Category: From The Heart

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 .”

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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!

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Easter 2014

We had a great Easter weekend!  The weather was perfect.  Lots of memories, family, friends, & praise!  Thankful for all our blessings this year & the time to reflect on Jesus and the sacrifice HE made so that we can live.  It’s so easy to forget when you’re busy living each day….but truly every day we’re given is a blessing.

I especially miss my family back home during this time.  Growing up we spent every Easter at the farm in Arkansas.  I’m thankful for phone calls and Skype in this day and age too 🙂

Here we are at church this morning…my beautiful family.Easter2014

If you’ve ever met me, you know I can’t stand to wait for surprises!  So, of course I gave Connor his Easter basket early because I get so excited.  A basket full of Ninja Turtles pretty much sums it up.  D7K_7753 D7K_7754 D7K_7757 D7K_7758

On Saturday night we had the big egg hunt with all the cousins at Terence’s parents house.  All the kids had a blast and I’m pretty sure they ended up in a sugar coma for the rest of the weekend.  It’s so much fun having all these kids growing up together and making memories.  I leave you with pictures of the “BIG HUNT”.D7K_7787 D7K_7788 D7K_7790 D7K_7791 D7K_7792 D7K_7799 D7K_7812 D7K_7813 D7K_7815 D7K_7819

I love this picture Terence got of Connor and I.  The only thing missing was him 🙂  I think it’s a framer.  We hope you all had a blessed and happy Easter!  xo Becky
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Social Media & Self Validation

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So…there comes a time after blogging for many years you question why you’re doing it?  Why did I start?  I’m not the best writer, I’m not the most exciting person ever, I don’t have a perfect sense of fashion, or a daily Pinterest worthy post.

Why did I start blogging?  Well, I started because I like to write.  Writing down my thoughts is easier than actually saying them.  My sister and I used to blog together when I lived in Arkansas and we had a lot of fun with it.  This was around 7-8 years ago when NOBODY was blogging and it was not for money or free stuff.  It was for fun.

I miss that time.  When blogging was purely for fun.  It was somewhat quiet and you genuinely met people who became real life friends.  Some of them I still have today and some have gone on to lead their lives out of the Internet limelight.  I used to comment on every single blog I read.  I don’t do that anymore….I should but I’m lazy.  After being at work all day in front of a computer the last thing I want to do is get back on at home.  I read them….but what happened to caring and commenting?  I feel guilty sometimes, but people’s lives get busy and that doesn’t mean I don’t care.

In that regard I’m thankful for Instagram.  I’m not on Twitter so much.  I love Instagram because I’m such a visual person and you can converse and follow people and chit chat back and forth on the spot.

Terence and I were talking the other day about how social media has changed the way we communicate.  It changes the way we validate ourselves.  The more “likes” or “comments” we get the worthier we feel about what we are doing.  What happened to telling those close few friends in real life about the exciting things going on in life?  I’ve gotten to where I’ll immediately tell social media things before I’ll tell my closest friends.  That pisses me off.  Why is that so important???  Why do I feel like I need self-affirmation from people I do like, mind you, but I don’t really know?

I showcase my life for all to see.  But you don’t really see ALL of it.  You see the good things, the pretty parts, the things I feel worthy of sharing with you.  Not everything is neat and tidy.  There’s a lot of ugly in life too and I admire those who feel free to share that.  People who are honest about themselves and don’t hide behind a computer screen.  Sometimes I feel like I’m the one hiding.

I’m so thankful for the friendships blogging has brought me.  I have writer’s block a lot.  Sometimes I’m not in the mood to share anything.  I need to take a step back a re-evaluate myself.  At the end of the day I blog for me.  I blog to stay in touch with my family who all live out-of-state.  I blog to share ideas and things I love.  I blog to make a little extra money (judge if you want) but I’m not rich and I know some folks don’t like to read too many reviews.  I try to balance it out, but I would never judge anyone trying to monetize their blog.

Be happy for those around you.  Support each other & don’t envy.  Blog for YOU.  Blog because you want to, not for someone else or because you need to feel worthy.  You are worth it.  You are worth writing, reading, sharing, and being supported by those who love to blog just like you!

You never know when that one post can make a difference in someone’s life.  The words you say mean something.  They could be the difference between a new mom choosing to give up her child, by sharing God’s word you just might lead another soul to Heaven, your words may change a person’s path forever.

In this world we’re living in it’s so easy to lose your way.  To get sucked into the social media whirlwind.  You CAN be a part of this….just don’t let anyone else’s opinion of you make you feel less or not worthy.  I guarantee someone out there enjoys reading about you and does think your WORTH IT.

Dog Tired

We’ve had a lot going on lately.  Some I’ve shared on the blog or Instagram.  I’m lacking mojo and honestly just exhausted.  There are some days I wish I could stay at home with Connor and have a normal routine, exercise, cook dinner, read books…without having to worry about time or money.  I know God is in control of everything and He knows the desires of our hearts.

I recently changed jobs (same company).  I’m working longer hours now.  I love my job and wouldn’t change it for the world, but this week every day I’ve been dead dog tired?  What gives?  I’m trying to eat better and exercise weather permitting.  Terence has a 2 hour commute every day, so he’s also tired and exhausted at the end of each day.  I cook dinner, do laundry, and dishes…..after that I am wiped!  I know this year is going to be full of changes and struggles.  My mind is constantly reeling.  Do you ever have a problem just shutting down your brain?

I don’t want to be that Mom that’s so tired at the end of the day that all I can muster is a frozen pizza in the oven and Connor is stuck in front of the TV the rest of the night just so we can relax.  But I am sorry to admit that’s the way it’s been lately.  We play soccer or read a book.  But somehow I feel like that’s not enough and I’m only giving 75% of what I should be.  Finding balance is hard and there is no magic key to happiness.

Do any of you struggle with these things?  I know I’m going on and on about feeling guilty.  How do you find happiness and contentment in the everyday when you wish things were different?

Our little #selfieaday moments and morning rides in the car is something I cherish.  Connor actually asks to do the selfies.  If I forget he reminds me 🙂  It’s become a memory and is special to him.

So, even if we just have our few special moments together each day it means more to me than anything in the world.  I know I’m lacking a lot in this role of motherhood…but all of that said….it’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.

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Every Kiss Begins with KAY….Yeah Right!

Every year around the Christmas season they come out with all the lovely holiday commercials.  Some are sweet, others just make me want to switch channels and barf.

One of the commercials Terence and I always joke about are the KAY commercials.  He looks at me with a HUGE eyeball roll and says “Does anyone really do that?”  Ha ha!!!  I just laugh it off…but you know every girl in America is hoping for that “KAY moment”.  It ain’t gonna happen sweetheart.  Not unless you have an overly sappy guy.  Or at least it won’t happen like the commercials.

So here’s my little spoof of KAY & probably what every dude is really thinking….

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That’s right dream on homeboy 165564616_640Yeah…they must have been dating for a whole month165565382_640That’s right kids.  You’re my witnesses.  I really DO nice things for your Mom…now go tell her parents….mmmmkay?418753039_640

So, yeah I’m probably a little skeptic.  Does anyone really have these “KAY moments” or is it just a marketing scheme to disappoint every woman in the universe that instead of a pretty necklace or a set of sparkly earrings they are really going to get a new vacuum or an HD television for the whole family.  Yeah….dream on home girl.  Dream on…..

Beautiful Work & A Beautiful Heart + Win a Custom Christmas Ornament

I wanted to share some pieces of beautiful work done by my friend Sarah.  She’s SO talented!  Not only does she make beautiful things, but she has a beautiful heart to match.
D7K_7924Sarah and her family are currently raising funds for their second adoption through her shop Popupandadopt.   She also specializes in porcelain and gold work in her shop unwhiteheart.D7K_7928
Sarah can pretty much make whatever you love.  I just adore this personalized heart ornament…everytime I put it on our tree I’ll think of her 🙂  Praying God blesses them with another baby soon!D7K_7935
If you would like the chance to win one of these personalized ornaments, Sarah has generously offered to give one away to a reader!  Just follow the instructions below on the Rafflecopter form and be sure and check out the shop links above.  xoxo and happy weekend!!! Becky
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Love & Sacrifice

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For the last few weeks I’ve been telling you all about Folgers’ The Best Part online community.  It’s a place dedicated to brightening your every day.  The Best Part posts inspirational stories, encouraging quotes, & good news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram—and encourages fans and followers to share that optimism with their family & friends. Because when optimism is shared, it grows, making an even more positive impact on our world.

I got back today from a trip home to Arkansas.  I had the chance to visit with my grandma and talk to her about things going on in my life.  These moments are precious & there are definitely few of them now that I’m an adult.  So when I go home to visit I try to soak it all in.  I love taking photos, so I was super excited to take some senior pictures of my cousin, Lindsey.  I was talking to my Grandma about my love of photography and telling her a story of how I got my new camera.  A couple of years ago I was really really wanting a new camera but we couldn’t really afford it.  My husband had a really nice watch he got for graduation, and he sold it so that I could have my new camera.  I know there are times he probably regrets selling that watch, but that meant so much that he did that for me.  He loved that watch.  But he also knew how much I loved taking pictures.  It was the sweetest gesture, and I’ll never forget it.

So, I was telling my grandma about that story and she told me the story about the Magi.

On Christmas Eve, with only $1.87 in hand and desperate to find a gift for her husband, Jim, Della sells her long, beautiful hair for $20, and eventually finds a platinum fob chain for Jim’s watch for $21. She found the perfect gift at last and runs home and begins to prepare dinner, with 87 cents left. When Jim comes home, he looks at Della with a strange expression. Della then admits to Jim that she sold her hair to buy him his present. Jim then gives Della her present — an assortment of expensive hair combs, useless now that her hair is short. Della shows Jim the chain she bought for him, to which Jim says he sold his watch to get the money to buy her combs. Although Jim and Della are now left with gifts that neither one can use, they realize how far they are willing to go to show their love for each other, and how priceless their love really is.

I had never heard of that story until this past weekend, but apparently it’s been around for a long time.  It resonated with me after I’d told my grandma what Terence had done so I could get my new camera.   A timeless tale that came full circle into my own life.  Stories of love, hope, and giving.  That is what Folgers The Best Part is all about.  Sharing YOUR story so that it can resonate in someone else’s life and make a difference.

Now you can say hi, and share a moment with the NEW Hello Sunshine App! Download it today, and create custom greetings you can share with friends and family.  Wake up to The Best Part. Download the Folgers® alarm clock.  It doesn’t just get you up, it greets you with inspiring messages and positive pieces of good news.  You can also join the Wakin’ Up Club, you’ll receive emails filled to the brim with Folgers® promotions, coupons, and other exclusive content. Fill out the form and become a member today.  It’s so easy to sign up and be a part of this inspiring community of people sharing positive thoughts in the world.  kisses