Customize and Monogram Your Email- FREE!

I found this really neat site that you can create a customized email. I selected the below design and the best part is that it's free. Click here to create your own personalized email format.....

There are many more designs!!! I love this......

Birthday and Friendship

I wanted to take the time to post about my birthday! A big group of dear friends went to eat at the Cheesecake Factory the day after my birthday. I think I am still having sugar cravings from that night ha!! This post is mainly pictures. I was sitting at the table that night and my heart was filled with thanksgiving.

Let me go back a few years. When I finished high school, in 1998 (WOW), I had plans to attend college. I was always told, and saw from other people, that if you don't go straight into college that most likely you will not end up going to college (not always true). I graduated high school on a Sunday and that following Tuesday, our family was turned upside down with the diagnoses my little brother had Leukemia. That week, he began chemo. My mom and brother were in the hospital pretty much all Summer and Fall, he was very sick. My other younger siblings needed someone to take of them. To make a long story short, that Fall, I ended up not going to college.

I remember days that my dad would be at work, my mom was at the hospital with Bradley, and I was home keeping the house going. Since most of my friends had moved off to college or were busy with their lives, I felt so alone. I remember lying in bed and praying that God would give me a bosom friend (fans of Anne of Green Gables know what this is)! The amazing thing is God more than answered my prayer. In 2000, I moved to Stillwater to attend OSU full time and God gave me many godly friends in college and deepened friendships with cousins and girls I grew-up with.

In 2004, when it was time to graduate and everyone was moving to different cities, I didn't think I would ever have such great relationships again. I will always treasure the friendships I had in college, I love how certain friends you can go weeks without talking and pick-up were you left off at.

I again found myself praying for friends when I moved after graduation. I met a girl on a mission trip named Chanda!! After the trip she invited me to church and rest leads me to today.....

I am so thankful for the friends that God has placed in my life, it is a picture of His love for me. I can't imagine going through life without friends! Friends that you can celebrate with, cry with, seek Christ with, laugh with, and the list goes on......

My cup runeth over with so many friends...... I smile when I think back to 13 years ago and how God has placed soooo many people across my path that I can call "friend". Someday when I get married I maybe able to brake a record with the most bridesmaids! ha :) Just kidding!

Thank you to each of you that came Friday. You mean so much to me!! I love that we can have so many best friends.

I was excited that three of my sisters were able to come!! Sisters make great friends!!

A sister is a forever friend. ~Author Unknown

There are many that are not in the above pictures, friends from college, cousins, girls I grew-up with........

Birthday Re-Cap Part One

The above flowers were given to me by one of my students for my birthday, which was yesterday. A few weeks ago, I decided that since last year was my big 30, I didn't need to do much for my birthday. Well, my class made my day! The eve before my birthday, I thought the kids would enjoy decorating cupcakes to celebrate. 4 year olds are very much "into" birthdays. We have calendar time each morning, so they have been counting down to my BIG day! ;)
Growing up my mom often made cupcakes in ice cream cones, so I thought I would make some. They make the best cupcakes!!

(Excuse the crazy picture)

Getting ready to enjoy our cupcakes, after a lot of sprinkles!!

One of my kid's sweet moms, brought cupcakes in the afternoon!! I can honestly say I have never had a Bratz cake! ha It was beyond sweet of her to bring it in. The kids loved it.......

This sweet girl brought me flowers today, oh and a Tinker Bell balloon. ;)

We both have April birthdays!!

Needless to say, I have had a great couple days. I am super excited that tonight a big group of girls are going to the Cheesecake Factory. I am also so excited to celebrate Easter this weekend with my family!! Happy Friday!! ;)

6 Weeks......

I did it!! I made it 6 weeks on the Eating to Live lifestyle change. I am documenting this for me..... I have lost about 15 pounds, depending on what part of the day I weigh ;). Shockingly it hasn't been bad at all. I have went SIX weeks without diet pop, that is a miracle. I've had 2 sips, but it didn't taste good at all. The last couple weeks, I definitely think less about sugar and other foods I craved. I know that is ridiculous, but when you have cupcakes sitting in front of you (two days in a row at school), it isn't easy. I was talking with some teachers last week about how hard it is for teachers, we are constantly surrounded by food!! I am attending a wedding this weekend and I plan to have a bite of something yummy. The goal helped me a couple weeks ago when I was really wanting something, knowing the wedding was a few weeks away I was able to get past the craving. Sounds crazy, but it worked. Honestly, I have been eating such great food, I haven't missed out on anything!

I was driving to the gym tonight, this song came on the radio. It is my prayer!!! That the Lord would be my shepherd. The chorus struck a cord in my heart, "The Lord is my Shepherd and I want for nothing. You lead me to water for You know I'm thirsting And I am only satisfied by You." My heart needed this so much, Jesus is so faithful to allow us to know we can only be satified by Him. I don't need more money, more quality time with friends or family, a husband, etc.... I need Him to satisfy the needs of my heart and life!!

Kick Up Your Feet

Sometimes you have to take the time to put your feet up. Though I think I sat for 30 minutes, but there were things that need to be done (Yes, I was watching the Hallmark channel)! ;) That's what weekends are for!! This week I had parent conferences two evenings until 7:30 pm, so I was ready for the weekend! Speaking of parent teacher conferences, I had 100% of my parents show up. I was so proud of my parents, who says Title 1 schools have parents that don't care about their child's education!!

What better way to spend Saturday morning then looking for treasures at Garage Sales! I LOVE a good garage sale!! My sweet friend Sarah and I met at the crack of dawn to look for bargains (hopefully not junk). Sarah has been super busy with work and nursing school, so we had a blast just catching up! Sarah and her bargains Some of my goodies! I have a feeling we are going to have a HOT summer, so I am sure I will get a lot of wear out of this sundress. Who doesn't like some brand new Arbonne make-up and a Banana Republic necklace!

A successful day!! :) Since, giving up on my slight addiction of diet drinks, I have discovered the yummiest thing, an ice water with extra lemons and limes! ;)

Last but not least.... the above picture are the kiddos at my church. Before the service starts they have a short lesson, with David and Mr. Al.

Keeping with the whole kick of your feet theme! Last night during worship, we sang a lot of songs having to do with "JOY", how often do we walk through life with no joy! Sam read a scripture that I pray takes deep roots in my heart.

"Be happy (in your faith) and rejoice and be glad hearted continually [always]. Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; Thank God in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you who are in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. 1 Thessalonians 5:16- 18

How easy is it to worry about finances, the future, family, the list goes on...... That worry will steal our joy.

"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life, whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more that clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to Him that they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Mathew 6:25-27

Isn't the Word the best? :) The Lord cares so much for us. So "Don't Worry Be Happy". it's totally Biblical!! :)

Eat to Live

I have been meaning to post about my recent lifestyle change! Today marks 5 weeks of Eating to Live. I can't plan ahead what I will eat in a year, but today I am eating mainly plant based foods. I weighed today and I have lost 14 pounds!!! For once, I feel my ideal weight is attainable. I have tried many diets, but no more!!! My birthday is a couple weeks away and I do plan on eating a bite or two of dessert. ;) Below are pictures to help me remember things I am loving right now. Hopefully, I will post some recipes soon. Thanks to my sweet friend Priscilla for all her encouragement and many ideas!

My favorite restaurant right now is, Jason's Deli, they have the best salad bar!! This was my first reastaurant experience. I will admit eating out can be a little challenging.

Black Bean Lettuce Bundles The Best Yummy Oatmeal Bars (oats, walnuts, coconut, no sugar added applesauce, raisins)

Today, I wanted some ice cream. So I used my magic bullet and mixed frozen stawberries, a frozen banana, and some almond milk. I seriously believe I will be making this in the near future!!

Happy Eating!! ;)

Weekend Recap

Friday, I hit the road..... I was so excited to see my family. It was great to see all my siblings, the kids, my parents, and the brother in-laws. As our family continues to grow, I'm coming to the conclusion that it is harder and harder to get everyone in one location at once. A little over three months away, we will all be at the beach together for a week! Can't wait! :) Are these not the cutest thing ever....

Who knew Toms came in sizes for babies!! :) Best Friends/ Twinkies Saturday morning, we all got up bright and early for a little yard saling!!

Picture Below: Saturday afternoon, we celebrated with Becca and Rodo at their wedding reception. Becca is our cousin on my dad's side of the family. We look forward to getting to know Rodo and seeing how God works through them in Mexico. My Dad and I :)

What a great weekend with the family!! I love you all so much! ;)