Sometimes and Always #9

So let's just go ahead and say it: LSU choked last night. 

Moving on...

...time for Sometimes and Always...link up and play along!

Sometimes: I watch Toddlers and Tiaras. 

Always: It makes me really sad for the kids involved. 

Sometimes: I want to learn blog design and HTML. 

Always: I give up after 5 minutes because it's kinda boring. 

Sometimes: I get overwhelmed by my inbox and just delete all the emails. 

Always: I really appreciate them! And I always make sure I'm not deleting anything important!

Sometimes: My husband gets annoyed when I want to take pictures all the time.

Always: I make him do it anyway.

Sometimes: I think about "accidentally" oversleeping for work, just so I can get more sleep.

Always: I get up and go in on time. 

Sometimes: I get nervous that no one will link up with me.

Always: I seriously get excited when someone does!

Love, love!

A Letter to One's Husband

Dear husband, 

I really appreciated it last night when you offered to help me cook dinner when I said my back was hurting. And how you took a big ole bite of my baked ravioli and immediately said, "Yum, it's good baby." Because you know that I like positive reinforcement after cooking. And it was good, wasn't it. You even slapped me on the butt afterward, which most likely means that it was extra good. 

And even though you didn't want to watch Grey's Anatomy with me last night, you let me snuggle all on you and didn't even gripe once. Okay, maybe you did once, but definitely not twice. ; )

And when you started playing with the pups I just looked at y'all and thought that I have to be the most blessed girl in the world. I have to be. There's no other way to say it. 

picture via Brandi Smyth Photography

So dear hubs, when you read my blog today (which I know you will, even though you think blogging is weird), just know that I love you and I can't wait for all the adventures that we are going to have together in this life. So here's to 2012 being a year that our hearts, minds and souls fall deeper in love. 

Love, love!

Money Money Money

I feel weird posting on my blog today because Thursday is normally my guest post series day. I kinda feel like an intruder. Good thing my blog doesn't have an alarm. 

And moving on. 

Dave Ramsey. Let's talk about him. This year the hubs and I are determined to get our finances in order and save as much money as we can. We would absolutely love to pay off our home early one day...I mean, can y'all imagine not having a huge house payment/rent payment? 

Have any of y'all read his books or gone to one of his classes? What do y'all think about it? I've been thinking about buying his starter package, but I wanted to get some feedback first!

And because every post needs pictures:

Snuggle bunnies. 

Someone wanted to take a nap with daddy. 

And yes, I'm aware that 90% of the pictures I post are of my dogs. I'm THAT lady...like the cat lady, but with dogs. Obviously. 

Love, love!

This Year - 2012

I'm not really one to make resolutions. I pretty much never do. Maybe sometimes I'll think "this year I want to work out" or "this year I want to drink more water," but usually that thought is gone in two seconds and I forget all about resolutions. 

This year, I decided to make a few. None super specific...no set guidelines. But just a few to push myself this year and really make 2012 the best that it can be. 

I have a few simple, normal ones: be in bed by 11 pm each night, drink less diet coke (shocking, I know!), eat healthier, pray each morning and more throughout the day, memorize scriptures so that I always have something to beat the devil. 

My main resolution for this year is to LIVE...fully, thankfully, openly, gracefully, devotedly, lovingly. I want to really be the best wife/daughter/sister/friend/blogger that I can be. I want to spend each day relishing in God's grace and being thankful for the amazing blessings that I have. That means less tv watching, less computer time, less iPhone games...and more living and loving and being present. More taking advantage of every day I'm given.

Life is really short. I realize it more and more every day. People die. Years fly by. I mean, how am I already 26? That means I've already lived about a fourth of my life...Lord willing. These next years are going to be amazing. I want to grow, be challenged, share, love, learn, teach, change...so many things. 

Inspire. Love. Share. Encourage. Let's make 2012 the year that we really push ourselves to be better, happier, stronger and healthier. 

What do y'all want to do in 2012? 

Love, love!

Sometimes and Always #8

Happy 2012! This year is starting off on a nice note because the hubs and I are both off until Friday! 

Sometimes: I feel like my husband and I are 80 because we love curling up at home and watching tv. 

Always: We totally enjoy it, so hey, whatever floats our boat. 

Sometimes: The doorbell rings when I'm home alone. 

Always: I never answer it. 

Sometimes: People pop fireworks. 

Always: Radar is petrified of them and acts like a raging fool when they go off. 

That would be him hiding between the chair and the side table.

Sometimes: I have good intentions to clean my closet out and get rid of clothes/shoes. 

Always: I decide to give a shirt away and then think "Oh, but I might wear that." And back it goes.

Sometimes: I am a freak about people touching my face.

Always: My husband knows not to touch my face after I wash it for bed. 

Sometimes: I look at my life and feel super blessed.

Always: I realize how blessed I really am!!

Sweet family. 

Sometimes: My friend Meg asks me to guest post for her. 

Always: I do it because I love her like chocolate cake. Go read my "first" here! 

Feel free to link up if y'all want to! I can't wait to read y'alls sometimes/always!

And I'm showing off my bling today by linking up with CMae!

The amazing ring and bands that my hubby picked out. They STILL make my heart drop!

Love, love!

New Friends for the New Year

What better way to ring in the New Year than to make new friends, right?  

Agreed. 

First up, meet Sarah from Simply Sarah. 

She's the one holding the dog! Gorgeous, right?

Sarah is a sassy little Southern girl who I simply adore. She writes all about her life over on her blog and always has fun posts to share! We definitely have similar blog styles. Her blog is always a great read, so hurry on over!

Next up is Amanda from Sweet Tea Paperie. 

She runs this amazing monogram shop that is full of stationery, calendars, home decor, etc. Seriously, everything is breathtaking! She also has a blog that is a mix of lifestyle, recipes, and giveaways. She's your go to girl if you need something pretty monogrammed!

Now go have fun tonight...but BE CAREFUL!

Happy Happy New Year! 

Love, love!

2011 in Review

One of my favorite things about blogging is that you can look back at your old posts and think "wow, that was a great post." Or sometimes think "what the heck was that post about?" Over the past few days, I've been browsing around my posts from the last year and I decided to make a little collection of some of my favorite posts throughout 2011! 

January

- I posted my first ever vlog! Ahhh, scary!

- My best friend had her second baby...a beautiful little boy!

February

- We took a Valentine's Day trip to Branson, MO!  

March

- I got inspired and did my first ever DIY project and tutorial. 

April

- Michaela and I skyped with stuffed animals!

- We celebrated our 6 month wedding anniversary!

- I shared the video of us telling my best friends that we were engaged...the squeals go on for days!

- I started my guest post series, These Three Things...and Michaela was the first guest!

May

- I got my first ever speeding ticket. Boo. 

June

- I shared a really honest post about a rough day at work. 

- My baby sister got married!!

July

- I learned how to curl my hair with my chi! Huge victory!!

August

- I had my first ever blate with Julie. It went SO SO wonderfully...like long lost sisters!

- We got a new puppy...a golden retriever named Radar!

September

- I finally finally finally got to meet my blog best friend, Michaela!!!!!!!!!!

October

- We celebrated our first wedding anniversary...

- ...And took a trip to Jamaica in honor of it!

November

- I turned 26. So flipping old. 

December

- I finally got around to posting our one year anniversary pictures that I am in LOVE with! Here and here!

So there's the last year according to my blog. 2011 has been SUCH a great year. It was all about settling into life as a married couple, spending time with friends and family and learning about each other more and more. I seriously can't wait to see what happens in 2012...I know it's going to be an amazing year!!

Are y'all doing recaps? Let me know...I'd love to check them out!!

Love, love!

These Three Things - Seeing Purple Stars

Soooo, some news: this will be the last "These Three Things" for a little while. I just feel like it needs a little vacation and it'll probably be back and raring to go by summer. With that being said, I am SO SO excited to have sweet Sara here today from Seeing Purple Stars to share with us three things that define her. Sara is a cute little mom to two precious boys...and she crafts, take pictures and manages to blog somewhere in there, too! She's basically like superwoman!! Y'all will absolutely adore her...I know I do!

Hi to all of you lovely Mackey Madness readers! I am Sara from Seeing Purple Stars. I am SO excited to be here today on Megan's sweet blog! LOVE her!! On my blog I write about my everyday life being a wife and a SAHM to my 2 little boys. Come visit anytime! I love meeting new people!

My 3 Things:

- My Three Boys

My husband is my best friend and I believe with my whole heart that God brought us together. I was at a low point in my life when I met Nick, and I have never been happier than when I have been with him. We have 2 sweet/ornery boys together. They make me laugh daily! I am so proud to be their mom.

- My Camera

Since I was a child I have always had a camera in my hands!! I have a passion for photography! I have had my Nikon for almost a year now. I love capturing amazing pictures of my boys...and everything else! Someday I hope to be a pro!

- Coffee

Years ago I never thought I would be a coffee drinker! I remember as a little girl my Grandpa G let me try some of his coffee once. I was pretty sure after that I would NEVER drink coffee! [never say never...right?!] My hubby is the one who introduced me to it, and taught me that I could use creamer instead of milk to sweeten it up. I was hooked then! Now it is my morning routine to have a cup...or 3! : )

Hope you all enjoyed my 3 things! Thanks so much for having me, Megan! You are the sweetest!

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Oh my gosh, Sara, you and your family are just too cute!! Your boys are adorable! I love your pictures and I can't wait to see watch you chase your dreams!! You can do it!! Thanks for being here today!!

Love, love!

Christmas 2011

This Christmas was one of the best that I can remember. 

Although I think I say that every year. : )

My whole family (parents, sister, brother, brother-in-law) drove in on Christmas Eve. We met up with my grandma and went to a Christmas Eve service...which was amazing! 

Our church.

Christmas morning we woke up bright and early and headed over to my grandma's to open presents. We munched on cinnamon rolls and played Christmas music as we opened our gifts...total perfection. 

My insane pile of presents. 

We made wedding books for my mom...and she cried. 

We headed back home for a quick change into real clothes and then the rest of the family (aunts, uncles, cousins) came over for Christmas lunch. I ate way too much...which always means it was a success. 

My 80 year old grandma does ALL the decorations in her house by herself!! 

Right before the hubs had to head off to work. 

We had such a wonderful day and I'm definitely blessed with the most amazing family in the world! 

I hope y'all had an amazing Christmas as well! I'm looking forward to reading all the recaps! 

Love, love!

Sometimes and Always #7

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I'll be sharing a little bit about ours tomorrow, but for now it's time for Sometimes and Always! Grab the button and link up if you'd like!! : )

Sometimes: I really love the Lifetime Christmas movies. 

Always: I love the crazy psycho killer Lifetime movies more. 

Sometimes: I spend too much time googling "how to make money online."

Always: I never find anything worthwhile. 

Sometimes: I only shave my legs on days when my husband will be home. 

Always: He appreciates that. ; )

Sometimes: My family goes really overboard for Christmas. 

Always: It's mostly my mom. : )

Sometimes: I want to make a scrapbook to document our life. 

Always: I think about it and then never do it. 

Sometimes: I mop the floor. 

Always: It has hair and pawprints again in five seconds. 

Sometimes: We buy the babies new stuffed toys. 

Always: It ends in stuffing everywhere and passed out puppies. So cute. 

Love, love!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

I hope that y'all have the most wonderful Christmas ever...full of delicious food, happy moments, tears of joy, uncontrollable laughter, sweet worship of the Lord, rooms full of family and more love than your heart can hold!!

Merry Christmas!! 

Love, love!

These Three Things - Adventures of Newlyweds

Happy "These Three Things" day...my favorite day of the week! I'm super thrilled to have the beautiful Ashley here from Adventures of Newlyweds! She is one of those girls that I would definitely consider a triple threat: beauty, brains and a sense of humor! The girl has got it all!! Plus, she's super sweet and down to Earth and I just know that we would get along perfectly in real life. Oh, and did I mention her precious little puppy? Yeah, she's adorable. Y'all are going to love them both...promise! : )

When Megan contacted me to ask if I would like to be a guest poster for These Three Things, I immediately said "Yes!" because I love this series and getting to know bloggers on a deeper level.  Plus, I love Megan.  Isn't she just the sweetest most down to Earth girl?!

And then I sat down to write mine and drew a blank.  Three things but only one chance to make a good first impression on those of you who don't know me at all.  Talk about pressure. Like -- "I can feel a breakout that would rival world war II coming on" pressure. So after thinking, re-thinking and spazzing out about this I finally settled on sharing three things that I would grab in the event of a fire (side note: what kind of fire burns so fast that you only have time to grab a handful of items anyway?  Rather, wouldn't you spend those moments dousing said fire OUT and just save all your stuff?  Just. Sayin'.)

ONE: Baby Bella

I got my little yorkiepoo, Bella Louise, right before Easter of this year.  I decided I wanted a puppy on kind of a whim because I was so lonely.  You see, my husband is a physical therapist and works for a travel company.  That means we move every 13 weeks to a new place in the U.S where he fills in at a clinic or hospital.  This also means that we have a hard time making close friends, finding a church family and engaging in social activity.  I am usually home during the days, my only worries being keeping up with my online classes, so earlier this year when we were living in the middle of amish country (read: middle of nowhere/the place where I am sure serial killers dump bodies) I got so lonely and depressed.  I decided a puppy would be great to keep me company and 48 hours later I brought home the first addition to our little family.  Bella has become my world (I am kind of a freak about her) and I even opened an Etsy shop to raise money for a surgery she needed back in October.  I hope that my dedication to my little furbabe just means I will be a really great momma one day, and not just one of those crazy cat ladies who wears rollers all day and strolls around in a mumu ordering take-out chinese and watching episodes of the price is right (clearly, I have thought too much about this specific outcome).  

TWO: My Marriage (more specifically, the husband)

So, I know this is a recurring theme amongst bloggers these days.  We all gush about our wonderful hubbycakes and talk about our newlyweds lives -- but I seriously can't say enough how thankful I am for my sweet husband.  To live with a man who lives a life so pleasing to God is such a blessing.  Everyone says your spouse should make you a better person, and mine certainly has done just that.  One of his most defining qualities is how he puts himself last in all things.  My husband often thinks of his needs last and has the ability to see the bigger picture of things and not let his emotions run away with him.  I am the complete opposite, and experiencing life with someone who views the world with Christ as his top priority has allowed my own relationship with the Lord to flourish.  I am the first to tell you that marriage is hard, hard work and serious business with rewards beyond measure.  I would follow my husband to the ends of the Earth and I treasure my life with him.

THREE: My Health

So, I know, I couldn't grab my "health" in the event of a fire.  And I know you are thinking I just wanted to include a picture of me on a day that I actually brushed my hair and put on some makeup, whilst in a sports brazier (GUILTY.)  But seriously, back in July I was diagnosed with lupus. It is a really weird autoimmune disease that does some funky things to the body and generally isn't fun to have.  Before being diagnosed I was fairly active and sort of kind of watched what I ate, but never really cared when it came down to it.  Learning about lupus forced me to rethink how I was treating my body, including the things I was putting into it and the time I was dedicating to making it strong and healthy.  I have truly found that eating clean, wholesome foods is so much more fulfilling than the processed, fast food garbage that fueled my high school years.  I love talking about it, and in fact will be doing a huge series in the new year all about health, fitness and nutrition (co-written by a true blue Doctor of physical therapy... my husband!)  

So, if you already knew me, I hope you got to know me a little bit better, and if you had no idea who I was before maybe you will consider being friends with me. Because Lord knows I don't want to wind up as the cat lady that I mentioned to you above. You can find me here!

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Isn't she just amazing?! I can't imagine moving every 13 weeks! You are a rockstar for making a home so often!! And I loved your words about your hubs! Thanks for sharing straight from your heart today, Ashley! 

Love, love!