Slug bug, spot-chya!

When my brother was little he came up with this game called "Slug bug, spot-chya". When you see a yellow slug bug, you scream out "Slug bug, spot-chya" and try to beat everyone else in the car. When you get three, you get a "triple trounce" and win the game. Well, I'm a little competitive, so when I see one I scream as loud as I can and super stoked if I get it before anyone else does in the car. I'm even competitive enough to play it by myself and yell when I get one. This morning I was driving alone...and got two. Then, I started thinking about how I could be a "Christian, spot-chya!" I want to be like a bright yellow slug bug, sticking out like a sore thumb for Christ. I want my actions and words to be loud for Him. I want it to be totally obvious to strangers and people I know.

Who wouldn't?

xo.

Dear...

Dear Monday,
I really liked you today.

Dear idea of giving up Diet Coke for a month,
I have no clue why I thought of you...it's day two and I hate this.

DearVMA'S,
I didn't like you, but Beyonce...you are the most amazing women in the world. I wish I could sing like you. Everyone watch this.

Dear Kettle corn,
I love you.

Dear feet,
Thank you for letting me stay on you all day with no pain!

Dear Chiropractor,
Sometimes after you adjust me I want to get up and give you a big kiss!

Dear water,
You're wonderful.

Sunday's Polas

 

 

Chicken soup for MY soul.

For me, the best kind of "chicken soup for the soul" is worship music. 

On the whole way home from San Jose today, I got to be in charge of the music, so I put on a play list of a ton of worship music. It seems like no matter how bad, or upset of a mood I'm in this is the only thing that can chill me out. It wasn't even just worship music...it was the fact that Matthew was in the back reading, Amanda and James were asleep, and only my parents and I were awake. Not saying anything, not talking, not even listening to the music loud, but just singing. All together and all wholeheartedly. Even though it was nothing big I think I'll remember it for a loooong long time.

xo.

I only live once..

So, I'M taking the reigns of my one and only life.

I get to decide who to be, where to go, and what to do with it. 

I will wear red lipstick and be bold.

I will speak the truth in love. 

I will not be afraid to let others know how I feel and what I'm thinking. 

And last but probably the most important of all, I will not spend time feeling sorry for myself. I have a brilliant life, and am far more blessed than I could have ever imagined. 

1Tim.4:10-11
  We trust in the living God, who is the savior of all men, especially of those that believe. These things command and teach.

Happy weekend, Happy list.

Happy weekend(:

15 things that make me terribly happy:

1. Sleeping all the way through the night.

2. The anticipation for fall!

3. Blueberry green tea every morning.

4. Words like lovely and captivating.

5. Trying to be the above words through Christ.

6. When boyfriend plays with my hair!

7. Fridays.

8. Fun changes.

9. The anticipation when dying your hair.

10. Super relevant bible verses.

11. The song Skinny love by Birdie.

12. Laughing with my brother.

13. Waking up in a good mood.

14. Slippers.

15. Flirty skirts.

Please, oh please!

Long but little letters.

Dear Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood,
Why in the world do you sound like angels together? Please sing more songs together.

Dear changing leaves,
Change faster.

Dear everyone,
Go see The Help.

Dear room,
Get ready, I'm changing you.

Dear North Carolina,
I'm coming back.

Dear Banjo,
I really want to learn you!

Dear yellow walls,
Even when I'm grumpy, you cheer me up.

Dear generous drivers,
I honestly love you. Why can't everyone in the whole wide world drive classy?

Dear college,
I'm nervous to start you.

Dear forever 21,
Why is it that everything....everything I buy from you get's holes in it?

Dear future husband,
Let's take a picture like this.

Dear life,
You're changing and I'm scared.

Dear feet,
I'm sorry you're already starting to get cold.

Dear bright red lipstick,
I wish I was brave so I could wear you in public allll the time.

Beautiful

Sometimes I mega struggle with knowing what beauty is. For the past few years I've opened up my heart and mind to Satan's disgustingly enticing lies, but these days I've gotten a lot better at being able to knock them out of my head as fast as they come up. I've finally been able to convince myself that beauty is not just on the outside. It's not even just on the inside. For me, beauty is listening to my Grandparents stories, babysitting and being loud and obnoxious with the kiddos, laughing with my parents, pregnant bellies, holding Steve's hand, amazing worship music, pretty rings, the piano, black and white pictures, excitement, and kept promises...

I could go on for days. 

xo.

Amen

photo via pinterest

Four months.

Let's just say...I'm super excited for Christmas. Yes, I'm aware it's four months away and no I don't care at all.

I'm excited for cute sweaters and boots, green and red, family, sparkly lights, happy faces, happy hearts, trees, ornaments, the smells, decorations, the message of Jesus Christ, mistletoe, Christmas music, and...everything else it entails. YES...it's four months away! But...for some reason I think I'm more excited this year than I have been for a long time. Maybe that means I'm getting old, who knows? But I cannot wait!

(p.s...I gave the picture in this little post a lot of thought and decided to go with the greatest tree that has even been put up and decorated with great care...ours!)

One day I will...

Graduate college.
Be a cosmetologist.
Get married...preferably by the time I'm twenty one.
Have lots of babies...like five.
Design my own house. Inside and out.
Have a gym room.
Clean my house every friday.
Make a "pre baby bucket list" and complete it with my husband.
Raise my kids to love the Lord dearly.
Stop drinking Diet Coke...maybe.
Climb half domb.
Go to Comic Con and Coachella.
Skydive when I turn 18.
Buy a grand piano and play for hours and hours as loud as I want.
Go on a long term mission trip.
See the seven wonders of the world.
Backpack in Europe.
Go to Australia, and Canada, and Africa, and Hawaii.
Take pictures with every "Welcome to ...... " sign in all the fifty states. 
Be in a great white shark cage.
Sail on the ocean for a week.
Take a bite of a deep fried twinky.
See a live superbowl.
Name my dog Skiffins.
Read the whole Bible out loud with my husband.
Give a kiss on new years at midnight.
Give a kiss under mistletoe.
Ice skate in the snow in Rockefeller center.
Learn to salsa dance.
Go hunting...and catch something.
Bowl a strike.
Enter a triathlon.
Go parasailing.
Hike to the first or second camp on Mnt. Everest.
Scuba dive.
Ride in a hot air balloon.
Bungee jump.
Ride in a helicopter.
Rock climb outside.
Ride the London eye.
Swim in the biggest swimming pool in the world in Chile.
Fire a real gun, just not at someone.
Learn chess. Have it stick, and beat someone.
Ride all the rides on the Las Vegas needle and then jump off of it.
Vacation in Turks and Caicos.
Have a squeaky porch swing.
Go to Disneyworld.
Go to the San Diego zoo!
Have a really big Polaroid wall in my house.

but for now, i'll be content to live my life just how it is. I have no complaints.

Thursday Letters

Dear body,
Sorry you're so tired.

Dear time change,
...you suck.

Dear summer,
You've been wonderful, but I'm ready for fall. Cute clothes, tights, orange leaves, birthdays, holidays, and lots of tea.

Dear dad,
Thank you for buying me a new body pillow. My hips are forever greatful.

Dear Pinterest,
I don't think I've wasted so much time on anything else in my life. Ever.

Dear room,
You're messy..what?? How did that happen. Sorry I've been neglecting you.

Dear foot doctor,
Thank you for making me laugh when I was ready to cry yesterday as you pushed on my foot as hard as you could to try and see what's wrong with it....It's a good thing you're part time commedian.

Dear unborn/un-mine baby Yurtle Clive Shelton Mann, I cannot wait to meet you!

Home

We're back in the salad bowl! I honestly didn't miss this fog one bit.

North Carolina was great, but I think my introverted side starting banging at my inside walls to let her out right at the end...so now I get to recharge in my bed with a big mug of tea and my laptop. I think I just heard little intro sigh with relief.