Overcoming Insecurities & That Sage Llama

Today, I'm posting at Faith's little corner of the internet. Kicking off her new series "Overcoming Insecurities".

A sneak peak: 

"Insecurities are a part of daily life though. It's normal. There's insecurities about what you're wearing, how you look, or how you sound to other people. But then there's the insecurities that cripple you and can prevent you from getting out there in the real world. 

"Hi, I'm Melissa... and I'm insecure." (all: "Hi, Melissa!")"

To read more, go: here

Please go read my story on Faith's blog. It's going to be difficult for a lot of y'all to read, I'm sure. I only know this because it was difficult to write. I wish that y'all gain something from reading it though. I wish it encourages conversation. Most of all, I wish that if you do read it, it doesn't change your view of me. I'm still the same person.

BUT!
Don't go to Faith's little corner JUST yet. Y'all get to know Cassie from Sage the Blog a little better today. Cassie is one of my favorite bloggers that I've gotten the privilege to know. She's caring, funny, and really knows her stuff when it comes to blogging. Also, her love for Jesus is such an inspiration to me!
Shameless plug: she's also pretty clever when it comes to the new Adproval & she is even offering classes!

I'm happy to know Cassie, and I'm so happy that she's one of my Mama Llamas this month!
Take it away, Cassie!

Describe yourself in 4 words.
Authentic
Wife
Child-of-God (that works right? haha)
Motivated

I really love your blogging style. What made you start blogging? 
I started blogging because back in 2012 when I read a few blogs that really helped me learn who Jesus was and fall in love with him. I wanted to be that kind of inspiration, even if it was just for one person. 

You're a new addition to the crayon box. Which color would you be, and why?
PURPLE. Purple is just such a happy color, so why not?

What's the best advice you've ever gotten about blogging?
Don't force yourself to blog about something if you don't love it. Unless I am passionate about something, even a product, I won't write about it on my blog. My blog is a sacred space and I want it to represent my passions. 

What's your favorite movie quote?
I'm kind of in love with The Princess Diaries so definitely, "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all."

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
SUSHI! You can pretty much put anything in sushi, plus I really just like eating with chopsticks. It makes me feel so fancy. Am I alone?

No, you're not alone with the sushi, Cassie! lol.
Isn't she so much fun, y'all?

Want to get to know her better? Follow along:

instagram || blog || twitter || pinterest 

A Paper Airplane

My Heart's a paper airplane.

Got a paper airplane for a heart. 

Don't need no big propeller. 

Just a breeze to get my start. 

Just a breeze to get me up there. 

Feeling good, and light, and free. 

But it's just a paper airplane. 

So, don't get rough with me. 

'Cause if you go and step on it, 

Then my heart don't fly so well. 

And if you go and step on it, 

Can I fix it? I can't tell. 

I'll try to mend it, fix it up, straighten it up... 

And then?

Wait for the next breeze of love

To send it high again. 

Copyright: Bex Photos

You know how everyone has that really old book of poetry that usually stays hidden in your sock drawer... never to see the light of day? Well, that's where this came from. 

my poetry book. complete with gel pens

Today I'm linking up with Anne for Wednesday Wishes. 

I'm not making a wish though. I'm granting one this week. My IRL bestie Amanda wished for me to share more poetry, that's exactly what I'm doing today.  I do also wish that y'all have a fabulous day and don't be scared to share that poetry that's been hiding!

Fifteen in 2015

Y'all, I'm going to be super honest today. I have a LOT of blogging ideas written down, drafted, in my head, quite literally everywhere. However, there's a lot that I'm really not ready to share as of yet. This is where Cassie has come to my rescue with her "15 Blog Prompts for 2015"

I'll be the first to admit that I will pin to my little heart's desire on pinterest all day long. It's not nearly as organized as some other blogger's pinterest accounts might be. I try. I make new boards and everything, but I know it's still a mess. When I saw Cassie's prompt for trying new things, I immediately thought of my pinterest boards. I haven't done A SINGLE thing that pinterest has inspired me to pin. Sad, huh? Well, this is a new year and it calls for things to change around these neck of the woods. All of these are items I've pinned (via Pinterest) over the years.

Five New Foods:

1. Santa Fe Stuffed Peppers

2. Avocado Mashed Potatoes

3. Portobello Pizzas

4. Panko Coated Veggies

5. Cucumber Rolls

Five (hand-made) Gift Ideas:

1. Lip Gloss
2. Candy Flavored Vodka
3. Birthday Board (This would be perfect for my parents!)

4 & 5. Two different "gifts in a jar". This pin has 37 different recipes for gifts in a jar. Ranging anywhere from cake in a jar to pies in a jar. How fun, right? I will do at least two of these this year!

Five Crafts with the Kids:

1. Bubble Paint. 

2. Spaghetti Painting

3. Homemade Flubber!

4. Ice Cream in a Bag. This would be perfect for the outrageously hot Georgia Summer!

5. Snow globes. My kids love these and we can find them at the dollar store so easily, but how fun would it be to make them? It's settled. We're doing it!

Would you try any of these? Oh, and don't worry! As the year progresses and we do these, I WILL be updating the blog with any successes and/or failures. Because where's the fun if I don't, right?

In true Wednesday fashion,
I'm linking up with Anne for Wednesday Wishes.

My wish is that y'all help keep me accountable. Because obviously I can pin away but I may need a reminder or a nudge from someone saying, "hey, done any crafts with Ainsley lately?" haha! I also wish that y'all try something new this year as well! It's only February! We have all year to get out of our comfort zones and explore! Try that new recipe or redecorate your house!

Auld Lang Syne

Who else is in denial that today is the LAST DAY of the year? Yep. Me too. It's absolutely been a bumpy year for us. I'm fairly sure I say that every single year, because let's be honest y'all... who can recall a year that's gone 100% smoothly for anyone?

Yes 2014 has had its bumps and absolutely given me trials and plenty to pray about, but I really wouldn't change a thing. With 2015 quickly approaching, I say bring it on. I'm looking forward to what the new year has in store for us.
I tell y'all what, having my tribe... my blogging friends... has certainly made things much easier. Losing two jobs this year? Y'all were right there by my side, cheering me on... praying for me. Starting this blog has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. (Thanks, Amanda for talking me into it). I've learned a lot this year both in the blogging community and personally.

It's only fitting that the end of the year falls on a Wednesday.
This means I get to link up with Anne for Wednesday Wishes!

My wish goes out to all of my wonderful readers, my honorary llamas, my friends. I wish that 2015 brings you everything you want and more. Like I said, y'all have been nothing but the best for me especially when I needed you the most. I'm not going to name any names, but those that I'm talking to - you know who you are! I wish nothing but the best for all of y'all with this new year. I know it won't be easy, because let's face it, there will be bumps along the way.

That's what we have each other for though. We have each other to lean on, to support, to lift up. It warms my heart to know that. I wish that for those of y'all still in school it goes smoothly. For those in between jobs, I wish you find just what you're looking for (trust me- it's out there!). For those not sure what you're looking for, I wish that it finds you... whatever it may be!

Here's to an amazing new year, my friends! Happy New Year! See y'all on the other side!

Blow Out The Candles, Make a Wish

Y'all, time is flying for SURE. HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE! I wasn't really planning on showing up for the party today, but I thought given that this year is quickly coming to an end and my birthday is TOMORROW.

I've seen several "my year in review posts" floating around blog land. They've all been really great and fun to read. I thought about doing something similar, but it's Wednesday. On Wednesdays here in blog land we make wishes and link up with Anne @ Love the Here and Now. So I thought to myself, "Self, why not do a different review of sorts and look back on your old wishes"? <<accurate conversation in my head... in case you were wondering.

August: (The first month EVER I linked up with Anne. aawww)

• Wishes for sickness in the family (colds) to go away & A weekend pool party. Plus I did the Ice Bucket Challenge! 
• I Could Really Use a Wish Right Now. Wishes for cancer to just go away. (Warning, tear jerker alert!)

September: 

• Mom Confessions. Wishes for society to give moms some slack to where we don't have to "confess" that we gave the kids cookies for breakfast! 
• Love, Marriage & Children. Wishing my husband a happy anniversary & keeping a marriage going after kids 

October:

• Hating Sleep Regressing. Wishing that no one had it as bad as I did with Ainsley for 4 months STRAIGHT! 
• Rhymes with Zander. Wishes for my boy to always have the desire to learn new things. Even if those new things are "What rhymes with Pizza". 

November: 

• I'm Healthy I Promise. Wishes to get back into a regular workout routine. 
• Wishing the best for my amazing readers & A Happy Thanksgiving. I have a Lovely Blog! .

December: 

• Why you shouldn't get haircuts after drinking. Plus wishes for everyone to have a relationship with their mom (and aunt) like I have with mine. Because everyone needs a special family member to be close to! 
• Real haircut reveal. Wishing for regular haircuts in the future! 

And that brings us to today... 

Might I point out that this link up has been one of my favorites? I mean, obviously if I keep showing up each week (minus Monthly Musings weeks) 

Today I'm going to be semi selfish and make a wish for myself. Don't worry, it'll come true even though I'm sharing it with y'all. I'm wishing that my relationship with all of my blogging friends. My tribe. Continues to grow. This year has been amazing and the last half of it has been great because of y'all. I've learned a lot these last 26 years of life. Tomorrow I'll be 27, and I know I'll continue to learn and grow. My readers and blogging friends have helped me learn a lot too. I wish that we can all continue to learn and grow together. Y'all have truly made this place very special to me. I never knew how much I would love blogging until I grew into the communities. 

I'd also like to wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS. I won't say new year yet, because I'll be around next week. ;)

Rapunzel, Rapunzel - Let Down Your Hair

Y'all! I'm sure you saw this all over instagram and twitter and facebook if you're friends with me there, but I just have to over share. Last Friday I mentioned that I was getting a haircut last Saturday. Sure enough... I did!

Y'all, it has been since MAY that I've had a real haircut. Drunken Thanksgiving haircuts don't count. Even though my aunt took off a good inch and a half of dead / split ends. My hair needed help. Professional help. My Aunt basically forced me into making an appointment. Anywhere. After she cut my hair, the next day she gave me money as part of an early birthday present and said, "now you have no excuse not to go." Deal.

I started asking around to some of my new friends in the Monroe area. I knew for sure I wasn't going to Wal-Mart for a haircut, and Great Clips in Loganville was absolutely out of the question. I have had nothing but horrible experiences from Great Clips of any location. The polls said, "go to The Jagged Edge". So I made the appointment. Reluctantly. However, I'm so glad I did!!
The inside of the shop was SO CUTE! They sell purses and jewelry in the front part of the shop. Pictured below is my darling daughter photo bombing the pretty lobby setup.

Tamera was my stylist. I. LOVE. HER!!! I was very firm about what I wanted. (Keep as much length as possible, add more layers, THIN IT OUT!) Of course I didn't yell at her. I realize in numerous ways my demands requests are vague. "Keep the length"... but how short is too short when you want it long? "Thin it out" was probably the only clear demand request. Tamera did an AMAZING job though. I have to take my glasses off to get any sort of hair cut, so I was blind throughout the whole thing. I had to trust she knew what I meant. (PS y'all, I absolutely love the way hair salon products smell! My hair still smelt amazing on Sunday!)

Wet hair. about to get a trim! DUN DUN DUNNN!!!!

During the entire cut, Tamera and I talked about siblings, kids, Thanksgiving, Christmas. A lot. I'm a talker anyway, but it was so nice having a stylist that was a talker too. The last stylist I really loved (before Josh's cousin) was of Asian decent and barely spoke English. She still did an amazing job, but I never got to talk with her. So Tamera? Definitely my new girl. I'm absolutely impressed with her skills with the scissors, and she thinned my hair out just enough to where my pony tail isn't heavy but I still have enough to MAKE a pony tail! It's the little things, y'all.

So... even though most of y'all have already seen the finished product, I present to you: The big reveal! Obviously I had to find the most adorable "before" picture of me that was on the computer. As Kasey would say, #ImSoCute

The before:

The after:

Linking up with Anne for Wednesday Wishes.

My wish for today is that I don't ever go this long without a haircut again. I really love having long hair, and I was kind of bummed so much had to get cut. YES I still have the length and YES I absolutely love it. By getting regular trims I'll be able to KEEP it healthy. I also wish that everyone reading have an amazing rest of the week!
 

Drinking, Pie Eating, and Hair Cutting.

Not everyone has the best relationship with their mom, and that really makes me sad. My mom and I are super close. I love that I can call her anytime and we can sit and talk on the phone for a good long while. It's never a forced conversation "just because" I needed to call her. It's always a phone call because I had something funny or important to tell her.

Last week was Thanksgiving. (Duh, thanks captain obvious). My mom recently bought a new house, and she has TONS of room. My little brothers were going to be with their dad for Thanksgiving, and since my Aunt and Uncle from Wisconsin would be staying in the guest room, my mom offered for Josh, the Kids and I to stay in the other rooms on Wednesday night. UM! Yes please! Able to avoid driving on Thanksgiving AND get extra time with family? Heck yes!

me and my mommy! 

Did I mention my mom's side of the family likes wine? Clearly that's where I get it from. So Wednesday night after the kids were in bed the adults enjoyed some adult beverages. The guys were in the "man cave" watching army movies and the girls were upstairs gossiping. Wine in hand: my mom, aunt and I talked about everything. Failed relationships, current relationships, funny work stories. You name it- it was talked about. That night though we went to bed relatively early (11 pm) knowing we had to get up early to cook Thanksgiving food!
fast forward to Thursday night...
The family has come and gone. My little family of four is still lingering. My aunt says (with the excitement of a 4 year old) "Are you sleeping over again!?" I looked at Josh and we shrugged and said "SURE!" hahaha. Josh had to work Friday, so my mom washed the work clothes he'd worn on Wednesday. It all worked out.

We absolutely had a repeat of Wednesday night. Drinking wine, talking, and laughing. Only that night we stayed up much later. (12:30). Want to know what's NOT a great idea for something to do while drinking? Cutting Melissa's hair. But dang it... Melissa's hair got cut anyway. I've been needing a trim for Months. MONTHS. It was bad. I know it was bad. Apparently my aunt just couldn't stand looking at it. I'm not even sure why I let her trim it... but I did. Surprisingly it doesn't look bad. However, she also gave me money to go to the fanciest (ha) salon in Monroe to get the rest thinned out and fixed up. I wish there was video. The peanut gallery (Josh, my step dad, and uncle) thought it'd be more funny to watch and laugh though. They're so sweet.

Around midnight Thursday night, we decided that we needed pumpkin pie to absorb some of the wine.

We're such thinkers. It was so refreshing to me to be able to spend time with two wonderful women in my family like that. I feel so close to both of them, and I absolutely know I can tell them anything. (Even when wine is not involved). Both of these women have helped me in so many ways growing up and helping me become the woman that I am today.

Given that it's Wednesday, I'm linking up with Anne for Wednesday Wishes.

My wish is that everyone be able to have someone in their lives like my mom and aunt. Someone you can confide in. A family member with the closeness of a friend. Someone you can drink too many glasses of wine with and wake up at an ungodly hour to cook a turkey. (hehe).

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PLUS A REMINDER!!

In two weeks from today, December 17th, Lora and I will have another installment of Monthly Musings. This month, we're musing on Christmas! Tell us all about your holiday favorites. What do you love most about Christmas? We can't wait to see what everyone has to say. Here's the button if you want to go ahead and start planning!

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They Tell Me I'm Lovely

That's right, we're starting today with a little Glee. #noshame

Y'all, I'm really feeling the love around these parts of the web lately. First, Rebecca asked me to do the blog tour. THEN, Mary-Keith nominated me for the Liebster award. And NOW, Kasey AND Tabitha have nominated me for the One Lovely Blog Award. When did I get to be so loved, y'all? Thanks for thinking of me, everyone! Y'all just the sweetest! xoxo

Of course, per the norm there are rules that go along with this award.
The Rules Guidelines 

>> You must display the award logo at the top of your post

>> You must thank the person who nominated you and leave a link to their blog in your post

>> You must add these set of rules to your post so that your nominees will know what to do

>> You must add 7 facts about yourself into the post

>> You must nominate 7 other blogs and leave links to each of them in your post

>> You must let the people you have nominated know that they have been nominated

>> You must follow the person back who nominated you on Bloglovin' and GFC (if you have one)

So my seven facts. I feel like I've over-shared the randomness about me lately. I'm going to take the Kasey approach on this one and break the rules a smidge. I will only share three new random facts to prevent you from getting bored of my randomness! 

New Random fact # 1: I have legally owned a car for 12 hours before it got totaled. Can anyone beat that record? 
New Random fact # 2: I have had three jobs JUST in 2014. It does not beat my record of 4 jobs in one year (2007). Two of those I worked at the same time. 
New Random fact # 3: I enjoy watching some of the cartoons on Disney Channel, but I mostly tell people the kids are watching even when they're not in the room. 

For more random facts:

My About Me has been updated 

Me, Myself, and I: 7 quirks I have
Liebster Award: 11 Random Facts + Questions

And now for the nominees!

I thought I would break the rules here too since seven seems like an awful lot of bloggers to nominate, but surprisingly almost everyone I asked accepted. Will you pass the envelope please?
*drum roll*

Amanda / Knock On Wood
Kathy / Him & Me
Whitney / Southern Hope 
Allison / Peachfully Chic 
Lora / Heart of Life
Meagan / All the Joys
Elizabeth / Simply Complex Mom

And, Y'all. I didn't participate in Anne's Wednesday Wishes last week I couldn't miss out this week! My wish is for everyone to have an amazing Thanksgiving tomorrow. I wish you much happiness with your friends and families. I wish you eat way too much and regret nothing! I love all of my wonderful readers and amazing bloggy friends. I wish only the happiness for y'all. xoxoxo

I'm Healthy. I Promise...

Working out... we all know it's important to maintain a healthy body, right? Right. What about after you have kids? Uh, yes! Even more important to work out. You want to get your pre-baby body back, and you want your kids to follow in your footsteps to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Staying healthy isn't only limited to working out though. It's eating right too.

Maintaining A Healthy Lifestyle... With Kids!

Linking up with Christine, Brittany, and Ashley for Mama Tells All

Moms everywhere know this is probably the hardest thing in the world. Y'all probably use the same excuses that I do, "I'm too tired", "I'll walk that doughnut off after the kids are in bed", "One extra slice of pizza won't hurt anything". Next thing you know, you're wondering how the hell your jeans don't fit anymore.

Life tends to get in the way. We all know this. The first half of this year I went to the gym 6 out 7 days of the week. I lost a TON of my baby weight from having Ainsley. Then in June, I lost my job and couldn't justify the cost of having a gym membership. Since then it's been SUPER hard doing anything to work out. I'm one of those people that pretty much has to get out of the house in order to do some sort of cardio. I say I'll do the workout DVD's but I always ALWAYS end up watching TV with Josh, flat on my bum. However, I've managed to at least maintain the weight I've lost, and knock on wood, not gain anymore.

I contribute this to watching the way we eat at home. I cook all of our dinners. Sure we have the occasional pizza delivered, or the rare Chinese take out, but for the most part I cook. Yes, I have to hide veggies from the kids in order to get them to eat them, but dang it they eat them!

I'm very lucky that my kids prefer to play outside. This helps with my maintaining my weight as well. We're a household that's a firm believer in playing in the dirt! When we're outside, I encourage the kids to dig in the dirt. I offer them to look at the bugs. We take nature walks. We stay active as a family, and I know this is teaching the kids healthy habits. Sure we have candy and treats in the house, but the kids know "only in moderation"... well, maybe not the big word, but they know they're not having treats all day long. If Zander really wants something sweet, I cut up apples and let him dip them in peanut butter. Such a yummy snack!

This is the last week for the Mamas Tell All linkup (insert sadface here!), and per my norm:
 I'm linking up with Anne for Wednesday Wishes as well.

This week, I wish I have the will power and strength to get back into my workout routine. I know I need to, I just need the extra push. I wish my husband gives me the encouragement I need to continue working out. I wish my kids continue to grow with a healthy mentality and continue to love playing outside. I wish other moms out there encouragement to maintain their healthy lifestyles as well!

AND!!! Don't forget! Next Wednesday starts the Monthly Musings linkup with me and Lora! The theme this month is what we're Thankful for for this month. Each month will have a different theme. The idea is to focus on the better parts of our lives! We can't wait to see what everyone is Thankful for!