Category: Friends, Meetups, & Linkups
Finish This Link Up: Week 21
Welcome to Week 21 of Finish This! If you’re new to these parts, welcome. This link-up is hosted by NICOLE (Three 31) LISA (Coastlined), JEN (The Arizona Russums), & me aka BECKY (The Java Mama) and we’re so glad you’re here. If you’ve joined us before, thanks for returning! Be sure to add your post to the link-up. If you don’t have a blog, don’t worry. Simply answer the prompts in a comment.
The best mistake I ever made … was getting married young. Looking back I don’t think Terence or I had a clue what we were getting in to. But I’m thankful God has allowed us many more years on Earth together than most and that we found each other when we did. I don’t regret any of it. Of course we struggled…but we wouldn’t be who we are today without leaning on each other during those difficult times. We will celebrate 13 years of marriage this August.
From this mistake, I learned … Life is what you make of it. Keep working and trying hard. If you get knocked down then get back up again. If you put your mind to something and make goals work together to achieve them! Nobody got anywhere by sitting around wishing they were some place else….you have to at least try! Try….and if you don’t succeed try again….eventually someone will give you a chance 🙂
When I’m anxious, I tell myself … take a Xanax. No really! Ha ha! Take a deep breath and relax. What’s the worst that could happen? This Earth is only temporary.
All I really want to do is … HAVE A MAID. Gaaaaahhhh…..I get overwhelmed a lot. But I push myself. AndI’man OCD neat freak darn it!
In other news did y’all hear about that guy that ordered the world’s most expensive Starbucks drink in Dallas this morning then used his birthday reward to pay for it??? OMG. Seriously…60 shots of espresso!!! I would have a heart attack. You can read the article HERE. I like my coffee, but DANG.
LINK UP HERE!!!
Prompts for WEEK 22 (June 4) are:
I conquer fear …
I follow my heart …
I feed my soul by …
I used to worry about ____ but then I …
Week 25 Surprise coming soooooooooooon!!!!!
I Need to Check Myself…and Friday Fives
I posted something on Instagram yesterday about how much I missed the “personal feel” of blogging. I used to go and read everyone’s blog and comment. It felt like I knew them and I built so many great relationships over the years. I have to be honest, I don’t do it as much as I should either. Life gets busy and everyone moves into different stages in life. Life gets FULL. Yet, I still miss the feeling of togetherness I once felt while blogging.
Someone left a comment on my blog yesterday too….
It said that they missed what I used to write about. That my blog is primarily sponsored content and it’s not attractive to readers and not what they want to read. I get it. I do.
I don’t want this to become a review blog and I’m guilty of letting it slowly shift in that direction. It’s hard for me to say “No” to opportunities that seem like fun. And let’s face it getting free stuff is pretty cool. STILL-I don’t want this to become a place where I’m not authentic. Product reviews are not why I started a blog, I do enjoy doing them….but I need to find a balance.
I need to get back to reality and write about valid topics. That’s why I started this journey. I’m not perfect by any means. I will finish up some reviews I’ve had in the works for awhile….but I’m going to try and slow it down a bit. I need to focus on why I’m here. What do I want to say? Sometimes it’s easier to do a review because you don’t have to “think” and just get to write about something someone else has given you.
I hope you don’t resent me for it. I really do value every single person I’ve met through blogging and I truly care about your life too 🙂
Anyway….just wanted to clear the air a bit and I promise things will get a bit more REAL around here!
Linking up with my favorite Friday gals: Darci & Lauren
1. There’s a fun little project going around on Instagram right now where you can share your favorite coffee mug and talk about why you love it so much, or just why you love COFFEE! Use #PCMugshots & find out more HERE
2. Connor got a torch. He is obsessed. He is “hunting” for everything with it 🙂 
3. Happy Memorial day weekend! I am personally looking forward to a 3 day weekend with my boys! Here’s a flashback of my Ter-Bear in Iraq 2003. We love our soldiers!
4. I received this Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm in my monthly Birchbox. I LOVE IT! It’s super soft and a subtle hint of color.
5. Hope everyone has a good weekend. This Friday has been CRAZY so far! Whew!
Finish This Link Up: Week 20
Welcome to Week 20 of Finish This! If you’re new to these parts, welcome. This link-up is hosted by NICOLE (Three 31) LISA (Coastlined), JEN (The Arizona Russums), & me aka BECKY (The Java Mama) and we’re so glad you’re here. If you’ve joined us before, thanks for returning! Be sure to add your post to the link-up. If you don’t have a blog, don’t worry. Simply answer the prompts in a comment. Next week’s prompts are at the bottom of this post.
My favorite recipe is …In the summer it’s the recipe for Chili’s salsa. I could eat it on just about anything. Of course I love to bake even more so than cooking.The recipe is below:
Ingredients:
2 cans (14.5 oz each) whole tomatoes, drained
3-4 canned, whole jalapenos (not pickled)
1 yellow onion, quartered
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons lime juice
1 yellow onion, quartered
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons lime juice
Directions:
Place all of the ingredients together into a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Serve with tortilla chips.
Place all of the ingredients together into a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Serve with tortilla chips.
I believe in …
TRUE LOVE. My man candy is my Ter-Bear. We were married very young…but there is no one else I would rather spend this life journey with. I truly believe he was hand-picked by God for me 🙂
I need to set boundaries …
On my time. I have horrible time management skills and my brain is constantly running with things to do and projects I’m dreaming up. I am a creative person and I am constantly swirling around….it’s hard to stop and take a breather sometimes. Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I makes me who I am.
Although…I do need to set boundaries and say “NO” every now and then.
I began living when …
May 30, 1981
Eeek! I’ll be 33 in 9 days! Who’s counting anymore? I live each day the best I can. I can’t say I had an “Aaaahaaaa” moment at any point. I just try to live each day to the fullest and be kind to others. Set an example & live for God.
Prompts for WEEK 21 (May 28) are:
The best mistake I ever made …
From this mistake, I learned …
When I’m anxious, I tell myself …
All I really want to do is …
Finish This Linkup: Week 18
1. I feel an adrenaline rush when … I drink coffee? Does that count? No, I guess when I do something that makes someone extremely happy I get so excited about it. I am a people pleaser at heart and I love to give and make people happy 🙂
2. I feel energized when … I DRINK COFFEE???!!!??? That sounds repetitive doesn’t it. Or, on the rare occasion I exercise ha ha!
3. I feel small when … People talk down to me or act like I don’t know what I’m talking about. If someone tells me I can’t do something that just makes me work harder to GET IT GIRL!
4. I feel big when … I eat an entire carton of Ben & Jerry’s the night before. Uhm….or I guess I feel big when I can do something that only adults can do 🙂 Like my mother always said “When you grow up you can tell me how to drive!”
5. I feel indestructible when … I don’t think there is ever a time I feel completely indestructible. If my confidence level is up then that’s good. I’ve talked about my struggle with anxiety and depression on this blog before….so I have a lot of hang ups. But I love life and try to do the best I can. Lord knows I can’t cook. If I cook a nice meal I feel good & sometimes shock myself!
6. I feel stupid when … I do something that is SO obvious! Which happens quite a bit actually….the older I get I ask myself “Really, Becky why in the world did you do that?” I have the best intentions, but sometimes my mind just wanders away from me.
7. I feel smart when … I can teach someone something they don’t know. That’s awesome. I love the feeling of showing someone something new and making their life easier. Especially when it’s life changing and can really effect someone’s life.
Connor took this picture of me yesterday when we got home…he’s been wanting to take photos. Truth: I look ragged when I get home and immediately take off my work clothes, bra, and hop into my jammies! BEST TIME OF DAY EVER!
Don’t forget to link up with all the gals today!!!
Who is Your #MyHeroMom ?
“I participated in an Ambassador Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating #MC .”
Meet Jaycee & Mollie. These two little girls have been on my heart for the last couple of years.
We know Jaycee because her Dad & my husband were in the Air Force together. Jaycee has been fighting cancer for the past year and has been through quite a battle. She’s such a sweet little girl and she’s not able to do so many things a lot of kids her age are able to do. Jaycee is not out of the woods yet, & prayers are always appreciated. Read more about Jaycee’s journey HERE.
Mollie is a beautiful girl with a beautiful heart. Mollie is raised by her grandparents who are very special to my family. Her Grandpa is a preacher. He married Terence and I & he also baptized me, my sister, and my Dad. Mollie was diagnosed a few years ago with cancer that stemmed from her leg. She went through a long treatment process that ultimately ended in her leg being amputated. Mollie has the sweetest spirit and is a great artist 🙂 Read more about Mollie HERE.
These two girls are heroes. So are their Moms and families.
From now until May 13 Northwestern Mutual is rallying sons, daughters and those who want to honor their own “heroic” moms or mother figures by uploading images of them to Twitter, Instagram and/or Facebook with the hashtag #myheromom.
For each social action (image upload, Facebook share and like, tweet and retweet) generated by consumers, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation will donate $5 to its nonprofit partner, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), up to $50,000 for childhood cancer research. This is a great cause you guys!
To learn more about the #MyHeroMom initiatives please check out the video below:
Upload your images today using the #MyHeroMom Facebook App
Please be sure to tag the image with the #MyHeroMom hashtag.
Here’s #MyHeroMom & I can’t wait to see yours!
FIVE on FRIDAY
This week has been a doozy! The weather’s getting warmer and I’m trying to enjoy it before I start getting a sunburn from being outside for 5 minutes & pit stains. That’s Texas for ya!
I’m really enjoying doing photo shoots on the weekends. If you are interested in a Mother’s Day “Mommy and Me” email me at beckylbranch@gmail.com
1. I’m kinda obsessed with everything from Click & Blossom right now. If you have a photographer in your family or a friend who is one then you must check out this site!
2. Connor’s been having a hard time adjusting to his new school. He’s been getting in trouble and not listening….so we decided to start a sticker chart. It helps us work with the teachers to implement good behavior and Connor can associate what he is doing with the color of sticker he gets for that day.
- If he gets a green sticker: he gets to watch a movie that night.
- If he gets a yellow sticker: he goes to his room until his Daddy gets home, eats dinner, then gets to read a book before bed.
- If he gets a red sticker: he has to go to his room, eat, then stay in his room for the rest of the night. We talk about his day and how he can work on being better and listening in the classroom.
