One Kind Act

Hey y'all! Well, it's finally here!! Today is the day that we get to share the kindness and love that we have spread this week! I am SO excited to see what everyone has done!!

Copy and post this image to share on your blog!

If you aren't sure what's going on right now, see here! Now, you are all caught up!

This week, I really thought long and hard about kindness and doing something nice to those that we come across each day. Seriously, it is SO simple and yet we (I) never do it because we are too busy, too stressed, too something. I decided to spread some love in the drive-thru at McDonald's, which happens to be my favorite place to get a diet coke! When I came to the window to check out, I gave the lady an extra $5 and told her to apply it to the next person in line. I didn't get to see who it was or how much their meal was, but I seriously felt wonderful pulling out of there. I *hope* that I made someone's day and restored their belief in kindness!

For this challenge, I also decided to do something sweet for someone that I know! One of the nurses that I work with has really started to blossom in her job and I wanted her to know what a great job she is doing. I tell her to her face all the time, but I thought she would love to get another reminder. I slipped a note into her locker telling her just how amazing she was, what great care she gave to her patients, and how much she brightened up the day when she was at work. I didn't sign my name to it, simply because I wanted her to be excited about the possibilities of who it could be.

Both of the things that I did this week were SO simple and took literally two minutes on my part, but I truly feel like I made another person's day with my actions! Not only that, but I benefited as well! Doing something nice for another person really put a pep in my step. It was like I had this "secret" that no one knew about and it made me SO happy! : )

If you haven't done anything this week, that's okay...do it now and link up later. I'm leaving the link open all week. If you have done something, write a post and share it with us! Even if it's just something simple and only takes you one sentence to write, link it up! We'd love to read about it! Now obviously, this linky party is NOT to brag about anything that you've done, but rather to come together to share something. I really can't wait to see what everyone has done this week. It makes me a little teary eyed to think about how we can come together through blogging and change the world, one small kind act at a time. I really do believe that, too. : )

Love, love!!

PS: Keep praying for my bff! She's getting induced today!

Friday Night Loser

Hey ya'll! It's Friday!! Yay! : ) I am SO behind on ya'lls blogs, but it's okay...I'll catch up! Promise! I worked this morning and that is seriously about all that I've done today. My hubby is at work tonight, so my evening has consisted of: eat, lifetime, computer, eat, lifetime...repeat repeat repeat. I have been pretty lazy. I don't feel so bad though, because this little boy has been being pretty lazy himself!

Does this not look so uncomfortable??

What a precious snuggle bunny!

I did do ONE productive thing after work. I went grocery shopping for dinner tomorrow (yes, I tend to grocery shop one meal at a time - that's probably why I hate grocery shopping so much). When I got home, I was inspired by Jennifer at Peas and Crayons to organize the kitchen closet/pantry! Here is the before:

Okay, so it wasn't terrible, but still...messy and unorganized.

And after:

It is a little better, right? RIGHT???

Agreed? Good.

Now, I can definitely tell my hubby how I slaved for hours doing it.

I also have been working on a cleaning chart like the one that I showed ya'll here! I loved it and felt like it would make cleaning seem "easier" since I only had one room to do a day. Here is my winter cleaning chart!

And while I was at it, I went ahead and made a menu chart since I am determined to start cooking more!

This is the first one I made, but I decided that I wanted one that matched my kitchen better.

So this is the second one that I made!

I plan to print it out and put it in a big frame, so I can use a dry erase marker on it!

I decided that if I HAD a hot, fancy date for tonight, I would most likely be wearing this:

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Or this:

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But, since I don't have a hot date (because my hubby is at work, remember??), I am definitely wearing this (or at least a version of it):

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And you know, I bet it's a lot more comfortable than that amazing sparkly dress.

This has been SO random, so if you're still reading, congratulations! You do not have A.D.D.

Hope ya'll have a great night, whether you're being a bum like me or wearing something fabulous! : )

Love, love!! : )

PS: Don't forget to do a random act of kindness (or several), so that we can link up on Monday!

Our Love Story, part 1

Hey ya'll! I decided that today would be as good of a day as any to tell our love story. Let me start by first saying that I was in a relationship during my 4 years at college. It was an unstable, unhealthy relationship...complete with screaming fights, lies, heartbreak, and multiple breakups. After I graduated from college, I moved to Shreveport. My then boyfriend had another year in college, which was in Pineville...about 2 hours away. We continued to date off and on and then through the grace of God we broke up for good in the summer of 2009. I can only attribute getting out of that unhealthy relationship to God...he kept me strong and kept me believing that there was something better out there for me. So anyway, yeah, summer 2009...I'm truly single for the first time since 2004.

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After the breakup of that long relationship, I was not looking for anything serious. I actually prayed for God to show me that I could be single and happy on my own. I prayed and asked God not to lead me to another man until he was the one I was going to marry.

Here enters one of my work besties. At this point, we had worked together for a year and she had seen how miserable I was in my previous relationship. She always joked about "finding someone better" for me, but I never thought anything else of it. One day, she had Justin (my husband) over to her house to mow her yard. It had been several years since she had seen Justin and they spent time talking and catching up on life. As soon as he left her house, she texted me saying, "I have found the perfect man for you. Ya'll are going to get married." I laughed it off and kept saying things about not needing a man and not wanting to get married anytime soon. Over the next few days, she kept talking about him and going on and on about how wonderful we would be together. I had only been single for about 2 months and Justin had JUST gotten out of a relationship, so neither of us were looking for anything. She literally forced us into meeting by tagging us both in a random picture one day on Facebook. She "suggested" that we become friends on Facebook, and of course we did...honestly because it would've been rude to hit the ignore button. Ha!

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So one night, Justin sent me a chat message on Facebook and we talked back and forth for awhile. He seemed super nice, but I just really didn't feel like I was ready for anything. Over the next several days, we kept talking and he eventually asked me out on a date. ON FACEBOOK! Yes, I know, the horror! Haha! We love to laugh about that even now! I agreed to go on a date with him.

Our first date was August 21, 2009...a Friday night. The very first time that I heard his voice was that night on the phone, as he called to get better directions into my neighborhood. I remember being SO nervous! I hadn't EVER been on a "blind" date! When I opened the door, my heart dropped to my knees. Literally, he took my breath away. He was handsome and had a gorgeous smile and blue eyes that looked like the sky on a summer day (I feel like Blanche from the Golden Girls...anyone? Anyone??)! We went out to eat at Logan's that night. He was a true Southern gentleman...he opened my car door every time and held the door open for me. I wasn't used to that at all! The conversation was natural and easy...we spent several hours just enjoying each other's company. After dinner, we went over to the house of the friend who had introduced us. We spent several hours there, just talking and laughing and playing games with her and her children. Later that night, he took me home and we said our awkward first date goodbyes.

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I vividly remember what happened next. I immediately called my mom...of course! I am a true momma's girl! I told her about the date: what he looked like, what he acted like, how he opened the doors, what he said, etc. She listened through it all and then said, "Well, so what do you think? Do you like him?" I paused a moment and then said the truest words I've ever spoken. I said, "Mom, he's the kind of guy that I would marry." Cue the heavenly music and confetti! Ha! We hung out the very next day and then that Sunday he met my mom. Yes, two days into it, he met my mom! She came into town for a church conference and he stopped by to see me and meet her. She loved him...she wanted him as a son-in-law. Ha.

So, ya'll think we started dating right then and fell in love right away? WRONG!!

Guess you'll have to wait for part 2! : ) Thanks for reading along! Hope ya'll are having a wonderful day!!

Love, love!

Edit: Click here for part 2!

Joining the Bandwagon

Hey ya'll! I'm joining Jamie again for What I'm Loving Wednesday!!

I'm loving: that I got called off from work today! Hello wonderful day at home!!

I'm loving: that I'm cooking a pot roast tomorrow...yum!!

I'm loving: my sweet puppies and how they are all snuggled up around me.

Diesel doing what he does best

I'm loving: my absolutely wonderful husband! He just makes life worth living...him and Jesus, of course!! : )

I'm loving: that I'm wearing pink tights today.

I'm loving: the dialect Vlog that is going around right now. I saw it from Live What You Love...and she was adorable! And GUESS WHAT??? I did it!! I'm so sorry if I bore you to death or if you think this is totally cheesy, but I have LOVED hearing people's voices and accents, so I'm jumping on the bandwagon! : ) Hope to see you all there (on the bandwagon) soon!! I'd love to hear what you sound like!!

Here we go:

Well ya'll, there it was in all its glory! Now go and do one! Kthanksbye!

Love, love!!

The Army of the Kind

Hey everyone! Happy Monday! I hope that ya'll had a great weekend! Ours was wonderful and we got a lot of things accomplished around the house. I'll share more on that tomorrow! : )

Today, I am being joined by 3 other blogging friends: Jamie, Michaela, and Nicole.

We were talking several days ago and decided how amazing and inspiring it would be to have a "random acts of kindness" day. Do you know what we're talking about? Have you ever gotten a random note from someone that made your day? Has anyone ever paid for your food/drink/Starbucks unexpectedly?? What about a random comment on a post that made you smile? THIS kind of stuff is what we are talking about!! One of the things that is SO amazing about blogging is that we are linked with each other across the country. If you take all of my friends, all of your friends, and all of their friends, imagine how many people we could reach! It'd be astonishing! I found this quote and I just love it:

"Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness." - Seneca

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Think about that! Every moment of every day we have the chance to do something for someone else that can make them smile. We decided that it would be inspiring and eye-opening to have a link up day where everyone can post about a kind act that they have done. Imagine the happiness that we can bring to so many people! Plus, we get to read about each other's acts and become inspired to do more. Your act of kindness doesn't have to be anything major! Here are a few examples:

- Pay for someone's food/drink in line behind you (even if you chip in $5)

- Stop and help someone who looks confused at work/school

- Offer to help someone carry their groceries to their car (elderly/mom with several kids)

- Tell someone how pretty/handsome they look (and mean it)

- Call a friend/family member and tell them you love them

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Some of those can be SO easy! We could do them every single day, if only we'd take the time to do them!! So here's what you need to do...over the next week, perform an act of kindness (or several), whatever you are inspired to do. Then, next Monday, January 17th, we are going to have a link up party here! Write a post about what you did, how you felt, etc...and come and link it up here! Even if you just write a few sentences, come and link it up! We want to see all the kindness that we have done as a group of blogging friends!

My husband is a fireman and this is one of his favorite things that they get to do. Every year around Christmas, they visit children's hospitals and let the children "spray snow" everywhere. Talk about making a child's day! (Sorry for the terrible censoring job!)

I'm SO excited and I can't wait to see the love that we spread! Let me know if you have any questions!! : ) Go and check out Jamie, Michaela, and Nicole's blogs, too!

PS: I am working a night shift tonight...what was I thinking?

Love love!

Really Random

So in the past few days, I have been given an award by several amazing blogger friends: AV, Amanda, Jenny, Michaela, Carrie, Lauren, and Amy! I truly am SO honored and it is my FIRST award! YAY!! : ) This has definitely made my weekend...

So I am supposed to share 7 random facts about myself (lucky you):

1) I do not like odd numbers...they creep me out. Thus, we got married on 10/2/10 at 6 pm.

2) I was a cheerleader and played softball in high school...I consider BOTH sports.

3) I want to have at least two kids, one boy and one girl. Their names will be Levi Graham and Emory Grace...I think.

4) I used to play the piano competitively, but I quit in high school.

5) I love to vacuum...don't ask me why, but I think it's really fun.

6) I have an older brother and a younger sister. My sister is getting married this summer.

7) I like cold weather more than hot weather. Granted, I live down south so it never gets too too cold.

Now, the fun part! I get to pass this on to 15 blogs I love! Here we go!! (I'm going to try to award it to some blog friends that I know/think haven't gotten it)

1) Army Dogs

2) Alisha & Brandon

3) A. E. Jones

4) A Life So Lovely

5) Book of Megan

6) Boots and Pearls

7) For This Child I Prayed

8) Life in its Ordinary Form

9) Life as Lindsay

10) Just the 2 of Us

11) Just Sayin'

12) He's Still got the Whole World in His Hands

13) Live What You Love

14) Living.Learning.Loving

15) Love, Life, and Dessert

Go check out all these amazing blogs now!! : )

In other news, not a lot has been going on here lately. Hubby and I have been working a lot to try to replace lost Christmas funds. We did have date night last night that involved yummy barbecue, chocolate chip cookies, and LSU. Today, my whole family came into town to celebrate my grandma's birthday! Ya'll know what she wanted as a present?? Help taking down all of her Christmas stuff. So that's what we did all day today. No lie, she has at least 50 containers/boxes of Christmas stuff...not to mention all the bajillion items left over that can't fit in the boxes. Let's just say she loves to decorate. I made my first collage (hooray) of the past few days (but I can't figure out how to make it bigger):

1) My sister and I at grandma's house.

2) My precious mother and I at grandma's house.

3) The hubby and I on date night.

4) Me and grandma (yes, I know that's grammatically incorrect).

5) Rain boots for a rainy day.

6) DIY-ing.

7) Trying out pulling my bangs back...yikes!!

Wow...this post has taken me FOR-EVER to write since I had to link so many people!! I wanted to say welcome to all of my new followers! Thanks for reading! : ) (Oh and if I haven't visited your blog yet, it's because you haven't linked your blog to your profile...and so I can't! Fix it please, I'd love to come and visit!)

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!! : ) It ends tomorrow!

Love love!

Wednesday Loving

With Jamie!

--- I am loving that I got off at 3 pm today instead of 7 pm...hello free time!! : )

--- I am loving that my best friend in the whole world will be having

her sweet baby boy within the next week!!

--- I am loving a DIY project that I am currently doing. I can't wait to show ya'll!

--- I am loving this precious cleaning chart that I found (can't remember where, oops!). I am definitely going to personalize this and start using it to keep the house clean!

--- I am loving that Facebook randomly had this picture in the corner of my screen, you know how they do that sometimes?? It is one of the FIRST pictures that my hubby and I ever took. It was one of our FIRST times to hang out together. Made me smile really big seeing it! Isn't he adorable, even covered with mud?

--- I am loving all of my new followers and the fact that I will be doing a giveaway SOON! Only 2 more followers to go! : )

Hope ya'll had a great Wednesday!!

Commit Me!

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Happy New Year! Welcome to 2011! How has it been for ya'll so far?? I worked all day...blah, blah. So, I have never been one to make resolutions. I honestly cannot recall one single year that I have made a resolution. This year, I am making a COMMITMENT to the Beth Moore 2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team! Go here to read about it! Basically, you commit to memorizing two new bible verses a month, so 24 for the year of 2011. I have never done this before, but I truly think that I need to plant God's words in my head and heart and dwell on them, so that when I experience trials, joy, sorrow, or pain....His words are the first to come to mind. So, with that being said, here is my first verse:

"You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." - 1 Peter 3:4 (New Living Translation)

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I have never read this verse before, but I immediately loved it. I do not take this to mean that you need to be a quiet, bland, pushover kind of woman. I take it to mean that you should have a gentle touch and a kind, listening spirit...to think before you speak, to never say a bad word about someone else, to love with all you have, to give to others unselfishly.

In other news, we ended up going over to some friends' house for dinner last night. We were home by 10 and I was asleep by 12:15! I was one tired little lady! We had a lot of fun and just enjoyed a simple night with friends.

I also wanted to say a big HI to all of my new followers...and throw it out into the cyber world that I plan to do a giveaway when I reach 100 followers! We are almost there! So spread the word and give me some good publicity! : ) I can't wait to give ya'll something good!

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Love love!

Thoughts from a Thursday

First of all, if you are not following A.E. Jones...go follow her here!! She just needs a few more followers to reach her goal. She's pretty amazing and funny, plus she's gorgeous!

I haven't really done anything today that warrants an amazing blog post, so I thought I'd just share some random thoughts...(no pictures today, sorry!)

- Why do people insist on going through the drive thru at Sonic when there are already TEN cars in line?? No lie, today I pulled up at Sonic and there was a line wrapping around the building for the drive thru. Being the smart person I am, I pulled into one of the slots (is that the right name??), ordered, got my drink, and left. When I left, all of those cars were still in the drive thru. I just don't get it.......you don't have to get out of your car either way!!

- Have you ever found a new blog that you just love, then read through several posts and the "about me" part, then commented once/twice/multiple times?? Days later, you see that person has commented on other people's blogs and has become a follower on several other blogs recently, yet has never responded/commented/followed you back?? Am I the only person that this has happened to?? And am I the only sensitive person who gets their feelings hurt?? Like hey, what is wrong with MY blog?!! At least give me a comment people!!

- I am totally loving Taylor Swift's new cd. I'm not ashamed. She writes all her own lyrics, and I think they're pretty awesome. Example: "she's not a saint and she's not what you think, she's an actress/she's better known for the things that she does on the mattress." I happen to think this is hilarious, especially because I think the person she wrote it about KNOWS that she is talking to them. : ) Gotta love that.

- We are totally unsure of what we are doing for New Years Eve. I am off all day and hubby gets off at 3. Are we losers??

- That baked ravioli we had last night?? It was AMAZING. Hubby said it was the best thing ever. Recipe here! (I could put up some pictures, but I would have to get up).

I think that about sums it up for today! I hope everyone has a great time ringing in the New Year! Be safe! Remember to give God thanks for letting you have another year!

Wednesday Time

It's already time for WILW with Jamie again! I love these days!

I am loving all of my fabulous new presents: hubby got me a home soda maker, a frappe maker, and a super amazing toothbrush that cleans itself after every brush! (Yes, I asked for it and I'm a germ freak who wants her toothbrush cleaned!) My mom got me a new printer and a Cricut! I can't wait to learn how to use it!!

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I am loving that I was supposed to work today, but they called me off and now I don't have to!! YAYYYYYY! An unexpected day off is the best day ever! (Just don't tell my checkbook!)

I am loving that hubby and I are making baked ravioli tonight! YUM! I'll let ya'll know how it turns out! It's an amazing recipe because you don't even have to cook the frozen ravioli first!!

I am loving that one of my best friends could be having her baby boy any day now! I can't wait to meet this little one!!

I am loving my amazing family, friends, coworkers, and especially my amazing hubby! He is my life and without him, the days are just not fun.

Happy Wednesday! Go link up so we can see what you're loving today!

Merry Married Christmas

I am SO glad to be back! I have really enjoyed getting to read everyone's posts about Christmas and the things they did, the gifts they got, and the traditions they share. While I am extremely sad that Christmas is over and I have to take down the decorations, I am grateful for the time that I got to spend with family and for the promise of a new year to come! 2010 was such a great year for me personally, but I know that 2011 can only be amazing as well! I have one friend that will have a baby in January 2011 (as long as he doesn't come in the next 2 days!). Plus, my sister is getting married in June 2011! There are SO many fun things to come. Still, it is sad to see the holidays pass and to look at all the cute sparkly stuff lying around and know that I need to pick it up. My plan was to pick it up today. That hasn't happened yet. We shall see. : )

So here's a recap of our fabulous first holiday as husband and wife!

Christmas Eve: I had to work (blah) and I didn't get off until 7 pm. My whole family had driven up that afternoon and so as soon as I got off, the hubby and I went over to my grandma's and just spent time hanging out with everyone. We helped (or watched) my grandma cook for the next day. We ate lots of cookies and oreo truffles! We ran around and tried to figure out all the goodies that we were getting the next day! (I accidentally forgot my camera.) We just had fun spending time together. Then, the hubs and I went home and opened our presents to each other. It was wonderful and perfect, just the two of us.

Opening my first present!

Mr & Mrs

Camo deer cross...I was pretty excited about finding this!

My hubby wrapped this all himself!

My home soda maker! I am IN LOVE with it!

Stocking time!

The next morning, we got up bright and early (7am!!) and headed back over to my grandma's to open Christmas presents! We couldn't wait to see what Santa had brought us! This was the first year that we have not done Christmas morning at our house, meaning my mom's house. About three months ago, my grandpa passed away and so we decided that we should move everything to my grandma's house so that she wouldn't be alone on Christmas morning. It was different, but perfect. Christmas is not about where you are or what you get, it's about WHO you are with. I could spend Christmas morning with my family in the street and it would still be perfect.

Santa came, Santa came!

Our new pillows that we were dying for!

My mom and sister!

He was a little scared...haha!

My sister and her fiance'!

My precious hubby! (Yes, I wore the same pajamas as the night before. Thanks for asking.)

My grandma...she was cooking and that's why she had gloves on! Haha.

My sweet mother!

Hubby was super excited about his new luggage!

Apron I got for my sister!

My older brother.

After we were done, we lounged around for a little while and then did the *dreaded* task of loading all of our presents into our car. We went home and showered and then headed back over to grandma's for lunch. The rest of the family came over and we ate lunch, read the Christmas story, and opened presents again. All of the nieces and nephews were there and got TONS of cute little things. We had so much fun watching them!

Hubby loved one of my nephew's toys!

Tomorrow I will share the rest of our Christmas and our activities with the in-laws! Thanks for sticking through to the end of this loooooong post! Happy Tuesday!