She's 21.

She is beautiful.


She is trustworthy, and kind to anyone she meets.


She serves and loves the Lord with all of her heart.


Her Daddy is her hero.


She confides in people she trusts, and tells her Mom everything.


Just about any memory I have growing up, she is in it.


She is dedicated.


She spoils her nieces and nephews with love.


She is the best God-mother my son could ever ask for.


She is faithful in all of her relationships.


She loves her family, and cherishes every moment with them.


She knows that in order to be happy, you must always be a child at heart.


She is silly.


She brings out a side of me that no one else can.


She is, and always will be, my best friend.


She is my sister, Kallie. And today she turns 21. I am so blessed and honored to call you my Sister. I hope today is all you have ever wanted plus more! I love you and will always be here to love, support, and encourage you... every step of the way.

Happy Birthday!

Baked Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese

This is a easy, quick and oh-so-delicious recipe that was given to me last week. Good for all you college students, or maybe you're more like me and just don't have a whole lot of time OR energy to be in the kitchen.



Baked Cheddar Mac 'n Cheese

2 1/4 cups hot water
1 pkg (14oz) Kraft Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cups crushed crackers
1 Tbs butter or margarine melted

Whisk water, cheese sauce from pouch & pepper in a 1 1/2 quart casserole, stir in dry pasta & 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, cover. Bake 375 degrees for 30 minutes, uncover, stir in sour cream. Mix remaining 1/2 cup cheese, crackers & melted butter, sprinkle over casserole. Bake an additional 10 minutes uncovered. Let stand 5 minutes. Enjoy...

Let me know if you try it!

Emotional.

Have you ever been really upset about something and not known if how you're feeling is valid? You don't know if you're being a big baby and should drop it and forget about it, or maybe this is a legit thing and you're entitled to being sad. Maybe you're throwing a pity party or maybe it's well deserved.

That's exactly the boat I'm in tonight.

Lord, are you there? I need to talk. . .

Halloween.....?

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Growing up, we never celebrated Halloween. I never once went door-to-door, never dressed up, never carved pumpkins, never went to the Halloween parties at school..... and never cared. I didn't feel left out, I didn't feel like I missed out on anything, and *gasp!* I am still (some-what) normal in my adult years. So, naturally I have always said that my kids wouldn't do any of those things too. Last week Tyler and I were out for dinner and the subject of dressing Jax up for Halloween came up. I immediately jumped all over it and said that he would not be dressing up and we would not be celebrating it - and Tyler asked why. I honestly didn't have an answer for him. Because I never did it? Because that's what my parents did? Tyler told me if I can find a logical and biblical reason why he SHOULDN'T dress up, that he would fully respect my decision and Jaxon would not be participating.

So... the search began. And here's what I found.

The Bible doesn’t speak directly about Halloween, but some biblical principles apply. One things is clear -- all pagan practices are to be avoided. Witchcraft, occult practices, sorcery, etc. are strictly forbidding in the Bible (Exodus 22:18; Acts 8:9-24; Acts 16, 19). It is obvious that a small child dressing up as a princess or a cowboy isn’t involving themselves with witchcraft, so what is a biblical stance on Halloween?

The decision is ultimately up to the parents. If you decide Halloween is something fun for your children, make sure they are kept far away from the evil aspects of Halloween. When believers participate in anything (even Halloween), their attitudes, dress, and behavior should glorify Christ (Philippians 1:27).

So, now I am torn. I understand that unless you raise your child to believe that Halloween is the "Devil's holiday", they will not know that. And -- I understand that if you raise your child to know that Halloween is nothing but dressing up for fun and collecting candy (basically a candy-manufacturer's holiday as Tyler calls it), that's what they will understand. The thought of participating is just so bizzarre to me since I never did it growing up, so I am having issues adjusting to the idea.

Any thoughts?

a bunch of wants.

I found this amazing blog. This lady sells handmade jewelry and I l.o.v.e it. Why is it always when you're broke or on a budget you find a million cute things that you want soooo bad?? That's annoying. Anyway, here's a few of my fav's, so keep this tucked away in your brain for a few months from now when you're trying to figure out what to buy me for Christmas or my birthday. ;)


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{how amazing would that be with a T, M, and J}


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{i would have it say "jaxon" instead of "love"}


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{not sure what i would have on this one, but i love it none-the-less!}

And, not related to jewelry at all, but just because I love it...
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{how flippin' cute would jax be in that?!}