Friends

I've always been really blessed with great friends.

Growing up, I made friends easily, and while there was some middle school drama, for the most part, I have had awesome friends.  I remember growing up, when I sang and danced....other kids got made fun of for it.  On the other hand, I had friends who would come cheer me on.  Friends of mine made the trek to Branson to see me perform during that season of life.  It was a huge blessing.

High school friends at a pool party at our house.  I'm in the pink on the left. I love these people.

Performing also allowed me to have friends all over the country.  When we went to NYC, I got to visit a friend I used to sing with.  If I go to California, I know I have people there.  Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas....friends everywhere.

My friends (for the most part) were really good influences, too.  I had a few crazy friends (but I think you need those too!) but for the most part, they were encouraging, uplifting, and friends who challenged me to be a better person.

When I went to college, I lost touch with many of those high school/childhood friends.  I'm just not one to cling to the past.  I was in a new life season, and I made new great friends.  Spending four years living with these people meant we got really close.  I love so many friends from college (and I keep up with many of them).

College friends when we all met up in Fayetteville last summer.

Once I went to grad school, I made a few friends, but most of us were there to get our degrees.  I had as active of a social life as I wanted, but I didn't get too close to anyone there.

Some grad school friends- Mary and Laveda.

So when we moved here, I had been without "close" friends for a year or so.  I was worried.  But I turned to the Lord.  I fervently prayed for good friends.  And boy did God show out.

There were several girls that went to school with Tyler, and they were so sweet to accept me right in their group.

In our church, I made some sweet friends who are always there with a listening ear. I've gotten connected to a WONDERFUL life group who fill me up each week.

Then I started teaching Zumba, and made friends with so many instructors and some students (some of which turned into best friends).

Zumba student turned bestie- Brandy

And don't get me started at work.  These people I spend my days with are wonderful.  Me and a couple girls went on a walk the other day at lunch...and when we came back, I told them that their friendship was an answered prayer.  And I meant that.  Friendships at work are rare, but somehow I have several blooming.

I've also made friends in the blog world.  Some who have graciously offered prayers and encouraging and wisdom during tough times.  And some who I found common interests with that just "get" me.  In fact, the two ladies I went to Hanson Day with have become great friends quickly.  We text, call, Skype, Pinterest, G-chat, and more pretty much all day every day. ha!

Taylor and Kristin- Hanson started a friendship!

I have to admit, Tyler doesn't always get it.  He doesn't  understand how I get so close to people so quickly (or honestly, why I want to!).  But he knows that these friendships are my lifeline.  My support.  My sanity.  My happiness.

I love people and I love making friends.

I have to be super intentional with making and maintaining friendships.  I have to make lunch dates, text, call, and stay connected.  But I'm so thankful to have those connections. Don't get me wrong.  I hope I don't sound boastful about these great friends...I know not everyone experiences that.  Trust me, I know it can feel hopeless to feel lonely, but I know that with prayer and intentionality, you can find those wonderful, sweet, priceless connections.  

I don't mind people coming and going in my life.  I believe people are there for a reason during a season...and if they fade out of your life...its ok.  Maybe I'm rare in this thinking, but I don't force something that isn't there.  And I'm ok with that.  I cherish people while they are in my life.

All that to say, I'm so thankful for all my friends.

 

WILW and OHP: My Randomness

I'm linking up with The Vintage Apple and This Kind of Love for Oh, How Pinteresting and What I'm Loving Wednesday.

Random things this week....

I'm loving.... the long weekend ahead!  We don't have a ton of full plans, but some fun things and some relaxation planned.  Can't wait!

I'm loving...the sweet compliment I got at Zumba last night.   A student told me I was "always on" and that she never knew if I had a bad day!  I told her that was HUGE to me because I try so hard to be encouraging and exciting there.

I'm loving...GeoGuessr.  It is an awesome game where you get a Google Maps place, and you have to guess where it is.  A fun, educational time waster!

And I'm loving some fan club music from Hanson I've been buying and downloading.  I pink puffy heart love this song. (also the pic in the video is my fave.  I love short hair Zac best)


And now for some pins...

I love these Hanson Anthem nails! They feature the three little logos on Hansons' new album (out June 18!)


I love this workout tank. I need it in my life.


I love this. I know the "Pin it" blocks it, but it says "I'm not wearing this dress to look pretty. It's effing hot outside and I didn't want to wear any pants." Amen.


And this. I love this.


Happy Wednesday y'all! What are you loving today?

The Killdeer Nest

Our driveway has become a habitat for some cute little birds called killdeer.  They are pretty little birds, but they are odd.

They nest in the gravel, so our driveway is home to a nest.  We have set up a chair next to the nest so we don't run it over. 

It started out when we saw them getting territorial when we were in the driveway, so we figured they had nested nearby.  We saw this one little egg in the gravel.

Then there were two eggs...

Then three...

And finally four!

They are now sitting on the eggs, incubating them.  I have read that they may incubate for 21-28 days, so we are in for a month of them in our driveway.

The best part is that when you go near their nest, they try and draw you away by pretending to be injured.  They are good actors.  Here is a video from Youtube showing how they act.  We see this on a daily basis.

The most amazing thing was last night.  It was storming with heavy winds and rain (and a tornado warning).  Once the worst was past us, Tyler went outside to check the nest...and Mama Killdeer was sitting there in the wind and rain!  It was crazy that she just sat there through the whole thing!

She will incubate the eggs for a few weeks, and then babies will hatch! I can't wait to see the little babies!

Weekend Recap: Hot Foot 5K and Other Fun

Another great weekend in the books.  Friday evening, I came home and spent some time with Tyler and my FIL.  He is staying with us right now (he just came back from working in Oklahoma...and he is staying with us while he gets everything set.).  I made some dinner and we watched some TV, but the boys were watching shows I wasn't interested in....so I took my laptop and a Hanson concert DVD into the closet, and did some cleaning. It was great. 

Saturday morning, I got up and headed to town for the Hot Foot Run 5k.  It was put on by the firefighteres for a local camp they sponsor.  It was great.  I was attempting to beat my time (without training enough...) so I pushed myself too fast (and it was HOT!  The hottest weather I've ever run in!) so I had to walk a bit.  But it was so inspirational.  There were 3 firemen running in full gear!  The first one finished just 3 minutes behind me.

And this awesome man, he did the whole 5k in 107 pound bomb squad gear!  It took him 1 hour and 20 minutes...but he finished strong!  It was great because normally at 5ks, people scatter after they finish....but we all waited around for the firefighters.  The finish line crowd was cheering on other people as they finished and it was so fun.

I came home, took a little nap, and made us a late brunch when we woke up.  I got a surprise in the mail- my print from the Hanson art gallery!  They had a gallery of paintings from Zac and photography from Taylor...and I bought this print.  It is signed and numbered (#4) by Taylor, and it is special because I'm named after my grandma Bertha!  I'm going to frame it and hang it in my kitchen.  My namesake from my favorite band!  Too neat!

Saturday afternoon, I went to the lake and took Mikey.  He was NOT impressed with this Boston who was bugging him.  He may have growled at him several times.  Poor Mikey is not super social.  But he did great with the kids at the lake.  And then we got snowcones, and he did great with all the people around.

Saturday evening I saw The Great Gatsby with Brandy.  It was a GREAT movie.  Beautiful story and gorgeous movie.  After that, I went to the RC track to watch Tyler and stayed there until he finished at 12:30!  

Today, we did Sunday school and church (which are always HUGE blessings!).  We are usually the last ones out of church because we linger and visit with friends.  I just love it.  Then we had lunch with some friends, came home and napped....and then BBQed for dinner.  A great day.

I hope you had a great weekend!  I'm looking forward to a great week!

Cranberry Macadamia Nut Monkey Bread

I made this for Mothers' Day and it was a HUGE hit.  It is actually pretty easy to make, too.  At the request of dear Cristi, I'm sharing the recipe.

It is pretty simple to make...so here goes!

This was our Mothers' Day plate: egg and ham muffins, fruit salad, and this glorious monkey bread.

Cranberry Macadamia Nut Monkey Bread
 -1 large can and 1 small can of Texas buttermilk biscuits (cut each biscuit into quarters)
-1 stick melted butter
-1/2 cup sugar
-1/3 cup brown sugar
-2 tbsp cinnamon
-1 cup dried cranberries (or Craisins)
-1 cup chopped macadamia nuts

Mix the cinnamon and sugars.

Take the biscuit pieces and dip them in butter and then in the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Layer them into a greased bundt pan.  As you get layers, sprinkle the cranberries and macadamia nuts around the pieces.

When you get all the pieces put in, take about a tablespoon of the leftover butter and pour it over the top.

Bake as directed on the biscuit package.

Plop the bundt pan onto a plate, turning the whole thing out onto the plate.  Enjoy!

 

The Weight Loss Roller Coaster

I have some jumbled thoughts in my head that I need to get out.  So read along if you want.  Sorry I’m not sorry if I ramble.  Come inside my head….

This weight loss thing is a roller coaster. Up, down, up, down, upside down, screeching halt. I just crossed over the screeching halt part.  Last weekend, I was OVER IT.  I was seriously having these thoughts: “You know, I’ve lost 50 pounds.  I’m healthier than I’ve ever been.  My body fat percentage is normal.  I think I’ll just stop losing weight.  It is all for vanity now, anyway.”  

I seriously had those thoughts.  Are you kidding me?

While yes, the “goal” for the scale is a vanity number I’m not sure I can even reach…why would I quit?  Why would I “give up” because it’s hard and a long process?

That’s not who I am.

I want to be the best me I can.  While that involves a lot more than working out and eating right (that also includes spiritually, at work, in my marriage), I also want to be as healthy as I can.  And I know I’m not there yet.

I’m not giving up, but I am burnt out.  I get on this roller coaster and ride it.  I need to quit looking at the ups and downs, and just start hiking.  Just slowly tread forward.  The ups and downs are what get me.  I go on vacation, gain a few pounds…come home, work it of…take a weekend trip, gain a couple pounds…hit it hard for a week or so. You know how it is.

I think my main issue is looking at the big picture.  I have my 26^th birthday in a month and I wanted to be at goal by then.  Zumba convention in August and I would love to go healthier and looking good.  But instead of looking far ahead (which also includes giving myself excuses to have the roller coaster “I’m going to enjoy this weekend and get back on it Monday” mentality), I’m going to focus on one day at a time.  I just need enough light for the step I’m on. 

I am also not going to weigh myself until my birthday weekend. I’m just going to give it my best effort and see what I can do. No obsessing.  No beating myself up.  No letting myself go, either.   

Just slow and steady.  Just hiking forward.  I’m getting off this dadgum roller coaster.  It’s making me sick. 

Two Terrible Nights

While I was home for Mother's Day, mom and I had some pampering. Mani/pedi, and a bath and massage at the bath house.

Well, the bath house was overbooked for Mother's Day...and they forgot me.  I was in the hot whirlpool bath for an hour! (instead of the 15-20 minutes you are supposed to be in there!).

Then, they wrap you in hot and cold towels.  Again, I was ignored.  I was there for at least 30 minutes (normally 10-15).

Needless to say, not a great experience.

Then, I went out to wait for my massage.  There were 3 ladies ahead of me, and 2 of them had upgraded from a 20 minute massage to a 40 minute massage....so I was going to be waiting a while!

While I was waiting, out comes Mom!  She was finished with everything! So, I decided to just get a refund for my massage and go so Mom didn't have to wait on me.

They did refund my money...but apparently, being left for too long gave me some back trouble.

Saturday night, I woke up in the night and thought my back was broken. It hurt SO bad.  I stretched, walked around, took a hot bath, and then finally was able to sleep on the couch for a little while.

It was pretty fine during the day Sunday, but I had the same issues Sunday night.  Y'all.  I sleep like a baby most nights.  I was NOT used to pain, restlessness, and not sleeping.

Thankfully, my chiropractor was able to work on my back and it feels great now.  But he was NOT happy that I was left in the hot tub for that long.  He said its a good thing I'm young and healthy...he said it I had blood pressure issues I could have passed out (and drown!). EEK!

I'm just thankful to be feeling better.  

But it was a terrible couple of nights in the meantime.  I'm really thankful for sleep. :)