I want to paint the beauty of the world

I took a week off from my computer and blogging. So much has been going on and I really needed to just focus on life and my family, but I’m happy to be back and I feel refreshed. Karissa @ A Fresh Start on a Budget put together a post everyday in April link party and I am participating in some of the prompts. I love being challenged in my writing.

What’s one talent you wish you had, but you don’t.

I’m the type of person who can do a lot of things. I have many talents and I love every one of them and I feel so blessed to have the talents I do. However, there is one talent that I wish I had and I think if I worked at it, I could do it, but I just haven’t made the effort to do so.

Live.Laugh.L0ve. // I want to paint the beauty of the world

Live.Laugh.L0ve. // I want to paint the beauty of the world

Live.Laugh.L0ve. // I want to paint the beauty of the world

The talent I wish I had was painting. I wish I could paint beautiful stunning pictures that capture people. That make people gasp out loud from the beauty of what the artist created. I wish I could paint the night sky filled with dozens of stars. I wish I could paint a beautiful field of bluebonnets. I wish I could paint what I think heaven looks like, the golds and whites and blues that I imagine. I wish I could touch peoples hearts with art. I want to paint the beauty of the world! Now that I’ve wrote this out loud, I’m tempted to start trying!

What is one talent you wish you had?

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A day in my life

I was going to take various pictures throughout the day for today’s challenge. But, that didn’t go according to plan. Most days don’t go according to plan. Sometimes that’s a good thing & sometimes that’s a bad thing. 
Having two boys who are 18 months apart makes for interesting days. Having the weather warm up so much that the need to invite my sister + nephew over and spend the day out back letting our boys play in the water and us tanning is what needs to be done. 

If you lived a day in my life there would be normal things to do. Laundry, dishes, vacuuming, breakfast, lunch, dinner and picking up fifty million toys. 

If you lived a day in my life at the end of the day you finally hang up all the laundry you did while another load sits in the dryer. Dishes will be piled in the sink from a busy day & a yummy dinner . 
If you lived a day in my life you would know I prefer the outdoors instead of doing household chores. You would encounter laughs, tears, smiles & fits.

If you lived a day in my life you would understand that I don’t always take pictures or stay connected to my phone. You would know that I live this life & soak up my boys.

If you lived a day in my life you would know how to relax & how to love beyond reason. You would encounter inside jokes, tanning lotion & random dancing. You would often fall asleep with one or two sweet sleepy boys who smell of summer next to you. 

If you lived a day in my life you would be slow to rise because none of us are morning people. You would spend lazy afternoons in the sun & evenings spent watching movies & dining on popcorn.

 If you lived a day in my life you would know that things don’t always go according to plan, that our life does not go according to plan and you would see that we either embrace those days like crazy or that we are barely holding on by a thread on the bad days. 

But, if you lived a day in my life you would find fun, a life that is lived, books that are read, snuggles that are welcome and a love that is out of this world. 

What does a day in your life look like? 


10 things that make me happy

I know I missed a few days of the blog every day in May challenge but, I’m starting back up today. Have you missed any? You can view them here.

One. My husband and my boys make me extremely happy. I get to laugh and smile a million times a day because of all three of them. I am a very lucky girl.
Two. The fact that my kids love God. They are so thrilled to go to church every Sunday & my sweet Jay brings Jesus up randomly throughout the week. It makes my heart soar.

Three. Photography. I love taking pictures of people and of life around us.
Four. Tattoos. Seriously, I don’t know what it is about them, but getting tattoos or seeing tattoos that I really like, makes me happy.
Five. As of lately, working out. I guess it’s the feeling of knowing I am working towards getting fit & setting an example for my sweet boys is what makes me happy.

Six. A good book. 

Seven. Laying outback, reading a book or tanning while the boys play or swim – makes me extremely happy.
Eight. Speaking of that, swimming makes me happy. I love the way the water feels and being in it. I should have been a mermaid. ;)
Nine. My friends + family. Texting, emails, hanging out. It does something good for my heart.
Ten. YOU. You who read my blog. Who leave comments. Who tweet me or send me emails. You make me happy.
What makes you happy?

This months in-post ad is so sweet + amazing
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Put the phone + camera away

Have you missed any of my posts during the Blog everyday in May challenge? View em here.
The best advice I can give you is to savor every moment you can. Life is far too short to always be on your phone. Laptop. or yes, even behind your lens. I’m not saying to never do those things. Let’s face it, I love my phone + my camera, but I don’t always like constantly being on it or behind the lens.

Live.Laugh.L0ve. Put the phone & camera down 2

I know how important it is to stay connected with friends + family. I know how important it is to take pictures of those moments in life that are so simply sweet or absolutely gorgeous. I am an aspiring photographer after all and I’d be crazy to tell you to never take pictures because, I take a ton of pictures.

Live.Laugh.L0ve. Put the phone & camera down 2

I love seeing & posting pictures on instagram. I love sharing photo’s on FB and seeing pictures of my family and friends. But, in the same breath I can go days without posting a single photo. I can goes days without taking a single photo. Why? Because as much as I fully enjoy capturing those moments – I like to live those moments. I want my kids to remember my face while we are playing, not my lens or not the camera on my phone.
Like I said, obviously I take pictures and lots of them. But, every once in awhile – put the phone down, step away from the camera and just live.

This months in-post ad is so sweet + amazing
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I’m afraid..

Have you missed any of my blog everyday in may challenge posts? You can catch up here. Today’s challenge is, the thing{s} you are most afraid of.
Live. Laugh. L0ve. // I'm afraid..
God really has a way of opening your eyes I tell ya. He knows I have been dealing with my anxiety rising lately & he knows it stems from fear. In church this past Sunday we started a new series called I changed my mind. This first topic was about Anxiety + worry. Two things I have alot of. My husband told me during the entire service he was thinking about me. Our pastor said, “Fear, worry & anxiety are an orphaned soul.” He went on to remind us that worry & anxiety rob of us of our joy and our lives. We can’t fully enjoy life if we are living with constant worry and anxiety.
It was a series I feel is directed right at me. Although I’m sure many people in church felt that way if they struggle with anxiety, worry and fear. I could list out a hundred things I’m afraid of. I could spill my heart and tell you why. We could nod, laugh & cry over common fears. But, I don’t want to do that today. Today – I want to tell you the one thing that scares me more than any of my other fears especially after the service last Sunday.

{If you can’t see the picture for whatever reason it says – I’m afraid of never getting over my fears.}
I don’t want my fears to rule my life. I don’t want to be an orphaned soul. I don’t want to look back on life and think about all the things I missed out on because I was too afraid. I want to trust in God and know I am safe in his arms. Fear has ruled my life for too long. It has robbed me of joy & happiness on too many occasions. If there is one thing I don’t want to do, it is continue to be afraid.

This months in-post ad is so sweet + amazing
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This is what I do

Day two, four + five. Today’s challenge is – If you couldn’t answer with your job, how would you answer the question, “What do you do?”
My best answer is probably I live life,
I promise you that is no lie.
I put tequila in my soda on nights I need it most,
& I prefer to have my boys real close.

Live.Laugh.L0ve. // This is what I do

Live.Laugh.L0ve. // This is what I do

I listen to country music because it feeds my soul,
& I have picnics outside with my boys because those moment make me feel whole.
I take time each day to live my dreams,
even if it means I have to fly with brave wings.

Live.Laugh.L0ve. // This is what I do

Live.Laugh.L0ve. // This is what I do

Live.Laugh.L0ve. // This is what I do

I wear maxi skirts & get sunburns on my nose,
I normally don’t paint my toes.
I dream of tattoos & I kiss my husband goodnight,
I cry when life isn’t feeling just right.

Live.Laugh.L0ve. // This is what I do

Live.Laugh.L0ve. // This is what I do

I laugh more than I ever thought I would,
sometimes I often feel misunderstood.
I eat pizza like it’s going out of style,
& I shut the world out every once in awhile.
I like to lay down and relax,
& you will rarely catch me on the track.
I like to spend my days out in the sun,
Being with my boys makes it more fun.

Live.Laugh.L0ve. // This is what I do

Live.Laugh.L0ve. // This is what I do

I dance around my living room and sing too loud,
I also hate speaking in front of crowd.
I take long showers & dream about the future,
I also really like a good dose of humor.
If you ask me what I do,
I can assure you.
I live this life I was given,
& I like to think about heaven.
So, tell me friend if I asked you,
what is it that you do?

This months in-post ad is so sweet + amazing
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A blogger I love is…

You can view days two + four here. Yes I skipped a couple – oops. #blogeverydayinmay

I have shared love for a couple of my favorite bloggers before here on the blog. Like these girls + these girls. I truly have met so many great ladies in this blogging journey and a few of them I have really connected with. Like the girl I’m about to share with you below. I hope when she reads this post, a smile lights her face because I really adore her.

Miss Chelsea – I’m publicly announcing my love for you. As soon as I saw the challenge for this day, you were the first person that popped into my head.

I don’t remember how I came across Chelsea’s blog but, I remember how I instantly connected with her. There isn’t one post I haven’t read by her since I found her blog. We have chatted via Twitter + on Voxer. I don’t know about you but, getting to here one of your blog friends voices randomly throughout the day is really awesome & I highly suggest doing that!
She has adorable style & I love how she isn’t afraid to act silly in front of the camera. Her posts and words are relatable and she even talks about topics that most bloggers don’t. Add that to another reason why I love her.

Chelsea, if you are reading this you should know I listen to your vlogs on Friday’s while doing the dishes or folding laundry, I feel like you are sitting right there next to me telling me about life & I have caught myself smiling or laughing out loud during said vlogs and having my kids stare at my like mom, what the hell is wrong with you.
If you are reading this you should know that I truly adore you as a person. I think all that you juggle is amazing & you are a supermom. If you are reading this you should know I am so glad we “met” in this blogging world & that one day I really hope we can meet for Coffee.. by the way when is it NOT snowing there? ;)
Chelsea – thanks for being you and sharing who you are and your life! If you don’t know my sweet friend you should get to know her. I could list a million more reasons why I love her but, do yourself a favor and go see for yourself.
I want to add that this post has NOTHING to do with the fact that she is one of my sponsors this month and everything to do with how much I truly value her as a friend and how much I love her blog.

This months in-post ad is so sweet + amazing
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A quote to live by

It is extremely hard for me to pick a favorite quote. I love quotes. It’s like they say exactly what I am feeling, going through, enjoying, etc. I have a board on pinterest called Words to live by – because that’s what I do. I live by quotes I love and when I am in need of inspiration or feeling done, that’s the board I visit. I was browsing through them trying to pick a favorite & then I remember pinning the one below.

I shared my story about my scar here. In short – my scar is from having opening heart surgery that literally saved my life.
But, we all have scars. Some are visible while others are left on our heart. Always remember that quote. No matter how ashamed you are of your scar or how bad your scar{s} on your heart hurt – you are stronger than whatever tried to hurt you.
I am linking up with Story of my life for Blog Every day in May challenge.

This months in-post ad is so sweet + amazing
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Writing is my passion

Live.Laugh.L0ve. // Writing is my passion

My husband & I were talking the other day and I told him I hoped the boys take after him because he is amazing at everything he does or attempts to do. I told him if they took after me they would be screwed. His eyes rolled up to the ceiling as the words “Whatever” came out of his mouth. “What can I do?” I challenged him, “What on earth am I good at?” His response came so effortlessly it took me by surprise. “Writing, photography – you too are good at things you attempt.” Since I’m me, I just couldn’t let that be the answer, Instead I threw back at him, “Yeah and look at how far those have gotten me.” Again, his response caught me off guard, “If you had to make a living, if you were fixing to be starving or homeless – you would have already excelled at one of those.
Ouch.Ouch.Ouch. But, he was right. I’m good at writing. I’m decent at photography. But writing is my passion. It’s part of why I blog. Most of all I’m good at writing stories. I have a 57,000 word book just waiting for me to edit {which I’ve started after that convo} that way I can self publish it. I have a second book already started.

Live.Laugh.L0ve. // Writing is my passion

Just because I’m good at writing – doesn’t mean it’s easy. It takes time and dedication. It takes wanting to live your dreams more than you are afraid of those dreams. It’s not only being good at what you do but, it’s being good at doing it all. It’s being good at following that dream all the way through. The writing for me comes easy because like my husband says I’m good at it. The story flows because it’s inside of me. It’s the rest that is hard.
I saw this fun challenge on my friend Kristina’s blog – I missed yesterday challenge but I’m going to try and do the rest of them. You can see all the challenges on Story of my life’s blog.

This months in-post ad is so sweet + amazing
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