Give thanks, with a grateful heart..

This is the second year we’ve spent Thanksgiving as a blended family since the two families came together when my Mom and her husband got married.

It’s the second year in which we all went around the table before we ate expressing what we are thankful for. This has become my favorite part of the whole day.



This was our table and before we even began we set out tissues, because from our experience the year before, tears would be shed.

It was apparent that as each of us went around talking that God was walking each of us through difficult times and circumstances, but yet in the midst we all had so much to be thankful for.

But I would say that all the tears shed truly were tears of joy and thankfulness!

Around the table there were prayers for healing of cancer for my Granny who was sitting amongst us, prayer for a better job, prayer for God to take away insecurity, and so on… I could write a whole blog post about everyone at the table. As we were giving thanks though, we also took the time to recognize and share if there was anything God was working and dealing with us on at the time.

But the common theme was we were all so very very thankful in the midst of whatever circumstances we might be going through. I think that is so key in getting through any of the hard stuff we go through in life.

Every day should be a day of Thanksgiving.

So that was my table. And as I looked around I couldn't help but feel blessed being surrounded by the ones I call family. You just can't put a price tag on it because it truly is priceless! Out of all the people placed in your life, there will never been any other like family.

Hope your table as well was one full of the ones you love and lots of thanks!

Ohhhh, and the food was delicious, too. Yes, can’t forget about the food!!

Simplify!

For awhile now I’ve felt like I’ve just been one big mess of clutter.

If you look in the dictionary the definition of clutter is mess, disorder, jumble.

How many of you can say your lives feel like that right now?

I’ve felt like my mind has been going every which way and nothing has made sense and it makes it so hard to focus on anything.

Right now I just want to simplify. I have a sign in my house that hangs and it just simply says “Simplify”…

We should all just meditate on that one simple word. Would make such a world of difference.

I’m not even close to where I should be but during this past week God has been showing me the act of decluttering!!

To simplify (there’s that word again, ha) or get rid of mess, disorder, complications, etc., declutter your life.

Now, I’m not talking about the laundry sitting there waiting to be folded, the dishes to be washed, the stack of papers, or the mail sitting on the counter.

But I’m talking about the stuff that occupies our minds and thoughts. All the stuff that clutter over the important stuff. The stuff that truly matters.

You just have to declutter and simplify.

Simplify....I’m liking that word more and more everyday!

And as we begin the process of decluttering, the more and more we see God! And in the words of Francis Chan in the book Crazy Love (which I just started and already love it), God's tremendous worth becomes more apparent as we see our own puny selves in comparison.

Preach is Mr. Chan!

A great little side note: My Granny's chemo medicine did not come in thru the pharmacy today and she was supposed to have her next treatment tomorrow. So it's being post poned till next week. So she'll be able to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and not feel crummy. We celebrate the little blessings! :)

When God surprises you....

I tossed back and forth whether or not to even blog this… or to just blog about it, but save it for later, as you know… since I’m on a blog break and all. Ha! And honestly, feared that if I did blog then I would seem like I wasn’t a woman of my word.

There were multiple reasons why I felt I needed to take a blog break.

Honestly the reason why I felt the need to step back was not so much because blogging about my life was the issue and the time spent on my personal blog, but it’s being so invested (that can be a good thing, but also bad) in an unhealthy way in the lives of others (whom most I’ve never met by-the-way, ha…but I love every single one of you and I don’t mean that in a bad way at all), and honestly it’s the time I spent commenting and catching up on other people’s blogs and feeling bad if I don’t that was really getting to me.

I felt like I was living to blog, and not just simply living…. Hope that makes sense. I felt like I was getting to the point where I was doing it for all the wrong reasons. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, it’s not about the followers, how many people frequent your blog, or how many comments you get. There should be no fear that if you don’t blog for a few days you’ll lose followers, and if you do, who the heck cares.

I just need to get back to why I started blogging in the first place, for me and me alone.

With that said. I need to get down my thoughts and memories from last night:

First, I actually ended up meeting him at the restaurant instead of him picking me up, as we had originally planned.

Dinner was delicious, great conversation, no awkward silence. He is very cute in his own way and his personality is what really makes him. Very meek and gentle. He paid of course and did the whole opening of the doors all night. Complete gentleman. After dinner we decided we would go to square and go to Starbucks and get something. So with our drinks in hand we walked around and went to the docks near the water and talked and then walked around some more. During this time he held my hands a couple of times. Which I really didn’t expect him to do but it was nice.

Then there was a Barnes & Nobles nearby and things were winding down on the square and we had a little more time to kill, so we walked around some more in there looking and then we headed back to the car. I could sense just from who he is and his personality that he wasn’t going to make any kind of move on the first date which is completely fine, but my Mom said, if he doesn’t kiss you, which he probably won’t, and you feel comfortable as you’re leaving each other give him a hug and give him a kiss on the cheek. So I did just that. YAY me!!!!!!! :) Ha!

The whole evening was just relaxed, and I really contemplated having a glass of wine or beer before I met him to calm the nerves, haha!! But I didn’t, LOL!

And he invited me to go to church with him on Sunday!!! So I think I will.

I’m just going into this with no expectations or pressure and just seeing where it goes. He’s definitely worth getting to know.

Ohhhhh, and the best part. Before dinner he took my hand and we prayed before eating!!! Very cool!

Sooooo, we’ll see!!!

I’d rate the date a 9, he has to earn his way to a 10, hahahaha!!

I can’t promise you I’ll blog tomorrow or the next day, but this is what I needed to blog today.

I have 226 items in my google reader, and you know what, I just can’t be freaked out about it!

Blog/Twitter Hiatus!

I’ve really felt for some time that I need to take a blog/twitter hiatus until the New Year!

And this blog post gave me the conviction I needed to be obedient!

It’s going to be really hard, but when some things in your life are that hard to give up, you know it’s time to step back.

Also, we’re coming up on the holiday season! I really want to be fully present and enjoy this time with my family and friends without the distractions.

It’s time to reprioritize and I think it will be good for me! And hopefully this will give me a whole fresh new start and prospective for the New Year!

If any one of you needs to get in touch with me, my email address is to the right!

Trust me, I’ll be back… Just need a break!

Jeremiah 29:13- You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

And I plan to do just that!

Love y'all!

My weekend!

I'm looking back at this weekend and it makes me smile.

It's been a wonderful, wonderful weekend!

Saturday morning I went to the farmer's market that is in our little downtown each weekend.



They've already started putting Christmas decorations up.


Of course Florida oranges!


Some yummy vegetables!!


The square!




And some animals!


It was just a nice day to be outside and we walked the downtown and went inside of some shops!

They opened up a new candle shop and I bought myself a yummy smelling candle!


Some of the stores were already in the Christmas spirit!


And lastly, can't leave without getting some kettle corn and boiled peanuts at this booth!!


It was a fabulous way to spend the morning!!! We saw tons of people we knew. As much as I love the city, there's something about the small town feel!

Then Saturday night spent the evening with my BFF and her hubby. I just love spending time with them. Always makes my heart so happy!

My BFF Melissa and I.


Lets have a moment of silence for this amazing cheesecake we had last night!!!!


And today's been a really good day. Did some stuff around the house this morning and it was a productive morning.

I love Thanksgiving. It's actually one of my favorite holidays but I couldn't wait any longer and broke out the Christmas decorations and the Hallmark Channel is playing Christmas movies all day today and had that on. I was feeling the Christmas spirit.

In the midst of going through all the Christmas stuff I found the Christmas dishes I bought from Pier One last year after Christmas. They were having a great sale and I had forgotten about them!!

Can't wait to use these! How cute are they??? :)


This afternoon I went to a play out our local theatre here in town that my friend was in and she had invited me to come. I didn't get a picture with her :(



It was so cute and I really enjoyed it!! It's really sentimental for me because the really cool thing is my my grandparents and both my Mom and Dad all belonged to this theatre back in the day and they have what they call "The wall of memories" where they have pictures from past productions. This theatre is 60 years old.

So I got to look and see pictures of my grandparents and parents!

Sorry, these pictures are not so good because I had my phone camera, but I did my best.

My Granny. She is on the far right in the pink jacket.


My Dad on the very far right.


Sorry, in this picture the light from the hallway made it into the picture. But you can see my Granny on the right on the top row and my Grandpa is on the left with the guy in between them.


And here's my Mom. She is the girl on the left right above the Christmas Carol Sign.


My Grandpa has since passed and so it brought tears to my eyes to see old pictures of him. Lot of memories in that theatre for them. Neat that it's still around.

Like, I said, crummy pictures. Sorry! Was taking pictures of the pictures on the wall, ha!

And on a funny note, went to go sit down in the theatre and had no idea there was assigned seating but just picked any seat. That was until a group of 4 told me I was sitting where they were supposed to sit. Looked at my ticket and what do you know, I am on the second row. And for the record, it was much better seat then theirs, ha!! :)

Hope all of you are having a great Sunday!!!

Nothing but randoms for you!

I can’t believe it’s already Friday! This week flew!

Oh, what’s that, you wanted some Friday randoms?

Sure thing! Let’s get started…..

I am like obsessed with these things right now! So good!!


My friend Whitney called me last night and when she called her number came up and not her name and I knew she was plugged into my phone. So when I answered she was like heeeeyyy, and I was like who is this?? Ha! She’s an out of town number and It puzzled me that her name didn’t come up. Come to find out, I noticed that somehow all the numbers in my phone got DELETED! NOT COOL!! Ugh!

Okay, for all those who love the show Modern Family… Am I the only one that had NO CLUE that Julie Bowen…AKA: Claire, was Adam Sandler’s love interest in the movie Happy Gilmore.



She does not look the same at all, so I never put two and two together. Just humor me and say you didn’t know either! :) Apparently I wouldn't do so well in a game of Modern Family trivia, ha!

I have a date next Saturday night, and believe it or not it’s not with an EHarmony guy. To be continued…… And yep, gives me a WHOLE week to be nervous!

Speaking of Eharmony, got an email from them with the title "Top 20 movies that make men cry"... ha. In case you were wondering:

Brian’s Song
Rudy
Saving Private Ryan
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
The Natural
Shawshank Redemption
Schindler’s List
Old Yeller
The Pride of the Yankees
Terms of Endearment
The Iron Giant
Philadelphia
Big Fish
Million Dollar Baby
Life is Beautiful
Love Actually
Rocky
The Pianist
Mystic River
To Kill a Mockingbird

So, for you all with men, is this true??? HA!

Our town has a Saturday morning market that they only do this time of year in our downtown. I have never been before but I’m going tomorrow morning. Will be fun to enjoy the morning outside and just walk around.

I’m really excited because this week I found out I am going to be able to go to North Carolina the whole week after Christmas with my family. I didn’t think I was going to be able to go, but the cards played out right and I am. This Florida girl hopes she might see some snow.

Excited that I get some BFF time this weekend.

I am going to make myself a poor homeowner someday. Called my Mom up this morning saying I didn’t think my AC was working in the house. Turns out that’s not the case, but it’s a definite case of not knowing how to work my own AC. Is there an AC book for dummies? Please let me know if there is.

I was about to reach my boiling point with my hair this morning. For a split second I considered shaving it all off. Speaking of boiling point (and totally random which I guess keeps with the theme of this post), remember the show “Boiling point” on MTV?

I am so extremely blessed and I never want to forget that, and God in his infinite ways will always remind me of that when I do. He’s cool like that!

Y’all, I am so behind on blogs. It’s a constant game of catch-up!! Maybe this weekend? We shall see!

Have a GREAT Friday!

Love me some Christmas Cards!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!!

Time to start thinking about Christmas cards! Anyone who knows me well can tell you that I am the Christmas card queen. I love giving and receiving Christmas cards. The mailbox is like Christmas every day for me in the month of December.

For as long as I can remember I wrote out my Christmas cards. Very time consuming.

Last year I had a different thought though and decided to go with a picture card:



And was so glad I decided to do this, and loved the way they turned out. Last year I did them thru Wal-Mart.

I’ve heard a lot of great things about Shutterfly and right now they have a great deal for bloggers. You have a chance to get 50 free holiday cards. Some of you may have already seen this around the blog world, but in case you haven’t heard about this great offer, wanted to let you know!!

These are some of my favorites:









Go here and check out the rest and take advantage of this offer!!

My dog and I can’t wait to visit the mailboxes again this year! (Please tell me I’m not the only one who does Christmas cards with their dog? Ha!)

Tis’ the season! :)

Lessons from a stranger!

No way I could begin this post without thanking you for your comments and encouragement on my post yesterday!!! Touched me SO much! Y'all are just the best!!!! Love this community!!

Thank you, Thank you!!

Okay, so I wanted to share something with you that happened to me last week!

Last Friday I had the opportunity to volunteer at a local Orlando Christian radio station to help with their sharathon. They are totally listener supported. So each year they have a Fall sharathon to raise money for the upcoming budget for the next year. I helped with answering the phones to take the pledges.

It was such an honor to spend the day helping keep the message of Jesus alive and well on the airwaves! And it was just an added bonus that they feed you, ha!

Well, this one gentleman called the first time and in the midst of giving his pledge he got disconnected and had to call back. The next time he called he got me. I was in the middle of taking his call and he stopped me and was like “Why don’t you sound more excited? The lady I spoke with the first time sounded like she was all excited and I’m having a bad day and talking to her picked me up, but then I talk to you and it brought me down again. You sound like you are just going through the motions.”

This totally took me by surprise and I was taken back. I really didn’t know how to respond other than to assure the man I didn’t try to come across that way and I was sorry if I had and I was very pleasant with him!

I was also trying to let him know that because his following call didn’t go through to give the pledge the first time that we’d have to go through the process all over again. And I think between his frustration of that and me apparently not sounding excited enough, he hung up on me.

Now getting the phone hung up on you can crush a spirit, can it not?

Honestly, it made me feel crappy!!

After this whole incident, I tried to see what I could learn from this scenario.

I gathered two conclusions from this:

First, you never know what someone is going through and what kind of day they are having, so you can’t automatically jump on the defensive. Some people just need a voice of encouragement on the other line or an “excited” voice in this case.

And secondly, he brought up a good point. How many times do we find ourselves in life just simply going through the motions? If you could see me right now, you’d see me raising my hand!

I say all this to tell you, use your excited voice today, never know who might be on the other line! :)

Have to keep it all in perspective.

And at the end of the day, a complete stranger taught me a couple of lessons!

Unexpected visitor!

Yesterday was a pretty bizarre day!

As most of you know, I talk alot about my Mom here on the blog. But very rarely talk about my Dad.

The relationship with my Dad is a very interesting one and will probably spend a lifetime trying to figure it out.

But it is what it is.

So imagine my surprise when my sister-in-law called me up yesterday and invited me over to the house because my Dad was going to be coming over for dinner.

My first reaction was to say, "huh"? Because I had no clue he was even here.

See my Dad and I don't have much communication and every now and then we'll go through email spurts but I seriously hadn't talked to him in awhile.

So I tossed back and forth as to whether or not I should go because I had school.

No sooner I hang up the phone with my SIL I leave my desk for a few minutes and come back and my Dad is sitting in the lobby of my office.

Totally took me by surprise.

I should back up and say that the whole reason my Dad was in town was because he was driving thru. His job had him in NC and he was driving back home to TX and so he stopped in town for a couple of days and plus he hadn't seen his granddaughter yet that was born in August.

We chatted for while in the lobby and then he left.

And then that was when I lost it. I just cried. Everytime I see him it's like something opens up each time. I'll think I'm okay with the way things are and when I see him, it's like the scabs come off the unhealed wounds.

I crave this relationship with him that I'm just never going to have and I have to come to a place of acceptance of that. And I think this is something I'll always have to work through.

So at the end I really felt I needed to go to my brother's house and my brother and I had a nice visit and dinner with my Dad. As we were about to leave my dad made a comment that really didn't sit well with me.

It was then that I could have chosen that one little thing to overshadow the nice evening we had with him and to ruin it all. And frankly, I'm not going to be able to change my Dad. But as I began to think about it, I remembered something I had read earlier that day, perspective is all in how you see a situation.

I may have never had the "butterfly kisses" (that song just kills me when I hear it).

I may never have a Dad who truly knows me.

I may never get that warm fuzzy feeling that most daughter's typically have for their Father's.

There is something so special about the father/daughter relationship, and I just may never have that, for reasons unknown to me.

But what I do know, he's the father God has chosen for me, and I love him.

And I'm just grateful for one evening with him.

Beautiful!

Any woman at one time or another has struggled with self-image. The glasses through which we see ourselves often varies greatly from the way others see us. And often more times than not, our glasses are a lot harsher.

Simply put, we are our own worst critics.

Simply put, I am my own worst critic.

And I think I can speak for women everywhere!

I was getting ready this morning and the song “Beautiful” came on by MercyMe. I have never really taken the time to dissect the lyrics, but when you do, it will bring you to your knees.

Take the time to watch this video.



While the song was playing I was standing in front of the mirror, and I was looking at the girl facing me and I had to ask her, “What do you truly think of this girl? Do you see her as beautiful?”

When you feel like you don’t quite measure up to the world’s expectations, do you see yourself as beautiful?

When you feel like you need to lose a few more pounds, do you see yourself as beautiful?

When you feel like your hair is not as pretty as the girl standing next to you, do you see yourself as beautiful?

When you’re not as tall as you would like to be, do you see yourself as beautiful?

When you see a model in a magazine or on TV, and you start comparing, do you see yourself as beautiful?

These are the questions that we have to ask ourselves.

And I’ll ask you, how do you see yourself today? As beautiful?

I just really needed the reminder this morning. That I am treasured, I am sacred, and I am his.

I am beautiful.

In case you didn’t take the time to watch the video. Here are the lyrics.

"Beautiful"

Days will come when you don't have the strength
And all you hear is you're not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart
They'd see too much

You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful

Praying that you have the heart to fight
Cuz you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you've held inside so long
But they are nothing in the shadow of the cross

You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful

Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skies above
You're the one He madly loves
Enough to die!

You're beautiful, You're beautiful
In His eyes

You're beautiful!
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful!
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful!
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful!
You are treasured
You are sacred
You are His

Just wanted to throw the question out there to you and share if you will. What does beauty mean to you?

Viva Las Vegas!

One year ago today my best friend Melissa got married!

I remember, I was in the Orlando airport coming back from Vegas after a girls' trip. I get a phone call from my best friend Melissa. She's like guess where we're getting married, Vegas!!!! My first Vegas trip was at the end of September. And so I went back to Vegas again early November to share in her big day.

The wedding was SO her. It wasn't your typical Vegas wedding where Elvis marries you. They got married at a cute little chapel.



It was at night and all the Vegas lights were shining bright and as we rode in the limo on the way to the chapel I kept thinking, I cannot believe she is getting married in Vegas. Looking back, I couldn't see them doing it any other way.

I had no idea there was such thing as a classy Vegas wedding, but there is! And it was beautiful.



I couldn't have been more thrilled to be there standing next to them as they pledged their love to each other.



It was a whirlwind of a weekend, but it was SO much fun!!

My only regret was that I didn't buy these!!



Happy anniversary Melissa and Ben!!

One year down and a lifetime to go!!!

Love you both!!

Hostess with the Mostess!

It’s such a funny thing, the way insecurity can so sneakily make its way in.

I have recently been introduced to Premier Jewelry. I went to my first jewelry party a few weeks ago. It was so much fun.

It then led me to think “Hey, why don’t I throw one myself.” And ummm, the free jewelry you receive based on how much you sale doesn’t hurt either and there are some perks to being a hostess.

You know what my first thought was, what if no one shows up?

I then proceeded to send out an email to those I was interested to invite, to see if this is something they’d be interested in attending before I decided this was something I wanted to get involved in.

It really was silly! I think I was trying to put my own insecurity at ease!

My next thought was, I’m going to look like a total loser if no one shows up!

I’ve never done anything like this before. Kind of stepping out of my comfort zone, but I’m just going to roll with it and just have fun with it.

And maybe put on the invitation, pretty please come, there will be food!!!! Ha! Oh, I kid.

I got some responses back and some politely declined, and others did show interest and that made me feel better!

But it was just so funny the fear that made its way in of no one showing.

I’m going to be hosting the party December 1st. Little under a month away. And you know what, if no one shows up, who cares.

But obviously I hope people do.

These types of parties are so fun to me! Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s still fun to look and socialize.

Oh, and by the way guess what…………

I’M ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Haha!!!! Sike! And um, yeah, kind of need to have met some one before you proceed to engagement status! Ha! This is one of my rings that came in today from Premier Jewelry, and I love it!!!!!

Please excuse my chubby fingers :)

Got to love some bling bling!!

Oh, and lastly, need to thank y'all for your sweet comments and prayers for my Granny! She has one treatment down and she did well. Thank you!!!!!!

Prayers for my Granny!

I wanted to ask you all for prayers for my Granny!

She is starting her chemo therapy today for her lung cancer! She’s in her late 70’s and so I know this is going to be rough on her body and will be a long road ahead. To sum it up, she’ll be feeling like crap!

She had to pick out wigs and all.

I can’t even imagine having to do that.

She has her good days and bad days when trying to process this all. But we know she’ll get through it. She's beat cancer before but had radiation and never had to go through the chemo process.

This is her being goofy!!! Ha!


Thank you for the prayers!

Ex 15:26............I am the Lord who heals you.