My 2017 Planner

Hey lovelies! It is the end of the year and 2017 is just a little over 24 hours away as I am writing this. My planner has become a very essential part of my life, even if I may use it slightly differently than most. In the past, I have used an Erin Condren (vertical and horizontal), a Happy Planner, and even a Bullet Journal System; however, with so many on the market like new ones from Recollections, the Passion Planner, Emily Ley, and even Plum Paper, the options are endless. What did I choose?

Choosing wasn't easy, in fact, I spent hours, weeks even, researching and trying to figure out which planner I wanted in my life for the next 12 months. Ultimately I went with...

Most Anticipated Books of 2017

Hello darlings and fellow book lovers! 2016 is quickly coming to a close and I have already started on my Popsugar Reading Challenge list for 2017 along with some amazing friends. Naturally, I want to share all of the excitement with you.

The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer... - December Reading Wrap Up

Is To Read All The Christmas Books!

Hello dearies, I am here today with my December wrap up. This one come with a bit of a warning: everything is Christmas related. I have had a very relaxed reading month. Actually, I have stopped really reading and giving myself a little time to enjoy family time, other media, and gaming. Lets jump into the books I read this month.

Top Books of 2016

Hello darling! I fell off on my posting there for a bit, but I thought I would pop back on today and post about my top books from this year. This year has really flown by! Christmas is just around the corner, are you ready?

Book Lovers Christmas Gift Guide

Hello darlings! Christmas is just around the corner. Many people have already been hitting the shops in order to find the perfect gifts. As a bookworm, there is nothing better than a book related gift; however, I know how difficult it can be to buy presents for us. Today, I am going to offer up some solutions for the book lover in your life.

The Merry Christmas Tag

Hello sugarplums! There is something festive and fun about doing tags this time of year. I enjoy reading them, and I enjoy doing them. My darling bestie, Hunter from The Girl from Alabama, sent me this one, so I thought I would answer them for you.

Changing Holiday Traditions

Hiya lovelies! We are already a week into December! Time is already flying by faster than we can make memories. Memories... such an important part of Christmas and the Holiday season. With memories come traditions, those little or sometimes big things that you do each year that makes it seem a little more special.

Never Before Seen On Booktube - Book Tag

Hello darlings! Reading is what I do. Watching bookish videos is a guilty pleasure; however, when my best friend comes to me with a video for a book related tag and asks me to do it, I couldn't say no.

Walmart Grocery Haul - 1 Person, 2 Weeks in Under $100 Round 2

Hello darlings! It has been almost a month and it was time to buy groceries again. I thought I would share it all with you again. There are a few repeats from last time, and a few things still left in my freezer from the last haul, so lets get started.

December Daily - Ideas for Documenting December

Hello sugar plums! Too much? Possibly so, but this post is all about Christmas. It is that time of year again and for some of us, it has been for quite some time now. Yesterday was the first and the kickoff for what the crafting world calls December Daily. Today, I am bringing you some ideas on what you can include in you albums and ideas for this year.

The Return to Beauty and the Beast and more - November Reading Wrap Up

Hello fellow bookworms and non bookworms alike! November has quickly dwindled down, the holidays are upon us, and soon we will be celebrating the end of another year. All of this is rather shocking to me. My month of reading was full of stops and starts and frustration; however, I was able to finish a few books. As of today, I have accomplished my Goodreads goal of 50 books for the year. I personally wish I would have read more, but life happens. Lets have a look at what I did finish this month.

First 5 App Review

Hello darlings! In a recent post I talked about my bullet journal spread and what I use it for. My wonderful bestie, you all know her as Hunter (The Girl From Alabama), suggested that I do a review of the First 5 app that I use. I didn't think much of it until she started asking questions. Today, I am going to talk about the app a little more in depth.

Thankful Thursday - Week 4

Hello all my darlings and dears! For those of us in the US, today is Thanksgiving. I hope that your Thanksgiving has been marvelous and blessed beyond belief. As we are surrounded by our families and friends it is such a great joy to share with others whether it be our food, our thoughts, or our laughter. Today, I am carrying on with my Thankful Thursday post as usual. If you would like to know more about this series, you can read about it here. Don't forget to check my blog for the other posts in this series as well.

Bullet Journal - Weekly Spread

Hello darlings! Lately I have talked more and more about my planner and my bullet journal. Today, since I was setting up a new week and changing some things around, I wanted to share that with you. Many wonder why I do this in addition to my planner, I will talk about that as well. Let's dive right in!

Thankful Thursday - Week Three

Hello dearies, welcome back to another week of Thankful Thursday. If you are new, you can find out more about this series of posts here. It has been a very mellow week for me; however, so many blessings to share as well. Don't forget weeks one and two if you haven't had a chance to read them yet.

Etsy Shop Review - SponseredbyCoffee

Hello planner babes! I am doing something a little different today, an Etsy shop review. I wanted to showcase and talk about the SponseredbyCoffee horizontal kit. Her horizontal kits for the Erin Condren planner is designed for the option of a no white space layout. Her shop is currently on vacation; however, she is scheduled to return soon. So let's see how this layout turned out.

Thankful Thursday - Week Two

Hello darlings. Hasn't it been a week for us all? Many things are weighing on the world today. For me, that is all the more reason to pour my heart into my gratitude and being thankful for the little things and even sometimes the big things as well. No matter what your week has held, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, a ray of sunshine to be found.

Walmart Grocery Haul - 1 Person, 2 Weeks in Under $100

Hello my lovelies! Last night I did my grocery shopping for myself for the next two - two and a half weeks. I was encouraged to share this with the world, so here we are. I know shopping on a budget can be a little tricky; however, it can also be fun. Outside of a few staples that I usually get, I tried to get some new things to try.

Planner Update - Erin Condren, Carpe Diem, and More

Hello lovelies!! After playing around with my blog and looking over content, I realized just how long it has been since I did a post on my planner situation. Many things have or will be changing soon. So grab a drink and a snack, this could get a bit chatty.

Thankful Thursday - Week One

Hello my dearies, welcome to week one of Thankful Thursday. If you are new here, you can refer to this blog for details on Thankful Thursday. To jump start this series of blogs, I want to challenge you to keep a list of things that you are thankful for throughout this month. Gratitude is proven to uplift spirits and improve moods, especially when practiced over time. Let's get started!

Diabetes Awareness Month

Hello my loves. Today, I want to talk about something very near and dear to my heart. It isn't something that I have hid, I have mentioned it several times; however, I haven't talk about it exclusively.

My fiance and several of our children are Type 1 Diabetics. My father was a Type 2 Diabetic. There is a stigma surrounding diabetes. There are two types, and they are very different from one another. It isn't simply one for younger and one for older. Diet and exercise isn't always the answer. I want to share some facts with you. I am not an expert on this type by any means. I am not a medical doctor, nor am I giving medical advice. What I am doing is trying to bring awareness to something that I am passionate about.

Type 1:
-The pancreas produces little or no insulin, the hormone used to break down carbohydrates and sugar

-It is a chronic illness with no cure
-Typical diagnosis happens during younger years of life; however, it isn't uncommon to go without diagnoses until later in life
-Require insulin to live

Type 2:

-The pancreas slowly stops producing insulin or can no long use the insulin produced

-Is a long term metabolic disorder

-Typical diagnosis occurs later on in life

-Can be reversed with diet, exercise, or maintained with medication or insulin

Growing up, I watched my grandparents and my father struggle with Type 2 Diabetes; however, I didn't do the research. I trusted the doctors and let the "adults" handle the diagnosis. When Dylan and I started talking again, it was the first time since his diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes, and boy did I have a lot to learn. At that time he was on shots with the prospect of switching to a pump in the future. It wasn't long until going on a pump was necessary for his management of his diabetes. Diabetes play a very large part in the diagnosed person's life. It affects them and everyone close to them as well. (That may be something that I talk about at a later date.)

Many people are not aware of everything needed for a diabetic. The supplies alone can add up quickly and not everyone has access to the resources that they need to better manage their diabetes. Insulin isn't free and nether is the meter, the finger pricker, the test strips, alcohol prep pads, and on and on. On average, a diabetic should be testing their blood glucose at least four times a day. Of course this varies from person to person. Feeling symptomatic? Check. On a pump and you are going to eat? Check again. Time for a snack? Check again. Gave insulin a while again and you aren't feeling right? Check again. And again. And again. For just a glimpse into the life of a diabetic, here is the footprint graphic for Dylan:

Caption T1D Footprint for Dylan as of November 2, 2016

Diabetes isn't just a diagnosis. It is a daily routine, management, lifestyle, etc. I hope this post has helped to educate you on the differences and a tiny glimpse into being a diabetic. If you are a diabetic yourself, bless you. My heart is with you. You are amazing and strong and courageous. What are some future Diabetes related posts you would like to see from me?

The Month of Suspense - October Reading Wrap Up

October seems like such a tiny month. The year is falling away with the leaves now. Holidays are just around the corner, and in some areas Halloween dissolved and Christmas appeared overnight. Today, I am going to talk about the books that I finished in the month of October, just barely squeezed that last one in. Only five books was read, but still it felt like a victorious reading month. Lets see why:

Coming Soon in November

Halloween is just a few days away, and November is just around the corner! I can't believe how quickly time is flying by this year. Before we know it, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be over as well. Today, I want to talk about what you can expect to see in November

Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

It is a week until Halloween... what's that? You don't have a costume? Well you have come to the right place. Today, I am listing a few ideas for some easy and fun last minute costume ideas. Some of these I am even looking forward to doing sometime in the future.

My Halloween Costume Ideas

Whether you are attending going to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party or just trick-or-treating, costumes are on the top of the list! Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. I always struggle with picking the perfect costume. So today, I would like to share with you a few ideas that I would love to do.

Disney Wedding Q&A

Hey everyone!!! Today, I am teaming up with my best friend, future maid of honor, and the Disney Queen herself: The Girl From Alabama. We are both looking into and starting our plans for Disney weddings, so we thought we would answer some questions about why we are choosing a Disney wedding.

Autumn Tag 2016

It is that time of year again, and I don't just mean pumpkin everything. Cool nights, bonfires, warm drinks, and falling leaves. It won't be long before the tombstones quake and the ghost appear! I was tagged by the wonderful best friend over at The Girl From Alabama. I will link her tag post here. So lets get started!

🍁 What is your favorite Autumn hobby?

Snuggling by the fire, taking walks and looking at all the leaves, reading, anything Halloween related

🍺What is your favorite fall drink? (Alcoholic or non-alcoholic):

Hot tea or hot chocolate. I will indulge in the occasional pumpkin spice craze that sweeps the nation. Cider is also a good option.

🌾What is your favorite Autumn scent(s)?

Leaves, bonfires, bath and body works fall line

🍂 Where is your favorite spot in your city/town to watch the leaves change color?

Right now, my yard

🎃 What are you planning on doing for Halloween?

Nothing is set in stone, but time will tell.

🕸How do you decorate for Autumn/Halloween?

Leaves, spider webs, and all things creepy and spooky

🍻 What’s your favorite fall activity to do with a friend or a group or friends?

Watch movies, decorate, shopping (especially outdoors), bake and prepare for the festivities

🔥Outdoors next to a bonfire or indoors next to a fireplace?

Both

🎩 Are you dressing up for Halloween? If so, what as?

It is a possibility, and it is something we talked about earlier. More on this later.

☔️ What is your go-to rainy day outfit?

Leggings and boots

🍪 What is your favorite Autumn dessert?

Cookies and sometimes pie

👻 Do you enjoy the cute or scary side of Halloween? (Or both!)

There was a time when both would be my answer; however, cute is more my thing now

💀 Do you like going to haunted houses?

I have only been to one, but I don't see it being my thing

🌧Favorite Autumn rainy day activities?

Reading, cuddling up by the fireplace, playing/dancing in the rain, jumping in the puddles afterwards

Tags are some of my favorite posts to do, and I just couldn't pass this one up. I would love to see your answers if you do this tag. Don't forgot to head on over to The Girl From Alabama and check hers out too. Her halloween posts are ones that you don't want to miss!

Mortal Instruments, Tarot Cards, and a Reading Slump - September Reading Wrap Up

Another month in a reading slump, yet I still managed to squeeze in a few books. October is already here, and I couldn't be more excited for the fall and Halloween inspired everything!

Adoption: Being A Mom to 13 Children and Counting

Adoption. For many it is a last hope, an opportunity in dark times. Charitable, is how some people see it. And then their are the families that go above and beyond, those who adopt multiple children. Today, I want to talk about my journey, some of the comments I have received, and why I do what I do. Feel free to settle in with a cup of tea, and maybe even a few tissues.

Living Loved - A Look At Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst

Hey my lovelies. Today, I want to talk about something that I don't often talk about, my faith, and thanks to a book I am sneaking it in. Even though this isn't going up during the month that the blog tour for Lysa TerKeurst's book Uninvited is going on, I wanted to talk a little about how I found the book, reading the book, and how I want to start Living Loved. If you would like to know more, or even join us, click here. If you would like to buy your own copy of the book, study guide, and small group Bible study, click here.

First I want to start with a backstory of how I found the book. I have been a part of the First 5 for quite some time now. It is a community founded by the Proverbs 31 Ministry. The goal is to spend time with God in the first moments of your day instead of reaching for social media. I have been inspired by Lysa for quite some time now. I love watching videos where she speaks, so when First 5 was doing a live broadcast of her talking about Uninvited, I was all in. Fast forward through listening to the broadcast over and over, and even recording the audio to listen to over and over, I found myself struggling with the thought of buying the book. When you are on a budget, you question every purchase you make. I felt God really calling me to read this book. The title alone spoke volumes to me and who I am. After a few days, and a few nudges from my fiance, my best friend, and my mom, I preordered the book.

Getting the book, I put it off. I know what you are thinking, if I was so excited why wait?! Originally I was forcing myself through a series and then I was going to wait and read it with my best friend, but then something changed. Thoughts invaded my mind and I felt the sting of rejection so strongly all I could do was weep and ask God why. All of these things lead me to picking up the book. The next thing I knew I was three chapters in, over 20 page flags, and I realized I didn't have enough, nor would I ever have enough for this book. Lysa's words spoke to a deep part of me that I had been burying for some time now. As a lover of books, I rarely do anything to mark in them or hurt them... I dog eared a page. I think it is the first time in my life.

I went into this book with the thought in my mind to write this post; however, when encouraged by my friend, I thought to myself this isn't what I usually write about. There are so many other women and men that are writing and reviewing this book with a strong faith and a knowledge of the Bible and their faith that I just don't have. And then today I stopped at chapter 10 this morning. I felt like I needed to pause. And as the events of the day carried on I was pulled back into the book. Chapter 10... "Her Success Does Not Threaten Mine" and every word spoke to me about this post, about the rejection I felt about writing about this book, and the fear I had of putting my love for God out into the world.

My rejection lead me to her words of Living Lord. And just like the image says, "God's love isn't based on me. It's simply placed on me."It doesn't matter that I do not know every word of the Bible. It matters that I find myself in His word, learning, and applying it in my life. It is allowing myself to turn towards God and let him lead my path. And most of all, it is learning that rejection is His way of protecting me. "You aren't set aside. You are set apart." So the next time I feel less than, left out, and lonely... I am going to remember to Live Loved. To live knowing that I am a woman of Christ.

I hope that each of you will be inspired to live from a place knowing that you are loved. You are loved by God, you are loved by your family and friends, and you are loved by me. As I pray for each person that reads this post, I also ask that you pray as I continue my journey through Uninvited. I know this is a book that I will continue to read and learn from for years to come. Just remember, even when you are overlooked by others, you are handpicked by God. In her new book, Uninvited, New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst will help you live like you really believe that truth! You can get your copy by going to www.uninvitedbook.com.

Reading Update: Reading Goals, New Releases, and Reading Slumps

Hello my lovelies! It is already the middle of August and this is my first post in a while. I will cover more on that in just a moment, but today I wanted to talk about my reading. This won't be a typical wrap up and review situation; however, I am covering a lot of things: what I have been reading, my reading pace, and what I am looking forward to in the near future. So let's get started.

Kidnapping, Serial Killers, Witches, and Love The Doesn't Give Up - June Reading Wrap Up

Can we just take a moment to realize how quickly the first half of the year has flown by? So many shifts in my world and many more to come, but what am I here to talk about today? Reading. And for the month of June, I packed in the reading like it was no body's business.

Maybelline #VividMatte Review - Influenster

Hello my lovelies! Today we are reviewing a product thanks to the lovely people over at Influenster. Are you an Influenster? If not, I don't know what you are waiting on, but if you will stick around, I will leave a link for you to sign up at the end of this blog. Being part of the #VividMatte VoxBox, I had the opportunity to try two  shades from the new Vivid Matte Liquids from Maybelline, so let's get started!

If I Could Be A Mermaid...

It is no secret that the ocean calls to me. Even though I love Disney more and more lately, the beach will always be my home. For me, the beach is where I am mostly myself. I am calm and centered, free. So if I was a mermaid, what color would my tail be? Today I am writing about just that, thanks to a question from Dylan from Mickey Ears With A Mohawk.