10 Favorite Things

First, The College Prep is giving away the cutest plaid bag, courtesy of Satlbox. Go check it out! :)


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The adorable Kelly tagged me in a Ten Favorite Things Post. Of course I'm joining in! Who doesn't love to talk about some of their fave things? And by the way! You should head over to Kelly's blog today and wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy birthday, Kelly! You are so sweet and I'm glad we are blog-friends! :)

Now, on to ten of my favorite things. In no particular order, just how they pop into my head. :)


10. The Food Network. I love me some cooking shows! Diners Drive Ins and Dives? Best Thing I Ever Ate? Challenge? Chopped? Some of my favorite go-to shows! Racheal Ray? Giada? Barefoot Contessa? I mean really. I use their recipes all the time! The channel inspires me!

9. Reading! Especially on my Kindle. I read anything I can get my hands on but I have a huge soft spot for chick lit. I also love books about the Amish by Beverly Lewis. My top five books: 1. A Separate Peace 2. Death Be Not Proud 3. Little Women 4. Cry the Beloved Country 5. Ballet Shoes

8. Dancing of course! My feet feel free when I'm dancing. I can't describe it, but the feeling I get when I'm dancing? I've never felt it any other time. It's like electricity, as Billy Elliot would say.


Yeah. I taught her how to do that. :) My heart explodes with happiness when I see my girls accomplish things!

7. BROADWAY. My favorite show I've ever seen on Broadway is either Annie Get Your Gun or Spamalot. My favorite show I've ever been in is definitely Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I can't stand Cats or Les Mis. Sorry!

6. My religion. I find going to church so comforting and I pray constantly. I love the repetition of religion, the constant it bring to my life. I think no matter what you choose to believe in, the relationship is what matters.

5. My family, without a doubt. My kiddos, Dave, my sister, my parents, my aunts and uncles, my cousins...I am beyond blessed in the family department.



My parents, sister, Dave and I in April, 2009. I was 36 weeks pregnant with Rory!

4. I'm stealing this one from Kelly, but I also love Technology. My phone (a Droid2), my Kindle, my computer, our cameras, my iPod. All of it. I appreciate how much easier it is to run a dance studio with technology and I REALLY appreciate having music and information available at the swipe of a finger!

3. The Pittsburgh Steelers <3 You know this already, though, don't you? Haters not welcome! I also love Penn State Football, but the Steelers are my fave. :)

2. My TV shows. Dave makes fun of my choices, but I love my shows! Bethenny, Gilmore Girls, NCIS, Glee, The Office, SYTYCD, RHONY and most recently added The Voice. Seems like a lot when I write it out like that, but it's not! I promise! I catch up on my DVR when I am working late at night. Promise. :)

1. Diet Coke. I more than love it, I'm addicted. My goal is to give it up this summer though. I KNOW it's not good for me and I don't want to drink it. I'm working on it but I LOVE DC. :)


Now. I am to tag 10 bloggers to do the same! But I can't pick ten actually, I'm too tired to figure out everyone's urls so...if you are reading this, considered yourself tagged!


Have a great weekend!

Royal Wedding

My Google Reader is blowing up with posts on the Royal Wedding and I LOVE IT. I can't help it. I'm a total anglophile. I love all things British, especially royal. It's fascinating to me, the pomp and circumstance, the traditions, the manner in which things proceed, the fashion, the outrageous hats...I love it! I spent a good part of the morning explaining things to Rory and showing her a real life Princess. She was so excited and was running around saying "pincess kate! pincess kate!" Adorable.

Some pictures, all from Google Images, of the festivities...













I just have to say. Princess Diana would have been so proud of William and Harry. This week I've watched TONS of coverage on the lives of the two princes. What good, upstanding, charitable sons she produced! They truly are carrying on her legacy. Job well done, boys!

So eventually the Queen of England will be named Kate. Don't think for one second I won't be exploiting that fact to David as soon as that happens. I'm the QUEEN now! :) And Harry's girlfriend is named Chelsea...so I think my sister and I have every right to lord these facts over everyone should Harry marry Chelsea. Kate and Chelsea. Perfect.

Although, Harry's crazy if he doesn't put the moves on Pippa! She's gorgeous! :)

Top 5 Thursdays: Dream Vacations and other Thursday things

Ahhh...a vacation. That would be wonderful right now! Instead, I'm linking up with Meghan over at The Perfect Compilation Tape for her Top 5 Thursdays to dream about some vacations I'd like to take. A couple are with kids, a couple are without. :)

In no particular order...


5. Aulani, the Disney Resort in Hawaii



Someday, when our house is paid off, Dave and I want to join the Disney Vacation Club so we can go to great resorts like this in wonderful places. Sigh. Someday!

4. Australia!



3. A tour of the European Capitals



Specifically, London, Paris, Vienna, Athens, Madrid, Rome...so many! And DEFINITELY Moscow. I need to show Dave my old stomping grounds. :)

2. The Grand Floridian in Disney World.



Dave and I plan to do 10 days here for our 10th Anniversary in 2017! No kids, just pure relaxation. I know, I know. People don't get it, why we love WDW so much. It's special. Magic. Calming. Peaceful. Precious!

1. South Africa



This is probably my number one dream, thanks to a deep love of the book Cry the Beloved Country. READ IT.


In other Thursday news...I'm off to our first dance competition this weekend. I'm only taking 5 girls and 7 dances this time around. Next time, it's 30 dancers and 29 dances so...this one is e-a-s-y. :) I'll let you know how it goes!

Also, we started easing Trace back on to normal formula this morning. His Nutramigen just wasn't filling him up. He was eating 7-8 ounces every 2.5 hours AND baby cereal AND baby food! Too much food for his little system but he was so hungry. Hopefully, soy formula and his Zantac will be a good combo. He is such a mystery child! :)

I hope all this crazy weather is past everyone. It's been rainy, windy and stormy here but nothing severe. How devastating the situation in Alabama/The South is. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone down that way today. Parts of my hometown were leveled by a tornado in 1985 and the damage is still present in some places to this day, 26 years later. (I was only 5 months old so I obviously don't remember.)

Have a great Thursday! And link up with Meghan! :)

A Musical Night of Television!

Umm.

Wow.

Last night was an AWESOME music night on TV.

Indulge me as I recap two fantastic shows for you.

GLEE

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Glee sucks one week, then kills it the next. It seems to be a pattern. I thought last week was a snooze fest. This week was AMAZING. I loved the "love yourself" theme, although I was pretty disappointed there wasn't more Gaga. I thought this was a Gaga themed episode, and this mama LOVES her some Gaga! But, still. Loved it.

Best song of the night? That's hard for me to choose.


Kurt singing "As If We Never Said Goodbye"


Quinn and Rachel, Unpretty/I Feel Pretty

I can't decide! I just can't! Both were great. My only wish was that they wouldn't have said "damn" in Unpretty so I could use it for a dance! ;)

I feel like Glee is really stretching all these storylines. A LOT. No Sue at ALL this week? Dislike. This better not be the end of the Warblers either. I'll be super mad!

Moving on...

THE VOICE

First, let's get it out of the way. I am kinda infatuated with Adam Levine. SIGH. ;)

I digress.


I need to say this: I can't stand American Idol. (Sorry Kelly!) I just can't stand it. I think it has run its course and should go quietly off the air forever. It bothers me. The last few seasons have been total sleepers and it wasn't because of the judges. The format of the show needs shifted, the way they choose performers DEFINITELY needs changed up. It's just a frustrating show to me.

I really like the format of The Voice, on the other hand. I appreciate the blind auditions so much. I think what I like best is two things. One, they didn't waste any tv time on loser singers. I don't like that part of American Idol or SYTYCD, to be honest. I don't like watching people embarrass themselves on tv, even if it is a known risk they take by signing up. It's not funny to me. Two, I love that America doesn't get to choose until the end. This gives me confidence that whomever wins will be AMAZING and still America's favorite.

There were SO MANY great singers on the show last night. My favorites so far are Javier, of course. He sang Time After Time. I also loved both the country guy singers, Patrick and the kid from Texas who's mom just died. (Name?!?) I didn't care for the duet very much or the girl that Adam freaked out over, Rebecca Loebe. (I'm pretty sure that's her name) I thought her song was kind of a sleeper.

Did you watch The Voice or Glee?? What did you think?

6 Months of Trace

Dear Trace,

You are six months old today. SIX MONTHS OLD! Half a year. Fast forward this same amount of time and you will be one. I am excited for you to be one. Much more excited than I was for your sister, honestly. So many things will get better for you in the next six months. We are praying every day that your digestion issues resolve themselves before you turn one. We are asking everyone we know to pray specifically for you and your little tummy. We want that reflux and your soy/milk sensitivities GONE!





Trace, my boy, these last 6 months have been incredibly difficult on me. You have forced me to stretch my comfort zone in so many ways. I've researched, learned and advocated for you in ways I didn't think I'd have to do. This has made me a much better Mom. Your sister was an easy baby. By easy I mean "by the books." With her, I learned to be a mom and do all things "baby" right. (Most of the time. ;)) You, Trace Joseph, have taught me to power through long nights, long days and rough patches because someone else is so worth it.

You can sit up now, pretty well. You push up into "downward facing dog" all the time. You love to roll around on the floor and just stretch out. Your jumparoo is your favorite place still, though. You love to go in there and bounce, have a chew on a toy and listen to Rory's music. You adore your daddy and as soon as he gets home, you don't want to be with anyone but him. You have started giving us big open mouth kisses and love to snuggle in the morning and before bed. You've said Mama and Dada both a few times now. Last night, you were really hungry (growth spurt perhaps?) and when you were crying I heard you calling for Dada. You weren't sad when it was me that came in for you. :)



You LOVE Rory. You two already have such a special connection. I am choosing to store these memories carefully, ready to pull them out for my own comfort when you two are fighting and beating each other up in a couple years. :) You love to play with her and even let her "hold you." You light up when she comes around and every morning, you roll around in your crib until she comes in and says "HI TREECE!"

Oh Little Fizz, T-Fizz, Fizzy Face, T-Joe, Teej, Fuzzy Head, Buddy, Handy Manny. I am so thankful for you. There are so many things I hope and wish for your life, but for the moment? For the moment I am just thankful that God chose me to be your Mommy. You are my favorite son!



The best is yet to come, baby boy. The BEST is yet to come!
With lots of love from the bottom of my heart, Mama

Happy Easter!

He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!!

Happy Easter, from my little bunnies to you! Enjoy a day of family, food and remember why we celebrate...eternal life bought by the Son of God. Now that's a reason to celebrate!!

Rory's Party

Today, we celebrate the second year in the life of the best little girl on the planet, Rory Beth-Ann! Her birthday isn't until May 6, but today is her day.



Celebrate we will because life is short but sweet for certain! -DMB

Old School High School

Linking up with my pal Neely today for some embarrassing high school pictures!

Mine are all from plays because that's what is on my computer already. Trust, I have TONS way worse but my scanner is (still) disconnected in my basement that is (still) not put back together from the flood (that happened before Thanksgiving.) GRHIWHFBAISFBAIBSIFHtIWOERHBDFK. Moving on.

And HOLY COW I WAS SKINNY. I remember thinking in high school how huge I was. (Typical high school body image.) But man! My face was so skinny! Can't wait.



Senior year, 2003. I look mondo short.


Senior year, with my best friend Britty. Still my best friend. :) This was pre-show for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The one above is post-Joe.


Senior year Humanities Class. Good people, good times!


Junior year? Senior year? National Honor Society Ceremony of some sort.


Sophomore year! bahahahha Lovin' them flames! :)


Okay. Embarass yourselves now and link up with Neely!

Pour Your Heart Out: Heaven

Once a week round this blog, we get serious. Wednesdays are for Pouring Your Heart Out. It's definitely a departure from my usual light tone.





Image via Amazon

Have you read this book?

You should. Now.

I found this book to be the single most encouraging, uplifting, post partum depression beating book I've ever read. It's not about PPD, depression, even death really. Yes, it was written in an uplifting tone but I'm not sure the point of the book was to send a jolt of good stuff straight in to my heart.

Although, maybe that's the "power Jesus shoots down" that Colton talks about.

You really need to read this book.

A quick synopsis, in case you are unfamiliar: Colton is 3 and a half years old and his appendix ruptures. A doctor misdiagnoses him and he ends up almost dying before he is finally correctly diagnosed and operated on. He comes through surgery fine and then takes a turn for the worse. Through a series of miracles, he makes a full recovery. His father, a pastor, and his mother, a teacher, are incredibly thankful to the Lord, of course, for sparing their son's life when they saw death approaching. Fast forward a few months and Colton starts to reveal, unprompted, about "Three Minutes" he spent in heaven. He describes in incredibly detail about meeting his grandfather, whom passed away decades before Colton was born. Colton details meeting "his sister" who was actually a miscarried baby his mom lost 2 months into her pregnancy. He describes Jesus in exact detail, according to what is written in the book of Revelation, right down to the purple sash He is to wear. (Adorable hearing about him trying to describe a sash without knowing the word for sash!) This is just the tip of the iceberg of the things he can recall and describe.

I'm positive a lot of people read this book and think it's a bunch of crap. Disagree. Colton was raised in a Christian household, yes. He KNOWS who Jesus is, knows about God, Heaven and the Devil. What he didn't know, in any way shape or form, is what the bible says about Heaven, where God is to sit in Heaven, the Devil's battle with the Lord, those kind of details. I definitely believe his dad when he says he never taught Colton these things at home or in church. These things are not taught to 3.5 year olds in church, home or Sunday School. You don't openly discuss the book of Revelation with your toddler! :)

I found this book to be so much more than educational.

When I was reading it, it was like a warm blanket of comfort was laid over my shoulders. I've lost a lot of really great people in my life, specifically my Grammie Bonnie. This book affirmed for me that they are happy in heaven, that they are aware of all the good things that have gone on in my life since they passed away and mostly that Grammie knows Rory and Trace and will get to be with them for eternity when our time comes.

I don't know about you, but I know most of my life I've worried about death. Not to the point where I drive myself crazy with it, but it was always there in the back of my mind. I think this is normal, standard even. This book certainly didn't evaporate that fear, but it offers me so much comfort and knowledge that I feel better about it.

I'm rambling. I apologize. What I really want to say is? God loves you. Heaven is for real. Hell is for real. The steps to get to Heaven are simple. Love the Lord and be proud of it! If nothing else, I hope you read this book and realize that good things are coming for believers.

Weekend Recap: Mommy Bloggin'

This weekend, as you know, we took Rory to see the Imagination Movers in State College. If you are unfamiliar with Kindie Rock (yes, that's the actual name of kids' musical genre!) or don't have a Disney loving kid under the age of 5, you might not know whom the Movers are.

Well.

They are 4 Dads from New Orleans who started a band 9 years ago to entertain their kids. Three years ago, Disney picked them up as a TV Show and I am so grateful they did! The Movers promote imagination, problem solving, teamwork and creativity. I feel like Rory actually gains something in the 22 minutes spent watching the Movers. Added bonus, they are really good musicians and singers which makes theirs songs incredibly catchy and even enjoyable! This is huge for Kindie Rock. Sometimes I want to gouge my eyes out in the car. (More on Kids Place Live on XM another day...)




They really are enjoyable to watch on TV and even better live. We had a delightful surprise when we got to the show. The "opening act" was Genevieve and DC from Choo Choo Soul! This is a little 5 minute "in betweener" show on Disney Junior a couple times a morning. Rory LOOOOVES Choo Choo Soul. It's all singing and dancing. I was surprised at how great at dancing DC was and what a great performer Genevieve was. I also really appreciated her stance on dressing modestly and still being great! Never too young to start teaching kids about being modest and dressing appropriately!




Via



The entire show was an hour and a half on the dot. Perfect length for the pre-school set. It was high energy, filled with action, tons of dancing and singing. The Movers and Neighbor Neena made an effort to get out into every part of the audience, even heading to the tip top balcony. It was wonderful to see the Movers interacting with the kids in the audience. Rory was so confused why they were standing in front of her! She kept saying "Mova Dave? Mova Dave Mama?" :)

Some pictures of Rory at the Movers...



Post Show Exhaustion


The Movers on stage


Rory hugging her Warehouse Mouse (Oh where is Warehouse Mouse...?)


Dancing with Daddy


Pouting on the way there. Didn't last long though. :)

My Style Monday 2

I'm linking up once again with Lindsey over at Mr and Mrs Smith for My Style Monday.



Can I just say how great Lindsey is? She is a genuinely nice person and always has something nice to say on my blog or Twitter. Thanks Lindsey for being a great friend, even if we've never met. :)

On to this week's style, a la Rory!


Monday

Coat: Old Navy Barn Coat in Pink
Pants: Old Navy
Shirt: Umm...I can't remember what shirt is under that coat. But trust me, there is one. :)
Shoes: FUZZY CROCS!



Tuesday

Jammie Chic this morning. Lovely Dora Fleecies from Wal-Mart. Where else? :)



A guest appearance by Mr. Trace!
Sporting a handsome, rugged man look. Who knows where all these clothes came from. :)



No picture for Wednesday?! Oops.

Thursday

Grey Tutu Dress: Old Navy
Pink Heart Leggings: Wal Mart
Blue Heart Shoes: Old Navy
Bow by Monkey Designs, now out of business. :(

This is how she was behaving during our photo shoot though...


Sigh. She's almost 2, can you tell?

Friday (getting down on Friday...)

Shirt from Wal-Mart, decorated by Me! :) I was pretty darn proud of those ruffle sleeves. I made the ruffles out of grosgrain ribbon. Easy peasy. I made her bow too!





What were you wearing this week? Link up! Check back here at 567Kate next week for pictures of Rory's many birthday outfits and the kids' ADORABLE Easter finest. :)

Imagination Movers and Blue and White!

I won't be around this weekend.

I'm off to a hot concert...



Yep. We're taking Rory to see The Imagination Movers as an early birthday present because trust, this kid needs NO MORE TOYS! ;) Dave and I will be spending our Friday night in true Mom and Dad fashion, jamming out at a Kindie Rock concert.

We're staying in State College for the weekend because it's BLUE AND WHITE WEEKEND!! And since WE ARE...PENN STATE in this household (Dave's an alum, along with over half my family) We'll be partaking in all things Blue and White. The parade, the carnival, the dance team (my personal favorites) and hopefully, if it's not raining too hard, the intra-squad game.

I mean...I know some of you are college sports fans. (Cough Kelly cough) But I have to tell you. Penn State Football puts all other college sports to shame. Absolutely the best fans in the world. Loyal doesn't even begin to describe Penn State Fans. Personally, I hate going IN to Beaver Stadium. I am extremely claustrophobic so having 110,000 people surrounding me makes me nauseous. But I love the tailgating, the energy, the excitement, the tradition. The atmosphere is electric!


PSU...Home of the original White Out!

Enjoy your weekends, friends. Hope you've got some nice weather coming your way!

Top 5 Thursdays: Celeb Crushes

Oh how I love Meghan's Top 5 Thursday topics each week. This week's theme is no exception. Top 5 Celebrity Crushes. Some of mine are straight up EMBARRASSING, so please. Feel free to laugh. :)

Following Neely and Meg's examples, I'm putting mine in chronological order too.


1. Jonathon Taylor Thomas



I'm pretty sure you'd be hard pressed to find a girl born in 1985 who WASN'T in love with Jonathon Taylor Thomas, aka JTT. The hair. The vests. The vocabulary. Swoon! The "love" of my 4th through 6th grade days.


2. Robert Sean Leonard



Yeah, embarrassing. He's a little older than me...like twice. (haha) But we watched Dead Poet's Society in 9th grade English and there was just no turning back! Then Much Ado About Nothing in 10th?! I was hooked. And by the way, he's still pretty good looking on House anyways. :)


3. Matthew McConaughey



12th grade. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Saw it on a date, forgot I was with (loser) boyfriend and actually said outloud "Holy crap that guy is hot!"

Um. Oops. hehe

But he IS. Even if Dave (non-loser husband! :)) thinks his whisper voice is weird and that he is "too cool," I STILL have a thing for him. And it's perfectly fine because Dave thinks Hillary Duff is the hottest woman ever. WHAT! Okay Dave. (haha)

4. Christian Bale



Specifically, Laurie in Little Women. And every other role he's ever played. Yes, I know he's a total d-bag whom beat up his mom but we're not talking celebs we would marry. We're simply superficial here today. Thank goodness. ;) This crush starting in college when I was cast as Jo in Little Women and I started watching the Little Women movie with Susan Sarandon and Winona Ryder every day. I've loved the movie since 5th grade and (confession) actually just watched it in bed this morning when Dave's stupid alarm woke me up at 5.


1. Neil Haskell



So. You. Think. You. Can. Dance.

I'm such a sucker for a good looking guy dancer. And, better still, Neil is STRAIGHT! Youtube him. Fall in love. :)

Okay. Last minute amendment. A tie for first place....
Zac Efron



Always thought he was cute in High School Musical, but Hairspray sealed the deal. The role of Link has a history of sexiness attached to it: Matthew Morrison (Mr. Schuester on Glee) was the original Link. I saw it on Broadway with Ashley Parker Angel from O Town as Link. And lots of goodness in between.

Sidebar. I definitely IMDB'd him to make sure he wasn't a million years younger than me so I wouldn't come off as a total creep. He isn't. He's my sister's age! Phew. ;)

PYHO: Cancer Lessons

Linking up with Shell for PYHO, as usual, this Wednesday.




I am at a point in my life where discussing cancer doesn't phase me. No, I do not have cancer, tumors or any varying degree of the disease. But. (Always with the but) I am surrounded by cancer patients and survivors all the time.

One in particular.


Meet Allison.

Her mom, Brenda, has had cancer 9+ times. (I want to say 11, but I don't remember the exact number and I'm trying not to exaggerate the situation.) Breast, lung, back, different "spots" all over. She told me once she is just "pre-disposed" to cancer. Allison's brother, John, has diabetes and Brenda told me just as John lives with diabetes, she lives with cancer. It just "likes" her and no matter what it never seems to leave for long.

Brenda was first diagnosed when Allison was 2. She is now bordering on 16. Can you imagine living your life, waiting on pills and needles for the next time your mom is diagnosed with cancer? Sitting around, hoping every scan is clear and free of spots so the roller coaster of treatment doesn't start off again? Guarding your heart and your days, spending every minute worrying and waiting?

No?

Well neither can Brenda and Allison.

Brenda is an inspiration. She deals with cancer. Deals with it and moves on. She doesn't dwell on it, tries not to worry and really lives her life as if nothing is wrong. Brenda takes each day as it comes and doesn't "borrow trouble," as she is always on my case for doing. ;) Brenda once said to me the minute she thinks cancer will beat her is the minute it will. If she keeps herself in the mindset that it's just another day in her life, nothing huge to overcome just something to deal with, she'll be fine.

Allison lives her life the same way. Sure, there's been tough days for her where she's crying in my office out of fear and frustration. And believe me, I've cried right along with her. Her mom has had good days and bad days, sick days but many more healthy ones. We've worried and fretted together and then "slapped" ourselves out of it. Allison really tries to live her life as her mom has shown her. Strong, standing up to the face of adversity. Not believing in failure and not accepting defeat in any area of life. (Side bar: if you read my blog often, this is the same Allison that we call "the baby whisper" for her innate ability to calm Trace down when no one else can!)

These two women have taught me more in the last 6 years. I've learned a TON about cancer. I've learned about diabetes. I've learned how to make chicken paprikash. On top of all the life lessons they have taught me! So I thought today, in loving honor of Brenda and Allison (and John, of course) I'd share my top 10 list.

Ten Life Lessons I've Learned

10. Hair grows back. From a bad hair cut or from chemo, it will grow back.

9. It is our responsibility to support cancer research and also to support those going through treatments. It's not just a nice thing to do. Not something to do tomorrow. It must be done today, right now, before one more person passes away from this awful disease.

8. Cancer is just an illness, not a mythical beast that requires a centaur and a golden arrow to defeat. Face it head on and without fear.

7. Family is the people you are born to love AND the people you choose to love. Choose wisely.

6. Give. Give everything you have and more. Time. Resources. Ideas. Give until it hurts. Put goodness out in to the world and it will come back to you when you most need it.

5. It's okay to ask for and accept help when you need it.

4. Push yourself to new limits and new extremes.

3. Eat healthy. Stay active. Get regular check ups. Do self breast exams. Ask medical questions and expect understandable answers. Be an advocate for your own health and the health of your children. Don't like the answer you got? Get a second opinion. Choose to be the exception to each disease.

2. Stand up and fight. Don't take hard times lying down. Get up and do something about it. Even if the only thing you can do is take your pills on time, DO IT. Be courageous. Be a warrior.

1. Always. ALWAYS. ALWAYS. Think positive. Your mindset determines the outcome. Don't let bad thoughts dictate your mindset. Push them aside and think positive.


I'm so thankful that by opening the dance studio, I have come to call these wonderful people part of my "family." My life is changed for the better because of someone else's cancer.

Ho hum.

I've got nothing this Tuesday. NOTHING. That rarely happens to me. Usually, there's a blog hop or two at least that I'd join in. I love Girl Talk's Hops, because they are always an interesting topic. Today's theme is "Dream Store to Own" (money and resources not a hindrance!) I sat here for the longest time thinking about it and I came up with...a dance studio. HAHAHAHA Original, Kate. Very original. Taylor's Top 2? Top 2 drinks. Diet Coke and Coffee. Which is you know me, this no big discovery.

I'm so lame today! :)

I guess though that is a good thing. I'm finally feeling control over this whole family of 4 thing. I've got Trace on a semblance of a schedule, Rory is navigating her path through toddler hood and I can find time in the day to breathe. Trace's health issues are under control at the moment. The studio is running like a well oiled machine, chugging along towards competition and the recital. Sure there's things I'd change, always. But I'm just not stressed about it at the moment.

It is, as they say, just a simple fact. I'm too blessed to be stressed.

I've been spending a lot of time at night lately praying for my kids. I'm so thankful for them and I give thanks every day, multiple times, for each of them. But lately I've been praying for their future, their friends, their teachers, their future spouses. Maybe that's where my sudden sense of calm is coming from. I know that I can't control the future or predict what is to happen. All I can do is pray that God's will will play out in His timing, the way He sees it to be. I pray for the wisdom to remind myself God is in control and the fortitude not to snatch my worries back from His control. I'm counting my blessings, past, present and future.

I'm of the "They will know you by your deeds" school of Christianity. I strive (read: try) to live a good, God centered life. I try daily to be a strong Christian woman. I want to be an example of God's love and compassion but I also don't want to be "in your face" and "over the top" with my religion. I want people to wonder what's different about me, about the studio. Sparking that curiosity in someone is my best technique to encourage someone to come to church. It works for me. It's the best I can do. I let my light shine, if you will. :)

I'm thankful that I was raised in a Christian household. I can't imagine not having religion in my life. My relationship with God is so comforting and relaxing to me. I pray 100 times a day, short little "shout outs." Can't find my keys? Shoot a prayer for a calm mind to remember where I put them. Trace is screaming and won't settle? Quick prayer for peace in my heart and patience with Trace. The simple act of speaking to God, knowing that even in the depth of my worst days, there's Someone listening to my concerns is the single most comforting thought I have. God is good, all the time.


Well what do you know. I did have something to say after all. :)

My Style Monday

I'm linking up with Lindsey over at Mr and Mrs Smith for her new hop, My Style Monday! Now, I'm going to do it a little differently. My style is dance clothes, various shades of tights, dance t-shirts, sweatshirts and capri yoga pants. Exciting huh? That's the life of a dance teacher! :)

Rory on the other hand...well I dress her up a lot. :) I forgot to take pictures over the last week but I thought I'd show you some of my favorite Rory outfits in the last 23.5 months. (THAT MEANS SHES ALMOST TWO!)






This is one of my favorite Rory outfits.
Shirt: Ross's
Long Sleeve Shirt: Children's Place
Leggings: Children's Place
Her shoes for this outfit were hot pink cowgirl boots, from Children's Place



My mom got this outfit for Rose. I'm going to guess Wal-Mart? Wherever, it's super cute!



This is, hands down, one of Rory's favorite outfits! She got it from her godfather, Jason and his wife Cary. It's from Kohl's, I'm sure, because that's Cary's FAVORITE place to shop. It's Carter's brand, which is my favorite baby/toddler brand. Durable, washable, awesome. Plus the hood on this vest? Insanely cute.



Next week I'll have current pictures I promise!:)