July 2012 Mini Goals Round Up!

My Oh My Oh My! Where has the month of July gone?! Summer is flying by and I'm not going to lie, I am so ready for FALL! It is by far my favorite time of year and if I hadn't have been so hell bent on getting married outside in June a Fall wedding would have been in the works! Since we are greeting the last day of the month, that only means one thing... I have to give y'all the update on my July Mini Goals! I'm not really beating myself up too bad about my fails this month as we have been busy, but as always, there is room for improvement!

1. Write one handwritten note to someone once a week. Y'all know this a big one for me and while I didn't write one every week, I did write one! A friend was having a really rough time and her heart was hurting so I felt the need to send her a little note to remind her of how awesome she is! She loved it so much she even instagrammed it! I felt so good knowing it brought a smile to her face! It was definitely worth the 10 minutes it took to write it and the .45 cent it took to mail it! It really is the little things in life.

2. Purchase bed frame & bedskirt for master bed! WIN WIN WIN! We even bought new sheets and pillows too! Our bedroom looks soooooo much better now that we have gotten the bed off of the floor! Not to mention it looks so welcoming when it is made and adorned with pillow after pillow! All that's left is finding a headboard.

3. Send wedding set off to be redipped and soldered together! FAIL! I just can't part with it, but being that it is up for it's 6 month service in August I WILL be parting with it soon!

4. Save more money - $50.00 to $100.00 per pay check. HaHaHa I have to laugh at this fail! The hubby and pups birthday wiped me out this month! Not to mention those dang student loans!

5. Call out of town friends more often to catch up. I am ashamed of myself that I failed at this one. I did, however, get to SEE one of my old roomies and meet her precious daughter this month! Y'all will be seeing this reappear on my August Goals list as this is something I am very serious about.

6. Have a blast celebrating the Hubby's 26th birthday in D.C.! Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! We had a ball even though it took us 4.5 hours to get to the city, it rained on us at the game, and our Braves lost! We just took it stride by stride! I drove after the hubby got irritated with traffic outside of Richmond, we laughed in the rain, and we were excited to see Bryce Harper play even if he helped lead the Nationals to a win over our team. It always brings happiness to my heart to see my hubby so happy enjoying his mistress {aka baseball}.

7. Enter more blog contests and Link ups! Ehh I think this is iffy! I entered, I think, 2 contests and participated in 2 Link Ups. I haven't been able to devote a HUGE amount of time to visiting other blogs! I do read them on my down time at work... but I haven't been commenting like I should. I haven't even responded to many of my own blog comments. I swear I read them and appreciate all of them, but my new position at work does not leave a lot of time for me to spend on personal Internet activities! By the time I get home, cook dinner, work on my own blog post, all that is left is to spend much needed time with my little family! I promise I will work on answering everyone and visiting all my favorite bloggers more often in August!

8. Powerwalk EVERY morning with Reef! Ha BIG EPIC FAIL! I like sleep too much and considering how hot it has been in the morning and how calm of a lab we have... I haven't thought this to be that important! Maybe my new tennis shoes will motivate me more... ha who am I kidding?!

9. Make it a priority to spend more time with all of our families! We did a pretty good job with this. We spend lots of time with Todd's mom's side of the family as we celebrated one night for his birthday and another night just a family dinner. We saw his dad's side of the family on the fourth of July and we saw my dad on Sunday. Mom stopped by one afternoon and hung out for a bit but I wish we could have seen her more! Family is the most important thing to me and I want ALL of our families to know how much we cherish the time we have with them!

10. Complete at least ONE house project. Ehhh... I considered the bed frame and all a house project which we did complete. I am taking this more seriously next month as there are TONS of things I want to get done. Considering insurance is paying for a WHOLE new roof and a WHOLE new kitchen floor, Ill be able to focus on some other tasks to complete!

Like I said before, I didn't beat myself up over this months goals! As long as I try is my motto! Something is better than nothing at all!!!

Hope y'all are having a beautiful Tuesday so far!!!

XoXo,

Baby Reef Turns 1!

Our sweet precious pup, Reef Curren Harrell turned the big 1 yesterday {YES, I had the date completely mixed up and for the longest time thought it was Saturday, buuuut his breeder corrected me and it was actually yesterday the 29th!}. We started the morning just hanging out in the back yard. Once daddy came home from working some overtime we headed out to my dad and stepmom's house. They just happen to be parents to Baby Reef's brother, Cash! They also happen to live out in the middle of no where, with lots and lots of land to run AND an in ground pool to swim in!

Needless to say the boys had a blast!!! Baby Reef was completely pooped when we came home AND slept the whole morning while I got ready for work!

We seriously could not have a better, sweeter, loving pup! He has blessed our little family more than we ever thought! We can't imagine our life without him!!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Such a Happy Boy!!

Swim Swim Swim

Best Birthday ever!!!

Having a ball!

Swimming!

Pup Cakes I made for the boys!

Puppy Ice Cream!

Singing Happy Birthday while they stared at the treats in my hand!

Pup Cake time!

Eating their pup cakes!

Ice Cream time!

Trying to show them how to eat it!

Watching the boys eat up their treats!

Cash enjoyed his birthday!

Baby Reef licking it up!

Cash eating his Puppy Ice Cream!

Completely tuckered out!

Hope y'all are having a fabulous Monday!!!

XoXo,

Color Obsession of the Moment!

Just wanted to thank you all for your kind words yesterday!!! I know those families will appreciate the needed prayers!!!

Enjoy my color obsession for the moment!!! I Need that phone case ASAP!!!

Untitled #5 by lhharrell0611 featuring a shimmer blush

Happy Friday Loves!!!

XoXo,

Why? Oh Lord Why?

Several months ago I talked myself out of writing a post about this. I felt it would be invasive, disrespectful, and a complete lack of respect for a family's privacy. I did not want to expose their business to people who did not know them personally. I felt it wasn't my place and as a person who holds respecting people extremely high, I just felt it inappropriate to speak of it.

I don't even want to write about the life altering situation that occurred yesterday and affected yet another family that I am acquainted with. However, I have so many emotions running through me right now that I can't think of ANYTHING else that I want to post about. Life is completely unfair and with these two incidents and the horrible events in Aurora I'm slowly losing my grip on my faith. 

Several months ago, an old friend of mine, who I will say I do not speak with anymore but used to be extremely close with, lost her 8 month old baby girl. I don't know the details, only hear say, and I refuse to repeat what I have heard as 1. it is not my business and 2. if I haven't heard if from my old friend herself, its not my place to share. The details don't even matter. What matters is that this sweet precious soul {who I never had a chance to meet} was taken far too early. 

When I heard about the situation, I'll be honest, I had a very hard time relating to it because I don't have a child. I've never experienced that feeling of love for your very own child, the miracle you have created. Obviously, I was heartbroken for this family but I didn't cry. I was extremely saddened but never sat and just cried over it. I did ask a lot of questions, the biggest one being WHY? Why would God take a healthy well cared for child away from her parents and her family? Why when there are abused and neglected children, still in the care of their evil undeserving parents, would God allow this to happen to a stable family? Plain and simple Why? 

I am a Christian, a born again believer. I was raised in church practically my whole life. I can't tell you the last time I regularly attended church, it's been awhile, but I am a firm believer in our Lord. I know there are reasons he does these things. I just wish we could fully understand and comprehend those reasons. Especially when it seems that a life was taken, far too early, for no reason. 

The events in Colorado last week was another mind boggling, faith questioning event. Why God?! Why would you do this to these innocent bystanders just wanting to see a movie. Why take so many young people who still had so much of a life to live?

Yesterday's event hit too close to home for me as it was something I could, without a doubt relate to. Another old friend from high school, who I kept up with through Facebook, lost her husband who was also her high school sweetheart in a car accident in our hometown. They have a beautiful one year old little girl and just finished celebrating a week long vacation this past weekend. I know, via Facebook, that they were also getting ready to move into a new home. Yet his life was taken yesterday and now his dear wife and precious baby girl have to endure this tragedy and their future life without him. I.can.not.imagine. I know what it's like to have a husband.  I know what it's like to love your other half completely. To plan a future together. To trust. To admire. To call your best friend. And to lose all of that in a blink of an eye, it sends me into a sobbing mess. 

Once again I find myself asking God why?! Why would you do this to such a wonderful young family? A hard working man supporting the love of his life and their new child?! Why would you take this child's only father away?! Why would you take this friends one true love away?! Why would you break this family's hearts?! Why would you do this to good people?! Why, Why, Why, Oh dear God WHY?! 

There are so many bad, ugly, and evil people in this world, ie. the Aurora shooter, but yet you, God, have spared that mans life... for now. Why do you allow such crazy and sick individuals to live and walk on this Earth but take the good people far too soon?! 

I know I will never get my answers for this, until I meet God myself. I just keep praying, asking for understanding, asking for peace, asking for more faith. My heart is broken for all of these families and old friends. No one should ever have to feel this pain. I know death is a part of life, something we have to learn to deal with, but not in these ways. Not in these kinds of accidents. I know each of these families are still incredibly confused and battling a daily war of emotions and questions. All I can hope for them is that they continue to pray for strength to help them through these traumatic events. I know God will supply it, he will give them peace, and strength, and an abundance of love but I don't know if these events could ever truly be understood. I don't see how. 

I don't doubt God and his plans for all of us but I do question him a lot. We are only human to do so. I just want all of these families pain to be erased, for it to disappear, and for their loved ones to return. Wishful thinking I know but if I can't understand why their worlds have been completely turned upside down, I don't see how they can understand it either. I hope in time God does show them why and I hope in time their hearts are able to heal. I can't stop praying for that and I won't stop praying for that. 

My heart is very heavy today, but this post is not about me, it's about these families being lifted up in prayer. It's about these families finding peace. It's about keeping our faith no matter how many times we ask God why. 

XoXo, 

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I hope this Hump Day is treating y'all well! I wanted to thank many of you for your awesome sponsorship explanations yesterday!!! I will definitely do a post {probably sometime next week} on what I learned and what I think about it all! I really do appreciate everyones input!!

So what am I loving today and this week?! Here Goes:

1. Baby Reef's 1st Birthday is Saturday! I can't believe our sweet little bundle of fur, our first child, our lil "bubba" is going to be 1!! He has made our lives so enjoyable and we often talk about how we can't even imagine not having him! We are planning on giving him one of those hard plastic swimming pools {you know what I'm talking about, pretty sure we all had one as a baby} so he can enjoy the water in the backyard as he hates the sprinkler! Sunday we are going to take him to my Dads {who owns Baby Reef's real life brother Cash} and celebrate their birthday together! Complete with homemade Pupcakes, Frosty Paws Ice Cream, and some Hot Dogs! I may even put birthday hats on them!

2. That we are in the last several days of July, which means August is around the corner which then means College Football season will be here before we know it!!!! LEEETTTTT'SSSS GOOOOO ... HOOOOKIIIIEEESSSS!

3. Car shopping on Saturday! And hopefully bringing home our new ride... fingers crossed! I don't want to say too much as I don't want to jinx myself!

4. The way people come together in times of tragedy. With the events that have occurred in Aurora and several events that have occurred in my own area, it is heartwarming to see so many people show love and support to those in need. I only wish people would express and show that love continuously!

5. These nachos I made for lunch today. Seriously made these from leftovers in the fridge! Corn, sauteed peppers and onions, and Spanish rice, topped with cheese and plain Greek yogurt! Yummy!

Sorry it's so short today! This week has been a non-thinking kind of week! I've been a little blah on what to post! Hopefully I'll get out of this writer's block rut next week!!

XoXo,

Sponsorship 101?

So obviously I am still very new to this whole blogging world we live in! I know I need a new design and I am in the process of getting my ideas together and having Ashlyn at Let it Be Beautiful create me a fabulous layout! Another thing I wouldn't mind having is even MORE followers. Marketing myself is a huge part of this, hosting more give aways, and sponsorships! I know how to market, I just don't take the time to do it. I've already done one pretty awesome give away. The one thing I am completely confused on is Sponsorships.

Now, I studied about Sponsorships in my Sport Marketing class in college. I get the whole idea and point of it, HOWEVER, I am a bit confused on how bloggers REALLY benefit from it. Like why not just swap buttons and do guests posts? Why does a blogger have to PAY for the sponsorship. I am more or so asking, where does that MONEY go to? What does the receiving blogger do with the money that other bloggers pay?? Am I out of line to say 1. I think the whole pay to sponsor is kind of outrageous and 2. why are some bloggers charging CRAZY sponsorship rates?! Yea, I get it... you've got tons of followers but is it really necessary to charge someone $20.00 or more to have an ad on your page?! I guess I am just wondering why people can't sponsor for free??

By no means am I criticizing fellow bloggers for charging for sponsors{there are obvious benefits to it that I just have not really seen}, as I have many close blogging friend's who do, it just may be my ignorance of the processes of the blogging world. Hence why I'm posting this, so that hopefully someone can educate me more on it. I know for a fact I will definitely entertain sponsors as I love supporting other gals but it will be of no expense to anyone. One thing is for sure, this blogging experience is one I enjoy and appreciate, but I am not out to make money off of anyone. I want to be the supporter, the cheerleader, and maybe even inspirational to other bloggers and my readers! Sometimes I feel like this blogging world is a bit of a popularity contest, who can host the most give aways, contests, get the most followers, etc etc. And with that I feel some lose a sense of why they started their blog in the first place.

So yes, please feel free to explain to me the reasons why you may charge for sponsorships. Or why you buy sponsorships. Or both. I really do want to understand the exact process! Who knows, maybe in the future I will charge, buuuut I'm thinking free sponsorships are the way to go, at least for my page!

Hope y'all are having a HAPPY TUESDAY! Apparently I'm still tired as my eye is still twitching today!

XoXo,


Weekend Recap!

Hello Hello Hello all you pretties!!! I hope you all are having a wonderful Monday so far!!! After a pretty busy and eventful weekend celebrating the Hubby's Birthday, it is safe to say I am exhausted. Eye twitches and all!

As you all know, the hubs had his 26th birthday on Friday! I bought him {us} tickets to go see his team, the Atlanta Braves, play the Nationals in DC on Saturday. We drove up Saturday, late morning, and then proceeded to get stuck in traffic 30 minutes outside of home and continued to stay stuck in traffic the whole way there. What is normally about a 3 hour drive took 4 1/2 hours! Not fun, especially when it was rainy! We did safely make it to our hotel, checked in and relaxed for a bit before heading to Union Station to grab dinner and catch the metro to the game!

The game ended up being a bust for us Braves fans, but I was pretty stoked on seeing Bryce Harper play! Yes, I am a Braves fan, buuuut Harper is a STUD, and his name is on my "Future Baby Names" list... Bryce Harper Harrell??? I loooove it! Anywho, despite the misty rain and the loss, we had a great time and were even able to jam out to the WallFlowers during the post game concert! "One Headlight" anyone?!

We headed back home yesterday but made sure to take a little detour to the Potomac Mills Outlets! Once again... so many stores... so overwhelmed. I'm just not a shopper anymore, it stresses me out! However, we did not leave empty handed. Both the hubs and I got new tennis shoes and the hubs got a new casual dress shirt! At least it wasn't a total bust! I'm looking forward to sporting my new tennis... and hope they will give me some motivation to start getting into shape!

Hope y'all enjoy the photo dump as I did not have a blog post planned for today! I had a horrible migraine yesterday afternoon and once we got home I attached myself the bed and didn't move until this morning!

Found these at WaWa on our way! Heaven in a Bag!

Birthday Boy anxious for the game!

Riding the Metro

View from our seats!

Chelsea from Life is a Sunset was sitting up there somewhere! We never did meet up :(

My $12.00 Margarita!

They put him in the game in the 8th inning! Worth the wait to watch him steal a base too!

Happy Birthday Love!!

We were right in front of the Braves Bull Pen and Eddie Perez smiled at me ;)

The WallFlowers setting up

Chelsea tweeted this photo to me! If you look closely over the 1067 FAN you can see Todd's teal shirt

Rocking out! So fun!

My entire world! Love him!



Too bad NO ONE hit a home run



Biggest Danish I have ever eaten!




My new kicks!!! Love em!

 Hope y'all had very stellar weekends as well!!!!

XoXo,