Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Favorite Memories of 2013

2013 was filled with good times and bad times....mostly good times.  Here is a break down of some of my favorite memories of 2013

I spent Valentine's Day with my sweet Daisy..... she always makes the best Valentine.


In February I also started my job at Covenant and met some wonderful friends.


My family celebrated two birthdays and I enjoyed every moment of them.... Kylee and Uncle Chon.



My Mommy, Daisy, and I hopped in the car and took a girl's trip and spent St. Patrick's weekend with my sissy and met some of her sweet friends who sang praise and worship music, which Daisy adored so much as you can tell in the picture below.  On the way home we stopped by to visit my amazing Great Aunt.





Regina and I celebrated my birthday by moving into our new apartment.


In April, I met up with some of my old high school pals while Michael was in town.  We had so much fun reminiscing and it was great spending time with some of my favs.

Easter fun with the fam......


Sister came in to celebrate Mom's birthday.


April 6th marked the first year anniversary from when my cousin Raul passed away and we had his memorial in Brownfield.  My Aunt Ofelia and Uncle Raymond came in, along with my sissy and brother in love and we celebrated his life!



I was also asked to be a part of Miles For Missions hosted by Church On The Rock.  This organization is amazing as it's focus is sending God's servants out into the mission field!  I was able to link up with my sweet friend Annie.


Silly way to celebrate my niece MacKenzie's birthday but we had a lot of fun.... LOL


We took a family trip to Colorado for my cousin Alec's graduation and we had SO MUCH FUN!!!!! Colorado is BEAUTIFUL and family trips are a blast!!!!!!



Unfortunately my family has lost a handful of family members to cancer and we also have some survivors.  So every year my family gets together to support Relay For Life.  This was the first year that I was in town to participate and it was an honor to be among so many survivors and their family members, including my own family!!


Summer was fun.... I watched my little cousin Kinley play an awesome game of ball....she rocks!!!!


We had fun in the sun!


and sweet visits from literal angels on earth....



And I helped celebrate one of my best friend's birthdays..... Natasha!  I met Natasha this year through unusual circumstance and we immediately became besties.  I love her so much and she has already proven to be an amazing life long friend.  She has helped me through some trying times this year and her faith in God is amazing!!!  I prayed for amazing Christian girlfriends and God is providing!!!!


This year I walked the Koman Breast Cancer walk with the gals from work.  We walked in honor of one of the sweet nurses that works with us, Dixie and I also walked in honor of my Aunt Barbara who is also a survivor.



Every year, I celebrate Teal Toes for Ovarian Cancer and this year, it was hosted by my friend Margo.  I also had several friends from all over paint their toes and send me pics.  It was amazing seeing my friends participate in this cause.


Fall is my favorite season and my cousins and I had so much fun having our Pumpkin Patch and Carving night..... We picked some big ol' pumpkins and had a blast carving them!



Halloween was in full effect at the office.


and we can't have fall without TEXAS TECH FOOTBALL!!!!! DUH!!!!!






One of my cousins is having her first child and it was an honor to celebrate at her baby shower with her.  She is one of the sweetest and kindest people that I know! It's awesome to watch all of her dreams coming true!


We kicked Christmas season off with Cousins Painting Night where we painted Christmas paintings.  We had so much fun and I reflected a lot on how special my relationships are with each of my cousins.  I have made it a point to honor my relationships with my cousins since my cousin Rachel passed away twelve years ago.  Cousins are like siblings that you don'tt have sibling rivalry with haha..... they are our best friends and the ones we grow up with and I'm so blessed to have amazing cousins in my life!!!!!  My cousins and my sister are truly my greatest and bestest friends in my life!!!!


Ending my year of favorite memories is of course Christmas Eve with the family!!!!  We had so much fun and it always makes me thankful for the family I have.  Sure we have our differences and we can be "dysfunctional" from time to time haha but they are my family......my blood and my biggest supporters!  I love you guys!


In looking back at my memories, I spent the majority of the year with my awesome family and I wouldn't change a thing.  I moved back to Texas specifically for my family, so it's awesome to reflect and look back and see that the majority of my year and favorite moments are with my family!  I'm so excited for 2014.  I know it's going to be an amazing year for myself and for all of my loved ones.  2013 was a year of seed planting and 2014 is the year for the harvest!!!!  Happy New Year GUYS!!!!!!!!!!  

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Chocolate, Strawberry, and Banana Smoothie

One Cup of chocolate milk, one cup of sliced strawberries, and one cup of sliced banana!




Mix together and...... there ya have it....


Friday, December 20, 2013

High Five For Friday ~ Christmas Is About The Children.....and a little shopping



High Five Number One:

This has been a fun festive busy week! I love this time of the year.  Christmas is by far my most favorite season and holiday!!!

High Five Number Two:

One of our sweet patients brought sweet treats and a surprise Christmas visit.... I'm blessed to have such wonderful children in my life!


High Five Number Three:

Highlight of my week was watching these two kiddos sing at their school Christmas Concert.  I love these kids so much!


High Five Number Four:

Christmas shopping with my cousin/roommie today..... we got rained on and our feet hurt by the end of the day but we had a blast!  I even got to run into one of my favorite Disney Characters.....


High Five Number Five:

The greatest high five of the week is..... that tomorrow..... we are celebrating this little guy....


A year ago I watched this guy come into the world.  I literally watched him enter the world and saw his eyes the first time he opened them to see what the world outside of mommy was all about.  I heard his first little cry and I was there to watch his mother hold him for the first time.  That moment will always be embedded in my heart and soul.  He's growing so fast and I'm so happy to share his first birthday with him!!!!!  Happy Birthday Andrew!!!!!!

Thursday, December 19, 2013

It's Ok Thursday - Christmas Season Can Be Exhausting ZzzZzzz



It's ok that I'm soooo exhausted..... the last couple of weeks have been so busy!  With Christmas season in the air, photography business has been booming and the clinic has been crazy busy!  Dr. Robinson is going to be out for a couple of weeks so squeezing in as many little patients as possible in a week has been CrAzY!!!!!!

It's ok that I'm totally ready for a new year!  Don't get me wrong, this year has been nice..... getting adjusted to the big city of Lubbock and getting back in touch with my Texas roots has been AMAZING BUT now that I am settled, I"m ready for life to take it's course!  I'm really excited to see what 2014 brings!

It's ok that..... It's 8:15PM and I am ready for bed! Yup, that's me.....ready for bed! Good night y'all! ZzzzZzzzZzzz.......

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Fasting Smoothie - Honey And Lemon Smoothie

For those of you who fast or enjoy a smoothie from time to time, here is a recipe for you.

1 Cup Milk
1/2 squeezed Lemon Juice 
1 honey yogurt
1 bag oatmeal

Mix all if that in your handy bullet or blender and enjoy!!!! 


Saturday, December 14, 2013

Saturday Six Blog It



Saturday Six number one:

I was able to get some wrapping done.... weeeeee!





Saturday Six number two:

Finished up my sweet cousin's baby shower pictures!  So happy for her and this new chapter!





Saturday Six Number Three:

Today was our Christmas Shoe Giving day at Church and it was amazing.  We supplied over 1,400 families with shoes.  It was amazing to spread God's love and remind the children how much Jesus loves them.  I heard so many sweet children talking to me about their love for God, they have no idea what they did for me today.  I love my Church!

Saturday Six Number Four:

I loved spending the evening with this little ewok.....


Saturday Six Number Five:

The one thing I love most about the holidays is listening to the sound of laughter and joy.  I went to several Christmas parties this week and laughter was the sweet sound I enjoyed the most!!!

Saturday Six Number Six:

Christmas is right around the corner.....hope you're ready!!!!!!



Wednesday, December 4, 2013

What I'm Loving Wednesday ~ It's All About Christmas



I'm loving Christmas Hallmark movies..... LOVE THEM!

I'm loving Christmas music and Starbucks Hot Chocolate.....YUM!

I'm loving snow snow snow coming in!!!!!!  WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

I'm loving the beautiful Christmas dresses I have bought for Christmas parties coming in.  I have a beautiful green one and a beautiful blue one so far.... oh and of course a beautiful pink one!  Now for some shoes for them.

I am loving Christmas shopping.....fun fun fun!

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Love God Love Others

Love, the single most powerful word in the world.  Saying the word is powerful and expressing the word is phenomenal.   Love is virtually needed by every person in this world, yet we are so selfish with it.  Some people are afraid to express love in fear of getting hurt and others just do not make the time.  I am guilty of both. Sad, huh?  We get so caught up in our own agenda and schedules that we forget people around us need love.



Love, the single most powerful word in the world.

Over the last week and a half, I have focused on love.  Love is a fruit of the spirit and the most important fruit, as love holds all of the fruit together.  Once we can learn to love the way God loves, all of the other fruit will fall into place.

Love is the greatest commandment of all.  (Matthew 22:39) God commands us to love our neighbor, love one another, and most importantly love Him. Without loving Him, I'm not sure how one can truly love. We are all sinful in nature and selfish at that.  Love is supposed to be selfless, yet as humans, we are naturally selfish human beings.  It isn't until we make the choice to surrender our wounded souls and hearts to God and allow Him to work a miracle in our hearts, that we can give and receive true love.

Love is about treating others with honor and respect and that's hard to do if you walk around with a wounded heart.  Let God heal it.  Let God restore it.  Let God love it.  His love is pure and miraculous.  He CAN trade ashes for beauty.  God wants the deepest part of your soul to be completely surrendered to Him.  In order to understand a merciful and graceful love, we HAVE to allow Him in.

Loving others is vital, however, I am not fully convinced that we can completely express a genuine love towards another until we allow Him to come in and completely take over.  Allow Him to take residence in your heart, soul, and mind.  Allow Him to restore those past wounds.  Allow Him to remind you that all things work together for good.

Love, the single most powerful word in the world yet the full depth of love can only be accomplished when experienced with Him as the core intention.  Loving others is not easy but it's commanded of us.  Loving others can be a challenge but it's certainly worth it.

Start by loving yourself enough to invite God into your heart and watch love overflow you.  Be a blessing to somebody and wake up every morning with the intention of spreading His love by spreading His word!

Love Is God!

Day 11 ~ Another Picture Of My Friends And Me



Here is a picture of my co-workers and me at this year's Race For The Cure.  We had a lot of fun and I look forward to next year's!!!

Friday, November 29, 2013

Friday Letters - I Am Thankful.....a frown doesn't mean I'm NOT thankful, duh!

Dear Thanksgiving, You came and have gone....now it's Christmas and I lost my Christmas spirit somewhere between Halloween and a week before Thanksgiving.  Fail! This is odd for me because I love love love me some Christmas.... something's gotta give....soon, right?


Dear bank account, I need more money.  Please and thank you!

Dear blah feeling, I need you to please go away.  You aren't fun to be around and I'm personally sick of you sticking around.  Just sayin'..... 

Dear Daisy, why aren't you cuddling with me? 

Dear Forensic Files, I'm addicted to watching you and that's not cool.  You scare me.

Dear God, I'm down lately but I still love You and I know You have AMAZING plans for me! Jeremiah 29:11 reminds me of what you want for me.  Thank you for your love and mercy!