My Crazy Beautiful Life

As I sit looking back at the year that has now passed, I can't seem to get my thoughts in order.  I made resolutions last year and like some people I didn't stick to them so let's recap: My Goals (Resolutions) for the year 2014 1.  Finish a bible study (FAILED - I would get started but I never finished one) 2.  Finish a book (maybe a series too) (SUCCESS - I actually finished 3 this year!!!) 3.  Blog weekly (FAIL - who was I kidding....I barely make it up the stairs to get on the computer once a month much less weekly) 4.  Stay organized (home, work, self, etc)   (FAIL - once again who was I kidding....I stayed busy that's for sure and near the end of the year I was productive but my time management and organization still needs a LOT of work) 5.  Coupon (FAIL - I did clip occasionally but I must do better) 6. Start saving money (Not a total fail but not a total success - I was able to save some money to use toward...

Life is super hectic.....the end. That's how I feel....overwhelmed with work, kids, the hubby, house, and the list goes on.  I am counting down the next 28 school days but there is so much to do in those days.  Keeping myself together and calm is what I'm focusing on because when I come home I still am a mother and wife and they deserve my best not what's left. (very hard when I feel like it's all given at work).  Anyway...hopefully I will be able to update again soon with some fun things and some exciting plans for my time home with the kiddos this summer. Until next time....keep calm and keep smiling-you may change someone's entire day by smiling at them.

Ok...so I made goals at the beginning of the yer and I want to look at where I stand since I am now 1/4 of the way through the year.....hard to believe it's going by that fast but it is. My Goals (Resolutions) for the year 2014 1.  Finish a bible study {still looking for one} 2.  Finish a book (maybe a series too)  {I have started a book and I am actually looking forward to finishing it so let's hope I do it!} 3.  Blog weekly  {I am still blogging ....maybe weekly was a little much for me to really commit to but I am working on it} 4.  Stay organized (home, work, self, etc) {This is so hard for me!!!!!!!!} 5.  Coupon {I am slacking} 6. Start saving money {hoping to do this after tax return comes in} 7.  Take more pictures (personal and for others) {I take pictures daily on my phone but I need to take more with my camera....I have done a wedding so far, took pictures of a friend, and i have had some inquiries about me doing some ...

I have the privilege of working with Kara each day at my school.  Not only is she an awesome secretary but she has become a great friend as well.  This summer her boyfriend came to school, brought lunch and proposed!  Super sweet!!!!  She asked me if I would do the pictures for her wedding and of course I jumped at the opportunity!  This past Saturday, Joe and Kara tied the knot and it was a gorgeous day, gorgeous ceremony and such an awesome couple!  Here are a few of my favorites so far from the wedding. Thanks so much Kara for letting me capture your special day! 

So I have decided the lazy winter blues have kicked in from being off schedule with snow days, being stuck in the house and just not feeling like I am accomplishing what I need to.  I'm slacking on my working out and I feel like I am just plain out lazy right now.  I want to get back into the swing of working to better myself everyday.  Maybe the time changing tonight will help...one can only hope. I'm ready for the warmer weather to get outside with the kids.  I look forward to watching them play outside, going to walks and even some runs.   I'm excited about playing at the park and just seeing all of God's beauty in all the new flowers and animals that will start arriving with the warmer temps.  More time in the day, a personal assistant to keep me on track, a set schedule for each day, or just plain self discipline...not sure what I need but I need to get back on track. I have not had pork or red meat since Tuesday and so far it isn't too bad.  ...

Lent begins today and I am giving up red meat and pork...not the easiest thing for me to do.  Bacon is a weakness for me but I will make it through this.  I have been praying so hard for some things are so I'm giving up something I can't see me going without for any amount of time to fast for what im praying for. Still doing my challenge and also doing the c25k to get this body back in shape.  Let's hope this mommy can get more energy to give to her family. Tonight I get to bake(something I love) and create a super cute cake for a great friend who is getting married very soon. Hopefully I'll have pictures to post next time. I'll post again soon...but I must get ready for work.

The day has been a sad one for our community as a whole.  Robbie Betterton went to be with his Lord and savior today.  After a very strong and courageous fight with his leukemia, God gave Robbie total healing today, something that couldn't be fine here on earth.  Robbie was a very fine man, one that could make you smile and laugh just by being around.  He had a strong faith and never looked away from his Lord throughout the battle.  He touched so many lives in his 22 years on earth, and will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Robbie's family is one to be admired, they have stood by each other through many trying events over the past couple of years...they are close knit and always there for each other.  Tammy and Larry have done an outstanding job raising their children into fine adults. Tammy and Larry, I don't know the pain you feel, but I will continue to pray for God to help you get through this trying time.  Toy have an entire community here...

Well I have been slacking on my blog...mainly because I don't get upstairs a lot and that's where my computer resides.  I know stupid excuse but when the little one is content playing with his toys I let him be content instead of interrupting him to go get on the computer. We had a blast playing in the snow with Noah...hubby got snowed in with us after a 4.5 hour trip home from Roanoke Wednesday night in the snow.   I loved seeing the excitement on Noah's face when he was sledding...he's a dare devil too bc he likes sledding on all fours or his belly! He's growing too fast and learning new things everyday.  He talks week for his age and most of it is clearly understandable! #proudmommymoment I started a new challenge today after about 4 days off after the last challenge...let's hope my results are just as good this time.  I'm enjoying working out and actually seeing results.  Wish I had a gym closer by and a workout buddy but for now Facebook will be m...

I tried to post on Sunday about the crazy week I had last week but for some reason the pictures didn't want to post and it locked the blog up so I'm going to try again.  Last week was crazy because we weren't on the normal schedule and that throws me off and my emotions were apparently crazy because I felt like I could just scream when someone looked at me wrong. But...I enjoyed some time playing in the snow with the kids last week and I have already gotten to enjoy two days of snow play with my little man.  I am going to hopefully post some pictures of them playing.  I'm hoping this week will calm me down and I won't feel so crazy but it is what it is. I am still doing my thirty day workout challenge and I am on day 19....I am enjoying working out and already looking for something to do after this finishes.  I am hoping this is the start of me sticking to it and making things better for myself.  We are praying to be blessed with more kids and the healthi...

I was going to post yesterday but things happened and I didn't get to the computer, but I can tell you the blog would have gone a completely different direction if I had posted yesterday. As I stood cooking breakfast this morning and reading my daily devotional, I had to stop and think....no Thank God for all the blessings he has given me.  A lot of times we get caught up in asking what if, instead f looking at what we are blessed with.  If we live life with nothing but what ifs we are going to miss the beauty God has laid right before us.  No mater what we have been through in life, the good, the bad, the ugly and the funny...it is all a part of God's plan for us and when looking back you can see it was truly a stepping stone to where we are now.  I am going to try to every time a what if comes to mind...stopping and thank God for something he has blessed me with.  Why say what if because that if could have changed my entire story.... ...You know the what if...

As work begins again, and the schedule was all out of whack from the wonderful weather, I have had to just close my eyes and breathe from time to time.  Winter can be depressing to begin with because you are stuck inside a lot, you know the winter blues.  I find myself with wandering thoughts while I try to write this blog so if I am all over the place I apologize. 2014 has brought about hope for a better me as a person, wife, mother, teacher, friend, daughter, granddaughter, etc....I strive to be good, but feel as though I fail a lot.  I know I am my own worst critic and let me tell you I am very hard on myself (this does not help depression or self-image issues) Any who....not yelling is one thing I am working on...I want my house to be a happy house, happy husband and happy kids.  There have been some challenging moments in the past week that I could have yelled at the top of my lungs, but I have closed my eyes and just took a breath.  It is eas...

This will be short but I said I was going to blog weekly and since today is the last day of week 1 I guess I better blog.  Went back to work on Thursday and I still wish I could stay home and be with my babies instead of working but the bills must be paid.  Today we are cleaning and working on getting things back in order from the holidays and I know we will still be working on this well into next week or the next.  If only there was more time in the day to get things done.  Anyway, I guess week one of the is year has been ok.  As I said in my last blog Monday we buried my grandfather, Tuesday was my anniversary, Wednesday I got to eat lunch with my grandmother for New years and Thursday and Friday it was back to work.  Here's to keeping goals I have set and keeping myself accountable for things I want to do.  Now to finish cleaning, so I can get everything organized and hopefully get some things jumpstarted again that took a major back burner here l...

As I start this post, there are many emotions that are running through me.  Yesterday, December 30, 2013, I sat with family surrounded by a community, church family and friends as we laid to rest my Papa, Neville Shelton.  In my 30 years, I have never met a more godly, caring, nonjudgmental, respectable, loving, giving man than my Papa.  I was blessed to be his granddaughter and as much as I miss him and his support here on Earth, I know heaven gained a true saint, and he is taking in his heavenly reward with my brother, James, by his side.  I love you Papa and I will miss you, but I will make sure Noah knows how special you were. Okay now that I have tears rolling down my face let me move on...looking back on 2013(the rearview mirror) it has been a rollercoaster of a ride....in January we made frequent trips to the doctor for ear infections that Noah kept, Noah and Kaylynn had the flu, in February my grandfather celebrated his 91st birthday, in March my son had hi...

As I look back on the past year, I know I have been blessed beyond measure.  Like most roller coasters there are ups and downs, thrills and scares, joy and disappointments.  Life is not meant to be easy, it's meant to be there to teach lessons and help us grown.  I'm blessed with a husband that loves me, children that think I'm the best, a job I love most days, a roof over our heads, family that supports me and friends that make life great.  In no way is my life perfect, but I take the good with the bad and make the most of everyday.  As 2014 approaches, I have been looking at resolutions to make, ways to change things, and how to make life simpler, better, and reduce stresses. I have been known to take on more than I should, but that's just me.  I get it done and that's all that matters.  My resolutions will be posted at a later time, because I am seriously thinking about them before I commit to them.  I want to be successful but at the sa...