Vote.

Hey Y'all! I'm trying to decide which image I should use as my blog button.

Let's vote. The one with the most votes is the one i'll use!




Comment with your favorite. I'll leave voting open until Monday Morning.

"

Start With Intention

   I don't know about you but i'm not a morning person. At all. I immediately grab my phone and check Facebook & Instagram and lay there in bed for an extra 10 minutes while doing so. Then I stumble down stairs, power up the t.v. and lap top, make a cup of coffee and sit in a glazed over state on the couch for an hour while I watch Kelly & Michael and surf the web. Then I find myself feeling rushed  and un-settled all. day. long.

   I've decided that's no way to start off the day so I decided that today was the day I was changing that. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm still sitting here on the couch at 9:30 in the morning watching Kelly & Michael because I love them so but i've started living intentional this morning. I've already done so much that I'm not in that glazed over state of mind. I'm in a much more cheerful, clear, happier state of mind.

   My morning started off with a text message from my sister in law around 8. I grabbed my phone, looked at the message and started to check social media but decided against it. I put it back down and instead decided to pray. My mornings start off so much better when I spend that quiet time being thankful for everything i've been blessed with and praying for the health and happiness of my loved ones. After that I did make my way downstairs, turn on the t.v., power up the computer, and started a cup of coffee then I opened up the back door and fed the squirrels a handful of peanuts.

I sat down on the couch, computer in lap, Golden Girls on t.v. and instantly got a good morning message from my sweet friend Candi. I chatted with her for a minute then decided I was going to start yoga this morning. I saw a yoga challenge for the month on Instagram and decided that was the one I was going to start with. So I pulled it up on my iPad and did the challenge while watching Golden Girls. Win! Win! It's amazing how much better I feel now that i've started with those simple changes to my morning.

I'm going to stop going through the motions of life, doing just what has to be done and start being more intentional about it. I think if we all do this our days will be so much better. Happiness is a choice we all have the ability to make so go out there and Choose Happiness!!

How do you live intentionally?


For more inspiration
Follow lightandlotus.




"

Weekending & Monday Motivation

We all know the #icanteven hashtag. We've all been there, we've all used it or at least saw (or heard) someone else use it. Yeah, today #icanteven. I can't even get motivated. I have a super case of the Mondays and I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I had an amazing weekend (we'll re-cap that in a minute) so that's definitely not the cause of my lack of motivation. In fact, it's just the opposite. Since my fiance and I started living together I get the worst case of the Mondays ever, it's way worse when it's the school year because my sweet son is gone all day, too. Lately I've had enough to keep me occupied on Monday, I guess, because it's not been as bad but today, for whatever reason, it's through the roof. It's a "don't mind me, i'm going to sit on the couch in my sweats kinda day." I feel drained in every possible way, like there's not enough coffee in the world today. I don't even want coffee, which is really unusual for me. I almost wish it would storm so I could have a legit excuse not to go anywhere.

Anyway, with that little bit off my heart and out of my head I feel a bit better (I should have made that my personal journal post). Sorry. Kind of. This blog is real life.

To fight off the Monday Blues I've come up with the idea of Mood Boards. I saw the lovely Rekita from RekitaNicole
do this last week and it caught my attention & definitely made my mood better so I thought, why not do one myself? Hers has a theme: Pineapples, Popcorn, etc. Mine is just what I saw that made me smile. I know we all need a little happiness on Mondays so I hope you enjoy.



I should start this by saying i'm currently obsessed with lotus flowers. They symbolize strength through the muck. I've always liked them but after finding the Instagram account Lotus & Light over the weekend my like grew to an obsession.

1. "The lotus is a flower that grows in the mud, the deeper and thicker the mud, the more beautiful the lotus blossom."
When I thought about it I thought, that's a lot like people. The more we go through the stronger we become. We have this incredible ability
to go through hell and back and come out a stronger, more beautiful person if we allow it. Be like the lotus, let the mud make you more
beautiful.

2. Meet Smiley. He's a 12 year old Golden Retriever who was born without eyes. He gets to go around to children with autism and help them. How sweet is that?


3. This picture makes me smile and think about my up-coming honeymoon. What's not to love about that?

4. Colorfy. I found this new app yesterday and I'm obsessed! Go to the app store and download it now. You can thank me later.

5. This pretty, colorful sign really needs a home on my wall of signs in the kitchen. Colorful, cupcakes, and love!?! Swoon.

6. Another beautiful lotus. It looks like it's exploding with light and confetti. A true celebration of life and growing something beautiful
from the mud!


I sure hope that puts you in a happier mood on this Manic Monday.

Now it's time for my weekend wrap up. I'll spare you all the boring details and get straight to the good stuff. Our engagement party was Saturday. None of my bridesmaids got to make it but that's okay. My closest family and a few good friends of mine and my fiance's made it. It was a great time swimming and cooking out.

This is the only picture we got of my honey & I dressed up because it was too hot not to be in the pool.


Now here are all of our pretty people.




So that was our fun weekend. We spent yesterday relaxing and hanging out. I hope you had a wonderful weekend, too.
"

Currently {July}

Hi y'all! It's been a while since i've done one of these currently posts but they're one of my favorites. I love knowing what everyone's up to. With wedding planning well under way, i'm staying pretty busy these days but this post is a good way to fill you in on what's been going on.

So are you ready?
Here's what I've been up to.

Making: wedding invitations, rsvps, and reception invitations.

Cooking: Whatever comes to mind. Last night it was Lime Mojito Chicken with pineapple on top. It was melt in your mouth good.

Drinking: Water. All the water.

Reading: All gazillion blogs i've gotten behind on.

Wanting: My wedding dress so I can wear it while my honey is working. Don't think I won't.

Looking: at honeymoon places and all the pretty things on Pinterest.
Oh! And my clean house. (Love)

Wasting: time getting moving today.

Wishing: I had time to spend on making jewelry.

Enjoying: Sleeping in, wedding preparation, this season in my life.

Waiting: For September 26th (our wedding) and for Saturday (our engagement party).

Liking: GroopDealz & Kasey Musgraves Pagent Material album.

Wondering: If i'll be able to hold myself together at my own wedding. I already get teary eyed thinking about it.

Loving: The sunshine, wedding planning, and spending so much time with my Mom lately.

Hoping: That we have a good turn out on Saturday.

Marveling: At my son. He's growing so much and he's really computer savvy.

Needing: to plan our honeymoon.

Smelling: Everything Peach scented. I'm on a kick lately & have peach candles, body wash, lotion, body spray.
All the peaches.

Wearing: my honey's tee shirt and sweatpants. Bummin' this morning.

Following: along with shark week, trying not to get too freaked out.

Noticing: The sunshine shining through my windows. It's time to get outside.

Knowing: That I have the best parents in the world. No matter who lets me down they're always there for me.

Thinking: We need to start our wedding registries.

Feeling: Bummed by some people I thought would be there for me but it's okay. I've got the ones who really matter beside me.

Bookmarking: Blogs. All the blogs. And some boutiques and crafty ideas, too.

Giggling: at how silly people can be.

What are you currently doing? Feel free to play along. "