Recommendations

  • Travel & Vacation: Cruising the Gulf of Mexico

    'Relaxing and beautiful views from our balcony....I could get used to living this kind of rough life, ha! Thanks for spoiling me with a week away my love, @[749272290:2048:Jake Hayes]! :)'

    Our last full day on the cruise! The week went by too quickly, but it was relaxing, packed full of great memories, and wonderful having extra time together! We need to do this more often Jake Hayes! 🙂 Thankful for an opportunity to celebrate our 15th Anniversary and looking forward to many more amazing years together with this handsome man! XOXO

    'Checking out the scenery!'
    Handsome guy on our balcony!
    'Our last night out together on the ship!'
    Last night on the ship with my Babycake!
    'Love this man!'
    Thankful for time with this man!
    'Loved being able to relax over meals, talk, and laugh together! We didn't have anywhere to rush off to, no places we had to be, or activities that we had to get done just time to hang out as a couple!'
    Enjoying one more quiet breakfast before hitting the road again!

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Vacation: Ice Skating Show

    'Great times with my sweetheart!'

    Celebrating with my best friend!

    Loving our time together on the cruise! Thankful for a time to celebrate! We had a great day on the ship watching the ice skating show, going to various activities, getting a massage, and so much more!

    'Ice Skating Show'
    Watching the ice skating show aboard the ship!
    'It was a small ice skating rink but they did an awesome performance!'
    A lot of interesting costumes and neat performances during the show!
    'I am blessed to have this amazing man as my husband and best friend!'
    Thankful for a time to get away and spend together!
    'Loved these costumes!'
    Fun characters.  Jake and I went ice skating, but we did have any fancy moves or costumes!

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Vacation: Beautiful Roatan, Honduras

    'Loving traveling with this guy!'
    Jake and I in Roatan, Honduras

    Visiting beautiful Roatan, Honduras! It was a sunny day in Roatan and we did probably one of my favorite ocean activities so far – Snuba! I LOVED it!!!! We were able to go down 25 feet and explore the bottom of the ocean. The ocean ecosystem was fascinating! All the sea grass, fish, coral, sand, and everything moving smoothly and peacefully in the ocean was simply AMAZING! I would do it again in a heartbeat! We were each hooked to an oxygen tank and could go down to 25 feet without needing to come up for air. Snuba is kind of a cross between snorkeling and scuba diving! If you have a chance to try it do it. It was much more gorgeous then even the pictures reflect!

    'LOVE waking up and seeing the beautiful ocean and an equally gorgeous sunrise!'
    Watching the sunrise as we arrive in Honduras!
    'Port at Roatan, Honduras!'
    Ready to explore this beautiful place!
    'We got our fins on and are ready to go on our Snuba activity!'
    One of us has small feet and had to wear the kid fins…..can you guess who, ha!?
    'The park where we did the Snuba activity was postcard pretty! I could have stayed there for a lot longer if we had more time!'
    Beautiful place!  Definitely want to go to do Snuba again sometime!

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Vacation: Visiting Belize City, Belize

    'Room service and breakfast on the balcony. Great way to start off a new day!'

    Visiting Belize City, Belize! We had a wonderful day learning about the country of Belize, seeing the area, going to Jaguar Park (thankfully we didn’t run into any real jaguars), going zip lining, and floating through massive caves on an inner-tube. Plus a great time that evening on the ship at dinner and the shows. It was a fun day!

    'Our friend the pirate! We tried a different brand of sunblock today, it was not our favorite because it was so greasy. Jake wiped most of his off, but I still look all oiled up from it!'
    Look out Belize here we come!
    'My hot man!'
    My Handsome!  Love this guy so much!
    'Sunblock on...check, hat on....check, swimsuit on....check, camera packed....check! Ready for our Belize adventures!'
    Excited to go
    'Jake all geared up and ready for take off on the zip line!'
    My Handsome getting ready to fly through the trees.

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Vacation: Exploring Cozumel, Mexico

    'Good morning sunshine!'

    Beautiful ocean sunrise in Mexico!

    Exploring Cozumel, Mexico! We had a blast sight seeing, meeting people, shopping, and going Snorkeling at 3 different reefs during our day in Mexico. We even got to talk with the girls for a tiny bit because we got cell phone service while walking through the area!

    'We had a little stow away on the balcony. The bird stayed there for over a day. Whenever we came out on the balcony it would just hop around our of our way. Guess it thought we weren't too much of a threat.'
    This little guy caught a ride on our balcony and stayed there for several hours.
    'Port security worker telling us about the bird he is holding. I even got to pet it, super cool!'
    Talking with one of the security guards about the bird he was holding.
    'Chatting'
    Ready to go on our snorkeling adventure.
    'My man all ready for our adventure!'
    I get to check out Mexico with this hot guy!

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Vacation: Cruising the Gulf of Mexico

    'Love this guy!'

    15 years and counting!

    We cruised the Gulf of Mexico on our 2nd day of our 15th Anniversary Celebration! We woke up to a beautiful sunrise, explored the ship, played card games on the balcony, tested our surf boarding skills, tried a round of Bingo, took a nap, ate amazing food, saw a gorgeous sunset, went to shows and more fun. Thankfully I married a man that not only loves me, but has a large amount of patience!!! It was our first formal diner night and I “attempted to do a new hairstyle” (let’s just say it didn’t turn out great after over an hour working on it so I went back to my usual style for that night).

    'Hanging out with my man!'
    Loved having a balcony!
    'He is such a sweetheart and even played a round of Bingo with me.'
    My bingo partner!  He was a good one and was only 1 away from winning a free cruise!  Thankful for the extra time with this man!
    'Heading out to dinner with my Handsome Man!'
    Hanging out on the ship for the evening with this awesome man!  He looked amazing!
    'Love waking up to a beautiful sunrise in the morning!'

    We enjoyed watching both the sunrises and sunsets from the balcony.  Gorgeous and peaceful!

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Song: Beautiful Things by Gungor

    A few weeks ago as I was driving back from an event with my family when I heard this song for the first time (or at least really paid attention to it) and it hit home.  It is God alone who transforms us into something beautiful.  We all enjoy beautiful things around us from flowers, people, art, music, and so much more.

    He can take my brokenness, failures, struggles, and transform them into something beautiful.  He can use those pieces of my life and allow me to make an impact on the lives of others.  With His help we CAN change and become something that is truly beautiful from the inside out.

    God can take something as simple as dirt and turn it into something wonderfully beautiful.  Isn’t it encouraging to know that he can make us beautiful!  I really enjoy this song and especially love the simple reminder of the transformation that takes place in our hearts and lives when Christ is in the center.

    All this pain
    I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
    I wonder if my life could really change at all

    All this earth
    Could all that is lost ever be found
    Could a garden come up from this ground at all

    You make beautiful things
    You make beautiful things out of the dust
    You make beautiful things
    You make beautiful things out of us

    All around,
    Hope is springing up from this old ground
    Out of chaos life is being found in You

    You make beautiful things out of the dust
    You make beautiful things
    You make beautiful things out of us

    You make me new, You are making me new

  • Song: Waiting for Tomorrow by Mandisa

    Have you ever procrastinated?  Sometimes we can put off things we need to do for days, weeks, months, and even years.  Take time to evaluate what you need to do and start making steps towards getting that done today.   God wants us to live our lives with purpose.  Are we making a positive impact on the people around us?  Let’s not waste any more time!

    Maybe tomorrow I’ll start over
    Maybe tomorrow I will finally change my ways
    Said the same thing yesterday
    Don’t know why I’m so afraid
    To let you in
    To let you win
    To let you have all of me

    I can’t live my whole life wastin’
    All the grace that I know you’ve given
    ‘Cause you’ve made me for so much more than
    Sittin’ on the side lines
    I don’t wanna look back and wonder
    If good enough could’ve been better

    Every day’s a day that’s borrowed
    So, why am I waiting for tomorrow?
    Why am I waiting for tomorrow?

  • Song: Thank You by Hillsong

    There is so much to be thankful for in our lives.  God is good, kind, and patient with us every day.  Many of us have more than we could every ask for or image.  Take a look around you today and thank God for all He has provided to you.

    Thank you for your kindness
    Thank you for your mercy
    Thank you for the cross
    Thank you for the price you paid

    Thank you for salvation
    Thank you for unending grace
    Thank you for your hope
    Thank you for this life you gave

    There is no one like you
    There is no one like you god
    All my hope
    Is in you
    Jesus Jesus

    To your name
    We give all the glory
    To your name
    We give all the praise
    You’re alive
    Our god everlasting
    Let your face
    Shine on us

    Thank you for your promise
    Thank you for your favour
    Thank you for your love
    Everything you’ve done for me 

  • Song: What Scars Are For by Mandisa

    It is never easy going through a tough time.  God can use those times to remind, encourage, and show His goodness.  He paid the ultimately price for our sin and has the scars on his hands to prove it.  Thankful for a God who cares and loves us.

    These scars aren’t pretty
    But they’re a part of me
    And will not ever fade away
    These marks tell a story
    Of me down in the valley
    And how You reached in with Your grace
    And healed me

    They remind me of Your faithfulness
    And all You brought me through
    They teach me that my brokenness
    Is something You can use
    They show me where I’ve been and
    That I’m not there any more
    That’s what scars, that’s what scars are for
    what scars are for

    Erase, rewind
    Wish I could every time
    The hurt, the pain cuts so deep
    But when I’m weak You’re strong
    And in Your power I can carry on
    And my scars say that You won’t ever leave

    I see it on the cross
    The nails You took for me
    Scars can change the world
    Scars can set me free