Judges, Jurors and Flowers...

I have so much I want to say and don't know where to begin.  In my 39 years of life I have changed so much.  I was a super shy girl who followed the crowd and only those who were really close to me truly knew me.  Than in college I starting finding myself and coming into my own.  I think it was after a few years of marriage and having my boys that I truly became who I was suppose to be.  That I found my wings!  I had to though my boys needed someone to stand up for them and love them through everything.  My husband also needed a strong woman by his side supporting him.  So for them I came out of my shell, I found my voice and for them I wasn't afraid to use it.  As time went on I became strong for me as well. :)

Having a voice is one thing.  Knowing when to use it is another.  The thing with people today is they think they can use it whenever they want to.  It's not necessary to always give your opinion and your opinion is not always written in stone.  We need to learn to not only choose our words wisely, but WHEN to use them.  

I work as a substitute teacher in a middle and high school.  Talk about judging that is a place of judges.  I love my students, but man can they be brutal.  It breaks my heart sometimes how hard they are on each other.  I think a great reading requirement would be Dropping Your Rock by Nicole Johnson.  It's awesome read about rock throwing.  How everyone was so quick to throw rocks at the woman at the well for her sin and Jesus said "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone".  Slowly everyone dropped there rock and walked away because NO ONE is without sin!  No one should be judging another person when they are out  making mistakes themselves.

So friends can be awesome and horrible.  Maybe it's best if we love a little more and judge a little less.  More than likely you are going to go through what your friend went through and they can help you through it so you don't make the mistake they made.  

 What's worse than friends?  How about family?  Aren't they supposed to love us unconditionally?  Oh, they do, but there are strings attached.  Strings of advice, judgement and anything they feel they can throw at you because they are family.  I grew up in a big family and it had its perks, but when I messed up everyone was quick to jump on me, tell me how to improve and what not.  I hear it still goes on today, but I live 4 hours away now so I don't have to hear it like I use to.

When I married Kevin I gained another big family!  We are lucky to have awesome family around us and loving us.  When you gain a family you have to learn them just like they have to learn you.  They have to learn to let go as you become your own little family--a branch off the family tree.  You have to learn to make sure and keep them a part of your new little family.  That's the things about family it constantly changing and branching off.  You have to learn to go with it because each little family unit within the big family is just trying to do what is best for there family.

There was one person who always knew how to give advice and that was Mema.  She was amazing.  She never rushed in on you and made you feel worthless because she knew we already knew we had messed up.  She would just a wrap a arm around us and tell us she loved us and than tell us what we needed to hear.  The thing is she did it the right way.  I sure do miss her!  I can hear her now saying "Now Kelly Bea..."

I think family and friends should spend less time up in each other business judging and more time being there and supporting each other.  Look around we have all made mistakes--similar mistakes--so quit acting like your better or your mistakes are less than her mistakes.  Stop being judge and juror and just be friend and/or family.  Just be there for each other.  Give good advice, listen when you need to listen and LOVE all the time. Leave the judgement for the only One who really can judge any of us.

And just let the enemies talk all they want because what do they matter anyway...

Behind The Tattoo...

Some people might ask why get a tattoo when you are 39 years old and I say why not!  I just marked something off my Bucket List! WOOHOO!!  I have always wanted to get a tattoo, but as many of you know I hate needles. 

 I have really thought long and hard about this tattoo for over a year.  Back in December I went and talked to Greg at Blue Rose and we sat a date and have been talking details ever since.  At first I wanted to put way to much into the tattoo, but after talking to Greg and my good online friend, Mia I finally figured it all out.  From there Greg came up with an awesome drawing that really covered everything I wanted my tattoo to represent.

I choose the Owl for two main reasons.  Reason one is I have always loved them and can remember hearing them outside my window at night when I was a little girl.  The second reason is that Owls are believed to be the great protector and to keep the evil spirits away.  There feathers were used in dream catchers and headdresses to keep the evil spirits away.  My Pepa who meant the world to me growing up was a Native American so when I see the owl I think of him and all the many ways he was always there for me as I grew up.

In the branch I have my boys initials and around the Owl are music notes which represent Kevin--my music man.  So I am the Owl watching over and protecting my three guys--keeping them safe forever and always!

On a final note I must be honest and say that it did hurt!  It was like a constant bee sting and some areas were no big deal and some had me curling my toes.  As soon as he was done and I saw it the pain was forgotten so if you want one go for it!  

Here it is...

 and a close up...

I'm back...

Having two boys playing school ball has been absolutely crazy the past 8 weeks, but I can now breath again!  Since the end of February I have been to close to 70 games between the two of them.  I put a lot of miles on my truck, taken a ton of pictures, cheered until I lost my voice and loved every last crazy second of it.

Those were just a few of the many pictures I took of my boys this baseball season!  Now that school ball is done it is time for summer ball.  Which is a little less stressful so I will have more time to blog again!

Thanks for stopping by and having a great week!

The Waiting Game...

I have always loved to read.  Growing up I used to have to go to work with my mom so she would let me walk to the library for story hour and then I would spend the afternoon reading books.  I have always loved to get lost in a book.  It was an escape for me. 

 

I have always been impatient so series were something I tended to avoid until all of them were out or enough of them were out that I could read a few while waiting for the next few to come out.  That has not been the case lately.  I have read a few books not realizing there would be a second book or one of my english teacher buddies would say here read this and I would just read it and then get to the end and realize it was a series.  I would go to get the 2nd and its NOT OUT YET! SCREAM! 

 

So I am playing the waiting game this year!  Just check out this list of books I am waiting on in 2013

 

Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

This Girl by Collen Hoover

The Forever of Micha and Ella by Jessica Sorensen
Out of Breath by Rebbeca Donovan
Rock My Bed by Michelle A Valentine
The Redemption of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen
The Certainty of Us by Jessican Sorensen
Consumed by Emily Snow
Reckless Abandon by Andrea Randall
The Game Changer by J. Sterling
Never Too Far by Abbi Glines
Stealing Harper by Molly McAdams
Date Me by Jillian Dodd
Love Me by Jillian Dodd
Hate by Jillian Dodd
Come and Get Me by Jillian Dodd
Saved by Kelly Elliott
Faithfull by Kelly Elliott

On top of those there are all the stand alone books coming out this year and the series that I haven't started yet!  At least I will always have something to read!  Thank you to all that amazing authors that give us a little place to escape to!

Where did the time go...

I awoke around 4 AM thinking my water had broke.  I had went to the doctor the day before. He had told me that I could go at anytime and that I was already between 4 and 5 centimeters.  So I woke Kevin up and said "I think its time".  He jumped out of the bed and into his jeans, grabbed my bag and said he was ready.  It was so funny--I was still just laying in the bed trying to process what was happening!  Here I am 24 and fixing to become a momma.  I was scared to death!!

Hard to believe that was 15 years ago!  Plus this morning I took him to get his Drivers Permit!  WOW!  Where did the time go?!?!  Seems like just yesterday he was waking me up 3 and 4 times a night because I couldn't keep him full.  I still can't keep him full, but he is sleeping through the night now.

I am very proud of the young man he is!  I love that he does not try to be something he is not and doesn't try to be like everyone else.  He just is who he is!  He happens to be a sweet and fun-loving boy.  He loves the Lord and is a Christian.  To know that fills my heart with joy!   

Today with his permit!  Congrats!

Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park

Book Synopsis:
Flat-Out Love is a warm and witty novel of family love and dysfunction, deep heartache and raw vulnerability, with a bit of mystery and one whopping, knock-you-to-your-knees romance.

Something is seriously off in the Watkins home. And Julie Seagle, college freshman, small-town Ohio transplant, and the newest resident of this Boston house, is determined to get to the bottom of it.

When Julie's off-campus housing falls through, her mother's old college roommate, Erin Watkins, invites her to move in. The parents, Erin and Roger, are welcoming, but emotionally distant and academically driven to eccentric extremes. The middle child, Matt, is an MIT tech geek with a sweet side ... and the social skills of a spool of USB cable. The youngest, Celeste, is a frighteningly bright but freakishly fastidious 13-year-old who hauls around a life-sized cardboard cutout of her oldest brother almost everywhere she goes.

And there's that oldest brother, Finn: funny, gorgeous, smart, sensitive, almost emotionally available. Geographically? Definitely unavailable. That's because Finn is traveling the world and surfacing only for random Facebook chats, e-mails, and status updates. Before long, through late-night exchanges of disembodied text, he begins to stir something tender and silly and maybe even a little bit sexy in Julie's suddenly lonesome soul.

To Julie, the emotionally scrambled members of the Watkins family add up to something that ... well ... doesn't quite add up. Not until she forces a buried secret to the surface, eliciting a dramatic confrontation that threatens to tear the fragile Watkins family apart, does she get her answer.

Flat-Out Love comes complete with emails, Facebook status updates, and instant messages.

I give this book at 4.75 out of 5 stars!  I FLAT OUT LOVED IT!  I was drawn in from the get go!  Poor Julie's college experience was not starting out on the best foot at all and then she gets thrown into the Watkins family who has there own quirks!  She is great about it though and just rolls with the punches.

I was instantly taken with Celeste she is quiet the character.  Then there is Matt who although seems like the total geek I really liked him and loved his friendship with Julie.  Finn was the mysterious older brother off living the adventurous life.  Then there was the odd parents who never seemed to be around.  Something was just off and as much as I tried to put my finger on it I just wasn't sure?!?!

This book has some really funny moments!  Love the Facebook status updates--they are fabulous!  The instant messages between Finn and Julie go from make you laugh to OMG!! When you get to the elevator IM's you will know what I mean.  Matt's T-shirts are funny!  This book will just take you in!! You will laugh, cry, your heart will beat fast and your stomach will get butterflies!

When the big secret comes out I was so upset for Julie, for the Watkins family for everything they have been living through.  It was almost too much.  My heart was truly breaking.  So I stayed up into the wee hours of the night to finish the book and see what would happen.  I don't want to give anything away so all I will say is you MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!

It is FLAT OUT FANTASTIC!

Some of my favorite lines:

• “If you can't stop thinking about someone's update, that's called "status cling.”
• “Normal people can become very annoying if put in annoying situations.”
• “You can look back now and see how you should have known, but you were focusing on the facts instead of the feeling.”  
• “So we've pulled the chute, and we're drifting, riding the sky. It's just you and me. You can hear me now that we're falling like this, remember? I tell you that I don't want this to end. I don't want to land and reach the real world, because I like our world up here better.”
• “He just wasn’t the guy, you know? I want the guy. The everything guy. Not the dumb Prince Charming, nauseatingly-perfect everything guy. That’s pathetic. I want the flaws-and-all everything guy.”

French Dip Sliders and Zero Limits...

My boys love French Dips so I came up with a supper quick and easy way to fix them!  It has become a favorite at the Rutherford  House!  We have them at least once a week, because you always have a night where you need a quick 20-30 minute meal before everyone starts running in different directions!

Here is what you need:

1-2 Packages of Bakery Dinner Rolls 

1 packet of Au Jus Sauce

1 -2 pounds of Deli Roast Beef  (we love Boar's Head)

1 package of Kraft Provolone Cheese Slices

FYI:  We are a family of 4 so for us we can usually get by with 1 pound of  roast beef and 1 package of dinner rolls.  Especially since I usually make some fries or tater wedges to go with this meal.  

In a sauce pan take your packet of Au Jus and whisk it up in 3 cups of water and start warming it up on the oven.  While that is heating up take your dinner rolls and slice them in half and place them on a cookie sheet. Turn your broil on to 500 so you can toast you buns!  Just before you toast your buns add the roast beef to the Au Jus Sauce.  Put the buns in the oven and keep a close eye because it will only take about 3 minutes to get them nice and toasty.  Once you take them out grab your cheese slices.  Fold  slice in half and then break in half--put 1/2 slice of cheese on each bun.  Then add roast beef to each bun and then your are ready to serve!  

Also wanted to share with you these awesome shirts I found online at Jesse Brisendine's website.  He is the 1 Year 1 Things Challenge guy I told yall about in an earlier blog post.  If you haven't checked him out you really need to.  He is awesome!  I have always tried to encourage my boys to reach for the stars, that they can do anything.  They can be a rock star, Major League Ballplayer or the next huge Bass Fisherman!  So when I saw this shirt I just had to have it!  It says "Never tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon".

I love our backyard!

Devoured Series by Emily Snow

Book Synopsis:

 Sienna Jensen had no plans to return home when she graduated college last spring—after all, her dreams lie in California. But when she discovers her grandmother’s Nashville home has been foreclosed, and the new owner has started the eviction process, Sienna has no other choice but go back to Music City. And she comes face to face with the flawed, gorgeous man she never thought she’d see again. The man who now holds the deed to her grandma’s estate.

When millionaire rock star Lucas Wolfe finds the outspoken redhead glaring at him from across a courtroom, he’s both infuriated and intrigued. He still can't get the night Sienna almost spent with him out of his mind, and the chemistry between them is as undeniable as it was two years ago. He craves Sienna more than ever. And just like everything Lucas hungers for, he’s determined to have her.

Now, Lucas will do whatever it takes to lure Sienna into his bed, even if that means making a deal with her: ten days with him, playing by his rules, and he’ll hand over the deed to her grandmother’s home. Though she agrees to the arrangement, Sienna is conflicted. Because of her duty to her family. Because of promises she’s made to herself and a past that still haunts her. And as Lucas’s game of seduction continues, and Sienna is introduced to his dark, erotic world and even darker background, she realizes that at any moment, she could be devoured.

I want to begin by saying that I totally get Sienna.  I saw myself in her in many ways.  She was a people pleaser and tended to keep her mouth shut and just do as she was told.  She had a bit of rough life, but a grandmother who means the world to her.  It took a few things happening in her young adult life for her to find her "bitch", backbone or voice!  Whatever you want to call it.  So I loved Sienna!

Lucas is your hot sexy rocker that you totally want to please, but are also a little scared of because of what he could do to you.  Sometimes I want to slap him and others times I just want to say "yes sir"! :)

Kyle is his personal assistant and she is also his sister.  I love her, too.  She has a heart of gold and wants what is best for her brother--that would be Sienna!

As Sienna goes to work for Lucas for 10 days so she can get her grandma's house back it is a crazy time.  Lucas seems all in one second and all out the next.  Poor Sienna is so scared to let go when we all know she already has it is just a matter of telling herself she has.  Then when she finally lets go it is amazing!  Too bad the devil rears her ugly head and screws it all up!!!  Lucas tells her to get out---her time is done.  Tells her that her grandmother will get her house back and she needs to just go.  It is heartbreaking!  I want beat Lucas.  

I will say in all this Sienna does find herself.  She makes the changes in her life that she needs to make to make her happy.  She stands up for herself.  This part makes me happy!  

Months later she gets a text from Kylie to turn on the TV and watch a certain channel.  She does and it is a premiere video of Lucas Wolfe and his solo debut.  She reluctantly watches the video and then there is a knock at her door.  Someone wants another chance!  

STAY TUNED for CONSUMED (Book 2) 1/15/2013

Favorite Lines:

“Not really. But I'm a huge fan of your ass. I could write a song about your ass. "
"You've never even seen it."
"Feeling is believing.”

 “And yes, it is you. It’s always been you.”

"One of these day, you're going to have to stand up for yourself.  No matter what someone's holding over your head.  When you do, you'll be able to accept that there are people who love you." 

All Over You

(Devoured .05)

Book Synopsis:

Before Sienna was devoured, before Lucas was consumed, they were all over each other . . .

Lucas Wolfe is used to getting what he wants—from everyone but one person, that is—so when he meets the wardrobe assistant hired to work his band’s newest video, he’s got to have her. From the moment Sienna first obediently whispers “Yes, Mr. Wolfe”, he knows she’s perfect for him.

Three days.

And he’ll have her stripped down and bound to his bed.

Set two years before the events of DEVOURED, ALL OVER YOU is the story of Sienna and Lucas’s first encounter.

Oh my word!  That is all I can say.  It all works for me now!  I read this last night and then I had to jump right in and read Devoured again.  I can't wait for Consumed to come out 11 days so I see how the story ends!  After reading both books I suggest that you still read Devoured first and then read All Over You.  I like that I found out how the first met after.  It just makes sense to me.  I think you will be disappointed if you read All Over You first, but that is just my opinion.  

The Devoured Series by Emily Snow is a MUST READ!!! Consumed comes out on 1/15/13.  Emily also has another book out that is getting so fab reviews called Tidal so be sure and check it out, too.  I just downloaded it!  You can check out Emily's blog as well as other great authors on my Fav's List --->

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

I am very excited to be doing my first book review!  I just finished reading this amazing book by none other then Colleen Hoover!  She is a favorite author of mine as I loved Slammed and Point of Retreat!  I am not one to give things away when I give a review, but I want to leave you wanting to read the book!  So I hope you enjoy my first of many book reviews.

 

Book Synopsis:
Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

 

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

 

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

 

 

I really must begin by saying I was taken with this book within the first few pages!  I couldn't put the book down.  I had to read every word and couldn't wait to find out what would happen next.  First off Sky is not your average teen--she has been home schooled her whole life by her adopted mom who also doesn't allow TV, telephone, Internet or any of the creature comforts most teens are use to.

She and her best friend Six have finally convinced her mom into letting Sky go to public school, but Six is leaving for 6 months on an exchange program.  That's alright though because Sky will met the awesome Breckin and they will become fast friends.

When Sky goes to the grocery after school and runs into Holder things start getting good!  Holder is rough around the edges, but a sweetheart underneath it all.  He stole my heart pretty quick.  He says some pretty amazing things throughout the book, too!

As you read the truth starts to unfold and a love starts to grow between Sky and Holder. You won't be able to put it down.  You are going to be swept away by Holder!  He just has this way about him and he was meant to be with Sky. 

I will say this is so much more then love story so be prepared! 

When you finish reading the book you need to go to Colleen's blog and read this little present from her: It is "best first kiss" from Holder's POV!  Oh My Word!!

Some of my favorite lines:

• "You're a liar," he whispers.  "You're a whole lot attracted to me and I'm about to prove it."
• “Its real, Six. You cant get mad at a real ending. Some of them are ugly. Its the fake happily ever afters that should piss you off.” 
• (I could actually copy about 3 pages, but I'll just give you this line...) “I want you to keep them open...because I need you to watch me give you the very last piece of my heart.” 
• “Does not-your boyfriend realize I'm Mormon?" I nod. "It turns out, Holder doesn't have an issue with Mormons at all. He just has an issue with assholes.” 

I could go on and on, but you need to just get the book and start reading it for yourself!  Enjoy!



Yes I am almost 40 and love Taylor Swift!

So some of my friends give me a hard time because I love Taylor Swift's music so much, but I can't help it!  She writes amazing songs that touch my heart and/or take me back to place in my life.  Isn't that what music is all about?  To remind you of something or someone---don't you love driving down the road with the radio on and hear a song and it immediately take you back to an amazing memory?  Well, lots of Taylor's songs do that for me.  Sometimes I wish she was around when I was a teenager, but I am kinda glad she wasn't.  I love that some of her songs can take me back to those days and some of her newer songs remind me of my guy and more current things in my life. 

I love her music so much I went to see her in concert all by myself back September 2011 in Nashville.  It was absolutely amazing!  She put on a real show and I will gladly go again!

 

This was Dear John --AMAZING!

 

So let me tell you why I love her music!  I'm Only Me When I'm With You makes me think of my 3 closest friends.  The song starts out "Friday night beneath the stars in the field behind your yard" and that takes me right back to high school and us camping in the field and getting wild and crazy.  Another part says "Everything I need is right here by my side" and that is how I felt when I have Kristie, Brandi and Tracy with me!  That line must be true because I met those 3 girls when I was about 10 and we are still BFF's and still get together and it is like nothing ever changed between us!

1992

2012

 

In college I had a boy that really screwed me over big time and these song are perfect for him:

Should've Said No

Picture To Burn

White Horse (and I did actually find someone who treated me well)

Cold As You

I Knew You Were Trouble

 

Change is another great song because yes things don't always happen like we want, but change will happen!  Things will get better and life will fall into place!

The Way I Love You---How could anyone not love this song!  If you have watched The Notebook than you have to love this song!

You're Not Sorry is another song that take me back to a boyfriend and even a friend or two that I had through the years.  I did waste some time on a few people I shouldn't have!

Fearless is an awesome song!  Just be fearless!

Mean is a great one to sing along to because there are just some mean ass people out there!

A Place In This World---I'm just a girl trying to find a place in this world!  So true for me back in the day.  I found my way and everything did fall into place in God's good time!

Long Live for those moments that stand out in your life!  Embrace it and remember it!

Fifteen is an fantastic song for young girls and so very true!  I know I thought I was in love back in high school and on some level I probably was, but it is nothing like the love I found when I found my guy!  So girls just enjoy high school and don't take boys so seriously!  You have plenty of time for that later on.

Sparks Fly is a favorite of mine because it reminds of my love story!  Kevin was the kind of reckless that should send me running!  He was the bad boy with the long hair, tattoo and in a band called The Fuzzy Nuts!  Sparks flew when I met him and I couldn't wait to be his girl!  Lucky me he was an awesome sweetie that just had a bad boy look!  Drop everything now....

Ours is another song that is just for me and Kevin!  We have been together 17 years and our love is strong and we know we have each other!  It needs to be because people do throw rocks!

Ronan is a very hard for me to listen because it hits home with me!  We lost Kevin's brother in 2011 after an almost 4 year battle with cancer.  Darrell fought so hard to live and he was an amazing person!  He was loved by so many and left this world way to soon!  We were all with Darrell when we he passed on--probably a dozen of us wrapped around his bed touching him and letting him know he was loved and we would miss him, but it was okay to let go.  So when Taylor sings "Come on baby with me were going fly away from here" it really hits home.

 

So I could on about her songs and so many other artist songs, but I think this blog post would go on forever!   So now you know what I love Taylor Swift's music so much!  Sometimes it is more then the song it is the words!  I am a words girl---I think I listen to the words of song before I actually listen to the music.

 

Check out her music HERE!

You can also go to youtube to watch her videos.



Hope yall had a Wonderful Christmas...

It truly was a wonderful Christmas here at our house!  It has been a wonderful year as well.  Lots of life changing things going on for me---EYE OPENERS I should say.  It is funny how you get to a point in your life and things start to make sense.  You get comfortable in your skin, gain confidence in yourself and just see life differently.  That has happened alot for me this year.

 

Me and my guys!

 

What a fabulous year this has been!  Although I don't scrap as much as I use to I have found peace in running and an escape in a good book.  I wouldn't trade anything for all the time I have spent at baseball practices and games with my boys.  As mom it is my job and I love it!  I have enjoyed many date night with my sweetie and girls night with great friends.  I have learned to hold dear what is important and let go of what is not.  I love being a substitute teacher because it gives me a chance to make a difference in a kids life.  To be the one to smile, give a hug or say your are worthy and don't give up.  It is always important to remember you don't know what someone goes home to so be the one to smile and say a kind word to them--it could be that one thing they need.

I am happy to say that I did finally lose all 20 pounds--actually 22!  YEAH!! I feel better then I have ever felt.  One night when I couldn't sleep I ran across a youtube late night video and was introduced to this Jesse guy.  I love his 1 Year 1000 Challenge--he is very inspirational.  Yall should check him out!  He is on Facebook and Twitter, too.  His story and Carpe Diem insights are awesome!

 

I am going to being trying something new in 2013 with my blog so I hope yall check it out and let me know what you think.  I plan to be more inspirational, talk about my running and review the books I read.  I want to pay it forward!  In 2013 I also wanted to pick an organization to help/donate to.  Being a huge Paul Walker fan I heard about ROWW (Reach Out World Wide) and I have decide to make monthly donations to them.  Our family also might even try and volunteer to go out and help this year.  They just started in 2010 so I want to help spread the word about them.  I love that they help here in the US and all over the world.  They were just a couple hours away helping when the tornado's hit the Tuscaloosa, AL area.  So please go and check ROWW out and donate or volunteer. 

 

Hope every has a wonderful last few days of 2012 and that you kick off 2013 with a bang!  Say a prayer for me as I have one turning 15 in about 26 days!  He can't wait to get his permit and start driving.  I feel much to young to have one driving, but I have a feeling teaching him to drive might change that! ;)



I think I forgot...

how to blog!  Oh no!  Just kidding!! Life just kinda sorta got really busy, but I wanted to check in and say I am still here!! Haven't had much crafty time, but I have been busy---running both boys to baseball conditioning, pitching lessons and school stuff.  Plus all the subbing is keeping me much busier then I excpected! 

 

I am enjoying life and living it to the fullest!  Make the most of each day, take in the beauty around you, give someone a smile and hug and be sure to say "I love you" to those you love!

 

Here are  couple pictures from our Thankgsiving trip to Kentucky...

 

A sneak peek...

After weeks of bringing home paint chips I finally decided on colors for the exterior of our house!  After being here 8 years I figured it was time to start making the house look like us.  I have lots of big plans and it is exciting taking on this new adventure!

 

My color choices...

Plum Shadow is for my front door and accent color.  Dove's Cry (love that name, can you say Prince) is for the shutters and trim and Clay (also happens to be the town where my husband grew up) is going to be the new siding. 

 

So here is a before of our house...

 

This past weekend I got the front door started and a few crafty projects for the front porch done.  That is what I am going to share with you today! 

 

The first thing I want to share with you is a little sneak of my front door and my front door monogram arrangement. 

 

I told you it was PURPLE!  I love it!!!

 

The next thing I want to share with you is my front porch planter.  I got this idea from Pinterest and made it my own.

 

This was really fun and easy to make!  All you need is 3 different size clay pots, some paint, PVC pipe and some alpha stickers!  Just paint, use the PVC pipe to fit the pots together and add some plants!

 

Finally I want to share you a little something that takes me back to my younger days!  During my last visit to Kentucky I went over to my Aunt Faye's house and noticed those old rusty metal glider.  I instantly fell in love and told my mother-in-law to tell Faye if she ever got rid of that I wanted it.  She said she almost sold it last week I am sure she would give it to you.  Two days later I am driving it home!  It must of been meant to be since I drove my truck to Kentucky that weekend! 

 

Here it is before...

 

I decided to go with two colors and here it is after getting most of it done.  Now just got to get all the little details done.

 

 Here she is all done and ready to go on the front porch!

I featured my projects at A Glimpse Inside this week!  Check them out! Check back next week to see everything all together on our new updated front porch!  Yall have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!

 

 

Kelly Bea

 

 

Years of making cookies...

There is nothing like a homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie!  I have been making them since I was a little girl.  In reccent years I have found tons of cookie recipes, but I believe there is none better then the recipe on the back of the Nestle Toll House bag of chips! 

 

It is a never fail and alway yummy cookie recipe!  So if you haven't tried it you simple must!

 

 Check out Nestle's website for the recipe and many more!

Have a wonderful week!

Kelly Bea



Thinking of you...

I have been making cards, cards and more cards lately!  I love making cards and sending them out to family and friends.  What better way to brighten someone's day and let them know they are thought of then with a handmade card.

 

Here are few of the cards I made...

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!