Forever 31...ahem, I mean 21!

Yes, I'm in my last days of my 31st year, and still shop at Forever 21. Do not judge me because you know you do it too. However, there are PLENTY of clothes in there that I KNOW are too young for me, and I pass them over.

I was so excited when we got our 10,000 sq ft Forever 21 here a few months ago, and a friend of mine rushed right over there to get t-shirts for $3. It was full of stuff and we literally plan out how we were going to go through the whole store, it is so huge. Their Winter stuff was adorable, and we had fun browsing. I got some basics like camis and long sleeve knit tops to layer, and she got these jeans for $9.50 (yes, she's like a size 2 and looks darling in these...cue gag)!

We vowed to come back for more serious shopping a few weeks later when it was payday, and we did (and brought along another friend). Boy was I disappointed with their Spring line!

For starters, we had just come from Philanthropy and got to see all of the beautifully, feminine spring clothing that is out. The colors are peaches, and pinks and light greens and blues, with tiny floral prints....very vintage looking, and I LOVE IT! And the one shoulder look is back...yippee! Forever 21 has a line of this type stuff, and I think it is hideous. It looks cheap, and I don't like it.

And can anyone tell me what this is about?

Secondly, the whole center section is nautical themed. Yuck. Now we may be seeing this stuff in the spring, but you will NOT see it on me! The ONLY way I would wear that stuff is if someone invited me out on their yacht for the day. And I would imagine if I had friends rich enough to have a yacht, I would be rich too and wouldn't be shopping at Forever 21! Ok, maybe I would ;).

Anyway, I was hoping for a few inexpensive, cute pieces for the spring from Forever 21, but so far, not impressed. I'll definitely continue to get my basics from there, but other than that, I'll have to keep you posted.

Fast and Furious February

February is our craziest month of the year...3 birthdays and an anniversary...oh yeah, and Valentine's Day...AND if I was still in Mobile, it would be Mardi Gras time! Not to mention the regular stuff....school, Bible study, jobs, kids, and keeping up with the house. Crazy times here!

I've been thinking about the last year over the past couple of days. Mainly because on Monday (yes, Valentine's Day), Tadd and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary. It was a sweet day, and my sweet hubby cooked me a gourmet meal that we enjoyed in quiet after we put the kids to bed. Anyway, I was thinking about how hard this year has been for us in more ways than one...really hard. I remembered a meditation I had read a few weeks ago about suffering and how one cannot know true joy without suffering first. Even though, we are still struggling, things are much better, and I have so much to be grateful for. Our health, our home, God's provision, an extended family that I can talk to and who all love and respect one another, a job, Godly friends, and a wonderful Church home. Yesterday I got an email with the testimony of a lady whose husband walked out on her after 7 years of wedded bliss, and after she had just given birth to their first child. He had been unfaithful the whole time. That husband of hers was an ex-boyfriend of mine, and I couldn't help but think how that could've been me. Also, I spoke with a candidate whom I haven't been able to get in touch with, and he said the reason why is is 34 yr old wife was put in the hospital on Friday for heart failure due to the chemo she was going through for her breast cancer...34 years old!

So I think the lesson in all of this is that God is giving me little glimpses of how good I have it. I really have so many reasons to be joyful. My sweet Eli turned 2 last week, and he is just the joy of our lives. We all just sit and watch him and laugh at him daily! Hadley insists on dressing herself, and comes down in the craziest outfits you've ever seen, and we just have to laugh. And my sweet Alex, he's a little man. The best sense of humor, and such a kind heart. I couldn't have custom ordered better kids. And my husband, well, I could write for days. Let's just say God knew what he was doing.

I'm so grateful to be celebrating life right now, and love this season I'm in. Sorry for the deep post...this is for me to look back on later!

On a side not, I'm so disorganized. My brain capacity is full with activities. There is too much in my head, and I forget things all of the time. I'm terrible at using a calendar. Any advice on how to stop forgetting things?

Free Jewelry, but HURRY!

My favorite accessory store is having quite the deal this week. Unfortunately, no one informed me of it until yesterday and today is the last day! So if you are in the Nashville or Franklin area, go to What's-In-Store's website, Click on "This ones on us" at the bottom of the page, print your coupon and take it in the store! They have a shelf of jewelry for you to pick from, and it really is free!!! Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch?

I'll post pics later of what I scooped up!

Change of Plans

If you would've asked me a few weeks ago, I'd have told you I would be rooting for the Auburn Tigers tonight. You know, keeping it in the SEC conference. Making us win 5 national championships in a row.

Well, the more I think about it, the more I realize I can't do it. No matter how hard I try, I can't cheer for them. It's just not in my DNA. Impossible. Makes me sick to my stomach to think about them winning.

So the phrase of the day is....GO DUCKS! Sorry all my Auburn friends. You know I love you.

Extra Layers for the Cold

I was talking to the lady I get my eggs from (go ahead and insert 'granola' comment here). She has free range chickens, and they have had terrible trouble with predators this year. Bobcats, hawks and coyotes...you name it, they've had it. She said that these animals have the instinct that it is going to be a long cold winter, and the are packing on the pounds (in the form of her poor chickens), to keep warm for this winter.

So my question is, are we the same? Is this why I ate probably a total of an entire pan of fudge over the last 3 weeks? I literally have a giant muffin top that has appeared in the month of December. Is it because I know it's going to be cold and I need that extra layer of warmth? I'm just gonna go with that. It's my instinct. It's what we do.

Some Things Never Go Out of Style

I'll give you 25 guesses where I was Sunday night!!!

Rodeo
Papa Loved Mama
Beaches of Cheyene
Two of a Kind
Much too young
Good ride cowboy
Shameless
The River
Unanswered Prayers
We Shall be free
The Thunder Rolls
Long Neck bottle
Callin Baton Rouge
That summer
In Anothers Eyes (w/ Trisha!!!)
She's in Love With the boy (Trisha)
Wrong Side of Memphis (Trisha)
Friends in Low Places
The Dance
Ain't Goin Down
Turn The Page
Which one of them
Alabama Clay
Wolves
Two Pina Coladas

Some things just never go out of style ;)

Christmas Party

I had the honor of hosting The Hinkle Group Christmas party at my house this year. What fun we had! My sweet husband prepared the most delicious dinner, and we sang karaoke until way too late. So here's a pic of me and my girls who I work with. Beautiful, (inside and out), hard-working, smart women who love Jesus and can sing. What more could you ask for in co-workers? Nothing!

Lindsey (yes, me and my sis work together, and it works!), me, Jeanine (rockin' boss), Makini and Rene'

Love you girls! I'm so grateful for The Hinkle Group! Merry Christmas!