I am . . .

Right now, I am… Posted: 28 Sep 2011 04:13 AM PDT …in a hurry to get this RFP finished so I can have the weekend off!  …kind of frustrated because the lady I work with is slow when it comes to computers and working efficiently!  …a little jealous of people who just can throw anything on and look super cute. …immensely grateful that I love a man that loves me no matter how rough I treat him after a bad day at work(working on this).  …remembering exactly how blessed I am to have great friends and an amazing support system!  …thankful that Shauna and I are in good health and it is important to us to always be that way.  …hoping to get everything packed, cooked, and iced down for the first leg of our road trip tomorrow night.  …excited because I get to see my best friend, Katie this weekend!!!  …still hemming and hawing about getting the wall paper finished in the kitchen.  …encouraged by the appreciation I am now feeling at work after finally standing up for myself.  …discouraged by the lack of motivation in my boss to expand and move more technologically based within our department.  …happy that I have a partner that always makes things 50/50. . . it's important to do things together and be a team. Thankful he feels the same.  …loving the amazing weather we are having . . . i want to move my desk oursidE!  …remembering that I need to make sure Rocky Bones is taken care of this weekend while we are away.  …wishing it was already Thursday afternoon!  …low on caffeine this morning.  …tired of high gas prices, road trips are for saving on money!  …excited about watching AR football live in Dallas Stadium with the best friends a girl could ask for!  …happy that the kinks have been pretty much worked out for the weekend. . . smooth sailing for  here on out!  …anxious to get all pack, loaded, and on the road!  …heading off to get everyone fed and ready to go out the door. What are you doing/thinking right now?

Be you!

"Each bird must sing with his own throat."
-- Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906)

There are times in my life when I wish I could do something as well as someone else or possibly even be someone else. I think if we were being honest, we would have to admit we have done this once, twice or maybe every day. As hard as we try, for whatever reason, we will never be someone other than ourselves. BUT . . . . We can be amazing at who we truly are!

We all write, dance, learn, pray, and love in different ways. We have to love ourselves other for our individuality. . . because after all, that’s what makes us who we are! 

We can learn from others, build on what they have done, and apply our own unique touch to it. I have had to realize that no matter how hard I try, I am not perfect. Situations aren’t always going to be perfect, plans aren’t always going to go perfect, and my hair isn’t always going to look perfect. : )  Once I came to realize this, I felt as if I was finally living. I don't seem to worry about the little things as much any more. I give each day the best shot I can and that’s all I can do. When I lay my head down at night I want to know I gave it my all- every time!

You make a really great you!! March to your own drum and sing your own song . . . when we are being who we truly are on the inside it shows on the outside! Accept yourself and start living!! 

Life IS hard!

You just have to keep getting up and keep on trying!

“Success is getting up ONE more time than you fall”

I'm gonna keep on, keep on, lovin' you!

A year ago today was the day Shaun implied he wanted me to be his girlfriend . . . I say implied because it was never really said out loud but only suggested in a quick conversation that occurred the night we returned from celebrating Rusty and Katie's engagement in St. Louis. The past years journey has created so many lasting memories. I say this a lot, but I mean it every time . . . I am a lucky girl! There are so many mushy gushy things I could say about Shaun, but to avoid you all gagging from all the corny . . . I will just tell you a few of the funny things I love and have learned from Shaun over the past year.

• The world doesn't come to a stand still if I don't have a plan. Shaun would say we are still working on this one. 
• Boxing is actually a lot of fun to watch. He is patient and answers all of my many questions. . . until I fall asleep right before the main event. Unfortunately, I have a hard time making it all they way through. 
• Watching CNN makes me feel like more of an American. 
• Loving a hairy shedding dog with 10 different names has turned into one of the many high lights of my day.  
• It's ok for the man to be better in the kitchen! It takes a lot to admit, but this does work out in my favor sometimes. He is such a great teacher. I have learned a lot from him so far. 
• It's ok to have different opinions and look at things from different perspectives. Together it gives us a more well rounded view of the situation.  
• Rocking out to Snoop Dogg and others in the genre can be enjoyable every now and then! 
• There doesn't have to be constant conversation. I struggled with this in the beginning. . . imagine that! 
• I love live music. . . Especially when Shaun plays the bongos.  
• Where I am weak Shaun is strong.
•  It's ok to disagree or be upset with one another. Conflict can be a good thing at times. 
• Life is too short to not be happy . . . Enjoy what you doing no matter what it is.
• Spend time with the people that mean the most to you and cherish every moment! 

This is a picture of us from the St. Louis engagement.

 I had a lot less hair on my head and he had a lot less on his face!

  What a difference a year can make! 

On the road again . . .

      These past couple of weeks have been a whirl wind. I am not real sure if I am coming or going at this point. I have been very busy with work . . . We have had a lot of workshops out of town and this past weekend I spoke to a couple of groups at the Infant Toddler Extravaganza in Little Rock. I ended up coming back to Little Rock Monday afternoon in order to be here first thing this morning for a two day strength based coaching adventure. So far so good. . .

      My grandparents just so happened to be in town tonight. My Pop is having an outpatient procedure tomorrow to remove scar tissue from his last prostate surgery. Please keep him in your prayers. The procedure is tomorrow morning at 6. We stopped by Target tonight after dinner to load up on cookies and candy for the night. He loves his sweets! 

      So much going on but not much that is very interesting . . . Just wanted you all to know I am still alive, but just super busy. After tomorrow I am hoping things will settle down for a little bit. Looking forward to next weekend . . . Praying Shaun and I have good weather for our TENT camping weekend!! Yes I said tent . . . We shall see how this turns out! That will be a post all in it's self. 

Here are just a few things that make me smile!! 

Shaun knows I love Vera Bradley. . . 

The one thing I didn't have! 

It's one of my little daily reminder of how lucky I am to have such a supportive, caring, and loving man. 

 Katie recently introduce me to my new favorite snack . . . 

Nutella spread on a flour tortilla! Suggest you try it!!

These are some of the delicious strawberries Mrs. Lin shared with us. 

Some of them have recently been smothered in chocolate! Just think about that for a minute. . . YUMMM! 

Until NExt time! 

Crazy Girl

Eli Young Band is one of my favorite bands. They just so happen to be coming to the Rev Room in April and I am hoping to be able to round some people up to go. This is one of their newest songs.  As much as I don't like to admit it . . . I am a CRAZY girl! 

What I'm Loving

I'm loving cooking with Shaun! : ) 

Heart shaped sweet potato . . . made with "love"! 

I'm loving how much Lainey is enjoying her new job. 

She has wanted one for so long now. I am proud of how hard she is working. Blurry picture, but she still is super cute in her Dairy Queen getup! 

I'm loving this bedspread. 

Shabby chic with a little bit of that dark blue makes it a good mix of masculine and feminine. 

I'm loving my Pop's Valentines Day card for my Nana! 

I'm loving my Nana. 

She is always there for me and can make me laugh harder than just about anyone I know. Always pushing and wanting what is best for me. She is an inspiration. 

I'm loving her cooking!! 

White beans and home made corn bread. . . doesn't get much better! 

I'm loving lazy days with Jimmy! 

Isn't he precious! 

I'm loving that I was able to sign my name to my first official training this week. 

I have been training under Ms. Jo's name and number since I started. The paper work finally came through and it made me official! 

I'm loving my Aunt Vera's wedding dress! 

She and Uncle Bobby look so happy in this picture. I love the length. 

Makes me think. . . What will mine look like? : )

I'm loving this house! 

I drive past it every time I work with Nicole in West Memphis. 

There is something about it that I just think is gorgeous! 

I'm loving Melanie's new job. 

She got a job working with the classifieds section at the local newspaper. 

She seems to really like it. I am proud of her! 

I'm loving the new cupcake shop in West Memphis. 

Delicious, moist, and unforgettable! 

What are you loving?? 

Missing you!

I just got a text from a great friend I had in college. Mark and Matt Slavik are twins I met during my first few days at UCA. They are wonderful Christian men and were great friends to me during my time in Conway. Mark's text said that his Dad has passed away and then ended with the visitation and funeral times. I have lost touch with these guys and a lot of other friends over the past few years. It is sad how we all allow this to happen. I have no idea what has been going on with his dad. Now is not the time to drill him with a lot of questions, but it makes me sick to my stomach to think that one of my best friends just a few short years ago, has been going through something like this and I had no idea.

I need to do a better job of keeping in touch with friends and family. We never know what tomorrow might hold. I have experienced losing someone very close to me. Someone that knew me almost as well as I knew myself. The moments you think that will be recreated the next time you see that person. . . might not ever come to be for whatever reason. Please take time to contact these people and reconnect with them. Make the most of the time you have with the people that mean the most to you.  We all have those people in our lives that even though it might be months since the last time we talked about them. . . it really doesn't feel that way. Don't let something happen and regret not keeping in touch.

Day 5- Daddy

This is another one of those days where we will have to change it up for our special person. In my case this would be for my . . .  the one of these days, fingers crossed, hopefully I get married before I am passed my child baring years (as Lainey says),  baby daddy! : ) I have always been told I need to pray for my future husband. . . This is one of the main things I pray for when I pray for him. 


If your man is already a daddy, this is a prayer that is probably constantly on your heart. I know that it is for me. If you do not yet have children, this is the perfect time to start praying for them, by praying for their daddy.

Our Focus:

Teach him to train his children up in godliness.

May his time with his children be increased.

Grant him wisdom, patience and endless love.

Grow his children up to always bring joy to their daddy.

Prepare him to use 'life' as a teacher for his children.

Inspire him through his offspring.

May he always see the wonders of the Lord in his children.

Day 4- Husband

Today's topic is specific for husbands. You can take this and turn it however you would like. I am just leaving it the way it is because I think it is good for those that are praying for them. I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Sorry these posts have been sporadic and a little crazy.  


God has been doing some good things in my heart as I've put much time and focus on the spiritual well-being of my husband. Anyone else?

Today, let's focus on our person as just that, a husband. If you are not yet married, pray for your guy as he steps into the role of husband.  For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. Your husband, my husband, is the leader. Already. It's settled. You don't have to negotiate it or loose sleep over it, they are the head of the home. Christ appointed them to that role. 

In thinking about praying for this role,  it was hard for me to stripe this roll from the other rolls he fulfills. Yet, it is the one role that is solely created for me. Funny, isn't it?

Our focus:

Encourage him in his leadership of me, his wife. 

Continue to develop him into a man that always makes marriage a priority

Give him a deep love for me, his spouse.

Give him new revelation into your heart for marriage.

Guard his eyes from Satan's attempts to steal his affection from me. 

May he be a model of submission as he submits to the Lord.

Give him wisdom in leadership.