Happy Fathers Day, Dad!

As I grew up, my parents played very different roles. My mom took on the role of the protector, building up my confidence and sheltering me from the bad things in the world. While my dad took on the role of making me stronger and preparing me for the world.

When it came time to learn how to swim, my mom was the one who gave me water wings and got me used to the water. While my dad was the one who tossed me into the lake and taught me to swim. When I started riding a bike, my mom was the person who put on the training wheels. My dad was the one who took them off. The ying and yang of protector. My mom gave me the confidence I needed to succeed, and my dad was the one who pushed me to succeed. If it wasn't for my dad being next to me holding my hand I never would have grown as much I did!

Some of my fondest moments of my childhood are with my dad. Him taking me hunting as a kid. All bundled up with my camp overalls and orange jacket. Him teaching me to shoot and buying me my first gun, alittle 4-10. Our annual end of the year fishing tournament, me getting first place for biggest bass. All of our camping trips and family vacations all over the United States. The endless conversations and laughter. There's so many memories that I could list and all of them are what make my dad a great dad!

I can honestly say my dad has made me stronger, and I wouldn't be who I am today with out the love and guidance my dad gave me growing up. I look back now that I'm older and I can see how foolish I was in my adolescent. All I can say is I'm so lucky to have my dad there to put up with me, and teach me right from wrong. I look up to my dad so much and am so blessed to have the relationship with him that I have today. 

I love you dad! Happy Father's Day!

Time to take a minute and breathe

It's been a little while since I last posted but it's not for lack of happenings. June has just been a crazy wirl wind. I feel like I'm living in my own self created tornado. Some of you know the feeling. With taking 3 summer classes at the college, keeping up with everyday errands, and all the summer activities we've planned. It's enough to give anyone mood swings, full on panic attacks and lack of sleep. But despite all the negative I'm seeing so much positive. God is speaking to me more clearly and for the first time in along time I feel like I'm actually working towards something so much bigger. I just wish it came a little easier. Although I suppose nothing in life worth having is easy. 

The find of the day

So I'm pretty sure the saying goes "one person's junk is another person's treasure!" Well let me tell you this is my new motto in life or maybe just in garage saleing. 

It's funny to me that the older I get the more and more I'm becoming like my mother! She would so smile if she heard me say that. Because my mom is the queen of garage sales. When I was younger we would go all over town to find the best deals. An usually after a few houses I was begging to go home. Now look at me I'm a bargain shopper myself. I can hear my mom saying now "it makes a difference when it's your own money, doesn't it?" "yes mom." But honestly I think for me it's more about stumbling upon the rare items that catches your eye, the antiques that are so old they tell a story, and of course the deals that feel like their a killer steal. That's exactly  how I felt about my big purchase this weekend at the Base Wide Garage sales.  

Tanner and I had been looking for a new sectional since we bought our new house. But we didn't want to spend the full price that the furniture stores were asking. So we started saving thinking maybe well stumble upon a deal. An we did. The exact couch that we had been looking at for months was sitting out waiting to be sold. Needless to say it didn't take much convincing for me to say "sold".

Tanner had to test it out as soon as we got the living room all put back together.