The Bright Eyed Brunette

Whew, what a week so far! I have been doing my best trying to get my house organized because next Monday we start back to school!! I spent most of the day Monday cleaning out cabinets and getting rid of junk. Ya'll, I threw away a garbage sack full of cups and lids that had no cups or containers to match... for real. I also finally decided to part with the sandwich maker that Carl and I got for a shower gift over 18 years ago...nobody has used it in years, so it had to go. Now we can actually open cabinets without things falling on us! Mission accomplished😊 I also worked on our entry way wall. I have been wanting to do a collage wall so I just threw caution to the wind and did it. It turned out pretty well considering I didn't have a lot of stuff to work with. We also had revival this week which meant we ate at the church 2 of the 3 nights. I'm all for potluck and fellowship but we are talking two nights plus we had it Sunday for lunch. I feel like I spent a small fo...

About a year ago I stumbled across one of my favorite songs (even still today). Hillary Scott and the Scott Family sing a little song called "Thy Will". When I first heard it, I had absolutely no idea how much I would relate. The struggles are real people. Real and they suck! When I started on this homeschool journey I was sure (and I still am) that I heard God loud and clear. This was the path that I was to take. We soared right our through our first year and never looked back. Then over the summer things got hard. Finances are stretched unbelievably thin, which stretches patience thin...and so on and so forth. I just gave up on God in a sense. I know He is good but my circumstances sure haven't felt good. I kind of just quit praying for a bit and when I did pray I was so mad at Him for what I was going through. Questions like, "why did you lead me here and just leave me?" surfaced almost daily...and I felt bad about that because deep down I knew  better. I ...

Carl and Trey worked hard on Saturday doing yard work. The girls and I went shopping😚 We celebrated Grammy's 82nd birthday with grilled burgers, chicken, chips and dip, and of course, cake! The weather was pretty awesome all weekend, so we had a bonfire in the backyard! Pictured here are Miss Kitty, Carlie, and Makena Faith. Carl and Trey roasting marshmallows...yummy! We might have also shot some bottle rockets and lit up some sparklers, you know, just because we could😁😁 Much Love, Beth

It's always relaxing to go to the river in the evenings, but this trip was like a breath of fresh air because we hadn't been on the boat in a good two weeks. Carl had to work a lot last weekend and I had some digestive issues (I'm blaming my age!), so taking the boat out just wasn't a priority. This evening was especially fun because we found a small sandbar to relax at and there were only two other boats on the water. Harvest is coming and we are going to miss these week night outings, so we are soaking them up while we can. Much Love, Beth

Well it is here...the last year in my 30's! How that is possible I don't know! I mean, I remember when 30 was old!! Now I just think that most 30 year olds have no idea what life is really about😉 I had a very laid back birthday. Carlie woke me up with a long john with a candle in it and a diet coke and Makena gave me a present from her as soon as she got up! She got me a pig picture to go in my dining area and I love it! Carlie and Trey had already given me their present last week because Carlie just couldn't wait. I got a smartwatch from them. It may be smarter than I am! After lunch we went over to my parents house so my niece and nephews could give me the gifts they picked out. Ellie Kate and Eli got me a Pioneer Woman cookie jar and Noah got me an insulated can holder for my diet cokes😊 I think they were probably most proud to give me the card...it had a poop emoji with a pull string so it talks and sings all kinds of potty phrases! Why do kids love potty talk so mu...

Well Summer has hit!! It has been warm since May BUT the past week has been miserable. The heat index rises with each day to the point that you feel like your skin is melting if you stay out for more than 5 minutes. The dog days of summer are definitely here. It is this time of year that I feel bad for Carl and whoever else has to work out in it! Needless to say, we have stocked up on water bottles and Powerades. We have had a pretty good week around here. Makena turned 15, Carlie got her honor roll certificate in the mail, we got all of our school books and dvd's in, and Trey got his new school desk. How cute are these cupcakes?! Thank you, Sam's Club!! I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of this girl! She is one of the most driven and dedicated people I know. She sets goals and crushes them one by one (in order of course because she is a little OCD). Right now her goal is to graduate from Abeka Academy in Pensacola with full honors, attend college (the locat...

Happy Birthday to my sweet Makena Faith! Fifteen years....you're old😉 More like I'm  old! It seems like just yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital. You are currently in to watching Netflix, basketball, football, and baseball. You are still playing your musical instruments, but probably play your ukelele and guitar the most. You are a great big sister to Trey, and you try hard to be a great little sister to Carlie...😅😅 You are a blessing from above and we are so thankful for you. Even though we didn't get to spend your birthday at the beach this year, I think you still had a great one. Carlie and Trey got donuts for breakfast and brought you a balloon. We just couldn't wait for your party to give you your presents, so you got them at breakfast. We went into town and ate at Subway (your favorite) with Daddy for lunch and then came home to open more presents at Nanny's. After work, Daddy grilled hamburgers and then we went back to Nanny and Pop...