A Look Back on 2013

As 2013 comes to a close, I look back on the year and I see how much God has blessed us.

I am in complete awe as I look here and see what has been accomplished and what we've done.

In 2013, I made my word of the year, 'Grace.'

We bought a new-to-us car for Tyler.

We had our first B&B experience.

We vacationed at Walt Disney World {Here, here, and here}

We started a new way of eating.

I wrote for Young Wife's Guide.

We celebrated two years of marital bliss.

We had a getaway to celebrate those two years.

I quit my horrible job and got a new one!

We bought our first home!

I learned what grace really meant.

Overall, this year has been a milestone for us in our adult-hood.  We've made a lot of adult decisions, but it's been a fun year!  I am extremely blessed to get to do life beside my best friend.  

I hope and pray that your New Year will be blessed! :)

Busy Months

So these past few months have definitely been busy.  I kind of took an unexpected blogging break, but it's been a good break for me.  We've had a lot of life changes, and it has been a great time to just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Here's a look at what the last few months have held.

The same week that I left my job at hospice, we put an offer in on a house.  I started my new job at Charter Communications and have been there for 5 weeks now.  My mom came to visit and we decorated pumpkins.  I filled out the calendar for the month of October to realize how busy we would be.  

The first weekend in October, we had Christmas with Tyler's grandma and family. (She goes to Texas for the winter.)  The next weekend, we jetted home to my parents' house.  I rode around in the combine with my dad while he picked corn.  We celebrated my cousin and his beautiful bride with a wonderful reception filled with many people that I haven't seen in a really long time.  I saw a lot of my high school friends, and we took a picture with most of the original members of our Chris Jackson Fanclub (he was a deejay on the Christian radio station at the time). 

On our way back  to St. Louis, we made an important pitstop at the NRA Shooting Arms Museum that had recently opened at Bass Pro.  I celebrated National Accounts Payable week with my new company, complete with a pumpkin decorating contest!  We attended the wedding of my sister-in-law and new brother-in-law.  We cheered on (and are still cheering on) our Cardinals as they made their way to the World Series.  

I pondered and picked out paint colors for our new home.  We packed our lives away into boxes that would soon be unpacked in our new home.  We made time to attend a marriage conference given by Mark Gungor, which was ridiculously funny and in some ways, eye opening.  And last but not least, we attended a beautiful wedding of friends from our Life Group.

I feel refreshed and renewed from taking this break.  Even though it seems we've been going nonstop, at the same time, God has been speaking to me these last couple of months.  He is at work in me, and I'm excited to share some of those things with you as the time comes.

So if you've been wondering where I've been...I've been around.  I just haven't made blogging a priority.

Focused on the Plan?

Just when I think I know what God's plan is...

....BAM.  He goes and changes it on me.

That's just how He is.

But I'm so thankful that's how He is.

I've been quiet for some time here in my corner of the internet.

It hasn't really been on purpose...

We've just had a really busy month, and I haven't had much to say.

Shocker...right?!?

via

But during that time...

I have been focused on my life.

I have been focused on my job.

I have been focused on my future.

I haven't been focused on God's plan.

He's been doing some really cool things in my life lately.

I can't wait to share them with you!

What are you focusing on?

Your plan or His?

New Mommy and Daddy Hospital Survival Kit

A while back, our friends from our small group had their first baby.

I wanted to do something a little special for them, but I didn't exactly know what.

Our small group showered them with diapers, but I wanted to do something else.

I had questioned the husband to see if his wife had received anything that was just for her.

He said no, so I proceeded with my idea.

I had questioned my Instagram friends...because they are a wealth of knowledge.

Seriously...a lot of them have had babies and they knew exactly how to reply to my question.

Enter the idea of a "New Mommy and Daddy Hospital Survival Kit."

I knew that I wanted to give the new mommy something special, but I just had to include some things for the new daddy as well.

I mean, it wouldn't be fair if I didn't. :)

Here's what I included for the new mommy:

Deodorant

Kleenex

Wisps

Body Wash

Shampoo and Conditioner

Q-tips

Mouth Wash

Hair ties/headbands

Facial Wipes

Loofah

Chapstick

Chocolate

What I included for the new daddy (and I'm sure he shared):

Animal Crackers

Gatorade

Granola Bars

100 calorie snack packs

Fruit Snacks

They were so appreciative of it, and the new mommy told me that she had several of those things on her list to go buy.
I was excited to help out.
The cute bag was actually a "garden bag," but it was perfect for the project!

There's No Place Like Home

This weekend went by in a hurry.
I was not ready to come back, but here I am.

Saturday, we went up to see my Granny. 
My aunt and cousins were there, and we spent an hour or so just sitting outside talking.
My Granny lives about 3 miles west of my parents.
Her house is considered, "The Farm."
This is where the guys' shop is, as well as most of the machinery.
My dad farms with one of his brothers, and my brothers help in the summer and on some weekends during the school year.
I grew up helping out on the farm as well.
**For my brothers' sake, I'll mention that I didn't help near as much as them, but I still put my time in.**
Although I'm living it the city now, I still love getting back to the country.
There's just something about the dirt roads, 4-wheeler rides, and quiet that I love.

My mom's knockout roses were absolutely gorgeous, so I made everyone take pictures after church on Sunday.

I love her sass in this picture.

We played a lot of games this weekend:  Monopoly Deal, Farkle, Wii.

I know my dad would have loved to have been able to be in the field this weekend, but I'm selfishly glad that he got to be home and spend time more time with us.

I also love that he plays the Wii with us. :)

Applesauce made me sad this weekend. 

Yes, that is our dog's name.

My brother named him...because he looks like applesauce.

Anyway, Applesauce is 15 years old.

He's losing ability in his back legs so he drags his feet.

You can tell he isn't himself because he doesn't run much anymore.

Well, he came in and was laying beside me (which is also hard for him to do), and he kept looking at me.

I knew that couldn't be comfortable, so I put a pillow under his head.

I think he liked it. :)

We also raided my parents' freezer before we left.  

We got all kinds of steak and a brisket and some hamburger.

Yum.

And this barely fit in our freezer. :)

One last thing...

We are still celebrating 200 likes on our facebook page!!

Have you "liked" it yet?  

You can get the latest information regarding shop promos and items there!

You can get 25% off our purchase in the shop through this evening!!

There are also some discounted items in there as well!!

Hope you have a wonderful week!!

Did y'all do anything fun this weekend?

I'd love to hear about it!!

Preparations {and a SALE}

As I make the final preparations, I'm getting more excited to see my family.

They are coming tonight!

This will be my first Thanksgiving meal to cook and prepare.

No worries, I will have some help. :)

I've never roasted a turkey, never cooked a ham {my husband is spoiled}, never made stuffing.

Lots of firsts for me!

But let me tell you what I have made...

every year for at least 10 years...

the pumpkin pie.  

And it will be perfect.

Here's what my preparations have consisted of this week:

Monday night was spent making cookies and other goodies.

These were originally for our small group.  Sadly, it got canceled last night, so they will now be more goodies for the family.  I mean, they are my Dad's favorite cookie...

We got the meal all planned out.

Last night, my hubby surprised me and took me to eat Mexican.  Oh, I'm so glad I married someone who loves Mexican food as much as I do.  Isn't he such a cutie??  #howdidigetsolucky?

I've been trying to take advantage of the spontaneity in our life.  Sometimes I just get so "in the groove" of things that I know what needs to be done and when.  I don't want to take the time to cuddle or just enjoy each other's company, because there are things to be done.  But I've realized this, and now I'm trying to just take it all in.  Life is short and I don't want to regret always passing up opportunities.  So that's why I said "yes" to a spontaneous date out last night.

{Then I stayed up til midnight cleaning and doing everything else while he was sleeping.}

This is what is waiting for me when I get off work early today!  I'm making my pie and brownies for our dessert.  Friday, I will share all the recipes of the goodies I've made for Thanksgiving.  So be on the lookout for those!

I think this is the cleanest our living room has been in a l.o.n.g. time!  Other than our work bags and the orders that are going out today, it looks pretty darn clean.

I am really excited to share with you the details of our weekend.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family, friends, or whoever you will be spending it with.

Are you going Black Friday shopping??

**For those of you who don't want to face the crowds {I don't blame you}, you can shop online in my shop.  As I gear up to turn 24 at the end of the month, we'll celebrate year 23 with a sale!**

Starting midnight on Friday, 11/23 and midnight on Monday, 11/26.

With every jewelry purchase, you'll receive a free red or green organza bag!

Use code YAYFOR23 at checkout.

But not until Friday or Monday! :)
Oh, and it may be the last time to get some of these items at these prices!
I'll be revamping my shop after Thanksgiving!
So get them while you can!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

The Last Chapter

Today I'm grieving.

I'm grieving the last chapter of my life.

No, not the last chapter.

Rather, the one I just closed.

Today was on-campus worship with the campus ministry that I was involved with in college.

I'm sad because I've gone to that worship service since I was in 6th or 7th grade.

My brothers and my mom were there.

My dad had to stay home and teach Sunday School.

I'm sad.

Is it okay to grieve the life that I had before I grew up and entered "Big Girl World?"

Is it okay to miss my college years where I had so much fun?

So many memories?

Is it okay to grieve the city where my heart has been left?

Well, even if it's not okay, I still am.

I'm trying to make life good here in STL.

It's hard.

I know God never said life would be easy, and I'm trying to suck it up.

But it's amazing how God works.

I heard a sermon at church this morning.

It was exactly what I needed to hear.
Sometimes when you're asking God for something, maybe you need to start seeking answers. 

So maybe it's time to start looking for another job.
Maybe it's time to let my tears out.

And when I finally did, my husband knew exactly the thing to cheer me up.
He went to get supper.
Then we watched "The Princess Diaries."
My favorite movie. Ever.
I'm so thankful God placed Tyler in my life.
He is my soulmate. 

While I'm sad today, I know it's just
For a little while.
One day there will be no more tears.

For now, I shall start my job search over again.

Real Life

I'm sorry, today I'm not sharing any recipes with you.  Instead, I'm going to tell you the reason why.

I'm exhausted.

Tyler and I have not really had a weekend to ourselves since before the 4th of July.  We went home to my home the weekend after the 4th of July, Tyler's parents came the weekend after that.  This past weekend, my family was here.  Tonight, we're driving to Kansas City for my best friend's wedding reception.  Next weekend, I may have a chance to breathe.  All that's on my radar screen is a Cardinals game.

Let's just be honest...because this is what this blog is all about:  Real life.  I don't remember the last time I cleaned my apartment.  Yeah...it's a disaster because we're never home.  I come home from work at night and all I want to do is sit on the couch because I've been so tired.  I go to bed at 10 every night so I can get my full 8 hours of sleep in (yes, I am that person).

So my house is a mess.  The laundry hardly gets done anymore, as it sits in the dryer most of the time.  And I'm tired.  Oh, and I hurt my back last week, so now I've been going to the chiropractor after work.

If you think about it, will you pray for me?  I've been taking an iron supplement.  I've been eating really healthy and paying attention to the things that I'm eating.  I've been trying to tweak my diet to get the nutrients that I need.  I make myself walk a lot, but I'm still tired.  I don't really know what's going on, other than I've been running and running and running and I haven't caught my breath yet.


I am not superwoman.  I can't go all week long and then keep going every, single weekend.  And honestly?  Superwoman needs a break too.  She has to recharge her batteries somehow.  I don't even think Tyler and I have had a moment to ourselves because we just keep going.  

Maybe next weekend will be the puzzle piece that I'm missing.  I hope so, but I'm wishing it would come sooner.  God has been sustaining me these last few weeks, and I'm not kidding.  Every day I pray that I can just make it through the day.  He is good.

How about I make ya a deal?  You pray for me, and I'll pray for you. :]  That's what being a Christian is all about...praying for each other; carrying each other's burdens (Galations 6:2).  If you have specific requests, leave it in the comments and I'll put you on my dashboard and pray for you everyday on my way to work. :]

Sometimes real life sucks.  But because God's Grace is sufficient, His power will be made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).