What Brings You Joy?

I was asked a tough question this past week....what brings me true joy? It saddened me that I had to think about the answer and couldn't just spout of a million things. It made me realize that somewhere in the middle of this thing called life, amidst deployments, teenagers, and life changes, I've lost sight of that spark. I've allowed myself to be beat down by the negativity and have forgotten to embrace the smell of the roses.

So....I've been thinking of that question and here are a few of my answers;

My family brings me true joy.

I'm happiest when surrounded by my children, my husband, my sister, my mom, my aunt...you get the picture...my family. I love just hanging out in our living room laughing with each other, sharing our days adventures, cuddling, and just being us.

Singing brings me true joy.

I don't just sing the songs....I feel the songs. Since I was a little girl, I've loved the art of losing myself in song. It's like I get to feel all these emotions that I've buried and no one looks at me like I'm crazy. Sometimes I sing well...other times not so much...but it doesn't matter when you sing with passion.

Scrapbooking brings me true joy.

Creating something that captures the memories is very satisfying for me. Searching for the perfect placement of pictures and elements to complement the pictures....well, let's just say its somewhat of an obsession...lol. And while we're at it....

Photography brings me true joy.

Whether it's me snapping the pictures or admiring the artistry of other great photographers, there is something about capturing that one moment, frozen in time forever, in a simple photograph. I'm actually signed up for a photography class in August and can't wait to learn some actual skills and play with the camera.

My friends bring me true joy.

I'm so blessed by some of the most amazing friends! When I don't get to spend time soaking up their laughter...I miss it...my heart misses it.

Neat & organized pantries bring me true joy.

I know...that's weird...a little OCD...and not very typical, but I get a sense of peace, calm, and satisfaction when I look into my pantry and see everything neat and tidy in perfect rows. Even typing that seems a little sick...but, hey...that's who I am.

Long drives on Saturday to nowhere in particular brings me true joy.

I love taking a drive...windows open....radio on or off (doesn't matter)..and just driving around in the country taking in the sights of the freshly planted fields or rows of trees or even rows of houses. I do some of my best thinking in the car and often can find clarity to some deep burning issue by just taking a drive.

These are just a few of the things that bring me joy. I'm making a conscience effort to notice what brings me that sense of peace & happiness and embrace those moments.

What brings you joy? True joy?

Super Skinny on the Month of June

So, it's been a month...a ton has happened.

(1) Mallorye graduated from High School with Honors and 11th in her class....we were so excited that Quentin was able to come home on leave for this.

Me, Mallorye, & Daddy

(2) Mallorye was in her friend Katie's wedding at the Manley Chapel in Walnut Ridge

(3) We had to take Quentin back to the airport so he can finish his tour in Afghanistan...we're over the half way mark now & starting to prepare for the Homecoming. I personally...can't wait!

Q's airplane that will take him away....

Q's flight was early, so the kids slept on the way back home....I snapped this picture because it was absolutely priceless...

(4) Mallorye started babysitting to earn extra money.

(5) Blake started helping the McCullars some on their farm to earn himself some extra money.

(6) Matt & Mallorye moved their wedding date up to December...so we've kicked it in high gear on planning!

(7) We went to Memphis to have thier engagment pictures made....

Matt & Mallorye at the zoo....I snapped this one on my phone.

(8) I spent some time with the FRG girls in Memphis letting our hair down and trying to relax a little amidst the stress of the deployment.

(9) My hours at work have changed & I'm working late 2 days a week, BUT I get to come in at noon on those days, which I LOVE!!!!

(10) We celebrated yet another holiday without Q home...this one Father's Day, which stung just a tad....Mal & Matt were gone camping, so it was just me & Blake.

Blake & His Father's Day greeting to his dad that we uploaded to Facebook.

So, that's the super skinny on the past month. I'll try to do a better job, but we all know that I'm not the best blogger lately :(

Till next time....adios!

R&R...St. Louis

Quentin and I took a much needed trip...ALONE...to St. Louis during his R&R. I honestly can't remember the last trip we have taken without the kids being with us. The only thing that we actually had planned was of course, a Cardinals baseball game, lol. The rest of the week was wide open and carefree.

We left on Sunday and just took our time driving down the interstate...enjoying the music on the radio, and the open road before us. We checked into our hotel, The Drury Plaza at The Arch, at about 3:30pm and just spent the evening relaxing in our room.

Day 2 brought shopping at Union Station, The Galleria, and Bass Pro Shop.....wandering through the Union Station Museum....and The Cardinals game. They won. And it was extremely cold...and rainy! Still can't believe I sat through 9 innings in the rain!

Albert Pujols batting at Busch Stadium...we had awesome seats by the way and sat by a couple from Benton, Arkansas...small world

Lunch at Hard Rock Cafe at Union Station...we had an incredible waiter and awesome food!

Day 3 we started out at The Arch and I'm very pleased to say, that in spite of my extreme fear of tight places and heights, I went all the way to the top! 630 Feet....and an incredibly small tram to the top. The view was breathtaking! We also spent time at The Arch Museum and The Science Center & Planetarium. Lunch was at this charming little restaurant in Forest Park...The Boathouse....we skipped the paddle boats, but did enjoy the HUGE salad and dessert :) We ended our night trying our hand at the casino...Q played his first game of Craps on an actual casino table (instead of online) and I threw some money in the slots. Definitely was for entertainment purposes only and not something we do on a routine basis...matter of fact...haven't been in 15 years or more!

Me & Q at The Top Of The Arch.....630' in the air...whew!

View from the top of The Arch....that's Busch Stadium

My awesome picture of The Arch :)

Day 4 meant heading home, but we took advantage of the 11 o'clock check out and slept in one last time. We took an alternate route home and just took our time and enjoyed the easy, relaxed drive...knowing when we got home life would return to warp speed yet once again, and we would be that much closer to the day he has to leave and go back to Afghanistan.

{note: that day to head back has arrived and of course brings with it anxiety, fear, and sadness...prayers are always welcome}

In Between Time

So.....I'm blogging HERE today :)

Another Milestone....Senior Prom

Another milestone passed. Mallorye attended her last high school prom Friday night and boy was it ever memorable! It started out with her hair appointment...the lady that we had booked never showed!! The salon was booked solid, but luckily was able to get us into another salon and Mallorye looked gorgeous...as always.

Then, there was the torrential rains...these pictures were taken about an hour before the storm hit...the storm that also produced tornadoes!!

We lucked into this dress on Monday...yes, 4 days before Prom!

I love this girl....can't believe that this is her senior prom!

....and a perfect corsage! Her favorite flower in the perfect colors...very unique.

Mallorye went to Prom with some friends....Matt was at a Men's Retreat with our church....and after going to the dance for an hour, decided she'd rather be at home and was home by 10:30pm . I'm pretty proud of her. I know there were other places she could've went, but she chose to come home.

The next big milestone....Graduation...only a few more weeks away.

Worship Team

I had an absolute blast at Worship rehearsal last night! Isn't that the way worship should be? I'm so glad that I serve a God that desires to see his children in delight...having a blast for Jesus...whether its at rehearsal, on Sunday morning, or just in my everyday life..My God wants me to have fun worshipping Him...He that created this life I live.

I serve with an incredible team of talented worshippers and rehearsals are a time where we can laugh and have fun while we prepare to bring the body of Christ into an atmosphere of Worship. We record our rehearsals and I literally laughed out loud listening to it today when I heard us cutting up with each other. These guys are crazy! And I wouldn't have it any other way!!

Southside Worship Team....I love you guys :)

Change of Direction?

More than a month has passed since I've blogged. I seem to be at a point of huge writer's block...or at least ...the things I want to say are too personal, too intimate, to be shared on such a public forum.

That's really unlike me. I'm normally a transparent, lay it all out there, kinda gal...but not lately. I've found myself burrowing tightly into my cocoon, waiting for this season of life to be finished.

God is dealing with me in so many areas right now and with the deployment, my emotions are already on overdrive. So many changes have taken place in such a short amount of time, that catching my breath is a challenge.

I want to write. I need to write. It's therapy for me....and so...I'm asking you to pray for me and the direction I need to take with my blog. I don't want to be surface. If I can't be real, then I don't want to write....so I covet your prayers in this area.

{in other news....my hubby will be home for a 15 day leave VERY SOON}