Introducing...

An account of things in my life that I cherish.

From the big... to the small.

I am going to try to make this a weekly Tuesday event. It does not rhyme with Tuesday... or have any witty alliteration to associate it with Tuesday. Tuesday is just the day that happens to work best for me as far as my schedule goes. I realize today is Thursday, but I will do the introduction blog today... and then pick it up on Tuesday.

Being a free spirit, although in desperate need of them, routines typically give me anxiety. So bear with me as I take on this new once-a-week routine. It doesn't sound THAT difficult, right? You'd be surprised! Can I get a witness from all of the free spirits out there?

Maybe I will also start a "Fly by the seat of my pants Friday!" And then it wouldn't matter if I was great about keeping up with it, because of the entire basis of the blog! OH I am so clever today! Stay tuned for that one, I think I could really do fun things with it!

Go be You!

Do something today that is "sooooo you!"

For instance... this morning I had a box of junior mints with my coffee.

You should try the combo sometime... make sure it's black coffee though! For years I couldn't bring myself to drink black coffee, but with all of my travels, a lot of times that was all that was available. A dear coffee loving friend that I traveled with quite often once taught me a lovely little trick, that has now become a staple in my life. Pop in a piece of extremely "minty" gum, or very strong mints, or anything of the sort, WHILE you drink your coffee black. The outcome is magical! And now, with or without a strong mint, I can drink my coffee black, and usually prefer to. As a result of this amazing discovery, I stumbled across a box of Junior Mints in the store one day and thought to myself "hmmmmm... this might just go really well with some coffee!" It is now one of my fall and winter time favorites! If you see me around, odds are I have a giant box of junior mints in my purse. All of my friends know this, and it is a very "me" thing to do. So.... think of your own "ME" thing today and DO IT!

Depending on my mood, this picture could have soooooo been a "me" thing. Sometimes you just need to dress with some funk... or at least I do.

I don't dress to impress, I dress to express.

Some days you need an exclamation mark on how you are expressing yourself.


Whether it's a funky outfit, your favorite food that no one else seems to like, laughing obnoxiously loud, weird music, creative art, a habit, thinking out side of the box, a secret indulgence, silly activity...

I don't even want to hear any excuses! Just GO!

=)

HELP!

THESE???:

OR THESE???:

Blur

Find beauty in everything... even when life is a bit out of focus.

and be inspired today.

A few digital memories

I accidentally placed the wrong memory card in my camera, so my number of pictures I could take was very limited. I left my big one in my computer here at the office, but at least I had an emergency spare one in my wallet. My mom and sister took a lot of pictures, and I'm sure I will be getting my hands on those soon, and I also have several on my iphone that I need to get off of there. BUT here's some highlights....

Kai and Poppa (my dad)

Kai and Dusty (one of my BFF'
s)

Dusty ("Crusty") and me after we got our tattoos...
My red face is because of a microdermabrasion that my mom did on me a few hours before this pic was taken. She owns a day spa, and pampers me when she can! =)

Tonya, Dusty and me... always a lot of laughing when I'm with these two! (although SOMEONE was missing!)

Dad talked me into leading a song with his team on Sunday morning at His church. He tried to get me to sing the whole set, but I have been trying to rest my voice in between my sets here in Illinois. He is the one leading with the guitar, my step mom is the one to the right, and I am to the right of her. Signing with my dad is an automatic comfort zone for me. It's where it all began for me, and it's where I will always go back to for inspiration with my music.

This angel is one of my oldest and dearest friends, Miss Sarah Ashley. She moved to Austin AFTER I moved to Illinois. She is in the top 5 list of my most favorite people in the world. She inspires me on so many levels and makes my heart smile deeply. We had such a beautiful conversation and genuinely felt each other's hearts. If my time with her was the only reason I traveled that many miles with a 6 months old in tow, it would have been totally worth it.

This is my precious English Bulldog Taylor... or "Baby Taylor" who was named after Taylor guitars, who my dad endorses for. I LOVE her. She's my favorite animal in the world. Ever. (Oh and she loves me too.)

This is Dad and Deb... Dad started off singing to Kai...

and then it turned into his first official guitar lesson. =)

Deep in the Heart of Texas

I have indeed been gallivanting around the amazing state of Texas.

I grew up in the Houston area, and moved to Austin when I was 22. My family and dearest friends all still live there so it's a journey I make several times a year.

Every trip always includes lots of good food and shopping until we drop.... lots of laughs and meaningful conversations... lots of catching up and reconnecting.

It was a very "spur of the moment" trip and I was so consumed with the thought of traveling that far with a six month old, I forgot to even mention it or tell everyone the blog would have a small break.

We had a very special trip and Kai could not have been any more perfect. He was a complete angel in the airports, on the airplanes, throughout every car ride and shopping spree! He of course charmed everyone hew saw with his gorgeous red hair, chubby little cheeks and his smile that could light up the darkest room! He is no respecter of people... he laughs and smile at absolutely everyone. He has the most pleasant disposition on any baby I've ever seen. All people kept saying all week is how happy he was. My family could not get over how "good" of a baby he was. I seriously don't think he cried once... maybe fussed a little here and there, but we all have our fussy moments don't we???

When I got home, my husband Seth had TOTALLY gutted our master bathroom and remodeled it! I was elated! It was the only room left in our house that needed re-done! He picked out the paint colors...tile...everything! (even down to the new LED nightlight!) What a man!!!! Brownie points for years to come from that one!

Here are some Etsy "Texas" finds... along with a little something I found while I was there this past weekend.

I wouldn't.... or would I????

If you would... you can find these here.



I love this...
Found here.



Trust me, just don't...

HERE.



I want this...

The "Yellow Rose of Texas" can be found, well... in Texas, but also here.

I'm back in Illinois now. I love my life here in the lovely mid-west, but I will always be a proud Texan. Who knows where God will lead us after our season here is at a close...maybe back to Texas? Florida? California? Maybe to Europe? Africa? How exciting it is to have a God who can do anything, and who's plans are far beyond anything we could ever imagine! I LOVE that in our life, the possibilities are always endless!

(don't do any freaking out, our season here is nowhere near being even close to closed! ...I just love to dream!)

Marked for life.

Put on a happy face... and some pretty clothes

I had yet another weird day yesterday. Not so much another "gray" day, but a lot just caught me off guard. It started off on a total high, by the time I left work I was totally stressed out and full of anxiety, and by the time I went to bed, I was absolutely fried mentally, emotionally and even spiritually. Then Kai just seemed like he couldn't get to that deep peaceful state of sleep. He was up, off and on, all night.

Today I'm excited about our trip to Texas, but today is one of those days that just call for pretty clothes and high heels.

Sometimes it's better than medicine.

Opposites Attract

...before me and Seth were officially "me and Seth" he would play this song in his car and always talk about how it was one of his favorites. I would always be sulking on the inside because I had convinced myself that there was no way that he would ever choose me. Our friendship was too perfect the way it was.

After a year of inward sulking, and lots of praying... He chose me. He says he knew all along it was supposed to be me, but he sure could have fooled me! That year of hopelessly falling in love with him through a deep friendship built on lots of long talks, precious laughter and silly bickering turned out to be one of the best years of my life.

January 2006 we met.

I spent a year falling hard, praying, falling even harder, thinking he wanted nothing to do with me, praying harder, falling to the point of no return... and then out of the blue...

January 2007 he professed his undying love.
March 2007 we were engaged.
July 2007 we got married.

We couldn't be any more opposite, and we couldn't be any more in love.

Opposites attract.

Gray.

Do you ever just feel gray?

It's been a gray week in so many ways.

Weather wise is the most literal way. It's been just a preview of winter, with cool temps and overcast skies.

My week has been good, but has been rough at the same time.

Work was absolutely insane this week, but I have a job that I truly love and look forward to going to everyday.

I got some bad news, but I got some good news.

I had some breakthrough's but I had some set backs.

I lost a good friend, but made some really awesome new ones. (yes you, Sam!)

I didn't cook once, but I kept the house very clean.

One of my friends miscarried, one of my friends brought a new life into the world.

I am "out of my mind" homesick, but my dad bought me a plane ticket to Texas for next week.

I got sick again, but this week we are doing an acoustic set which won't require as much out of my vocal chords.

Had some tough counseling sessions with students and heard things that broke my heart, but get to speak into their hearts, love on them, be there for them and impact their lives in a positive way. (such an awesome blessing!)

I didn't know what to say, but God gave me the right words.

I'm down on myself today, but have an amazing husband who lifts me up, no matter what stupid thing I did this time.

It's been rainy and drizzling for days, but the leaves are turning bright shades of pink, red, orange and yellow.

Life is sometimes hard, but God is always good.

Weeks are sometimes long, but God is always good.

Days that should be bright and sunny are sometimes cold and cloudy, but God is always good.

Life throws us the unexpected, but God is always good.

We may lose our way, by God is always good.

Money may be tight, but God is always good.

Our bodies may be sick, but God is always good.

We sometimes make mistakes, but God is always good.

We are sometimes helpless, but God is always good.

We are sometime hopeless, but God is always good.

We may not understand, but God is always good.

Days may look like this:

But in the end:

...because God is always good.

"When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart."

2 Corinthians 4:17
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

Romans 8:28
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

The Mother of all Invention

I never realized the real necessity of scarves until I moved somewhere where it actually got cold. On just about any day with even the slightest amount of chill in the air it can be the difference between miserably cold or comfy and cozy. I had never had any reason to buy a winter scarf down on the coast of Texas and even in Austin when I lived there, sooooo.... I went a little nuts with the scarf buying once I realized it was actually more of a necessity to wear one than simply a fashion statement. However, I am a firm believer that they can be used as both. Now I have a nice and always growing collection of all sorts of scarves of every shape, textile and color, and from October on through the winter months I do not leave the house without one!

Check out this clever little scarf from etsy:

The weather has called for a scarf at least 3 or 4 days in a row now!

I finally got my chandelier scarf in the mail yesterday! I've already worn her and and I have a feeling as Jack Frost intensifies his attempts to nip at our noses, we will only become closer.

=)

Happy Wednesday!

Pretty Please?

Can I go here? Right now? Please?

Think of a Wonderful Thought!

...any merry little thought...

I'm a Disney movie LOVER. What if happy thoughts really are a key to flying through life?! Souring above our circumstances and into moments bigger than ourselves?

Well, everyone has inspired me with their weekly lists of things they love, or adore, or did that inspired them... and well, I want one! Haha! I'm not sure what I want it to look like though, SO I might switch things around a bit until I get it all figured out. My initial motive behind it is to have a list strictly composed of positive and inspiring thoughts.

So, I want to pick:

A DAY of the week to do it...

A QUIRKY LITTLE NAME under which to do it...

A POSITIVE and INSPIRING THEME to do it about...

all I need is some fairy dust...

Strongly

I believe in God. Strongly. As a result, I believe in angels.

Some days I feel like my guardian angel must a bit like this.

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and His understanding no one can fathom.
Is. 40:28

FALL: Just can't get enough!!!!

How could you NOT be excited?! This was the first week that it REALLY started feeling like fall. With pumpkin flavored desserts making their seasonal debut, it REALLY feels official. Here's some pics from our house and around town during this past week...

Fall is DEFINITELY here and it is oh so evident in the cool and crisp air, The smell of pumpkin spice in my house, the sound of the leaves rustling on the ground and the GORGEOUS colors seen around our precious little city of Centralia:

Rainy fall days may be long sometimes, but they always pull through and bring us lovely fall temps!
(and an excuse for me to break out the boots!)

Fall around the Baltzell house:

Good Night

Better Late than Never!

I've been tagged for a while: I did this quick! If you read it, consider yourself tagged!

1. Show us the inside of something cute

A Cookie Dough Pop! One of my fall goals is to master the art of cake pops...cookie dough pops... and anything similar!

2. What’s the last homecooking you had?
I made Tortilla Soup last night and it was uh-mazing! I'm excited about the left overs for lunch!

3. What do you miss? (no dead people please)

My Family... ESPECIALLY around holidays.

My mom and sisters:

My Dad, Deb and my bonus siblings!

(we like the word bonus, better than "step")

4. What makes you laugh often?

Most definitely my husband wins hands down...

And my dad is right behind him....

As well as a couple of my best friends, Brittney and Tonya... good times.

5. What’s your favorite word?
I have several, a few of them are: UNIQUE, INSPIRE, PLETHORA, FREE . . .

6. What are you trying to quit?
Drinking so much Diet Dr. Pepper (which includes so many trips to Sonic)

7. What’s your favorite commercial right now?

The mini cows are just too cute! It just gets me every time!

Lauren Conrad: always pretty...always "put together" even if she's comfy.

and yes, the Olsen twins. They're adults now, and I just happen to love their style.

9. Link to a great blog you’ve discovered lately…

10. What’s the last craft you made?
I did a pretty little collage Monday night with mod podge... don't have a picture of it yet.

11. A photo of the last happy mail you got :]
I haven't joined that circle yet. BUT I did get birthday presents in the mail just yesterday... and it made me VERY happy.

12. Something you’ve got lately?

It was my birthday so I got a lot of things! Before that it was probably my new iphone!

13. What are you looking forward to?
Possibly yet ANOTHER trip to the city this weekend! Spending all day with Kai tomorrow! Finally getting my own "workspace" in the house! Pumpkin picking! More fall activities! and then CHRISTMAS! (which also means a trip to Texas to see my family!) SOOOOO much to look forward to!

14. Post a recent snapshot of yourself.

15. Recent Favorite Movie?
"Recent" is hard for me because I don't run out and watch movies as soon as they come out! My all time favorites include, That Thing You Do!, Garden State, Pride and Prejudice, Ever After.... and a few others I won't admit to publicly! However, one that I haven't watched in forever that has been on my mind for a while....

16. Something you’re working on right now?
Church Media Projects... always and my sister's late birthday presents! =)

17. If a movie were made about you, who would play you?

Apparently I look like Kate, but I'm not sure as far as personality goes... I'll let you know when I finally get myself figured out.

18. What gives you goosebumps?
Most commonly, things of God, moments that are bigger than me and music that really moves me.

19. Share a new obsession.

20. What’s the meaning of your life?
To live a life that brings honor and Glory to Jesus Christ, to be a loving and supportive wife and an awesome mother. To learn to love. To inspire.