ToL 7.26

Slow down and notice the little things. From Only Love Today by Rachel Macy Stafford, I have been reading this along with my devotions this week.


Run today.  It rained on us. Chance wasn't terribly happy about that. I was feeling pretty discouraged. We have a 10K on Saturday that I am feeling so very unprepared for, not to mention I need to get my butt in gear for Half Marathon training. Ugh. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever feel like a successful runner.

We hit Trader Joe's last night and picked up the goodies to make bbq sliders again. In the crock pot as I type ;-) It's nice to have dinner ready after work.


I also finally broke down and bought cookie butter... I have been wanting to try it forever. Today it is paired with the homemade jam from my SIL's bridal shower 😍


Yesterday I asked God to give me a discerning heart. For wisdom to know when there was something that need addressed and when it was just me spiraling out of control- the devil fanning the flames all the while.  This morning I saw this. . . 😉😍😊 God is Good.

Another day and a half and we are on vacation! I am so ready for a break. . . weary body and soul. If you think of us pray the God's hand would rest upon this time, that it would be a time of rest, renewal and re-connection. 💗💓💗 

ToL 5.31- Just :-)

It's Thursday and I have a whole lotta randomness running through my head sooooo- linking up today with Amanda at Running with Spoons.

It's National Smile Day. Who knew. ;-)

This weeks reads-

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake. Loved this book. Quite light-hearted after the murder mystery/thriller types I have been reading lately. I very much enjoyed it. Its set in Milwaukee and makes me want to go! The main character Lou is helping food critic/Englishman/Milwaukee Hater, Al, learn to love the city.  She takes him to various local eateries and festivals. Also makes me wonder what places are waiting to be discovered here in my own city... Summer Bucket List? Bonus the coconut cake recipe is included at the end of the book. I intend on making it very soon.

This Is Me: Loving the Person You Are Today. I picked up this book from the local library because I love the show This Is Us.  Probably my current favorite that is on the air.  It was a pretty easy read, I read the majority of it in the truck on the way to Grammy's and back this weekend. =)  It tells the story of her life and rise to where she is now from a pretty rough childhood. Her purpose to inspire you to reach and strive for all life has to offer.  To make your dreams into your reality- leaving me again wondering- Why not me? And how can I turn my dream into my reality...

Sacred Marriage.  It took me a pretty long time to read this one.  I feel like its one that needs read through again to absorb it all and also there is a study guide/discussion questions in the back that would probably be pretty helpful.  But a good book. Thought provoking. More about your own perspective and working on your attitude and relating to God. There by becoming a better spouse for your partner.

The House Girl. An interesting story and read, entertaining the tales of a runaway 17 year old slave, Josephine, from Virginia and a young lawyer Lina in NYC in present day.  Lina is seeking for a case, to discover what happened to Josephine and find a descendant- if she has any.  I enjoyed Josephine's story a bit more. But overall enjoyed the book. It's one I found through Mrs Modern Darcy's list of Kindle Deals and borrowed from my local library.

Saturday Morning we all headed off to Grammy's.  It felt so awesome to have this weekend together!

Road Trip Family Selfie

It was a pretty low key weekend. Which was also nice.  Good to see Grammy, of course. 

Once Mom arrived, an hour or so after us, Hannah and I headed up to the cemetery with her and Grammy.  Putting flowers on family members graves.  Hannah and I enjoyed wandering a little and checking out names and dates on surrounding markers.

We did a little shopping. Rhett and the kids went fishing. My uncles and their wives came in for Sunday dinner.

We went out for ice cream and took the pup along. Chance had his first ice cream cone. He devoured it. He was one happy pup, grinning the whole way back to Grammy's.


Seen on my run around town Monday morning  =) I'm pretty proud of myself for keeping the streak alive. I almost let it die. It was starting to warm up (but not too awful yet and the pavement wasn't too hot yet for Chance's paws).  So Chance and I decided to venture out.

Chancer  was really excited I took him down to the creek. I had to hold on a tree to avoid him pulling me in too! The bank was really muddy and slippery.

Our run streak! Hoping to keep in going and participate in the Runner's World streak between Memorial Day and the 4th of July.  Here's hoping to get in a mile with Becca while we are Girl Scout camping this weekend.

I'm hoping and planning to put in an order tonight.  I want to avoid going inactive and losing my career sales (again!).  I am getting kinda close to the $15,000 mark which also gives me a bump in commission.  Anyway here is the link if anyone is so incline to order:

-->> https://pamperedchef.com/party/UiRycS  <<--

I have majorly slacked off- and would like to get back on track- so if anyone wants to have a PARTY...

The PINK Help Whip Cancer products are only available through today! And can I just say the Whip Cream Maker is amazing! 

This morning's breakfast courtesy of a couple of my favorite products! The Cold Brew Pitcher and the Ceramic Egg Cooker.


In an effort to choose more healthful options- microwave omelet and fresh fruit...and of course cold brew blueberry coffee.  Coffee always a must. Warming temps and morning runs make iced coffee a more appealing option.

Mikayla has been in Arizona for the last week and a half. She is enjoying the scenery and the wild life. I stole all these off her snapchat. Can't wait to have our girl home! 8 days and counting!

ToL 1.18

I wrote yesterday of God's faithfulness. My thankfulness. My heart full and peaceful.

Then BAM! Spiritual attack. I felt my heart and steps falter, I was on the brink of going down. I ran to God. And then my husband. We sat and talked for a while.  He had to go back to work. I went home to continue nursing my aching head and hurting heart. Still shaken yet confident God was still working.

I stopped at the store for the essentials. Milk. Pizza for tonight's supper. Coffee. Always Coffee. Gatorade for my head. And of course chocolate syrup. ;-)


Home. I made a can of soup. Snuggled with the pup. Watched War Room again. Then retreated to my room to try and sleep a little. I ended up just praying and reading my Bible. The headache though at least beginning to abate.



I took Hannah to her piano lesson. Tried to read a bit. Ended up just praying more.


Home again I set about making dinner.  Cooking soothing my soul. This recipe was so simple and delicious. I recommend. Check it out here.


After dinner my children doted on me- making me tea and an ice cream sundae.  I sat at the table while Hannah did her home work and read the last 40 pages of the book club book. On top of my emotional turmoil of the day- this book wrecked me. I picked up another library book and opened it and immediately put it down. I need time to decompress- I joked to Hannah.

This morning. I am seeking Hope. I did start a new book in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep. I picked up the Kindle App on my phone since I could read it in the dark, not leave bed and my sleeping love's side. I started A Fierce Love by Shauna Shanks it made me feel a little less alone. Reminding me I am not alone. God is in this- he is working.

This morning I marveled at the beauty of the sun shining through our neighbors snowy trees.

God is here. He is working.
This I have to believe-

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held.

ToL - 1.11.18

Today my heart is full and thankful. I woke up pretty tired and grumpy. But then I did my devotions...

Reminding me to just be still. And thankful. So I am.

Last night we picked up the mister's new truck! Carpooling the last three weeks has been fun but I am thankful to have my van back to myself.


I am so excited to go see Oklahoma is March! Rehearsal's have begun. Can't wait to hear all about it!


Working on getting back at menu planning- I don't like deciding what to make.  That's the hard part for me- I love cooking once I know what to cook.

This menu plan actually looked pretty good- I think I am just gonna go with it ;-)

Here is the link-> https://www.mashupmom.com/free-aldi-meal-plan-week-of-1-14-18-1-20-18/

I wore heels to work for the first time in quite a while.  Its amazing how much put together I feel! :P 

Going to try and find my brave...

...and run in the dark! My husband as been mocking my fear of the dark the last few days. Truth is we live in a rather quiet well lit neighborhood... hopefully we'll be OK. And once we take the leap- it will get easier?  I have to start running again. I need to start making healtier choices. This fall I started making atrocious eating choices. I had no desire to cook and we ate a lot of junk.  My candy addiction is strong. I'm working on drinking more water.  The last two days I had a fierce-some  headache I am blaming on dehydration. Baby steps... we'll get there...

3 books are in for me to pick up at the local library on my way home! <3 LOVE <3 I may have added a few more to my hold list just now ;-) #readallthebooks!

Linked up with Amanda at Running with Spoons

ToL ~ 12.21

Rhett's car has been in the shop since Tuesday.  Despite the inconvenience of not having my vehicle, carpooling has been kinda fun.  Having those extra minutes with him, I wouldn't otherwise. After the last two months- I am soaking up every bit of togetherness I can. And today- I even got coffee out of the deal ;-)

this- Pampered Chef posted this and I died laughing. So me.


God is good. Every day. Today I am feeling thankful and blessed.


Fierce is going to be my word for 2018.

I loved this definition from the British dictionary - vehement, intense, or strong. While often fierce has a negative connotation. THIS is my focus for next year-vehement, intense, strong: in prayer, in God's WORD, in running, in fighting to restore my home, my marriage and my family. In being the wife my husband needs, the wife GOD has called me to be. Discovering the AMY He created me to be.  The person I am- besides "wife" or "mom".  These two roles have defined me most of my life.  They are roles I dearly love. But if nothing else this fall, I have learned no matter what my circumstances- I am still ME. Created with a purpose and a reason. I am valuable and important. Beautiful and treasured.  I am hand-made by the Almighty God.

Recognizing the battle is not over- it has merely begun... BUT I will NOT be DEFEATED. 

My goofy kids and their pets :P

The normalcy. Oh, this simple text flooded my heart with joy and reassurance on Friday.


This year I already got what I most desired for Christmas. My very own Christmas miracle. I will treasure it, nurture it everyday. <3  I am still marveling at how life can turn on a dime. Things can change in an instant, both good and bad.  So live in the moment, treasure each one as they came.  Seek God's peace and strength on the hard ones.  He will see you through.  Never miss an opportunity show love and kindness. Say I love you. Hug and kiss. Find the good in each day. Its there. :-)

Linked up today with Amanda at Running with Spoons