The Juicy Joy of Serving
I have heard it said that the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. Have you ever heard this? Do you buy into it? I know I do and as we wrap up our theme for 2019 I really want to look at service and what it can do for you and for me.
I started out this January writing about why I hate New Year’s Resolutions and I shared my theme for this year which is “GUTS”.
G-Gratitude
U-understanding
T-Transformation
and today I want to focus on the “S” in GUTS which is service.
Service -the action of helping or doing work for someone
Why service? Because I firmly believe by reaching out to help others we move beyond ourselves and it is there that we grow. When you are truly serving others the mindset shifts from ‘me’ to ‘we’. We slowly get out of ourselves and we begin to truly discover how much we have to offer this world and how much the world needs us. Us! Not our knowledge but our hearts full of love, our ears ready to listen, and our hands willing to help others. Sure our pocket books help. They help a lot! But you and me being present helps more.
Why? Because as my father has always said, “The world is made up entirely of people”. People who are hurting, people who are scared, people who are sick, people who are poor….People who need people like you and me to listen, love, and help where we can. People who can look them in the eye and say, “I am here, I will listen.” People who can hold their hand when they are scared. People who can rub their back or just sit with them when they are sick. People who can help them build when they have nothing. People! People! People! People who can be empathetic, who can relate, who can listen, who can help, who can love.
When you change your mindset to a mindset of serving powerful things begin to happen. Your heart becomes naturally a heart full of gratitude and all the self centeredness begins to slowly dissipate and you find yourself full of joy. So all the time you are serving others it is really coming back to you two fold! When you find yourself full of joy what greater gift is that?
When I was single I did a lot of serving. It was just me and my four dogs. Yep, I was that girl….four dogs and a cat to be exact. I digress….back to serving. I like to think it all started in elementary. I remember there was this girl Tracy who came to our class often. She was in an orange wheel chair. I know now, but I did not know then, she probably has or had cerebral palsy. She drooled a lot and made noises but could not talk. She and I became friends. I am not really sure how since she could not talk, but I think it is because I was not scared of her and I would hold her hand and brush her hair with my hands. She had short, dark, hair I remember and sometimes it got drool in it, but I did not care. One day Tracy brought me juicy fruit gum! I was so proud and I could see and feel she was too. We had our communication Tracy and I. It worked for us and we were friends. I like to think my heart of service started at Woodland Elementary, in Graham, Texas, with an orange wheel chair, a gal by the name of Tracy who could not talk, but could make noises and drool. You know what else she could do? She brought me joy! Joy when she would react to something I said or did and EXTREME JOY when she brought me juicy fruit. To this day when I see Juicy Fruit gum I say a prayer for Tracy and I smile.
You see, my little acts of touching her hands, talking to her knowing she could not talk, or brushing her hair, made Tracy feel loved, but the gift I received unknowingly as an elementary kiddo has been amazing! Think about it. EVERY TIME I see Juicy Fruit I well with joy. What a gift that is. That gift carried over and in college my husband Trey and I would volunteer at Camp John Marc. An amazing camp for kids with terminal illnesses. From there I volunteered at Challenge Aspen, Buckner, The Clayton Dabney Foundation, the LLSA, and now our Church. What I started realizing is my passion is I like working with kids. Preferably sick kids, but kids. How do I know this? Because I tried working with Young Lives and while they are kids I know where my passion lies and my heart was not there. My point is. Where is your heart? Maybe yours is with the elderly? Or with the homeless? Or the underprivileged? Abused Women? Addiction Centers? Veterans? I am not sure, but I promise you there is an organization out there that could use you and believe it or not you could use. You just have to find it. Sometimes that takes time.
How to figure out where?
Like I said this can take time. Like anything else in life it is trial and error. I knew the year I signed up to volunteer with Young Lives it was not for me. Not because of the kids per say, because I fell in love with my two little teen mamas, but it was the time I needed to put in that I did not have in this season in life. Right now my time is best served at our church, with my own children, doing mission trips or being a group leader at our Women’s Retreat. That is just the season I am in. No way could I do what I was doing when I was single. It was amazing and I hope to do it all again someday, but I have to keep my priorities straight and so do you so that giving back is not a drain, a stress, or worse something you hate.
Look at your season of life and figure out what works for you right now. Maybe it is serving at your child’s school or helping at a school with underprivileged children. Maybe it is a soup kitchen. Maybe it is the foster care system, or your church, the point is there is plenty of need in this world. Challenge yourself! If you have never served maybe set the goal of doing one thing this year. Just one thing! Or maybe something once a month, or each quarter for someone else. If you serve often, maybe make that goal a little loftier like a mission trip…..whatever it is think about it, pray on it, and I promise the door will open. There is so much need for service and love in this world. Together let’s fill the need and watch what happens to your mindset and your heart.
The season of life I am in now requires me to be bring Graeme along to serve, but think of what that is doing for him as an individual! Don’t let having kids stop you. Bring them! Graeme LOVED mission trip!
If you need help finding an organization, I am committed to helping you. Just message me your interests or desires. I will research things. I am willing to do that! Do you know why? Because I want you to experience the Juicy Joy of Serving!
Until Next Time,
XO,
Amy
Need a real life story to inspire you. Check this one out! This story will move you and motivate you to want to change the world. One person at a time.
Transformation Is A Choice!
So we are mid January and by now the majority of people who have set their resolutions are giving up. This is just based on statistics. Not necessarily what I think, but I will say if I had a resolution I would PROBABLY be a statistic. I know me. I would come up with some kind of excuse as to why it was ok to not get to the gym, have that glass of wine or cocktail, spend that extra $50, whatever it was I would certainly have cheated by now! IF not given up completely! So I said goodbye to resolutions and now I go with themes.
This years theme if you have been following me is “GUTS”. I like it! I like it a lot and for many reasons. Mainly because last year showed me I have guts! So I decided to carry it over to 2019. We started with G-gratitude and we moved to U-understanding….now we get to the stuff that is only for you as an individual! T-transformation.
TRANSFORMATION-a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance; a metamorphosis during the life cycle of an animal (I guess we are animals)!
Transformation is a choice! A choice you must make with yourself and only yourself. No one else has a say in this. It is up to you! You have to decide what it is you want to be or do and you have to put your mind to it! Transformation is hard, but the reward is GREAT if you decide to do something positive.
Me and my sweet Mom……
About 2 years ago in June, I was coming out of my fog from my mothers death. I remember thinking I wanted more. I wanted to do something big and something positive in my life. For me it meant I had to look at a lot of things and make hard choices because I knew it would be a big change. I had to decide what was important and how to prioritize that. It meant I might lose some friends. It meant life would be different for me. It meant I would be uncomfortable at times. It was downright scary.
I personally was caught up in the whirlwind of trying to be like everyone else and the truth is I was lonely. Sure I had a ton of friends, but I was so lonely because I was trying to keep up and be like them. Let me make something very clear here….THIS WAS NOT ON THEM! They had nothing to do with me trying to keep up with “the Jones’s”! That was all on me! My insecurities! My fears! My choices! This boiled down to me not being true to myself for fear of others not liking me!
I decided that June in 2017 I LOVED me and I was going to get ME back! In order to do that I had to have a game plan. Why you might be asking? Because I had a lot of years of practice trying to keep up and be what I thought my friends, family, acquaintances, you name it wanted me to be. So I had to undo all that work and start anew. I had to form healthy habits to win me back. I am still forming healthy habits to win me back and guys I am more fulfilled now than I have ever been. Sure I have bad days….sometimes really bad days! Sure I fall prey to going back to the “old Amy”. Sure I get lazy and retreat back….want to know what happens then? Well, since I have had almost 1.5 years of hard work, I am able to spot it and say “STOP! Amy STOP! Let’s take a look at why this fear, insecurity, need, or want has crept up.” Do I always stop? NO! I am human, but, I do pull it together somehow and get back on track.
HOW and WHY
I think it is because my transformation journey started with God. It started with me forming the daily habit of getting up at 5:45 most mornings and doing my first 15. From there I added more exercise, eating healthy, journaling, positive self help books, positive podcast, and surrounding myself with positive and like minded people. My latest addition to my transformation journey is continuing education.
All of this seems overwhelming I know. Just reading back makes me a little stressed! But, I promise you it is easy and this week I will take you through how to do it IF you too want more. IF you too want to make some changes. IF you too feel lonely. IF you too have fears. AND IF you too want to be more.
I am here to tell you, YOU can be more if you want to be more! Some people are very happy with where they are and that is GREAT! But if you have a little voice in you saying, '“You can do and be more, you are more!”, maybe try one of these how to’s and see where you go.
If you want my opinion I think you should start with your first 15. My honest opinion is you have to form one habit at a time. And honest to God, I did my research and the myth is that it takes an individual 21 days. That is not true. Each of us is unique and different in our own ways. A habit takes anywhere from 18 days to 8.5 months! The norm is 66 days!!!!! So go easy on on yourself. I fall into the range of 50-55 days I am noticing. So take your time. Start where YOU want to start. I started with getting up before anyone else in my home and spending a minimum of 15 minutes with God. That has grown now and I have added praying on my knees. That has been POWERFUL for me. (I see another blog post right there)! But, just the simple act of getting up and being alone with our Creator, Our Father in Heaven, has been the BIGGEST and the BEST change I have made. It helps me to get grounded and to remember He has me. No matter what He has me and I am His child which makes me Worthy and loved! Guess what my friend, you are too!
So as this week progresses I will talk to you more about ways to transform IF you want to and IF you are ready. But it has to be what YOU want! If you are ready…..join me on this journey….I promise it is AMAZING, SCARY, BEAUTIFUL, and LIFE CHANGING! And side note….your friends will still love you! Mine do! How can they not when you are changing for the better?
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
This is where it all began for me! This book! My habit of the first 15 was so easy because of this book! I swear! Get it and maybe it can help you start to form your first 15 habit! If you do, tell me about it! I want to hear how God is working in you!!!!!
Heart of Understanding
Have you ever considered how it takes guts to really look into your own heart and other’s hearts to really understand the challenges unique to each of us? Why do I say this? I say this because if you truly look into your own heart or that of another, you might love what you see or worse you could hate or disagree with what you see and then what? Well that is when understanding comes into play which takes guts and love! Something this world needs more of!
Challenge
I wrote last week about gratitude and I truly believe if you start and end your day with gratitude this challenge will be fairly easy. What is the challenge I speak of? The challenge is a heart of understanding. Understanding of yourself and understanding of others. When this happens a beautiful thing called grace happens.
I define grace as unmerited forgiveness, unmerited love, unmerited acceptance of a weakness or fault you or someone else might have.
Wow that is pretty big! Accepting, loving, and forgiving others who don’t deserve it! Well, guess what my dear friend and reader….we don’t and we have been given this beautiful gift! Did you know that God sent his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross for you and for me and in return we are to love! Love with grace and understanding. It is such a simple request, yet it is so hard to do. Especially when we don’t have the same belief systems, ideas, or dreams. It gets kind of sticky. But, there is a way and we can all do it, but we have to open our hearts and minds to it. It is simple….we must listen…..really listen to one another.
Listening, truly listening is an art. Hearing is a physical activity. Listening is a skill. Most people when they are listening, are listening with the intent to respond. That is not good. That says, “I want to be heard. I don’t care what you have to say.” Or they play the game of, “Yes but….” What good does this do? You win the verbal exchange because yours was better? Well how does that leave you feeling? Bigger and better? Really? For me it leaves me feeling somewhat like a bully and questioning why I always have to one up someone? Sometimes all someone wants is a person to just hear them. Not fix them or try and make them feel better and definitely they do not want to be one upped! They definitely do not want or need to hear, “Oh ya, well, guess what my child did….or my husband….or that happened to me and…..” You get the picture. All they want is to be heard. Being heard, really heard, is very healing for a person.
In order to do this, however, it takes self discipline and honestly a lot of practice. I am STILL practicing the art of listening and I assure you I fail AT LEAST once a day. At least! Why? Well, because we are human and it is what it is, but if you are actively working on this skill it will and can come naturally over time. It just takes discipline. It is kind of like a professional athlete. They don’t become an expert in their sport without practice and the same goes with listening. We must practice being quiet and paying attention to others words. Practice eye contact, leaning in, nodding, and smiling without any interruption and when the urge to say, “Ya that happened to me and (fill in the blank)” arises, STOP! Do not do it! Don’t interrupt and try repeating what the other person is saying. By doing this you are showing them you really care about what they have to say and in turn they will feel valued. Isn’t that what we all want after all? To feel valued and loved?
What you will find by really honing in on your listening skills is that your relationships will become stronger. People are so desperate to be understood that we forget to be understanding, but by truly listening and opening our hearts we actually grow and learn. So much growth happens when we not only open our ears, but when we open our minds and our hearts.
Larry King once said, “I remind myself every morning nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I am going to learn I must do so by listening.” Think of all you will learn just by listening and not by talking and think how much better the world will be when everyone is practicing the art of listening. Listening to understand first then to be understood really is simple yet very hard. I believe the more people in this hurting world feel like people really are listening to them they will feel valued and in turn be able to go out and do the same for the next person. The domino effect of truly listening to understand first can and will make this world a more loving place. A place where people start to realize they are worthy and they are loved AND they are heard.
Maybe that is why God gave us two ears and one mouth….something to think about….
Until next time….
XO,
Amy
Turkey Bolognese with Options
How many mom’s out there want to cook healthy but your kids don’t necessarily want to bite off (no pun intended) on it? I know that is always a problem in my house! Especially since I am raising ALL boys who can eat me out of the house in one day! Anyone else have this problem?
What do you do when you have a problem? You get creative! This year I hope to be able to help more families like mine get creative so everyone is happy! What am I talking about? I am talking about recipes that are easy for mom with options of being uber healthy with an option of being maybe a little less healthy. Not terrible, just not as healthy.
What does this look like? Well if the recipe calls for noodles Mom and Dad if they choose will use zoodles (zucchini or squash noodles). If it calls for rice, Mom and Dad will use cauliflower. Options. That is all. Plain and simple and easy enough to make everyone happy.
Do I eat this way all the time? LORD NO! Do I try to? LORD NO. But when I can I do and my vow to you is to TRY to give you options in the future so everyone is happy. After all isn’t that what we all want? Happy, healthy, kids and homes!
Turkey Bolognese (inspired by Primal Mom)
INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground turkey
zucchini noodles or squash noodles (you can get them in the produce section already spiraled) If not purchase yellow squash or zucchini and use a spiralizer or veggitti to make noodles
Angel Hair Pasta (this is your less health option) and you will cook per the package instructions
1-2 shallots chopped (I prefer two and my little secret is cook with a shallot always and watch your dishes burst with flavor)
2-3 tablespoons chopped jar garlic
1/2 chopped onion
2 containers of cherry tomatoes halved
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1-2 handfuls of fresh basil
1-2 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons olive oil
Parmesan, salt, and pepper for seasoning and garnish
PREP
In one large skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add your chopped onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes. Add your ground turkey and cook thoroughly for 5-7 minutes.
While that is cooking in another large skillet add 2 tablespoons olive oil and heat on medium heat. Add your shallots and saute for 3 minutes then add your garlic and saute 3 more minutes. Next add tomatoes, fresh basil, oregano, and once your turkey is cooked through add that. Cover and let simmer for at least 10 minutes.
The skillet that you used for your turkey add butter and melt. Add your noodles and cook for 3-5 minutes. Add salt and pepper for taste.
If using real noodles please cook now according to the package
Plate noodles and top with the turkey and tomato mixture and juices. Add parmesan, salt, and pepper!
Serve with salad and garlic bread and everyone is happy!
Bon Appetit!
Amy
Everyone needs an adorable Apron like this to cook in!
The Joy of Gratitude
I started off this year telling you why I don’t like New Year’s Resolutions and shared with you all how I like to do themes instead. Themes give me something to work for and something to work on. The definition of theme is:
The subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person’s thoughts, or an exhibition; a topic.
So this year I chose the theme Guts! Last year was winning and even though 2018 proved itself to be quite difficult I believe I came out a winner! Why? Because to get through our storm I had to sit in an ark while the floods came and the animals got out of control and I survived! I survived and I am so proud of myself too. I am proud of my family and I am grateful for the storm. But it took a lot of guts to get through it. I promise you there was many a time I wanted to give up, but that voice deep inside my soul whispered to me, “You got this.” And I did have it and today I am a proud survivor and I know I am more than my troubles.
HOW?
How did I make it through our storm or any trial for that matter? I started with gratitude. Gratitude when all I wanted was revenge. Gratitude when I just wanted to run away. Gratitude when I hated the person hurting me. Gratitude for the person hurting me. Gratitude when I was angry that my family had to suffer this way due to past circumstances that I had no control over. Gratitude over EVERYTHING and EVERYONE! I found myself thanking God for those circumstances and for those people who were hurting me the most! Yep you heard me! Thanking God for the very circumstances that put my family in the middle of the worst storm ever.
WHY?
Why would I be thankful for the circumstances that caused the pain? Well, someone very wise put it to me this way, “Amy, what would happen if you begin to thank God for all your circumstances, good and bad, and continue thanking God even when more problems occur?” I thought about that statement long and hard and then guess what I did…I gave it a try. I started with writing down every morning something I was grateful for, anything, I mean y’all somedays it was as little as I got my teeth brushed and I got out of bed. Gradually my gratitude list grew. Slowly I got the courage to thank God for the circumstances we were in, the good, the bad, and the oh so ugly, and slowly but surely life began to change. I like to think of it as miracles began to happen. Miracles that were probably there happening all along, but I was too victimized to see them.
REALIZATION
What I soon began to realize was that a grateful heart is necessary for peace of mind. Peace….that is all I wanted and peace began with gratitude. It is very simple yet very hard. I know how difficult it can be to find something positive in situations. I also realize that sometimes it is downright impossible, but I also know if you try hard and look in every hidden nook and cranny you might be surprised how much an itsy bitsy bit of gratitude can help you.
PERSPECTIVE
When I started to realize how EVERYTHING that happens in my life is a gift I began to grow. The growth really took off when I became grateful for all the gifts. The pretty gifts, the ugly gifts, the ridiculous gifts, the gifts that really I had no use for, the gifts that caused me grief, all the gifts… when I changed my perspective and decided to be grateful for all the gifts I began to grow. I began to learn. I began to live! Live in the JOY of Gratitude! All it took was a slight shift in my thinking and my life began to change! Yours will too!
So I will ask you the question my dear friend and reader, “What would happen if today you started to thank God when problems occur?” I will then follow it up with, “And what would happen if today you started to write down at least three things you are grateful for?” What do you have to lose?
XO,
Amy
It’s a new year and time for a new gym bag! Just got this one and I love it! There is even a place for my shoes! Get you one and we can be twinkies!
New Year takes GUTS!
Most of you who know me, know that I do not like New Years Resolutions. I personally think they are a waste and they cause all kinds of negative emotions for the person who sets them. Think about it… how many times have you heard or said, “This year I want to get back to xyz weight!” And you start out strong until about day three or even week three and then you slowly get frustrated with the fact that the parking lot at the gym is full because everyone else is doing the same thing, or the equipment is full, the class is full, you get the drill! Or how about this one, “I am going to go on xyz diet.” What happens next? Your brain starts to play tricks on you and you are suddenly starving and craving anything and everything! Another good one…."I am going to save xyz amount this year!” What do you think happens? The universe! Your car breaks down and you have to put $980 down on that and you get frustrated! There goes saving money out the window! Does all of this sound about right?
I know this seems so negative for me and it is simply because I do not like these things called Resolutions! They are a recipe for disaster unless of course you are type A and you can complete them.I know there are those people out there in the world. I, however, am a type z kind of gal, fly by the seat of your pants, and go with it! Resolutions cause me all kinds of pain and frustration! So I decided to go on strike and never set one again and I have to say it has been very freeing! You know why? Because the literal definition of Resolution is: a firm decision to do or not do something….I don’t have to be firm. I can be flexible and that is a huge weight off of my shoulders! It will be one off of yours too IF you bite off on my idea.
What is my idea? Well my idea is to have a theme, not a resolution. Definition of theme: The subject of talk, a piece of writing, a person’s thoughts, or an exhibition: a topic……My idea is a theme for the year and the theme I have chosen for 2019 is GUTS!
GUTS
Why guts? Because I just went through a storm with my family and I realized it was because of our GUTS that we got through it. I realized if I applied GUTS to my year in 2019 anything is possible! It is for you too! Let me break it down.
G-Gratitude-starting everyday with a grateful heart and mindset does amazing and wonderful things for the mind and spirit which in turn does amazing things for the body. When you are grateful, your world is a much better place to live.
U-Understanding-Have you ever heard the saying, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” When you tweek your mindset to this AMAZING practice, positive things start to happen. But, in order to do this, you HAVE to listen…..and this my friends is a learned art. The art of listening. One I am still working on. So, this year let’s all jump on the wagon of learning to listen so we can understand FIRST. When we are understanding, really understanding, another’s opinions, needs, hurts, thoughts, dreams, whatever…. it is amazing what happens to the relationship.
T-Transformation-When you work on YOU, not anyone else, because Lord knows I have learned the very powerful and hard lesson you cannot do it for anyone else! You will begin to change and others around you will get on board or jump off the track! When you work on YOU….feed yourself with daily time with our Lord, positive self help books, positive podcast, positive people, continuing education to better yourself, take a walk, join a dance class (hint, hint), or tennis team, eat healthier, all things positive for you, you will begin to change and marvelous things will begin to happen! But I personally believe this transformation can only take place if you practice the art of the FIRST 15. Spending your first 15 minutes with God everyday will do powerful and amazing things in your life and those around you! Try it and see for yourself.
S-Serve-When you serve others you are giving back and when you are giving back it is amazing what is happening in your heart. It’s as simple as the saying, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Now I definitely do not mean for you to neglect your loved ones, but I do want to encourage you to find a cause. Maybe it is serving at your childs school or helping at a school with underprivileged children. Maybe it is a soup kitchen. Maybe it is the foster care system, or your church, the point is there is plenty of need in this world. Challenge yourself! If you have never served maybe set the goal of doing one thing this year, once a month, or each quarter for someone else. If you serve often maybe make that goal loftier like a mission trip…..whatever it is think about it, pray on it, and I promise the door will open. There is so much need for service and love in this world. Together let’s fill the need and watch what happens to your mindset and your heart.
So as we embark on 2019 together, let’s do it with GUTS!
XO,
Amy
“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in daily routine.”
Hello, World!
Start your year off with a relaxing bath!
Why Black Eyed Peas?
Black-eyed peas for the New Year? Do you buy in? I know I do because I am uber superstitious which goes against all of my beliefs I know, but it is what it is! I cannot help it! My mind plays games with me if I break a mirror, or a black cat crosses my path, I walk under a ladder…you get the point. We all know the mind is a very powerful thing! So every New Years I have to eat black-eyed peas.
Why Black-Eyed Peas at New Years?
Well, 1864, during the Civil War, there was a march to the sea and everything was destroyed except the black-eyed peas. They were considered trash food for the livestock to eat. When the troops got ready to leave the region and all that was left were the black-eyed peas, they began cooking and eating them. This became good luck and a way not to starve. It was then that they became a symbol of prosperity for the new year. They are suppose to signify coins. Coins mean prosperity…..Throw in some green and you have dollar bills and throw in some corn bread and you have gold! All symbols of prosperity!
BLACK-EYED PEAS, GREENS, and GOLD
When my mom was alive she made the BEST black-eyed peas. I tried her recipe last year only to fail miserably! I cannot decide if she left an ingredient out on purpose or if it was I could not read her writing or what! So this year I am trying a new recipe and I am going to share it with you all now even before I cook it! Yep that is right! Even before I cook it. I figure I could have lied and said this is delish and you would have never known the difference, but that is not my style! Instead I will hope that some of you will try it and we can all decide together if this is a keeper or not, but we will all get our luck in if we take a bite regardless of how it tastes! However, I have to say it sounds yummy as I used some of Mom’s recipe and others and I just combined what I liked and threw out what I did not and even added what I thought….so I hope we will all be happy! Serve it with some corn bread and BAM! We will have covered all the points! Check out the recipe to see why!
CHICKEN AND BLACK-EYED PEA STEW
INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 to 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion
1/2 cup chopped celery (this is some green)
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper (more green)
2 cloves garlic, minced or 2 tablespoons jarred garlic
4 cups shredded cooked chicken (I buy the whole roasted cooked ones at the supermarket!)
4 (15.5-ounce) cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5-ounce) can rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies in lime juice
4 cups chicken broth
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon lawrys season salt (more if desired)
1 teaspoon black pepper (more if desired)
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Garnish: chopped green onions, chopped jalapeños, salt and pepper
PREP:
In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, green bell pepper, and garlic: stirring occasionally.
In your crock pot, combine your onion mixture, black-eyed peas, chicken, tomatoes, broth, thyme, bay leaves, and seasonings.
Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7 hours. Discard thyme and bay leaves. Stir in vinegar.
Serve and garnish with toppings of choice along with a nice slice of golden corn bread!
Happy New Year and may your year be filled with LOVE, JOY, HOPE, and PROSPERITY!
See you in 2019!
XO,
Amy
Hello, World!
New Year, New You, New Watch! Time to upgrade! Take a look....
Does Time Heal?
Dear Mom,
It has been two years since you left this world. Two years since I have been able to talk to you and hear your sweet, sweet, jersey accent. Oh how I miss it and you. A lot has happened in these two years without you and yet it still seems unreal that you are not here. It is weird, sometimes it feels like you are here. I know in my heart those are signs you are sending me to let me know you are. For this I am forever grateful.
So two years and one would think that the saying “Time Heals” would begin to apply. Mom, I am not sure I will ever heal from the loss of you. You were my best friend, you were my mother, you carried me for nine months, you loved me when I was unloveable, you believed in me, and you raised me. No time does not heal Mom, but I can say that time has taught me how to live with the greatest loss. The loss of you.
I miss you so and this year was a really, really, rough year. But, I am proud to say I honestly feel like I got through it with grace and I think you would be proud. No, I take that back. I don’t think it, I know you are proud. Guess what Mom, I am so proud and I am so proud to say I know I got through it because of the lessons and virtues you instilled in me. You taught me how to fight and not give up. You taught me how to believe. You taught me how to pray and you taught me about faith. Thank you Mom!
So on this heavenly birthday I really hope you are up there celebrating the legacy you have left. A beautiful legacy of Fatih, Love, Kindness, Hope, and Strength. Happy Heavenly Birthday Mom! I miss you so!
All my Love,
Amy
PS. Dad is still kicking and doing great! Robin and I are still working well together taking care of him and Paul has kept his word on taking care of Benji! Chuck comes in as often as he can to see Dad and you would be proud to know the Foley kids are enveloping him in love. So don’t worry your cute little red head one bit! The dog and Dad are GREAT!
If you have experienced a loss sometimes journaling and mediation/prayer help heal the void. This book can help you one day at a time….that is what it is all about after all….one day at a time.
Christmas Wish
It’s Christmas Eve and I am pondering on the idea of Christmas wishes……Isn’t it funny how when we get older our Christmas list becomes smaller, maybe even non existent. I mean we are adults and we can just go out and buy what we want if we really want it. True story.
This Christmas season as I was working on the boys list and things to get the older people in my life I realized somethings just can’t be bought. They just can’t. Love, Hope, Joy, Peace, Worthiness…..These gifts cannot be bought. If we are being honest these gifts are the greatest gifts of all. Not the diamond necklace, the x box, the clothes, the whatever, but the gifts of Love, Hope, Joy, Peace…..and Worthiness. This is my Christmas Wish!
My wish for all of you this year is my wish for myself and my family. My wish is that we all would reflect tomorrow, Christmas morning, on the simple fact that we were given those precious gifts…..many, many, many, many, years ago when a baby was born in a manger. He is the gift of Hope. Hope that we will see our loved ones that have gone before us. Joy in the present moment with our loved ones present. Peace in this world that has so much evil and hatred and Worthiness in knowing we are worthy. He came to make sure we knew we are Worthy and we are Loved. He came to give us Hope. He came to bring us Joy. He came to bring Peace upon this unsettled world. All you have to do is have a little faith in that which is unseen.
So this Christmas may we all put on a new pair of lenes. The lenses of faith to see Christ and to know Him. To feel his love so that in good times and in bad times we know we are Worthy and we are Loved. You are Worthy my friend and I am so grateful for you!
Merry Christmas!
XO,
Amy
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Let's spread the love....
JOY
JOY! What does that word mean to you? Personally, in the past when I heard the word joy, I would think happiness and only in good times. As of late, I actually think something else.
This past Sunday during our church service when the advent candles were lit was when I realized it deep down. The third week of advent is JOY and sitting there and listening to the reading I realized that it is possible even in hard times to have joy. Even when you are sad you can have joy. Do you know how I know this? Because it has happened to me personally. It is happening to me as I type! That is how I know.
These past couple of months have been quite difficult for my family, but I can tell you through it all I stayed grounded in God and sitting in church on Sunday I realized I had joy because of that. Because of my constant pursuit of God I was still joyful even in the midst of our storm. Sure there were days were I was so sad, but something deep within my soul kept telling me I had some sort of hope and this hope I know was joy. Joy in knowing God has a plan. A beautiful plan. A plan that is still unfolding for my family. No matter how bad it was, will be, or not be, I know I can rejoice. I can rejoice in His plan! I can rejoice in the good and in the bad because I have Jesus and He has me! That is JOY!
So JOY for me is different now.
I know I can be full of joy and not be happy. Why? Because of the greatest Christmas gift EVER! The gift of the birth of the Christ baby! He is the good news of GREAT JOY! He is the the answer to our greatest needs, desires, and wants. He is our JOY! Even in the midst of pain, poverty, problems, persecutions, hatred, whatever evil it is, He is our JOY!
So the next time you find yourself in the midst of a storm and someone says something or you see something that makes you smile or laugh, know that is the sign that while you may be suffering, grief and pain have not choked the life out of you and you do have JOY and you can have greater JOY if you will allow Christ into your heart! Allow Him in and violently and ferociously pursue Him and see the joy that you can experience even when your heart is hurting.
Have you experienced God in the midst of a storm? If you have not, I want to challenge you today to find a daily devotional and open your heart to the idea of spending 15 minutes daily with your devotional and with God and see what joy will come your way daily. Even when the tide is low…..I promise the tide will rise again and you will be OK! Especially if you have Jesus in your heart!
Until Next Time!
XO,
Amy
This is my daily devotional….I LOVE it! Get it and just read one page a day and watch what happens! I dare you!
Christmas Sides That Are To Die For
Lucky for me I do not have to host Christmas, but I do love to cook and when I think of Christmas growing up I think of my mom’s shoepeg corn. Oh my lordy it is to die for and it is so healthy! NOT! You guys, if you want a recipe that will keep them coming back for more this is it! Bonus! It is silly easy! The potato recipes I include here might not be as easy, but they are not difficult and they are AHMAZING! They are not my moms, but they are so good because they are not from a box and they do not have marshmallows! I HATE marshmallows! So if you are looking for something new and delish give these a whirl!
IRENE’S SHOEPEG CORN
INGREDIENTS:
2-Cans of shoepeg corn (If I cannot find shoepeg corn I grab white corn)
2-3oz packages of cream cheese
1 stick of butter
1-4oz can chopped green chilies
Dash of garlic powder and dash of garlic salt (as much or as little as you would like)
PREP:
Melt the butter and the cheese. I usually just put it in a glass bowl and melt in the microwave. I then move it to an oven safe dish that I can serve it in as well. Cuts down on cleaning! Next add the drained corn, green chilies, and other ingredients. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for 30 minutes and serve hot.
A HUGE bonus to this recipe is you can literally make this the day before, refrigerate, and bake when ready! So easy and oh so good!
AMY’S SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
This dish I have played with for awhile now and I finally nailed it a couple of years ago. Most sweet potato recipes have marshmallow and as I said above I hate those, so I have played with this for a while and I have finally nailed it for my tastebuds! Let me know how it suits yours!
INGREDIENTS:
5-6 Sweet Potatoes
1 and 1/2 cup dark brown sugar (save some for the topping)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup butter (say 1/4 cup for the topping)
2 Tablespoons flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup coconut (I use the sweetened)
PREP:
Peel and cut the potatoes to make easier to boil.
Boil the potatoes until soft (usually takes me 45 minutes min)
Drain the water and mash the potatoes. Once nice and mashed add 1/2 cup of the brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, heavy whipping cream, and 1/2 cup of butter. Beat really well until nice and smooth.
Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan and spread the potato mixture
TOPPING:
Combine 1 cup of brown sugar, flour, and cut in 1/4 cup butter until it is crumbly. Sprinkle on top of the potato mixture. Next sprinkle as many pecans and as much coconut as you would like. I like a lot!
Preheat oven to 350 and bake for 35-40 minutes.
So good and so delish!
This recipe is another one you can make a day in advance, refrigerate, and bake. Bonus!
This last recipe I cannot take any credit for, but I promise if you do these you will never serve mash potatoes from a box again! They are so good and so easy!
PIONEER WOMAN’S MASH POTATOES:
INGREDIENTS:
5 lbs Russet Potatoes
2 sticks of butter
1-8oz package of Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup Half and half
1 teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoned Salt (not gonna lie, I use more)
1 teaspoon black pepper
PREP:
Peel and cut the potatoes into pieces that are generally the same size. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer and add the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook for 30-35 minutes. When they are cooked through, the fork should easily slide into the potatoes with no resistance, and the potatoes should almost, but not totally, fall apart.
Drain the potatoes in a large colander. When the potatoes have finished draining, place them back into the dry pot and put the pot on the stove. Mash the potatoes over low heat, allowing all the steam to escape, before adding in all the other ingredients.
Turn off the stove and add 2 sticks of butter, cream cheese, and half and half. Mash, mash, mash! Next, add about 1 teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoning Salt or more if you likened 1 teaspoon pepper.
Stir well and place in a medium-sized baking dish. Throw a few pats of butter over the top of the potatoes and place them in a 350 oven and heat until butter is melted and potatoes are warmed through.
Note: If making this dish a day or two in advance, take it out of the fridge about 2 to 3 hours before serving time. Bake in a 350 oven for about 20 to 30 minutes or until warmed through.
So there you have it! Three sides you can make in advance! Now I realize after writing this I really need to focus on some greens and I will work on that, but I promise if you try one of these dishes you will be so proud! So give it a go this Christmas and let me know how everyone likes it!
BON APETIT!
Amy
Hello, World!
Check out all of the pretty things Pioneer Woman has! That teapot is so cute!
Peace
As I sat reflecting on the second week of Advent, which is Peace, I really struggled with what does peace mean for me? I mean I am a mom of three boys whose husband travels AND I help take care of my father. I don’t know but does this sound like it would be peaceful? NO! There is rarely a peaceful moment in our world. But, is that what peace really means?
PEACE
I looked it up actually and the definition of peace is: freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.
Ya, that does not happen with all the moving pieces and peeps in my life, BUT, I will tell you the more I thought about it I do know it is possible to have a peaceful life IF I choose to do a few things to better myself and line up my priorities. I am telling you guys I am learning so much about this and it is weird how when you take time to better yourself in the areas of your relationship with God, yourself, your health, your spouse/partner, kids, and friends in that VERY order you will have a peace that is so eerie at first, but you learn to just be in it and relish it.
Let’s take a look.
God-Trust me on this….get up everyday earlier than everyone else in your world and spend a minimum of 15 minutes with Him. Start there! Just doing this starts you in the right direction. When you are in a relationship with God it is amazing what starts to happen around you.
Yourself….get a journal and write down all you are thankful for daily! Start little…..start with one thing a day and build on it. It is amazing when you turn your heart into a grateful heart how much peace overcomes you. Along with this take a self improvement class, read a self help book, or find a mentor. Fill yourself with positive mental nutrition and watch the peace pour over you.
Your health…start watching what you eat….NO not a diet! Maybe you go from 3 cokes a day to 1, maybe it is only eat dessert 3 times a week….I don’t know what it is but start paying attention to what you are feeding yourself AND join a workout class or a tennis team. Walk the dog longer, take yoga, maybe it is kick boxing for you? Find one thing that is a workout that YOU really enjoy, not anyone else, YOU and go for it! I am speaking from experience in that I REALLY wanted to play tennis and be a part of a team and I did it, until I got injured, and I look at that injury as the BIGGEST blessing and you know why? Because I found dance! No one else was doing it and heck my friends are still not doing it, but, I am and I love it and I have lost a total of 30lbs and still losing! Why? Because I LOVE IT! And now I feel great about myself which makes it a lot easier to feel peaceful.
Your spouse/partner….this is a big one and it is still a struggle for me, but here it goes….we all really need to set aside one night a week for time with each other without kids, cell-phones, or friends…..just the two of you. Trust me guys….I get it and I am being so honest here by saying I am failing hard at this, but now that I wrote it I am going to work on it! As well as a relational journal. Try writing each other notes of gratitude about things you are grateful for about each other. I actually got Trey this for Christmas and I cannot wait to start it with him! Now, let me say there will be times when one partner is the only one writing….it is what it is and that is just part of a relationship, but stick with it and see what happens. Trust me! Ha! I have not even done this yet, but I know in my heart it will work! I just know it! It will not solve all problems, but it will change our perspectives and show us the good stuff!
Kids….Now these guys will be so much happier if the steps above are all working and when you then throw in special time with them, no cell phones, night out for a movie, or whatever it is amazing what happens. I know my children love it when I take them out one on one. It does not happen near as much as I would like, but we do a family dinner and I try to make our one on one time special. Even if it is just a ride to get their haircut. Take that time to talk and you ask a question and really listen. It is amazing what happens when you really listen to your child.
Last but not least friends….Now here again I am going to be so open and I am ashamed to say this, but I use to put my friends first. I really did. Why? I am not sure why except that they are so fun to hang out with and I really like them! But the truth is the order has to go how I put it to find peace. It just does….and when one is out of whack peace is hard to come by, but when they are all in order it is so amazing the feeling you get.
So my biggest take away for you today is YOU CAN HAVE PEACE! You can! You just have to make sure your priorities are in line and you are taking care of you! When you take care of you and improve on you and no I do not mean nails, hair, botox, or whatever….I mean really improve on you with positive nutrition for your brain and mind you will find peace. No every day is not full of roses, but it sure is easier to handle and handle with ease when all these things line up. So…….
Go in Peace Always and until next time….
XO,
Amy
Hello, World!
fill your mind with positive nutrition!
Courage, Hard Work, Family, and Popcorn
Today I want to tell you a story. A true story that I hope will inspire you as much as it did me! It is a story about courage, hard work, family, and popcorn! It is the story behind YOPOP Etc.! Have you ever heard of it? Me either, that is until last week and boy am I glad I discovered this little gem! YOPOP Etc. is a family owned business that began in 1985 all because a lady by the name of Linda had to do something for her and her daughter to survive.
Linda was 27 years old and found herself with a baby and a husband who left her. She filed for divorce and signed a lease on a space for a yogurt/popcorn/sandwich shop and would you believe the very next day she found out she was pregnant again! A day after she took a leap of faith! Imagine how scary that must have been? But for Linda it was ok.
Why? Linda was raised in a family of 5 girls and at the ripe young age of 16 her father said it’s time to get a job! So Linda would go to school, cheer at night, and get up early in the morning and wait tables at I HOP! Hindsight I bet she would tell you her work ethic is all because of the tough love of her parents. Parents who loved her, but also knew the importance of a job and contributing to your family and society. Because of that she was able to rise to the occasion back in 1985 and make the dream of her own store come true and it is still going strong! And it is truly a family affair! Her daughter Angela works with her as well as her father Tom, her son Randy, and on occasion other family members if she needs them, and they have popcorn down to an art! They make it there at the store so it is fresh and it is so competitively priced compared to the popcorn stores you see in the mall. The yogurt portion has left as it was more of a night time and weekend gig and that is really not what she wants. She still has delicious lunches, catering, AND she is a Honey B Ham and Turkey supplier! When I found this out I was so excited! I asked her point blank if she has lines and she said absolutely not! You guys I am telling you this is a home run! Not only is Honey B Ham so much better than Honey Baked but no lines! Can I get a what! What! And the turkey FYI is cajun and oh my so good! Along with all the deliciousness Linda has chocolates that they make themselves and a slew of gifts and treats. You really should take the time to stop by, but if you can’t you can always call in and she will deliver!
When I walked in I immediately started thinking this is a gold mine for medical and pharmaceutical sales reps. You can get your lunches catered AND add some flare with a gift, or chocolate, or popcorn! If your child needs spirit gifts, Linda is your girl! If you need to ship LOVE to your college kid during exams or rush, I am telling you they have what you need. Babysitter gifts, Bosses, Secretaries, Teachers, Big Sis/Little Sis, you name it she’s got something! I promise. So do yourself a favor and familiarize yourself with YOPOP Etc. You will be glad, Linda will be glad, and my heart will be full!
Little story….I had the pleasure of meeting Linda’s father on my way out the door and when I asked him how he raised 5 girls so successfully he looked me straight in the eyes and without skipping a beat said very sincerely, “I married the right gal.” AHHHHHHHHH! Be Still My Heart! I melted right there! Lucky Gal to have a man like that I must say!!!!
So with the holidays closing in consider taking a drive up to 14472 Midway Road or checking out their website at www.yopopetc.com and let Linda and her team work their magic! You can call her at 972-960-6364 or email her at ld@yopopetc.com as well. I promise Linda will take very good care of you.
I actually received this as a gift from Linda and guess what my elf is doing, he will be giving it to Graeme with a note about family movie night! How cute is that? Maybe your elf could do the same!
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
Seventeen Years Later
Dear Will,
One year ago…..
I cannot believe today you turn 17! It feels like just yesterday I was writing to you about turning 16! Where has the time gone? I honestly do not know, but what I do know is it has gone by way too fast! I need it to slow down. This time next year we will be deciding on colleges and that just hurts my heart yet it ignites so much excitement too! Weird how I can have both emotions!
I am so excited to see what the future holds for you because I know it will be bright! Whatever you choose to do I know you will do it well! From an early age we have tried to instill in you a few things and I see the connections happening. It is such an awesome sight to see.
First, we taught you about the number one priority in your life. God. Will, seeing you in your walk with our Lord gives me so much joy. Thank you! Your walk with God gives me something else too! It makes me want to be closer to our Father in Heaven. Thank you for that! Thank you for showing me what it means to serve and to serve with joy. I love your servants heart and I love watching it grow.
Second, we taught you Berry’s Never Quit. I know as of recent this has really hit home for you and son I am so proud of how you are practicing this lesson. I know it is so hard, especially when you are 17 and all you want is to hang out with friends and create your art, but you are showing so much maturity. Will, you are handling situations, not quitting, and keeping your word even when it is not fun, painful, or just a plain pain in the ass! Way to go! I can see you a year from now looking back and being so proud of yourself, being so confident, and being able to say, “Man, I am proud of who I am! I am a man of my word and I am amazing!” Because Will you are amazing!
Lastly, Will your commitment to this family is something my heart is swelling with pride over. It has not been an easy year for us and you have been a rock for me. Thank you. Thank you for being patient, loving, forgiving, kind, compassionate, and open with me. Thank you for believing in me and believing in Dad even when we might have not believed in ourselves. Thank you for being patient and gentle at times when I was not so patient and gentle. Thank you for being forgiving of me when I needed it and for being so compassionate about it. Most of all, thank you for opening up your heart, your fears, your dreams, and yourself with me. That is truly a gift I will hold in my heart forever, even in eternity. Our talks, though hard at times, have really meant the world and seeing the world through your eyes, your heart, and your soul…..well it is just the most beautiful sight to behold.
The world is your palette Will and God has given you so many gifts to use to continue His Kingdom building and I know you will use them wisely. The future is bright Will! Especially because you are in it and you are Worthy!
All My Love,
Mom
Hello, World!
looking for something cozy for the teen in your life! Check these babies out!
Champagne Kisses by Chelsea
Meet Chelsea! I cannot even believe I am back in touch with Chelsea. I have known Chelsea for almost 20 years, but lost touch with her about 18 years ago. Why you might ask? Because she was just a sweet little girl I would play with, but look at her now! Still so sweet, but all grown up with a little girl and a side hustle! One I believe in firmly! I love when I see women like myself doing what they can to stay home with their munchkins, but still finding a way to contribute and have something for themselves. I believe this is so important ESPECIALLY if you are the type of woman who needs that and wants that. When Chelsea and I reconnected this past weekend and she shared what she was doing I offered to share her gig on my blog. Why? Because it is Christmas and this stuff makes an amazing gift of beauty and because I would love to see my sweet friend succeed at making her dreams come true! I LOVE the make up and the skin care line. I have to be honest though Chelsea….I don’t really like the eye cream (sigh)….don’t hate me! But I do use the facial wash, the climate control (which that stuff is the bomb.com), and the SeneSerum-C. I promise you I love it all. I do use other lines as well, but this line is amazing and the price point is great!!!!! So take a moment and read about my sweet friend Chelsea and if you are in the market for amazing lipstick, lipgloss, eye shadow, or skin care, send her an email. Her contact information is below. I promise if you try it, you will be hooked! I am and I have been using it for over a year now! So take a look and maybe even get ya some! I promise you will love it! Heck give it as a gift and I promise they will love it!
My name is Chelsea and I am so happy to share a little about my life, my job and my future. I have a beautiful daughter named Kate. She is full of adventure, sass and so much love! I am engaged to my best friend from college and will be married in October 2019. I have worked in many different fields from law, construction and the service industry. But my true passion is one that came to me without even searching for it. In August 2017 I joined an amazing company in hopes to make a little extra cash. Even if it was just an extra $100 for Target trips once a month. Boy was I surprised when I realized how much I love working and learning this new business! Yes, I am the girl on Facebook and Instagram sharing amazing makeup, skin care and hair care products! I have found a passion in helping others feel beautiful in their own skin! There are infinite opportunities to meet new friends and develop new relationships! The women within the organization have been so inspiring and helpful! There is a powerful vibe of support and encouragement which has helped me during those tough days in life. Not only have I been able to cultivate these new friendships but I have found financial support by running this business! It started out as a few bucks here and there...enough for a mani pedi or new shirt from Target (yes..I still use profits for that Target trip once a month). Then it really started growing!!! I started making 50% profits on my orders. Strong, amazing women saw this opportunity and joined me (and they are seeing the financial growth too!). I started receiving commission come in...it started super small like $5 the first month, the next month was $100, the next month was more than that! Another bonus of working this business is that I get all these amazing products for a huge discount and sometimes free! After just a few weeks of using the skin care line and products my skin had never looked better! I feel so much more comfortable in my own skin now. The nights I want to get all dolled up for events or date nights I know 100% I never have to worry about my makeup coming off or smearing..seems mundane but we all know that makes us super happy! It's hard to believe the growth I am experiencing withing my business and on a personal level. I feel less stress and anxiety which makes me a happier and stronger mama for my baby girl. I could not be happier with my decision to join the Senegence crazy train! I love training new women to be successful and watch them bloom! I love seeing that commission check post and I've only just scratched the surface! My fiance and I have big plans for our future like buying a home, starting another business, traveling the world and so much more! My business is going to help us achieve all of those goals and MORE! I would love to talk to anyone who is ready to take their life into their own hands! Find financial freedom, stress relief and support! I want to also open the door for anyone who needs a sound board, a friend, a shoulder to cry on, or just someone to vent to! I've always been an open book and love sharing and listening with others. As the founder of Senegence said - Choose to live life in love and abundance, then work for it! I can't wait to see where this journey takes me! With love,Chelsea @champagnekissbeauty
Check out her video here!
As a distributor, she produced her own health and beauty commercial for SeneGence. If selected, it goes up in Times Square!
Checkout her video and please share
The Teens and Kids Gift Guide.....Something for Everyone
Today I decided to focus on the kids in my life, but don’t let that sway you….alot of the stuff they want are things we could all enjoy!
Now my kids are boys, but a lot of my ideas can go either way and I have thrown in a few ideas for girls! However, I know girls who would love most of this stuff! Heck I do!!!! So all good! Take a peek and see if anything interest you. Maybe you can start crossing things off your list with just one click of the button!
For starters, all of my boys are asking for these….even Trey so this is a gift that I think anyone can use! Air pods! If you have a kiddo or a person in your life who lives for their ear buds these are a must have!
For the teen girl in your life or the lady who does not like to carry a purse this little ID holder is adorable.
If you are looking for a game other than a video game this little game has given our family so much pleasure! It is easy to break down and take on beach trips or to the lake and it provides hours of entertainment and exercise minus the tube time!
This next game would be a great gift for any teen in your life, but I personally think it would be an amazing hostess gift too. It is so fun and yet another game to provide hours of entertainment minus the all the screen time!
My little guy is asking for either an Xbox or a Nintendo Switch and I am honestly having a tough time agreeing to either due to all the screen time already, but if I do get one it will more than likely be the Nintendo Switch as it can go on the road easy with you. Kind of goes against my points above about being worried about all the screen time, but hey I am just being honest with why! But I have included a link to both in the event you want to research them for yourself and for what is best for your family.
My big boys have turned our back house into a quasi studio/gameroom so I am trying to fill it with fun stuff and I saw this game and got it. Looks like it is a lot of fun!!!!
Another gift Graeme had inquired about a while back was a punching bag….I decided to go for the man! It will be a great addition to the Backhouse as well! We can even name him!!!!
Graeme is asking for a motorcycle but not sure I am keen on that….however, I know he loves this toy that his friend has and I am really thinking about getting him one of these! It does 360’s so fast! I think I might even like it!
Both of my big boys are into photography and I really need to learn to be! But they both would like a light for the phone and I know any teenage girl would too!
Speaking of photography and using your phone any teen would love this nifty device! You can virtually take pictures whenever, wherever, all by yourself!
The biggest boy in my life, Trey, is totally jonesing for one of these bad boys! So guess what! He is getting it!
That pretty much sums up all I have come up with thus far for the teens/kids in my life! So I would love any other ideas you might have! Especially when it comes to the girl side of the equation. I have a lot of adorable nieces that I would sure like to get the perfect gift for. So while you are shopping, if you come up with something not on any of my ideas, please share!
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
Gift Ideas for Him, Her, and Them!
Christmas is such a magical time of year and if you are anything like me you love to find the PERFECT gift for each person in your life. I honestly hate the idea of giving a gift card or cash, but my teenagers seem to think the latter is the perfect gift. I still however, strive to find the PERFECT gift even for the not so fun at times beast we know as a teenager.
Today I have put together a few things I am giving this year to the adults in my life and maybe just maybe this will make your life easier as you are putting together your Christmas list. By next week I will put together a gift guide for all the teenagers/kids in your world, but for now here are some ideas for the adults.
FOR THE RENTS:
Parents and Grandparents are so hard to buy for. Let's face it....nine times out of ten if they want something, they just go out and buy it. Last year I gave a gift that will last for ages and will bring joy, laughter, and maybe some tears to the entire family. It is a book that ask questions so you can learn who they were as a kid, teenager, young adult, etc. I did this book with my father and I so wish I had it when my mother was alive. I have learned so many fun, interesting facts about who he is was and how he came to be the man I love and adore. The book title is: Tell Me So I Know and you can find it here:
For my mother in law I am going to get her a cozy blanket. I am pretty sure the Farmers Almanac is saying it is going to be a cold winter and I know my mother in law…..she loves soft, cozy, and warm.
And while I am at it, I might get her the Barefoot Dreams socks to wrap on top of the package! How cute would that be?
For the grandpas in our lives, Grubba and my father, I got an adorably funny book on how not to be a croctchety old man! I know they will both get a kick out of it! At least I think they will!
To add to their book I got them both a pair of comfy cozy slippers! What crochety old man does not like a comfy slipper!!!!!
SPOUSES
Now for Trey…..I have all kinds of ideas and I am not sure what I am going to do so I will just share them all with! Why not? And if you have any awesome ideas, please do share! I am all ears! But first up I am thinking about something to help him sleep. I found these bad boys and I think he will really like them.
Another cool idea I had was a bluetooth speaker system that is virtually indestructible. This bad boy seems to be the one and I love that it is 100% waterproof and it can last up to 50 hours between charges! Can I get a what what?!?
Another bluetooth speaker option I found that is a lot cheaper and a lot smaller is the Bose Micro. This would be a great gift for a dad or a teen or anyone really!
Ok every man needs a softy! What do I mean by that? A soft tee that they look good in, but can lounge in! I found one that looks so good on all my boys!
Want to talk about comfy and soft! These bad boys! I know all my big boys will LOVE these!!!!!
Now for the ladies!!!!!!!! I may or may not have gone crazy…….but…..I could not help myself!!!!!
So I only wash my hair two MAYBE three times a week and it is because I swear by dry shampoo! I talked about it in my post for ideas for hostess gifts and you can see that here….but another secret is a Silk Pillow Case! SWEAR! I know my girlfriend Dresha is laughing at me right about now, but yes! I use them too!!!!!! Here is the BEST one!
So my next two ideas are more practical….not sure I want them for Christmas, but I do think they would be a game changer for me! First up is the Roomba! I hear amazing things about this bad boy and with two dogs it might just change my life….
And the kitchen aid mixer! I borrowed my friend, Leigh’s, and it was AMAZING! So thinking this could be another game changer for me!
I too want something warm and cozy so why not an UGG robe?
Every woman needs an amazing Rain Boot! So why not Hunter?
Speaking of boots and winter….you know it is going to be cold and you might could use some snow boots too!
And since it is going to be so cold you might as well ask for some amazing gloves!
And anyone who knows me knows I LOVE my pajamas and my absolute FAVORITE are these!
So there you have it! A little bit of inspiration to get you started on your holiday shopping for the big people in your life! I will be working on the teens and kids in your life next followed by some stocking stuffer ideas! Let me know if you have any ideas and together we can make this one of the easiest gift giving holidays yet!
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
It's That Time of Year Again....
Feliz Navidad Y’all! I LOVE this time of year! I really think it is because I THINK my love language is gift giving, but I am not 100 percent sure so maybe I should ask Santa for just that! The book-The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Last….hmmmm……Just in case anyone else is curious about their love language I will attach it at the bottom! We could all read it together and discover our love languages along with the people who mean the most to us! BUT….back to the point of this post…
Christmas is a time for giving, but sometimes we get so stressed out about the point of it that we lose the joy. So this week I hope to alleviate some of your burden and make it a little easier for you. I am no expert by any means, but what I do know is that for me personally if I have some ideas in mind and I get on it now and do not wait until the 12th or so of December, life seems to go a little more smoothly……Just saying….
Today, I have put together a few ideas for hostess gifts along with those special friendships in your life where you just want to give them something little to let them know they mean the world to you. Nothing huge, just a small sign of love.
Chocolate! Anytime we go to a Holiday Gathering I bring Chocolate and not just any Chocolate! I bring Sanders! Y’all it is so good it is sick!!!!!!!! The Dark Chocolate Sea Salt and Caramel is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! You cannot go wrong putting this bad boy in a bag with a bow! I promise! I even use this for stocking stuffers with the adults and teens in my life!
For the Wine/Coffee lover in your life this is such a unique fun gift. You can pair it with an adorable coffee mug or alone and it is perfect! This set comes with 3 types so you technically have 3 hostess gifts in one right there! Again this is a perfect stocking stuffer for the adults in your life!
Y’all may think I am crazy, but I swear by this stuff for my sweaters! And as a hostess I ALWAYS appreciate getting gifts I can use! I mean why use the dry cleaners when you can wash your own wool and cashmere and take better care of it! If you have a holiday event that is for just the ladies this is the perfect hostess gift! I promise! Trust me and try thinking out of the box! They will love you for it! And if you are in charge of stocking stuffers this is perfect or a white elephant gift exchange! I promise the ladies will love you for it!
Give the gift of talk! Help your friends and family turn off their cell phones and really engage with one another. I LOVE this gift! Especially in todays day world of technology! We all need to unplug and engage and why not be part of the movement to see this happen! Again this is an incredible stocking stuffer or gift to give to your entire family!
If your hostess loves to work out, but hates to wash her hair like me….TRUST ME ON THIS! Give the gift of dry shampoo! And this stuff smells soooooooo good! I am not kidding! If you have a friend you want to give a small token of love to, give this! You cannot go wrong! I swear! I wash my hair MAYBE three times a week SOMETIMES once and it is because of this glorious concoction! Try it on yourself! I promise you will thank me! This one if for light hair, but they have a dark hair formula too…I will put that below!
A candle is always a good go to….wrap it up in cellophane with a pretty bow and this candle is so clean smelling…..you just can’t go wrong…
These adorable trinket dish set is a perfect hostess gift for the holidays as well as a perfect reminder that He is the reason for the season!
A sweet ornament is always a nice thank you and reminder as well.
So there are just a few ideas for you to choose from and I promise if you just stock up on some of this stuff and wrap it really cute in cellophane or a gift bag your hostess or friend will love that it is a gift they can use! And as promised above here is the book I will be asking Santa to place under the tree so I can learn a little more about my love language! Maybe just maybe it will help me understand my relationships in a whole new light!
Holy Cow Y’all! There is a book for darn near everyone in your family! Check it out! I assure you Santa will be bringing my family their own book!!!!!!!
I know this is digressing from the hostess gift, but I swear if your hostess has a teen this might be good! Santa will be bringing this to me as well!!!!!!
This girl is getting excited about the book collection Santa will be bringing!!!!!
So I digressed a bit, but I got so excited!!!!!! Let me know if you have read any or all!!!!! I am giddy about it!!!!
As I close calmly, I really hope that you all have found something to help alleviate some of the stress that the holidays can bring. I hope I have inspired you to think out of the box of your typical bottle of wine for your hostess to a gift that they will love!!!! Not that they won’t love the wine, just something different!
Later this week look for gift guides for him, her, and them!!!!!
Until Next Time!
XO,
Amy
The Seasons are Changing and I am Changing
Change...it can be risky. It can be difficult. It can also be beautiful. And it will always show you more about yourself....The good, the bad, the really ugly, but the really strong and courageous too if you open up your heart to it.
I have been doing a lot of changing lately. It has been painful, but it has been beautiful. I saw this tree the other day and thought to myself can the tree feel the change that is happening? The new season of life? Lord knows I am feeling the change….and no I am not talking hormones here, however, that is happening too if I am being honest. I am 48 after all! LIFE!
I digress….back to the tree. I drive past this tree daily and for some reason the beauty caught me and I started thinking about all the changes and how beautiful they are. I actually thought to myself, “Man wouldn’t it be nice for the changes my family and I are going through to be beautiful like this tree?” I remember stopping right there and taking the picture and thinking, “UM, hello Amy!!!! It’s all how you perceive these changes. If you perceive them as work and negative that is how they will be or you can change your perspective and see what that does for ya!”
Beautiful colors….beautiful change…..
I decided on Saturday, November 10, 2018 to open my heart and mind the potential these changes could bring. Do you know what happened? A weight was lifted from my shoulders. I am not kidding. The weight of the what if’s is slowly leaving. The weight of the what could have been is slowly disappearing, and the weight of trying to control the change and the outcome is slowly diminishing. It was so freeing! It was like the leaves were falling and the new me is being pruned to really bloom.
So yes, change is hard, but if you are going through a change in your life like me and it is uncomfortable try looking at it with an open heart and a different perspective. You might be amazed at what that does for you and you will really be amazed at how free you feel. Do you know what happens when you feel free? You project love and couldn’t the world use more love?
Until next time…..
XO,
Amy
How we Met
It was a rainy day in August- way back in 1991. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was my first day on the job at the Physical Education Building at the University of North Texas. Julie Lane and I were working the door, checking student ID's, and making sure each person who came through was a legit student at the University. I remember looking down the long hall and watching the most handsome guy I had ever seen coming towards us. I looked at Julie and literally said that day, "I am going to marry that guy!"
Would you believe when Trey got to the door he did not have his student I.D. on him! I was so upset because I fell in love right there and I had to tell this hunk of a guy, "I am so sorry, but you have to have your I.D.?" I remember he was very kind, but he did ask us to please let him in, not to mention it was storming outside so he was going to have to walk all the way back to his dorm. I felt horrible, as did Julie, but we were new to the job and we just couldn't do it.
As luck would have it, Trey figured out real quick that the dorm I lived in was the sorority dorm full of women and our cafeteria was the best! For the next three months we would see each other at the gym or in the cafeteria and EVERY time I saw him my heart would skip a beat or two! Not kidding. Slowly but surely we started talking and in December I finally got the guts to invite him out on the town with my friends and I. It was December 13, 1991 and I remember it like it was yesterday.
Circa 1992….Trey, Hogan, and I
I found this dog and wanted him to meet her. He probably thought I was crazy because I snuck her into my dorm for the next few days until we broke for Christmas break, but he came over, we went out on the town, ate pizza and returned back to the dorm to let my adorably ugly pooch out. It was there that we had our first kiss. I remember that like it was yesterday! I was holding Hogan, my dog, and he said, “Have you ever had a Hogan Bologna sandwich?” I turned to look at him confused and right there with Hogan between us I had my first of many Hogan Bologna sandwiches and I saw and felt fireworks in my heart and in my veins. I knew that day he was mine….but as with anything else in life it was a long hard road to get to where we are today.
NINE YEARS to be exact! I won’t bore you with all the details and maybe someday I will share more of the powerful stories that shaped us into the couple we are today, but yes NINE years! We were together from 1991-1994 when we broke up for many reasons. Trey then went into the US NAVY and I was out on that! I still remember my dad saying, “Amy he is going to land planes on a moving ship in the middle of the ocean!” Want to know what my ignorant response was? I am embarrassed to tell ya, but here ya go: “Dad, Top Gun was in the 80’s! It is not cool anymore and not part of my plan!” WHAT THE WHAT! Yep pure ignorance because I do understand today what a badd ass my husband is and was…..sorry for the curse word, but I had to get my emphasis across because he truly is remarkable!
During the next 5 years we did a little dance of get back together, break up, make up, break up, meet other people and get involved, call one or the other, get back together, break up….you get the picture. Bottom line we had a lot of growing to do individually and spiritually and every person we met along that road was not in vain. We both became better for ourselves and for each other. I truly believe that.
FINALLY in November of 1999 Trey asked me to meet him at his Fly In, which is when the guys who have been overseas come back and fly off the ship back into the squadron. Pretty neat experience. I basically said, “Um, we are not dating and I have plans!” Cold blooded I know! I was scared and fear makes us do things that are not healthy, but fear can also push us in a good direction if we just embrace it. I am happy to say I did and guess what….I surprised him at the fly in!
Y’all, I remember walking into that hanger with my now mother in law and her parents and sister and thinking, “What the hell have I done! I bet one of these pretty chicks are here for him! I bet he called the next gal in line!” What was I thinking? There it is again….irrational fear!
I assure you it was irrational because there was no other woman there for him, but me and what a reunion we had! I remember his Grandpa at dinner the next night kept saying, “This is going to be THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!” At the time I just thought he meant because “his Trey” was back. NOPE! It was because he knew Trey would be proposing…..
