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30 Days of Thanks: Day 1

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My poor blog has been neglected, yet again. So, what better way to wake it up than with 30 Days of Thanks in November? I have a lot to be thankful for and this is a good way for me to remember to count my blessings. These will be in random order, of course.  I might as well be upfront and honest enough to say that I haven’t planned well enough to coordinate a proper “count down” and, besides, all blessings are worthy of thanks, right? 🙂

Day 1 – I am thankful for family traditions.

I just love family traditions. I love the familiarity of beloved traditions and I value the memories they bring to our family life.  Some of our favorite family traditions are:

  • Taking our annual “autumn adventure” trip to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch. We all LOVE this day! Now that both girls are in school, we take them out early and head up on a week day to avoid the orchard and patch being crowded. We always have the best time. We started this when Macey was one and now that she is nine and Mariana is six, we still love it! We have only missed one year and that is the year Macey was two.
  • Halloween Fun! Our girls have the most fun dressing up and going out each Halloween. Some years, Mickey and I dress up, but we haven’t done that the last couple of years. I think we need to work on that for next year. Our neighborhood always has a little gathering where the association provides hot dogs and neighbors bring sides, desserts and drinks to share. Some of our neighbors provide a hayride each year. It’s always a lot of fun! Mickey takes the girls out trick-or-treating while I stay home to hand out candy. And, when they come home, I have warm ham and cheese biscuits waiting for them. It’s such a great night!
  • Thanksgiving. This has always been a favorite holiday of mine. I won’t even try to act like the food isn’t a draw because, hello, cornbread dressing rocks my world! But, it’s more than that. It’s about remembering our blessings and sharing time with our family and friends. And, for Mickey, if the Lions happen to pull off a football win, it’s a bonus happy for the day.
  • Christmas!! This one has all sorts of joy to it. Certainly the greatest blessing is celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus! We have fun family traditions such as decorating the tree, the house and the yard, opening annual ornaments on “Christmas Sunday”, Christmas Eve service at church, getting  to open new PJs and one gift on Christmas Eve, reading the Bible story of the first Christmas at bedtime, putting out snacks and reindeer food, the joy of Christmas morning,  baking a birthday cake for Jesus, being with family and friends. I could go on and on and ON about this one. Christmas = joy!
  • Birthdays. In our family, when it’s your birthday, the day is all about YOU. The birthday person gets to pick the meals, choose fun activities and get spoiled all day. Birthdays rock in our house!
  • Side by Side Sister Photos at the Beach – When we first took the girls to the beach, we got this awesome shot of them side by side looking at the water. Macey was three and Mariana was almost one. We loved that photo so much that every time we go to the beach now, we get a similar shot.
  • Soccer Mints. One of the cutest traditions Macey has is her “soccer mint.” She always likes to have a fruity breath mint before every soccer game. She is sure this helps her play better. How cute is that?! Love it!
  • Thankful Time. This year we started asking the girls at mealtimes what they are thankful for each day and, of course, we tell what we are thankful for that day, as well. This has been such an awesome tradition to start. We are so blessed and it’s nice to remember that each day. So, we have that time just prior to the blessing and eating our dinner.

We have lots of family traditions, so this list isn’t quite complete. But, it’s a great sampling. I smile reading through and thinking of all the memories we’ve made so far and anticipating those to come.

Have a blessed day, y’all…
Kelly

Photos of some of our traditions:

Autumn Adventure 2012:

Halloween Hayride 2012

Sisters Beach Photo Collage

11 Random Things About Me

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My sweet friend Cheryl who blogs over at Live Fit Daily must have known that I needed a big kick in the blogging booty because she just tagged me in a really cool past that encouraged me to participate and post also.

The following is the lowdown on this post. Thanks, Cheryl, for the tag which really was a good encouragement for me.

Post these rules:

  • You must post 11 random things about yourself.
  • Answer the questions set for you in their post.
  • Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
  • Go to their blog and tell them that you’ve tagged them.
  • No stuff in the tagging section about “you are tagged if you are reading this”. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

11 Random Things (that you may or may not know) About Me:

  1. When I use eggs from the carton, I have to situate the remaining eggs so that they “balance” in the carton. It drives me crazy when eggs are all messed up in the carton.
  2. I have a preference for even numbers. I don’t know why, but I do. Go back to the egg thing — an  uneven number of eggs in the carton makes ‘balancing” it difficult. Even numbers are just more friendly. Or, that’s my theory, anyway. 🙂
  3. I am a born and raised country girl and I am proud of that. My grandparents live on 50 acres and many of my fondest memories involve being outside on their land. Riding our horse, learning to swim in their pond, rambling all over the place on ATVs and more. Country living definitely has its appeal and has a place in my heart forever.
  4. I can pinch with my toes. If you don’t believe me, ask Mickey.
  5. I moved to the ATL area by myself in 1998 with very little cash on hand and no savings account to back me up. I made it. I had help along the way from awesome family, friends and employers and I MADE IT.
  6. I have to sleep under covers – even if it’s hot. I like my covers piled on and I prefer the room to be cool so that I can be snuggly warm underneath them.
  7. I get teary any time I see my girls in a school activity or performance. When I see them day to day at school, I’m fine, but let them get some kind of award or have a performance and the knot in my throat is crazy big.
  8. I have never figured out how to make a proper omelet. I want to know how, but I cannot get it, for the live of me.
  9. I laugh like a hyena at any commercial, video or show with animal humor. The AFLAC duck still slays me.
  10. I read all three books of the Hunger Games triology and I don’t get all the fuss. It was well written, but the subject matter is crazy dark and I just don’t get the mass appeal. (No one throw rocks at me.)
  11. I am late starting dinner because I have been working on this post. LOL!

My questions from Cheryl:

  • If you could only eat one food in life, what would it be? Are you kidding me?! Yikes. I guess I would have to say pizza because I could at least vary toppings, maybe? That’s a hard one.
  • If you could pick, what town would you live in? Love the area we are in, actually. Don’t want to move from this area. But, if we moved somewhere big, I’d probably pick San Diego for the climate.
  • Salty or sweet?  Another difficult one. I like a good combo of the two – my favorite movie theater snack is popcorn and Goobers. Mostly, I choose sweet, but there are times when I just “need” some good old salty chips.
  • What is your current favorite blog or website? Facebook is the one I’m on the most.
  • Do you like your pictures in black and white or color? While I do like black/white photos, I prefer color because that is how the photographed moment happened. I also prefer very minimal or no editing at all. I like photos that are natural.
  • What is your favorite way to exercise? Lifting weights, actually. I love knowing I’m getting stronger and building muscle that burns calories. Favorite group class is ZUMBA!
  • The Today Show or Good Morning America? Used to be Today Show, but now it’s GMA, if anything.
  • When it’s all over, what you like most to be known for? I want people to see my faith in God and my love for my family and friends above all else.
  • Name a concert that you have always wanted to be on the front row for. Well, we’ve been front row a couple of times. I’d LOVE to be front row when Garth Brooks goes back out on tour in a few years.
  • How many hours of sleep is perfect for you? 9-10, no joke.
  • What is one thing you could never give up or live without? (besides your family) I think that faith and friends also fall under “given”, so I’m going with music. I just love music. It inspires me. So, that’s my choice.

My questions for you…

  1. If you drink coffee, what do you take in it? And, if you don’t drink coffee, WHY NOT?!
  2. What was your first automobile?
  3. If you could win any all-expense paid vacation to take next week, where would you go?
  4. What is the last movie you saw?
  5. If you had to choose ONE of these, would you live in a place where it’s always winter (cold!) or always summer (hot!)?
  6. What is the first word that comes to mind when asked to describe yourself?
  7. What is your favorite song right now?
  8. If you won a big sum of money, what is one charity that you would donate to immediately?
  9. Which flavor of Girl Scout Cookies do you prefer?
  10. Recommend a book to me.
  11. Paper or plastic?

Tagging the following:

 

 

 

Book Recommendation: Don’t Make Me Come Up There

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I haven’t posted in a week. Oops. I’m really trying to do better about keeping the blog updated, but the last week has been pretty busy. Hopefully, I can keep this blog rejuvenated because I really do enjoy posting here.

Today, I’m sharing a book recommendation with y’all. Don’t Make Me Come Up There by Kristen Welch is a great devotion book for moms. This is a collection of stories and reflections that SO many of us can relate to in our daily lives and in our faith walks too. I haven’t read it all yet, but every time I read a new chapter, I find myself nodding along. I recommend picking up a copy of this book or download it onto your e-reader. You’ll be blessed!

Spoiled…

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I have a confession to make and, well, I might as well go as public as this blog with it, right? I made a discovery at home today that gave me pause. This revelation made me stop, think and want to make some changes starting NOW.

  • Today, I looked into a closet FULL of clothes and thought “I have nothing to wear.”
  • Today, I went to the pantry to find something for lunch and although it was full, I thought “There’s nothing to eat here.”
  • Today, I discovered that I am spoiled. And, yes, I’m pretty ashamed of that fact.

When I realized just how spoiled I’ve become, it was quite humbling. I mean, seriously, to look into a closet full of clothes in utter disgust at having “nothing” to wear? Spoiled. To be entirely too choosy about lunch when I have options? Spoiled. It’s just plain wrong. How many out there would love to have even a second set of clothes to wear? How many would like to have the “problem” of deciding which shoes to wear? The answer, unfortunately, is entirely too many. People go without daily and I have the gall to be disappointed when I can’t find anything in our stocked pantry that suits my fancy for lunch. Y’all, it hit me like a ton of bricks today that I have not been grateful enough. At all. I really haven’t. I mean, sure, when I say my prayers I am thankful for my many blessings, but I admittedly rarely take the time to go through the list. My “things” are plentiful, actually, but my blessings are infinite. I need to be more grateful. Instead of griping that I don’t want to wear THOSE jeans, I should put them on and be thankful I have the ones I have. Instead of whining (to myself) that we don’t have what I wanted for lunch, I can eat and be thankful to have a meal. Because, let’s be honest, nothing guarantees that I’ll have that tomorrow. If it all fell away,I would wish I had the things back that I took so easily for granted. That’s a hard reality, but there it is.

I decided to share this because it’s been on my heart.  I really want this blog to be a place where I can express all kinds of different thoughts, feelings and even things like this that knock me over the head. I have a feeling that some out there can relate to what I have written about today. Trust me, I say that without a hint of judgment, but with an understanding that comes from my own realization. I’ll never be perfect, but I know and trust the One who is and I am thankful that He loves me in spite of me.

I am reminded, yet again, to just be thankful. I am called to be thankful in everything – good, bad, up down and all things in between. Sometimes, I need that reality check even if it’s hard to face.

Blessings,
Kelly

 

 In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 

 

It’s Tuesday?

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Today is one of those days that just doesn’t feel like the day it is. Since yesterday was a holiday, today feels more like a Monday than a Tuesday. How many of us are dealing with that today? I had to stop a few times and remind myself that, yes, today is Tuesday. Not Monday. Okay, I’ve got it. For now. And, just watch — tomorrow will feel like Thursday. Ha!

Hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. We didn’t have much going on around here and, actually, it was a nice change of pace. Mariana was fighting off a cold, so we basically laid low and had family time at home. The girls had a play date yesterday with a friend’s kids and they had a blast!! Her daughter is in Macey’s class and her son is also in kindergarten, like Mariana, so it was perfect. I need to be better about planning play dates for the girls because they LOVE them and it’s always fun to have friends play over here.

I think y’all should check out Three Little Pixies on Etsy. Liz has some amazing and beautiful hand-made keepsakes, y’all. I’m angling to win this “You are My Sunshine” necklace on her Facebook page. When Macey was a tiny baby (wasn’t that just yesterday?), I used to try to sing “You Are My Sunshine” to her and I would choke up and cry. I just love that sweet song and it took me quite awhile to be able to sing it to her without being a sniffling mess. (Note: I’m not getting any contest entries by posting this here, but I did post on FB, Pinterest and Twitter to enter the contest. I just so happen to adore her creations, so I wanted to share the link.)

Not much else going on today. It’s somewhat of a dreary day here,  but at least it’s not frigid or snowing, so…no complaints from me.

Have a great remainder of this Tuesday, y’all…
Kelly