TheJavaMama

I Did It…..

July 8, 2012

I crafted.

I finally got up the nerve to paint the heavy brass platter I got at an estate sale for $5. I LOVE IT! Now it actually matches our stuff and I can’t wait to use it. It’s really heavy and much bigger than it looks in the pictures. Did I mention I love estate sales???

“I can sparkle like Edward too Mom!”

Hope ya’ll are having a great weekend!

The ULTIMATE Starbucks Giveaway!!!

July 6, 2012

You all know how much I love my Starbucks!

I lost my beloved Starbucks wall a couple weeks back.

I’m going to feature a coffee addict buddy once a week. If you would like to be featured please email me your pretty face holding a Starbucks cup, or your pet, or your kid, or anything creative using a Starbucks beverage!

Email me at : beckylbranch@gmail.com

Because I love all of you and I want to support this extremely expensive habit….

I’m having the ultimate Starbucks giveaway for the month of July!!!

Enter to win:

$50.00 Starbucks Gift Card!!!!

Follow instructions below please:

(You must follow this here blog too!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

American Meal {Hoffbrau Steaks Review}

July 6, 2012

On the 4th of July we ate a fabulous lunch at Hoffbrau Steakhouse.

The perfect view from our table!

At Hoffbrau they serve the most delicious bread…it is so good and Connor especially enjoys it!

Appetizer: Potato Skins=YUM!

I ordered the Dr. Pepper BBQ chicken sandwich and potato chips. It was SO good! I loved the potato chips, they are made in house and taste amazing.

Terence got the chicken fried steak with a baked potato. He really enjoyed his as well!

Hoffbrau had great food, service, and the atmosphere was so much fun!

We’ll definitely be going back to enjoy another meal 🙂

Thank you Hoffbrau!!!

They have six locations: Amarillo, North Dallas, Dallas West End, Fort Worth, Granbury, and Haltom City.

Disclaimer: We were compensated with a free meal from Hoffbrau

Our Bathrooms {Over the Years}

July 6, 2012

Linking up again with Kelly’s tour of homes.

I love looking at houses and if you really love houses then you’ll love this site called Hooked on Houses. I could surf that site forever!

Our bathrooms are not too exciting!

But I’ll share anyways 🙂

Here is our master tub/shower

Guest Bathroom

I really want to frame out that mirror

And now for a little history….. this is our first bathroom as a married couple almost 11 years ago! This was our one bathroom in our base housing on Little Rock Air Force Base. Oh 70’s bathroom memories…..

Then we moved into our one bedroom apartment in Little Rock….

Then our 1 bedroom apartment in Plano, TX…

And if it weren’t for Connor we’d probably still be living in a one bedroom apartment if it were up to Terence! Ha ha! Or a condo or something. He does not like yard work….even though he’s worked really hard and I think we have the best yard on the street 😉

I love this yellow hair dryer chandelier at DryBar….my next bathroom.

This will be in it 😉

4th of July 2012

July 5, 2012

We had a great 4th of July!

Here is our little family on the 4th.

Little Firecracker

We went out to lunch at Hoffbrau

I got a red, white, and blue sno cone 🙂

The fam getting ready for the fireworks

Kids running EVERYWHERE!

We didn’t get home until late….I am so tired today. It was worth it though. Connor was a little scared when the fireworks first started, but once he got used to the noise the kids started to enjoy it.

FIREWORKS!

Happy Birthday America!!!

God bless the USA

Sustaining Happiness

July 4, 2012

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

What are your favorite resources for increasing and sustaining happiness?

THE BIBLE

I really need to do better at reading my Bible every day. It’s something I struggle with and I really feel called to do….especially lately. Lord I pray for hunger for Your word. I love You and without you there is no life. Happiness is because of YOU.

MY FAMILY

I love my family with all my heart, they fill my life with so much joy and I thank God every day for them. The joy they bring me is cherished and always loved. They provide so much happiness in this life.

And of course every now and then it’s nice to have a HAPPY treat 🙂

Godiva extra dark truffles!

And of course Starbucks 😉

Thank you Lord for this life I live.

I am happy and pray for sustainment…it’s an every day struggle for me.

But through Christ I can do anything!

Visit the Main Post on BlogHer.com & join in the comments

Then head over to the LWL Post and leave a comment!

More Weekend Pics+ An Oufit Post

July 3, 2012

I wanted to post a few more pictures from our visit with Kristin, Nate, and family this past weekend!

Night One: Dinner at Red Robbin

The girls 🙂

Lots of Starbucks!

Nate photo bombed our Starbucks picture :/

Breakfast at IHop

This kid at EVERYTHING on his plate….shocking!

Connor & Auntie Kristin

Kristin & Abby

Shopping at the American Girl Doll Store in Dallas

Abby got her first American Girl doll & even got her ears pierced!

Me and Connor at American Girl doll….not much for boys here unfortunately! ha ha!

American Girl party room

The cafe and hair salon at American Girl

Outfits for every occasion….

We had a great time and a wonderful visit!

Come see us soon we love you all!

30 Outfits in 30 Days Linkup HERE

I’m totally slacking on this linkup.

But I got Kindra to take a picture of me this morning at my desk 😛

Here I am at work totally unprepared. Good day today because we get to wear jeans in celebration for the 4th of July!!! Woohoo! Usually it’s slacks and a nice shirt.

Gray and White Striped Tunic (SO SOFT) I have a thing for soft cotton: Anthropologie ON SALE.

Necklace: Anthropologie necklace-scored off of Ebay….I love the gray beads in it.

Jeans: Joes Jeans