The Happy Things in Life :)

.:HAULT!:. If you are a first time reader - please read my "I'm starting a blog...say wha?!" post for some background on my blogging philosophy :)

Day 3 - Name the 5 things that make you the happiest right now. (Ps. I totally told you this was gonna take longer than 21 days!!) 

Happy is my favorite mood. That might be why it has taken me a couple days to narrow down all the things that make me happy, in to only 5. That process did not make me happy. 

I don't necessarily want to talk about the typical things that make me happy right now. I hope everyone knows that my family and friends make me happy. My husband and children definitely make me happy. The SUMMER makes me VERY happy! I would like to make this post about some of my other interests and hobbies to maybe open the door for you to dabble in what really makes you happy.  

With that, here are my "5 things that make me happy right now"...

5) Going places and doing fun things just for the kiddos

The Barnes and Noble right down the road has this train track that my babes love to play on. It is so fun taking them there and letting them just play! Our summer has been packed with zoo trips, children's museums, splash pads, pool time and play dates. It's super fun to see them get all excited about going somewhere and seeing people!

4) Blogging and book club

Branching out with this blog and gathering the ladies of the M club has really opened up my eyes to a lot. It is so awesome to spend time with these moms and have some intelligent conversation, while also swapping stories about the latest adventures in toddlerhood. (The stories themselves could be a book!) The best part is - they are both working! My blog is catching audiences and the M club is really creating some awesome friendships - woo hoo!

3) Our family members are succeeding

I have one younger sister - Alilsis is what I will refer to her as. She got married to her high school sweetheart and they moved away to Oklahoma for about 3 years while her husband served in the Air Force. But now, they bought a house right down the street! This is why them buying a house right here makes me so happy - they'll never be that far away again! 

My husband has a sis and a bro. His sis and her husband just welcomed a beautiful baby girl - and she got promoted at work! She's now the youngest administrator at her school district in an area she's passionate about :) His bro just got engaged - to wonderful young woman I can't wait to call my SIL! My husbands cousins also welcome a baby - another boy for them and are also gearing up to move to Indiana for a job promotion as well! Great things all around - family is so important and they're all a big part of ours!

2) Party planning

I. Love. Parties. I love planning them, hosting them, going to them, photographing them - everything about them. Any chance to celebrate - I'm there! I'm currently working on my daughters 1st birthday party (I'm so excited - I will make that a post for sure). If you ever need idea or help - comment below, I'd love to help!

1) Photography

This summer I have really fallen in love with taking pictures. It's beautiful and it's the only way I have found to stop time for even a second. Pictures mean so much to me. So much so that I am going to pick up a side business to help others capture their "Sweet Little Moments". Check it out at:

Www.facebook.com/sweetlittlemomentsphoto 

Well, that's my 5 - what are yours? Comment below or post on your own media. Leave a link below so I can check it out :)

Peace out Girl Scout 

(that's for you Kskank) xoxo

Timeless Lessons to a 16 Year Old

As a 16 year old, I think most of us are actually somewhat similar. Most of us are invincible, all knowing, yet somewhat insecure and, at least in our own opinion, never gave our parents any "attitude". (Hopefully you all noted that this is dripping with sarcasm). As a 16 year old, I remember just wishing I was 17 or 18 or in college already or in my own place doing my own things.  

I drove a 1990 Chrysler LeBaron (a convertible!!!) and worked on cattle ranch. I was a junior in high school and can not remember much of anything else that I thought, did or wished for. 

I say all this to lead into today's topic - "List 5 things you would tell your 16 year old self if you could"

I would tell myself a million things. Learn how to sew. Take value in all you read. Listen to the wisdom that is all around you. Do everything in high school you possibly can. Cherish your friendships. Be nicer to your family. Stop procrastinating! You end up with a great guy. Your children are going to be perfect. Save your money. Stop wasting time on people who don't think you're worth the same. Do things whole heartedly. Take out the trash for mom. Study! Don't stay up so late. Take unique classes. Volunteer. Learn how to change your own oil. Walk with purpose. People see everything you do. 

However, this post is supposed to be the 5 things you would tell yourself (oops). So, here are the 5 most valuable things I think a 16 year old should know (including myself). These are lessons I sincerely hope to pass on to my children as well. 

5 - Stop spending all your money!

Sure everything is all glittery and seems so whimsical now that you have your own cash to spend. But stop it! It's important to invest in the essentials. Essentials only - a decent, nice set of clothes, a running car with gas, an OCCASIONAL movie and dinner out, you know, have a life, but budget out your life. Don't take out more money than you need. 

4 - Forgive and be happy. 

There is no use in harboring hatred for things you have no control over. Stop dwelling on the "bad cards you've been handed" and start figuring out what to do with them. When you make the conscious CHOICE to be happy (that's right, being happy is a choice) you will be. It's a freeing desicion. 

3 - Be a person of action. 

Do what you say you are going to do. Don't make promises you can not keep. Whatever you do, do it well. Follow through and follow up. Actions are what matter. Oh, and stop wishing your life away. Live for the now, cherish your experiences and enjoying be your 16 year old self. Time is a funny thing and the more action you take in your current life, the more you can enjoy it! 

2 - Live a life of servatude. 

You will be happiest making others happy. We are born unique and with a conscience to use it. Do for others. 

1 - Be careful who you surround yourself with. You become them. 

Seek wisdom from all around you - and make sure those people are worth listening to.

Now I can't wait to see what you think! Comment below what you would tell yourself - it will be great to see what everyone thinks!

Until we meet again...

21 Day Blogging Challenge - Back to the Blog

.:HAULT!:. If you are a first time reader - please read my "I'm starting a blog...say wha?!" post for some background on my blogging philosophy :)

Eek, 5 months since my last entry. Oops! I read somewhere that, theoretically, if you do something 21 times, it becomes a habit. I guess I need to get my act together!

It has been a jam packed 5 months in my world, full of school and FFA events and responsibilities, my sister buying a house, family members having babies, summer fun, engagements and traveling. It's funny how time can seem so long and so short at the same time. 

As I was looking back on a few posts, it reminded me how much I liked doing this. With that in mind, and to help me reach that "21 times = habit" I am using this post to challenge myself to a "21 Day Blogging Challenge". Knowing myself and my life too well, I am just going to make it known now that this will definitely take longer than 21 days. 

Here's the fun part - I want you to do it with me! 

Just post your response or answer to the topic in the comments below - feel free to use this challenge on your own social media of choice too. 

21-Day Blogging Challenge

(I should really title this "21 Topic Blogging Challenge" but that doesn't have the same ring to it...)

Day 1 - Name 10 random facts about yourself. 

Day 2 - List 5 things you would tell your 16 year old self if you could. 

Day 3 - Name the 5 things that make you the happiest right now. 

Day 4 - What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?

Day 5 - What defines you?

Day 6 - Name 5 of your biggest pet peeves.

Day 7 - Describe a typical day in your life. 

Day 8 - Describe 3 of your best childhood memories. 

Day 9 - Describe 5 of your strengths. 

Day 10 - Describe 5 of your weaknesses. 

Day 11 - If you could have one superpower, what would it be, 

why and what would be the first thing you'd do with it?

Day 12 - List your top 3 hobbies and why you love them. 

Day 13 - Describe your first job and your current job. 

Day 14 - What is your love language?

Day 15 - Name your top 3 favorite childhood toys. 

Day 16 - What popular notion do you think the world has wrong?

Day 17 - If you could have dinner with anyone in history, 

who would it be and what would you talk about?

Day 18 - Name the top 5 people who have influence you most and how. 

Day 19 - What are two life changing events you have experienced?

Day 20 - What are the 3 hardest things you have learned in life?

Day 21 - What do you want to be remembered for?

This is going to be fuuun! So, let's get started...

My Top 10 Random Facts 

(you are either going to run and hide from ever reading this blog again, or laugh because I'm just as weird as you are...)

#1 - I freaking loooooove the original Star Wars Trilogy

I will never forget the first time I watched it. My cousin Matt, who is like my big bro except I don't get to see him often, brought them over during one of his visits and I was ssssoooo mad! I was like 10 and all I could think was "why on Earth would he think I would want to watch this." Welp, he knew me better than I did I guess. 

::swoon:: I had such a crush on him!

#2 - I have not worn an actual pair of shorts in about 10 years

I really dislike shorts. 

#3 - I am an absolute beast at tether-ball

If tether-ball were an Olympic sport, I would be at least a silver medalist. Ask my husband. I whooped him. 

#4 - I teach agriculture and can not keep a houseplant alive to save my life

Not a strength of mine. 

#5 - My closet is a disaster of epic proportions

I really have no explanation for this. I have never been able to keep an organized closet. I mean, my son literally hides in there because he knows it takes me awhile to find him. Oops. 

#6 - I grew up in the city, but showed hogs, sheep, cattle and chickens at the county fair

This is not random for people who know me, however, what is funny is that I am pretty sure that I would not have been able to identify a live sheep from a goat as a seventh grader. Then we raised chickens in our basement and in a dog pen in our backyard. Talk about a lifestyle change - chicken clucking and duck quaking are much better sounds than gun shots. Just sayin'. 

#7 - I have dance parties with my kids any chance I can

I am a TERRIBLE dancer. My son knows how to do the sprinkler - that's the only guidance I can offer him. My daughter just laughs at us - I think she's the smart one. 

#8 - My kids have the same birthday 2 years apart

Partially planned, partially not. That was the first possible date I could go in with my daughter (July 31st) and that happens to be my sons birthday. I was incredibly done being pregnant by that point - so we took it!

Me = house = Kinley's eviction notice

#9 - I have a very eclectic taste in music

I love Metallica, Queen, Justin Timberlake, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and I know just about every song from the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" soundtrack. Weird, yes. 

#10 - I am the worst movie talker

I can not stop talking during movies. I tell the characters what they should be doing, narrate to my fellow movie watchers just how funny that line was and definitely speak my mind every time the movie is not like the book. As you can imagine, this gets annoying for people. I can't help it. I also cannot watch scary movies - I scream, I close my eyes and I think of the most gruesome parts at the most inopportune times (ie. walking to my car at night, when everyone in my house is asleep, while going to the bathroom in the middle of night...). Seriously, no scary movies anymore. 

"Day 1" in the books folks. Tune in soon for Day 2 - I hope to not disappoint!

Now, it's your turn, just comment your most random facts below - I'd love to read about them :)

Until we meet again...