A MONTH WENT BY...

 

and I haven't blogged!

 

I have been keeping my word of the year in mind: TEMPO!

 

I'm enjoying moments with the kids and my hubby!

 

As much as I can... I'm not packing our days and nights full!

 

I'm loving my life!

I'LL HAVE GRAY HAIR...

by the end of the month...

raising a daughter who is on an emotional rollercoaster!

 

I'm not going to get into a lot of conversations I've had with Haley, but yesterday was by far the worst! She had meltdown after meltdown and it BROKE my heart!

 

Drew stayed with Mammaw while I took Sis to dance. I decided to run to the bookstore (because she didn't want me to walk her in) to see what I could find on self-confidence, body image, maturing, etc... {HELP ME!!}

 

 

I asked the guy at the desk and of course every book I had researched had to be ordered. Impatient... I needed something now! I sat down in the aisle and had 7 books spread out in front of me. I was reading the back of every cover and none of them were what I was looking for. None of them seemed right for Haley.

 

A little baby girl (1 year old) walked over to me and I started "chatting" with her. (Honestly, I was thinking that I wished Haley was that little again and I was wanting to wish the mom good luck when the baby was a tween!) The mom couldn't have been 25-30 and looked at all the books in front of me and said, "I don't know if you are a believer or not, but the Christian section has some great books."

 

I told her that I was a believer and THANKED her!

 

I put all the books up and walked over to the Christian books and pulled out 2 right away. They were perfect! AMEN!!

 

• Why didn't I go to that section first?
• Why didn't I ask God to help me and guide me?

 



 

What a wonderful thing happened last night!

 

Now... to help Haley...

 

 

HERE'S TO OUR NEXT CHAPTER...

 

**Tom really makes me laugh too about all this and how he may not survive!**

AMERICAN SNIPER...

is an amazing movie!!

 

 

I've never seen a movie theater so packed ... 
or so silent when a movie was over...

So grateful for all our American Soldiers!

 

 

THANK YOU!

THIS MAY...

make some mad, irritate others, or inspire you...

I'm not sure which!

 

I want to start of saying that Tom and I work our butts off for what we have. We are in a great place... or at least heading in the right direction. I'm so tired of people making comments about "Carmel money." I learned a long time ago to be thankful for what I have... and that I had to earn what I wanted. I don't make comments about others paycheck or what they do with it! You have no idea... and frankly, it's none of your business! [end rant]

 

Starting over as a single mom was rough... but I survived and did the best I could. As most of you know, I've always been one of God's children, but it was when I got divorced that I {really} decided to follow Christ... with my whole heart! I knew I needed a Godly man in my life... and then I met Tom. He jumped in with both feet and never looked back. Our first few years together weren't all sunshine and roses, but we made it.

 

Yes, I'm going to say it. God is the main reason for our success. We are not perfect! We do not meet God’s expectations daily. We sin just as everyone else!

 

 Every day we strive to be better and strive to live according to God’s word.

 

Most importantly when we talk about our life, our future, our goals... we give it to God. We {I} had hit a wall where we weren't certain we could take anymore and we gave it to him. We said let it be what you want it to be. 

 

 We asked God... please walk by us as we do it because we CANNOT do it on our own.

 

We:

strive to be better

 strive to live the way we should

 strive to let go of the reins

strive to let Him have complete control.

 

And when we get a little off course... He is quick to remind us we cannot do it on our own.



TALKING ABOUT...

iTown... makes me happy!

 

 

I've had the chance to spread the word about our church 2 or 3 times in the past week! I love that people are interested in hearing about my journey there and want to know what the {hype} is!

 

I always give a little disclaimer first...

~ you may be overwhelmed the 1st time you go~

BUT... you will fall in love with this church just like we have!

 

Want to check it out with me sometime... I'll totally put you in the 2nd row with us!! It's just awesome... that's all I can say!

 

 

Or... you can sit in the last row with my brother-in-law and Coy... who never makes it through in the nursery!

 

 

The other kids all love it though! 5 of 6 kids is pretty good odds!

 



HEY HALEY...

I'm creating a monster! This all started because she wanted to shower in the morning! She's getting to the age where she wants her hair done everyday... And I guess her outfit has to match her hair style! Geez! Daddy doesn't do hair, so he bought her a straightener and blow dryer for Christmas. I should really teach her how to use one so I don't have to get up any earlier! Just kidding... I love this!! I love her more than words!! She's always my #womancrushwednesday and everyday! 

IT'S EASIER...

than I thought it would be... to give up social media.

I won't lie... I miss being able to post pictures, but I'm not {withdrawing} like I thought I'd be!

 

On day 4, I do find myself thinking about it more and more though...





instead...