TOP TEN 2017

As is our tradition...we all remembered 2016 and the fun things we have done, places we have been, and people we love doing life with!

Family Night

Thursday night, December 23. After Candlelight service at church we headed home to read love notes. MY FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR: reading a love note from everyone in the family. Yes, there are 10 of us, yes there were a total of 90 love notes. Yes, it took us an hour and a half. Yes, Cameron was patient, although antsy to get to the gifts as it got later and later. Yes, IT IS ALWAYS WORTH IT.

After love notes each of the kids opened up a gift from one of their siblings.  They all love each other and know each other so well, buying one thoughtful gift was a great way to give this year.

For the record: Katelyn bought razor roller skates for Cameron. Cameron bought two silver rings for Jordan. Jordan bought two Razorback tees for Ryan. Ryan bought a blanket scarf for Erin. Erin bought slippers and flannel sleep pants for Ian. Ian bought personalized stationary and a Russellville tee for Sheridan. Sheridan bought fuzzy socks and a necklace for Lauren. Lauren bought Katelyn a gold clutch purse, gold journal and a cookie cutter (for her collection). It was SO SWEET!

I love it when we're all together, smiling, with pretty paper all over the floor, Christmas lights on the tree, and our hearts filled with love from the personalized notes.

ONE HUNDRED!!

It's just a little thing to most people, but it's BIG to us! When we lived in C'ville we used to have a sign in book during the summers and encourage our kids to bring over as many of their friends as possible. We'd always try to get 100 kids over, but usually hit only around 60 (which is still A LOT of kids). When we built this house, we started thinking how many people had started coming over with our kids, our life group, our family, and our neighbors and made a list.

Christmas week Ryan and Katelyn's friends from Fayetteville came over and Emilee was our 100th guest! I wanted to have a trumpet fanfare, confetti and a live video...but instead, we gave her one of our favorite things - Peanut Butter M & Ms - and took a picture.

It's fun to be able to open our house and know that we use it to welcome, love and serve others. I'm not always good at it, I often discourage my kids from inviting people over when I don't "feel like it" but I know it's what we are called to do. It's not our house, we dedicated it long ago to HIM and don't consider it our own.

To remember...or not

Things I hope my kids remember:
Birthday parties
Playing games
Our Christmas trees
The love Richard and I have for one another
Nerf gun wars
Picking peaches at the orchard
Hot chocolate in the winter
Spotting the most colorful trees in the fall
Going to Razorback games as a family
Going to church together
Going to Grandma & Grandpa's for Christmas
Playing with cousins on holidays
The 2 summers we had a pool
Bible verses

Three things I hope my kids forget when they're older:

1. When I yell.
2. When I lose it.
3. How much we watch tv.

On the Hill

Every day I wonder if this is really my house. I'm so thankful for so many things here...my utensil drawer, my hidden trashcans, my big garage, our attic for storage, my jacuzzi, our closet, the kids' rooms...and more. I love our built in cabinets, the navy room and the foyer...never had those before! I'm also very thankful for the sweet neighbors we have. They wave when they drive by, watch Cameron drive his bicycle, and probably wonder why we are in and out so much!

On Friday we hosted our first birthday party here..used the WHOLE house for that and then on Saturday, we decided we'd have friends over for the Razorback game. That's all I have to say about the game...it was a horrible thing, but having three of our neighbors over...it was so sweet!

The Flemings have two girls, both one year older than my girls at home. So we had a 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th grade girl here. The McIllwains have two girls ages 5 and 3. The 5 year old has become a great friend for Cameron. She has toys and energy and he loves going to their house to play! And then there's Mrs Jetton. She's a grandmother who lives across the cul de sac from us. She's brought us cookies and juice when we moved in and last night when she came, she asked if she could sit at the kids' table! Really, how sweet can a neighbor be to sit and get to know the kids?!

I'm full of thankfulness today. Getting snowed in, running out of eggs and needing help at the house isn't going to be bad at all ON THE HILL.

Wild Week

Whoa. I'm sitting in a room filled with my family watching a crazy movie but I have so much in my head I need to record it. It's been a WILD WEEK. There are times when so many things come up that it's hard to balance emotionally, physically and mentally while still talking nicely to Richard and my kids! Of course, if I was healthier I could probably do the days better...and if I kept up with all my meds and kept us all on task, I would probably do better too. But this week I crashed because I'm not healthy and had so much to do and keep up with, I did not do well. I feel better right now than I have all week, so I can record how God sustained me even when I do not have strength.

There is NOTHING like a bad day, bad week or a bad situation to show me how He has the whole world and even me in His hand.

Last Sunday I got to sing in our praise team. I got to lead two songs because someone on the team was sick. I was swept up into the Holy Spirit's anointing during the singing and even though I know He always wants me there when I'm leading, he also was preparing me for the week ahead.

Christ Is Enough:

Christ is my reward and all of my devotion

Now there's nothing in this world that could ever satisfy

Through every trial my soul will sing

 No turning back, I've been set free

Christ is enough for me, Christ is enough for me

Everything I need is in You, everything I need

Christ my all in all, the joy of my salvation

And this hope will never fail heaven is our home

Through every storm my soul will sing

Jesus is here to God be the glory

I have decided to follow Jesus

No turning back, no turning back

The cross before me, the world behind me

No turning back, no turning back

Monday: Sheridan had volleyball every day this week. Richard was home and we took everyone to the movies (we don't ever do that) to celebrate the last week of summer.

Tuesday: Volleyball, trips up the house to order blinds, Richard out of town. Sheridan's Open House at the Junior High at 6pm. (#1)

Wednesday: Cameron's teacher is listed at noon and Jordan and Cameron's friends come over to play all afternoon. Meanwhile, I have details about my upcoming event that are completely out of my hands.  Not only do I need to be chasing down things, but I'm distracted by packing and keeping kids sane on this last week at home. I make a decision to postpone our BIG marketing day until details are worked out, and need to send mass emails and social media posts to let people know.

Thursday: Richard is home and tying up all loose ends on our house so we can move in. We decide to move in next weekend, but move non-essentials this weekend. Lauren comes over to help and helps me get things orderly so I can feel OK about how we're going to do this. Cameron has open house at his elementary school. (#2) The driveways are laid at our house although we didn't think that would happen. However, we can't drive on it until Monday.

Friday: Erin, Richard, the girls and I start moving as much as we can in two SUVs and a trailer. We'll park as close as we can to the doors and walk it in! I'm not used to the humidity, the heavy lifting or this stress and I'm not handling it very well. I snap at the girls and then ask their forgiveness. (Through every storm my soul will sing, Jesus is here, to God be the glory) Jordan has open house at the middle school! (#3)

Saturday: Erin and a friend are here, Jordan is getting new braids, Richard and I pack cars and take more to the house. I've worn out my muscles in the last two days, so I unpack boxes and do what I can to direct traffic and wipe down floors after dirt comes in. (The house we're moving in to is the most beautiful place I've ever seen! Richard has built us a wonderful place to call home) The details of our move & my event are weighing on me and Richard and the kids continue to love me more than I deserve and gives me time to take a much needed nap so I can recoup. Momming is hard, but not harder than He can handle.

So now the movie is over, and the Olympics are still on and I'll try to decide how much I can watch tonight before I need to turn in. I can't wait to worship tomorrow at church. I need the TRUTH, the FELLOWSHIP, and the FOCUS on all that is really important in life.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

Although we've stayed close to home, we've keep fairly busy and made some great memories. Our favorites.

Lauren & Ian's wedding
Watching our house being built
Fourth of July weekend with family in Branson
Camp Caudle for Jordan and Cameron
RL Owner's Conference and Franchise of the Year award for RLs of Russellville
Basketball and Volleyball camps for Jordan and Sheridan
Having friends over to swim and play

Wedding post #3 - Maid of Honor's speech

This is why I told my kids everyday..."You're best friends. Treat each other like it. Every other friend is temporary, but you will always be sisters." #thankful

When Lauren was almost two years old, she was blessed with a sweet, loving little sister… me. Almost two years ago, we were blessed with another addition to the family, although we didn’t know it at the time.

Lauren and I have been making memories together pretty much since I was born and we became automatic roommates for the next sixteen years of our lives. Whether it was talking late into the night on Mockingbird Lane or passing notes through the cracks in our bunk beds… or putting on concerts for our parents in the living room or fighting over the front seat (which I always let her have because I was afraid of her). These memories will always hold a special place in my heart.

One of my greatest memories, however, didn’t happen in our old house on Mockingbird Lane or even in Arkansas for that matter, but in Oklahoma last summer when we both got the opportunity to work for the summer at Falls Creek. Lauren had worked there the summer before and played a significant role in getting me hired.

When we started that summer I was only known as “Lauren’s little sister” or for a few very confused people “Lauren’s twin sister” (although I still don’t see it). At first that identification was very challenging for me. But then I realized that there is no one else I would rather be compared to than Lauren.

LAUREN IS loyal, works harder than anyone I know, and dedicated to whatever she puts her mind to, and in the end, she will probably be the best at whatever it is. She is feisty, fun, yet selfless. She leads by example, and is the first to pitch in when she sees a need. She sees potential in everyone, and she’s not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.

THANK YOU, LAUREN for being my best friend when I had none and for letting me tag along with your friends all the way through high school. Thanks for being my shoulder to cry on when I felt alone and for letting me rant to you when nothing seemed to be going right. Thank you for telling me when my outfit didn’t match and still claiming me when I wore it in public anyway. Thank you for being a big sister to my friends who don’t have one, and for setting the bar high for me on the soccer field and the classroom. Thank you for defending me in the locker room in P.E. and for always picking me to be on your team, even though we all know I didn’t get the same athletic gene you got.

IAN, I knew you were someone special when she got absolutely giddy when you sent me a friend request on Facebook two years ago. Lauren simply does not get giddy. Thank you for pursuing my sister and loving her relentlessly. I have loved third wheeling with you two.

TO LAUREN AND IAN, thank you for setting a Christ-like example for me in your relationship. Thank you for putting the Lord first in your relationship with each other and the decisions you make. Thank you for honoring each other and may the Lord honor your marriage in the many years to come. Congratulations, Lauren. And Ian.. welcome to the greatest family in the world.

Wedding post #2

Until we get our OFFICIAL FABULOUS professional photos in...these are my favorite of the ceremony. Burgundy dresses, grey vests, and falling lights set the stage for Lauren and Ian's BEST DAY EVER. So very thankful that they could demonstrate a CHRIST-centered, fun wedding for every guest in the room.

Yes, the best man acted like he forgot the ring. A red ring pop was passed forward...until the real ring was found.

Yes, the pastor said there was much more written to the men in the Bible about how they needed to treat their wife...because men were a little slow, or they needed more instruction.

Yes, they danced off the stage...including twirls for the bridal party.

Yes, Richard helped me figure out yet another crazy plan to hang lights from the industrial ceiling in our church and did it without complaint!

SO much to say...wedding post #1

Whoa! It's Sunday afternoon and I've just gotten up from yet another deep-sleep nap from the chair in the living room. The kids were watching a movie but they've gone on to other things now. I'm thankful they know not to wake a sleeping Mama of the Bride!

I've hosted many events in the last years, I know how to plan, be flexible and take care of people. However, I've NEVER hosted a wedding, nor had to make plans with the main goal of making two people SMILE ALL NIGHT! I'm so thankful I can call our wedding a SUCCESS on all fronts! We knew at the end of the night they would be legally wed, but all the other details made the night super fun!

This afternoon I asked the 3 littles to tell me their favorite things in the wedding. They wrote and wrote and then we shared. It's so funny to see how they ranked their favorites, there were SO MANY wonderful parts it's hard to choose!

CAMERON:

Dancing with our cousins

Cake: baseball cake

Whip n Nay Nay

The funness/funner

The dancing

The watermelon and pineapple

The ring pop

The preacher

The people

The fireworks

JORDAN:

Food

The smooch

Lauren’s Dress – she’d like to wear someday

The rehearsal (dinner)

The colors

The father/daughter dance

The signing of the book (guest book)

The cupcakes

The wedding shower

The Jenga blocks

The Bs - she also might want to use these someday if she marries someone with a B last name!

SHERIDAN:

Ian & Lauren getting married

Vows

Getting to greet everyone and hand out programs

Chocolate Chip Dip

Getting to see old Clarksville friends (Suede, Lindsey & Lexi)

How pretty it was at Bona Dea for pictures

The wrap (sandwich) in the bridal party room, it was very good

Getting to pray over Lauren and Ian during the wedding

Seeing Lauren’s Falls Creek friends

Erin and Dad’s speeches

The leftovers we got to bring home

The special painted wedding signs

Getting to walk down the aisle with Jordan and Cameron

From a MOM or MOB's perspective:

~ALL my kids being home...Ryan found out on Tuesday he could get a flight home from Ft Benning

~When her flowers and our cupcakes came in and were EXACTLY like she wanted

~The smile Lauren had when she put on her dress and veil

~Praying over Lauren with her bridal party and her new mother in law

~Seeing people come to the wedding from all over who love Lauren (including band director from high school, friends from Falls Creek staff, friends from FBC Clarksville, new friends from their LIFE groups, friends from my Life Group, high school friends, former neighbors, and family from as far away as California!)

~The moment when Richard gave Lauren to Ian and gave him a huge manly hug

~The maid of honor speech by Erin and the father toast by Richard

~The father/daughter dance (choreographed by a friend and NAILED on the dancefloor!)

~The family who smiled, hugged and loved Lauren just by being there

~The smile on Lauren's face as she left with Ian for her HAPPILY EVER AFTER

RL Owners Conference 2016

Our company has gotten big. Over 90 RL owners and their spouses and managers were at our 2016 conference at Big Cypress Lodge in the Pyramid in Memphis. This was one of the best venues, minus the taxidermy animal theme all around the lodge. I always have fun spending time with my friends in the business, but several of these ladies are friends that I count among my favorite people in the world.

I also got the chance to speak twice at our event. One was a comedic look at our business that started with "You know you're a Rhea Lana's owner when..." The room was very receptive to my words because we all experience the same humorous things at our events year after year. Dealing with the masses, especially women, can be a funny thing. I also got to share "My Journey." Instead of telling the history of Rhea Lana's of Russellville, I told how I started with Rhea Lana while she was building her business in Conway. She gave me a lot of experience that at the time I thought was all the "small things" but every one of them helped me become an expert in our business. It was a lot of fun for me, I'm one of those crazy people who LIKE to talk in front of people. I enjoyed sharing about how Rhea Lana's huge Central Arkansas events began very small and with a lot of hard work.

It's an amazing business that Rhea Lana has grown. She's actually an introvert who has 80 franchises all over the country and just fought the Federal Government to not be bullied by the labor department! I'm thankful to be a part of this company and I'm thankful to have a sweet spot where I can use my gifts to help families.

Rhea Lana's of Russellville received the top award this year...Franchise of the Year. I was not expecting it and it was huge for me personally. I couldn't wait to tell my leadership team and family. Richard had been in New York for some training and took a flight to Memphis to be with me. He surprised me because he knew the award was coming. He then drove his rental car to Little Rock and picked up his own car and headed home to teach our Connect Class at church at 8am on Sunday!