Princess for a day

My nieces Kyleigh and Kambrie had a very fun birthday party today. Kyleigh just turned and 4 and Kambrie will be 1. The party was held at such a cute venue called Princess Party Palace. Jax and Aria had a blast!!! The princess that was invited was Ariel and she was so great with the children! If you have a princess in your life this place is amazing!!! Jax enjoyed himself just as much as Aria-they have super hero items and princess items! He wore his own cape from home of course because that is just what he does! Ha! Check out the pictures to get the full run down on all the fun!
They danced. Ariel sang to them. Got tattoos and makeup. Ate cake. Birthday girls got crowned. Decorated crowns and masks. Got to play dress up and so much more! What a fun time!

Tiny toes=full heart

These are the things I never want to forget.

Her curls blowing in the wind and how she could care less. Plus her love for princesses.

 His "catching bad guys" face. The way he runs and jumps to defeat the ultimate bad guy.   

 The face he makes when I have to chase him down for a picture.

 The way he chooses to wear his boots. Always on the outside of his pants.

 Her tiny dirty feet from refusing to wear shoes.

 The way her hair falls in her face because she would not let you put it up. Cant help but love her stubbornness.

How both of her feet fit on her scooter and having to push her because she cant go fast enough on her own.

 

 

I never want to forget how we got to play outside in January in Arkansas.

Humble and Kind

If you are a country music fan then you have probably heard Tim McGraw's song "humble and kind". It is a powerful song that to me says a lot. In todays world it is not hard to find hate and judgement around every corner. Its like walking on egg shells. It seems like everything is offensive to someone.
With the new year approaching I felt convicted about finding a verse of the year. As I was listening to KLRC a verse was said and I knew that was my verse:

Ephesians 5:2

“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

There is no greater love than Christ's love. He died for us....All of us. Not just the believers but everyone.

This verse fits into my life so perfectly. Love as Christ loved. Its very simple. Its not hard to do. It just means to love all. That includes people who believe differently than me. People who look and act differently. People who are living life just as myself. Just Love. Christ is love. It is not judgmental. It is beautiful and kind.  

Jesus showed love to the sick, poor, rich, powerful and hungry. He sought them out and loved them.

How can I be a light for Christ by judging someone and their situation. How can I be a light by turning my back and walking away. How can I be a light without love. I cant choose to just love the people who are just like me. I cant choose to love the people who are easy to love. I cant pick and choose as I please.  

My job is to plant a seed of love and pray for the growth of that seed. Every night I pray for my children. I pray that they are humble, kind and show love to all. I never want my children to turn their back on someone just because they have a different outlook then they do. I want them to show Christ's light to everyone they meet. I want them to serve the community with a servants heart. Every night this is my prayer. Being a parent is hard especially in todays world. A world that can consume and break a person so easily. A world where we put ourselves into boxes and divide ourselves over every belief. We separate ourselves by religion, political party, city/rural, female/male, educated/uneducated ect. If we try to be in more than one box then our other boxes get mad. Its ridiculous. We need to unite as one. Christ loves more than just the church going believer. He loves us ALL.

 

So go out and be a light. Love those who may not know that Christ loves them. Love those who have no one. Love those who seem to have it all. You never know what someone is going through so just love.

 

      

New year. New goals.

As a child I grew up spending most of my summer days wandering fields, creeks and woods. I would climb trees, cross water and was never afraid to go onto land I had not been on before. I would catch tadpoles by the one lane bridge and run from cows when I got to close to the babies. It was a time in my life that I was tanned from the sun, dirty from the fields and fearless. My Mom wouldn't know where I was and I would eventually go home tired and ready for the next adventure. I would know to be home by sunset because if I saw our big blue van looking for me I knew I would be in huge trouble. I would race back home on my bike that I left in the ditch by the creek. I would sometimes take my friends along with me. Morgan and I even caught a fish with just a string and hook. I would ride my bike for miles a day and never felt tired. These are memories that I cherish.

As I got older life changed. I traded my dirty tennis shoes for trendy shoes. I went from going on nature adventures to shopping sprees. I became aware that the snakes in the creek scared me. I started watching more reality TV. I went from spending hours outside to talking on the phone and spending my weekends at the movies. I started to worry about my hair and going out with friends. I grew up.

Don't get me wrong I have always loved hiking here and there and spending time outside but it stopped becoming a part of my routine and life. Once I had children I realized how quickly a year goes by. I feel like 2016 was gone before I really realized it was 2016. As I was reflecting on the year and what I wanted for 2017 I decided to set some life changing goals. One of which is to get back into nature and go on as many nature adventures as I can. I want to show Jax and Aria Gods creations and how to step into the woods with love and respect for the outdoors. I want to them to have memories like mine instead of memories of what they watched on a screen as a child. So on the second day of 2017 I wanted to step back into nature and open my eyes to what I have truly been missing. The sounds, the crunch of fallen leaves, the brisk fresh air and the beauty of it all. So I took my black lab Leo and hit the Mt Kessler trail for some reflecting. It felt great and a spark came back to life. I cant wait to share this goal with my family and I have big plans. I already have dreams of camping and the river with Justin, Jax, Aria and Leo.

I have a feeling 2017 is going to be the best one yet. Here a few snap shots I took this morning while on my hike. I encourage you all to step outside and really open your eyes to the beauty of the great outdoors. Even if its a small walk down the road. I encourage you to turn off your TV, sit your phone down and go outside.

Another goal for 2017 is to blog more and share our adventures along the way. I have many goals this year and cant wait to share them all! Happy new year ya'll!!

XOXO
Tiffany

So long 2016.

2016 was full of adventure. Here is my year in review.

                       I went to Vegas for the first time. It was all I thought it would be and more.

 My best and oldest best friend got married in one of the most beautiful weddings ever. It was a great day even through the rain.

 We went to Disney world as a huge Family. It was hot, exhausting but by far the most fun!! I cant wait to go back!

 We got to do some relaxing in Colorado with family. It was beautiful and relaxing. It was a much needed vacation!

 Justin and I got to go to Baltimore...just the two of us. I can not tell you how nice it was just to be adults all weekend. So fun exploring, eating and talking for hours.

It was a phenomenal year for me. I grew and I learned life lessons. I got to travel and explore with family and friends. I learned that no matter what life throws you stand up for what you believe and pray for truth. I have a strong feeling that 2017 is going to be a year of change and a year that will be even greater than 2016.  I cant wait to share it with ya'll!!

Cheers to the new year!!