Happy Birthday...

Happy Birthday to the man...

who works so hard to provide for our family

who loves our boys like crazy

who sacrifices a lot to make our lives easier

who makes me the madest but also the happiest

who is loyal and encouraging,  

who is my doer of life together

and who is the sexiest 33 year old ever!

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Your boys got out your old guitar, sat on the floor and decided to write you a song. Who knew that 33 years ago you would have three little boys who think the world of you. 

ROCKSTAR DAD

LYRICS BY: BRADY AND

MASON WOODALL

My Dad is a Rockstar.

He lives in Mason’s house.

He is a famous Rockstar.

We love the famous Rockstar

Happy Birthday Rockstar

He is the best at playing soccer.

Famous Rockstar Dad

We love you

Famous Rockstar Dad

We love you

My Dad is the best at playing soccer

when we weren’t even born.

How about you be a Rockstar for the rest of your life.

Rockstar Dad.

Dad we love you even when you get mad at us.

You’re the best Dad for always playing

soccer with me, even if you always beat me.

Your just my Rockstar Dad

Dad we love you so why don’t you be a Rockstar.

So all the crowds can cheer for you.

Oh famous, famous, famous

Your our famous Rockstar Dad

Famous Rockstar Dad

We love you

Famous Rockstar Dad

We love you.

Refreshed

Happy Saturday, Friends!

I woke up this morning feeling great and thankful.

Last night I had a fun date with my man.

Just the two of us, no children, having a nice dinner on the river.

 It was perfect. It was refreshing. It was just what we needed.

The best part of the night was when the Valet guy {does he have a name?}

went to get our mini-van. He opened the door for us and said, 

"I had to double check, I thought I had the wrong car."  

You know you're in a new season of life when you

 rock the mini-van on date nights.

It's been a long time since we have done this.

 I forgot how vital it truly is to our marriage. 

Are date nights a priority in your marriage? My goal is to go on

one date night a month. What about you? How often do you go on date night?

A Smile/ A Kind Word/ A Good Laugh

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For whatever reason, these past couple days

 have been rough to say the least.

Stress/Job Change/Kids
But, I learned something that I kinda already knew

but didn't believe {until now}

 Words filled with love can change your mood/day/week

Let me tell you why.

On two different occasions,

at the very peak of being frustrated,

a few simple words changed my entire day.

A Smile. 

Like I said before I am not a big fan of stress {is anyone, really?} 

In the midst of my crapola of a day I had to run back to Target 

{side note: already been there twice that day}

While I was walking down one of the aisles I felt like someone was staring at me.

You totally know what I am talking about. It's like you can feel them staring at you.

I go to grab the contact solution I needed and 

I hear this sweet old woman say, "Your smile lights up this store, honey."

I paused and look up. I wasn't sure if that sweet old voice was talking to me.

I was so taken back. 

I said thank you and told her that it made my day. 

What a sweet woman. I only wish I would of 

asked her what her name was. 

As she walked away I couldn't help but smile.   

A Kind Word.

If you haven't noticed already I have been in somewhat of a blogging funk. 

I don't know if it's because I am so busy and feel like I 

have a million things I need to be doing. In the back of my mind I wondered 

if anyone would really even know if I was 'missing' so to speak. 

As I was getting ready to head to bed last night, I opened up my email to find 

a handful of emails from many of YOU. 

Asking me questions about random things {which I love} 

and making sure all was well. It was perfect and I felt like the Lord was using YOU to be so gracious and encouraging to me. Which is one of the many reasons

why I really do love this little ol' blog.

You will laugh at this one.

Soccer has started for our two older boys. Of course there practices are on the

same day at different parks at pretty much the same time.

I took Brady to his practice. We got there a little early so I passed

with him for a few minutes. One of his little buddies came up and 

joined us. As we are passing the soccer ball I ask him his name and how old he was. 

He answered kicked the ball back to me and said, "So are you Brady's 

babysitter?" I laughed. Brady chimed in and said, "Dude, its my mom."

Later when we got in the car I told Brady he could definitely be friends with that kid!

{I kid} { I kid} 

Moral of the Stories:

Saying and receiving kind words can 

change your mood or situation.

It can turn frustration into happiness.

What a great way for you and I to encourage each other or even a stranger.

All we have to do is get over ourselves a little bit.

{I am still working on that}

I'm motivated to show love to others with my words. 

What about you?!

xoxoxo

Life Isn't a Contest.

So, why do we compare ourselves to other people? It happens to all of us. For me, it is usually not a struggle. Lately, it has straight up smacked me in the face. I recently was asked to sub for one of my Zumba instructors who will be having surgery. Eeeek! I am very humbled and so excited to teach. What I wasn't expecting was the enormous amount of pressure I have put on myself. I found myself in class comparing myself to others around me and thinking so many lies. 

Am I thin enough to teach? Will I remember all the songs? Will I get every move right? I have never even taught a class before and there are people better in the class... will they walk out when they see it's me teaching. Self doubt and the comparison game can eat you alive. It's so easy to get lost in the trap. For me, it has been with getting ready for my first zumba class. For you, it may be seeing a friend get a promotion or feeling like you see everyone else moving forward and you're still standing in what feels like quick sand.  

Comparing yourself and feeling less than others because of other accomplishments/ the way they dance/ how skinny they are/ how many friends they have/ how big their house is/ how well their kids behave... is an endless spiral and while there will ALWAYS be someone skinnier/with more friends/ in a bigger house... this doesn't make YOU {or me} any less great!

All of us have God-given talents. We are all made in His image and that alone makes us special and beyond compare. For me, the best anticdote for comparing has been thankfulness. Learning to be thankful for the way God made us, in spite of all our faults. He made us perfect! It's time we start believing it! xoxox 

Things I Love Thursday {Etsy Edition}

 Barn Owl Primitives could be one of my favorite Etsy shops EVER. I am so excited to show all of you these unique pieces of art. I found her page on Facebook and when I clicked on her shop I couldn't get the smile off my face.

With having my three boys I feel like this should be my motto. 

{perfect, right?}

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Barn Owl Primitives hand paints and distresses the most unique and beautiful wooden typography word art signs that will literally make your heart smile. 

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I've decided that I would like a sign in each room of my house. {I am so not kidding}   

How perfect is this for a playroom?

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I am telling you that you MUST head over to Barn Owl Primitives and start pinning/bookmarking your favorite signs. No joke. I have pinned these beautiful things on Pinterest. I have bookmarked them. I have told my family that this is what I want for all occasions. Would you like to see my FAVORITE ONE EVER! I already know where I am putting it in my house. 

Family Rules:

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Are you decorating your nursery soon? 

How perfect is this?

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How cute is this for the teachers in your life?

How fun to see this hanging in the classroom.

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Do you know anyone getting married? 

How stinkin adorable is this?

{There is a lot of truth in that sign :)}

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Do you want to know the best part about BOP they do CUSTOM ORDERS!

Remember my favorite Family Rules sign... well you can create your own set of rules. Do you have any funny memories or places you have been? How fun to have BOP create that in a sign that you will have forever. Oh my:: this shop makes me happy. 

Enjoy the rest of your day and be sure to go check out all of the beautiful signs. You are sure to fall in love!  Tell me which one is your favorite? 

linked to Things I Love Thursday 

What I Wore Wednesday

Happy Wednesday To You All!

It's amazing what a good night sleep can do for your mind and attitude. I woke up this morning ready to take on this hot, rainy August day. This is my 18th week of WIWW. Can you believe it? I have been amazed at how many women have joined since I started linking up with Lindsey. It's a fashion movement, I tell ya!

Get on board my friends!

So, last week, as you know, we had a fun light hearted photo shoot taken by Nikki James Photography. I received many emails asking about my dress so I thought I would inform all of you today.

This pink and red beauty came from H&M. What is even better is that it was $9.99.

For some reason I always feel the need to tell everyone how much things cost when I find gems like this. Do you ever do that?

 I value your opinion and I need to ask you all a huge favor.

I am looking to change the header picture on this lovely blog. This is where you come in. I have a few options and I can't decide {shocker}. So help a sister out would ya?

Here are your options...

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4

Option 5

Don't you just want to squeeze these little loves. Oh my:: they make my heart smile and crazy all at the same time! So, now that you have seen your options

which one should I choose???

 All this hard work I am asking you to do definitely deserves something. So, check back I have a fun little giveaway coming up{Allora Handmade earings [cough, cough]}

Lately, I've Been Thinking...

... that taking a few days off of blogging can be a good thing

... thinking how I often try and make it on my own strength and not HIS

... about a lot of new changes that are coming up

... a new 'school' season will soon begin

... the calendar will begin to be filled again

... how I am not ready to make my 1st grader wear a belt everyday {he hates belts}

... thinking that I need to cut my hair short 

{thats take MAJOR thought}

... deciding to take on a fear head on even though every bone in my 

body is telling me not to

... praying that I can teach my boys about respect and character even at a young age

... thinking about how I can't wait to put on

 my favorite hoodie 

... thinking about how I care WAY to much about what everyone else thinks

... praying I can change that so I don't 'pass' it on to my boys

... thinking how this summer has gone by way to fast

... but then being so ready for the leaves to change

... that fear is something I never really knew was a huge struggle for me

... thinking I have found some freedom in being myself with a few of my dear friends

... wondering if anyone else does random dance moves while watching 

So You Think You Can Dance?

... wondering if while I am running if anyone has seen me practice my zumba moves

... not really caring even if they have

... still wondering what my life will look like with all my boys soon in school

... and wondering if that will be my time to go to Haiti or Africa on a missions trip

... thinking how refreshing it has been to simply write what is going on 

inside this brain of mine

... and thankful for all of YOU who so graciously

 allow me to do so