Sometimes being your best and pursuing your dreams w/passion and diligence is what people around you need to see…
Yes pray for them, encourage them and love on them but maybe, just maybe, they need to see you living and being your best self so that they know, up close and personal, that if it’s possible for you then it’s definitely possible for them!!!
Being your best self may be the example that someone needs to witness today…

Being the wife of a coach is no easy task…especially the head coach. Before my husband and I even thought about marriage, coaching was always on the life agenda. He had been coaching for years and always knew that he would be a head coach of a high school football team and would one day coach at the collegiate level.
We’ve been married for almost ten years and for most of that he has been a line backer coach and for the last five years a defensive coordinator. This past February he became the head football coach at a local high school.
We were absolutely elated!
The team didn’t have a good record but I knew that with my husband being the leader that would soon change.
Why wouldn’t it? He is my personal Superman!
He’s passionate. He’s positive. He’s committed. He’s loyal.
And most importantly he loves God and more than winning games, his desire is to teach and influence young men to be God honoring leaders with character and a belief deep within themselves that they can do anything and that they never have to succumb to the negativity that may surround them.
Like I said, we knew coming in that it would take some time, diligence and patience to build a solid program as well as change the culture to that of a positive and winning mindset.
I knew it. My husband said it. I supported it. I’ve even prayed for it.
But I wasn’t prepared for what has been going on…
We’ve lost. Quite a few times…our record is now 1-3.
This is all new to me.
Yeah, he’s lost games before and it’s been tough to deal with.
But losing as a head coach is a whole different bird.
There’s nobody else to look to when the loss occurs…he’s the man.
He takes the blame. He takes the shame and embarrassment that comes with not reaching the potential that he KNOWS is there…he takes the the ridicule and the hurt that comes with not being able to give the team what they need the most…the mindset that comes with winning.
Is it hard to see the team lose? Yes.
Is it hard to hear the horrible remarks from the fans? Absolutely!!
Is it hard to see my husband doing so much and not getting the desired results? Yes and that has to be the absolute worst.
My daughter said something so profound today after the game, “Mommy, there’s a difference between losing and giving up…”
Indeed it is.
Regardless of what the season looks like, I am extremely proud of my Superman.
He’s continuing to fight no matter what the outcome is and while he’s doing it, he’s changing the culture in a community.
Whatever the record at the end of the season, these young men will know that their coach loves and believes in them. They’ll know what a man of character and grace looks like…they’ll know the difference between losing and giving up.

Father I pray that my child(ren) continue(s) to develop into the person that you have created them to be. I pray that your hand of protection be upon them, especially while they are at school.
Let them be confident in you and in who you have created them to be. I pray that they are kind to all and are able to make friends with those who will be a blessing to them and vice versa.
I pray that they never have to deal with a bully or be lonely. Lord, even in the not so good circumstances that could arise, I pray that they always know that you will never leave them nor forsake them and neither will we as their parents.
Father I pray that our children be a friend to the friendless and that they learn what true friendship is.
Let them thrive and flourish at school, with their teachers and amongst their peers, In the Name of Jesus. Amen

Perception Is Everything…
Today I’m choosing to think the best of myself, others and every situation. Too many times, I’ve dwelled on the worst outcomes and I’ve caused myself to be stagnant, afraid and bitter.
I’ve thought too highly of others and too lowly of myself and because my expectations for myself were so low…I lived up to them.
But today I’m choosing something different.
I’m choosing to think that my life is full of purpose and the work that God chose for me to do will get done.
I am significant to God. I’m loved unconditionally by Him and because of His love, I love others.
My needs are met and I can meet the needs of others as the Holy Spirit leads me.
I am the Best Version Of Me!!!
Today I’m choosing to change my perspective ….xo

So today was the first day of school for my kiddies. Our oldest started third grade and the twins started kindergarten.
Of course this was a pivotal moment, we now have 3/4 kids in school and they are riding the bus!
For some this may seem like a small thing but for me it was an inward battle. Yes, our kids riding the bus is more convenient. I don’t have to take them across town and be in horrible traffic. Yes, it’s a good experience with them all being together and having a sense if accomplishment.
However, I battled thoughts/feelings if me being a bad mom. I am a SAHM and shouldn’t I be available to drop kids off and pick them up daily…what else do I have to do that’s more important?
In some way or another I felt as if I was losing time w/them. They’re already at school most of the day and then I don’t get that extra hour of transport time? Something about this just made me feel like a not so good mom…
And then reality kicked in. I’m a great mom.
Although my kids are riding the bus, I’m the one who walks and talks with them to and from the bus stop. I love them and they know it.
Honestly this gives me somewhat of a break and frees me up to do more.
I’m realizing that I can’t do everything and that’s okay.
If something can be responsibly delegated that’s what I’ll do.
If it can’t I’ll adjust.
But the one thing that I’m taking from this is that I’m significant enough to do something that helps me be better…even in the smallest way.

I looked at the calendar today and realized that as of today, Sept 1st, there are only 90 days left in this year… 📅
Man, 2014 has went by really fast! And to be completely honest there are a few things that I still need to accomplish. Yes, 2014 was a good year but with these last 121days I can make it great😁
So, on my list of end of the year goals are:
•Read 3 books
•Finish my devotional
•Lose at least 15 lbs

So, with the countdown on until 2015, what are you planning on accomplishing?!?📋✒️

Earlier today I had plans on writing a nice blog, outlining all the details of my newest organizing tool…
But then a real life situation came up, real fast!
I was out running errands and I took my husband his phone charger. And as he came out to get it, his boss came out too…he asked me about some of the notecards that I keep on my dash and I showed them to him proudly, telling him how they remind me to stay positive throughout my day.
Afterwards I went to the store, came out and my car wouldn’t start. This had happened quite a few times before and he went two weeks ago and got the starter fixed.
I waited. And waited. And waited…
Forty-five minutes later with four kids who were hungry, thirsty, hot and one even had a diaper full of poop…I was still in the parking lot with a car that wouldn’t start.
So I finally texted my husband to no avail bc he was in the middle of a training session at work. I told him that I was contemplating just taking the stroller out the back and walking back to our house. I was only a good 5-7 minutes by car but with 4 kids, a stroller and heat-it would have taken us at the very least 30 minutes to get home.
My husband texted me back and told me not to get upset, to be patient and that my car would start soon.
I started to text him back to tell him that that was easy for him to say because his car always started without hesitation,that I was frustrated, hot and stuck in a stinking car with four restless children…
Then I erased the text and realized that I had to make the decision to not become irrational and that I had a choice in how to properly handle this situation.
So I deleted the text…and at exactly an hour wait time my car started!
So the moral is…that we all have a choice in how we handle everyday situations.
The very things that I said that I believed were tested and thankfully I passed the test!!! 😊👍🚗💨💨

I used to think that inspiring people meant speaking to crowds of thousands, traveling around the world, being on the New York best seller list and being able to give large amounts money to worthy causes…
All of this is very inspiring and I believe that within my lifetime, I’ll accomplish at least one of those great things 😉, but what I’m learning is that inspiration can sometimes come in the simplest forms.
Inspiration comes simply from being your best self. It doesn’t matter if you’re being the best mother, doctor,
or garbage man…just be your best!
I truly believe that when people see you being your best, following your dreams and stepping out on faith to do what they’re called to do, it inspires others to look beyond their circumstances to do what has always been in their heart to do and to think more positively about themselves…
Be an Inspiration today!!!😊😊😊

Please know that there is grace in motherhood. There will be days that are less than stellar…days that everything from the time you woke up until the minute you laid your head down on the pillow went wrong…
Nothing went as planned. No one behaved. The house is a complete disaster. Lessons aren’t completed.
The carefully planned meal has now turned into takeout. And the workout that was scheduled is now nonexistent.
Things happen. We don’t live up to the expectation that we set for ourselves…and to be completely honest, that sucks. It sucks to not have your day go as you envisioned…but it’s okay.
It’s okay to go to bed knowing that tomorrow has to better than today.
It’s okay to fall short on your personal mommy-meter…as long as you plan on reaching for the goal mark again tomorrow.
There’s grace in motherhood…grace that can help us be better mothers. More compassionate, loving, nurturing, God focused and attentive mothers…God let you grace be displayed in every area of my life in extraordinary ways. Xo

Today I was at the store and I was parked next to a Chrysler Town and Country mini-van. For some reason, it caught my eye. Anyone who really knows me, knows that I am so not a mini-van person!
Last year when we went to get me another vehicle, I specifically left mini-vans, of any sort, off of my list. The compromise for this Mommy of four was a Chrysler Pacifica, with the third row. When my son called it “a black van” I quickly informed him that my vehicle is a “crossover” lol.
But today…the tide turned. I am now a fan of the mini-van. When I told my husband he laughed and said ” so babe, you want one?”
I avoided answering and told him that it just seems more practical, the kids will have more room…and it looked like my Pacifica. My husband said that I was trying to “rationalize” wanting van now. Anyway you slice it, it was nice, I liked it and I will be the owner of a cute mini-van sooner or later…man, how times have changed 😉