Category: Family

Planning Smart for the Future

I’ve worked in finance and helping people plan for their future over 15 years now.  I love my job and helping others in my community think about all the “What ifs” of life!  Of course you never know what is in store from day to day, so it’s always good to start planning early.  My husband and I have been married over 21 years now.  The one thing I know is that we try to plan for all that uncertainty in our family so that our kids will be okay. The best time to invest in cheap term life insurance is when you are young, but it’s never too late to purchase a policy.  Although getting in at a young age does usually get you a lower premium.

2001: Little did these two kids know what the future had in store….

Here we are over 20 years later:

And there is nothing we wouldn’t do for these two!

These are some great tips when planning for your financial future:

  1. Set financial goals so you clear idea of why you’re saving.
  2. Create a budget.
  3. Build an emergency fund.
  4. Manage debt.  Don’t rack up credit cards and try to pay in cash if possible.
  5. Protect yourself and your family with good insurance.
  6. Plan for retirement.
  7. Invest in other opportunities besides your 401k.

I know a lot of people who follow the Dave Ramsey method and have had great success.  We personally save until we can pay for things in full and don’t carry debt.  Not carrying that burden on our shoulders is an amazing feeling!  Sure, you have to say no to a lot of things, but that won’t last forever and eventually you can say YES to the things you really enjoy.

Life goes by so fast.  In a blink really…make sure the legacy you leave your family isn’t one of hurt and financial burden, but of safety, love, and the knowledge that they can carry on successfully in the future.

I’ll catch up on our Christmas vacay soon…in the mean time catch us over on Instagram for the latest! xo – Becky

SANTA 2022:

Fall Vibes & Accessorize!

 

Fall vibes over here in Texas now that it’s in the 80’s! Woohoo! I’ve got the house all pumpkin’d up and there is nothing I love more than fall accessories, clothing, decor, and colors!

My fall mantle

Love love loving these Brianna Cannon candy corn earrings and this gold ring with etched detail.  I love wearing dainty gold jewelry along with my headbands and other accessories.

Everyone knows I’m a lover off all things plaid and tartan.  These shoes are under $40 at DSW and I LOOOOOVE them!

Also,this purse from my new favorite boutique in Frisco, TX called Apple Boulevard is super cute and well made!

This bag from Think Rolyn is on my wish list.

My Stanley mugs are on sale again on Amazon and they even have the HOT PINK in stock! Run now to get it….HERE!!!

I’m also giving away a Stanley mug over on my Instagram page so go ENTER HERE!!!

Spider web headband is AMAZING!!!!

And these pumpkin spice latte earrings from Brianna Cannon are my favorite this fall too! I wore them when we took the kiddos to the pumpkin patch last week.

Don’t forget you can get 10% off and FREE shipping with my code: BECKY10

We met some silly sisters at the pumpkin patch too! These girls dressed up and came to visit for fun and everyone was taking pictures. We watched the new Hocus Pocus Saturday night- it was okay….not my favorite movies of all time, but it was cute! #sandersonsisters

Cute pic of my babies at the pumpkin patch! They are growing up so fast and Connor is playing football and doing so well. We’ve been super busy and I’m back working in banking full-time and doing photography part time as well. I have my fall specials posted so if you’d like to book let me know!

Fall Photo Minis

CLICK HERE TO BOOK

Heidi’s 3rd Birthday

July 1st my baby girl turned THREE!  Gosh how the years fly by and go so slow at the same time.  It seems like yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital.  She is my lil “Heidi Bug” – the nickname I call her.  She’s tiny, but so strong!  Heidi loves all things pink and red, her baby dolls are her favorite thing to play with, and she likes to sing and dance.  She loves the show Blaze and Sing 2.  Heidi wants to do everything her big brother Heidi does and is very independent.  “I can do it myself!” she always says.  Heidi loves to read books and put together puzzles- she’s a smart cookie!  The difference between having a boy and a girl is so funny…she’s so girly and Connor was such a boy- always jumping onto stuff and wrecking things.  Heidi loves to help clean, is very organized, and knows where all of HER stuff is at all times lol!

She is precious, snuggly, and the best addition to our family.  Her curly little hair and big blue eyes melt my heart.  She’s a Daddy’s girl and is obsessed with him!  You love school and all your friends there.  Pink and Red are your favorite colors and you love your stuffed animals and baby dolls.

We love you so much Heidi bug you light up our lives.  Here are a few pictures from your 3rd year.  xo – Mama

 

My Hysterectomy & Recovery

I’ve been over on Instagram talking about my hysterectomy and recovery & a lot of people chimed in, so I thought I would put a blog post together about my personal journey.

The reason:  Why did you have a hysterectomy in the first place?

For as long as I can remember I’ve had heavy bleeding.  I started my period in my teens and it progressively got worse over the years to the point that it was humiliating and embarrassing.  I would dread that time of the month like the plague.  It wasn’t just heavy periods, it was bleeding through a tampon and a pad and still having to come home on my lunch breaks to change pants.  I was so tired and exhausted from losing so much blood.  As the years went by and after having two kids it just seemed to get worse.  I had an ablation  in March of 2020 and in my case it didn’t work.  The ablation seemed to only make my symptoms worse and more painful each month.  I highly recommend researching REALLY hard before deciding if that procedure is right for you.  My Mom had a hysterectomy at 40 and historically my family genetics aren’t great when it comes to “that time of the month”.  I knew after the ablation failed I would most likely have to consider a hysterectomy.  

I had been putting it off because I didn’t want to be down for a month or more.  I have a toddler again…how would I make it work?  I was actually scheduled for one last fall, but had some things going on and didn’t want to miss those or take time off of work at that time.  So, the day after I turned 41 this year I had a HYSTERECTOMY!

Happy Birthday to me right?  Ha!

I get incredibly nervous before surgeries.  And I absolutely hate IV’s on my hand…for goodness sakes!  Anything but my darn hand!  The surgery itself was pretty good, I have nothing negative to say about that whole process. I arrived an hour before my scheduled hysterectomy and got ready and two hours later I was in recovering munching on ice chips.  I did stay the night in the hospital.  Because I had some scar tissue on my bladder they had to remove I ended up having a catheter for almost 24 hours afterwards.  The nurses will make sure you are walking up and down the halls and came go to the bathroom before you are released.

You will need help when you get home.  My Mom, Dad, and Sister watched my kids for two weeks while I recovered.  I needed Terence’s help for a couple of days getting in and out of bed and using the bathroom.  I absolutely don’t know what I would have done without the help of family.  With Heidi still being so little she still wants to be held frequently and I couldn’t lift her at all.

The GAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  OMG the GAS!!!!!!!!  I heard you get really bad gas after laparoscopic surgery, but my WORD!!!  The gas was terrible.  It’s not regular gas either.  Because they use carbon dioxide gas to inflate the abdomen during the laparoscopy, gas can get trapped. The gas lasted 3-4 days for me and was very painful and moved all the way into my neck and shoulders. To help with the gas you can walk around or shift your legs side to side in bed. Your first bowel movement should occur 4-5 days after surgery.

These are some things that helped me during recovery:

  • A heating pad.  Laying a heating bad on your back or over your abdomen really helps relieve gas and pain.
  • A belly band really helps support your back and abdomen while they recover too.
  • stretchy shorts and leggings
  • Getting up and WALKING is KEY!!!

I thought that I would bounce back after 2 weeks no problem.  I’m just now hitting the 2 week mark and I’m still really sore and it’s hard to bend over.  I can drive and do most things around the house that aren’t strenuous, but I’m definitely not 100% yet.  I have a follow up appointment next Tuesday and I’m hoping to go back to work soon!

This is what the incisions look like afterwards and they aren’t too bothersome.  It’s much better than cutting you open like they used to do for a hysterectomy.  There will be a lot of swelling, bruising, and bloating.

If you have any questions feel free to message me or comment!  I’m looking forward to this next chapter.  My sister and I just turned 41 and I’m excited for what the future holds without the struggles I’ve had my whole life.  Overall, I’m really glad I had this procedure done and wish I would have done it instead of the ablation.  I hope this post helps someone going through the same struggles and I’m here and praying for you as well.  xoxo- Becky

Connor’s 12th Birthday

Time has once again flown by and I don’t want to forget to post ALL the memories  y’all!

My sweet precious boy turned 12 in March.  It seems like yesterday he was born and now he’s a middle schooler.  Sixth grade has been quite the adjustment, but I pray every day for him that he will do well.  Connor loves Whataburger, macaroni and cheese, Fornite, Funko Pop figurines, YouTube, and swimming.

 

We had a snow day in February and it was the most beautiful day.  Thankfully the electricity stayed on this year!  We took some fun pictures and the kids got to use my vintage sleigh to slide around the neighborhood.


Lots more to catch up on- but I will do the best I can!  It’s hard to keep up now that I went back to work full-time.  I love my new job and things are going well….and as always…catch us EVERY DAY over on Instagram.

xoxo Becky

Christmas 2021

Before it gets too far into 2022 I must recap Christmas 2021 & it was a great one!  We have been incredibly blessed this year with health and the joy of our families.  I know that having these kids at home will only last a short while and someday it will quiet in the halls.  So, in the meantime I’ll cherish every moment- however big or small!  GOD IS SO GOOD!

Most of my recap is photos because we all know how much I love photos.  I was fully booked this season with holiday and fall photos and that was a blessing too!  I’m working on my photography website, so expect that to change up soon with a brand new look and booking system.  That’s one of my main goals in 2022.  To get that up and running and also to take better care of myself, not just for weight loss, but to FEEL the best I can.  I’m not perfect by any means, but with God’s grace I try every day to do the best I can.  That’s all we can hope for…these last couple of years have been rough.

Okay, so let’s get this picture party and recap started!

Heidi by my Starbucks tree in the kitchen.  I have ornaments dating all the way be to 2005.

Christmas on the farm.  Chocolate gravy, fresh air, 4-wheeler riding, and family fun.  So many memories here and this will always be home away from home for me. 

We’ve started a family tradition of playing games at Christmas. One of those is the saran wrap ball game.  I tried to wrap it EXTRA good this year and it’s so much fun!!!  If you don’t know how to do the saran wrap game- just GOOGLE it.  So much fun!

Nannie and Mom cooking all the good food.

We took some sweet photos of Ella and Heidi on the farm too.  The girls in these red dresses= LOVE.

My brother in law Paul made me a big white box so I could start doing in the box photos.  This was my first year doing this type of photography and it was so fun.  I may even bust it out for Valentine’s day or Easter.  My first go was with my own kids and then we thought of more ideas as the season when along.

Here are some of the sessions from this season:

Christmas lights at Daystar- this is a favorite spot for photos every year.

Snow Day Dallas at Galleria Mall

Christmas traditions at The Gaylord Texan.

2021 Christmas tree

Fun photos at The Elf Journey and Christkindl in Arlington, TX.

We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and are already having a great New Year!

xoxo- Becky

Hey…How are You 2022?

Wow.  Does anyone actually read blogs anymore?  Is it all instant satisfaction on the Gram and Tiktok?  I look back over the lifetime of this little blog of mine and I enjoy seeing all the memories that were captured.  It’s nice to look back and remember what I wrote and pictures of Connor.  Speaking of Connor- who is in middle school now and not a baby anymore.  When your kids get to the age they start to notice you are posting about them on the world wide web-they have opinions.  So, now Connor is not on the blog as much, because his friends also have social media and if he wants to be on here or have his photo taken I ask him and it’s his choice.

Heidi, however, I’ll still keep taking baby pics of her until she grows of age and has her own opinions as well.  I shall cherish those just as much!

Raising kids sure is different the second time around (and almost 10 years later….sigh).  I feel old and tired…but also thankful for the opportunity to raise this beautiful girl.  I was thinking the other day that when my Mom had my sister and I she was 22.  I’m glad that she’s still at a young enough age to enjoy her grandchildren.  Then I started thinking OMG when Heidi is my age I’ll be almost 80!!!!  Aaaaahhh…and then I start to freak out and think of all the what ifs and what I won’t see.  But then I started to think of how lucky I am that I get this time on Earth with both of my kids anyway-no matter what age- and to enjoy it.  ENJOY IT.  Savor it.  Cherish the small moments.  Also, not everything has to be documented because it will live on in their hearts and minds.

I remember moving to Texas in 2007 and being extremely scared.  I didn’t know a single soul except for my husband and his family.  I am thankful how God has grown those relationships with extended family.  We may never have had the opportunity to do that unless we moved to Texas.  Although I miss my family back home terribly, I know this is where I am supposed to be.  This feels like home now.

One of the reasons it feels like home is because of this blog.  Way back before Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok- we had blogs.  And I met SO many beautiful and wonderful “internet friends” that became real life friends and God has also used that to enrich my life in so many ways.

My blogging led to me picking up a camera.  Documenting little moments of our life.  I got my first camera over 10 years ago and my sweet husband sold his watch he got for graduation (a very nice watch that hopefully I can repay him for someday!) to buy me my first camera.  Over the last decade I’ve grown and honed in on that creative outlet and have enjoyed photography even more so!  So, right now I’m working on setting up a more all encompassing website for my photo biz and hoping to grow that in the coming years.  Also, a lot of my clients are my beloved friends I’ve met through blogging and as we all know it’s word of mouth that sells!  I’m forever grateful and thankful for these relationships.  It’s amazing how God works in you and leads you in different paths.

For instance- the last couple of years have been HARD.  Right after Heidi was born I felt like the walls were closing in on my life and didn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel.  I was stuck.  I was scared of starting all over.  And I was very very alone. Praying for God to restore me and bring me out of the trenches of what the Devil was whispering in my ear.  Of course I know the last couple of years have been so hard on everyone.  So SO hard.  I pray every day that God would give us peace and understanding to know his plan for the course of what is going on in the world.

So, long story short, the office I was working for previously was sold- therefore I needed to find something else to do.  I took a job in Dallas with a horrible commute and doing something I really didn’t enjoy and people that were not nice- just because it was a “job“. I was there for about a year, but I’m thankful I was able to get my feet wet again after working part time for the prior 5 years. In the end I found an amazing job right down the street from my house with people I love and where I fit in perfectly.   I’ve been at my new job for about 7 months and loving it. I’m much happier now.  A lot of Moms question whether or not they should go back to work after a baby- but for me I needed the structure, the social aspect, and something for me to do.  If I sit at home I get depressed and don’t function well.  And that’s okay- at least I know that now.  My goal is to grow my photography into something bigger and of course have more family time.  With the unprecedented times we are in I think it’s always good to have something to fall back on.  So, that’s my goal.  I’m coming for you 2022!

I’m not perfect and God is working on my heart daily.  But the one thing I want to do in 2022 is wake up and think of one thing I am thankful for and wholeheartedly thank God for it.  Give praise for it and rejoice in that thankfulness.

Consult not your fears, but your hopes and your dreams.
Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential.
Concern not yourself with what you tried and failed in, but what it is still possible to do.
Now is the time to put aside past and present setbacks and failures and look with confidence to the new day called tomorrow.

I hope you all have a wonderful, healthy, and blessed 2022!  Yes-I’ll be doing a fall/Christmas recap on the blog soon!

xoxo- Becky