The One with the Friends

Today I am guest posting over at Living in this Season....

I wanted to share my post with you here as well.

Please check out Keri's Blog... 

she is a sweet friend that I have recently made through blogging.  

She just recently had her third baby.

You will find some wonderful posts on her blog!

______________________________________________________________________

best friends.  close friends.  sweet friends.

What would we do without our girlfriends?

I am very open, but very private at the same time.  I am nice to everyone, but there are few women that I open my heart up to.  It takes me forever to build friendships because I am a little shy and guarded, but once they are built I am loyal forever.

As I think back over the course of my life and all of the friends I have had....it's interesting to see how these girls were my Rock at different times.  All of them were special to me and I poured my life into theirs.
It's also interesting to think about how the chapters with some of these friends have come to an end, but I still cherish our friendship and the wonderful times that we shared.  Some of the friendships are there...but just a little different.

There aren't many things that are more fun than sharing a cup of coffee with your BFF or laughing at all of your inside jokes.  Through the good times and the bad times you always want what is best for each other.

Talking to your best friend is sometimes all the therapy you need.

One of my closest friends had said once that ------> Nothing ever stays the same.
How true is that? Life is constantly changing...sometimes we change jobs or move, get married and sometimes divorced, we have babies or just lose touch... No matter how badly you want to remain close to some of these friends...life takes you in another direction.
Even though you don't get to spend as much time together....for me... my heart doesn't change.
I still love each of one of my Best Friends and I always will.

They 
always stood by me.  always encouraged me. 
 always laughed with me. 
 always saw the best in me no matter what....

I believe each of our friendships serve a purpose.  They help us grow and enrich our lives.  Those friendships are exactly what we need at that moment in our lives.

This post is dedicated to all of those friendships...the ones from our past, the ones we have yet to make and to the ones that are constantly changing 
throughout the years.

Keri...thank you so much for asking me to guest post on your lovely blog!

xoxo...

Monday's Top 5 {#11}

Good Monday morning...

My philosophy is that life is just too short to dread Mondays!

Do what you love and love what you do!!

Here's some inspiration for your day!

1) Shoe Inspiration

Sadly, they do not have my size....but these cute espadrilles from Land's End are ON SALE...

Buy them here...

2) Dessert Inspiration

For this yummy recipe that I found at The Cookie Rookie

check out this blog post!

3) Book Inspiration

This is what I am currently reading. Jodi Picoult nailed it.... "Electric...filled with staccato bursts of humor and tragedy."

I've heard his other books are good...have any of you read them?

What are YOU reading right now?

4) Gift Inspiration

I gave this to one of my BFFs recently. Don't you love it?

Buy yours here...

5) Life Inspiration

Have a Happy Week...

xoxoxo.....

The One with the Summer Recipes - Link Party

Hello, friends! 

Welcome back to our 2nd Link Party!

Join us for some yummy, Summer recipes! 

Be sure and link up your own favorite summer recipe...

I am going to share two recipes with you that have my favorite fruit in them - Strawberries! 

Aren't they just delicious?

The first recipe I found over at The Cookie Rookie and it looks soooo good.  

The perfect dessert for a summer get together!!

Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Cups
by The Cookie Rookie

Ingredients

• 2 loaves Sara Lee Pound Cake, cubed
• 8 oz container of Cool Whip
• 6 oz low fat cream cheese
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 4 oz white chocolate, melted
• 4 oz white chocolate, cut into small pieces
• 1 t vanilla extract, or 1 ½ t vanilla bean paste
• 2 pints fresh strawberries, washed and sliced into small pieces
• 4 oz sugar free strawberry glaze
• 2 oz heavy cream
• ⅓ cup sugar

Instructions

1. For the filling:
2. Beat cream cheese until light and smooth.
3. Add powdered sugar, melted chocolate, and vanilla.
4. Fold in Cool Whip and set aside.
5. For the Strawberry glaze mixture:
6. Macerate the strawberries by adding sugar, stirring, and letting sit for at least 3-4 minutes.
7. Add strawberry glaze and mix together fully.
8. Set aside.
9. For the ganache:
10. Heat heavy cream in small saucepan until hot and bubbly.
11. Remove from heat and pour over chopped white chocolate, stirring until chocolate is completely melted.
12. Allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Make sure it is cooled to room temperature before proceeding. If the mixture is too hot it will soak into the cake layer.
13. To assemble the trifles:
14. Place a large spoonful of filling into the bottom of a cup
15. Using a slotted spoon, top with a large spoonful of the strawberry glaze mixture
16. Dip 6-8 cubes of shortcake into the ganache and place on top of the strawberries. The ganache will help the cake to not get too soggy from the glaze mixture
17. Top with another large spoonful of the filling
18. Finish the trifle with another heaping spoonful of the strawberry glaze mixture.
19. Repeat with remaining cups.
20. Makes about 6 individual cups
21. Enjoy!

GRAB A BUTTON

<div align="center">
<a href="http://mrscoachsims.blogspot.com" title="Mrs. Coach Sims"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RkTEz6m5lfw/U39yr91huvI/AAAAAAAAF14/K--im0f1GfY/s1600/Summer+Recipes+w+border+small.jpg" alt="Mrs. Coach Sims" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

My second recipe is one that my family would enjoy at a lot of our own get togethers.  
When my aunt and uncle had a very special birthday dinner for my 18th Birthday...this is the dessert I requested.  16 years ago and still loving it!

This recipe is super easy to make!

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups pretzels (crushed fine)
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 (6 oz.) package strawberry jello
• 1 (10 oz.) package frozen strawberries or 16 oz. sliced fresh strawberries
• 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
• 1 cup sugar
• 8 ounces cool whip

Instructions

1. 1.  Combine pretzels, brown sugar, and melted butter and press into a greased 9 X 13 pan. You can use more butter if the crust isn't sticking together and make the pretzels more crushed than I did. Bake @ 350 for 10 minutes.
2. 2.  Make jello according to directions and add the strawberries. Refrigerate until partially set. *If it is not set enough it will leak through your cream cheese layer and make your pretzels soggy.
3. 3.  Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Blend in cool whip. Spread over cooled crust make sure you spread completely to the edges to create a seal so your jello doesn't leak through. Pour jello over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate.

Meet your other Hosts:

Becky at BYBMG

I write about what I wear, mommyhood, crafting, and thrifting among other things. I love sweets, all things pumpkin, sewing, thrifting (mostly for clothes), avoiding housework, and making life fun for my boys. 

 

Britt at The Fisk Files

Our days consist of working from dawn until almost dusk, maintaining the land while praying for a rain and watching our livelihood expand and contract in the form of momma cows bringing babies into the world, building a herd, branding and weaning the calves and starting the cycle again the next year. We have been blessed with the opportunity to work hard in good weather and bad in order to care for God’s land while providing a life a bit more simple than most for our children. Here’s to a life less ordinary and a faith dependent upon abundant mercy.

Denise at Gratefully Inspired

My blog will be ever-changing, just like me and my life. I will focus on things that inspire me and things of which I am grateful. In this fast paced, always on-the-go, running-late world of mine- this blog is my (and hopefully your) breath of fresh air.

Elizabeth at All Kinds of Things

From recipes and DIY projects to organizational tips and thoughts on faith and parenting, my blog includes “all kinds of things” that will encourage readers in their day-to-day journey!

 

Keri at Living In This Season

My hope is to inspire others to live presently in the season they are in. Join me as I share ways to have fun with your kids at home, pinterest projects, organizing, and much more.

Katie at The Lane Above

I love to share pieces of my heart through my perspective on life, faith, marriage, & motherhood, with little bits of beauty & inspiration scattered throughout. My hope through it all is that you are encouraged to: “Above all love deeply, for it is love that covers a multitude of sins.”

Sarah at Abiding in Grace

I am a wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend. I write about what God is teaching me in the everyday trials and joys of life. I love books, music, poetry, and art. I also enjoy coffee, spring rain, my Kindle, writing, tulips, the first snow, a baby’s laugh, pretty dresses, dimples, and a host of other things.

An InLinkz Link-up

Good News Friday {#1}

Just today I have heard so much bad news of things that are happening around our state, country and world that I am just so sad.  I don't normally watch the news religiously because I get so sad about stories and people involved in them.  I try to stay "updated enough" through Jason.  

I wanted to start a blog series called Good News Friday where I share some good news with you whether it be a story, a picture or a video.  I wanted to spread some good news for a change!

____________________________________________

For {#1} I wanted to share this updated video of Ian and Larissa Murphy.  I watched the original video a few years ago and was completely moved by it.  It is touching, inspiring and very sweet.  

They began dating in 2005 and in 2006 Ian was in a horrible car accident.  Larissa stood by his side and they were later married...which is included in this video.  

They demonstrate what unconditional, Christ-like love is...

Visit their website here... 

I hope you enjoy their story.

What I Wore Wednesday on Thursday {#7}

Well, another week is in the books! 

I am linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy.  

This post is a day late because I spent the last few days out of town on a business trip.

Thursday - work

Shirt - Stitch Fix

Jeans - The Loft

Shoes - Old Navy

Watch - Michael Kors

Friday - work, work & more work...

...then QHS Graduation

Shirt - Amelia's Fashion Exchange

Jacket - from my Mom

Jeans - The Loft

Shoes - Vince Camuto

Monday - Court hearing, road trip for work

Shirt - J. Crew

Cardigan - J. Crew

Jeans - The Loft

Shoes - TOMS

Tuesday - training for work with Shanna

...maybe for the last time???

that morning...

Shirt - Amelia's Fashion Exchange

Jeans - The Loft

Sandals - Target

Scarf - gift from Shanna

Watch - Michael Kors

that afternoon...

Shirt - Walmart

Cardigan - JCPenney

Shorts - Target (new)

Sandals - Old Navy

Hat - Target (new)

I'm so glad I bought this hat.  Winston ate my other one.

...and in shorts which I NEVER wear...trying to not be so critical of myself!

Life's too short, right?

and that night...

Shirt - Amelia's Fashion Exchange

Shorts - Target (new)

Sandals - Old Navy

Hat - Target (new)

Watch - Michael Kors

Look who missed me while I was away???

Don't forget our Link Party next Monday!

Link up your favorite Summer Recipes...

I can't wait for you guys to see the new changes we are making for the blog! It was time for a face lift!!!

Monday's Top 5 {#10}

Via Pinterest

1) Movie Inspiration

2) Book Inspiration

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

You will not regret reading this! It is one of my favorites...

California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.  Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside. Then she meets Michael Hosea. A man who seeks his Father’s heart in everything, Michael Hosea obeys God’s call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel’s every bitter expectation until, despite her resistance her frozen heart begins to thaw. But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband’s pursuing love, terrified of the truth she can no longer deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael Hosea does…the One who will never let her go.  A life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love. 

Via  Francine Rivers

3) Life Inspiration

Just be yourself....

4) Beauty Inspiration

Kate Spade Supercalifragilipstick

Buy it here...

5) Wife Inspiration

Remember...life is too short to dread Mondays!

xoxoxo....

Our Weekend...

I can't believe another year has come and gone! On Friday night we celebrated the 2014 graduates.  As I watched them walk up and receive their diplomas and scholarships I thought about how their lives are really just beginning and how they are about to embark on such a memorable time of their lives.  I was especially proud of the five young men that will be joining military branches.  

This is a picture of one of those special young men.

So proud of them!

Photos by Melissa

I teared up several times that night...I'm so emotional! Watching them stand up there and salute was one of them....other times were as I watched a young lady hug her mom as she accepted a scholarship and another time was when a young man hugged his father, the superintendent, as he received his diploma.  

I also spent some moments thinking about the moms and the many emotions that they might be feeling as they watched their babies graduate. 

A difficult thing to grasp as young men and women is that the decisions you make during high school and college can affect you for the rest of your lives.  I hope and pray that these young men and women will continue to make positive choices. 

 For me, the secret to making more positive choices was to finally put God as the center of my life.  When I gave up trying to be a part of this world and recognized that God should come first in all things....my marriage, my parenting, my job, my friends, etc.... That is when things began to change in my life.  The more I leaned on God, the more my life began to make sense.

If only I would've unlocked that secret as an 18 year old....

On Saturday we traveled to Wichita Falls to watch our boys play in the 7on7 tournament.  They did not qualify for State that day, but they will have another opportunity this Friday.  They played hard against some 3A and 2A teams....I saw some really great stuff out on that field.  

Photo by Brandi Leija

One entertaining thing about 7on7 is watching the coaches, my husband included, having to sit on the sidelines and not be able to really coach their kids.  It can drive them crazy at times because they love the game so much.  
Only 9 more weeks, guys!

Summer is officially here and our kids have begun their summer vacation with their dad.  I miss the kids so much when they are gone that I have to keep their bedroom doors closed....but I am thankful that they aren't that far away and that they won't be gone for an entire month! Just a week at a time..but it still feels like forever! 

While they are home I plan on taking advantage of our time as much as I can.  That's why I'm so grateful for the Link Party we did a few weeks ago with the Kids Summer Activities....I can't wait to do some of those activities that other moms shared!

Join us on June 9th for another Link Party.  This one will feature Summer Recipes...I have a yummy one to share.

Here is the Link Party schedule for the rest of 2014!

Also.....BIG changes are happening on the blog soon! 

I thought it was time for a little bit of change....

Have a great evening with your loved ones :)