Friday Catch Up!

 Man, I have missed writing.  This little space is always looming in my mind as something I'd like to get to, but it always gets put on the back burner of the "to-do's."  Mostly because I don't even know where to start because it's been so long since I've written.  Then, I was reminded of how simple the Friday Favorite posts are.  The random, say what you want to say, talk about what you want to talk about post🙃  Even in something as little as writing, "you don't have to see the whole stair case, just take the first step! -MLK JR."

Prepare for overload...

MY BABIES

My kids are GROWING & I can't make it stop!  I love them so much.  Words can't elaborate on the blessings (and hair pullings) these three bring me.  I thank God everyday for allowing me this most special gift of being their mama.  Baker will be 19 months old on May 9.  Conley is officially 5 and a whole 1/2, and Cam just turned EIGHT.  I don't like that number, because after that is NINE, then TEN!  If you are a new mom, I'm sure you think these ages are old (Trust me.  I did too.  But just wait...you'll see❤️)

Baseball while Conley is out trying to tag the bases running backwards executing his a mean cartwheel in the outfield, Cam is at a very hard age with his sensitive soul & dealing with "coaching"...aka he thinks he is always being yelled at & it tears him all to pieces.  Also, he is me.  Any tips with a kid like this would be appreciated!  Love him.  

                        The time we went to Target to get a baseball helmet & as we roll into the parking lot, Conley, though fully dressed as the Mandolorian, announces that he neglected to wear shoes.  Cam pushes Bae in the stroller for me & I carry him in to the cart.  Ain't nobody got time to run home after school BEFORE baseball practice & get shoes & come BACK to Target with three kids.  You make do.😂

Cam's Eighth Birthday

Waterday they do the MOST fun things ever at their MDO program.  This week they had water day!  I also have to mention since day one, Bae has had a bestie & they never leave each others side.  They are a month a part, & it always cracks me up at how much more hair her bestie has only being a month older.

FAITH

I've probably said this before on here, but it's been a while so I'll say it again.  I'm not much of an reader since my high school days (I'm too hyper for that) but I can find time to read faith based books because it is a necessity. 

Get Out of Your Head: (as an audiobook-hello, productive laundry folding time) OH, how I needed this book.  At times, I can become the world's worst worrier & discourager to myself.  This book has brought up so many wonderful biblically based thoughts to bring yourself out of those times in life when you find yourself in the downward spiral of negative thinking.  I highly recommend!

New Morning Mercies Devotional (been reading for about a year-I should be finishing soon.)  I absolutely love it for a morning devotional to guide my scripture reading for the day.  I want to share every page every morning on my insta for everyone to see-(but I don't) it's just that good.

It's also white when you take the cover off, making it a perfect coffee table or decorative book to always leave laying around & so easy to grab everyday💕

all ears for more recommendations :)

Joined our Church when we first came to Knoxville, we joined a church we liked after visiting regularly for about 4 months.  We loved a lot of things about it, some we weren't so sure about.  To make matters a little more tricky...Conley was barely 2 & he did NOT want to stay anywhere without us-making finding a church h a r d.  I was so tired of sitting in parking lots, while the service was going on because he wouldn't stay in the nursery & was too crazy for the sanctuary.👻  He finally seemed comfortable in this church, and poor Cam-we had bounced around visiting so many churches I just wanted normal for him, too.  On top of that, we had a lot of pressure to join from the members every week-so we just "ripped the band-aid off" & did it.  What could it hurt?  Well, about a year in, we knew it just wasn't the fit for our family.

Back to searching & praying.

I know God knew we needed a quick turn around with our kids, so it was of no surprise to me that He led us to the perfect place to call home in the next church that we visited.  I was pregnant with Baker during all of this 🤪. Not only a church home, but at the very time we needed childcare for Baker & Conley so I could work, they started up a brand new program-Mothers Day Out.  I can see God's hand in all of it & I'm so thankful he led us there.  It's a big church, but one that doesn't apologize for who they are, what they believe, & they do not judge or turn anyone away.   They love people like Jesus does.  I'm excited to see what God does with our family through this church💕

ENTERTAINMENT

Cruel Summer (thank you to one of my Pretty Little Liars buddies for the rec.)  We used to have Tuesday night PLL watch parties every week & always had so much fun.  SO, when she said this show had PLL vibes, I knew I had to try it.  Though, I must say-  I quit watching PLL-it ended horribly. Dumb.  So far, this show is SO good!  It takes a lot for me to sit & watch something...but it has all the mystery needed to suck me in.

The Biebs new release (why is it all so good & why have I been a fangirl since his baby years?) & 2000 playlists on Spotify.  Biebs makes 50% of his profits off of me listening to his This is Justin Bieber playlist #sorrynotsorry😂. I admit very embarrassing things & I'm okay with that.

I've been adding walking around the neighborhood with the kids in the evening thanks to "Tough 75"-(we will save that discussion for another day), but I must say... having one ear with some good upbeat tunes has been 🙌🏻

HOME

 I will dedicate this to an entire post to the fun things we've been up to around the house, eventually.  Especially when we finally get to hang lighting fixtures & pictures😬...  Cade.  

Recipes I adore finding new recipes that are easy AND that have the potential to be a crowd pleaser (I have very picky customers).  New recipe love goes out to The Sister Studio for her mini taco bowls-they were super easy (we're talking just before a baseball game-cooked meat in crockpot all day easy). You just stuff your taco meat in mini street taco tortillas inside a muffin pan and heat on 375 until the cheese melts.  Then add toppings.  Brilliant. 

HOLIDAYS

Easter 2021 could truly be defined as Baker's first easter.  We were in quarantine last year & while Easter is simply the celebration of Jesus & His resurrection, we missed getting to celebrate in church & then after with family.  This time last year, Joe Daddy & Bebe were in Hawaii & he was very sick. It was a hard time for our family.  This year God blessed us with a perfect day.

MOM LIFE

(probably could alternatively titled-what I do to not kill my kids😂)

*I'm leaving this blank today-I've already overloaded this post.

LOOKING FORWARD TO...

Summer!  The lake days with family, pool days in the subdivision, splash pads that are actually open this year (Bae has never been!), grilling outside.  I don't know if the days will be "slow," but I hope to soak them in.  

                                                                

Thirty Three💕

 This blog has been looming in the back of my mind for some time now.  It's like an old friend I want to catch up with but I never find the time or know where to start so I continuously put it off.  In thinking of catching up with that old friend or writing in a journal- I'd say the hardest part is the most important part.  It's just taking the time to make that effort.  Make that call, log on, pick up the pencil.

So here I am.  Where do I begin?  Today I'm 33.

I guess today is just as good a day as any!

Where oh WHERE does time go?  When I began this blog I was 24.  No kids (Cam was on the way) and I had dabbled in blogging about Etsy type stuff (etsy fan blog?😂) at an old blog entitled, "The Radiant World of Whimz."  So funny.  I always laugh AND cringe when I read old posts.  Even if it was something I hashed out the day before.

In many ways, life is just how I would have imagined it to be 8 years ago.  In many ways, it is very different.  Cade and I attended a "Membership Matters" class at our church yesterday (two years in and we still haven't joined😬)... and during that class, the pastor brought up how we are always trying to make sense of life.  From a small child, we start with questions like "why is the sky blue?" (HELLO, CONLEY!) up until the end of our lives with "Why did God allow that to happen the way it did?" and so on.  Well, at 33, I find myself at the age Jesus was at the end of his ministry here on earth.  I find myself trying to make sense of my life this far.  He did so much up until this point in life-what have I done with my life so far?

Have I made all of the decisions I should have?  Did I do the right thing here or there?  How can I be a better Christian?  Mom?  Wife?  Sister? Daughter?  Friend?  And all those other encompassing roles I find myself filling.  I'm sad to say, I find myself living for "me" more than I'd like to admit.

I love the 90's.  WWJD was not something to laugh at, we knew what we were talking about with those bracelets, yall.  I say we bring them back-Jesus never lived for himself.  He lived for His Father & others.

I continuously stand in awe of how blessed I am.  Why has God allowed me to be blessed the way I am?  I mean, my healthy and beautiful babies.  Two boys and a girl.  My husband.  Our families.  Our health!  Even down to our crazy, lovable golden doodle, "Teppy."  And at the same time, I find myself discontent, always dreaming of "more," and how I can grow as a person.

All of this mix-mashed wordage to say, if I could say I've learned anything up until this point in my 33 years-it would be to never forget that you need Jesus.

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Revelations 3:15-16

This verse was taken apart and explained to me lately and I learned something I believe would apply to everything I've learned in my 33 trips around the sun.  When we quit having the "Lord I need you" moments  lifestyle... when we feel we can do it all on our own, we become the lukewarm that God wants to spit out of His mouth.  Even people at their worst will admit their need, and people at their best and closest to God will beg him to be with them.  But those times that we find ourselves taking things out of His hands and try to live our "Christian" lives on our own-we are doing it all wrong.

I need him to remind me EVERYDAY that I can't do it without Him.  To remember this could be my last day with anyone that I love.  I love you, little brother and find myself wondering why your life turned out the way it did everyday.  I need him to remind me that this life isn't all that there is to my existence (though I find it so beautiful in many ways).  I need him to remind me to value PEOPLE.  Not things. 

 For in the end, in this world of "more, more, more," politics, bright lights and fancy things-that is all that matters.

Now.  That's all this 33 year old girl has got today!

Wiping the tears from all this reflecting & going to pick up my big 8 year. old and grab my free birthday coffee🤗. 

Squeezing them extra tight.

Wishing you all a very BLESSED happy day.

Here is to 33💕 (I can't belive I'm saying that).

I pray God grants me more wisdom (and laughter) everyday!

I know I need Him.  I pray I need him every second of every day.

Welcome, 2021

 Happy 2021❤️

My devotion this morning spoke of joy & how it is something that happens when we dwell on our blessings and giving thanks.  Despite the state of our world or anything else, it is a happy 2021 because God is with us, he will never leave us or forsake us!  And HE is our peace😊

Thanksgiving 2020

It's been a long time since I've posted.  It's super hard to work completely online & then desire to find more time to spend in front of a screen.  I thought I'd hope on and do a photo dump of sorts to share/document a little of life since I last posted.

Thanksgiving was my brothers 31st birthday.  It was a bittersweet day & my mom didn't want to spend it at home.  It just brought back too many memories.  So we had a small gathering at our house.  It was so nice & fitting for this year.  I know most people had a different kind of Thanksgiving this year.  

Matchy matchy🤗

My cheesecake tradition on Thanksgiving Eve failed this year.  But I still tried!

My baked brie however turned out to be a hit!

Christmas 2021 may have been one of my favorite Christmases with the kids.  It was sad without my brother.  Lots of memories flooded back to me of Christmases in our childhood past.  All I knew to do was celebrate the fact that he was celebrating this year WITH Jesus.  We cannot imagine what a Christmas Day like that would be like can we?  Thankful.

Throughout December, we had elf shenanigans all month long (this may be the last one with both believing-I'm just trying to prepare myself-Cam will be EIGHT going on NINE next year...

11th anniversary this December❤️

), we had Christmas Evening Service at our church, Carols & Cookies on the last day of MDO, lots of ugly Christmas sweaters and Christmas PJ's, & last minute Christmas shopping.  I *think* I'm getting better at it?  I've never been a good gift giver on my own, but Cade is an expert helper & together I think we come up with great ideas🎅🏻

Something about this Christmas felt magical.  Christmas Eve morning was slow (which NEVER happens).  So slow in fact, that I got to make coffee, whip up our Cinnamon Rolls to have ready to go for Christmas morning.  We got everyone ready & got the most last minute pictures with Santa appointment ever.  Idk how we did it, but we managed to squeeze all of that in before we went to North Carolina to begin Christmas Eve gatherings.

As we made our final stop at Target on the way home, we passed a salt truck hard at work in the 55 degree weather.  Cade & I poked fun of the Southern ways with "a chance" of snow & made our way across the Dragon to the mountains we call home.

First stop, my nana & papa's house.  We were late, everyone had already eaten -BUT just in time for White Elephant (yet we still somehow controversially I'm sure call it "Chinese Christmas").  We ate, we laughed, we opened gifts, and ate some more.  It wasn't too long after that we began to see snow beginning to fall.  Excitement all around.  We ran outside & jumped up and down-a snow on Christmas in the South is RARE.  Pretty soon, we noticed it had covered the porch.  Cade looked at me & proposed we head on to his mom & dad's "just in case."  By the time we got on the road we KNEW things weren't good.  We ended up hurrying in & hugging everyone and postponing that gathering in an effort to make it home before things got worse.

You know how it is when kids are little...Santa was coming tonight!

We wanted to make it home if at all possible-and snow was typically not dangerous in our parts-only ice.

We started home the TN mountain way, which is typically the quickest.  We were doing pretty good until we lost our momentum after a tree had fallen in the road (the third one we ran in to).  Thankfully, God had sent two guys back to back who not only knew each other, but who had all the equipment needed to attempt to pass.  Cade lifted the tree for them to get through, and when it came time for us...our car started spinning and we went in to a ditch (and got a nice dent in the bumper of our car too!)

The guy helloing us had a rope to pull us out, and Cade backed backwards down the mountain.  The snow was falling heavy, the trees were cracking, and we were praying we wouldn't slide off the mountain.

It was pretty scary!

Thankfully, there was another, safer way without big mountains to slide off of.

It wasn't easy, but we made it home-gosh, I can't even remember what time now.  Midnight-ish?!

Truly, once we made it to TN things were much better road condition wise.

It wasn't hard to get the kiddos bedded down for the night & I was desperate to get everything finished so I could go to sleep myself.  

Christmas morning came quickly.  The boys ran in to our room (or maybe just Cam) I can't remember if Conley snuck in our room that night or not.  It's more often than not!  Haha:)

There was so much excitement!  The kind I had hoped we could sit & soak up😊  I heard one person say, they had asked their mom what her favorite memory was of them growing up & she had responded with "Christmas mornings."  I concur.  At least 8 years in to "mammon'", I do!  And this one was special in that we didn't have anywhere to rush off to, we had a cozy breakfast with hot coffee & homemade cinnamon rolls (Where Conley lost his first tooth!), the kids just got to enjoy their new toys in their pj's all day and the snow never ceased.  It was truly a Christmas miracle snow & I couldn't get over it, or the thought that I may never see a Christmas like this again!  

It was even better, because Christmas actually got extended since we had to postpone our Christmas with our families.  We got to make a much safer drive two days later & it was such a great time together.

For New Years, our friends we never see came from NC and brought their kids.  On NYE, we went to have breakfast together before they came(which I claim has become a little tradition-Cade doesn't remember anything...lol.  But we have the past couple of years & I love it).  And to end it, went grocery shopping with our circus.  I get some sick pleasure of watching Cade sweat it out as they go nuts while we are trying to cross off everything off our list. Any other moms?  Haha:)

I know I am going to have my belly hurting from laughter and good food when these guys show up, and it did NOT disappoint.  They are a HOOT.  AND we had crab legs, prime rib, pasta, Red Velvet Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory.  It was seriously too much food and Idk why we always do that to ourselves🤪

Wait, yes I do.  It's delicious.

We made it until Midnight, but didn't turn on the tv until like one minute before the ball dropping.  Did you make it??!

For the first year of my life, I could have cared less what was going on in NYC on NYE.  It's always been a tradition to watch, but I think 2020 has changed me with the culture we live in.  I just don't watch the news or anything related to live TV if I can help it.  

I can't believe the holidays are over & here we are trudging in to January of 2021.  Despite it's shaky beginnings, (I heard someone refer to it as 2020 with bangs😂🙈) I'm determined to think of it in terms of my family, friends, and God's placement of us in to this crazy place time.  We will make it through with his guiding hand, friends!

Much love 💕