a little r & r

Just a little note to say we are checking out of reality for the rest of the week.

Holla!

The next few days will be filled with a boat, sun, sand, a precious little house on a island, bathing suit's (or not) just kidding :) and simplicity.

The hubs headed down early to scope things out.

He also caught dinner. Love him.

I'll be back on Monday feeling refreshed, sporting a fabulous tan, and hopefully have pics to share!

Have a blessed week, friends!

xo!
Castaway

birthday weekend!

Turning 28 was a doozy for me this year!

For real.

I don't know why? Maybe because I still battle with feeling I'm not where society says I "should" be. Still no career, kids, or college degree. Will I be enough?

I know most of you are probably rolling your eyes, and thinking, "Calm the heck down! Your 28, not 58. You have time!" I know, I know. I think we all can dwell on the past, and fear the future, all the while forgetting to be thankful for the present. This is the place I sometimes find myself in.

This year, and this birthday really made me grateful to be in this awesome, and ever changing season in my life. God has such a way of doing that! Here's a sneak peak at the festivities :)

Cookbook signed by Giada De Laurentiis from my longtime friend, Shannon. She know I'm such a food geek! Love! Love!

Hello beautiful red velvet cupper cake!

Target just brings people together. True story! Sweet blessings to my heart.

Island day! So happy to spend the day with great friends!

So blessed!

Easter with my man. Love him!

Cowboy buddy wanted to hunt Easter eggs...or just birds, and squirrel's.

Mike and I celebrated our birthday's together this year! Yummy Publix cake = yum in da tum!

My love tank is full.
My soul is content.
My heart is happy.
My life is blessed.

Thank you all for making my day weekend so full of wonderful things!

Grateful,
K

the greatest gift

Today is Good Friday, and today is also my 28th Birthday.

As I was driving to pick up my FREE Starbucks Venti Caramel Macchiato (with extra caramel) in my new flippin' cute spring time dress, I was listening to the JOY FM. This is what I heard...

"It started with a debt. A debt that was ours. A debt that we could not pay. We needed a substitute. A sacrifice so valuable that our debt would be paid, and we would be free.

God, out of His sovereign mercy and love sent His only son, Jesus to pay that debt.

The night before He died, Jesus spent a last meal with His disciples...His best friends, knowing that one of them would betray Him. He used the bread, and wine to show them that His own body would pay the debt. He would be the Lamb of God taking on the ugly and cruel sin of the world.

Later that evening Jesus was in the garden praying. He was in agony. Sweat falling from His forehead like great drops of blood crying out, 'Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me, nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.'

You know the rest of the story...

Arrested, tried, and falsely convicted, Jesus was sentenced to be crucified to pay a debt He did not owe. He was willing to be our sacrifice. Beaten beyond human recognition, mocked, and ridiculed. Wounded for our transgressions. Crushed for our iniquities.

He hung naked on the cross until He died. Until the debt was paid. His body was taken down, and burried in a rich man's tomb, and stayed there bound all the next day.

Crucified on Friday.
In the tomb on Saturday.
But on the third day...

HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Jesus not only paid the debt, He rose from the dead, and broke the bonds of death for all mankind. Sacrificed like a Lamb. He rose like a Lion! A conquering King! The grave could not hold Him!!

John 14 tells us, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^[; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Once and for all, He satisfied justice so that we can be free. His death is our life. His wounding is our healing.

It started with a debt that was ours. A debt we could not pay, yet, ends with a gift that we recieve by faith!"

This sweet, sweet truth just brought tears to my eyes, y'all. Such love I cannot understand.
So today, may we ALL be reminded of what Jesus did for us on Calvary, and rejoice that HE IS RISEN!

Thank you Lord for giving me the greatest gift of all. I am so very grateful. Happy Easter dear friends!

Love,
K

happy weekend

Peeps!

What a fanTASTIC weekend! Ahhh-mazing!

Let's re-cap, k? K.

Friday evening after the long work week, the hubs and I went to dinner. This is our typical Friday dealio. He had been fighting a migraine, but swallowed the pain, and took me out anyways. Such a gem!

Saturday afternoon...

..."and may the odds be ever in your favor."

so good, so good. so good. so good. so good. so good. soooo. darn. goooood!! Although, if you want my honest oppinion...I think they cut out too many parts, and majorly skimped on the good stuff. But all in all, well done!

Saturday night, I got the best news ever! My best friend/sister from another mother, Katie, got engaged!!!

Aren't they just lovely?? YAAAAAAAAY! Soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Taylor! Holla!

Sunday, the good news just keeps on comin'. My dear cousin, Eden got engaged too!

Ah, love is in the air! Happiness!!!

But wait...there's more...

Sunday afternoon...Hunger Games Round 2: Cinnabistro style with two of my dears: Aunt Pat, and Mandy :)

We got our drink on. Cheers!

And yes...it was just as good the second time :)

Then onward to din-din, and to meet some new friends!

Great food (not so great service) great conversation, and great company!

Oh...I almost forgot...

Ooooooey gooooooey sizzling yumminess!

My heart is full, and my soul is blessed! Hope your weekend was full of beautiful things too, sweet friends!

Happy Monday,
K

bad habits

Confession is good for the soul, right?

Ok, here we go:

I don't wear my seatbelt. This bad habit could possibly kill me one day...I know. I'm truly trying to be more mindful of this...especially since I'm married to a cop. :(

I speed.

I can burp. Loudly. Better than any man. Maybe this is a talent? It's incredibly rude, and un-polite, but I'm not so great anymore since I've cut out soda. Your welcome.

I NEVER take my keys out before I get to my car at night. I just stand there in the dark outside of my locked car, and dig to the bottom of my purse. I can pull out anything/everything except for my keys.

I skip to the end of the chapter before I read the begining.

I over analyze everything! True story.

I appologize when I shouldn't.

I procrastinate.

I curse, but not the really "bad words."

I rarely floss, but always make sure I do the night before I go to the dentist. It makes a difference.

I have great intentions, so I sometimes commit to things I know I can't do. However, I'm getting so much better at this...praises!

I forget birthday's and anniversaries. I need multiple reminders.

I hate getting gas, so I wait until the last. possible. moment. My gas light is literally screaming at me, and I'm usually coasting to the pump on fumes.

I bite my nails...unless their painted. I think this means I need weekly manicures!

I eat dessert every night :)

What are your bad habits? Take a ride on the freedom train friends, and let it all out :) It's good for ya!

Happy hump day!

K

dear abbi

Dear Abbi Faye,

Today is your 4th birthday, and that makes my heart so very happy!

I remember the very first day your Mommy knew she was going to have you! I couldn't believe it!! I wondered if you would be a little boy, or a little girl? Secretly, I hoped you were a girl because you would be so fun to dress up :)

Uncle Nick and I were so excited you were coming, we brought a Publix cake over for your Mommy and Daddy, because I know how much your Mom loves some Publix cake!

You were growing inside your Mama, and I just knew Jesus had a great plan for your life! He ALWAYS does!

The Bible says in Psalm 139:13-16, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Your Jesus loves you so much, Abbigail Faye Roberts! You are so special to Him!

I got a call from your Daddy on February 21, 2008, your birthday! He was crying, and scared. He told me that you were coming into the world early! I was scared too, because we all wanted you to stay inside your Mama's belly, and keep growing. But Jesus had another plan :)

You made your arrival! You weighed 1 lb 12 oz.

You were the tiniest thing I had ever seen, and you were a little wiggler! You had a little cloth "seatbelt" over you, so you wouldn't wiggle out of your little nest. I loved looking at your sweet little feet and hands, and remember thinking you were just perfect! You loved having your little baby beside you...which made you even more irresistible!

This is our first picture together! I was one proud Aunt!

You had so many great nurses taking care of you, but between you and me...your Mama was the best nurse! She loved taking your temperature and changing your little diaper. Even though you were so small, that didn't scare your Mama! She knew just what to do :)

When you finally got to come home, we were all so excited!! You had so many people that loved you, and wanted to see you! You were a pretty popular kid...and still are! I love you so very much, my precious Abbi, and can't believe your 4 years old today! You have grown into such a BIG girl that loves "lips" (lipgloss) lego's, and lunchables...even for breakfast! You make me laugh with the funny things you say, because you sound just like your Mother :) You and baby Brianna make my life so sweet, and I am so thankful for you!!

Happy 4th birthday, wild child! I love you to the moon!

Love,
Aunt Kiki

the pioneer woman

This lovely gal is Ree Drummond, and she is ahhhhhhhhh-mazing!

I'm kinda addicted to her, as in I try to duplicate every single thing she makes, watch her every single Saturday morning on Food Network, and secretly envy her "accidental" country girl life. She's a blogger, homeschool mom, cowgirl, photographer, and now Foodnetwork star!

Side note: My personal fav's...iced coffee, salsa, knock you naked brownies, and corn chowder. Yum-O!

Her blog is delightfully funny, and filled with the most amazing pictures of her beautiful family, her fabulous food, and her gorgeous frontier.

I see cow's at my front door everyday, don't you?

Ok...I'll stop with the awesome pictures. Just check her out, will ya? You won't be sorry.

Happy Thursday, peeps!

Love,
The "wannabe"