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In a little less than 48 hours, the orange and bla

In a little less than 48 hours, the orange and black will be replaced with red and green and Michael Myers will give way to cheesy Christmas movies with silly storylines and predictable endings. In the meantime, I’m soaking up all the things I love most about my most favorite time of the year 🎃💀👻🧡

It feels like a lifetime ago that annual pumpkin p

It feels like a lifetime ago that annual pumpkin patch visits and matching brother outfits were something I coordinated. Choices I made for my boys that didn’t result in rolling eyes and heavy sighs of opposition like I’m certain they’d give me today. A distant memory in comparison to the independence they carry around like a badge of honor now.

I miss those days.

Those days when sticky fingerprints clouded our windows & early mornings woke us up before sunrise. I was always waiting for the next phase(s). The ones that would relieve me from the hour long bath/bedtime routine and usher in the promise of mornings spent sleeping in past 7. I just knew life would be easier, better even, for all of us.

Well, we’re here now.

That next phase.

And I’d give anything to go back.

While life is definitely easier for so many different reasons, it’s challenging & bittersweet in ways I didn’t expect. Not necessarily better...just different.

I’d give anything to go back and soak in the fresh smell of their hair after bathtime or snuggle between them both in bed & read them “just one more” story. I’d happily sacrifice sleeping in to hear their tiny footsteps scamper down the hallway & clamber into our bed. I’d trade in the morning news without batting an eyelash for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse & Bubble Guppies. I’d even swap teenage shotgun riders for backseat carseats & 5-point harnesses.

If I’m being honest, I’d love to turn back the hands of time and just be content in each season without yearning for the allure of something better. To be fully present in each moment and appreciate that time for what it was...fleeting. To find contentment in the gift of each phase no matter how demanding they might have been. Sigh.

So, here we are. A new chapter of life where self-sufficiency has replaced dependency and time is moving by at warp speed. I’m soaking in every challenge and finding contentment the pre-teen & teenage years because I know that all too soon I’ll be wishing I could relive this season of their lives, too🧡. The years are short.
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#momlife #mombloggers #parentingblogger #boymom💙 #instadaily

We celebrated our first date on 10.27.02…our ver

We celebrated our first date on 10.27.02…our very last, first date. I became his fiancé exactly one year later to the day.
I went into our marriage 8 months later echoing the iconic words of The Beatles, “All You Need is Love”, anticipating a future of wedded bliss. After 18 years of collective togetherness, I can definitively say that love, in fact, is NOT all you need in a marriage. We could’ve saved ourselves a lot of frustration & disappointment if we could go back in time & tell our younger selves that marriage would require more than a four-letter feeling of adoration.

While our love story is my most favorite of them all, it hasn’t always been one worthy of retelling. We’ve both played the roles of a prideful & petty spouse we were never meant to be cast & we’ve hung our heads in defeat on the losing side of battles we were never meant to fight. We’ve bickered & reconciled only to repeat the cycle a hundred times over.

BUT LOVE.

I knew he was “the one” on our first date 18 years ago & he’s still “the one” almost two decades later. Love is, without a doubt, the cornerstone of our relationship. It’s the anchor that keeps us tethered to the vows we promised 16 years ago. But marriage is so much more than what presents itself in the picture-perfect highlight reel of social media.

Marriage is the fusion of two imperfect people & their unspoken expectations. It’s laughter & happiness entwined with tears & frustration. It’s making the choice to forgive when you’d rather condemn & extending grace when holding a grudge is the more enticing option. Oftentimes, a juxtaposition of humility & pride woven into the fabric of every word spoken out of both adulation & irritation. Marriage is the unpredictable moments of patience mingled with haste, & mutual respect met with unshared moments of disregard. It’s beauty & ashes & everything in between…the best decision I’ve ever made. 
Love might not be all we need, but it is the grace-laced foundation of what we’ve built. Marriage is the best “yes” I’ve ever promised & this man is my most favorite “yes” of my life♥️
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#marriage #marriedlife💍 #mombloggers #houstonblogger #marriageadvice

Anybody else adore this book as much as I do?! The

Anybody else adore this book as much as I do?! The Monster Who Lost His Mean is precious. A great read aloud for any time of the year really, but definitely lends itself to the spooky season, too. I love reading this one the week before Halloween 🎃//// Link in bio for this book companion and more!
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#kidlit #picturebooks #picturebook #childrensliterature #childrenbook #readaloud #bookreader #iteachk #iteach1st #teachergram #teacherslife #amazonbooks

This week is gonna to be great...I can just feel i

This week is gonna to be great...I can just feel it in my bones 😜💀👻🎃
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#halloweendecorations #spookydecor #halloweenvibes #halloweencenterpiece #tablecenterpiece #diningroomdecor #october2020 #hgtvhome

I caught a glimpse of the lettering on my socks as

I caught a glimpse of the lettering on my socks as I was reading my bible this morning. Pretty fitting for my walk with the Lord. I wish I could tell you that I’m clever enough to plan such a photo op, but these were the only clean socks I could find in my drawer because I’ve failed, yet again, to tackle the never-ending pile of laundry that awaits me.

I’ve diverged off the beaten path and meandered through the seasons of life more times than I can count. If history repeats itself, and it always does, I’m certain I’ll veer off again. More often than not, my misguided steps happen without intention… especially when I allow myself to fall victim to circumstance.

But God.

Getting lost in between the pages of my bible is where I find who I am in Him time and time again. It’s the compass that keeps me pointed in the direction of His saving grace and tender mercy. The promises that fill its pages help me navigate each disappointment and adversity that cause my steps to deviate off course. And even though I might occasionally wander, I do so with intention because without His guidance I’d be completely and totally lost♥️
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#wellwateredfaith #wordbeforeworld #womenoffaith #propelwomen #shedelights #sheisbold #lesshustlemoregrace #faithinspired #faithfilled #coffeecupgospel #shereadstruth #shespeakstruth #biblegram

Remember that line in Home Alone when Kevin said,

Remember that line in Home Alone when Kevin said, “a lovely cheese pizza, just for me”?!

Well, I’m having my own Home Alone moment right now. A lovely Friday night, all to myself.

Husband is working.

Boys are with friends.

And Lloyd (the wonder pug) is sleeping.

I debated on getting some work done & being productive, but like Kevin I think I’ll just settle down here on the couch, eat some junk, and watch some rubbish 🙌🏼

Any recommendations?! Netflix, Prime, or Hulu! Let me know!!!👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
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#fridaynightin #fridaynightvibes #homesweethome #teachersonfriday #teachersoninstagram #teachergram #teachersofig #teacherblogger

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