Memories

Well. It's time. 

Time to get rid of an old friend.........

My sister gave me this glider and it has gotten a ton of use over the past two and half years. We rocked Colbi almost every night in this thing (we still rock and sing for a few minutes before bed). I have so many good memories of rocking her a baby in this glider. Singing and praying for her. But, it's time to say goodbye. We have literally rocked it until it doesn't rock so well anymore. I'm sad, but I know it's one of the many things that will not make it to the next season of our lives. Colbi is growing and pretty soon, it'll be the big girl bed transition. (Do not even get me started, I'm terrified she will be one of those end-up-in-our-bed-every-night kids. We are not the co-sleeping type. #ilikemyspace #shelikestokickmeintheface). 

Our changing table has turned into the shoe shelf. HA! I'll have to put this away too, but we are keeping it (just in case, no I'm not pregnant!). 

It goes by so quickly, but I will cherish the memories of rocking my sweet girl to sleep. It's hard to believe she was even small enough to fit on that table! 

Friday Favorites

I thought I'd share a few of my favorites things as of lately. I always love new products, shows, and clothes I find because someone else loved them! I also get a lot of questions on hair products, so I'm share just a few of the ones I'm loving lately.

This is one of my all time favorite shampoos. It smells AMAZING (if you're anything like me, you buy based on smell!). This is a sulfate free shampoo for color treated hair. The sulfate free part is important for two reasons. #1 If you have a Brazilian Blowout, you need sulfate free to prolong your blowout. #2 Color is often stripped when using shampoos that are not sulfate free and aren't specifically for color treated hair. Color shampoo helps that color you paid for last longer without lifting out of the hair. (P.S. If you do color your hair, stay away from clarifying shampoos. These are designed to rid your hair of impurities, including your color). Also, this sulfate free shampoo lathers. Most don't. And that annoys me. 

Small Talk is by TiGi. They also have a new one similar to this in a yellow bottle. Both are awesome, but the yellow one adds some "shine". This is for volume. I recommend it for us fine haired people, because it can go all over. Most people with medium to thick hair just need product on their root area, since they aren't trying to lift everything. 

Stitch Fix is a great idea. You sign up and can schedule when you want your fix, unlike other sites that make you sign up monthly. You pay $20 for a stylist fee and answer questions so they know what styles you prefer. You tell them your price range (I did cheaper is better) and they send you five items. It can be pants, jewelry, shirts, scarves, etc. Shoes aren't included. Joy styled my Stitch Fix and there was only one thing I wasn't in love with. I got three shirts, one pair of pants, and a necklace. If you buy all five, your $20 goes towards your purchase and you receive a discount for keeping all five. They include a prepaid bag to send back any items you don't want to keep. It's a really cool idea, especially if you like "one of a kind" items. But, it's definitely more costly than I would normally spend on clothes. 

Finally, our new indulgence. We are obsessed. My sisters kept talking about it and I was like, "Yeah, yeah another zombie series". Dude, it's awesome. Sometimes the show can be slow, but what series can't be. It's gruesome and bloody, so it's taking us longer to watch than in our "pre-Colbi" days of doing marathons on the couch. We are in season two and LOVE it. 

I also watched True Detective and that was another favorite. Matthew and Woody were yummy, for different reasons obviously. HA!

I also read Amy Poehler's new book, Yes Please. I'm now in love with her, like more than before. I've been a Parks and Recreation fan since day one, but her book is just.....funny. She shares a little more info than I would, mainly because her kids are going to read it one day. Some secrets should stay secrets, ya get me? It's funny, heart grabbing, insightful, and enjoyable. I really, REALLY liked chapter four. She talks about the inner demons us women carry around about our looks. It's a must read. 

Anything you are reading, using, watching, or eating I should know about? I'd love to hear them!

Thankful Thursday

I am so incredibly thankful for this little person. She keeps me on my toes and her laugh if infectious. Life is so much better when she is around! Happy Thursday! Hope you find a little joy in today! 

2015. The year of Compassion.

We had a really nice Christmas and New Year! What about you?!

I have to say though, I'm glad its over. The holidays are always a busy time, not only with family obligations but work for me is, well.....BUSY. And, I'm not complaining! Please don't think I am. I do feel like I am able to breathe again. And, hopefully, find some time to start working out again! That has been on the back burner for a few weeks now and I feel yucky!

I've been thinking about the new year. I don't do resolutions, let's face it, they are like diets. They stay with us for a few days and then, when temptation creeps in, we fail. Sometimes it's after a few days, sometimes a few weeks, and sometimes we actually make it to the middle of the year. I've contemplated what things I really want to focus on for the new year (besides the typical loose weight, have a daily quiet time, etc). One of the main things I keep thinking about it, one of the things I severely lack, one of the things I know I need work on, is in the area of compassion. I admit it. I am not a compassion person in the least. And sometimes, that really erks me. 

After attending church (on the regular) for some time now, our pastor is always really big on change it seems. Change within yourself, living life the way Jesus calls us to live, and without looking back. Living a life that calls us to serve, because that's how we grow. Compassion, I believe, isn't something all people are born with. Let's face it, we need people in this world that look us in the face and say, "Buck up, life ain't that hard. You can beat this. You can save your marriage. You can loose the weight. Your appearance isn't everything....etc, etc." With that said, my heart needs to be softened some. 

I think it's not necessarily that I'm not compassionate, I think I border more on "life is hard, there are things we don't want to to do but have to do them anyway" type of attitude. We all have choices, some of us make good choices, other's don't. The ones who live their lives always following rules and never make "that" choice are no better than the ones who do.

 *Just so you know, I'm the rule follower, never do anything that will get me into trouble type of gal. Some say this life is boring, I'd have to agree to a degree.*

Jesus doesn't love any one of us more than another. So all the bible toting, holier than thou people can chill. That doesn't get you into heaven. We are only allowed in through Jesus Christ, who paid for all the sins we would ever commit. 

(Sidenote: I'm not meaning for this to be preachy, I just feel like compassion and the big man upstairs go hand in hand. You get me?)

The definition of compassion is this: 

sympathetic and pity of concern for the suffering or less fortune of others

Think about that. Isn't this exactly what Jesus taught us in so many stories throughout the bible? He showed other's compassion, and you know what, without JUDGEMENT. That's the biggest one. How can you show compassion without enabling, be compassionate without feeling inferior, and compassionate without screaming at the top of your lungs, "Life is a wonderful gift! Start being thankful and live it!" 

I am vowing to start living with a more compassionate outlook. To try and help those people who need it, without feeling like I have a right to tell them how to live or what to do just because I helped them. To find opportunities to teach Colbi what compassion is about. To learn how to be a better listener for those who need it. And, to understand, that it's going to be a conscious effort. I pray that God allows to soften me some, to show me that in a world that terrifies me at times, there are still people who thrive in having and showing compassion for others. 

I challenge you, all four of who still read my blog, to find something that you need to change about yourself. For the better. For the greater good. Or even, to make your household a much more peaceful place.  

Peace out 2014. Onto a new year, with new challenges and new "firsts".