20 years, say what?

I cannot believe it's been 20 years since I graduated high school. I mean, I remember when my parents went to THEIR 20th reunion!

It makes me feel ancient.

However, I am so excited to see everyone. Due to social media, the big surprises of how people look, who they married, etc...are kind of not as surprising. Most people can find out what you are up to these days.

It takes a little of the fun out of it, I think. But, that's just me. I love surprises!

I'll spare you from posting high school pictures. Yikes. I still shudder when I think of some of the things I wore, and some of the things that I did back in those days. {double yikes}

I wasn't that bad, but I wasn't that good either. Despite my maiden name being " Allgood". :)

I'm truly forever grateful that my parents were so strict on me. It's a blessing now. My mistakes could have been much worse.

Sometimes, I wish I could take some of the things back that I said, and did. But, I can't.

I just ask the Lord to cover those times, and cover any that I hurt in those times.

High school was a very insecure time in my life. I hid who I really was, at times.

I became who people thought I should be.

If I were to be able to do it all again, or talk to my 16 year old self, I would tell her this:

• be who you are
• you are beautiful even if you don't feel it
• treat others as you would want to be treated
• don't take things too seriously
• write more
• try out for more things--be more courageous
• wear less makeup
• don't look for a serious boyfriend in high school, you are too immature
• go to church more
• read your bible more
• spend more time with your parents
• call your grandparents more
• drink more water
• learn to cook now--not when you are a newlywed

I know that my past experiences have created who I am today. I cannot change that.

With time, comes wisdom. With time, come some regrets. With time, comes perspective.

Life looks different from this season of life. It looks fast. It looks short. It looks beautiful.

When you are 16, life just looks like forever. It seems you will never grow up, never get a boyfriend, and never get married.

The years go by like molassas when you are 16.

I long for molassas days.

I just want to sit in the syrupy sweetness of life and enjoy every sticky second of it.

Life is beautiful. Life is fleeting. Life is now.

So, to my 16 year old self---I would say:  Enjoy these days. However, know that better days are coming. Better than you could ever imagine.

Goodbye Aspen....

When you make the decision to get a pet, you are not thinking about how you feel when the pet dies.

The excitement, the newness, the new puppy smell, the middle of the night barks while your new puppy gets used to his little crate next to your bed.

It's exhausting, yet exhilarating, at first.

Lem and I got Aspen, our Siberian husky, after we had only been married for one month.

She was our very first baby. Our first step to having a family.

Aspen never left my chest the first few weeks.

Then she got big.

Much bigger.

The next year, we got our sweet Jack Russell, Holly.

It took them a little while to adjust to each other, then they were soon best of friends.

Holly was so tiny, but she would bark at Aspen, right in her face. It was hilarious. {see picture below}

Then we built a house in 2000.

We got busier.

We had our first child in 2001.

Lem became the main care giver of our two dogs and our cat, Tiger, by this point.

I still loved our pets, but I had a newborn. My life was a bit different.

Lem became both of their masters.

I was a little jealous at first, but I was really too busy to let it affect me.

They have lived with us. They have {all 3 of  our pets} lived in every house we have ever lived in.

4 so far.

Our cat, Tiger, died a few months ago. It was very sudden and very sad. He was about 17 years old.

He had a good, long life.

Our sweet Aspen, the Siberian husky, died today.

It is very very hard.

She was a part of our family.

She has been with us since the month after Lem and I began our life together.

She has always been with us. Always.

She annoyed me at times, because she shed like a sheep. Her white fur would be all over my hard wood floors. And my clothing. Everywhere.

I will miss that fur.

I will miss her.

Our sweet Holly, the Jack Russell, will begin a new season of life without her friends.

I am sad for her.

I am just plain sad.

The lump in my throat is bigger than the state of Georgia.

My nose is dripping as I type.

Animals become family.

Our Aspen has probably found some very cold, white, snow in Heaven to frolic around in. She and Tiger, our cat, are together again.

They were actually the best of friends. They would snuggle together in the cold months. It was so precious.

Okay, lump is coming in my throat again.

Goodbye, Aspen. We will see you again. I just know we will.

The week we brought her home.
1998

Lem and his girl, Aspen

Holly barking at Aspen
1999

You are always on my mind?

I sent this to our SHINE prayer girls, but feel very led to post this here as well.

I just want to encourage you {again} to stay in God's Word this Summer. If you are anything like me, your schedule is kind of all over the place right now.

Let's don't let this keep us away from the only thing we really ever need--His Word.

My kids are with me pretty much 24/7 right now, which is wonderful! However, this makes for not a whole lot of time for getting alone with Him, except for early in the mornings.

He is showing me though, that my time with them is a part of my time with HIM! When I am enjoying the laughter, the fun, and even the not so fun moments with them, it's all a part of Him molding me through being their momma.

I learn SO MUCH when I just soak in the chaotic moment with them, instead of hurrying along through my day waiting for a chance to sit down and relax.

Whatever your days are looking like right now, I encourage you to give your thoughts to Him. Give your Thanksgiving to Him! Just praise Him in your moments. It makes a HUGE difference in my day when I do this!

Just today, I lost my temper {again} with one of my children. As soon as I heard the words coming out, I wanted to reel them back in. Shoot.

It was just another opportunity to tell those little darlings that I have to work on my tongue too. I have to think, before I talk. A lot. 

Many times I miss the mark, and it all just comes out, ugly and all.

It just forces me to drop to my knees, and submit to Him my need for Him. My need to keep Him ever on my mind and in my thoughts.

So, when you feel overwhelmed, stressed, and ummmm, angry-ish.....

• Thank Him that you have kids to be with.
• Thank Him that you have kids to discipline. {over and over} ;)
• Thank Him that you have a house to clean. 
• Thank Him for those orange-stained-from-cheese puffs fingers that you are constantly wiping clean. 
• Thank Him that no matter what age your children are, it's never too late--or too early-- to teach them. Ever. 
• Thank Him for these long days of Summer that give us extra time to be outside and enjoy His creation and wonder.
• Thank Him for the job you have if you work outside of the home. Many are without a job. 

Perhaps this is all just a reminder to yours truly here to keep Him at the forefront. Of every area of my life.

always on my mind--or at least working on it,

Jill

Fathers, Daughters, and Birthdays.....

Happy Birthday AND Father's Day to my AWESOME daddy! 

It takes a really special guy to share his birthday with Father's Day, right?

Yes, I think so too.

Here are some things that I love about my Dad:

• he is so funny and witty. 
• he loves my mom so much
• he loves my children and ALL of his grandchildren.
• he loves me and would do anything for me.
• he is a hard worker. 
• everybody loves my dad.
• dad forgives and forgets very easily.
• he can always make you laugh.
• he loves the Lord.
• presley loves sitting in Paw Paw's lap.
• he takes my kids to the store and buys them anything they want. 
• he is the BEST Daddy in the whole world!

probably telling me a joke ;)

he loves his grandbabies!

Look how perfect they are!

Presley's favorite place to sit.

celebrating Dad and Lem last year 2012

Presley takes a ride on the harley with Dad

Joseph's turn!

Joseph wants another ride!

7 Quick Beach Takes...

St. Simon's Island June 2013

1.Here we go--Peace out dudes!

2. Hitting the beach--surfing style!

3. Look who we found--the Laffan girls! 

4. My Love and my favorite place to be. Ever. 

5. Silly girls being silly. 

6. Silly girls trying to be serious. I said trying.

7. The littlest loves of my life. 

4 Days late and always at least a dollar short....

Day late and a dollar short on my birthday man's post. 

Oops.

My plate is a little full these days. 

Rest assured, he was well celebrated.

He's finally 38!

 He caught up with me.

Yes, he's younger. 

But, only by a hair. 

No pun intended, darlin.

I love this young dude.

He's still hot.

I remember when I first met him.

He was so different than any other boy.

His country little accent....oh, I still swoon.

{Except when he's mad at me for overspending. No swooning then}

I love Lem's confidence. 

It's sexy to me.

He makes me feel beautiful. 

{even when I'm not feeling it even an ounce}

He loves me.

I love him.

We just fit.

Plus, we have cute kiddos.

One of each of us.

Joseph looks like me, acts like me, and loves to read like me.

Presley looks like Lem, acts JUST like Lem, and hates to read like Lem.

See?

We have duplicated ourselves.

{Scary thought}

Lord, help them. 

In all sincerity. 

this is how i feel after forgetting to do Lem's birthday post.
{my tongue needs help. really, it does.}

Here he is...my birthday boy!
This is us in the car on a pre-birthday date night.
Yeah, I swoon.
See?

Joseph gives Daddy the thumbs up on his big day.
He's a little sweaty.
We had just finished a 30 minute run.
In 92 degree heat.
I sweat just remembering it.
Ooh.

Presley made his birthday breakfast.
be still my heart.
she does this for me too on my big day.
i love her.

sushi was the birthday boy's dinner.
i think we enjoyed it, what do you think.


Happy Birthday, Lem!
I sure love you!
{even after all these birthdays!}
wink, wink

A girl can change her mind....

I was having a conversation with a friend recently and I told her this: "One thing is for sure, today I may feel one way about something. However, next week, I may feel completely different."

Someone asked for my advice about something a few days ago and I prefaced it with this "Today, I think...."

This sounds really wishy washy and blase. I know this.

However, I think it is actually the contrary.

We are constantly being changed, renewed, sharpened, and shined by the Lord. Right?

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2

See what I mean? :)

I think the older I get, the more sure of one thing I know---I do not have it figured out. And I never will until I meet Jesus at His Throne. Hopefully then, He will make sense of all this world-y stuff.

My convictions are very strong some days about certain things in my own life. Other days, I am unsure of what God really is asking of me. Are these Jill's convictions for herself or are these convictions from the Lord?

It's a tough call some days. I can be very black and white in certain areas in my life.

Is Jesus black and white? Or is He black, white, and gray as well?

I do know this: Grace can be gray for me sometimes. If that makes any kind of sense.

The Bible is very clear regarding certain behaviors that we are to adhere to and abstain from.

However, other things, are not so clear to me.

This is where the gray area comes in. This is where I have to go to Him, His Word, and talk to Him. Seek Him, and ask Him to show me what to do.

Sometimes, I am still unsure--if I am being honest.

This is where Grace comes in. I have to just realize that I will mess up some days, I will go the wrong way. Even when I am really, really, really trying to go the right way.

God will reign me back in with His Grace. Just like He always does.

This, I know.


black, white, and a lot of gray,

jill

Claustrophobia Vs. Courage.....

Marked one off the old Summer Bucket List yesterday!

Last year's bucket--note to self--get new bucket this week.
you get the visual.

We went to Chattanooga for the day yesterday! We have not been in about 3 or 4 years. Presley was in a stroller the last time we went, so it has been a while.

It's always been one of my most favorite trips! It never gets old. Ever.

Here are some memories from our trip.

First Stop: Incline Railway at Lookout Mountain

YES, this is steep! One mile up the mountain! Deep breaths...

we made it safely!

Maw Maw is the reason this whole trip was made possible. :)
thank YOU!!!

yes, we are THOSE people

my favorite tree! a Canadian hemlock

some nice folks offered to take our picture. Rock city ROCKS!

STRONG kids holding up a big rock!

Last but not least--Ruby Falls.

Okay, I would be a little remiss if I didn't tell you this: I did not go through Ruby Falls with everyone. Nope. Couldn't do it.

Let me explain...I have this little thing about tight spaces. No entrance, no exit, dark, and many people. And caves.

I am pretty sure the diagnosis is claustrophobia. Yep, that one.

We all took the long elevator down into the ground of Ruby Falls. I was prepared and prayed up to go through with it. We exited the elevator, and suddenly my chest felt like an elephant was pouncing on it. For real.

I stayed for a few minutes, and quickly told my family that I had to get out of there. Now.

The tour guide was super sweet and quickly led me back to the elevator. She told me as we rode back up to light, air, and wide spaces....that it happens a lot. They call it the "short tour".

Reassuring. Or at least she tried to be.

So, I was a member of the "short tour group". Probably even the President.

The advantage? We received a refund for my ticket. Yay.

The last thing I remember when I was running back to the elevator to find air, light, and wide spaces was Joseph saying, "Summer of Courage, Mom! Remember!! You can do this!"

Oops.

I said back to him: "Claustrophobia overrides Courage. Every.single.time."

Yeah, that's it.

What's on your Summer Fun Bucket List?


no more caves, darkness, or underground trips for a while,


jill

Summer of......

It's Summer time!

A friend said that she and her children started a "Summer of..." this year.

Well, this stuck like glue to me, because I love any kind of traditions!

Joseph and I decided on:

"Summer of Courage".

We both liked this idea because we wanted to encourage each other to step out and do something we normally would not do. Something it would take lots of courage to do!

Several things have already come up that have challenged us in this area---and we LOVE the challenge!

As we were getting dinner ready a couple of nights ago, we decided we would also incorporate the

"Summer of Culture"into our meal times.

I want my children to be well versed in different foods and cultures. This has always been important to me. Joseph went to Italy with us in 2009, and the things that he learned while there have never been forgotten. Presley keeps reminding us that it's HER turn. :)

We began our Summer of Culture last night with Mexican Night. Tacos, black beans, corn, and churros were on the menu. Of course, the kids had orange drinks made in Mexico as well. Danny had a Fanta Orange because he was a last minute show-up after tennis practice. He was happy to oblige the Fanta Orange. :-)

We spoke some Spanish words as we ate, and I got out the globe and showed the kids where Mexico was. 

Tonight, in keeping with our Summer of Culture, we had Italian Night. Spaghetti, salad, and pretend-mineral water were on the menu. If you order water in Italy, they automatically assume you mean mineral water in a bottle. You have to be very specific and say "no gas" for regular water, OR you say "with gas" for mineral water. {see, we learned something there} :-)

The kids have already requested a Chinese, Japanese, and American night in the near future. 

I've got some research to do on some other countries and their foods and culture in the meantime. 

I have to say that this reminds me SO much of the things my Momma would do with us! She was the MOST fun Momma! She would make homemade biscuits and shape them into little animals. Everything was fun when we were little! I hope and pray my kids will remember these little things just like I remember all of the fun details that we did as a family. :)

Mexican!

Mexican Moustaches by Presley ;)

moustache kids

spanish olives

chips and salsa

Danny's sign <3 font="">

finally, time to eat! couldn't wait for Daddy and Joseph!

homemade churros and whip cream
{my version--breadsticks, melted butter and cinnamon, and bake in oven--yummy!}

Mothers, daughters, and silly pictures....

Happy Mother's Day 

2013