Monday, August 6, 2018

The One with the Letter to My Coach


Dear Coach of Mine,

I love you.

You amaze me.  You really do.  

Watching you do your thing is fun to watch and I'm so glad that you love your job so much.

You strive for greatness and you do not give up.

You believe in these kids and you show up for them.

You set an example to our own kids that is excellent.

Your character is good and you stand by your word.

You set goals and work hard to achieve them.

You fight for your programs and your athletes.

You are everything in my life that is wonderful and this season I want to make it wonderful for you so I'll be here....

I'll be here holding down the fort.

I'll be here with supper waiting on you.

I'll be here fixing things around the home that I can.

I'll be here taking care of our children.

I'll be here wishing you good luck and cheering you on.

I'll be here praying for you.

I'll be here in the dark when you kiss me goodbye on those early mornings.

I'll be here waiting up for you into the late hours 
after an out of town game.

I'll be here at home waiting 
for you to come home each day.

I'll be here missing you, but also know that I am so proud of you.

I believe in you.

xo,

yours

------------------------------------------------------


It's that time of year.
We are ready.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

The One with Our 2017 So Far...

Hi guys!!

A little while back I did a poll on my Twitter about blogging....





I giggled at the results because I personally think that the blogging world
is special to bloggers.
Just like Twitter is special to Tweeters and Instagram is special 
to Instagrammers etc. etc.

The reason I don't blog very much is because it takes me FOREVER to do a post.  Getting my thoughts together, writing it out, rewriting it where I think it may make more sense, finding pictures, editing the pictures.... and I'm just slow.

But I love blogging, the blogging world and the friends that 
I have made through blogging.
So I wanted to do an update post because so far our 2017 has been full of changes!

In January,  I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, defeated and just kinda lost.
I would look around at how I was living my life and think...
is this it?
Is this how I'm going to spend my short life here on Earth?
I KNOW that the good Lord doesn't want me to just be going from event, to job, to game, to home, to this and that in just a big blur.  There's got to be more ...and by more I really mean LESS!
I needed less in my life.  My life was too full of events and commitments and so on.
I wanted to be able to enjoy my life.
...and in January I was not enjoying my daily life AT ALL!

I knew that it was time to make some changes.

I decided that I wanted my life to become intentional.  
I wanted to simplify.
I wanted to return to the times where I didn't let stress and busyness rule my world.

I am more than those things.  They will not define me anymore.

I am also more than my work and my degrees.

Jesus was about people and loving others.

I want to become better at that.  
You, just like me, have your own story and your own reasons why you are busy, sad, mad, stressed.... I want to not just hear your stories, but to really listen.
I may not get to say hello to everyone in this small little town, but the ones that I do come in contact with... 
I want them to know that I care.

I want my hello to be heartfelt.

--------------------

The first area of my life I started examining was my full-time job.
It's a little crazy.
For confidentiality purposes... I won't go too much into this.
On my daily drives... I would just think... what am I doing?
I have X amount of things to do in X amount of time and I am not doing 
ANY of them well.
I was my biggest critic.
I wanted to make everyone happy, but at times it seemed IMPOSSIBLE.

For now, I'm leaving this area in God's hands and I will praise in Him the waiting.

The in-between,
the meantime, 
the waiting, 
the becoming can be frustrating.  
But God's timetable
 is always better than ours.
via Pinterest

--------------------

The second area I examined was our home life.

I am a chronic declutterer...and seem to never get ahead.

The kids' rooms were the bane of my existence....just so much stuff and they weren't playing with any of it.
One weekend while the big kids were staying at their dad's.... 
I went to work.

I removed EVERYTHING from their bedrooms except the few toys that I KNOW that they actually played with.
This is what was left:
Olivia == Art Stuff, Dolls, Books
Jonah == Legos, Playstation, Books

Olivia announced earlier this year that she was done with Barbies.. . so sad .
So I moved those out, but I left her baby dolls.
She did tell me last night that she no longer wants to play 
with them either. {Sigh}
Goodness...I can't believe Junior High is next year!

I packed up so many trash bags of stuff...if my mom saw them 
she might have passed out.
I was worried when they came home that Sunday they 
would freak out. 
So I waited....they went upstairs and I heard no complaints! 
Instead they stayed upstairs in their rooms playing for the next couple of hours.

I was in shock and I was elated!

I hope to continue this with the other rooms in our home.




-------------------

The third area I looked at was my health.
I have gained quite a bit of weight over the past 5 years.

I am the Queen of Excuses.
and mostly the Queen of Sleep if I can get it.

A friend of mine started using and selling a weight loss product and she was having great results so I thought why not?

It's more than just the supplements though... it's been a lifestyle change, especially
 in how we eat.
Fortunately, Jason decided to do this with me.  It has been so easy and great to do this with him because we have held each other accountable and I've finally 
shed some pounds.

As of yesterday, he is at his goal weight! I'm so proud of him!
He never complained.  Not once.

I have lost 9 pounds and 12.5 inches.

I'm happy that I'm losing it slowly....and continuously losing.

I don't want to go back to how I was eating...but Jason and I do have some plans to make some other healthy changes in 
our near future.



-------------------

The next area I began looking at...was just how we were living our lives in general.
I love the idea of living a simple life and of enjoying the treasures that God put on this Earth for us.  I also like the thought of taking care of this world and living 
in a way that is non-toxic.
Over the course of the past year... I have been slowly trying to make some positive changes in our home.  

I've had a strong desire to be outside in nature, to garden & plant flowers and to also be outside to enjoy the stars at night.

I want our lives to slow down a bit.

I've began composting.
I recently bought a new 65 gallon compost tumbler.
I can't wait to be able to use it.
I've been recycling for the past two years and I began to notice that most of our trash was stuff that could be used for compost....so I thought why not do that and we would have less waste in our home plus it would be a bonus for our yard.

In the past, I've also made my own moisturizers, face wipes, sugar scrubs and lip balms using essential oils.
I hope to experiment a little more with these in the future.

For our wedding 5 years ago, a sweet friend gifted us a starter kit from Young Living.
I had no idea how my life was going to change just from a
 tiny drop of oil.

I've thought about signing up as a wholesale member/distributor several times and I was wanting a new starter kit 
last month so I signed up.
I'm so glad I did.  

Once you sign up you are automatically on a Team... but you NEVER have to sell or do the business.  You don't even have to make a monthly order unless you want to.

In this short amount of time....for sure this has been my 
biggest blessing in 2017.
I love the Team I've signed up with.
They create an environment that is so positive and loving.
They love Jesus and love people and this is exactly what 
I needed in my life right now.

I have learned so much more about essential oils and I am grateful for how they are supporting my families' needs.

The other day my husband asked me what the balls were on our dryer and I told him that they are wool balls that you put essential oils in and they take the place of dryer sheets.
He gave me a big hug and said... "You're so green." That is a compliment to me... because being green to me means 
living simply and taking care of my family.




If you have made it all the way to the bottom of this post, I seriously would like to hug you!
Thank you for your presence.

One thing that I do want to share with you is my 
End of March Promo!
It's too good not to share with friends.

Order a 15 ml Lavender and get a Set of 6 Wool Dryer Balls FREE!

Order through me March 28-31!!






To purchase click on this link:


Thursday, August 25, 2016

The One with the First Day of School 2016



Olivia Kate 5th & Jonah Daniel 2nd
The first week of school is almost over.  
It's been a great week.  The kids are getting so big and look so grown.



I hope they both have a great year!!! 



Olivia had braces put on last week.
There is no shame in her smiling game.
I love that! She just rocks at being herself.





Jonah Bear (which I've been told I can only call him at home now) did not want to show any teeth...I have no idea why.  He's just too cool for school.


BACK TO SCHOOL 
INTERVIEWS

Name & Age:  Jonah Daniel, 7
Grade Level:  2nd
School:  Childress Elementary 
Teacher's Name:  Mrs. Overmiller
Best Friend:  Dylan
Favorite Color:  Blue
When I grow up, I want to be: Cop
Favorite Snack:  French Fries
Favorite Cereal:  Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Favorite Book:  Lego Batman
Favorite Holiday:   Christmas
Favorite Food:  Chicken & Fries
Least Favorite Food:  Broccoli
Favorite Game:  Call of Duty MW3
Favorite Summer Memory:  Going Swimming with Daddy
3 Words that Describe Me:  Strong, Smart & Fast


Name & Age:  Olivia Kate, 10
Grade Level:  5th
School:  Childress Elementary 
Teacher's Name:  Mrs. Pierce
Best Friend:  Addi & Chloe
Favorite Color:  Teal
When I grow up, I want to be:  a Photographer
Favorite Snack:  Popcorn
Favorite Cereal:  Honey Nut Cheerios
Favorite Book:  The Entire American Girl Doll Series
Favorite Holiday:  My Birthday  
Favorite Food:  Chicken
Least Favorite Food:  Hamburgers
Favorite Game:  Life
Favorite Summer Memory:  Spending the Night with Montana 
3 Words that Describe Me:  Energetic, Nice & Responsible

May all of you student, teachers & parents have an amazing 2016/2017 school year!!

Monday, August 1, 2016

The One with the New Season

In our world...today is New Year's Day.

It's August 1st and the boys are back at it.
I sent my husband off this morning 
with a prayer, a kiss and a cup of coffee.  
The last thing I said was that 
"this is going to be the best year yet."

Goodness, this little life is fun.




Things I'm Looking Forward To This Year

1) Glorifying God in ALL aspects of my life
2) Making Memories
3) Building on my Dreams 
4) Friday Night Lights
5) Watching CHS Sports EVERY season...
Cross Country, Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Power Lifting, Golf, Tennis, Track
6) More Date Nights
7) Watching the Kids enjoy their 2nd & 5th Grade years...
8) Preparing Olivia for Junior High
9) Christmas, duh
10) Texas High School State Championships games being back in DALLAS!!!
11) Bergan & Kase's Wedding <3
12) Celebrating Presleigh's 1st Birthday
13) Visiting Baby Judah
14 ) Fall Weather
15) Seeing pics of the #KeysSeasonalMantel
16) Rhett's SENIOR year
17) Hopefully, selling our home in Quanah
18) Working on my Dreams some more
19) Celebrating 5 years of Marriage
20) Letting Go
21) Gilmore Girls on Netflix
22) Being Selfless instead of Selfish
23) Filling that jar up with Marbles
24) Living a Life Free of Fear
25) Spreading Love, Not Hate

Happy Monday, Friends.
May it be filled with love & laughter.

xoxoxoxoxo....

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