family matters

I am full of happiness, and fresh off a 3 day vay-cay from reality with some of the greatest people on this planet.

My fabulous, and crazy family...just missing brother Chance in Washington :(

Nothing fills my soul more than spending time with these sweet faces. We laugh till our stomach's hurt, and can talk about literally anything. It's good. It's fulfilling. It's like air to my lungs. I miss them...a lot.

My brothers...gosh their pretty. And humble. And funny. And tan. And muscles. And scared of anything that touch's their feet in the Gulf. Love them.

Mom and Dad...I mean could they get any cuter? Ok, maybe if you insert two little girls in pink tutu's?

Bingo!

My Dad, the most giving, Godly, goofy, and humble man I know. One of a kind. And my Mom. She's life, and love, and un-masked. She's funny, and strong, and I need her more than anything.

And my sister. I don't know if I could ever put into words what she means to me. She's my priceless treasure. I'm a better person because of Alexa Rae.

I love every moment I'm given with my family, but somehow it's just never enough time. I'm blessed, times 6 by their presence.

We celebrated 3 birthday's, drank too many strawberry daiquiri's, chased stingray's, and laughed about reading 50 Shades of Grey...in a row. Literally.

My heart is full. My body is less white, and my soul is simply blessed.

Don't miss these moments, friends. Enjoy the people you love most, because this is the good stuff.

Carpe Diem,
K

public restroom disgrace

Warning: Today's post may/may not contain TMI. Just sayin'.

Yesterday I went to Target on my lunch break.

I do this often, but I don't always buy stuff. Just sometimes. I do heart clearance.

Most day's I just need to stretch my legs, and get a little change of scenery before I head back to work.

I walk into Target, and make a bee line for the ladies room. I've been on this smoothie kick, so I now frequent the porcelain express.

I really hate public restrooms! Truly! They are usually disgusting, smelly, and it's just an all together unpleasent experience that I try to avoid.

But when you drink a lot of fluids...it's pretty unavoidable.

Inside the restroom there were 5 people in line. Really? It's 1PM on a Tuesday. What's happening? After the 5 people in line each proceed to tell me, "Oh, I'm not in line..." I gratefully slip into the next available stall.

Not relief.

There's no purse/coat hook on the door!

Nothing!! Nowhere to place my purse when I tinkle!

I tried to smoosh it ontop of the toilet paper container, but since I carry everything a girl could possibly want/need in this purse...umbrella, vitamins, make-up, body spray's, hairbrush, sunglasses, contact solution, nutrition bars, etc...that wasn't happening.

Floor? Out of the question!

So, I clutch my suitcase purse in my hands, as I hover over the potty all the while thinking to myself how awkward, and super uncomfortable this situation is. If only there was a blessed hook on the flippin door!

Word to the wise, ladies. Consider this next time you tinkle.

Your welcome.

Love,
K

pointed fingers

Y'all, I'm burdened, and struggling today.

Why do we judge? Why are we so quick to cast blame when our own lives are marred with sin? Why is it so easy to see other's fault's, but we are somehow blinded by our shiny plastic exterior? I posted Casting Crown's video this morning on my Facebook wall. Their lyrics are profound, and this song never ceases to bring conviction to my heart.

"Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away; We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing; Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see; The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me; Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded; A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided;

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners; Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers; Let our hearts be led by mercy; Help us reach with open hearts and open doors; Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours."

When I was in high school, I was such a sad example of Jesus. I was the WWJD bracelett with the pointed finger. I acted holier-than-thou, and was so quick to stand in judgement of my classmates who chose to live life different from me. Gosh, it literally makes me sick. I was so immature, and severely hung up on legalism.

I think we could all use a heart check every now and then, bloggies. I want to be remembered as one that loved, because He first loved me. I want to forgive, because I am a cleansed product of Grace. I want to accept, because I am welcomed with unconditional acceptance.

Romans 2:1 (NIV)
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Choose THIS day to be authentic in your love for people, sweet friends!

xo,
K

dreams

It's been raining all week.

This is a good thing. I love to see how green, and vibrant the earth looks after a good rain.

But, I'm a Florida girl at heart, and after days of gloomy skies...I need to see, and feel the sun, because I tend to feel a little mellow...sad.

Today the gloom won me over. So, I decided to immerse myself in one of my fav's...Beth Moore. I was needing a little "pick me up" for my soul, and the weather just wasn't allowing a triple venti Caramel Macchiato today.

“God surpasses our dreams when we reach past our personal plans and agenda to grab the hand of Christ and walk the path He chose for us. He is obligated to keep us dissatisfied until we come to Him, and His plan for complete satisfaction.”  ― Beth Moore, Breaking Free
 
Love her!
 
This really got me thinking...My Jesus knows my heart, my dreams, and my desires. He promises us that in His Word (Jeremiah 29:11) Now, that also means that my dreams don't always line up with His, and that's ok.
 
No really it is.
 
It's OK!
 
I keep telling myself this because I'm wrestling with God right now. I want my way. I have dreams that I want Him to meet, and like a child, I kick and scream when He chooses to stay quiet. Which He is right now.
 
“If Jesus gives us a task ,or assigns us to a difficult season, every ounce of our experience is meant for our instruction and completion if only we'll let Him finish the work. I fear, however, that we are so attention-deficit that we settle for bearable when beauty is just around the corner.” 
 
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Friends, I'm pondering this truth today. My prayer is that this rain today, and tomorrow, and Saturday (gah...) will truly wash, and purify my soul, and that I will feel a renewed spirit when the sun begins to shine.

Beauty is just around the corner...

xo,
K

five guys, filet mignon, and frustration

This weekend was just superb...really...well, almost all of it...

Beautiful day Saturday, and finished it off by taking our sweet adopted family of blondes to tour the Aviation Hangar at the Sheriff's Office. The little girls are always curious to see where Nick spends some of his time :) Pilot Kevin looked just like Maverick on Top Gun (minus the aviators). When I told him this, he blushed. Precious!

I know what your thinking. Why are we so cute?

Sunday, while I was grocery shopping at Publix, I stumbled upon two gorgeous filets that were just screaming my name. We never buy filets. Ever. That kind of moo-la just isn't in the Dittman grocery fund, but tonight was special, and I thought Nick deserved a super delish dinner since he's been working like a crazy man. So, in the cart they went, and I said to myself. "Serious wife points are in my future."

Later that evening, I was in my element, friends. My kitchen makes me happy, and I feel most alive when I'm sauteing, sipping on a glass of red, and smooth jazz is playing in the back ground. I was super psyched to welcome my man home to a beautiful dinner made with major TLC. On the menu: filet of beef with a butter/garlic reduction, roasted red potato's, fresh broccoli, and bread, with strawbery shortcake for dessert :) I know, I'm kinda fabulous.

Since he had worked hard all day, and didn't stop for breakfast, or lunch, he and the boys picked up Five Guys on the way home.

Five Guys!

He had a burger (and a good one I might add) but really?? Five Guys! When I had prepared a beautiful, and perfect dinner??

He sat with me while I ate, feeling badly of coarse, but my appetite had vanished. What girl wants to eat a fabulous dinner alone? He did slice off a tiny piece of steak, and eat a few potato's, but truly just wasn't hungry.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm, I wonder whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?

So, hurt, and annoyed I retreated to our bedroom to sulk. After all, I had the right to be.

It was about this time that I felt the Lord tug on my heart. I pushed Him away. "Not now, God. I kinda just want to be pissed. Later?" I felt Him again. This time I decided to be quiet, and still. In that moment, I was gently reminded of my own human nature. Yeah, I had a right to be annoyed, but I had to let it go. If this had happened 5 years earlier, you would have heard a very different story from this girl. I would have went off on Nick Dittman, and end up falling asleep angry.

Over time, and through the many high's and low's of life that we've experienced together, we have grown, and matured a lot. Hallelu! Life is too short to fight the little things. In the end, I know his heart, and he knows mine. So yes, have your moment, throw a fit, and get it out of your system, but in the end...kiss and make up because it's really not that big of a dealio. So, instead of going to bed mad, I silently thanked my God for a husband that works hard to provide for our family, no matter what.

And made sure to remind him that he had "the best leftovers of all time" in the fridge...wink wink :)

Happy Monday, friends!
Love to you,
K

monday blue's

Today is Monday.

Ew. I don't even like the word.

So like most working 9-5 people...I'm just not feeling it...plus, I have a 3 hour math class right after work on Monday and Wednesday. Catch my drift?

So, to add fuel to my already moody Monday self...one of my MALE coworkers decided to tell me that my super cute outfit (emphasis mine) reminded him of something. In my head, I'm thinking, "What could it be?" I mean I know I'm lookin' summer fresh sporting my dark denim wash skirt, lime stripes and coral polish. After a few minutes, my smile quickly faded when he proceded to show me the image on his phone.

In other words...I look like a can of Barbasol.

And with that, I say peace OUT to this day!

Mad love,
The Barb Babe

happy birthday, lex

Alexa Rae came into the world on May, 2, 1990. From the moment she was born, she was a character.

She had a pink spot on her forehead that turned fluorescent when she cried, or got really mad. This made me laugh, which made her even more mad.

She loved to tell stories with such enthusiasm...even when she was just learning to talk. My favorite home video is after one of her first trips to the beach. She was running in circles with her crazy blonde hair plastered to her sweaty pink forehead wearing her lavender carebear night gown, and trying her best to tell us all about the sand, and the waves, and how the salt water burned her eyes. You can't understand a word she's saying, and you hear my Dad in the back ground saying, "Tell me all about it A-Rae."

My Mom use to worry that she would have hideous hair when she was older because she could never seem to fix it right. She called it Barbie hair.

She believed anything I told her.

Once, I had a bad dream, and told her that a monster was hiding under our bunk bed, and he would eat her if she didn't climb up to the top bunk, and sleep with me. She did.

Alexa see's good in everyone. No matter who, she will find a good quality...even if it's hidden.

She has the unique ability to read people. This still amazes me, and humbles me.

She taught me how to tie a scarf, and when I need more eye make-up, or better accessories to really make a statement with an outfit.

She is giving.

She can't cook to save her life, and set off her smoke alarm the first week in her new apartment making fish sticks. Love her.

She is cultured.

She is gracious, kind, and exemplifies compassion, and mercy.

Today she turns 22.

I love you dearly, Alexa Rae. Thank you for being you, and being my friend, and being born, and being lovely, and just having really pretty hair. I hope your day is filled with all things beautiful.

Always,
Your Sista