Love

Love 

What's 5 things, people, places you love? 

#1 

Family

I'm so in love with my family. I'm not kidding when I say that we have our tiffs or the times we scream at each other. I wouldn't trade a single moment with these clowns, I wouldn't. Every fight and every obstacle has made us so much stronger and forever closer. We understand what buttons not to push or what restaurants we all hate. I remember telling someone about an upcoming visit and sharing what we typically do. They were a little confused, because the boys separate from the girls and we really don't see them again until the trip is just about over. Sure, I love my brothers and brother in laws, but girl time rocks! I'm known as the crazy aunt, the aunt that isn't afraid to spank you or the aunt that will wake you up at 6 am to see if you want to go get donuts or the time I jumped on my niece to help wake her up. Ah, good memories. 

 I could tell you story after story of this crazy bunch. We are so loud and fearless. I love getting those random texts from my niece showing me her new dress, or getting the random pictures from my brother & SIL. How about the moments where you literally sit for hours and talk about nothing or everything. I never thought we'd be so scattered throughout the world - yes, I have a sister who lives out of the country, but we make it work. I pretty much can't sleep the night before a family trip - way to excited! We see each other about 5 times a year and it's always a blast. I can't wait to see everyone in June! 

 #2 

Life 

I'm not sure what C and I did to deserve the life we have. I know for me, my life growing up wasn't amazing, but it was fun. I never knew we were poor and I never went hungry, so I'd say my life was pretty grand growing up. Then adult life brought on some crazy choices and bad decisions. I have had the privilege of seeing a lot of the world, to experience a lot of goodness and to help others too. Sometimes I find myself thanking God for things I take for granted. The water that comes out when I turn a handle,  the car that starts when I turn the key, the job I have that allows me to be at home almost every night or refrigerator that holds more food than I could or should ever consume. 

What I love the most about life, is that everyone gets to make their life. We all choose our roads, our paths and we face the consequences - good or bad. I love when people tell me life isn't fair. It's not, but aren't we glad it's not? What if we actually got what we deserve? I'm grateful for God's grace that doesn't allow me to get what I actually deserve. I love how life offers obstacles and the test is seeing how we overcome these obstacles. 

 

 

 #3 

Oklahoma

Yup, I'm pretty obsessed with everything about Oklahoma. I love going home and seeing familiar places and people. I love the feeling of excitement when OU plays or when the Thunder advances onto the next round of the playoffs. Gosh, I love Oklahoma. One thing I don't miss is the weather. The storms are pretty neat to watch, but can also turn very dangerous, very quickly. I remember sitting on our front porch and watching a tornado form miles away. I can also remember waking up to sirens, hail hitting my windows or the sounds of wild winds. I'm pretty sure that's why I take weather alerts seriously. I have never taken them lightly and sure, I get teased, but when you've seen destruction, in person, not just on TV, you don't take it lightly.

 

Today marks an anniversary of a horrific tornado that killed 24 people in Moore. I remember watching the news and seeing the school, the homes all destroyed. I also remember seeing people travel miles and days to provide aid for those in need. Today I remember the lives lost & pray for peace. 

One Oklahoma 

One Love 

Oklahoma Strong  

 #4 

Baking & Cooking

I'll admit I don't cook or bake as much as I would like to. I'm either enjoying the weather outside, enjoying a TV show or being lazy bones jones. Nothing beats a homemade chocolate pie or eating homemade fajitas. That's why I like to cook or bake, because it's easy and it's so tasty! A recipe is amazing because it sets the tone for you to start and then you get to add a little of your own zest to the meal, making it your own. I remember my mom cooking every day and smelling the goodness! I also remember my mom doing something I rarely see these days... she rarely used salt to cook. She seasoned her dishes with lemon or some other great tasting goodness! I'm so glad my mom took the time to show me some of her techniques! I pray Baby M shares our passion for baking and cooking! 

 

#5 

Target 

What happens when you move less than a mile from an amazing Target? You forget about any other store. If Target doesn't have it, Mercedes doesn't need it. 

C jokes around with me all the time and asks me, "What store would you love to win a shopping spree at?" He knows my answers so he always laughs when my eyes glaze over and I don't answer the question, instead I tell him what isle I could do the most damage on. I love the fact that Target has amazing clearance deals, great fountain drinks and the online shopping is also a plus. I read about people going to Target on their lunch break and I can't imagine. Running in and out of Target is not on my agenda & I can't even comprehend how one does so. 

Alright Party Peeps, be kind & enjoy today!