Finish This Week 44

It has been a little bit of a crazy week around our household. Joshua, my youngest brother received his verbal orders that he will be going to Japan for two years. We're so relieved that this isn't a combat zone, but also sad that we likely won't see him for at least a year. That's what Skype is for, right? We're scrambling around trying to figure out how he's getting home for leave, whether or not any of us are going to Missouri next Friday for his graduation and all of this being complicated by the fact that he doesn't have paper orders yet that include details like times & specific dates. This also means he won't be at our brother Jacob's wedding and for sure will miss Christmas (he's awaiting word on whether or not he can extend his scheduled leave to be home for Thanksgiving).

This was his version of sending me a picture of him at the Marine Student Ball yesterday.

Apparently there was no one else there to take a picture of him... silly boys. 

 On to the Finish This link up!

_______ makes me smile because

My daughter, because she so silly and full of life

My husband, because he is a big kid - always goofing around!

The song service in church, because there's something so wonderful about praising Him!

I put my trust

in my family, both immediate and extended. My husband, I rely on him entirely!

In God, because He's got this! (though sometimes I forget to put my trust in Him. Working on that.)

I don't

the first thing that came to mind is smoke. I don't smoke, never have, never will - never had a desire to.

I don't drink enough water :( I don't know why I'm so bad about this, but I'm awful at hydrating. 

Join us in the weekly link up! Also, it's 8 weeks until the Year In Review link up! (can you believe that we're 8 weeks out from the end of 2014?!?) I participated last year and am already working on my post this year! You can get more info on this on Nicole's blog!

 

Join us! LISA (COASTLINED), JEN (The Arizona Russums), BECKY (The Java Mama) and NICOLE (Three 31)

 

I love my readers...

I love my wonderful readers!

I love getting comments! Nothing is better than getting some advice or answers to questions I sometimes write at the bottom of posts (usually regarding parenting etc). 

Recently I've gotten a whole bunch of comments from no-reply bloggers! This makes me so sad because I can't reply to your comments and I'd love to! Sometimes I can track down the person and get their email address and reply that way, but I'm gonna be honest & tell you that my time is very stretched these days and I don't have time to do that kind of investigative work anymore. 

On a slightly unrelated, yet related post *stepping on soap box* one of the biggest reasons I stop following a blog is when the author doesn't ever respond to comments. For some of the bigger blogs, I understand not responding to every single "great post!" comments, but it just really irks me when I leave a heartfelt comment (or 10... on various posts of course, I'm not a stalker!) and I never hear anything back. Or worse, when I ask a question and don't hear boo back. I have gotten frustrated with some of my very favorite blogs recently and am seriously considering unfollowing. One of my favorite things about blogging is the community, how can a community be developed if no communication occurs. 

So - please check and see if you're a no reply blogger! 

Rather than re-invent the wheel, check out some of these tutorials to fix the problem. 

Venus Trapped in Mars discusses here a new & even more frustrating way you could be a no-reply blogger with a great tutorial to fix the problem. (Sarah, I too hate Google +!!)

This is a great tutorial if you don't use the Blogger platform to blog with.

And this is how I fixed my no-reply status forever ago when I first started blogging.

Tea Cup Exchange

I recently participated in a teacup exchange on Stephanie's Blog, The Enchanting Rose

This is the second time I've done a teacup exchange with her, and both times have been such a blessing! I found Stephanie through Lauren and we use these exchanges as an opportunity to go out together and pick out tea cups for our recipients. We were discussing all the wonderful people we have the opportunity to meet through this exchange and both agreed that it really says something about Stephanie and her beautiful spirit that she has such wonderful, friendly and generous readers! So thank you Stephanie, I know it must be a lot of work to get this exchange together but what a joy it is to participate!!

Speaking of those beautiful people we get the opportunity to meet... I received my teacup from Olivia. First of all, not only is my tea cup beautiful!! She wrapped the box beautifully, I loved how special I felt opening such a gorgeous package! Inside the beautiful box she sent many goodies with the great tea cup!

I've learned that Olivia is quite the crafty person - look at this awesome banner she sent me! I just LOVE it! It's still hanging in my kitchen and I smile every time I see it! Thank you Olivia!!

I sent a teacup to Beth. My Mommy brain was in full swing so I don't have a picture of the tea cup I sent her, but I loved how simple and classic it was! It reminded me of having tea parties with my Granny as a little girl! Hop over to her blog to see it!

2013 A Year in Review

What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
I'm sitting here trying to think of a less obvious answer than "Pregnancy & Childbirth", but really that's what this year revolved around. We also bought a mini-van, the first big-girl purchase I've made!

Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't really make resolutions at the new year, but I do something similar on my birthday (January 4, so basically New Years). Considering we weren't pregnant quite yet when I made that list, we met most of the goals that were realistic for the change.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yup - me! :) Also, my dear friend Tiffany gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Juliet!

Did anyone close to you die?
No.

What countries did you visit?
I didn't even leave Texas this year...

What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
I honestly cannot think of a single possession that I'd like that much. I'm very happy with my life and my little family!

What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory? Monday, October 21 - the birth of my beautiful daughter!

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Becoming a Mother followed by a job promotion.

What was your biggest failure?
There isn't one thing that comes to mind, but I really struggled physically with Pregnancy and balancing all of that with work.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Outside of the normal pregnancy stuff (nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, etc.) I was actually really healthy this year!!

What was the best thing you bought?
Best and biggest... My Mommy-mobile - a Mini Van!

Whose behavior merited celebration?
I'm really proud of John and I for the amount of debt we paid off in the first of the year! Going into the summer we were free of credit card debt! Unfortunately, we've had to use them again but the debt isn't anywhere near what it was and we're paying it off quickly! It feels so nice using them as the financial tool they're made to be!

Where did most of your money go?
Into the nursery! Or medical bills associated with the pregnancy/birth.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Meeting our daughter!

What song will always remind you of 2013?
I can't think of one...

Compared to this time last year, are you:
 
Happier or sadder?Happier!
Thinner or fatter?Thinner!
Richer or poorer?Poorer, which is ironic because we both made more money than we did in 2012!

What do you wish you’d done more of?
I wish we had traveled more and spent more time with our friends.

What do you wish you’d done less of?

I wish I spent less time worrying about anything & everything.

How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas is quite the event this year! We will have a family get-together with John's side the Saturday before Christmas. The Sunday before Christmas, we're having a quasi family reunion with my Dad's family. Christmas Eve & Christmas Day we will spend with my immediate family & some local extended family.

Did you fall in love in 2013?
 Yes! With my beautiful baby girl!

How many one-night stands?
 bahaha... no.

Who were your best friends? 
 Lauren, Tiffany, Kim & Kim

What thing did you do that was meaningful to others?
I did my usual volunteer projects but I'm not sure what of that would stick out. This year we kind of took for ourselves, and honestly we needed to do that.

What were your favorite TV programs?
Greys Anatomy, Walking Dead, Revenge

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope.

What was the best book you read in 2013?
What to expect when your wife is expanding... My reading was pretty much centered around the pregnancy.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
How very annoying the music is on children's toys! Seriously, I think they commission the music for these toys with the request that it be the most repeatative and obnoxious as possible!

What did you want and get?
A natural birth!

What did you want but did NOT get?
 For the first time (practically ever), I coveted fashionable clothes. I was the size of two people, so I didn't get any.
I also wanted to go to Hawaii for our second honeymoon - we had a child instead. 

What was your favorite film of this year?
Catching Fire

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 24, I'm sure John and I went out to dinner that night but really we celebrated both our birthdays and anniversary later in the month. The day after my birthday I had a lovely massage and then went out with my friend Kimmi!

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
 I can't think of something, this year was wonderful!

What kept you sane?
 Knowing that pregnancy would eventually end!

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
 ha, well I'm still not much of a Pop Culture follower so....???

What political issue stirred you the most?
The mess associated with Obamacare, trying to figure it out and how it will affect our office and our clients. It really has been a big mess!

Who did you miss?
 I missed my Mom a lot this year! Especially since Joshua graduated High School this year.

Who was the best new person you met this year?
 I'm really fond of our Doula, Susan! Life changing, really.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
Change isn't bad, sometimes it is coming, you can't help that change will happen and you should embrace it. I spent so much of the year scared with the changes that were coming and not knowing how to embrace them. I wish I had enjoyed my pregnancy more but I spent too much of it afraid. Afraid of how it affected our lives, marriage and of course afraid for the health of my child.

Quote that sums up your year:
1 Samuel 1:27
For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him.

The beginning of the end

As we draw to the end of our pregnancy we're very aware of the fact that this is the end of life being just the two of us.  I think I'm more worried about this than John is, but I also saw what life was like in a house full of kiddos - granted that was from a child's perspective but I'm still nervous about what this will mean for us as a couple when little-one comes along. 

So, in the last few weeks of life as Two, I'm trying to do as much as I physically can and make the most of each day!

This past weekend was a crazy one!!

Friday we left work early and headed to Dallas for the SMU vs. Tech game! We had a great time cheering our team on, even in the miserable heat!

(On another note about Friday, President George W. Bush did the coin toss... I think I may be the only person in the whole stadium that didn't get a picture because my *brand new* dumb phone decided to freeze up right then!)

Saturday was a busy day! We had Maternity pictures that morning! Then the afternoon was spent with a friend in town from the football game. We met up back in Dallas and toured the new George W. Bush Library & Museum. I loved the Library! It was so interactive and really family friendly! I was surprised to see so many pregnant ladies, new mommas and families with little ones there!

I'm not thinking she will adjust well to not being the only baby...

Sunday we kind of took the day to relax. We were entertaining house guests so we didn't make it to church. It was a day of errands, necessary to-dos (like the grocery store) and loving on our fur-babies!

Monday (Happy Labor Day!) was spent with family! Probably the last holiday family gathering until Baby Girl arrives!

It was requested that I make my Moms Banana Pudding - It isn't difficult, but it is laborious. It was so yummy. Just the way I remember her making it! I love making things from recipes in her handwriting!

I'm so excited for this upcoming weekend! It is the only weekend in the month of September that we didn't have something scheduled; so, we're going to do a BabyMoon/Stay-cation. 

We decided that going on a big trip wasn't a wise decision budget wise, especially since we moved and bought a vehicle this summer; but now that we're nearing the end of the "Two of Us" days we really feel the need for a little get-away. (The only one we will have had since our Anniversary/Birthday extravaganza back in January) We're going to Fort Worth (just an hour down the road) and we plan to tour the Botanical Gardens and the Water Gardens (neither of us have seen either) and then that evening go on one of our favorite outtings as a couple - the Drive in Theater (one of the things we miss most about Lubbock!)!! 

Any other fun activity recommendations for Fort Worth??

Fall Fever

I am so ready for Fall! What isn't to love? Football, good food and cute decorations!

(I would say Fall clothes, they are awfully cute, but we don't get enough cool weather to justify a "fall wardrobe")

This fall we are also welcoming our first Wee One and I'm so excited! I've always said that I need to have a Fall baby so we could do these adorable Pintrest-y things with the baby.

I'm not much into Halloween Decorating per-say. We grew up wearing costumes & trick-or-treating but we always did animal costumes, or Biblical costumes, Prince/Princess type themes, never the scary stuff. My fall decor style is much the same, nice fall decorations in general, come October 31, I might add a jack-o-lanturn or two but that's about it.

1/2/3

Is it too early to start decorating for fall??

I know if I wait too long, I will be far too pregnant to care, but I'm really antsy to bust out the orange boxes in the storage shed!

If I manage a Fall Craft for this year, I think it may only be an adorable Tassel Garland in fall colors. 

I love this tutorial by Wifessionals on how to do one in yarn (so it's more durable for storage etc.). If I get really crazy, I may make one in Red & Black for Tech Football games! (Wreck 'Em Tech!)

 Do you have any fun fall crafts planned?

Tea Cup Exchange

When my friend Lauren emailed telling me about this exchange I was so excited!!

Who doesn't love beautiful teacups?!?

I received this gorgeous tea cup from the sweetest lady, Heather!

I love it!!

She was also kind enough to send along some extra goodies!

Thank you so much Heather!
(I didn't even make it inside from the mailbox without busting open the vanilla waffers & having one! We're going to blame it on the pregnancy!)

And a huge thanks to Stephanie for hosting this great exchange!!

Binging

Have you seen the new Netflix Original Series, House of Cards?

I was reading an article about the series and how they developed it (and of course now I can't find the article to link back). I found it very interesting that the whole season was available at once. They suggested that it was the new trend of binge watching of shows.

In all of my social media classes associated with my Mass Communications classes, I never encountered this idea. It was such an "ah hah" moment for me!  I'd never thought of the way I watched TV as binging, but it's so true! 

My first TV binging was in the pre-Netflix days (ya know, back when we wrote on stone tablets...).

My Dad, brothers and I all really enjoyed the TV series 24. We would go rent a season of 24 on a Friday evening after a dinner out, head home and veg out infront of the TV.

By the end of the weekend, we would have essentially watched 24 hours of television. 

Since then some of the shows I've "binged" on are; Greys Anatomy, Army Wives, Heroes, House of Cards, Baby Daddy, Sister Wives, Bones, Weeds, Rescue Me, Private Practice, Breaking Bad and Burn Notice.  And those are just the ones I can think off the top of my head. 

When I binge watch TV, I'm always doing other things, Netflix usually being the facilitator of this delightful habit, it's handy that I can watch on my laptop as I work in the kitchen or do things other rooms of the house. It isn't as if there are countless hours with me plopped in front of the television doing nothing.

Binge watching drives John nuts! He would prefer for us to watch one or two episodes at a time and then a couple more a few nights later. 

Is this something you do? Is binge watching really becoming a trend as we have more access to lots of television content at once?  Is it a gender specific habit? Am I alone in my unhealthy habit?

2012: A year in Retrospect

I celebrated 23 years of life!

John celebrated 27 years of life!

We celebrated 1 year of marriage!

I started my business with Thirty-One!

John's cousin Drew graduated High School!
We visited the family in Houston for his graduation and made a trip to Galveston!

Jacob moved to college

Corpus Christi & San Antonio/Sea World Vacation

Milestones - we both held the same job for the entire year!
We lived in the same house for an entire year!
We accomplished several of our goals for from our 101 in 1,001 list!

Happy New Year!
Have a Safe and Happy New Years' Eve!!

A plea for my Sanity

I am so frustrated!!

I cannot for the life of me figure out how to post buttons on my side bar.

I know it's supposed to be easy - I'm not great with computers, but I have to be missing something somewhere!

I've read article after article detailing how to do this and I. Just. Can't. Figure. It. Out.

{can you tell I'm about ready to scream??}

I am 90% positive that my problem lies in the fact that every  tutorial I have read says that my interface/dashboard WHATEVER should look like this...

But it doesn't. Mine looks like this:

I've tried reverting back to a classic design; copying & pasting my html codes for the blog design into that template designer... and all that got me was a blog looking like a list of html codes. :(

I've tried finding where in the html code these buttons should go and pasting the html code in but no such luck.

Suggestions?? Do you know of some amazing Tutorial I just haven't found? Am I just really missing something major?

Any help is appreciated because I seriously screamed at the computer this afternoon. Mind you, this is the fourth wasted afternoon I've spent fooling around with this crap.

I am Thankful.

{I'm sure you're all sick of the obligatory Thankful posts,
but here is mine to add to the mix.}

 

I am thankful for...

... a husband who loves me unconditionally; who loves ME for who I am {quirks and all!}

... a family who is constantly supportive and loving.

...a job, when so many are going without, my job pays me well, provides a support system, cares about me as a person - not just a cog in a wheel.

... a Father who sent his SON, providing me Salvation.

...a father who generously gave John and I a roof over our heads.

...brothers who have grown into wonderful men and the best of friends.

... becoming a part of the Thirty-One family! I have formed friendships with people near & far! I work with (not for!) an amazing company and am able to additionally contribute to my family's' financial freedom!

... Friends who are an extra family! Such a blessing!

...an extended family, that though there may be distance is still very close to my heart.

... a Nation that provides me the freedom to express my beliefs and opinions.

I hope that you and your family have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

my take on Black Friday

Every year there is a lot of talk about Black Friday leading up to the largest shopping day of the year.

I think Black Friday is great - there are a lot of people out there who love it and it is a great boost for our economy!

What I don't love, is the opening of stores on Thanksgiving Day.

________________________________________________________

I was watching The View on Monday, all the employee strikes and petitions against working Thanksgiving day were the topic of choice. 

The justification that so many use for it being "okay" for stores to be open on Thanksgiving Day is that employees are well compensated for their time spent away from their families. 

If you haven't worked retail, particularly "Big Box" retail, let me tell you how it works.

YOU are selected to work, if you are the "new kid". Not because you're new, but because they don't pay you Holiday pay yet!  Of course Corporate tells America, "but they're compensated" or "we asked for volunteers". And yes, if you walk into your neighborhood Walmart, there will be some employees working receiving Holiday pay. The majority however, will be separated from their families running a register at their normal hourly wage, and chances are they didn't get a say in it.

How do I know? The first Thanksgiving without my Mom, the same year that I graduated college and couldn't find work; I worked at Walmart in the photo department. 

Thanksgiving Day I worked a full 8 hour shift.

I tried to explain that I wanted to be with my family... but I was the new kid.

Everyone else in my department would have gotten Holiday pay to work.

I went home, ate a quick "thanksgiving" meal with John (my then-fiance who was also working at a different Walmart and having to work Thanksgiving), slept for a couple of hours and went back to work. From Thanksgiving Day into Black Friday, I worked 20 out of a 24 hour period. No holiday pay, no overtime pay. Squat {except of course the barely above minimum wage I was earning}.

I had then crossed over into a new pay period, so later that week I showed up to my scheduled shift and was sent home because I was going to get over time - oh no!

_____________________________________________________

I get it, America is all about convenience, so there's no way that stores are going to all shut down on Thanksgiving. I don't see why we can't go back to the days of my childhood though, your local grocery store opened for a few hours in the morning to assist those (like me) who would forget an essential ingredient in the days festivities. Then about noon, close their doors so that their employees can spend time with their families before having to be back at the crack of dawn the next day to assist the crazy crowds of Holiday Shoppers.

elisabeth hasselbeck ‏@ehasselbeck

So... Shopping/ working on black Friday at 3am or midnight is "good .. But shopping/ working at 9pm on thanksgiving is "bad". #hmm

  

The issue isn't the 9:00 pm store openings... it's the fact they were open all day!

{and by the way, it makes it nearly impossible for thousands to travel on Thanksgiving}

Happy Friday & Random thoughts from the week...

~ ~Jacob is home from college!! He kick started his Thanksgiving break by scheduling ETBU's jazz band at Sanger High School for a concert concluding their tour.

~ ~I can't believe that Thanksgiving is next week, I haven't given one thought to what I'm cooking, but the great part of the holidays with John's family is it gives me a break from cooking because his Grandmother loves handling all of it!

~ ~It's just going to have to be okay that our Christmas tree is up before Thanksgiving. We aren't going to be home for Turkey Day, or all that weekend. Then we are busy all December long, if it doesn't go up now - I don't know when it will.

~ ~I am not the person who needs to be making exceptions to the firewall. I can't even figure out how to put a button on my sidebar. Trust me, we should pay someone to make firewall exceptions!

~ ~Ultimate call screening. I answer the phone at the office, they ask for me - "I'm sorry, Rebekah isn't available right now, would you like her voicemail?", because I just don't feel like dealing with that right now...

~ ~I have unintentionally joined in with No Shave November... I can't find my razor anywhere! (I will be going to the store this weekend)

~ ~It is the cost of doing business to have credit and debit card fees. I do not find it acceptable for you to directly pass them on to me as a penalty for using the most common form of payment!  If I can pay with a credit card to a street vendor in the Big Easy - I should be able to do the same for my freaking utilities!

~ ~ My Uncle BD is coming back to Texas from Arizona for Thanksgiving!! I can't wait to see him! We miss him so much!!

Some pictures from ETBU's preformance and lunch today.

Excuse the Crap Phone picture...

Bubba Jacob!

Bubbas Joshie with Jacob!

I have never seen a group of people so excited about "real" food!

A Proud Dentonite!

Okay, so I'm not really a Dentonite - but I might as well be! 

I was born in Denton, I work in Denton and almost everything social we do is in Denton!

Denton has been rated as the #1 Best Small Town in the USA by Business Insider!

I'm proud to work in one of the Mom & Pop shops that makes our town unique!

 

 

Doggie Love

I have always loved animals, but I've never been that person who personifies her pets. That is, until John and I started dating! 

As the relationship between J & I developed and grew, I found myself working for approval from his dog, yes his dog! Until the day that Chloe died, she was less than thrilled that another woman had come into Johns life!

I'm always taking pictures of our pets, particularly our doggy Clyde & all the awkward ways he sits. I thought it was high time I shared some with you!

John & Clyde hugging in the driveway

{excuse the mess...} Clyde likes to sit like this! No clue why!?!

Boots the cat likes to put each limb on either side of the couch. True laziness!

Clyde & Daddy like to cuddle

He has the WHOLE couch and look how he likes to sleep!

A close up of how silly his mouth looks when he sleeps!

Pepper is always overjoyed that "DADDY IS HOME!!!"

Thrift Store Wonder!

A major part of keeping a monthly budget for J & I is shopping second hand clothes.

My last trip to Platos Closet I hit the Jack Pot!!

I'm pretty hit or miss in any thrift store, but particularly that one for me, so I was quite excited!!

4 shirts + 1 dress + 1 shrug + 1 pair flip flops + 2 pair shorts

= $75! That's an average of $8 per item!

Did I mention that over half my haul still had the store tags on the items?

Sporting my new Pink shirt the next day at Mamas Write!

Thrifting is a huge blessing to us!

John was quite accustomed to name brand clothing and paying retail prices when we first got married. I had been raised in a house with 4 kiddos - we either bought it second hand or it was hand-me-downs. Buying second hand is really all I know (not that I don't shop regular retail stores - I love sales!) 

Stores, particularly Platos Closet, allow me to get John his favorite brands at a quarter (or less!) of the cost!

I keep a list of the things we need (or want) in my wallet - when I've got a spare few minutes to swing by one of my favorite stores I know exactly what we need and I don't get so caught up in shopping (& spending money) for the sake of shopping.

What about you? Do you thrift?

Denton Etsy Harvest Festival

Last Saturday, the Bestie and I went to Denton's Etsy Harvest Festival.

I really enjoyed it! I wasn't sure what to expect, but I am officially impressed by all the beautiful art that local Denton-ites create!

I made two purchases, but keeping it to two purchases was quite the challenge!

I got this adorable pillow from Home Again, Home Again !

I've been meaning to purchase unique throw pillows to decorate with, but hadn't found any that caught my fancy. I love the rustic nature of this pillow, but since the burlap is such a neutral color, I'm confidant that it will match anything in our living room (even after we replace one of the couches soon...)!


Just because I don't have a baby doesn't mean that I don't have baby fever!
When I saw Lil' Monsties table, I couldn't resist running over there!

Our dear friends Tiffy & Josh are expecting their first child and I have been resisting buying every cute baby thing I see since we didn't know the gender. But, last week they announced that it's a GIRL!! so, this will be the first in a long line of gifts from Auntie Bekah & Uncle John!!

I can't wait for their next festival in June!
If you're in the Denton area you should join us!!

My take on the 2012 Election

If you know me, or even if you don't... you can probably guess {just look at my state} who I voted for and how I feel today.

Being a political person I wanted to just make a few points and observations on how I feel about this years election.

• I think it is a shame how much mudslinging has been going on. I'm not talking about between the politicians. Of course I dislike this - but that is as old as America! {don't believe me? I'd be happy to tell you about some of our first elections that included insinuations about candidates and their mothers' sexual behavior} I'm so discouraged by the negative comments made by people like you & me. The number of people on my very own facebook that I've had to reduce what I see of their posts because they're full of horrible content "If you're stupid enough to vote for ... then you don't deserve to be my friend". I have friends from the other side of the aisle and we can get along just fine! Being from a different political party does NOT make someone evil. 
• Something that people seem to have forgotten is these people aren't trying to ruin our country. Neither side is out to get us. We all want the best thing for our Nation, we just disagree on how to get there. The differences between us do not make it okay to say horrid things! Attacking people of differing opinions is Bullying. We don't tolerate it in schools, so why would you think it's okay to bully in social media (or in person for that matter).
• Something I think has become lost on our generation especially is the concept of privacy! Somewhere along the way where we talk, post and tweet about what we eat, where we go and what we think we found it acceptable to ask our friends, family or total strangers who they voted for. It is your right to not answer them! Our voting system is secret ballot for a reason. I am going to make it my personal goal to remind those who solicitously ask what my vote was that it is "non ya".
• And most importantly, we seem to have lost the concept of respect and prayer. When I was a child, I remember Presidents who were of a different political party than that we affiliate with, but I was not permitted to speak ill of our President because he was a figure of power and therefore earned our respect. I am not suggesting that we swallow whatever is fed to us; the roots of Democracy are based in questioning authority and holding them accountable. This can be done respectfully! 
• I may not have voted for him, but he is my President. He will receive my appropriate respect and regard for the position he holds in our nation. I will pray for the leader of our country just as I would if it were the candidate I had voted for. 

If you are happy with where our nation is, I'm happy for you. If you want to see change, it starts now in the election system. Please educate yourself on the most important civic duty we have. Please be involved in our political system, you can do more than simply voting! We are so blessed to be in the United States of America and to have the luxuries of Democracy, don't take it for granted - it can go away.
________________________________

{If you're interested in politics - read on to see my other observation}

• The political era we are experiencing will be historical. I am confidant of it. Not only because of the color of our Presidents skin, but for the division between political parties. I hear so often "it just seems like there is such division in the country". If you've noticed this, you aren't wrong. It's a political trend that happens over time in our country. Statistically speaking, after such a great divide between political parties, a birth of a third more moderate party will come. Many times the party retains a name, but history shows it to become a different "body" if you will. I'm interested to see what history tells about today.

Election

I have been trying to get this post up all day, but sheesh - it has been one of those days!

I hope you got out and voted!

Notice my fancy "I voted" sticker

The hubs and I are vegged out on the couch watching results and enjoying steak & potatoes.

I'm quite political, and of course I am pulling for one candidate, but let's not forget

"The Lord has established His throne in Heaven, and His kingdom rules over all" - Psalm 103:19

Liebster Award!

The sweet Christina from Significance or Nothing nominated me for the Liebster award!

What is the Liebster Award, you ask?
The Liebster Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.

RULES:

1. Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves.
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you, and then create 11 new questions for the bloggers you pass the award to.
3. Choose 11 bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to pass the award to and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them about the award.
5. No tag backs!

Random Facts about Me:

1. I don't do mornings. And I'm not usually so overly concerned about my appearance to do things that I probably aught to do like, blow dry my hair.  I know it behaves much better when I do such a simple task (though it takes at least 20 minutes with my thick hair), but most days I'm bolting out the door with wet hair and blasting the A/C or heat in the truck on my way into the office. Hey, it's better than it was in High School when I perfected the art of brushing my teeth while driving down the road!
2. I day dream, and have pretty vivid dreams during my sleep. I won't lie- my day dreams are pretty worst-case scenario. I think about how I would handle things if John or I were in a bad car accident, or were given a bad health diagnosis etc. Probably pretty pessimistic, but I feel like I handle bad news and crisis situations well and I attribute some of that to the fact that I'm always thinking through the worst-case scenarios. 
3. Change and I don't do well. Sometimes big changes can happen and it isn't a big deal for me, I'm working on being more receptive to it. But I kind of flip out about the little things, particularly the ramifications of a lack of planning.  A for example, if I have to go to the grocery store when I've been doing a good job of keeping up with my couponing and grocery lists/meal plannings and for some reason I need to buy things without my coupons that I know I have at home, it kind of makes me flip out a little. 
4. I play handbells! I've played since I was about 8! It is a great emotional outlet for me! I've played handbells on tour in Florida and Paris France. The group also toured in Spoleto, Italy but I was stuck in Lubbock taking Spanish : /
5. I'm really bad at this kind of thing! I should have a file of "about me" facts or quick questions to answer in situations like this because I'm not good at just spouting things out off the top of my head. {the reason I've been working on this post for over a week!}
6. I'm not a tidy person. I can clean, and put everything in its place; but I'm not good at maintaining the tidiness of our home. And cleaning? Yeah, not so much. I know how to clean, I've spent a great deal of time cleaning homes as a second job. I just stink at doing it on a regular basis in my own home.
                       6.1 I'm excited for May! Why May you ask? Because we already know that we will be moving to be in the middle, half way between Johns work and mine. May is when I will officially be 100% in my new position at work AND May is when John has Okayed that we can hire someone to come in and do the cleaning!!
7. I am just like my Mom! When you look at pictures of her at my age, it is scary to see the striking similarities. My Dad has always said that I look like her when she was younger, but I never really believed it until after she was gone. Example: At her funeral, her half niece (is that the appropriate way to describe that relationship?) was coming along with some of her family. I had never met these people, I think my father only had once. I was standing in the foyer greeting friends and family when these perfect strangers walked up, they of course knew who I was, when I asked how they know who I was - she simply responded that I was Moms spitting image.
8. I was a terribly shy child. Part of it I 'blame' on the fact that Kindergarten was the first real socialization I had with other children my age. I outgrew most of the social anxiety my 8th grade year, but I still remember bawling because my mom was going to make me audition for region band in 7th grade. Though the majority of that is behind me, I'm still not great at trying new things - even going into an unknown store or restaurant makes me a little uneasy, but I'll talk you ear off!
9. When I was a kid, I always thought I wanted to be a teacher. I put myself through college teaching daycare, which I loved! Particularly at the centers that let me have free reign of my own classroom! I love my job, but am pretty sure that sooner rather than later, I will be back in school to get my teachers certification. I just can't see the rest of my life without me being in a classroom at some point.
10. I love Tex-Mex!! I could make an entire days meal off of chips and a good salsa or queso! In fact, I just had some tasty chips & salsa!
11. It doesn't take much to know what is on my mind or what I'm dwelling on. For months, my obsession (of sorts) has been to start a family. We obviously haven't, and our window of time for the next while has closed. We know it must be Gods plan that we aren't yet parents, but sometimes it is really hard to be patient and seek His will.

QUESTIONS FROM CHRISTINA:

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in small town Texas about an hour North of DFW - in the same house that John and I live in now!

2. Do you have an article of clothing that you cannot get rid of no matter how worn it is?

I do - but I guess it's even worse than how worn out it is, because I can't even wear it anymore. I have the Nike wind jacket my Granda bought for me just before he passed away, the down coat my Granny bought for me just before she passed and the Dress (& purse!) I wore to my Uncle Ted & Aunt Shannon's wedding. I am far too nostalgic! 

3. Have a bucket list? What's the number on thing on it?

I have a bucket list of sorts, but it isn't listed in order of priority, I also keep 101 lists for short term big goals!

4. Beauty product you cannot live without?

I don't know if this counts... but, Mary Kay Acne Gel. I remember standing at the bathroom mirror with my Mom when I was maybe 13, I was really struggling with acne and I said to her as I was putting on the acne gel that 'I couldn't wait to be an adult and not have breakouts anymore'. Her response as she was putting on acne gel too was that since she had adult acne it would probably be a life long struggle. Sure enough, it is - but with MK I can keep it mostly under control.

5. What is your favorite season of the year, and why?

I love fall!! Spring is also nice too! I'm not a huge fan of the "extreme" seasons. Summer and Winter are a little too drastic for my tastes. 

 

6. Why do you blog?

I blog for me and I blog for my legacy.  Every time I hit a milestone in my life, I wonder if it is normal, or how other people handle it. Particularly, how my Mom would have handled it, planned for the future and managed the stage in her life. I know so well that tomorrow isn't a guarantee and a normal day can turn into a life changing event. I blog to document life and mark goals, but through the lens of tomorrow isn't a guarantee. 

7. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

I don't usually focus on things I can't obtain. I don't usually have an answer for questions like "if you could choose one dead person to talk to for an afternoon..." either. BUT, I love solving problems for friends. I hear a problem and I want to help so much, even if there is nothing to be done. So it isn't X-Ray vision, or supersonic hearing - but I guess I wish my superpower was Problem Solving! (how lame am I?...)

8. Favorite song? You know, the one you sing at the top of your lungs when no one is around. 

"We Live" by Superchick! I can sing, but with this song I sound more like I'm shouting along with the radio. Every time I hear it, I get so pumped up and happy. I can't not sing along with it! "We live, we love, we - forgive and never give up. Because the days we've been given are gifts from above and today we remember to live and to love"

9. What was your first job?

I suppose my very first job was baby sitting - but if that doesn't count, it was ironically enough working for the office I work for now!  In high school the Bestie and I worked doing various cleaning projects and such for her mom's office when they had guardianship accounts. Now several years later I do a much different work for them, but I still think it's funny that it was my "first job" and now the same firm is my "first real job".

10. What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?

Veg out! For someone who likes to be as busy as I do - I really enjoy my time in front of the TV a bit too much!

11. What is your favorite holiday, and why?

I love Thanksgiving!! You mix in sports, food and family and it's a win for everyone! I treasure so many of my early memories of preparing food with a kitchen full of family each year! Nothing beats a house full of family!

Questions for My Nominees:

1. If you had to live somewhere else (far away) where would it be and why?

2. Who has been the kindest to you in life - or a very memorable act of kindness from another?

3. What are you proudest of in your life?

4. All challenges aside, if you could be one thing in this world, your dream job - what is it?

5. What was the most trouble you got into as a child? What was your punishment for it?

6. Did you enjoy school as a child?

7. Are you still friends or in touch with anyone from your high school days?

8. What lessons has your work life taught you?

9. What is your ethnic background/heritage?

10. What is your all time favorite TV show? (or the one you can't live without right now?)

11. Any broken bones in your past {or present}? How did you get them?

Drum Roll... My Nominees Are:

Lauren at Enjoying the Journey

Carolyn at Silly, Happy, Sweet

Jenille at Beyond the Yellow Brick Road

Coming from a Place of YES and everyday in between

Hilary at Diaries of Do'ers

Kaitlin at life. love. & a cup of tea

Chelsea at My Pink Scribbles

Tracey at Ciao from Texas!

No tag backs of course - but my honorary nominee would be Christina at Significance or Nothing. She has an adorable blog, you should check it out!