Today I sent an email to my Oklahoma BFF, Reese, reminding her that she hadn't updated her blog in a very long time.

She kindly responded to my email that neither had I.

Touché, Reese, touché.

 Life with a 12-year-old and a 23-month-old doesn't stop.  Ever.  By the time I get the girls in bed, I am beat.  I'm sure that sounds like a familiar song and dance to all y'all moms out there.  Motherhood encompasses a lot of words: fullness, happiness, exhaustion, laughter, responsibility, thankfulness, purposeful and well, lots of laundry.

You know what word is NOT included that group of words describing Motherhood?

Spontaneity.  Remember that?

Remember when you and your honey could just go out to dinner at the last minute?  Or hop in the car for a day trip to the beach?  Or come home from work and have cereal for dinner vegged out on the couch catching up on last month's DVR shows?

I do.  And I can tell you that right now, those days are long gone.

A last-minute dinner out is typically down at Chicken Play...ahem, I mean Chick-Fil-A.

My DVR is filled up with Bubble Guppies, Dora, Mickey and Team Umizoomi.  I can't tell you the last time I caught up on an adult TV series.

A trip to the beach at this point would never, I repeat never, be a day trip.  It would take me an entire day simply to pack the car.

I'm not complaining even though it probably sounds that way.  It's just the way life is for us right now.  schedules, routine and planning but no spontaneity.

I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I am blessed.

I planned to share some updated pictures but Blogger is being cray...and ain't nobody got time for cray.  So the pictures will have to wait.

In the meantime, I am going to be spontaneous and go to bed 15 minutes later than normal...right now.  It's no Party Rock Anthem but sleep is a glorious thing to me.

Good night peeps.  And if you happen to be in Oklahoma life my BFF Reese, please know that we are praying for you.


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(This post has been featured in my local online newsaper, The Voice of Moore County!!!  Check it out!!)

Today, I tried something new.

Please indulge me for a moment as I tell you about my lunchtime “yoga” session. Allow me to start you off with a few bullets so you can fully appreciate my experience:

· I did not realize that I signed up online for HOT yoga. (FAIL)

· The only thing I drank this morning was red bull and diet coke. (FAIL) (Also, don't judge.)

· The only thing I ate this morning was a hand full of energy trail mix and a little oatmeal. (FAIL)

· I had make-up on my face and hair product in my hair. (FAIL)

As I walked into the studio, with my borrowed yoga mat and over sized beach towel, I noticed I was surrounded by women who were…well, let’s just say “toned” is an understatement. I stepped into the 105 degree room and thought to myself, “How in the heck am I going to survive one hour in this HELL room doing yoga when I can hardly even BREATHE just sitting here?”

I wanted to leave.  I wanted to stay.  Honestly, I was intimidated because these women were like Greek Goddesses with taught tummies and rock-hard gleuts.

Then we started. And the first five minutes were GREAT! I was keeping up. I was breathing. I was downward-dogging and planking and warrior posing like a champ.

Then…all of a sudden. It wasn’t so great. I thought I was going to puke on my yoga mat. 

I stepped out of the HELL room into the nicely air conditioned room where the owner shoved something with electrolytes down my throat provided me with a wonderful drink full of vitamins and electrolytes. He explained that hot yoga is the hardest thing he’s ever done…harder than triathlons even.  Most people have to take a break their first time.  I’m pretty sure he said some other stuff like Namaste and crap….but I was zoning. I had my eye on the air conditioner in the window and nothing else.

Immediately, the electrolytes hit my body and I was like freaking superwoman. I was ready to face the HELL room again.

So I did. And I rocked out the rest out the rest of the session.  And when I say "rocked out," I really mean that I tried every move and didn't die.

At the very end of most every yoga session, the class spends a few minutes meditating. While I was laying flat on the mat, some person (an angel? A heavenly Saint? The Red Cross?) placed a cool cloth on my face and proceeded to massage my neck, shoulders and arms with lavender oil.

It was in that moment, that I fell in love with Hot Yoga.

L.O.V.E.

However, there are a few lessons- learned that I will share with you…in case you, too, decide to try yoga on your lunch break:

1. If you sign up for yoga, know in advance that it is HOT Yoga.
2. Diet coke and red bull do not hydrate your body.  In fact, you might as well just drink chalk.

3. Sweat dripping in your eyes mixed with make-up and hair spray is like taking a can of Lysol and spraying directly into your corneas.

4. When you are done, your hair may or may not look exactly like that lady at The Food Mart who shops in her bath robe and slippers. You know the one.

5. You CAN equally LOVE and HATE something.

And there you have it. My lunchtime hot yoga experience.
I can’t wait to go back.  Seriously, the feeling of walking out of that hot room...my body soaking wet, my mind perfectly clear and an energy that almost doesn't make sense...I loved it.

On Sunday, I posted something that wasn't easy to post.

And I feel better for saying it and for sticking with it.  

I know, it's only been like 4.5 days, but still...

The last drink I had was Saturday night.  Since then, I've been clear-headed and productive and happy.

I'm not going to lie...the first night I was all like, "Oh.my.goodness....what am I going to drink???"  Water is boring.  I needed something else and I didn't have anything else.  That was really the hardest part so far.  

So, Mark made some tea and I actually like it unsweetened.

Stop my Southern heart.  I like unsweetened tea?  Who knew? 

But when I need something frilly, I also have Perrier and other flavored sparkling waters.  They are fancy and yummy and just what I need in those moments.

Everything is good, well, except for that twitch in my left eye.  For real.  Like every other minute it twitches.

But other than that, everything is good.

I'm ready to see where God takes me.  I'm ready to see what He does with this heart and all that space that I was guarding so ferociously.

This girl is ready. 

Picture by Ashley

 My cousin sent me scripture the other day.  I'm not sure that she even knows about all of this that's going on.  Mostly, I tell people about my decision (ummmm....or God's decision FOR me?) face-to-face and through my blog.  Duh...because doesn't everyone communicate these days via a blog?  Anyway, she sent me a scripture that said:

Picture by Ashley

For His Glory.

This post isn't easy to write.  In fact, these words won't be easy to say.  But I'm going to write them and I'm going to say them anyway. 

They need to be said.  Here.  To you.

Mark and I got married in October 2007.  We went on our honeymoon, came home and then the next day he left for a 18 day hunt in the midwest.  I don't remember being mad at him for going.  He had gone every year prior so it was expected.  Except this time, we were just married living in a house that was in the middle of renovation...subfloor, dust, paint, trimwork...it was a mess.  And I couldn't sleep at night. 

Looking back, maybe I was actually mad.

So I opened up a bottle of red wine left over from our wedding and had two glasses.  No big deal.

Slept like a baby.

Then I did the same thing the next night.  No big deal.

It helped me sleep and it was actually delicious.  So win-win.

In January 2010, I lost a baby.  It was quite upsetting to say the least.  It rocked me to my core. 

Again...with the not sleeping and wanting to feel numb.  So I opened up a bottle of wine.  And I drank it to help me rest and forget.  Ironically, I thought it would help me keep it together.  No big deal.

Then I got pregnant with Reese and life was great. 

Until it wasn't. 

Because Reese Ann is handful.  Non-stop crying.  Non-stop motion.  Non-stop climbing, and opening and getting into stuff and wow.

Polar opposite of Kelsey...who is chilled, laid-back and easy.

Reese is so awesome but she is hard.  Full of life and energy....I had a hard time keeping up so I opened up a bottle of wine.  And it helped me relax and cope with the craziness.

No big deal, right?

I didn't drink and drive.  I wasn't getting drunk.  I was just relaxing.

Until the amount that I had to drink to relax kept increasing.  One glass, two glasses...a bottle.  I mean my wine glasses are big, okay?  And then it got to where I couldn't sleep without having wine at night.

It's socially acceptable.  Wine is classy. 

Until it's not.

Until you feel like you have to hide empty wine bottles.  I think that was the actual minute I knew that maybe it was more than just a "glass at night to relax."

As a side note, I'm saying wine here...but really, I like beer, too.  Maybe even more. 

Mark asked me a question a few months ago.  He said, "Don't you think anything you HAVE to have every day is bad for you?"

I told him that he was being silly.  I didn't NEED it everyday.  I just liked it. 

But I knew.

And to his credit, he didn't hound me about it or argue his point.  It was just a seed that he planted.

About ten days ago, I woke up in the middle of the night and felt God talking to me.  Clear as a bell.  He said, "Give it up. For Me."

It was profound.  I mean, God spoke to me.  The God who created the universe and breathed planets and threw stars in the sky...spoke to me.  Not audibly but He put those words in my heart and in my head.  So you know what I did?

I ignored it.

The very next day, I went to the grocery store and at first, I walked past that aisle.  But then I turned around and went right down that aisle and replenished my supply.  Something inside of me felt it in the pitt of my stomach.  That tug.  You know what I'm talking about and it ain't good.

To knowingly ignore something that God has asked you to do isn't very wise.  I've done it before and He always has a way of getting my attention.  I actually thought about what He would do to get my attention if I continued to ignore Him.

He kept waking me up at night, telling me the same thing.

"Do this for Me."

So I casually mentioned it to one of my friends.  I chose a friend who enjoyed it the same as me.  I wanted validation.  You know what she said?   "If God cares enough to wake you up at night to tell you something, you better listen."

Ouch.  Not what I expected to hear.

So I ignore her, too.

For a few more days.

Then, on my way to church this morning, I just surrendered it.  Gave it to Him.  I kinda got tired of fighting it.  Fighting is exhausting.  And it takes you further away from God.

I've been far away from God and that is a bad place to be. 

An amazing thing happened when I made that decision today.  I felt The Holy Spirit renew in me.  He was always there but I felt it bigger and deeper than I had in a long time.

Tonight, I am having sweet tea (decaf) and bottled water.  I am honoring God.  And I'm not going to lie...I feel like I am leaving a friend behind.  This is going to be good for me.  It might not be fun and there will be times I want to go back. 

But for now, I'm listening.

This isn't a New Year's Resolution.  It's answering God.  Obeying Him.  Even when you don't want to.

I didn't share the entire background of my drinking to put blame on any person or situation.  It's not like at that all.  It's just that I can see the progression over the years.  Even baby steps in the wrong direction will eventually get you totally off-course.

I don't know where this is headed; but He does.  And I'm not saying that one day I can't go back to having a glass here and there.  "Never" and "always" are words I try to avoid.  I just need to clear my head, clear my heart and be ready for whatever work God is trying to complete in me.

And maybe I'll sleep tonight.

Oh....hello there!  Who knew I would write a post about being Blogalicious and then turn around and not blog for a month.  Does that make me a Bloga-failure?  Possibly.

But let me tell you what's been going on...I think you'll understand.  Or rather, I'll show you real quick:

My photography business has really taken off.  Check out this sweet family I shot earilier this month:









Can you believe there are two baby boys in that cute-as-a-button tummy?

Last weekend, one of my best girlfriends got married.  I was the maid-of-honor and in true MOH fashion, I planned one heckuva bachelorette party.  Here are a few pictures of the party and the wedding!

Keri + Dustin

Me and the Bride-to-Be



Lingerie Shower!



All the girls at dinner

Wedding Day!!  Me and the Bride!!

Dancing...HA!!!!  My face cracks me up.

We did it!!  9-22-12!

So, as you can see, I have been a busy little bee...with hardly any time to sit down, be still and rest.  When my life gets like this, it's super-easy for me to lose focus on my relationship with God.  Isn't it sad that is usually (for me anyway) the first thing to go when my calendar fills up?

I had a thought the other day (since lately all I do is think about and dream about taking pictures) regarding the importance of Framing.  When you take a picture, a good photographer knows how to frame the subject so that the subject doesn't get lost in the picture. 

A good photographer will  look through the lens of the camera, cut out anything that is not relevant to the subject and focus on what's really important.  There could be fifteen kids singing at a birthday party, but he's focused on the birthday girl.  There could be 50,000 screaming fans at a concert but he is focused on the singer.  There could be an entire room of people watching the bride and groom cut the cake but he is focused on the couple.

I think that, for me, my life is like that.  There are a lot of moving parts right now but I have got to learn to block all that out and focus on Him.  I need to look through my lens, frame my subject and take the shot that is most important.  The rest of the stuff in the background is just fluff.

Now that I've been doing this blogging thing for going on three years, I consider myself pretty well-versed on all things bloggy.   Not because I'm so smart, but because I read about a thousand blogs...I can see what works well, what catches my eye and what makes me run in the other direction.  I read mom blogs, inspirational blogs, funny blogs, fashion blogs and serious blogs.  I read big blogs that you all know very well and I read tiny blogs where I am one of only seventeen followers.

It's not the readership that makes a blog successful...it's the content.

And that, my friends, is what I am going to write about today.  Content...and some other stuff.

I do feel like I should add a disclaimer before I start...I might not have 5,000 subscribers or make bucket-loads of money here in this space.  That's not really my goal.  I just like to share my pictures and capture things that God shows me along the way. 

Okay, that's a lie.  I wouldn't mind having 5,000 subscribers.  And having bucket-loads of money?? It sounds pretty rad. So there's that...

I digress...

You are probably thinking, "Who does this chick think she is?"  Well, I happen to think I am pretty awesome.  The truth is...I am just an average writer and an average reader.  Things that annoy me are likely to annoy other people.  And if no one tells you, how will you ever know?

So please, for the love of  all things blogalicious...please read this list.


1.  Delete Your Automatic Music Player
Let me guess....you really like The Scientist by Coldplay.  That's awesome; so do I.  But if I am READING your blog, it's kinda sorta hard to focus on YOUR words with the music blaring.  Also, if I am creeping on your blog at work, I don't want the dude in the next office to wonder why I started blasting random music out of the blue. If you have an automatic music player, chances are I will remember it and  I will not click to go to your site anymore.

2.  Guest Posts
Let's say that hypothetically you are going on vacation for a week where you will not have  internet connection.  Great!  Have a good time!  Enjoy yourself!!  I want to see pictures when you get back!  Oh wait...you've lined up people to guest post in your absence?  Nope.  I'm probably not going to read it.  If I wanted to read their thoughts, I would follow their blogs.  I realize that sounds kind of cruel...maybe mean...but I think it's presumptuous of you to think that we, your readership, would totally fall apart without daily updates from your site.  Oh sure, I get that the Google search algorithm is based on site updates and you want your site to get high ranks.  So write a weeks worth of posts yourself and schedule the postings.  See?  It's a win-win.

There is an exception to this rule, however.  If you are writing a series on a particular topic, (infertility, homeschooling,  raising a child with special needs, etc.) and you have discovered someone who's story can ADD TO your story...then do it!  In my most humble of opinions, that is very different.


3.  Be Real
If you write about unicorns and sunshine and rainbows all-day-every-day, eventually I am going to call BS on that and move on.  Even the ever-optimistic Kelle Hampton has bad days...and she shares it with us.  It's okay to see the glass-half-full.  I get it.  But I want to know that I am not the only one who sometimes sees the glass half empty.  What can I say?  Misery loves company.  (I kid.)


4.  But Not Too Real
No one likes a constant Debbie Downer.



5. Reviews
I totally understand why people do reviews.  You get free stuff....duh.  And who doesn't like free?  The thing is, I think it takes away from the credibility of your blog.  You might say, "If I don't really like a product, I won't write about it."  While that might be true, that's not what I am talking about.  Your blog is authentically YOU.  If you wouldn't normally write about the greatness of Crest White Strips then writing a review on Crest White Strips doesn't authentically represent who you are.  Make sense?


6. Pictures
Very few bloggers (i.e. Angie Smith) can write an entire post and hold my attention without the use of pictures.  Your blog is a little glimpse into your life...I want to see your family and your husband and the front porch that you recently redecorated.  But please....please....unless you have an artsy photography blog, I do not want to see 27 pictures of the same flower.  And oh by the way, you don't have to own the latest, greatest DSLR to take good, blog-worthy pictures.

For example,  I could TELL you that my mother-in-law grew cucumbers in a bird bath.  But it doesn't have the same effect as this:


Also, I could TELL you that Reese Ann wakes up in the mornings with wild and crazy hair (we call them hairbones)...or I could just show you:


See?  Pictures make everything better :-)


7. User-Friendly Settings for Blogger
When you initially set up your blog, the options can be overwhelming.  It took me a year to think of the title of my blog alone (yes, a year...don't judge).  Then I had to decide, two-column versus three-column...design, font, headers...YIKES!!  Here are some important items that will make reading your blog easier for other people.  First of all, be sure that your email is included in your Blogger profile.  If you leave a comment for me, I want to respond...but I can't do it if Blogger doesn't have your email address.

Secondly, please remove the word verification in your comments section.  Unless you are being bombarded by spam, this is a nuisance for your readers and they will often skip leaving you a comment because they can't read the word verification...even after 7 tries.  (What?  Am I the only one who can't read that crap?)

Finally, please do not limit your site feed in Reader.  I use Google Reader to read and organize my favorite blogs....all thousand of them.  If you only allow a portion of your blog to appear in site feeds (like Google Reader), then I am forced to click on your blog to finish reading.  I don't like being forced to do anything and for that reason, I will probably delete you from my feed.


Wow.  I have to say...this is very liberating.  Do you agree or disagree?  Did I forget something?  Feel free to chime in and let me know.  I'd love to know your thoughts.

I do have one more thing to share and in some weird, twisted way, it is blogalicious in it's own right.  I was looking at my stats this morning and noticed that someone found my blog by searching, "ultimate horse barns."  Could someone please tell me how in the Sam Hill my blog is related to horse barns?

Thanks.

 

Kindness?  Friendship?  Photography?

Yes.  All of the above. 

I've been a busy little bee...and my poor blog has taken a backseat.

Earlier this month, I met up my Oklahoma Best Friend (OKBFF) at the beach for lovely little getaway.

This is us:



This is also us:



I love her...as if you couldn't tell.

We saw this:



And may or may not have done this:


It was glorious.  No kids.  No husbands.  Just friends and the ocean. 

Since I got back, I've been swamped with photography sessions.  It's a good problem to have.  Some of my sessions included these little lovelies...






The other day I was in the drive thru at StarBucks and decided to pay for the car behind me.  You know..random act of kindness-pay it forward kind of thing.  Did you know that can backfire?  Because it can.  I'm pretty sure I didn't know her.  She was alone and appeared to be in her early-mid twenties.  After I paid, I got that warm-fuzzy feeling...I was driving off to work with a smile on my face and DOGGONE IT!!  She was following me!  No joke.  I had to take a detour!  I ended up losing her at a traffic light. 

Weird.

Take your free coffee, chic, and don't follow me?  mmmmkay?

On a completely different note..school started back today here in NC.  I now have a seventh grader and a one year old.  Marinate on that for a while.

I took the baby to a birthday party at the Fire Department the other day.  I think she loved it.  What do you think?



Aaaaand I am pleased to announce that I went back to the gym today for the first time in about a month.  In honor of school starting back, I have a little mathematical equation for you.  It goes like this: