Month: April 2013

DFW Blogger Meetup: All About Me

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What is your name, blog name, and URL link?

Becky Branch.  The Java Mama. www.thejavamama.com

When and why did you start blogging?

I started blogging in 2006.  My twin sister actually started and blog and then we both started doing it for fun.  Now I’m thankful to have it because my family doesn’t live near us and they are able to see what’s going on in our lives just by clicking on the website.

How old were you in 1993?

12

What do you hope to get out of the DFW Bloggers community?

Friendship 🙂

How much cash is in your wallet right now?

like 3 bucks

Tell us about the most controversial blog post you’ve published and why it caused such a stir. You gotta share the link too!

Oh gosh this is hard!  Probably the post where I posted a video of Connor throwing a fit in Target.  A lot of people didn’t like it or thought it was wrong.  Honestly, I go so much feedback and advice it helped so much.  I used the advice other moms gave on our next outing and it went a lot better!

Post is HERE

Are you a professional bowler?

OMG. No.  I hope we have gutter bumpers right?

What is your shoe size?

8

How do you earn money?

I work full time at a bank.  Occasionally I find change in our sofa.

What are you wearing at the moment?

A green night shirt

What’s your favorite beverage?

Iced caramel macchiatto (coffee), Dr. Pepper (pop), Cherry Vodka Sour or Strawberry Lime-a-rita (liquor)

Do you have kids? If so, how many and how old are they?

Yes, one.  He’s 3 years old.

If you were another person, would you be friends with you?

DUH!

Name 3 goals you have for your blog in 2013.

Well, I just switched from Blogger to WordPress.  That was one thing I wanted to do.  I hope it was worth it!  I hope to meet new friends.  I hope that in some small way my blog is a help to someone else.

What’s the first thing you notice about people?

Smile 🙂

Can you change a flat tire?

Nope!

If you could spend the day with a celebrity, who would it be and why?

I sort of have a crush on Stephen Amell right now.  He’s on the TV show Arrow.  He’s so cute and seems like the perfect mix of looks + brains….current Hollywood crush.

Which social media site (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.) do you use most?

Probably a tie between Twitter & Facebook.  I work a lot during the week so I can only get on at night.

What are you most looking forward to at the DFW Bloggers’ Spring Meet Up?

Meeting new friends and seeing people I’ve only “met” online in person.

A Little Vacay & Some Randoms

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Oh my gosh it’s Friday!!!  And I’ve been off work since Wednesday drowning myself in everything and anything WordPress related to try to figure this bear out.  It’s definitely a whole other planet compared to Blogger.  I think I’m going to be happy with the change and there are so many new options for personalization and search optimization.  I had to learn about Plugins, widgets, and some new CSS.  I already knew some basic things.  As far as a template I had a hard time finding one I liked.  A lot of WordPress templates are made for photo websites or businesses.  I wanted one that was specific to blogging or journaling and there aren’t very many out there.  I finally found one I liked on Etsy- just search “WordPress templates”.  I downloaded it then started to make my edits to personalize it.   Always always always backup your template!!!!

Okay, now that I’ve settled into my new home here…..WELCOME!

So I’ve been off work and I hardly know what to do with myself.  I had planned on doing some deep cleaning and getting  junk things ready for our neighborhood garage sale.  Haven’t even started that yet!

The boys and I went to lunch today at one of our favorite cafes.  We bought a lantern for our tent because they want to go camping….ugm…I’m not the best camper.  Where do I pee???  I am an AC and indoors kinda gal.  We shall see how this goes.  I’m sure it will be fun.  My only requirement was s’mores and if we have to bring a blowtorch to do it so be it!

So I was just going to share some randomness lately….nothing to exciting, but still fun to share:

Let me introduce you to my favorite shoes on the planet:

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Me Too leopard flats.  I love Me Too shoes.  They are comfy and cute.  I own 3 pairs of this style.

I like the pointy toe because it elongates and I am short 5’3.   Great for work or weekends!

Still loving my notebook from Milo Paper.  The fun, bold colors are just my thing!

I think you can still use coupon code “Blissdom” for 40% off right now.

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I picked up this scarf the other day at World Market.  I didn’t have any lightweight “springy” scarves.

I think this one would look great in spring or fall because of all the pretty colors.

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Connor boy had a great mail day yesterday.  He got a huge package of Octonauts toys to review, which he was freaking out about.

More to come on that later….but oh my goodness he has been playing with these non-stop!

D7K_0307Connor’s also been doing a lot of artwork at school.  I love his little artwork and I hate throwing it away.  If I kept every single art project he made it would take up my whole cabinet.

How do you organize your kids artwork?
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If you are Texas blogger you should join up with us over at Texas Women Bloggers.

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So I guess I’m supposed to introduce myself and link up with the rest of ya’ll!

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Hi all!  My name is Becky Branch and I’m the author here at The Java Mama.  I’m almost 32 (YIKES!).  I’m a chocoholic, carb lover, coffee addict, crafty wanna-be, and I love blogging!  I’ve been blogging since 2006, when blogging wasn’t cool, and now it seems like everyone and anyone has a blog!  Which if Fab!  The more the merrier.  I’m originally from Arkansas, and now reside in Fort Worth, Texas.  That’s where my husband of almost 12 years is from.  I’m also Mom to Connor, our spunky 3-year-old son.  I also work a full-time job during the week! Whew!

I have a twin sister named Bonnie.  She used to blog, and she needs to get back into it…hint…hint.  I miss home and all my friends and family, but I’m happy with the life we’ve built here in Texas.  This state has a lot to offer and I’m just praying Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf will come to Fort Worth soon, then my life will be complete.  I love God and know without Him and His mercy I wouldn’t be anything in this world or even exist.  I’m grateful for every.single.day. and try to live them to the fullest.  I’m a bit of a softy and my language of love is to help people.  I just love that.  I also love to take photos of people, including my own kid who probably has retina issues from a flash constantly in his face.  I love him. I love my life and every day is a super blessing.  Blogging is just the cherry on top!  Looking forward to meeting you all!  (I also use waaaaaay to many explanation points!!!!!!!) forgive me.

Until next time……xoxo Becky

Love & Marriage: For Better or Worse

Terence and Becky B&W

The photo above was the very first picture Terence and I had taken together.  13 years ago….gosh how time has flown.  I made him get into one of those cheesy booths at the mall to take a picture.  The was before everyone carried their cell phones and snapped photos of everything.  It was just a casual date, and little did I know I’d end up married to this man.

I truly believe God brings people into our lives for a reason.  We had both just started our first year in college and it was our first time to be “on our own” if you will.

We dated for a year then Terence and I got engaged, 8 months later we married.

My advice to any gal…enjoy the dating phase.  As much fun as marriage is, looking back at the times we dated I have such fond memories.

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Let me start off by saying marriage isn’t for wimps.  Marriage is cool.  I love being married to my best friend, but lets face it, it’s not a cake walk.  We were very young when we got married.  We both just turned 20 that month and I was so nervous on our wedding day I thought I was going to pass out.  Seriously.  What was going on here….

Terence had just finished basic training for the Air Force and we were married and about to move on base.  We got married in August 2001, a month later the unthinkable happened on September 11th and we knew things were about to change.  We had one car between us, little money, and we were just getting our little base house fixed up.  That house was straight out of the 70’s baby!  But home is what you make of it.

For the next 5+ years it was 12 hour night shifts, deployment, and sleeping alone in our bed.  Two cats and one dog.  We made the best with what we had and thankfully we were stationed close to my parents in Arkansas.  We made lifelong friends and memories I’ll always cherish.  Those were some of the toughest times, but I also look back at them fondly because we had no clue what we did or didn’t have.  We had each other.

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United as onedfdfda

After military life Terence decided to go back to school to finish his undergrad degree.  He finished with honors and we both worked very hard for the next couple years.  I worked an 8-5 job, then I had a 2nd job from 5:30-12am.  Those were loooong days!  But we somehow made it work.  We lived in a small one bedroom apartment, no cable, and no extras to speak of.  We didn’t have time for those things anyway.  Those years seem like a blur.

After Terence finished college we decided to move from Arkansas to Texas, where he is from.  I had never been away from my family and was extremely nervous.  The only interaction I had with my in-laws was short visits and holidays.  In 2007 we made the big move to Texas.  We stayed with my in-laws for a while until we got on our feet.  Terence started working for his family’s business and I took a job with the bank I still work for today.  What was supposed to be a temporary living arrangement turned into almost 2 years.  Terence decided to go back to school and got accepted into the accelerated MBA program at TCU.  So we lived with his parents for a couple of years, he finished grad school, I worked 8-5.  Just living life…..it was hard for me to get used to a new state, city, DFW driving….ugh.  I went home the first couple weeks crying.  I wanted to go HOME!  Terence kept saying were home….

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So now, almost 6 years later Texas has become home.  I still say I’m from Arkansas though.  That will always be home to me.  We’ve been through a lot together.  On this blog, or anyone’s blog, you only see fragments of their lives and not the whole picture.  Usually it’s all the positive things.  Terence and I fight, we have our weaknesses, he is very black and white and I am very colorful.  We butt heads a LOT.  Especially over finances.  He’s a super saver and spreadsheeter and I’m more of a live your life for today kind of gal.  I mean I don’t want to go and blow all our money, but sometimes it’s a bit extreme.  Lest we argue.  Sigh…..

It’s hard sometimes to reach that middle ground.  But I guess you could say we balance each other out.  Struggles make you stronger.  Without God and prayers I know we would not have made it this far.  Ter-Bear (as I affectionately call him) is my best friend and though we struggle, there is no one else I would rather spend my life with.  I’m grateful he puts up with me and my flaws, and I hope he knows I love him more than anything.  I hope he is grateful for me too.  Don’t forget to show your husband/wife how you feel.  Don’t forget to say those words of affection.  Don’t take each day for granted.  Live and love each day to the fullest.

Ask yourself “Is this argument really worth it?”  Is it worth damaging your relationship or tearing the other person down?  In the end, probably not.

To have and to hold…..for better for worse….

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Follow the Love and Marriage series with these gals:

Mandy Megan Lindsey Jenn Shay

Chuck E Cheese….25 Years ago…

 

I just posted Connor’s first trip to Chuck E Cheese….

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How about these gems from almost 25 years ago?

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Birthday party at Chuck E Cheese with me and my twin sister Bonnie.

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Mom made us My Little Pony cakes

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And we were just as scared of Chuck as Connor was on Saturday…what is it about that darn mouse?

 Oh gosh I loved the 80’s.  I’ve reconnected with so many military friends on Facebook and that has been so cool!IMG952399

 

Chuck E Cheese Fun!

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We took Connor to Chuck E Cheese for the first time this past Saturday.  To say he had fun was an understatement.  The kid was in Heaven!  Bless his heart he couldn’t contain himself and he’s been talking about it ever since.  It was his reward for wearing big boy undies all week at school and not having accidents! Woohoo!

D7K_0253We went on Saturday night.  What were we thinking???  We should have brought the leash.  Those kiddos run around like chickens with their heads cut off!

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Oh my goodness a TICKET!

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We also tried out the new Chuck E Cheese App.   You just point your phone at the signs on the walls and tables and Chuck E. magically appears in the photos.  It’s so easy to share the photos that are taken – to Facebook, Twitter, and with Chuck E. Cheese’s

D7K_0261 D7K_0263 D7K_0268  I look like crap.  Our whole family has been battling sickness for what seems like forever!  We all have horrible sinus infections.  (Now, I’ll take this any day over that stomach bug we had a couple weeks ago).

 

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Don’t you just love those kids who cheat and stand on the machines? NOT.  Get your kid off that thing. Seriously.

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Cashing in those tickets for a swirly straw, plastic frog, and Sweet Tarts.

Totally worth it. 🙂

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I’m still getting used to this whole WordPress stuff.  What do ya’ll think?

I really like it so far…….

Why I’m Switching to WordPress…

First let me just say this is quite a process and if it weren’t for Sarah I’d be lost!

 

She’s amazing!

 

Also, A Royal Daughter wrote some great articles on why she switched from Blogger to WordPress.

 

I think they are great, either way your blog will do just fine….it’s a personal decision.

 

You can read her articles HERE and HERE