Tiny Break

I haven't posted a blog in three days. Not a good track record for a new blogger now is it? I apologize for the inconvenience! Without disclosing too much information, my family has been going through a lot right now and I just needed this weekend to take a step back, relax, and spend sometime with my parents, my aunt + uncle, and my cousins. It was really nice kind of disconnecting with the world this weekend. 

Friday I had lunch with Lovebug and then I spent the afternoon doing homework, turning in assignments, and taking an exam.  The internet out at my house was messed up because of the cold front so I had to come into town and go to the public library in order to finish my schoolwork.  Saturday my family and I went grocery shopping, came home and enjoyed spending the day cooking in the kitchen while preparing for the Texas A&M game.  Once kick-off came around, we were all donning our maroon & dispersed throughout the living room with our eyes glued to the TV. Although we didn't get the result that we hoped, spending a nice relaxing day with my family was just what the doctor ordered.  

I've come to the realization here recently that I don't need anyone in my life who is going to put me down for making my family a top priority.  I don't need a friend who is only there when she needs me but can't be there when things are tough for me.  I don't need to surround myself with someone who isn't going to lift me higher.  I feel like there's a point where it's still okay to act like you're in high school and be able to get away with it, but I think that we've crossed that threshold a long time ago. 

Those are my thoughts. That's what I've been dealing with the last few days. It was nice to "un-plug" myself from the world and just bask in this time with my family. Have any of you been going through a similar "growing-up" phase where you and your friends are on two different maturity levels? What did you do in that situation? 

I'm sorry that this post is on an entirely different level...I just had a lot that I had to get off of my chest. 

Until next time remember: "you become like the five people you associate yourself with the most...choose wisely" 

All my love, 

xoxo

M

 My baby girl wanting me to stop studying and spend time with her on Wednesday night. She's too cute!

Face of the day for lunch with Lovebug. 

Joy to the World

First, I'd like to apologize for the obnoxious amount of holiday-esque I will probably be posting in the coming weeks, but I truly am in looooove with the holidays. I love that this is the time of year where you begin to realize just how thankful you are for the life you've been unselfishly blessed with by our Father. It's a season for giving and being merry. As an added plus, the clothes are just cuter this time of year. 

Although it's not even Thanksgiving yet, my roommates and I put up our Christmas tree on Monday evening. We had my "Christmas Radio" playing on Pandora, hot chocolate to energize us, and the cutest little white puppy helping.  I know, I know...how absurd of us to put our tree up before Thanksgiving right?! But with Thanksgiving not being until the 29th this year and finals week being the week after, we decided that there was no time like the present and we jumped at the chance to decorate! 

How BEAUTIFUL is she? What did I do to be blessed with the prettiest little puppy?! Oh...and there's our tree ;) 

Is it too early to be planning my Christmas Wishlist? If not, then I've totally been planning for weeks now.  If it IS too early...disregard my previous sentence. 

When do you usually start decorating and getting ready for Christmas? Also, what is YOUR favorite part about the holiday season? 

Wishing you the best today and always, 

xoxo

M

Commitment

Tonight we had Breakaway on the "Front Lawn" of campus right in front of the Administration building. It was an experience.  Although every week is moving, I feel like this week was just...special.  To have thousands of students and alumni meet on the Front Lawn to worship to Jesus was spectacular.  You could feel the energy.  I think it speaks volumes about Texas A&M that we have the freedom and a student body that LOVES JESUS beyond measure. 

Tonight, Ben talked about committing fully to Christ and that while that commitment comes with a lot of cost, we will reap the benefits.  He stated that "the higher the cost, the longer you think about whether or not the commitment is worth it." He noted how you may feel beaten and betrayed by everyone around you who is succumbing to earthly things and not following in the path of Jesus. 

The scripture for tonight was from the book of Luke: 

"Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son to Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father of the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.'" -Luke 9:23-27

This is beyond true. We all need to think about how our actions speak not only about ourselves, but also about our Lord the man who gave up His life to save US because we were worth the commitment. 

Be bold and courageous. Be committed. Be saved. Be forever worthy. Be God's. 

I love each and every one of you. 

xoxo, 

M

 

Goals

I'm a huge fan of lists. I have lists everywhere: on my phone, in my planner, in my Google calendar, on post-its on my bulletin board, in my personal journal, and even on my class notes at times. Usually they're to-do lists or wishlists, or things I need to remember. I'm really big on making lists of goals. I have (in one of my many journals) my one-year, five-year, and ten-year goal lists. 

While I don't expect everything on those lists to happen at that specific time, I love that it kind of gives me an outline of where I see myself in the coming years. I've decided that every Monday I'm going to come up with a "weekly goals" list as well. Now I already have a to-do list of things I have due, meeting, or tests I have coming up, but the weekly goal list will be centered around what I aspire to do outside of everything else I have going on. 

Here is my goal list for the week: 

What are your goals for the week? Are any of y'all as paranoid/obsessive as am with your lists? 

I enjoy hearing from you! 

xoxo, 

M

Sunday Funday!

Sundays have always been my favorite day of the week. Every Sunday my daddy makes Momma and me a big breakfast of sausage and eggs. He also makes what I would say is the world's best cup of coffee (he even puts whipped cream and cinnamon on top!), and we just spend the morning talking and laughing together. I really do LOVE those breakfasts. 

After breakfast, we went to Walmart to get me a few things that I needed to take back to College Station with me. Then, Momma and I whitened our teeth with the new Luster systems we each got (mini-review: I haven't noticed a difference yet, but that's because I've only done one 2-minute session).  After our whitening session, I went out to Lovebug's ranch to watch the Redskins-Eagles game, the Texans-Raiders game, and the Saints-49ers game.  Our teams (the Aggies of course and the Dallas Cowboys) both had bye weeks this week so I had no big allegiance to any of the teams playing this afternoon, I just wanted Drew Brees to come out with a W! 

At one point during the Redskins-Eagles/Texans-Raiders games (we were flipping back and forth) Love's mom said she came into the living room and I was asleep on one side of the couch, Lovebug sleeping on the other side, Lyla sleeping in the middle, and Love's dad was asleep in his big chair! That's another thing I love about Sundays, it is not completely frowned upon to nap -- it's a day of relaxation! 

At about halftime of the Saints game, I left Lovebug's with a fresh stash of deer jerky (he makes the best!). I then had to leave home to come back to College Station. It's always bittersweet leaving home to come back here. I'm always leaving a big part of my life back home with me. Every time I come back I get more and more homesick. But as soon as I got here, I caught up with my roommates, unpacked, and got things together for the week. Yet another thing I like about Sundays, it's a fresh start and I can be completely organized! 

What are your favorite things about Sundays? Do you and your family have any fun traditions? 

xoxo, 

M

Obsession: Books

There's nothing better than curling up with a good book and getting lost inside someone else's story for hours.  I think throughout our lives each of us have those books that impact us and we have those characters that we fall in love with, those who stay with us long after the story has ended. 

I have a few books I've read that have impacted me like that. They are: 

1) The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling 

This is a series that I, like millions of others, grew up on.  I can remember wanting to have unconditional friends like Ron and Hermione. This past summer I recently re-read the series and I fell in love with Harry Potter all over again; I laughed with them, I cried with them, I fought with them like I was reading everything for the first time.  In my opinion, there is no other story that shows true adversity, strength, and honest love and protection.  Harry overcame every obstacle in his path and became stronger throughout the entire series.  I believe that Harry Potter is a great story for children (and even adults) to reiterate to us never give up.  That even though there is evil in the world your family, friends, and inner strength will be there to show you how much you are capable of. 

2) The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

I will admit I did watch the movie before I read the book, but I will say this book changed me. It made me realize that every girl deserves a nice Southern man who will do anything and everything to make her proud. It showed me that true love will find its way and that making the right decision is not always the easiest. It gave me hope in love. It's truly a feel good book and when I read it I was not able to put it down. 

3) Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen

I love those books that take you to a different time in America. Most of us don't realize how fortunate we are to live in the America we live in today. Water for Elephants is an exciting read. It gives an insight into the life aboard a travelling circus in Depression Era America. While the performers seem so extravagant and seem to have the "perfect" life -- everything is not all peaches and cream. Water for Elephants is a story about friendship, bravery, love, protection, and standing up for what is right. 

Those are my favorite books that I've read (or re-read in Harry Potter's case) in the last year. What are some of your favorites? I am ALWAYS looking for suggestions of good "light" reads -- especially things that will get my mind off of all the reading I'm doing for my classes throughout the semester. 

I hope your weekend is as fabulous as you are!

xoxo, 

M

Happiness

I got asked today if I was happy.  At first I thought that was a no-brainer, of course I'm happy what do I have to be unhappy about? But then I began wondering, do I seem like I am an unhappy person?

I mean everyday I am going through the motions dead-set on my schedule and may not seem too excited about it, but that doesn't mean I'm unhappy.  I go to class, go to work, come home, eat, and do homework everyday.  I've realized that I don't ever embrace the ordinary, everyday things that happen in my life.  I live in this beautiful world, I'm surrounded by family and friends that I would do anything for, I go to the school of my dreams, and I am loved by a God who has given be the world.

I've realized that although I may get bored of going through the motions, I need to embrace every second of this life that I have been given because it won't last forever.  I want to be one of those people who are so outwardly happy that people become instantly happier after talking to me.

How many people have you made smile today?

Always, always find joy in the ordinary.

xoxo,
M
"Delight yourself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of your heart." -Psalms 37:4

Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Howdy! I have no idea what it is, but every year around this time I get giddy with excitement.  I love everything about the fall & winter seasons.  Whether it's the fashion, the cool crisp air, the Starbucks holiday cups, eating fall soups for every meal, the abundance of "cuddly" weather...I just love everything about this time of year!  Not to mention it's football season...and who doesn't love the adrenaline rush of watching their favorite team fight for the W? I know I do...I often get too carried away while watching Fightin' Texas Aggie Football. Then again, what Aggie doesn't? 

I can't get on Pinterest these days without wanting to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe, give myself (& my roommates) makeovers, re-decorate our house, bake yummy sweets, and craft all in a day's work.  It's becoming an issue.  I have found my fall inspiration looks to wear, to decorate, to make up, to bake, and to DIY. 

This dress + scarf + boot combo would be GREAT for fall days in Texas!

While I usually tend to stay pretty neutral throughout the week, I love this subtle eye +bold lip look for the fall!

If this front porch doesn't get you in the mood for fall, I don't think anything will.

One thing you must know about me...I will never turn down a scone. These cinnamon roll scones are the perfect fall treat! (Please feel free to send me ALL of your favorite baked-good recipes!)

I feel bad for pumpkins, I think people kind of just toss out the idea of decorating with them after Halloween. This is a quick (& seemingly simple!) DIY to use pumpkins as decoration throughout the fall!

What has inspired you this fall? I quite frankly am enjoying this change of weather...it truly is the most wonderful time of the year!  Christmas will be here before we know it! 

Until next time, 

M

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven" -Ecclesiastes 3:1