What I Wore Wednesday

It's been awhile since I have done a What I Wore Wednesday post. I have been missing the fashion accountability and all of the lovely ladies I get to meet because of it. 

So, here I am back at it.

It got cold fast here in Ohio. I find myself grabbing for my leggings every chance I get. It's such an easy way to dress up or dress down your outfits.

You all should be proud I put on the dreaded belt. Surprise, I actually liked it.

I do find that some of my leggings {like this one} bunch at the knees. Do yours ever do that? It drives me crazy.

Leggings~ Kohls

Shirt and Belt~ H&M

Cardigan and Earings~ Forever 21

With Christmas just around the corner it got me thinking of all the special things I LOVE about this time of year. One of my favorite things is making cookies with my boys. What is your favorite Christmas cookie/treat/dessert to make with your family? 

She is a friend of mine.

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There are weeks and times in our lives that we just need to laugh. 

The belly-aching, tear-streaming, joy unspeakable kinda laughter. 

When was the last time you took a minute to simply laugh and simply be happy? 

Do you live your life looking ahead or stressing about the future?

If you're like me, you've have totally done this at some point in your life. 

I'll be happier when I lose weight, get a raise, when the holidays are over...

 You are wasting precious time. Moments that you will never get back. 

Start smiling, Start laughing, Start living... 

 Otherwise, you will be stressing and looking for the next best thing for the rest of your life.

Now go enjoy your weekend! xoxo

A Letter to My Dad.

Today marks two years since my Dad went to be with the Lord. Nothing can truly prepare you for the range of emotion and loss you feel when losing a parent. It rocks you to your very core. Here is a letter I wrote to my Dad last year. Although time has passed the emotions and questions remain the same.

Dear Dad,

I can't believe you have been gone for an entire year. In some ways I feel like you were just sitting on the couch laughing with me and the boys. Other days I feel like I haven't seen you in forever. I thought I would write you a letter instead of writing about you. I'm sure your not surprised but I have been dreading this day for a long time. You know how much I hate to cry and I know you wouldn't want me sad but I miss you like crazy. I feel like my heart hurts. I know you would be so mad at me right now. I know that you are so happy and singing with the angels. You always loved praise and worship. You would sing so loud and drive me, mom and min crazy. Do you have a good voice now that your in heaven? You have to right?  I wish you could see the boys, Dad. They have grown so much in the past year. It's crazy. Cole is starting to take steps. He is so sweet, Dad. He would melt your heart. Brady is like a little man and is obsessed with football. Remember the last soccer game you were at? He is so good at it and its so exciting to watch him. You would be so proud of him.  Mason is well... Mason. He is the cutest kid alive. Mom always says if she gets sad she knows Mason will do something within two seconds to make her laugh. He is so stinkin funny, Dad. We missed you at the boys birthday party this weekend. It was complete chaos as they all are. Mom helped me a ton. I remember the last party you were at with the boys and I will never forget you sitting at one of the round tables and in the middle of me running around like a crazy person you stopped me and told me what a great mom I was to the boys. I don't know if I ever told you how much that meant to me. 

I know you don't care but I still can't bring myself to go back to your grave site. I just know your not there. It makes me sad because I feel like I am forgetting what your voice sounds like. I want to call you on the phone so bad and just hear you for a second. The beauty of this whole thing Dad is that while the tears seem unending you are standing before Jesus himself. Is He as amazing as we thought? I am sure he is. What it is like up there? Tonight I was laying in bed with Brady and we were talking about the weekend and his birthday. I asked him if his birthday was everything he had hoped for and he said, "Mom, lets just say I love you higher than heaven." I know I have read about it but I can't imagine what it must be like. How amazing it is. Gosh, I wish I could give you one more hug. I remember the last time I saw you before you were in the hospital. It was just you, me and Brady fishing. Do you remember looking at me and saying how it made you think of when I was a little girl? I was so excited to be fishing with you again. We had so much fun that day. Dad do you think the sadness will ever stop? The funny thing is I know I should be happy and truly I am so thankful that you are walking on streets of gold but I just miss you and can't wait for the day that I see Jesus and then you!! I miss you and love you more than you could ever know. 

YES YES YES

Happy Monday!

                      I hope you weekends were filled with some rest and relaxation. I know it's not even Thanksgiving but I am getting so excited for Christmas. In fact, I *might* just put up a few decorations before Thanksgiving. This is the first time in eight years that my husband isn't coaching. Which means I will actually have help putting up all of the decorations.
Have I mentioned how many emails I have received because of our Christmas photo from last year? It has been repinned so many times I am amazed. In fact, I have had random people stop me at Target {my favorite place} because they have recognized me and my boys from this photo. {How crazy is that?}I have met some awesome women and shop owners wanting to know about the letters. It has been really neat for me. I am going to be doing an upcoming post about some these great woman.  

Photo Credit

What if I just said yes? What if I just gave up stressing about or resisting what is {and what may be coming}? What if I choose to embrace it. To simply say YES. 

This week I am saying yes....

... yes to getting all our Operation Christmas Child boxes ready

... yes to writing a review for my boys school

...in counting it all JOY

... yes to starting a new Beth Moore study with some great girls

... yes to going to see Breaking Dawn {the things I do for my girlfriends}

... I am saying yes to Jesus. yes to prayer

... I am saying yes to laughing and simply enjoying my life
 ... I am saying yes to getting up before my boys
... yes to dancing
... yes to confidence
... yes to to believing that "I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength"

So tell me, What are YOU saying yes to this week?

A Birthday For The Ages {11.11.11}

Seven.

Seven years ago you made a scared young girl, a mom. In a single minute you my sweet boy changed my entire world. I never knew I could love another person as much as I loved you. I can remember sitting in the hospital and watching your every move. Scared to tears that I would mess something up I would hold you and then hold you and then hold you some more. I can remember not wanting to sleep in the hospital. I wanted to watch your every move, your every coo, your every wiggle, your every yawn, your every cry. I didn't want to miss a single second.

I am not sure how I simply blinked and went from rocking you and singing to you to sleep- to watching you turn into this amazing boy. Full of life. Full of joy. Full of character. Full of Life. To say that I am blessed to have you as my son is an understatement. You are such an amazing example to your brothers. You have this amazing desire and love for Jesus and to know him more. It humbles me and challenges me everyday.  

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When I asked you what was the one thing you wanted for this special birthday you said a new Bible. One that was just yours. You told me you wanted to be able to read more. I am so proud of you. Your laughter is contagious. You bring so much joy to our family.    

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Your brothers adore you and do everything they can to be/act/talk/jump/run/play just like you. What makes my heart smile is that you are mine. As I watch you grow my sweet boy I am thankful that you still hold my hand, you actually think I am cool, you love me coming to see you at school and you write me the sweetest little notes ever. I know one day that will all stop. One day you will be out of our home and out into this crazy world. So for today at this very moment I will soak up every little second that I have with you. 

 I love you to the moon and back!

Happy Birthday my sweet boy! 

The Shape of Exercise

We all know how difficult it is to stay in shape and find time to exercise -- especially for us mommas who are crazy busy running from activity to activity or from one diaper change to the next.  How has your exercise or lack of exercise been going lately? For me, I have noticed a 'lack of'. Which means lack of discipline, lack of energy, lack of patience... I could go on and on. I continue to remind myself that although it isn't the number 1 priority in my life it really does have to be a priority. I can't put it on the back burner or say I will do it or start doing it tomorrow. I need to carve out the time today. 

I was quickly reminded of this tonight. I stepped outside of my warm cozy house and into the cold rain. All the while driving I kept making a list about what all I needed to get done and why I shouldn't be taking this hour to work out for myself. Have you ever done this? I pulled in the parking lot turned off my car and ran in the rain to my class. Within five minutes I felt like a new woman. My to-do list went out the window and I was able to focus on myself, get lost in the dancing and simply take some time to get rejuvenated. I left feeling thankful and energized. 

It truly is about deciding that you deserve the best that you can be. Make the decision to settle for nothing less. Why? Your kids deserve it, your spouse deserves it and most importantly you deserve it. What are you doing to get moving? 

Stop making excuses and Get Moving!   

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Candy, Fun and Superheros

In these moments...

my heart feels like it could burst.

These are the moments I treasure.

These are the very moments I want etched in my mind.

The moments I will cling to when the days are long...  

These moments I will cherish...

always.