{The Highlight}

 The highlight of my Thanksgiving was being with my kids. . . oh, how school robs them from me! 

 I love love having them all home under my feet.  And I enjoyed not having to pack lunches.  I know I am supposed to find great joy in packing lunches.  I can pray as I pack. . I can and should be grateful. . .and I am. . .but that might be one of my least favorite "mom chores".

 The kids have the best time when they are with their cousins! They are all growing up waaayyy too fast.

 I am not sure how I missed having a picture of Benny, but I will share some of him this week too.

The hot cocoa station was a hit!  

 Love my sisters!  Both of my sisters are teachers.  Deana is subbing in OK almost everyday.  She hasn't landed a job just yet, but she has only been out of school for a year.  Carla has hung up her teaching hat, and moved to real estate.  We all have it in our blood. . .

Clayton spent the night with these guys.  They went to see Catching Fire so that was a really good time for him.  

Talk more soon. . .

{Back to Reality}

 Our Thanksgiving

was full of food and family. 

 We had such a good time visiting and enjoying our time together.  

I will share our long break this week with you. . .

I drove through McDs tonight to get the kiddos a sweet treat to ease the pain of "back to reality" tomorrow.  We celebrated right up until bedtime.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.

{W.}

Look at that smile!

{TN & AR}

 I am home! 

Whew!

What a trip!

 Nashville was full of some seriously fun Godly women. . .

 Justin Timberlake and all his fans were there too!

 I cannot say enough about V.Courtney and A. Thomas!  I am in love with them.  

Vicki spoke about living in a "Pinterest World" vs. our "Real World".  

Things can become very skewed if we aren't careful!

 Angela Thomas has a contagious spirit!

 She is full of spunk! 

She made me laugh out loud.

She talked about how to teach women.

 Of course I had to snatch up a few books!

 Have you read either of these? I cant wait!

 I did much listening and learning about womens ministry, but. . .

 I couldn't leave these baby books behind!

I hope to gift these to some new little mommas!

 I really feel like my family was glad to see me when I returned, but. . . 

they all had some fun of their own!  

 Birthday parties and 4-wheeling!

I am thankful God held it all together in TN and in AR!

{Nashville Bound}

Tomorrow I am heading here!

  I am really excited, but Lily is sick. 

 What Mom can go out of town before someone needs a doctor visit, antibiotics, and vomits in the car? 

 Yes, that was my afternoon yesterday and morning today. 

 Honestly, it is my joy and honor!

  I will tuck back my tears

 tomorrow because I wont want to leave a sick baby behind! 

Thank Heavens for The Mr., my mom, and my dear friends! 

 I am looking forward to hearing her  and her speak! 

Speaking of Angela Thomas check out her blog post here.

  It is just outstanding and inspiring! 

 I want to learn as much as I can about discipleship. 

 I am praying that the Lord will comfort me today as sometimes I feel like I get ahead of my "Seasons".

  I want to be real involved in Women's Ministry, and pretty much any avenue that could lead one to Christ. . . but I am still "Mom" here first, and much needed at home.

  Balance is key, but sometimes looks a little misty and blurred.

I need His reassurance that all is well! 

Talk next week!

Now to decide? What in the world to attend!

{Deep In His Soul}

This morning Brad called me after attending the Veterans Day Assembly at Carson and Lily's School.

He said that as Carson was singing tears streamed down his face and when it was over he ran up and gave him a big hug.

  Oh, how proud we are that patriotism runs deep in his soul.

  All the uniforms and words sang so proudly moved his little heart.

 

My Instagram photo  posted today makes my heart sing a patriotic tune. 

 The uniform alone can do that and when "suited up" your heart shifts to readiness, willingness, and for some . . .  the complete and ultimate sacrifice.



{That One Sentence}

 Happy Saturday! 

I am typically not a Weekend Blogger, but this week has completely gotten away from me!  I was busy at the church and have been trying to soak in as much of this beautiful fall we are having as I can!

The most gorgeous tree I was able to find was over on Bell Road.  I drove by every chance I had, and then. . . POOF!. . .all the leaves were gone.  It was such a reminder to me that if you don't slow down and savor the beauty it will be gone quickly!

Today I am buzzing around the house.  I am packing away my Halloween and putting out a few little things for Thanksgiving.  I need to find some cloth napkins for my turkey napkin rings. . . sounds like a fun mission to me.  

I didn't act like I heard, but I did. . . this morning The Mr. said, "Clayton we need to help your mom get down Christmas."  Now I am married to the most lovely man, but words like such don't just flow from his mouth so freely.  Maybe because it was his idea because I haven't asked? Maybe because I am cleaning the house (his most favorite thing)?  Maybe he secretly loves 5 trees?  I am not sure, but it moved my soul to hear that one sentence.

Check out Oprah's Favorite Things! 

 A little bit of Tory, monograms, Burt's Bees, and lovely soup!

Check out her blog!

She is an AR Girl!

I love her style! I love her hair!  I love her handbags!

She is adorable in every-way!

I hear she is a sweetheart too (very important!)

Have a great weekend!

{Photos}

from our spooky good time!

{Honey Crisp}

 Good morning!

 A few weeks ago I ventured off the beaten path

 to Twin City Produce. 

 It is a neat little place and the prices are great!

 I bought the most delicious Honey Crisp Apples ever!

Want to give it a try?

Head downtown! 

Its off Garrison. 

 Turn on 9th. 

Corner of G!

I believe that's right, if not, I am getting you pretty close!

{#21}

 This Tuesday we will play our

 last football game of the

 season.  We have had much fun!

 Greenwood Football is completely different than Pittbull Football.  

Much good and some very interesting to me. . . more on that later. . . maybe. . . 

 Love this photo of Clayton and Coach S.

 All is well when the game ends at the

concession stand.

So long season! See you next year!

{Romney, a Witch, and The SWAT}

 We had a great time last night! The Mr. was working and I really missed him so.

  Clayton was Mitt Romney.
 He picked this mask himself, and had fun with it!
 I was so proud of him for just doing it!
 13 can bring out much shyness, insecurities, and a bunch of "should I" or "should I not".
  It was refreshing to see him just have fun with it!

 Look at Miss Lily! 

She was a lovely witch! She is just so fun and full of spirit!

 Before we left for the night she took all the candy we had, put it in a bowl on the porch for all the trick or treaters that would arrive while we were away. 

 She even made a sign that said, "Take one spooky treat"!
 She used special fonts.
She is my daughter.

 Look at this SWAT Team Member!
 Could he not fight some serious crime?
 I went to his party earlier in the day at school.
 When I arrived he said, "Thank you for coming Mommy, I love you."

Melt my heart a million times.

 Every year we are invited to The Carters and it is always a fun time.

Fun people everywhere and . . . the food. . . well, its unbelievable. 

Its pretty adorably decorated too. 

What you don't see is the over 10 crock pots full of food on the counter.

I couldn't leave this post without reminiscing about the Romneys.
  I know there is a reason they didn't win the election.
 Although, I have a hard time trying to figure out why. . .
 I know nothing surprises my Lord or catches him off guard so I find much comfort in that.

 But what really hits home with me at this moment is how she stood by her man.
I know sometimes people might not understand me. . . but I believe part of my job description is to support and look after The Mr. everyday and in every aspect.
Love & Care for him.
 Pray for protection over him.
And sometimes. . . speak up!

 Ann on motherhood. . . 

And I couldn't leave out how she stole the show on Jay Leno!
(Love that green Ann!)

Have a great weekend! Welcome November!

*Ann and I do not share the same faith, but I love her just the same.

{Trick or Treat Day}

 My kids are looking forward to tonight!

 Buddy has a class party!

(My mantel picture is a little blah, but it does look 

super creepy at night! Pardon the DVD player. . .real life happens here)

 Sis gets to pass out candy!

And Clayton. . . he will have to wait till after school for all his fun!

He is growing up, but he still bought a mask for tonight.

Stay tuned to see my SWAT team member, witch, and Mitt Romney!

Fun Times!

Happy Halloween!

Enjoy the fellowship. . . and chocolate!

{Spooky Week}

I am having loads of fun with this "web" stuff!

{Ambiance}

This is a great post!

 I need all these wonderful reminders and suggestions!

{Basket Love.}

Picnic Anyone?

{Made to Crave}

This past Monday we finished up our Made to Crave Bible Study.

  Remind me again why I did a Bible Study on food?

 No. . . I'm just joking. . . sorta.  

I like to think of myself as an encouraging person. . . but when the precious ladies started voicing their food issues. . .I didn't feel like a very good cheerleader (and I certainly don't look like one)!

  I do not binge or extremely over eat.

  Really I didn't feel like I had a "food issue" at all. . . until I started making the spiritual connection. 

(Yes you can think it. . .D-E-N-I-A-L. . . just don't say it).

So. . .  I found myself in that chapter. 

 Do I prayerfully consider everything I eat, and count the cost?

Do I crave God more than I crave food?  

Oh gee, I never thought of that. 

I just eat what I wanna.

Where I wanna.

How much I wanna.

Did I just say I didn't think I had a food problem? Bless my heart.

It is my hearts desire to pursue holiness.

What is the main ingredient a person needs in order to be successful in anyway? 

Discipline.

So, if I can discipline myself in all other aspects of my life, including my tongue, why should food be any different?

 I just NEVER thought of it. . . 

now to choose to pray instead of eating cupcake. . . I am not sure I am even there yet. . . but I am certain that "food discipline" is defiantly a key ingredient in my pursuit of being who God wants me to be.

See why this Bible Study was such a challenge?

Have you read this book?

(These photos are from #madetocrave on IG)