You know what day it is...



Yes, it's hump day, which means...     • Our little town was dead last night, and I use the term dead seriously, because if you believe in that zombie crap, you would have been freaking out! I couldn't help but snap a quick picture. There were no cars on the road, no cars at any of the grocery stores, no cars at any restaurants. I seriously considered calling the hubs on the drive through town to make sure there wasn't some plague I hadn't heard about yet!  

    • My mom is doing fabulous! Praise God always, in all ways! Unfortunately I live in the real world where I have to work for a living (it's a shame) so I can't be at the hospital all the time, but thank goodness for FaceTime I got to talk to her first thing this morning. She was awake, giddy, and talking!  

 

Yes, I was doing some major cheesing, but I was just so darn happy to see a smile on her face!

 

• That moment when you are so sad at the loss of someone you have never even met...Kidd Kraddick

I have listened to Kidd for years, all throughout high school, into my 20s. I am at such a loss of words for how sad and emotional it is. It's amazing to hear the outpouring of messages on his FaceBook page, and the Kidd Kraddick website. He has touched a lot of lives.

 

• This Christmas I want to "foster" a family if you will. I would like to buy toys for their children, maybe buy mom and dad some much needed items (i.e. toiletries, shaving cream). Is there a website or charity that anyone is familiar with for me to do this?

 

• I have realized this past weekend, that my obsession with pink is ridiculous and I may need to seek help for it. I went to Victoria's Secret and bought two new shirts, both pink. Ordered a clutch online, yep, you guessed it pink...it has to stop.

 

• My aunt who lives in Florida, is coming up this weekend to visit with us and see her sister, my mom. I am beyond excited as I haven't seen her in months.

 

• My little family is going out tonight with another little family for dinner. It's these little things that keep me sane, speaking to other adults who aren't my husband. It grounds me, I think everyone needs this from time to time.

 

xo

 

 

 

 

     

Been There, Baked That {Pinterest}

For years I have been pinning delicious looking treats on my "Yum" board to Pinterest.

Over the weekend, with mom being in the hospital and me needing a much needed sweet fix, I went to the Pinterest board and started baking. With my weekend bake fest and items I've done in the past I figured I'd share with you what was worth baking and what was worth deleting off of Pinterest...

 

These are pretty good for a simple, sweet snack, however the m&m is overkill for me, as I am not a chocoholic like some. But the mixture of salt and sugar is amazing!

 

The above is a recipe for French Cruellers with a honey glaze on top.

These were absolutely amazing! I will definitely bake these again, however, the batter was not thick enough, for me, to pipe them into the beautiful design above, so instead I spoon dropped them into the hot oil and drizzled with the honey glaze. It was like eating a delicious cloud!

 

 

I have yet to find a recipe for a good mac-n-cheese. Hence the word yet, granted this could be user error, but it came out way to gritty, overall, no bueno!

 

Crockpot Cubed Steak in gravy, has become part of our weekly meal plan. I am so glad that I found this recipe, it's absolutely delicious served over rice or mashed potatoes.

 

Cream Cheese & Sugar Mints is a recipe that I have been dying to try for a while, however, I should have just deleted. They are far too sweet, and if you don't coat them in the granulated sugar at the end, they have a strong cream cheese taste to them. I'm glad I tried, but I won't make them again.

 

This is simple. You coat a strawberry into marshmallow fluff and then scorch until you burn the marshmallow, delicious? Absolutely. But even better is mixing a block of cream cheese with an entire can of marshmallow fluff, using that as a fruit dip for strawberries, or any type of fruit! Amazing!

 

This was also pinned to my "yum" board...

 

...there are no words! :)

 

xo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Friday Five

 

 

 

{one}

 

If you haven't heard, my mom is in the hospital in ICU. She was progressively getting worse, but as of last night she has taken a turn for the better. She's up talking, eating, and drinking, and if all goes well should be moved into a regular room by Sunday. God is good!

 

Please continue prayers for her!

 

{two]

 

Fall can't get here soon enough. I am so ready to wear tall boots and sweaters!

 

 

Right now you can buy that shirt at Target for $20

 

 

 

 

 

 

{three}

 

Slouchy {off shoulder} tops! Anything that shoes a little shoulder, I automatically want.

I am so in love with these items!

 

 

 

 

 

I have a love hate relationship with Pinterest. I love all of the great items, but every single time I click on the photo to go and buy or look at the product, it never has the original link, and you can never find out where it originated from to purchase. It's ridiculous and infuriates me!

 

I do however know that the blue off shoulder sparkly sweater above is from Victoria's Secret, but it was last years collection. They still have them, but they no longer sell in that color or print.

 

{four}

 

 

I have been trying to let my hair grow out for some time now. It grows very slowly and getting the dead ends trimmed one month ago was awful, because although my stylist only took an inch off, it felt like four! It's now starting to grow more quickly because of the health trim, and this photo reminds me to never cut my hair! Excluding the very first picture, I have had my hair every style in this portrait. My favorites, is by far, the very last one, I feel like it will take me 3 years to get it to that point...here's hoping!

 

{five}

 

It's Friday! Nuff said!

xo

 

 

 

 



 

A Picture Worth 1000 Words (Prayers Needed)

 

 

Yesterday afternoon my dad called me and invited us over for dinner. Of course I said yes, because who can ever pass up Lowcountry Boil? {For those who don't know, it's shrimp, corn, and sausage, it's a Lowcountry favorite and a southern staple, not to mention delicious}

 

An hour passed after the phone call and it was off work for this gal. As soon as I backed out of my parking spot, my husband called me, he began the phone call with, "Don't freak out..."

 

I'm not sure why, but those 3 little words do the exact opposite to me, than what they state to do, because my mind starts racing a mile a minute and I come up with 100 different nightmares in my mind. Daughter is sick, daughter broke her arm, daughter is bleeding, daughter cut her finger off, they got in a car wreck, one of my siblings is hurt, mom's breathing is bad and she's getting rushed to the ER. Within those mere seconds between "Don't freak out, and him explaining what's going on, I literally had 100 terrible thoughts, and sure enough I was right on one of them.

 

As mentioned before my mother has severe COPD, Emphysema, and Chronic Bronchitis. Which is basically where she has to do breathing treatments every 3 hours of her life, excluding sleeping, and is on medications that equal to $800 per month. She has her good days and her bad days, and yesterday was an awful day.

 

Once my husband told me those words, he said that within 45 minutes mom was fine, and then she wasn't. She was gasping for air and my dad, along with his sister  and brother-in-law (my aunt and uncle) rushed her to the hospital. They admitted her right away, and she is now in the hospital.

 

We live one hour away from the hospital. I work 30 minutes away from the hospital, so as soon as the hubs called me I went straight there and even beat them there. I helped my mom out of the car and into the wheelchair and got her all checked in, along with my dad. My aunt and uncle waited in the waiting room on the rest of our family members to get there.

 

Prayers are needed for our family. You never know with this disease if it's going to progress into something worse. Last year, it literally put her on her death bed, through prayers and the help of the doctors she survived. I remember going to work that day while she was in the hospital, in a regular room getting treatment, and then that phone call, calling in all family members to say our goodbyes.

 

It was by far one of the worst days of my life. Thankfully she pulled through, and here we are again.

I pray it doesn't get near as bad as it did last year. I pray the doctors and nurses and staff can help ease her pain and anxiety and breathing. I pray for my dad because I can't imagine the pain he is felling.

 

They have been married for 46 years. For 46 years he has loved this woman, been by her side, and never left it, last night was a prime example. I snapped this picture, and it says it all.

 

 

For those that do not believe in soul-mates, well they obviously have never met my parents. They may bicker and argue. Fuss and fight, but they also love unconditionally, for better for worse, and in sickness and in health. People today who take marriage so lightly, should take a lesson from these two. I sure do. The days when I look at my husband and feel like strangling him or leaving, I remember that is not how I was raised, I take a breath, and then think of my parents.

 

 

 

 

Fall Y'all

This morning I woke up, brushed my teeth, slapped some makeup on my face, plugged my straightener in, and while waiting for that bad boy to warm up, went to find my work clothes for the day....

 

...there they were, my slim fit khakis. I know what you're thinking, khakis? Like back to school uniform khakis? Yes, but the way I like to dress them up, completely transforms them for me. There is nothing like putting on my khakis, along with my tall brown fall boots. In my eyes, topped with a nice blouse, it's a complimentary work outfit. Alas, it's  a fall look, and mid-July I don't think I could pull it off...ugh!

 

I am so ready for fall. It's my all time favorite part of the year. Crisp cool mornings followed by perfect 75 degree afternoon weather. Bonfires, Carolina football, sweaters, and more.

 

Can't wait...

 



Weekend Recap

 

 

 

Friday night the hubs and I went and watched my bro-in-laws band play at a local bar in the Lowcountry. It was a perfect summer southern night spent with friends. We went with another couple and had a good time. We ate at my fave restaurant (since I made the plans) even though other's in the group didn't like it...oh well #OliveGarden

 

As usual, dinner was delicious. We had some time to spare prior to the band starting so we hit up the outlet stores, where I picked up a wristlet for the ole iPhone...basically you have your phone where you can still see whose calling or texting, but it's kept safely inside a case, along with your cash, cards, ID, etc...it definitely came in handy, except for when, after 3 Vodka Cranberry's in, I couldn't figure out why taking pictures were so dark. Duh! Open up the case before taking a pic!

Everyone at the table, myself included, had a good laugh.

 

 

Saturday morning we headed to the library and turned in the Princesses book list, which is basically a list of books she has read over the Summer. She completed her list, got her name on the wall, and her prize. She was so excited!

 

Saturday evening the hubs went to a work get-together with the guys and the Princess and I headed over to my parents for some QT and picture book flipping...check out this pic of me and my dad.

 

It snowed in SC, can you believe it?!

 

Sunday we spent relaxing, swimming at the pool, and finding out that our new kitten Pearl, is in fact, a boy. Princess came up with the new name all by herself, Hunter. Hunter will still continue to wear his pink collar. Real Men Wear Pink, right?

 

xo

 

 

 



My nephews Testimony

This past Sunday at Church, my 16 year old nephew shared his testimony, I am so proud of him and wanted to share his wonderful story of how he found Jesus, with all of you:

 

 

Hey, my name is Dean, some of you know me, and some of you don’t. I don’t have a fancy opening line like everyone else, but I felt completely overwhelmed to share my testimony, so here it goes…

 

I was born to a regular family. Other than being partially hearing impaired, my life, all in all, was your average, middle age family, life, and it was great. My hearing was nothing that ever held me back, and after learning to cope with it, it became natural to me. Devin, my younger brother, was born when I was 3, literally, to the date. He, my dad, and I all share the same October birthday.

 

The year Devin turned one, and I turned 4, he got a cold that he couldn’t fight off. After weeks of medications and examinations, he finally got better. Two weeks after his recovery, the doctors called my parents with the test results they did on him while he was sick. That is when they established that Devin had a disease, autoimmune deficiency disorder, which is basically when the common cold or virus, that most people get annually during flu season, could kill him.

 

We had to completely go into isolation, to prevent the spread of germs. Basically, we were stuck inside our home, excluding short trips to the grocery store, and me going back and forth to school.

 

Being so young I didn’t understand the seriousness of his disease. I continued to go to school up until my 5^th grade year. In the middle of the school year, Devin got sick from a cold that I had picked up while going to school. I was maturing at that time and now understood how my going to school was somewhat effecting his life. My parents sat me down, and we all made the decision for me to start getting home schooled.

 

After months of isolation, and routine doctor visits, Devin was somehow, in remission from his disease. My parents decided that both, Devin and I, could go to school to have that social experience that most kids have. The first three months of school were amazing. We attended school, ate lunch in the lunchroom, played on the playground, and all in all enjoyed our school experience. When December rolled around, and the temperature in the air started to change, so did Devin.

 

He got sick again, but this time it was worse, he was not getting better and they had to admit him into the hospital. Devin’s disease was back. He and I had to be pulled out of school.

 

It was then I went into a depression. I felt like it was never going to end.  I was emotionally and physically exhausted. Between not being able to have what seemed like a normal life, I let my emotions get the best of me, and became very rude to others, and that is not at all who I am or how I was raised.

 

Once things settled down for us and we got back into our normal isolation, home-schooled, routine. My parents, along with the doctors, established that our life would be 6 months on and 6 months off.

 

Similar to the way retired people live. In the winter they come down for 6 months and stay in either South Carolina or Florida, when summer hits, they return to their homes up North.

 

Our life was similar in the fact that during the winter we would be kept in isolation, but when spring and summer rolled around we would be able to get out more. During the spring we decided to start looking for Church’s, so both Devin and myself could get some social interaction.

 

After attending a few Church’s, we ended up going to Ridgeland Baptist one Sunday morning. My dad, who plays guitar, was helping with the music from time to time, and we attended to see how we fit in with the Church family there. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience.

 

We liked our Sunday mornings at RBC that we started to attend Wednesday night service. We made friends and it wasn’t long we felt comfortable with our new Church family.

 

Annually, the RBC youth group attends a youth conference in Daytona Beach, Florida. Due to financial hardships because of doctor examinations and hospital bills we were never able to attend.

 

This year however, we pinched our pennies and were able to go. The first day and night went by and it was fun, I didn’t really take anything seriously, but was enjoying myself. The second day came and I felt myself becoming a bit emotional, because the sermon the preacher spoke about that day responded so closely to me and my life. By the time day 3 rolled around thoughts were swirling in my mind, and on the 3^rd night, a close friend of mine shared his testimony with me.

 

He explained at how the end of his testimony he became saved. I have always had God on my side and he has always provided for our family and gotten us through hard times during Devin’s sickness, but it wasn’t until that night while lying in bed, that I really thought if I had ever truly accepted him into my life, and really become saved?

 

The day before we were to leave to go back home, the preacher once again preached a sermon that was closely related to my life, almost like he knew me personally, and was pointing directly at me. He talked about being saved, it was then the emotions escaped me and I knew what I needed to do.

 

After the final Thursday night sermon, we went back to our hotel to start getting prepared to return home, when Aunt DeAnne gave us all an opportunity to share our testimonies one last time during our trip. People were sharing theirs, and I had a debate in my head on whether or not I should share mine, whether I should tell my secrets of all the feelings I had, and that’s when I came to the conclusion, that God wants me to share my regrets, my hardships and my struggles. I never thought I would share these feelings with anyone.

 

Everyone was staring at me, I stood silently, staring at the ground, and after I let out all of my emotions and my story, I knew I was ready to be saved. I wanted the Lord, Jesus to come into my heart.

 

The next day I felt completely different, like a rough storm had passed through. All the weight I had carried all those years was lifted off my shoulders, and before we left Daytona, I got baptized in the ocean to finalize my salvation.

 

It’s with this I can say proudly: I AM SAVED!!!

 

I could not be more proud of him!

I love you Dean!

 

xo

 



Friday Five



 

 

 

{one}

 

Hello all, my name is Miranda, and I am addicted to koozies.

For real people, I am a koozie collector. Some people collect coins, not this girl!



You can't see the entire pile here, but so far I have at least 30, and today I ordered 3 more!

As soon as I get the finished project, I'll be sure and share!



{two}

Tonight is our first date night (the entire night) that we have had in a while and I am so excited about it. We try and have date nights often, but at the end we go and pick up our princess, but tonight mom offered to keep her all night long. Don't get me wrong, I love our little girl, but nights out are much needed. The hubs and I are going with another couple to watch my brother in laws band play.
The band just got back from Nashville after recording and shooting their first all music video. Which is the video that just shows them playing music, no story line behind it, that's yet to come.





{three}   It's been a long time since I've gone skeet shooting, and let me just say, I'm pretty damn good at it. I literally went skeet shooting for the first time last year. Either I'm lucky or a bad ass because I caught on pretty quick. The last time we all went, out of 50 skeet I only missed 2! For just starting last year, I give myself props! Here is the first time I ever shot a skeet, so glad I got it on video!    

      {four}   I'm ready for Christmas! Now that we have officially passed the half way mark to it, it can't come fast enough! Lights, decorations...     {five}   It's Friday, need I say more?     xo  

 

7 minutes in Heaven

I'm sure each of you has heard the game 7 Minutes in Heaven. It's mostly played at tween parties with your 13 year old friends. If you're not familiar it's where two people are chosen to go in a closet together and do whatever, mostly PG13 type stuff...

 

 

...as an adult it has a completely new meaning to me. My alarm clocks goes off bright and early at 6:40 each morning, and the snooze button goes off in increments of 7 minutes. Those 7 minutes are pure bliss and I love them. Amazing!

 

**********

 

I have always wanted to go on a road trip. The fact that my nephew is doing one right now, all the way across country to California, doesn't make it any easier for me. I've always dreamed of taking a week or two off of work, traveling out West and seeing all the sights. Wouldn't it be amazing? To see so many different places that you've dreamed of or read about.

 

via

 

via

via

 

via

 

To-Do List for the Road Trip:

 

Air Boat in the Louisiana Bayou

Real Rodeo in Texas

Grand Canyon in Arizona

Dip my toes in the Pacific and cruise Los Angeles

Vegas - need I say more?

Meet Kellan Kyle in Seattle!

 

**********

 

 It's Hump Day!

 



  xo  

 

Weekend Catch Up



 

 

Most of the weekend was spent relaxing, reading, and sitting underneath the porch, watching it rain, because that's pretty much, what it did, all weekend long. So much so that our family pictures we had planned for Sunday, had to get cancelled. Not to mention our photographer is mucho preggers

so our little photo session has to be held off until Fall.

 

Glass half full thinking - Fall is my favorite time of the year, so that's OK!

Patience is a virtue!

 

For Mother's Day, my little family takes my mom out to dinner. I look forward to it because it's great one on one time for the 3 in my family, to get to spend with her. Well Mother's Day was a while back, but we got to finally treat her this weekend.

 

 

Of course I get 0 pictures of my mom and I, too busy engulfing the delicious Italian food at Carrabba's, but I did manage to snap some random ones!

 

The tilapia was delicious!

 

On the ride home, amidst all the rain, we saw a beautiful rainbow!

 

 

Throughout the weekend we looked through old pictures. This is the hubs and I during our dating years. My dad had taken us fishing, it was one of the first times we fished together. It's amazing to see the transformation we have made, both physically and emotionally. In my opinion both of us look completely different now.

 

 

If you've not read before, we pretty much live on a farm with my dads chickens running around. Well the hen hatched six beautiful baby chicks over the weekend. They are so precious!

 

 

I may get some heat for this, but I am not a cat person, however Pearl, the newest member of our family, is slowly, but surely, convincing us otherwise. She is so fluffy and playful, and the Princess adores her!

 

My little brother nephew and his friends are on a two week road trip visiting California. He sent me this pic yesterday of the Pacific ocean. As of yesterday they arrived in Los Angeles, and from what I gather are spending a few days there before traveling upstate California to see more. I am SO jealous and immediately sent him a text telling him to pick me up at LAX, I've yet to hear a response!

Hmm..?

 

 

Now I see why there are so many surfers in California, look at those waves! Here on the East coast, we do not have waves like that, and when we do there's normally a hurricane at see.

 

**********

 

I have a HUGE question for all of you and need your opinion. My uncle lives in Boston, MA. I have never been further than Tennessee, and have always wanted to see the beautiful streets of Boston. He is asking that the family come up to him for Thanksgiving, since we rarely see each other due to distance. For certain reasons my mom, nor my husband can go. My aunt and her two grown sons, who live in Florida are driving up, and as of yet, no one else I know of is going in my immediate family, which leads me to this question...essentially I would have to fly by myself. I have never, in my life, been in a plane before and am terrified at the thought. Once I got to Boston I would be with my aunt, so it's not like I'd have to parade around the streets by myself, but the thought of flying alone, scares me to death - call me a chicken shit, I know!

 

So, would you go to a place you've always wanted to see, even if you had to travel 16 hours alone?

 

xo