Instagram

So I've just started using Instagram. L-o-v-e it! So you might be seeing more "Instagram" posts in the near future! :)

I have to say.....

......this is one of my most favorite pictures! :)

Me....with Mr. Handsome himself. :)

And...on that note...I'll leave you to have a wonderful rest of the week! :)

A Visit with my Bestie

I love spending time with friends, especially when...

...they feel like family!

That's exactly what this past weekend was all about!

My sweet bestie had traveled to Southern Missouri to be apart of a family wedding (by the way, Congratulations Seth and Rachel!), and I was blessed to go see her! Yes, the time was way too short. But, I'm so glad we got to spend some time together. When you live 12 hours away, you don't get to hang out as much as you want. Boo for distance! But...I can say we don't let let miles separate us. I'm thankful for that.

Another bonus to the weekend....was a sweet, handsome, little man, who calls me "Auntie K"!! I adore him!! And I'm thinking that "someone" was excited to see me too! hehehe I'm not gonna lie....when Jen sent me this video of Bradyn.....this Auntie's heart melted!!

He's such a sweet little man full of personality and love!!! His smile melts my heart! :)

Will You be My Valentine?!

Today is the day that was chosen to celebrate love! As I think about celebrating this day, there are several different thoughts that come to mind. I don’t think that you should celebrate love on just one day…but every day. We never know what each day will hold and we need to let those know that are dear to our hearts just how much we love them, everyday. I do, however, think that Valentine’s Day should be an extra special day to celebrate! Not that it has to be lavish, but just to make those you love feel extra special! Let’s be real here….who doesn’t love, love?! :)

I love hearing stories about Dad’s giving their daughters flowers or something special for Valentine’s Day. Or how a husband and wife surprised each other with something special to celebrate this day! It warms my heart!

I have to be honest. Through the years, I’ve not always been a big fan of Valentine’s Day. I never dated until my late twenties and with always being single, it always seemed like a gushy day that was meant only for people that had that extra special someone. Thoughts would go through my head like, “Well, I don’t have anybody special, so why would I celebrate?” In fact, there were some years where I absolutely hated Valentine’s Day.

But my view point has been changing over the past few years. It’s about those you love. Period. End of story. It doesn’t matter what type of relationship you are in. Whether you’re single, whether you’re just starting a relationship, dating, or married….it goes beyond that. It’s about others that you love as well….family, friends, nieces, nephews, sisters…you name it. I say this to my single friends because I’ve struggled with this so much in the past. More so than anyone probably knows.

So with that being said, I choose to forever celebrate love! I love, love! It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. J I received a phone call from both my sisters this morning wishing me a Happy Valentine’s Day. They’re amazing!! I also got to talk to my little love-bug in Turkey….baby Karstan! I love my little Valentine! I also want to tell my other love-bugs in Indiana; Ashlyn, Todd, and Katelyn….Auntie loves you very much! Happy Valentine’s Day!! You four have changed my life in so many ways. You make me proud to be your Auntie!
I can’t leave out my other sweet little love-bugs that I’ve adopted along the way. Bradyn, Caedyn, Sissy (Noelle), Lilly, Nessie, Owen, Declynn, and Colin. I love getting to be your Auntie! You’ve warmed my heart in so many ways. I love you bunches!! If you've been following this blog or any facebook posts, you won't be surprised when you hear me say, "I LOVE being an Auntie!!" :)

Yesterday, I received the sweetest message! It read…

“Will you be my Valentine tomorrow?”

How sweet is that?! I of course, said Yes I will! So my friends….here is my Valentine! :)

He is such a great guy and such a gentleman! I received my Valentine gift over the weekend! Love it! Happy Valentine's Day, my Valentine! :)

And to you, the reader! I hope you all have a wonderful day, and celebrate those that are dear to you! Happy Valentine's Day!

Driving in The Stake!

Church was FABULOUS today!! Seriously, there really aren't enough words to describe how amazing it was. I love worshipping with TLC! There is so much hunger to get more of God and people ministering to each other. Pastor always preaches with passion but today was OUT of the park!! His message was so passionate. You could see it. You could feel it. It was like you could reach out and grab it and get a tight hold on it. He was preaching on making our stakes deeper. People are watching us and you never know who is holding onto the truth that we have. We need to make sure that our stakes are grounded. If we leave a bad legacy, you never know who it may damage. We've got to make sure that we drive the stake in, deeper and deeper. Pastor used a visual of having a board with several stakes in it and people hammering the stake in deeper. It hit home. The presence of God was thick. It was life changing. A service we will be talking about for years to come! I'm driving my stake in!! Pastor Gleason gave each family a stake as a reminder to keep driving it in. I feel so blessed to be a part of such an amazing church. We're so blessed!

Valentine's Banquet

My niece and nephew had their Valentine's banquet at church last night! Ashlyn looks absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!! I love you baby girl!!! I can't believe that you are 16. The time has literally flown by! You have grown up to be such a beautiful, sweet, godly young lady. I love you more than words can say! I will never forget the day you were born. You hold a very special place in my heart. I love spoiling you---just wish you lived closer!! I am so proud of you honey!!

I love her gorgeous dress!!!

Todd had his first "date" last night with Jaycee! I'm pretty sure my sister made it clear that it was just a "friend"! HAHA!! So sweet!!
Aren't they so cute?!
They are so adorable!! My nephew looks so HANDSOME!!! Bubba, I am so proud of you!!! I can't believe you are 14 already!! Where has the time gone?! I'll never forget our little Christmas present....YOU! You always make us laugh and smile. I love your humor and your confidence! You are such a handsome young man! I love you so much Bubba!!! Words can't describe it enough!!
Ashlyn and her date.......her Daddy!!! I love this picture!! I love the fact that she is such a Daddy's girl! She said her friends kind of laughed a little bit when they found out, but I thought it was SO sweet! She asked her Dad to be her date, so he ran home and changed and brought her flowers!! It's moments like this that she will ALWAYS cherish.....and NEVER forget!!! Ash said, "I have the best date here!" Soo sweet!!

I ADORE this picture!!!! So proud of my sweethearts!!

Thanks for letting me have a sappy Auntie moment! :) There is NOTHING like being an Auntie!! They make me PROUD!!

Butter + Muffins

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Ok, this is kind of an inside joke with my sister and I. But seriously, WHO SAYS THIS?!!?!?! hahaha Love it!!!

Forgiveness

Forgiveness.

We say we forgive...but we never forget.

Is that really forgiveness???

During my Bible reading time this week, I was reading about forgiveness. Thinking about different things and situations in my life. I believe it was in Matthew where it was talking about forgiving someone 70 x 70. Do you realize how many times that is in one day?

A LOT!!

Profound huh? lol It doesn't matter how many times someone hurts you, whether it be over the course of a day or throughout a period of time. It doesn't matter what people say or the things that they do....we must forgive.

In the end, it will make us a much better person, especially knowing that we have forgiven those that hurt us or situations that have occurred in this life. It's life....things will happen, but we must forgive. We can't hold bitterness inside our hearts. If we do, it will take you places that you can't even imagine....that you don't want to go. I've seen it happen so many times.

Just a little thought that has been on my heart this week. :) I don't know if this was just me thinking or if it was meant to help someone. But nonetheless, here it is. :) I pray that God will always help us to forgive, no matter what.

Holiday Corner: Valentine's Day

This year I'm determined to celebrate all the holidays--even the fun ones! I've made a little 'holiday corner' in my room! So here it is for Valentine's Day!! I love it!

Life...It's a Treasure!!

One of my sweet friend's Mom passed away about a week ago, and it has made me do a lot of thinking about life. The things we do, the places we go, and the people that are placed in it. It's such a precious gift that we often take for granted. We don't know when God will call us Home...so why not make the best of every day?! Live life to its fullest and have no regrets! One of my favorite quotes.........

"Life isn't always tied with a bow, but it's still a gift!"

Dwight's Visit to Kansas City!

This past weekend was a lot of fun! My friend Dwight came all the way from Mississippi to visit Kansas City....Okay, well maybe...just maybe there was another reason. ;)

The first night we headed to Bass Pro, showed him around all the historical spots in Independence and around the Independence Square, Truman's home and around the town. I love old and vintage-y areas like this! It was dark so we didn't end up getting any pictures. Dinner was....you guessed it! Bandana's BBQ! You can never go wrong with Kansas City BBQ!

The next day we ended up having lunch at Chipotle. Dwight had never been so we had to get a picture of his gigantic burrito! haha


Then we headed to tour the Chiefs Stadium! Oh my word...SUCH a blast! Seriously, I live here and have never been. But now, I'll recommend it to anyone. Of course, if you know me and my recent love for football. Yep, you guessed it...this only made me love it more! :)

While we were waiting for the tour to start, we were looking around the team store. So is he a #1 fan now?! Maybe I'll convert him yet!! :)

Our first view of the field!
The Founder's Club...the first of many lounges to tour...

LOVED this wall!!

I can just hear them saying this now........"TOUCHDOWN!!! KAN-SASSS CIITTTYY!!" :)
This is another lounge that we got to go in. This lounge costs $350,000.00 per Season!! Yikes! They said it was more for Corporate offices.......I'd say! :)

Okay, yes it has been a LONG time since we won the Super Bowl....but that's okay. I'll still be a fan, forever! :) We're proud of it! haha
Now, we are in the Chief's locker room! How cool is that?! Dwight found a player that was from Ole Miss!
Schedule...
Love this...

#67's jersey and helmet hanging in his locker!
Up close and personal with the helmet....looovvee!
haha Too funny! Those helmets are heavy!
Me holding the helmet....you know us girls can't mess up our hair! :)
Our tour guide was kind enough to take a picture of us!
Love this sign! This was as we were coming from the locker room to walk onto the field!
Right before you walk out onto the field...."CHIEFS WILL!"
Our view as we walked out onto the field!! It was cold and rainy but LOVED it!! I'm not gonna lie, I smiled as I was standing out there taking it all in. :)

We were right at the 50 yard line. :)
LOVE this picture!!
"Touchdown Kansas City!"
Touring the Broadcast Lounge....gallery of pictures.
So cool...



First view of the Hall of Fame
So we went up to the 9th level of the stadium, which is 12 levels from the field! I LOVE this picture!! Seeing this view made my love for football grow even more!! I give credit to my sweet friend Jen for getting me into football. I thought of her this very moment and I knew she would LOVE to have been there! Ok so yeah we both are still learning all about football...she knows more than I...but you can still love it just the same right?! LOL

Ha! I didn't know Dwight took this picture!



About to tour the Hall of Honor!
Dwight with the Super Bowl Trophy!
Me with the Super Bowl Trophy!
Continuing in the Hall of Honor...

Super Bowl Trophy up close!












Back in the team store....I think he's becoming a fan! :)
Dwight with Lamar Hunt


After we went to the Stadium, we headed Downtown Kansas City! You gotta love Liberty Memorial!! It was under a lot of construction but I love going up there!
My most FAVORITE view of Kansas City!!! It was cold and windy, but he loved it!
Love watching this flag blow in the wind in front of Union Station! :)
I love this picture!! :)

Crown Center fountains...

haha! Sporting his Cubs hat just for my Sister!

Walking The Link over the Union Station! :) I love this view of the city too!!


He finally got to see Union Station! He loved it! They have a new coffee shop in there now....LOVE!!! The best coffee we've ever had!
We went to the Plaza the next day and had dinner with my family...no pictures there though, but had a great time walking around!

Love Dwight's new hat!
This was taken in between church services on Sunday, at Angela and Danny's KC wedding reception!

So, there you have it! Our weekend in some sort of a 'nut shell'. lol Had a wonderful time!