5 Things I'm Loving Take 2

I did a 5 things I'm loving a couple of weeks ago and thought I'd do another...

1) - Big Brother - my sister introduced me to this several years ago and it has been my summer show. When Michael and I started dating I got him watching it too. Its a reality show - strangers put together in a house with no outside contact with the world. They do competitions and vote each other out every week - D-R-A-M-A! Love it!

2) - Periscope - I love Periscope! Basically its you watching live video from strangers around the world. I have watched Disney fireworks shows, U2 concerts, Taylor Swift concerts, NKOTB concerts, and stupid stuff too. I love it!

3) - Bean Boozled - this cracks me up. I saw Joey Hill do it at our Hydrate camp. We have a box in our office and I have taken it around to offices and told them to pick one - it scares the crap out of me which one I might get. So fun!

4) - Feedly - maybe I am late to the party on this but my co-worker, Taylor told me about this because I was trying to figure out how to keep the blogs I read organized and I LOVE IT!

5) - cucumbers - I know its so random - but this summer I have been all about cucumbers. And to top it all off - I have never had them with salt on them - I just ate them plain usually on my salad - but salt on them has changed my life. Its been my snack of the summer!

What are you loving that I need in my life?

5 Things I'm Loving...

Alright y'all 5 things I'm loving right now...

Podcasts! Where have I been? I knew they were around but I've really never listened to them more than a month when we were living with my parents and my commute was OBNOXIOUS. But, I have found one that has grabbed me and I am hooked. I am loving The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey . I love it! I have followed her blog and have been friends with her on FB, IG and Twitter for years and just never listened until May and now I am happy to say I have listened to all of them. Its my ride home from work listen and my ride to work listen if Rick and Bubba are on vacation. Jamie has women who are doing so much with their lives! Women who are entrepreneurs, writers, foster parents, missionaries, pastors wives, and just every day moms. Some of her guests include Jen Hatmaker, Annie Downs, Melanie Shankle (Big Mama) and so many more! Its so fun! Go listen and see what you think.  

If you have seen me this summer, you have probably seen me in this top from Target! No, I am not that girl that posed in this picture for this post, this is my new staff photo. I obviously love this shirt if I am wearing it in a staff picture that will last for a while. I have one in green too. Its so comfortable! I wish I had the other colors too.

This song by Dara Maclean - so good! 

This cake recipe is so yum and its not hard to make. My next quest is to find a good buttercream icing recipe. If you have one share.

Timehop! I love this app! Its so fun to look back on your social media posts and remember where you were!

So, what are you loving right now?

Random Wednesday Thoughts...

Totally random thoughts from my week (so far)...

1. Monday was busy busy for us at Strength to Stand! We registered 1000 students in one day!  Gotta love discount day.  God has really blessed our conferences over the years - so grateful to be able to serve the Kingdom in this small way.  
2. I do love the group of people I work with.  We are a big family here at SDEA - we love big and argue little.
3. SDEA celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a banquet last Thursday - as soon as I get some photos from it - I'll post them and let you see the fun night!
4. I made taco soup Monday night for dinner - gosh I love that stuff.  Cold weather and taco soup...ahh fall!
5. I have been doing the Chronological Bible Study at church on Tuesday nights.  I love it!  Its my third time to do it.  Funny how the Word is always showing you new things - i.e. living and active!
6. M started a new job last week at Coca Cola.  He loves it - so glad that he is doing something he has aspired to do and proof once again that the Lord answers prayers!!
7. My work email is overloaded with spam.  I kid you not - I get probably 75 a day.  Driving me bananas.  
8. Its been so cold here I cannot help myself - I started listening to Christmas music yesterday - yes I know its before Halloween - but I had to.  Its actually a little late for me.  I usually begin instrumental Christmas music middle of October - so I did hold out a little longer this year!
9. Speaking of Christmas - I always put up my tree around the first weekend of November.  Well - M doesn't see the holidays like I do.  So, my goal is to talk him into putting it up at least the week of Veteran's Day.  If only I could get up in the attic it'd go up sooner ;).
10. Speaking of Christmas music - I listened to Lady Antebellum and Mandisa's Christmas albums today on Spotify (i love spotify) - both are really good!
11. Making my yearly visit with Brandon and Ella tonight as they trick or treat.  I have never missed a Halloween with them.  Always fun to see their costumes and go with them to get candy.
12. Kasey (from work) and I had the discussion about Halloween today and trick or treating.  I am glad my parents allowed us to.  I know some folks don't believe in that (to each their own) but I would have felt deprived if we hadn't.  I loved it.  We never dressed evil growing up.  Always such a fun night with great memories!

Here are a few pics of Brandon and Ella over the years...

Giraffe 2005

Pirate 2006

Spiderman 2007 

Lady Bug 2007

Buzz Lightyear 2008

Octopus 2008

Princess 2009

Big Al and Bumble Bee 2011

Happy Halloween!!