TheJavaMama

It’s Feeling Fall-ish

October 3, 2013

My boogie is growing up way too fast! I just love this kid with all my heart. We are getting back to the gym working on the fitness. Gonna get this jiggle round the middle gone before the holidays….ugh. Work it girl. I gotsta do this. For me, for my hubs, and my kiddo. I really don’t care how I look I just want to FEEL better!He was trying to eat an orange last night with the peel on. He’s also been saying the funniest things lately and really cracking us up. I need to start writing them down so I’ll remember more….I got the Justin Timberlake 20/20 experience disc 2 the other day at Target. It’s just as good as the first CD and great work out songs I might add. JT has till got in girlfriend…Britney’s probably kicking herself every.single.day for letting that gem go.If you live in Fort Worth Christmas in Cowtown has started!!!! Yippeeeee!!!! It’s one of my favorite events to go to and it also symbolized the beginning of the holiday months ahead. I can’t contain myself…I get too excited about this time of year. Godiva Fall Pops….ummmmm…yeah. So cute!Designer Chris March, a previous contestant on Project Runway has this great line of foam wigs at Target this year. I’m dying over them. They are so fun and outrageous and he is the perfect designer for this sort of thing.

I saw this turkey had on Zulily yesterday…it’s so funny! Ha ha!
Okay, well that’s about it for today yuns! xoxo Becky
What are you up to???? Is it cold where you live?

My First StitchFix

October 2, 2013

I received my first Stitchfix box yesterday after hearing about it in the blog world. I liked a lot of the things that were in the box, but most of it was more than I would spend on clothing. My stylist did do a good job with the fit and function of the items she chose. Overall, I like the idea of Stitchfix, it just needs to be more in my price range. I’m not really label conscious so I don’t care as long as it looks good.The first item was this bohemian style top. I liked the print a lot. For $68 this wasn’t on my “I’ve gotta have it list”. (And sorry for the horrible selfies & dirty mirror photos….every now and then I do clean them 😉 Also, I just got off work and didn’t fix myself up & have had allergy sickies all week so I look like blah…but still wanted to share what I thought.I loved this asymmetrical zipper sweater. This was my 2nd favorite. The style was very flattering and this was the least expensive item at $48. It was kind of itchy, so it probably had some wool in it. I’d have to wear a tank underneath.
This silky gray top was probably my least favorite. It was a bit too low-cut and for $68 nahhhhh.I absolutely LOVED this sweater by Kensie. It is reversable so you can wear it either black or cream side. It’s also SUPER soft! I kept this item.
The other side…And lastly I got a pair of cranberry skinnies. I just don’t think I look good in skinnies. I do own some and I do like them with boots and things. I just don’t think I have anything that goes with this color. They were really soft and comfy though and the fit was spot on!So that is my first Stitchfix experience! I liked that you can fill out a style profile and have a stylist choose things for you. It was really nice because in stores I get overwhelmed. I’m going to wait a bit for my next box. It’s a great idea though and I have to say it was really fun to have all this delivered right to your doorstep! If you want you can check out Stitchfix and fill out your profile too! It’s a lot of fun and you get to have your own little fashion show. Hope y’all are having a great week! Come on cooler temps where are you???

Terence’s Adoption Story:The Big Difference a Little Love Can Make

October 1, 2013

I wanted to share with you all my husband’s adoption story. I have his blessing to write about his experience. To me it’s one of the most inspiring stories I could share with anyone, and shows the incredible effect opening your heart to others can have.

My husband, Terence, was taken away from his birth family and entered into the foster care system from the ages of 3-6 years old. He stayed with several foster families over the years before he came to live with his (now) parents, Mike and Sherry.

Mike and Sherry took a broken little boy full of hurt & anger into their home. Terence was definitely not an easy child. He had already been through so much at a young age. As to be expected, he rebelled and lashed out. He was scared and taken away from everything he knew.

His new foster parents probably thought about giving up on him hundreds of times. Instead of turning their heads they worked with him and got the help he needed. They invested in him, he got counseling, and slowly he began to change & work through all his issues. Terence felt accepted and loved…something he hadn’t felt in years.

At the age of 6 he became an official member of Mike & Sherry’s family. He was now their son. A boy that nobody wanted, a young married couple believed in and accepted as their own. Terence’s parents went on to adopt 2 more children and years later had a daughter of their own. If you ask Terence today, he will tell you he wouldn’t be the man his is without his parents. His life would have gone down a completely different path. Instead, he graduated with highest honors from college and then got an MBA in one year’s time. He is an amazing husband and father. We could not be more proud of him.

None of this would have ever been possible if it weren’t for the sacrifice that Mike and Sherry made years ago to accept a small, broken boy into their home. The unconditional love and determination to never give up on him has molded him into the outstanding man he is today. For all they did, and all they continue to do….we thank you!

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

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You know when you get so flustered, embarrassed, or afraid that you just don’t know what else to do but laugh?

Yeah, that happens a lot. I don’t know what comes over me, but I’ve always been that way. It bugs the tar outta me! My twin sister and I used to do this all the time. We would just look at each other and burst out laughing for no reason at all. Just silliness I guess. In some ways it was our way of saying “I understand”.

She’s the one that got me started in all this bloggy business. (It’s not a business for me…and I know I do a lot of product reviews…but I’m no Scrooge McDuck!) I struggle to find that balance of maintaining a blog that is true to myself and also have fun sometimes with reviews, which provides a little extra ~~coffee money~~ savings. I think that is something every blogger struggles with. I started my blogging journey 7 years ago.

If you would have ever told me I’d make a dime off of my hobby I’d roll my eyes and be like “riiiiiiight”. But blogging is SO much more than that. I’ve met people I would have never known unless I were a blogger. People and a community that has blessed my life in so many ways. Yet, I think I could and should be doing so much more than I have been with this blog. I’m just grateful people care enough to read and pray for us.

I’m not perfect, and you don’t know everything about me. I do struggle with things just like you do. A lot of times it’s easier to express yourself through writing. I’ve said things in the past I’m not proud of and wish with all my heart I could take back….ugh. I guess that’s the ugly thing about the Internet, they say it will always be around. Wonder if that’s true?

At the end of the day my boys are my everything and that’s what matters most.

All of this to say THANK YOU! And as our pastor says in church “Go find someone you’ve never met before and shake their hand & say God bless you so glad you came today!”