Liebster Award!

I have been running on caffeine....not a lot of sleep...and may have put my shirt on backwards this morning. Things have been a bit crazy lately so when I opened my email and saw I had been nominated for a Liebster Award...I was super excited.

Thank you so much to my new friend all the way in Maine... Angela over at The Mommy Stories. Her blog, y'all...precious. Her family...too cute. You have to check it out for yourself HERE.

Sweet Angela asked me the questions below....so let's get started!!!

What are 3 words to describe how it felt when you learned you were going to be a mother? 

Amazed. Nervous. Thankful.

When did you start your blog? Why did you start writing?
I actually had started in 2007 as a way to document Grayson's stats and to update our family on what we were up to since we have family all around the world.   

What is the coolest thing about your life right now?
Honestly....it's that I am learning. I have been heartbroken about certain things lately but they are things that I am thankful I am heartbroken over. Things like spending more time with my kids, being a better wife, and being a Godly woman. God is doing some amazing things in my life and works in my heart. It is hard but so eye opening. I would say I have learned more in the past year about what kind of mom and wife I want to be than I have in the past 9 years of marriage and 7 years as a mommy. It's changing the way I view things and see things which has been a battle but I am just trying to have an open mind and heart.  

If you could not do the job you do now (and tell us what it is), then what job would you want to have and why?
Currently I am an interim assistant principal/school counselor. It is a blessing. If I wasn't doing what I was doing now I would hands down be a stay at home mom or Kindergarten teacher. Every job I have had has been a huge blessing and great experience and each kiddo has such a special place in my heart. Middle school is where I am and I love the kids' sense of humor and personalities but elementary has always been "my place." Luckily, I currently am at an amazing school and have always had the privilege of being at great schools with great people.Aside from home, there is no place I would rather work than in schools!

Interim assistant principal/counselor

Me and Lauren (doing her observations hours) in my Kindergarten class

What is one of your child's names and where did you get name from?
Funny story....our first one is Grayson. We were watching t.v. one night and saw a Severe Thunderstorm Warning on the news for Grayson county. I also liked Dallas. Haha so his name was picked based on counties and bad weather. We knew we wanted a New Testament middle name, so...it was Luke.

I loved the name Elle from Legally Blonde but my sister said she claimed that name for her next one (she has since had two boys...just sayin') so I went with Ella. Joey loved the name Grace and we wanted something somewhat spiritual (there's nothing better than His grace) so we went with that. Both were pretty laid back experiences. 

Where in your home do you write your blog posts most often? Why there?
In our bedroom in bed. I wait until the kids are asleep to do any blogging or work. It's cozy and I feel like I am not disrupting Joey or the kids. I usually only blog if Joey and I already watched a show or spent time together or if he is asleep or watching something on his phone.  

What would you do with an extra $100 that you can only spend on YOU?
Buy Starbucks and hit up Groovy's. (Which I just did...ha) I was going to somehow say pay it forward but it said only ME so I am going with that. But who are we kidding that is what I usually do?

 Favorite meal you make? Bonus points for the recipe.
We love breakfast food. The thing that everyone loves in this house is breakfast food. Each week I make egg white muffins and sausage balls.

Egg White Muffins

-egg whites (I buy the carton)

-1 lb ground turkey

-Nature's seasoning

-shredded mozzarella cheese

-add in's (bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, sauteed spinach)

Brown ground turkey and season. Put one heaping tablespoon of ground turkey in each muffin tin (greased). Put one tablespoon of mozzarella cheese over the ground turkey. Add any vegetables or extras. Pour egg whites in each tin and fill it about 3/4 of the way. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes. 

3 things you typically do on Sundays? 
1. Go to church or do a lesson at home if we miss. (I will post about great resources to use all week with your family on my personal blog soon).
2. Hang out with family (we usually go to my parents' or Joey's and hang out). This is one of our favorite parts of the week and we are blessed that our parents and siblings are all local. We also love squeezing in time to play with our nieces and nephews.
3. Prep for the week. I try to make sure things are signed, organized, Joey and I have our schedules laid out for the week, the kids' stuff is all clean and ready, and as much food is prepped as possible, and laundry has to be away!!!

What is something you do often to make yourself a healthier person?
I try to de-stress and for the most part eat healthy. I drink lots of green tea and eat all of my veggies...lol. I do need to work out but I haven't fully adjusted to my new position. Basically, I try to make sure I have quiet time whether it's listening to music in the bath when the kids are asleep or reading my bible...I make sure I do something to try to keep my mind from going and going which in turn makes me a healthier person.

What is something you want to be sure your kids learn from you?
To not live by the expectations of the world but by the expectations of God. To live with joy and compassion and to have servant's hearts. I have always tried to live up to expectations my whole life whether it's my parents, friends, teachers, peers, bosses, spouse, kids, and even complete strangers' expectations. I want Grayson and Ella to know the Lord and have a heart for Him. I want them to learn to put God first and follow priorities that He lays out and everything else will come together.  Expectations aren't bad but they shouldn't be our driving force....God should be. And of course....I want them to love others and always think about where another person is coming from. There is always so much to a person far more than what we can see. Sometimes it just takes a little time and care.




So.....now I would like to nominate the following bloggers for the Liebster Award and to join in on the fun! Simply link back to this post, answer the below questions, and nominate some of your fav bloggers!! 


Melissa over at The Lone Star Ginger Boutique
She is adorable and so are her products. She also features Wonder Woman Wednesdays on her blog which are also so fun to read. Don't forget to check out her Etsy shop.

Amy over at When Life Gives You...The Lemons & Step Into Second Grade With Mrs. Lemons
I love reading her blogs on her adorable family and their adoption journey but also all of the amazing things she does in her classroom!

Lauren over at Williams Party of Four
I love her blog about the life of a mommy, teacher, wife, and shopper!!! Plus she is my sister in law who I just love!

Crissy over at Your Friend on Trend
I love her blog about fashion and upcoming trends!!! She has a good eye for being trendy and it being mom friendly.

Andrea over at JyJoyner Counselor Blog
I absolutely love Andrea's style and counseling blog. She shares great ideas on work outfits and activities for those in the counseling world!

Shay over at Mix and Match Family
I love this blog. Her family is absolutely adorable and I love reading about their adoption journey. She also shares great traveling and fashion tips and has some amazing recipes.

Andrea over at Momfessionals
She is a super cute teacher, mommy, and creator! She shares amazing mommy tips, fashion tips, and home decorating ideas that are super creative.


Below are your 10 questions to answer.


1. What are your top 3 favorite life moments to date?

2. What are some stores that are your go to places to shop for you (and your kids if you have them)?

3. How would you describe your style? (Bonus: share some pictures)

4. What is your occupation? If you didn't do that, what would you do?

5.  What is your favorite room in your home and why?

6. What are 3 things on your wish list right now?

7. What has been your favorite vacation to date?

8. If you could share one of your best organization tips (whether at home or at school) what would it be?

Can't wait to read the link ups and posts!!!