Dear Friday.

Dear Friday, Thank the Lord above you are here! I think I say this every single week. But really, doesn’t Friday just symbolize so much excitement from y’all? Or is that just me?

Dear Best Friends, you are amazing. I had so much fun on our little girls trip last night & am feeling brand spankin new today after lots of giggles and girl talk! Thank you for being God-sent encouragers in my life. I think it’s safe to say you both make me a better gal. Sappy much?

Dear Husband, you are seriously blowing up the husband role. In a great way, not the uh-oh that bomb just went off and destroyed everything way. Whenever we talk about serious stuff, it’s like you’re actually listening to me and it’s basically amazing, not that you haven’t been doing that already, but wow there is a light at the end of our tunnel and it’s making me giddy! I love you like a pig loves mud.

Dear Thumb, you are jammed or sprained. And you hurt A LOT. And you’re just continuing to swell and turn purple and get hard. I’m considering amputating. Yes, yes I’m that dramatic. Maybe this letter should really be titled Dear Volleyball since it’s totally your fault that I now can’t hold my coffee cup with my left hand or text properly. It’s sad. Priorities people.

Dear WebCam, thanks for being there when I was bored on my lunch today. Such a good pal you are.

Dear Fall, you’re definitely here & I wore my boots today! It felt good. Now I just need some wasil & I’d be good to go. Oh and I need some long shirts so that I can acceptably wear leggings and boots to work every day without showing my rear end to my 5 yr old students.  Dear Readers, I don’t know if you’re even still there, but if you are thank ya! I told you it was going to get sporadic around here because, ya know, I’m a working girl again. No not that type of working girl, I teach kindergarten. Geesh. And I’ve lived up to that statement. I took a few things off my plate and was all like “woot, I’ll have time to blog now” and then I kind of filled that plate up again and got all like “bummer, no time to blog and update my peeps” But don’t you fret, I’m still here. Reading all your posts and stalking following along.

Dear Self, Go ice your thumb & teach how to write the letter N. Yes at the same time. You’re gifted. How’s that for a pep-talk. Go get ‘em tigers.

Happy weekend friends!

Do Something.

It’s no secret where my passion lies. It’s girls. Pre-teen & teen.

They are our future.

Our future wives, mamas, teachers, role-models. And it doesn’t take a genius to figure out just how much the world is influencing their lives. The media, their friends, music, books, heck even their parents can be putting negative thoughts in their minds. It’s saddening to look at statistics about teen pregnancies, suicides, bullying cases. Like I for real want to throw up when I look at them. Maybe you should look at them. Maybe if you don’t feel like throwing up, you aren’t doing enough. You don’t care enough. You aren’t sensitive enough to what’s really happening in our world today. Girls are being told everyday that they are worth nothing. That they aren’t going to amount to anything of value. That they are mistakes. That they are not worthy in anyone’s eyes.

And what do most people (adult women) do when they hear this?

Absolutely nothing.

I can’t be one of those people. I refuse to be one of them.

A girl is God’s daughter. She is valuable and worthy and respected and loved.

I want them to KNOW that.

To know that with every ounce of their being, they are perfectly created by their mighty King.

We have to finally stand up and show these girls support. Let’s pour into their hearts all the wonderful things God has planned for them. Show them how to seek after His will. Understand that the words people say to them don’t always have to be true.

One person can change everything. One girl can change everything.

It only takes one.

Seriously. Just one.

We have the chance to speak life or speak death.

And ya know what happens when we choose death? That girl you just criticized or put down, she’s about to go do the same thing to another girl. Why? Because that’s what you are enabling her to do by speaking death over her. You are showing her it’s ok. You are setting the example. One that says it’s completely acceptable to be rude. Be hurtful. Be anything by compassionate.

But.

What happens when we choose life? Well, you just filled that girl with a smile. You made her heart sing. And she’s about to go do the same thing to another girl. That cycle will continue. Tons of girls will hear encouragement. Girls will know that at least one person in this crazy world cares about them.

If even just one person chose to speak life into the hearts of young girls, our world would change. 

Instead of just teaching my girls to glow, I want to glow for them. I want to teach the pearls to be just that. A pearl full of wisdom and guidance.

What am I doing if I’m not living by the same expectations?

Conviction has been heavy on my heart lately. Am I really teaching them by example? Of course I am, but is the example the right one? Am I living a life that leaves absolutely no doubt in their minds that I live to serve the Lord? That I always choose words that speak life?

Are you?

Smiling is Contagious

This girl is 12!! I can’t even believe it. I remember when she popped out of my mama and my whole world changed. Who cares that the change was annoying for a 13 yr old girl. Now, 12 years later, I’m so thankful for that change. This girl is precious. And funny. And sassy. She is such a soft spirit. With a itty bitty roar when she wants to. She’s quiet and shy, yet loud & outgoing at the same time. And her brand new smile, thanks to pesky braces, makes me want to smile. Every single time I see it. Interested in seeing the progression of a happy girl? All she wanted was an ipod touch. That’s it. So in true mom & dad fashion, they packed it inside a couple boxes. Complete with a set of weights and hair spray to mislead. What might be funnier, is little G-bugs face in the background. I’m not sure who’s really more excited.

Funny, right?

Those cheeks! I die!

Love you beautiful little sister. I pray you go after every single dream you have. I pray you light our world. Glow. Make a difference. Be a light in this dark world. Cling to Jesus. Love. Be compassionate. Simply be you.

Friday.

Dear Today, I am so excited you are here. This week has been long, so long. That’s really all I have people. We had a field trip today & I can barely hold my head up. I need a LARGE coffee if I’m going to last. Like this starbucks one. HINT HINT HUBBY. 

 

Hope your weekends are full of lollipops and gumdrops. And large coffees.

Come Home.

Are you running away?

Some Fall Fashion…Bag Style!

Ok so I think it can officially be considered the end of summer. It’s dark when I get up and dark so much earlier at night. There’s been an itty bitty chill every night. We are still in the 70’s during the days here but I’m sure that won’t last much longer. What better way to bring in a new season than with some fashion?

You may know that I’m an independent consultant for Thirty-One. A faith based company that is all about celebrating, encouraging, and rewarding women. They are also about really great totes, purses, and lots of other items!

Our new fall catalog just premiered September 1st and let me just say, IT’S AMAZING! I think I want every single thing between the front to back cover.

For the month of September, you can get any item at 31% off with the purchase of an item totaling $31 or more. It’s a pretty great sale to kick off a new season.

Take a look…

Need a new lunch tote? Try our Cinch-It-Up Thermal Tote!

Need a new overnight bag? Try our Expand A Tote Day Extender!

Need a new teacher tote? Try our average sized option, the Organizing Utility Tote!

Or if you are an above average teacher go for the bigger option, the Large Utility Tote!

Need a new bleacher blanket? Try our About Town Blanket!

Need a new purse that lets you be hands free? Try our Organizing Shoulder Bag or our brand new Organista Crossbody!

See? You could be all set for fall with Thirty One!

If you’re interested in purchasing, you may visit my website here & then email me your order!

*All credit card info is secure and I do not save any of it.

*If you are interested in hosting a party, either at home or online, please contact me & we can discuss it. The first 3 people to book a party, will receive a special gift for hosting!

*Most items may be personalized, please check with me before purchasing to make sure.

End of Summer Sleepover-GLOW Style

So many pictures & so many words could not begin to describe how precious these girls are to me. We had such a blast this summer & the sleepover was just as amazing. Of course there is a video of our night, if you’d rather watch that. Otherwise, get ready for picture overload..again.

We had snacks, hair feathers, movie, dance line, catch phrase, giggles, good talks, and just a great time! And because I already shared this on instagram and completely embarrassed myself & my bestie, what’s the hurt in sharing it with all of you…

Yep. We’re totally aware of just how cool we are. No need to shower us with words of awesomeness! And yes, I’m wearing a cape. Problem?

Oh and can we talk about the food for a minute? Breakfast was seriously delicious. I have the best volunteers, if I do say so myself!

On a side note: which do you prefer, healthy tropicana or burn your throat sunny d? That was a hot topic among us crazies that stayed all night & were probably running on less than 5 hours of sleep. It was riveting.