beloved item.

I had Olivia retrace her steps and we finally found it in the back seat of my car with some of her baby doll stuff. 

So this parenting thing...  it is something.  It turns out this morning the lesson wasn't for me, but for me to teach my daughter. 

I finally got her to school, but before taking her in I had her crawl in the front seat with me so I could begin my talk (she was already late, right?)

I began by telling her that she made a mistake, but that it was ok because everyone makes mistakes.  I told her that no one was perfect except for Jesus.  Then I told her that there were two things about mistakes...

1) You have to learn from your mistakes.

I told her that most importantly she needed to remember this morning and if she found herself in a similar situation to remember to not do the same thing, to do better.  I asked her what she could have done differently and her reply was that she could've put the key back up where she got it. Yes!!! Exactly!!!

2) You have to be accountable for your mistakes.

I told her that she had to be honest about her mistakes in life and be responsible for them.  I told her that when mistakes happen she couldn't blame her brother or anyone else.  I told her that she just had to admit them, try to do better and move on. 

As I sat there talking to my 7 year old daughter I wondered if any of this was sinking in.  I hope so because I really believe that if kids can just learn from their mistakes and take ownership of them it would save themselves and their parents a little bit of heartache later on.

I know that in parenting it is much easier to loosen the reigns later on than it is to tighten them up.  So yes, I am a little strict on my kids and I do try to continuously teach them life lessons in everyday things.  I want them to know how to handle situations before they find themselves in them and don't know what to do. 

This week I also came across this blog post on parenting that I thought was wonderful.  If you have time click on the link and read it.  It made me feel a lot better about not always feeling like the "fun parent."  Someone told me once that if your kids aren't mad at you at least once a week then you aren't doing your job.

Hang in there parents! I know that it's not always easy, but.... as long as we are consistent and we let our kids know that we love them... things will be just fine!

10 Day Marriage Challenge....via The Vanilla Tulip

One of my most favorite of bloggers posted about a 10 Day Marriage Challenge.... I loved the idea and wanted to share it with you guys!

Jason and I are starting it tonight and I can't wait!!!!

Day 1- What are your Top 10 favorite characteristics about one another? Why? (wife writes 10 for her husband. And the husband will write 10 for his wife)

Day 2- What are your Top 10 favorite characteristics about yourself? Why? (Wife writes about herself. Husband writes about himself)

Day 3- Where are 10 places you have never been to but would love to go? Why? (again, these are individual lists.  You each write your own)

Day 4- What are 10 of your biggest pet peeves? Why? (in general, not necessarily with one another)

Day 5- What are your 10 things you hope your kids learn from you? Why?

Day 6- If you won $100k tomorrow... what 10 things would you buy yourself? Why? (you cannot save it or spend it on anyone else. You MUST spend it all on yourself)

Day 7- What are 10 things that you would like to improve on personally? Why?

Day 8- If you could invite 10 people to dinner, alive or dead, who would they be? Why?

Day 9- What are 10 things that your spouse can do for you, or does for you, that you really value/appreciate? 

Day 10- ***Do this one over a date-night dinner***  What 10 things do y'all want to accomplish in the next year? Do this list together and once you are done talking about it and putting the list together, put it in an envelope and store it.  Then make a point to open it in a year!

Read the full blog post at:::The Vanilla Tulip

You will LOVE Ashley's blog.  She lives in Texas, has a heart for Jesus and has the sweetest family!

Happy Sunday!

{P.S. As soon as I can figure out what's up with my PC I will blog about Stitch Fix #2 (with photos)....I'm on Jason's Mac for now.}

The One Where I am soooo Proud of the Kids

I love being a part of a small town, particularly, Quanah.  It is where we are now and it is where we intend on staying.  I love these kids.  I know I am the shiest (shyest, both are correct what??), most reserved coach's wife, but in my heart......  oh it is full of love and compassion for these kids.  I enjoy being at sporting events....of all kinds.... golf, baseball, softball, football, track, basketball, hopefully in the near future tennis and cross country.  I love our own kids, Olivia and Jonah....selfishly I want to have more just so that we will be able to see them "compete".....but I know that is not in our future and I am so happy that each year the "kids" that are under my husband's care are my "very own children" and I get to cheer them on as much as I can.  That brings me so much fulfillment and happiness.  I love to see kids succeed at this level.....and to see them continue on after high school is such an extraordinary bonus that is the icing on the cake.  What I love most are those kids that come back and say, "hey look at what I'm doing!!!!" I am so proud of EACH of EVERY ONE of those kids. 

*Update*

Today (3/6/14) my husband got to run into one of those kids that have graduated high school and are doing great things with their life. 

This is Coach Sims with Eric Alaniz, QHS Class of 2013. He is now an Airman for the United States Air Force!

We are so proud of you, Eric!

The One with All the Pretty Lights...

Christmas is such a lovely time.  I enjoy spending time with my family and creating new traditions.  I also enjoy remembering the real reason that we are celebrating and that is Jesus, our Savior.  In our house we don't stress too much over Santa Claus or presents or money.  We just try to enjoy it and hope the kids will look back on these days with good memories.

The kids were in a Christmas play at church.

Olivia made this in kindergarten.  I love pulling out their homemade decorations.

Jonah's Star Wars Christmas Tree.  Those are R2D2 lights.

Olivia's Pretty in Pink Christmas Tree

Our Presents

Our presents with Uncle Thad & Aunt Jenny's presents

And then Gigi & Daddy Keys got there and whoa!

My favorite gift...Cute little magnets made by Olivia & Jonah

Little Westie bookends from my Mom & Dad

The One with the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party...

I have always wanted to throw an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party and this year that is just what I did for our Sunday School class.  It was so much fun! 

As everyone arrived I took their photo...

Levi & Jackie Woods

Curtis & Jodi Terrell

Coach Sims & Myself

Coach Helm & Hayley

Jamie & Amanda Talley

Chris Andrews...We missed Angie!

Dr. Jay & Shana Parmer

The Winner of the Ugliest Sweater won this $25 gift card to Walmart.

And the winner was.... LEVI WOODS!

We enjoyed some yummy snacks that everyone brought and then we did a gift exchange.  Everyone had brought a White Elephant gift.  It was so much fun and we laughed all night about some of the gifts!!

Finally, for the rest of the evening we played Spoons.  Well, Jason and I had not played this game before.  When I said I had never played it they said, "Oh you will like it." ...and when Jason said he had never played it they ALL said, "You will LLOOOOVVVEEE it!!!!" Then shortly after that I found out why.  He is pretty competitive (which is an understatement) and I was knocked down to the floor just so he could get his hands on that darn spoon.  He will tell you that he gently moved me so that he could get to the spoon, but people, I had bruises to show for it! We had so much fun! 

Here is a couple of videos of our fierce games of Spoons...

(Thanks to Coach Helm & Hayley who are some serious gamers for providing the table!)

I love the satisfied look on Jackie's face as she beats us!!

It was a wonderful night spent with friends and I can't wait to do it again!

The One with the 34th Birthday...

I love birthdays!!!! Loooovvveee them.... I think every girl should adorn a tiara on that day for sure! I think you should celebrate from the moment you awake to the moment you fall asleep that night.  

I awoke that morning to a sweet chalkboard message from Jason.

I went to work and Shanna had once again made one of her world famous cheesecakes.

Then my favorite part of the day was when the Indian bus picked me up at work to ride to Claude for the basketball games and when I got on the bus they all sang Happy Birthday to me! It was sooo nice of them! Then at this time .... 3:30 p.m. we were getting ready to cheer on the Indians and Lady Indians!!!

Sweet friends gave me a gift of $$ that I was to only use in my "Louie Fund"...

This is the lovely gift I received from my parents.... Love it!

33 was a great year.... and I expect 34 to be even greater!!!!

Count your age by friends, not years - Anonymous

The One with the Diploma...

This degree has been years in the making!! I feel so ecstatic that I have completed this milestone.  I started working on my Master's Degree several years ago.  I would take a class here and two classes there.  There were many times that I felt frustrated and alone in this journey.  My mom thought I was crazy.  Sometimes I thought I was crazy, but I just did not want to look back with regret.  

Jason has always been my number one supporter and encouraged me that I could complete this goal that I had my heart set on.  

When I had about a year left of school I was in one of my discouraged phases and I remember talking to Shanna Parmer at church one night.  I told her I had three or four classes left, but that I just didn't know what to do.  I remember her telling me to finish and that I could do it.  She told me that I didn't want to regret not finishing and I was almost there.  She gave me that final push.

Another person that always encouraged me was Shanna Floyd.  She has helped me over the years in so many different ways.  There are too many ways to even name, but on a daily basis she encouraged me just by allowing me to do what I needed to do to put school as a top priority.  

I am so grateful for the professors and the classmates that I have met along the way.  Dr. Yvette Castillo was truly an inspiration and I learned a lot from her.  During my final semester this fall I had the privilege to study under Dr. Leigh Green and I thoroughly enjoyed her class.   

Thanks to Rene Havel our Graduation Day was very memorable.  She put together a dinner for us after the ceremony that was complete with cake and champagne.  She also hired our own photographer for the evening.  She made it so special and I am thankful for that.

I woke up that day on December 13, 2013 feeling like I was floating on a cloud.  Jason was so sweet and sincerely proud of me.  First on our schedule was a Quanah Indians basketball game in Vernon.  We went to the game and then left in a school vehicle that Mr. Freeman was generous to let us use while he rode back on the activity bus with the team.  We switched cars in Quanah and then headed to Childress to pick up the kids from school.  

Graduation was at 7 p.m. that night and because I love my Mama dearly I made sure and told her it was at 6 p.m.  I had emailed my dad to tell him what I had done, but that it really was at 7 p.m. and his reply was, "All that education is finally paying off." 

We made it to Canyon in plenty of time.  We walked in and I found my classmates while my family found their seats.  Jason stayed with me until I needed to get lined up.  He's so sweet to me.

Then it was time.

Finally.

Graduation was here.

Hallelujah!

I'm so glad I chose to walk.  It was far away from home and super far away from home for my parents, but gosh darn I had worked soooooo hard to get here! It was totally worth it.  Being hooded then accepting my diploma was the best feeling.....

Well, almost.  The best feeling was seeing my family afterwards.  They looked so happy and proud.  The kids were precious while handing me beautiful flowers and giving me sweet hugs.  

How cute are these two?

I love them so much

Next up was our dinner.  There were 8 of us that were pretty close throughout the program.  Our families and friends joined us at a restaurant to enjoy some yummy Mexican food.  

Our Future Graduate

Before we ate Dr. C got up and read bios from each of us.  This was my bio....

Tara Sims lives in Quanah and is married to Jason Sims who is the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach as well as the Head Boys Basketball Coach.  They have two children, Olivia who is in 2^nd grade and Jonah who will begin Kindergarten next fall. Her parents are Bobby and Gwen Keys and they live in Bridgeport.

Tara graduated from Childress High School in 1998 and then began her undergraduate degree at the University of North Texas.  In 2007 she graduated from Mid-America Christian University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Management and Ethics. 

In 2008 she began the Counseling Program at West Texas A&M University.  Slowly, but surely she has taken class after class and is now finally a graduate!!! She has had the privilege to learn from the best, Dr. Yvette Castillo, Dr. Terry Hargrave, Dr. Melodie Frick, Dr. Robin Kelly and Dr. Leigh Green.  She believes that an education is something that no one can ever take from you and that her fellow graduates should be very proud of themselves for reaching this honorable milestone.

She would like to thank her parents for being there for her and thank her husband, Jason, who has always been her #1 supporter and encourager.  If it wasn’t for his continued love and support she would not be standing in this room tonight.

Currently, she is the Assistant Chief of Probation for the 100^th Judicial District.  She plans to continue that job while building her own private practice.  Her desire is to help guide individuals, families and children become the very best version of themselves and to help them achieve their own dreams.   Her motto is, “There is always hope.”

After we ate they toasted us with champagne and then we had cake.  

What a celebration!!  I am so proud of all of us.  

A life changing moment for us all ... here's to our dreams of helping others achieve their dreams!

I was also showered with many gifts including this jewelry and lots of cash.  I am so grateful for kindness and the love you have all shown me.

Jewelry that my sweet Mama made and a James Avery ring
 (along with some $$$)

Such a cute Brighton bracelet from the Bursey Family

This stunning jewelry set from Kevin and Shanna Floyd

  

Sweet Tonya...

Meme and Olivia - May 2010

I miss you so so so much.  I wish you were here so we could've celebrated you today, but I know this birthday in Heaven was your best birthday yet.  You touched so many lives, especially mine.  I will forever be grateful for the love you had for my family.  You loved us like we were your very own.

I think of you often and I will love you always.

The One Where I Talk About Darkness&Shame

 

Have you ever felt ashamed or insecure? I have and occasionally still do.   This is probably the "biggest issue" I'm currently working on in myself.  It is something that I wish no one knew, but here I am blogging about it.  It's because I know how terrible secrets can be.  Secrets can hold a power over us.  Think back on your own lives and think about a secret you have had....were there any good consequences that came from it? Now, I'm not talking about keeping a surprise party a secret or about Santa Claus.  You know which ones I'm talking about.  Life is better when we step out of that darkness and live in the light and in truth. I believe the truth can set you free from many things...especially yourself. In truth is where healing begins...

 

I am far from perfect.  I have made so many mistakes in my life it is embarrassing.  When I was younger, specifically in high school, I was thisclose to God.  I treasured that relationship.  I made time for Him, all the time.  I was on fire for God and I loved my life.  It was such a sweet time for me and that is why I love the verse 1 Timothy 4:12. 

 

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

 

Fast forward a few years and things were quite different for me.  After graduation and for the next 14 years I lived in some pretty dark moments.  Some were darker than others, but one thing was for sure, God was no longer at the center of my life.  Many decisions I made reflected that.  I did things that I never ever ever ever dreamed I would do. 

 

I know I am not the only one.  I know we are all human....but there are times when I get so down on myself.  I walk into rooms and feel like people are judging me or thinking about my mistakes.  It's hard for me to trust others.  It's hard for me to love myself.  It's hard for me to let go of my past.

 

There are times when I come across a tweet, a facebook post or a story that I want to share with others....but then I stop myself because I think - oh no what if "they" think I'm being a hypocrite or judging them or trying to pretend that my life wasn't filled with sin.  ...and then I don't share it.  The other day I was thinking about this and I thought....you know what my life is not defined by one tweet.  Just because I tweet something that does not add up to how my life used to be does not matter today because how my life used to be does not matter today.  If "they" read my tweet or post and think those things then "they" do not know me.  "They" don't know my struggle or my heart ... and while we are on the topic...who is "they" anyway? "They" are not God so I shouldn't even worry about what "they" think.  Right?!?

 

Most importantly, what I am learning is that despite my past I do still have value.  I matter.  I have worth.  Today, that is why I am so glad that my foundation from my youth was built on knowing God.  Finally, one day I had had enough.  Enough.  I looked at my life and thought this is not the life I wanted at all.  My whole life I wanted to be committed to God and live my life in a way that brought God glory not shame.  That day I got serious about making better life decisions.  Unfortunately, because of past decisions I am still dealing with stuff, but I know I am on the right path.  I know that I must deal with it {completely} ask for forgiveness, receive His mercy, forgive myself {that's the hard part for me} and MOVE ON....

 

I want to share stories because I have learned from my mistakes and I want others to learn from my mistakes.  What I want more than anything is for other's to see their worth&value also and to think twice about their decisions.  It can be so easy to let doubt, insecurity and fear slip in.  Be stronger than those things. 

 

I don't say these things today because I have it all figured out .... not even close.  I still struggle, but in my heart I know that I don't have to.  God doesn't want me to live in fear, doubt or insecurity.  He wants me to be free from all of those negative feelings and I am working on it. 

 

I am not where I want to be, but thank goodness I am not where I once was.... 

 

 

It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin.  You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living tell you how to live.  You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience.  We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat.  It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us.  Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us.  He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ.  He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.

Ephesians 2:1-6 (The Message)

 

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.  Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

Ephesians 2:1-6 (NIV)