Grace, Love & Kindness + Life.

In 2016 I made the commitment to be committed. That if I was invited and I said I would go, then I would go. And for the most part, I stuck to it, pretty well. I also discovered the word "maybe" which was my go around... to making sure I was giving my best yes to something. I'm an introvert by nature. Actually, I call myself an “Outgoing introvert”. And when 2016 began I created a resolution if you will, that I would truly commit. As I said, I stuck to it pretty well. If the circumstances arose that I couldn't for emergency purposes... that was different. But I was notorious for saying I would, and then backing out. Back up to just before making that resolution to myself... at the end of 2015, Daniel and I prayed for a word that would carry us through the new year- for all of 2016. Something we would stand on and push through. This was new for us. But so was our commitment in listening to one of our favorite preachers, who did this tradition with his congr

The other day I saw a beautiful woman, who was a mother of 3 maybe child 4 with her, was hers too.. but for sure 3 of them. All boys. My heart sank because I knew how blessed she is. She was yelling at one of them to to wash their hands, glaring at one of them to sit down, all the while a baby was on her hip. The 4 th boy, oldest, clearly, sat quietly eating. Her hair was on top of her head, her sweatpants, probably should have been washed days ago.. her shirt with a brand new splatter of bbq sauce on it. She looked tired. But she was radiant. I don't know her, and regretfully I don't even know her name. But I was her. I am her. My boys are older, and there are only 3. But I was her once too. One of my 3 is a bonus son, who've I've been blessed with for the last 10 years of his 17 years of life. So he's mine too. God blessed us with these children y'all. Tired. Exhausted. Trying to fit into a smaller pant size but eating on the go. I know.

Kindness. This has been sitting on my heart since interacting with the rudest people out at the race track.  It's inspired so much within my heart to change the way I view others. I repeat, Kindness. It's my 2 nd most liked word in my vocabulary now. It costs, nothing. Not one single cent, to be kind. “Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see”. -Helen Keller. I mean, how amazing and true is that? People forget that kindness is free. We can change the world, one person at a time. So each day I will be doing something, from this day forward. It'll be written on a post it note in my bathroom where I go first thing, everyday. Seeing and reminding myself too, be kind. “No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.” Monday: Compliment someone. Verbally if you can help it. Tell them you love their shoes, their smile, the way they wear their hair. Their shirt, their car. Anything, j

Oh, be still my heart. I know I've made mistakes while I have been your momma. I know I'm not perfect. All I've ever wanted to do, is raise you to have a childhood that you wouldn't have to recover from. This morning I re-read a blog that was about a mom and her boys. So as it inspired my tears this morning it's inspired this blog post as well.  As my boys have gotten older, I keep coming to the realization that they won't always be there to hug good night. They won't always be there to scratch their backs before bed. They won't  have  to text me to ask me something. I'm not just raising boys, I'm raising men. Men who will one day be husband's. One day be fathers to their own children.  It's emotional, even though this is the way life is supposed to be. I love my sons so much, I can't even fathom that I won't be able to walk into that smelly room and tell them to get started on the weeks worth

A blended family. I'm talking, her kids, his kids, our kids... Nevertheless. A blended family. We come together, as a family of 6. Yes, you read right. He has 2, I have 2. We have 3 that still live at home. #BoyMom status. Being a step mom is hard. Being a step dad is hard. Being a parent raising kids, is hard. Choose your hard. I'm not an expert. I'm just a mom, and a step mom, who's married to someone who's a dad, and also a step dad. I have a little experience is all. Let me tell you how much experience I have... Please read me right when I write ::These are MY views, MY personal opinions, and MY very real life exposure to everything you are about to read. I say that disclaimer, because if you are person who is easily offended, stop reading now:: If you are still with me, lets go down the yellow brick road shall we? Divorce is messy. It is a sad ordeal that isn't designed by God, at all. But sometimes, it is unavoidable. L

Some days, I don't know how I function in life... Other days, I get out of bed, I workout, I cook myself breakfast, I get to go to work, I talk to people all day, and not just through snap chat or facebook... and I'm like, whoa look at me go. Reminding myself by that days end, how exhausted my mind is, and realizing it is because I literally socialized all day long. Reverting back to the, some days, I don't know how I function in life. Introvert-  An  introvert  generally prefers solitary activities to interacting with large groups of people. If you would rather work through your feelings in your diary than have a conversation, then you are an  introvert . So, it probably explains why I love to write... whether I'm really great at this or not, I enjoy it. And most say they 'hear' me talk, when they read what I write. Which is even cooler, because that means I don't really need to socialize. Right ? Wrong. We are designed, created rather, by

Finding Balance An act of mind power. It takes a conscious effort to focus-let alone to balance our busy lives. I've not mastered this myself, but progress is made by a daily effort.  I'm a big advocate of social media, so don't read me wrong here when I tell you to, sign off . As amazing as our daily devotional books are, when was the last time you picked up your Bible? Better question is, when was the last time you picked up your Bible and truly read it?  We have a mobile device on us at almost all times, YouVerson Bible app is free! Hey, I'm not pointing fingers, I live in the same fast pace world. The good news is, there is a balance. Because don't we have God's full attention? All the time.  I was just having this conversation with a friend, and I love what he said: "God has our affection, but does He have our attention?" Via @realadampowell Click to tweet How unbelievably true is that? Along that same line of thoug

I'm a runner. No, I'm not a runner... but I run. So, I am a runner... but I'm new. I've always ran as exercise. But not for fun.. Am I making any sense? I'm training for my first half marathon. I'm even going to register this time. Progress. Side Note::  If you know me, you know I'm all over the board, all the time. If you don't know me, you have probably already stopped reading because you think I'm a nut job. Either way, works for me. Back to my topic. What I'm learning into my first week of training. It's a complete mental process. Which is hard for me. As you read, I'm all over the board. So I go back and forth. Plus commitment is really hard for me. I'm good with a mile run. Heck, even 3. Because my Fitbit challenges are the real deal y'all. True story bro... Just as the regulars in our challenge. So now, I know I'm training for something so much bigger than me. So much more than I'v

I get asked daily, what I eat , what I do to stay motivated , & what supplements I take . My favorite question is; How do I stay  motivated . I motivate myself. No, seriously. I have a tribe of people that I love crazy hard, and they are in my cheering section, every. single. day. I'm so grateful! Because when I am struggling, it's them I turn to and hear the words " I'm so proud of you and your motivation ". They don't even realize what they've just done for me. Every morning I wake up with a thankful heart. It might be a 'heavy eyes' thank you, but it's a thank you for another day, I'm awake, I am able to get up and I am healthy. I'm not much of a morning person, but I would like to think I've gotten 80% better.  I start 6 days a week at 5/515am. I like to be at the gym no later than 530am, because if I'm later than that, I rush, & if I'm earlier, I will slack off and not push myself very

thirtysomethings Yea, you read it right. It's like a pre-midlife awareness for me... so I thought I'd share. My big 30th birthday we were in limbo of the completion of our double court custody battle that we were rolled through. And that was the entrance to my thirties. Now, we're 3 fresh years in. Here's what I think-so far. By the time you are 30, you've probably had all the children your going to have (unless your my best friend who is 33 and hasn't started yet.. I'm certain she just wanted my kids for babysitters) You are raising miniature yous. (Laugh, it's true) You've been married, probably more than once. (statistics don't lie.. and I'm not judging) You've bought your first home, maybe lost it too. You've bought a car. And also realized insurance rates are the worst. You've gotten a job. Maybe your dream job, maybe your still spinning in the 'what am I gonna do with m

Sorry I'm late. Optimistic people all have one thing in common. They're always late. The further I got into this article, (not written by me...) the more interested I got. Because you see, I'm ALWAYS late. For real. If I'm on time, you can bet that it's because my husband drove. It turns out though, late people are actually the best people ever. They're optimistic and hopeful. I'm not just saying this because I'm always late either... well, okay maybe that's partly why. Anyway.... "They believe they can fit more tasks into a limited amount of time than other people and thrive when they're multitasking. Simply put, they're fundamentally hopeful." They think Big. "People who are habitually late don't sweat the small stuff; they concentrate on the big picture and see the future as full of infinite possibilities." Late people just get it. "People with a tendency for tardiness l

I cannot tell you how many times I've written, and saved the draft. I just can't seem to get with it, sitting down and typing. I've written, several pages in my notebook, but to transfer here, is another story. What can I say, I'm old school. I love to write. I love the look of a hand written page. What's been a recent blog I started called, "Emotional scarring". It's a real thing . Very real in my life. I'm really good today. At a near tender age of almost, barely gonna be 33 (...early thirties y'all) I do really well with everything I've been through in my life. Am I the only one with a messed up childhood? No. Absolutely not. Matter fact, we should form a club, right now! Messed up childhood? Meet here . And we won't stop there. What about the teenage years? The early 20's? Good? Solid? No worries young ones... hashtag this #Goals. Kidding of course. My point is I'm not alone and I'm very aware of this f

The other day I was asked what I liked about the two jobs I've had. (I've a few other jobs here and there mixed in, but those were my longest standing to show what I've done with my last 10 years in the work force.. so we're going with those) Anyway. I was asked what I liked about the two. What I loved about job one , was employee appreciation- no not the 'good job Misty' or a pat on the back, I mean, they took care of their employees. Sometimes they'd have bagels, donuts, fruit for breakfast. Always had coffee, at least once a month their was lunch in the office too. (Even if it was left overs after a board meeting, it was offered to us) They brought someone in to do massages on neck and shoulders (After all we sat at a desk all day everyday). Also every year they had someone come in for health and wellness for literally an annual check up. We were salary paid, so you weren't working a 8-5, hardly ever. You made up the time. But even then, I cou

That time of the year is approaching quickly! The birthday parties, the bridal showers, the wedding season! Do you know what that means? This bikini body you've been working on all winter, is in danger! So to speak. What do you do when you are faced with that delicious red velvet cake at your best friends birthday party?? What about your favorite red wine? We all talk about the treats, but alcohol can and will sabotage that hard work, and quick too! It's the sugar, and it's so yum! But it's not yum for you. However, you already know this... so let move on to some helpful tips. Almost every party I've been to (including showers of all kinds and birthday's) there is some kind of fruit tray (with dip) veggie tray (with dip) and maybe even a bowl full of nuts (no... not the people there, well, maybe them too... but I mean peanuts, almonds, cashews.. those nuts!) Options, skip the dips... eat the fruit by itself, the veggies by itself, grab a spo