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Connor’s 5th Bowling Party

Connor turned 5 last week. I can’t believe my baby is already going to be in Kindergarten. In the blink of an eye they grow up!

We weren’t going to do a birthday party this year, but Connor has been wanting to go bowling so he chose a couple of friends to go bowling with. His best friends Lucas & Bridget met us for some bowling and cookie cake. Of course no birthday would be complete without our Uncle Adam and Aunt Christa 🙂

I think we’ve celebrated every one of his birthdays with them. This year baby Carlisle aka “my future daughter in law” got to join us too!

The kids had fun and I’m glad we got to make some memories. Now all he can talk about is when we can go bowling again. Ha ha!

Happy birthday my sweet Connor boy!

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The Women Who Inspire Me

Thank Eyeconic for sponsoring this post.

When I think about my life in a nutshell it’s hard to narrow it down to just one woman who has inspired me. To be honest there are SO many! I know I’m not the best wife, mom, daughter, sister, etc….but I do try to live my life the best I can. I try to encourage others and lift people up. I try to always be upbeat because your personality can effect so many people around you. Kindness is like a disease and it spreads (a good disease mind you!)

There are two women in particular I’d like to mention. The first in my Mom, Vicki, she’s put up with my twin sister and I for almost 34 years now. God bless her. She’s been a teacher and a reading specialist for many years and effected a countless number of children’s lives. We can’t go shopping in town without my Mom running into a former student or parent and they always tell her how she was their favorite teacher or how she changed their lives. It’s SUCH a blessing to know MY Mom is so special to so many people. I’m beyond proud of her and her accomplishments. She’s worked very hard and all that hard work pays off in all those children’s lives.

The second woman is my Nannie Sue. She’s my Mom’s Mom and she too was a teacher and guidance counselor for many years. There are not words strong enough to describe my Nannie. She’s like a rare gem, there aren’t many women like her in the world today. Her heart is beautiful and her spirit uplifts everyone around her. Her strong faith in God and her prayers are felt every day. She is one of the best cooks I know, she’s not quick to judge, and she’s a wonderful teacher. Not just to her former students, but whoever is around her.

So, when I think of who I’d like to model my life after I think of them. My Mom and Nannie. If I end up half as wonderful as them I’ll be alright.

This month, eyeconic.com is asking people to share a story about a woman who inspires them. In return, they’ll be entered to win a $500 shopping spree to VSP Vision Care’s online eyewear store eyeconic.com AND they will donate an eye exam and glasses to a woman in need through Women’s Empowerment, which helps give women who are homeless the skills and confidence to gain employment, housing and make a better life for themselves and their children.

You can participate in the “Eyeconic Women Who Inspire You Sweepstakes,” by entering your own short story on eyeconic.com for a chance to win a $500 Eyeconic shopping spree and help a woman in need.

Sweepstakes details can be found HERE.

Connor Turns 5

I can’t believe that our sweet boy has already been a part of our world for 5 years. It seems like yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. He cracks me up on a daily basis and says the most hilarious things! I can’t imagine our lives without you in it sweet Connor boy. You have such a loving heart and are so thoughtful.

Thank you Lord for blessing us with this life. He’s changed me in so many ways and I can’t imagine living without him. Lord, I pray you protect, keep, and guide him in all things.

Amen.

Happy birthday sweet boy!

Our first week home:

FIVE YEARS!

Birthday breakfast:

All he wanted was a Stuffies Dragon. He saw a commercial on TV and has been begging for one ever since. I searched EVERYWHERE! They had them at Target, but were almost completely sold out. Thank goodness for the Internet and fast shipping 🙂

We had a little Batman party with his class at school too:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CONNOR!

It’s HOT Then it’s COLD!

This crazy weather is driving me nutso and playing with everyone’s immune system. I can’t handle it! I got my hair done yesterday. I did the “bayalage” hair dye method and I really like it in comparison to highlights. It’s much more natural and when my roots grow out I don’t think it will be as noticeable.

My baby is turning FIVE tomorrow! I can’t stand it! We aren’t really throwing him a party this year. I’m going to take some Batman cupcakes up to school so he can enjoy them with his friends & that’s about it.

Things have been kinda crazy around here lately and LOTS going on that I’m sure I’ll eventually get to writing about. All is well though 🙂

Here are some snow pics:

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And a little throwback:

What Does Your Heart Sound Like? #HeartbeatSymphony

February 25, 2015

Our heart is our most important instrument, steadily composing the rhythm of our lives. But imagine if the rhythm of your heart could actually create music.

Dignity Health enlisted the creative genius of Composer Miles Kennedy to create a symphony of human heartbeats that could grow and evolve the more people who joined in. This is where YOU come in!

The whole coalesces to form a highly engaging, personal, ever evolving and growing composition that reflects the personal rhythms of its users.

Go to the Heartbeat Symphony website:

Click “Add Your Heartbeat”

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Allow the Dignity Health website temporary access to your webcam so it can take your photo and monitor your heart rate. The heartbeat detection component is based off of an MIT project which allows the application to monitor changes in the blood flow to the face, that are imperceptible to the naked eye, and derives an approximate heartbeat from them.

The application will ask if you want to use the photo that is taken, upload a new photo, or use the brand image of a heart in place of a photo – please choose whichever you are most comfortable with!

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Next, you will be given an “instrument” that is unique to your heartbeat. (i.e. Cello, Flute, Drum etc.)

This is such awesome technology. What does your heart sound like?

Follow along on Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest

Valentines 2015

February 17, 2015

We had a great Valentine’s day. Terence took off work on Friday and we spent the day together just the two of us. He took me shopping at Anthropologie, one of my favorite stores & we had lunch together. He and Connor got me sweet cards 🙂

Earlier that morning I went to Connor’s school and took pictures of all the kids. It was SO much fun! Their teachers made this adorable “kissing booth”.

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Later I came back for the Valentine’s day party and all the kids had fun and ate LOTS of sugar!

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I also went out with some friends for dinner and a movie. Overall it was a great weekend! I can’t believe it was like 80 degrees yesterday and now it’s in the 30’s. It’s just craziness.

Hope everyone had a happy heart day. xo Becky

Mid-Week Update

February 11, 2015

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Connor and I have been home all day. His school called yesterday concerned he may have a slight case of the chicken pox. I thought they were just bug bites. He’s been complaining of itching. We took him to the Doctor and they could neither confirm or really deny that’s what it was. So who knows??? He’s been vaccinated, but apparently you can still get it. Most of the bumps are gone now, so I’m hoping to take this kiddo back to school tomorrow 🙂

Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies are going to be the end of whatever waistline I have remaining. They are soooo good. My Mom made an ice cream cake with these cookies growing up. To this day it’s still one of my favorite desserts. It’s just chocolate ice cream, whipped cream, and crumbled thin mints on top. You freeze it in a casserole dish and it’s SO delish!

Connor’s Valentine’s turned out so cute for his Pre-K class. They are from Cardstore and cost me less than $8 bucks. His party is on Friday and I’m excited to share it with him and his friends.

I know I’ve talked about Evy’s Tree hoodies before. Y’all they are seriously the softest, most comfortable hoodies. I have washed this green one a ton and it still looks great! I’m loving the blush hoodie.

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This stuff is legit. You can get it at Whole Foods and its raw sugar and cinnamon. I add some to my coffee in the mornings and it adds great sweetness and flavor.

What are you loving right now??? Anyone discovered anything new and fabulous?

Copywright The Java Mama/Becky Branch 2014