Twinkle Life

Just needed a giggle today....

2012-02-02T13:09:00.004-05:00

"I am a ninja"

"no, you're not"

"did you see me do that?"

"Do what?"

"exactly!"

...big smile!

Hoping the rest of your day is wonderful!

via tumbler

{To FEED Another}

2012-01-13T17:34:00.012-05:00

FEED 2 Kenya Bag

As I searched my soul to review 2011 and figure out a way to give myself, my money and my time differently in 2012, I started researching charities that would truly make an impact. Often concerning my heart is children. Be it children starving, sick or orphans thousands of miles away, or right here in America. The thought of a human not having food to nourish their body, or to know that someone cares about them and their well-being bothers my soul much. So, beyond being blessed through Compassion International to sponsor two girls, Evi Cici and Dainty in Indonesia, I want to do more this year, to be a part in some way of bringing Hope. So, here goes.

Soooo....

Enter into the world of Ralph Lauren. I have been so fortunate over 2011 to be able to spend many of my work hours putting forth effort along with a team towards making a few excellent products for Ralph Lauren. Prior to starting the project, I knew that beyond my total love for everything that Ralph Lauren represents in style, that it would help my work to research what the intricacies of the company were about. In that search, I found within this family a future member, now a member of this family, Lauren Bush Lauren. She is now married to David Lauren - Ralph Lauren's son. I found that she had gotten involved with United Nations World Food programme 6 years ago and had designed a bag reminiscent of the bags of food distributed by WFP. What makes this bag special is when you purchase one of these FEED bag products it in some way it helps feed one child, or more in school for up to two years.

I thought..., I am so in and researched to find a bag to purchase! Certainly I would have to dig a bit deeper, but it mattered somehow then and does now, still.

You can read about her involvement here at Feed Projects.

So, I thought what a great way to bring a change not just in the world but in my soul too. Yes, I love beautiful things and I find all Ralph Lauren things in every way beautiful, but what I am about is loving people and if a thing like this can bring about some kind of hope, then I am sold!

They have many more bags, t-shirts and even bracelets for as little as $5 where that one came from at Feedprojects.com so you can get one too, if your heart is pulled in that direction.

Would you join in?

I pray this to be a year where I not only talk about change,

but make some changes to be a part of helping this world be of good and great hope!

Have a beautiful weekend ahead!

Images via feedprojects and the web

2011-12-19T15:43:00.010-05:00

These people above with me are just the coolest of people and I am blessed beyond measure.

My precious friend posted this verse today.

‎"my soul magnifies the Lord, for He has done great things for me!" Luke 1.46

It was given to her heart today, it's hers today, but I knew I needed to see it.
As if God was like. "Hellooooo girlie, pay attention to this." So I did!
I knew I needed to speak this verse. I knew I needed it somehow to be laid gently and written solidly on my heart. I needed to be thankful and count my blessings one by one.

I see these people, my niece Gabrielle and my nephews Zachary and Jake and my heart somehow gets overwhelmed with how awesome I think they have turned out, but also what they mean to my soul.
That must be just an ounce of what it feels like to be a parent to a child.

I could easily sit and boast of their accomplishments which individually would be MANY, but as of late, kind of overwhelming in one good thing after another that makes me want to sing their praises!

But....

It's not their accomplishments I delight in. It's just NOT. Certainly I applaud their great accomplishments, but what I love is their souls and the cool people they have become. Not perfect people, but in every way, great people and I just love being around them.

So, I just wanted to say I am thankful for each of them and that I simply love them. They are my blessing and I am grateful.

Have a blessed and amazing day!

{If I were to give my faith story...}

2011-12-15T11:13:00.018-05:00

Peter Bourke's Faith Story from The 315 Project on Vimeo.

I don't personally know this gentleman, but came across this video through a friend of mine. As I sat listening to Peter, I thought wow if I were to give my faith testimony it would sound much like that of his. It was as if what Peter spoke were my thoughts in many ways. No, I don't travel for a fortune-100 company, I might given the opportunity, but I do squeeze every second out of a day/night in working as if squeezing blood somehow out of a turnip, but knowing all along that this life is about so much more! I am a AAA-type, goal-driven kind of woman after all who likes control of my world, my life and my future, but longs for peace, great smiles and God purpose in the midst of this journey called life. I too am a work in progress and at moments have compartmentalized God to fit into moments of my choosing instead of Him just being real in all my moments. Certainly my story would contain God's thumbprint of my life challenges, my control and fears that I want to release, rest in Him and use for His purpose as positives somehow and make a difference in the lives of His people. After all, He {God} has well proven that even in the darkest of valleys, that He is well more than enough and I owe Him everything for that fact alone. At any rate, I thought his testimony might be encouraging to more than just me. So, here you go, turn off the music at the bottom of the page prior to hitting play and enjoy.

Make your moments count and have an incredible and blessed day.

And we know that God causes ALL things to work together for good

to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

2011-12-07T10:15:00.001-05:00

The hero is the one who kindles a great light in the world,

who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by.

The saint is the man who walks through the dark paths of the world,

himself a light.

Felix Adler

image: tine k home

{Ahhhh, this looks nice!}

2011-12-02T11:11:00.026-05:00

I know I read in the good book that God rested on the 7th day,

but I think I I must have missed that memo, {wink}!

So, this image might do me well to find a happy place today beyond this girlie that is just tired to the point that tears fall to the site of a tender Christmas car commercial at 3am. Never mind that I have lost site of how to dry my hair after pulling it up for two weeks to work in the trees. I laughed as I looked at my hairdryer with a question of how do you use this thing again? Ha ha ha... and seemed to find some humor with myself, so all is good. Christmas installation will be complete this coming Saturday. So very excited about this!!!!!!!!! Goodness, everyone stayed safe and that is no small task seeing that at any time we often find ourselves dangling like monkeys up in some tree lighting away at 1am to make the season merry and bright. Every property turned out beautifully and we are so fortunate to have this business. I returned to my real full time job Wednesday after this working-vacation of mine. I thought to crawl under my desk for a moment of zzzzzz's, but seriously it had to have been God alone that found a way to keep me awake even without a Starbucks fix. Is it me or is it so very hard to stop that little expensive addiction? It's my struggle. I love to start any morning by greeting those happy people in the green aprons with the starbucks logo and say "I would like a Grande Non-Fat Latte" to their reply..., Oh my, what is going on with you, "Kristin...are you OK? You usually get a Triple Venti bla bla bla"...(yes, they know my name and a few might add me to their bestie list, wink!). I have to giggle, but seriously people to have a cup of their coffee nestled in my hands and in my tummy...well, it doesn't get much better than that other than being in the company of the ones I love much.

At any rate, I am needing the beach and sunshine after we installed 78+ trees up to 30 feet in height and more lights, boughs and wreaths than I can even fathom to count. Who am I kidding...I might need one of those drinks too with the cute umbrellas! How can one install all that Christmasness, but still be trying to find that Christmas feeling? So, on Sunday I will take an intentional mind break, a place to sit for a moment and be thankful and breathe.... and find my own home fa la la and laughter this weekend and put up a real tree, hang some sparkly things and cozy up by the fire, play Michael Buble Christmas music and just smile.

Today I am thankful that God finds me as his own and that there is actually a reason for this season beyond all the sparkly Christmas decor. I am thankful that I am strong and whole and well, can I add in ...full of energy too. I am thankful that my family and friends are healthy and safe. I am thankful for Faith. I am thankful for a sense of humor. I am thankful that I have been and am blessed and prosper even through hardships...yes, God has well done this for me and I don't have words. I am thankful that I am courageous and confident. I am thankful that I am capable and successful. I am thankful that beyond all of my weaknesses that God is complete, strong and pretty amazing if I don't say so myself. I am thankful that God has knitted me and my life perfectly together for His good and I pray to be a bigger giver than taker and blessed to give a glow, a smile and be a blessing. I am thankful that I am clothed in strength and dignity and can smile over the days to come. Oh, and so very thankful for the gift of laughter too. Amen.

Hoping your day is perfect in every way. Hoping you find smiles in the smallest of details and praying you peace beyond measure!

Happy Weekend to Ya!

image via//botib

2011-11-29T19:41:00.002-05:00

{Just WOW!}

2011-11-16T10:58:00.011-05:00

I Believe I can Fly ( flight of the frenchies). Trailer from sebastien montaz-rosset on Vimeo.

Let's see....how does one describe this video?

Invigorating
Amazing
That's a whole bunch of CRAZY
Breathtaking
That could leave a ouch-mark!
Seriously?!

Beautiful

Wow

...did I say Wow?

Eeeeeek
Oh My
Perfect
Of course, a girl like me that loves adventure might be tempted.
Free...to say the least!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

....and well, what is that saying that parents tell their children?

No, just because so and so asked you to do that doesn't mean you should.
"I mean, if they asked you to jump off a building, would you?"

I guess with these flying frenchie people, the answer is simply, yes.

Just praying you have moments in your day today that make you say,
"Wow - that moment was and is so very awesome!"

via//sprk

{Just A Thought...}

2011-11-14T17:15:00.006-05:00

So Shine Please!

via//tumbler

{Let me introduce myself...}

2011-11-08T13:07:00.027-05:00

Hi there! My name is Liberty.

I would wave but having hooves and all it's a bit difficult if you know what I am saying {wink}.

So, I thought I would go this route of a closeup for ya using my owner's iPhone to take a self-portrait while she went to get me some sweet feed. So, hurry smile and wave back please

before she gets back!

Let's see what is there to know about me?

I was born on 9/11... Hence my name.

My Mama and many others saw me and immediatley said I looked like a Liberty.
Plus the name Liberty would hold meaning, being that I was born on 9/11
and just what America stands for in honor and freedom.

I mean, I am all about the wind in my hair while I run across the field.

It's a freedom kind of feeling that I love and do often, very often.

My Mama calls me, "My Sweet Liberty".

I kinda like it. soooo I think I'll keep letting her call me this!

That Mama is a person {So very confusing to me, as I have a real Mama with fur that looks a lot like me...the person, Kristin, not so much, but we share the same love for adventure type personality. Yes, she possibly needs more timeouts than me because as sweet as she is {Kristin} can have a rebellious-feisty side beyond her sweet side, however, I am trying to tame her of this. Really I am!

See the image of my person-Mama {Kristin} and I {Well, part of me.} below.

Someone might need a photography course. Just saying they might, wink.

So, I guess a picture of my neck will have to do.

Oh, and below this is me and both of my Mama's.

This is my person-Mama {Kristin} letting me lick the remnants of

the sweet feed she just gave my Mama {Maggie}.

How could you not love someone that gives one sweet feed?!

Which is like a candy bar in human speak!

Mmmmmmmmm!

Awe, below is on 9/11 my first day experiencing the world. I loved that day!

Here are just some images of me and my Mama, Maggie.

Yes, my Mama is big boned, but don't tell her I said that, smile!

I still think she is very beautiful.

She is a Belgian, which from what I hear is very much like one of those Budweiser horses

minus the bunches of fur on the feet. My Daddy is a Haflinger, which if Fabio was a horse

well, he would look just like my Dad.

Which gives no premises for my curly tail and mane.

This was the day {above} I learned about gnats {yucky}. I really don't like those things. Can you tell?

I hear humans don't like them either. Or, was it watching my owner quickly running across the field away from them that gave that away? It was kinda funny to watch her.

At the end of the day some horse-bug-type spray came my way!

Yay me....so sad for the gnats.

Lastly, below is a family video. Kristin thought we were coming to see her,

but seriously, we are all about that stuff called sweet feed! Just saying we are!

Gotta run, I see my person-Mamma coming back.

Bye for now!

Yes, all kind of silly in Liberty's words, but

I feel like I won some sort of out of the blue, once in a life time chance

to own a new unborn, site-unseen baby horse. I am smitten with her and feel blessed.

I am kinda the adventure type and love horses, so off we go, a city girl like me,

with a bit of country and adventure in my soul to say yes to caring for this sweet and funny girl.

I don't want to claim her as mine. I want to just facilitate many being able to just enjoy her much.

I mean, I was considering getting a dog for a long while now, but who needs a dog, right?

I'm certain to post more images. All of these images were taken off my iPhone.

Hopefully, I will get down there and use an actual camera, but having too much fun

just running in the field along side her, or sitting in the field watching her.

Just a very peaceful and free feeling.

Have a great day ahead.

Make your moments count!

Fa La La? Yep it's here.

2011-10-28T08:39:00.025-04:00

Our seasonal corporate Christmas decorating company {Holly Productions} has begun.

Yep, that's silly me above trying to find some lovin and my happy for this Charlie Brown half-lit tree.
In working much in life I can find that my attitude can be not so great. I can be really feisty actually.
That's the real of me that I don't want people to see.
I know I am very fortunate and blessed to have work, so I gave myself a swift talking to
and found my grateful place. I want to be a person that is grateful for the details.

Admittedly I am not always, but goodness I want to be.

Why does this time of year ALWAYS take me by surprise? Hummm...leaves me perplexed!

I think, "Wasn't I just drinking some cold iced tea in the summer sunshine?".

This time of year came out of nowhere,

Like you know this "came out of nowhere" it is going to happen,

but it pounces like a cat on the prey for a mouse and still takes me by surprise,
as if someone jumped out behind a door playing hide and seek and said, "BOO!"
I might still be in denial of this fa la la deal.

Well, denial (the Nile) ain't just a river in Egypt as they say.

Yes, I said ain't, (smile). Being a southern girl this kind of talk is legal.
Not proper by any means, but legal still, oh yes! Tee hee hee.
Kind of like people from the New England and surrounding areas, saying "Wicked",
which doesn't mean wicked as in brouhaha or evil, but something "very" in the extreme
and very good, cool and well, just awesome.
Oops. I seemed to vier off on a tangent for a moment.
Back to Fa la la.

Since we began lighting trees and decorating behind the scenes last week,
and needing to jump in with both feet.

I smiled and thanked God for this crazy-beautiful business,
started trying to sing fa-la-la kind of music
and set my mind to serve Him somehow and bring great love on these

Christmas lights and all our peeps working with us as we begin.

I want my heart to serve this year. To love on people well this year. To be able to offer a positive light.
I desire to remove my stubborn-feisty nature, be agile and bring great laughter and smiles.
To keep humble and remove pride in me that can be so prevalent.
I want to listen to understand and then be understood and keep an open mind to others ideas.
Please pray I do this adventure well and finish this season strong.

All things are possible to those that love Him. He said that, not me.

Praying it ahead of time to be a safe and see to fruition an amazing season full of all things bright!

Have an awesome Halloween weekend.

Be safe and enjoy smiles much!

2011-10-27T11:06:00.007-04:00

I needed a new goal and this fits somehow.

So, as they say in Nike world....JUST DO IT.

So I AM.

It's kind of great how it works, and falls in the beginning of 2012.
January 15, 2012 to be exact.
I thought I would share if you wish to sign up too.

Nike Registration Link

"Your story, your life, and your journey
all involve what came before you and what comes after -
all hints of who you are."
and
"all of our lives we must moment by moment choose
between what others define us to be
and who we are meant to be."

Have an amazing and perfect day!

image via nike...quote not sure and wish I knew but it fits today somehow.

2011-10-25T14:46:00.004-04:00

I saw this today and smiled.

There are days I actually feel like this when I run.

Love the little girls eyes! Determined!

A girl's gotta keep trying!

{A LESSON FROM A LION FROM OZ...}

2011-10-11T11:48:00.003-04:00

So simply say no to all things that bring fear or doubt and say,

"I will have courage!" No other option will do!

Praying YOU to really be CORAGEOUS in your soul always

and in all things today and everyday!

amen.

image via: Matchstic

{I wouldn't have a job, or a computer if it weren't for Steve...}

2011-10-06T14:22:00.011-04:00

He is on my list of, "If you could have dinner with 3 people living or deceased who would they be?"

I know so many people are putting things up online about him today. He made a great impact on so many.

If you followed him through business, his passion for his craft in perfection and some things he would state about loving one's family and living life where moments really matter well, you too know that he changed the world and people for the better and to that I am thankful and well, inspired too.

Months ago I watched the Stanford speech people are buzzing about today. I saved it and watch it every now and again just to keep my heart in that place of living each day great.

In hearing of his passing, I realized that I used my iphone to wake me up, and then checked work email, then got on my Mac at home, and then came into work and got on my office Mac. I use my God given talents as an interactive designer after all and my world revolves around my many apples 24/7. Steve Jobs is one of the main reasons I have the career I have and couldn't survive without his innovation, without the vision he had for Apple and for every single one of us that use apple products, or rather our every waking moments that revolove around the products that he was frontline in creating.

I hear he was a great/private family man too, and valued his people that mattered most to him. And that makes me smile. Yes, he was also at AAA-Type with a passion for perfection, but I am too so I can't fault the guy. So, without knowing him personally, I feel grateful and wished to state it somehow.

‎"Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."
-Steve Jobs

A few other inspiring words from Steve Jobs....

“When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” [Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” [Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.” [Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

Steve Jobs (1955-2011) Rest In Power

Have a great day and make your moments count!

ps...Here is the Stanford speech if you have not seen it. It's very worth watching.

Please turn off music below before viewing.

{For Today and Everyday...}

2011-10-03T12:33:00.003-04:00

image via: iht

2011-09-19T10:53:00.008-04:00

Your Soul IS rooting for YOU and your moments today, so SMILE and simply SHINE!

image via: iht

{Today...}

2011-09-07T10:18:00.002-04:00

Walk Strong

Straight Forward

Confident

At Peace

With GOD

Standing in Grace

Lastly,
Try Your Best, Smile and Make ALL of Your Moments Count!

image via: fif

{Believing This! Believe Along With Me Too..., Pretty Please?!}

2011-09-01T12:52:00.003-04:00

2011-08-29T14:43:00.001-04:00

image via: iht

{Just Me...not perfect, but real....just human, just me.}

2011-08-23T10:46:00.007-04:00

I saw this random quote and posted well, just because it had too many
similarities to my heart and my silly ways.

However....

I only have one very best friend, but many dear friends that fall in the best friend category
that I would lay down my life for.

I don't sleep with a teddy bear! Ahem...but here is my random and silly thought concerning that fact...
I know, I am in my 40's, but also besides that fact that one should not sleep with a teddy bear at that age, I have never been one much for stuffed animals. I don't understand their purpose, but, I do have to say that I believe in loving someone and standing by him forever.

That was weird to write but I mean it in the most respectful way.
It's just how I roll and how God made me.

Enough said from a moment of my being all introspective, smile.

Now time to get back out and serve the world, love on people
and off of my silly naval-gazing.... ; )

Have a great day!

2011-08-15T16:28:00.000-04:00

2011-08-03T10:50:00.001-04:00

"There is more in us than we know.
If we can be made to see it, perhaps, for the rest of our lives,
we will be unwilling to settle for less!"

-- Kurt Hahn

{Because Smiles should be present in this Life!}

2011-07-29T10:47:00.018-04:00

I needed a song to set my mind in a good place. Funny I know,
but I think music can change one's mood to happy, or inspire somehow...

...so this girl is giving it a go and finding her happy place and smile brightly...just because! :)

Life has just been too busy with work (Yes, I need work-life balance as I can get caught up in work and that is not healthy...honesty is the first step, right?!). I am so grateful that I have work and never wish to take it for granted...., ever, but I doubt a post of my office interior would "WOW" another's soul. {Wink!}. I realize that fun moments and down time should matter too. Life should matter and the people we care about should matter. So, declaring to find time to enjoy life too.

I'm posting this song, because is just a good song, and the words are worth listening to. They each smile much throughout this video and seem to be having just a great time and well, I love how their voices sound singing together in unison...., pretty amazing! I want to smile like that in life as life should be funky-cool-creative with others, and inspiring and happy like that. So, if this video brings a smile to your day too, well then, that would be really great.

Please turn off music below if you wish to listen and well, the concert version is at the end, so if you do listen and watch, do give it a chance to play it to the end.

Sending you Smiles and many bright wishes Your Way for a Wonderful Weekend!

2011-07-25T23:40:00.010-04:00

Very true....

image via: found

In All Friendships...

2011-07-21T07:20:00.008-04:00

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and

let those few be well tried before you give

them your confidence. True friendship is

a plant of slow growth, and must undergo

and withstand the shocks of adversity before
it is entitled to the appellation.

-George Washington

{Enough Said}

2011-07-18T10:29:00.003-04:00

Have a great week!

A little Peachtree Road Race fun!

2011-07-06T09:13:00.058-04:00

"i guess if you don't jump,

you'll never know if you can fly."

- miranda lambert

Where are my hair & makeup people? Ha ha ha!

No, no, that was not me up front running like an agile-cat

with Sammy Kitwara from Kenya that ran the race in 28 minutes, 5 seconds,
which is something faster than a gazelle, or the speed of light I am certain.
I must say it is pretty amazing and beautiful to watch the group
of people in the front run in person.

Anyhoo...

My number was somehow "misplaced" in my great city mail system.
After much coordination I got a new number sent to me.

But it was my original number that finally showed up.
They had me logged in the system finally. Yay me...
Or, so I thought....they still have me in there with the new number which means I ran it in
"0-minutes/0 seconds"....so, even though I was a little back in the sections,
and not with a seated number this year, I won! Yay! Not so much.
There is NO truth in my winning, and I am not even kidding you.

However, a guy friend of mine that I had not seen in a very long time,
came out of nowhere and clipped me with a huge "I am so gonna beat you" smile
coming into the finish-line final stretch!
Yes, he is very athletic and a great runner, and a man, but
he started it so........
what was a girl like me to do, except totally leave him in the dust? : )
It was seriously great to laugh hard in the final part though
with my friend from long ago that is as competitive as I might well be.

After many emails, talks and giggles with a kind lady from the Atlanta Track Club,

here is possibly one of the only images they have of me running the race.
It looks like the paparazzi once again caught an image of me sans makeup!
I have to giggle!

One would wonder if the guy behind me in this image has his hand up because he is flagging down an ambulance, or a taxi..., whatever it takes to get to the finish line is all I am saying!

Next year I plan on running with the Kenyan team (Insert giggle here, but speaking it no-less!).

If a girl wants to run like a gazelle, well then, a girl must have her goals!

Have a beautiful week!

2011-06-24T09:52:00.006-04:00

Excellence can be attained if you risk more than others think is safe,

care more than others think is wise, dream more than others think is practical,

and expect more than others think is possible.

-author unknown

Be AMAZING! Own It!

No, no, these are not my calves, just inspiration.
Goals can happen! Just saying they can come to fruition if
one keeps humble and willing to be determined enough to try!

...and I am so very game on!

Image via: found.

Is this normal? I do wonder!

2011-06-21T10:44:00.048-04:00

Finding humor with things I do in life that make no sense,
but make me smile, still.

Everyday one can find approximately 5-7 beverages on my desk and yes, lined up just like this.

I will deny slight-OCD if asked (lol), but we all know the truth! What is that saying?

You can lie to everyone else, but just don't lie to yourself!

Isn't there some proverb about Cleanliness is next to Godliness?
No people that saying is not actually in the bible, nope not even in the tiny print!
However, I might smile if it were tucked in there somewhere.

My many beverages have been sidekicks of sorts for a long while now.
I never thought a thing about it other than just reaching

over for my beverage of choice for the moment while I worked. And yes, I drink all of them.

I must need liquid to perform my job tasks I am guessing....and so it goes;

Animate P&L Financial Report (check), Drink beverages (check, check, check, check & check!).

Kind of like being at a wine tasting of sorts, but not really at all! :)

However, the other day I happened to see all of
this liquid out of the corner of my eye while working and said....
"Oh my land, Kristin!"
I giggled at myself and well then, got shall we say a bit concerned if something might wrong with my need for this much liquid. I don't really think an image like this is listed on webmd.com, so I took an image and text my life-long precious friend and my sister who are both in the medical field to make sure all was OK?

Or, I am just really parched all the time I am guessing!!!!!

Between the daily kale/berry/coconut water protein drink,

7-10 vessels of sorts or more of water day and all of that caffeine in coffee/tea,

I am not certain if I am trying to be healthy or, just stay awake?
Awake indeed!

Do you ever do things in life that make you go hummmm?

Have a great day!

xoxo, A very thirsty me!

{Because It's Friday! Yay!}

2011-06-17T08:54:00.031-04:00

I love this version of Adele's, "Rolling in the Deep".

And well, I am kind of partial to hearing a Man such as this,

sing with such a cool voice!

I have to giggle because Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town

and I somehow became a great singing duo this morning as I worked!
Thank you, LBT back up singers!
Just keeping it real here
, but it makes for a
happy
Friday driven by amazing work deadlines!

Enjoy!

Have A great weekend and laugh much, just because it's good!

{The Why's of Positive Thoughts and Wisdom from Tim Tebow}

2011-06-14T12:57:00.040-04:00

Life is beautiful people.

Seriously, it really is.

Please know that I am not just throwing happy words, positive quotes,

or bible verses out to the world through this blog often

because I am all about the thought of...

If you think Positive well, you can BE Positive.

It's not that easy.
But, I do believe and learning daily that the words we think and speak make a difference.

I have known people through life that have walked through really hard challenges.

Visibly there was this sustainable twinkle in their eyes. Each person's joy, peace, demeanor and solid trust

were unmoved by their circumstances. I am certain they had moments of heartache, or frustration.

However, it is how they faced their storms with this brave faith and this positive light

that has always struck me as amazing.

I would state out-loud no less, "How do they do this? I think that is Amazing."

I think God heard me say this and is showing me how to stand solid in peace through any storm.

Just saying be careful what you might ask God, because God has a keen sense of hearing! :)

I think, why have this blog, or do this life if you can't make another smile,
or see and encourage the good I see in another in real life? Or seriously, just be real enough
in the face of my hardships to
make another see and know that they can have courage too?

I just know from life hitting hard that it is possible to think intentionally
beyond how we feel, or find funny and good courage in the midst of what we
wished looked differently in life circumstances.

Pain or Joy is no respecter of persons. (No news flash here!)

So, choosing Faith and Hope in the midst of either pain or joy is worth a go don't you think?

As I finished writing those words above, I thought of something
that has affected my thoughts this week.
I watched this interview and
much of what Tim Tebow said has held my thoughts in how I live my life, or wish to earnestly.

Why was I watching this video you might ask?
I really like watching sports, not that I always understand every detail, but I want to.
As I do this I get the added benefit of learning and understanding the intricacies
of what I have seen others spending time yelling at the TV over (Smile!).
I know you too have seen this. Or, are you a yeller too?
No, I have never yelled at a TV like I have seen many doing watching sports (lol),
but will tell you that I have my favorites that I might give a shout out quietly
with just a smile or quiet "What in Sam-Hill?-Rrrrrr!",
and would like to have enough understanding to have a reason to yell if I wanted to.
I'm just saying to yell at the TV might be cathartic! :)

Anyhoo....

Here is the interview below of Tim Tebow. Yes, it is worth the watch.
(To watch, please turn off the music below prior to hitting play.)

I hope you find so many reasons to hold solid hope and just good in your moments!

I pray and hope that your week is so full of success that you have to do a double take

to make certain it really happened and say well,

"This life really is beautiful!" with a grateful smile that comes from deep within you

and shines something so amazing, so another can see it and do the same."
That sounds sappy I know, but I mean it!

Trust me, I know this to be true from experiencing some of my
very own hard journey's in life. I just do!!!!!!!

Smiles can happen.

No matter what, they just can.

Have an amazing week!

Image: Hummm...I wish I knew? Video: Fox News

2011-06-13T16:37:00.003-04:00

Have An Amazing Day!

Image via: found

{If One Can't Find Humor with Themselves....lol!}

2011-05-31T10:54:00.075-04:00

"Great is the one who does not lose their child's heart."
-- Mencius

Or, well I might instead just be having challenges with my car's air conditioning system

that seemed to go out on my way to a Memorial Day BBQ, no less!

Even though it was 90+ degrees, I still love you car of mine!

I first thought and felt, "Rrrrrrr" and then thought, "Kristin, you love the feeling of wind,

and this is such a minor inconvenience to what really goes on in the world,

so you might as well find good still and be grateful!" And so, I did.

When life throws one lemons, finding positive and smiles in the midst

is the best kind of sugar to make lemonade, don't you think? I'm learning so much still.

So, I added to life some sugar and well, with the wind I might well

have caught a few bugs too, but you get my point!

Lemons or Lemonade? Most definitely, Lemonade!

These two images are what one might look like when passing a chicken farm.

I would prefer...hummm, let's see...., say a nice scent of citrus,

or say a scent with woodsy/vanilla undertones.

Breathe in and out of mouth only....ha ha ha. I am not even kidding you!

Becoming a chicken farmer is NOT, and I say NOT in my future destiny!

Note to God..."If we are made in Your image, then you must have a sense of humor,

so ahead of time...."Dear God, Please don't make me become a chicken farmer!"

"NO God, that would not be funny!"

Anyhoo,

If one can't find humor with themselves and be completely good with it, well then...
Just saying I see the real me that even though I do try to take care of what
the good Lord gave me, is quite silly at times and well, this
might knock the cliche just a little when people say that I always look put together

as if a news-reporter without a hair out of place!

I might well prove them wrong here! {Smile!}

And this my friends is how my wind-crazy hair looked once my car was parked {Eeeek!}.

I don't remember just jumping out of a plane a moment before, but my hair looks that way!
Where is that hairbrush that I thought I kept in my car when I need it most?!!!!

Note to self.....Find hair brush and take car to the dealership

to get the air conditioning fixed!

I hope your Memorial Day was restful and

and full of great smiles!

Thank you to those who serve and give your lives daily for this country.

We are humbled by your gift of service and so very blessed!

Have an amazing and blessed week ahead.

2011-05-26T14:31:00.002-04:00

{Enough said.}

2011-05-24T10:43:00.022-04:00

I believe there is great truth in this theory!

Have an amazing day!

Believing for your day that your moments will be

worth every second and hoping that the corners of your

mouth will be turned upward!

God is there in the midst of chaos.
When everything in life turns upside down, remember that
you are in the hands of the Creator.
Look to God, and you will always know which way is up.
Yes, even if we sometimes land flat on our faces and focus

on the mud (our life issues) and not the stars (our blessings).

To which I turn my face upward and refocus with a smile

on a glass (this beautiful life) that

is so much more than half full.

What if our blessings come through raindrops?

With smiles, I am thankful still.

image via: Sugarboo

{Smiles that Shine}

2011-05-20T10:12:00.019-04:00

Do you ever come across a filed-away image of yourself that is just silly?

For some reason the image makes you stop and smile

because you remember how it felt in that moment and

the people that surrounded you were filled with just so much joy

that the laughter was almost tangible?

Well, I ran across this image today. Yes, it is silly, but I don't care.

It was one of those days that I laughed so hard I was literally tearing up.

p.s. No, I don't have a tongue like my niece's below for such an occassion as getting icing off
one's nose, but the laughter in that moment was worth every second.

"A smile starts on the lips,

A grin spreads to the eyes,

A chuckle come from the belly;

But a good laugh bursts forth from the soul,

Overflows, and bubbles all around!"

C. B.

It just does!

I hope you smile so much this weekend that you literally shine!

image via:me

{Whistle for Peace!}

2011-05-17T17:21:00.018-04:00

This struck my heart deep. So, I wished to share with you.

It might tug on your heart the same and if it causes you to consider

buying a whistle, well then it is worth the post.

Have a beautiful day!

Please turn off music at the bottom of the page and then hit play.

Falling Whistles is a campaign for peace and works to elevate Congolese leaders who rehabilitate women and children inside our world's deadliest war, and try to end it. The Falling Whistles campaign launched with a simple question - what can we do about this? Read the story, join the movement and buy a whistle to advocate for and rehabilitate those affected by war. Share their story and speak up for them. Be a whistleblower for peace.
http://www.fallingwhistles.com/

2011-05-16T16:25:00.006-04:00

So keep your head high,

keep your chin up,

and most importantly, keep

smiling, because life's a

beautiful thing and there's

so much to smile about!

-Marilyn Monroe

image via: Craig Damrauer

{Tuesday Thought}

2011-05-03T13:12:00.002-04:00

"Fear less, hope more;
Eat less, chew more;
Whine less, breathe more;
Talk less, Say more;
Love more, and all good things will be yours." - Unknown

What you do every day matters more
than what you do once in a while.

Image via: Lululemon

{Just a thought}

2011-04-19T15:03:00.005-04:00

"I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize.
The first is gentleness;
the second frugality;
the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others
and keeps me from thinking more highly of myself than I should.
Be gentle and you can be bold;
be frugal and you can be liberal;
avoid putting yourself before others and you can
become a leader among people."
~ Lao-Tzu

This quote just made me think today, so posting.

Hope your day is wonderful.

Image via:

{Tuesday Thought}

2011-04-12T11:09:00.015-04:00

Gratitude  unlocks the fullness of life.

It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order,
confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home,
a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past,
brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.

- Melody Beattie

image via:iht

{A new bundle of joy named Ralph!}

2011-04-01T15:30:00.058-04:00

Something amazing has happened in my life!

I have a new Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, a single woman with a new baby! Oh my!

No, no, this is not a Jerry Springer moment people, but it sounds like it doesn't it? {Wink!}

They told me his name when they asked if I wanted him....They said his name is Ralph.

I said, " R•A•L•P•H?"

I thought...., Ralph is an interesting name in this day and age?
However, as I was being told the details, a grin came over my face
and I lit up like I have not in a long while!

I knew right then and there that Ralph would make my eyes and soul shine!
I was ready for him right then! No rest for the weary.
Ralph would give me smiles in my day...and into some nights, as being a Mama
of this guy is no small task.

And I am thrilled to say that I smiled so very much when I looked into those big blue eyes.
I might have even shed a tear or two.

I got my new baby a week ago Friday......

Here he is...
He is a very handsome fella don't you think?!!!!

I feel so very blessed to state that the company I work for acquired
the Polo Ralph Lauren account as our new client.

Blessings come in all sorts of ways to many.

This is just a very cool way we as a company have been blessed
and given an amazing opportunity.

They have placed the care of this project in my hands to design.

I am just simply honored and will work hard to produce a product of excellence.

It is one of those dream clients that one keeps on a secret, "What If?", WOW list.

If you knew how small the company I work for is and the client base that
we have from Starbucks, to Tiffany & Co., each of which I have been fortunate enough
to work on, you would say we have been blessed! And we as a company are
making it through an economy that has been tough and called each of us to be brave.
So, I am thankful to have something very rare and cool to happen to
our team of people that will all work to make this excellent and magical!

On a personal note I wish I could begin to tell you how thrilled I am as
I live this lifestyle in taste in my home, clothing, how I carry myself
and even how I think concerning design.
....I just do.

Ralph Lauren also holds a tender place in my heart on a
personal level of a moment in time that changed my life forever forward and the
woman with a glow that I am today that can stand real, graceful, intelligent, funny
and not just a woman trying to obtain stubborn perfection!

I am still stubborn and catch myself in my perfection efforts, but there is grace and
a sense of strength within this peaceful determination now, which allows me to be
a woman that is human, a woman that is real, and to that I am thankful.

I promise to care for this baby well and count my blessings as I go.

"If you want greatness, you have to put the time into greatness.
You can’t have greatness overnight, and you can't have greatness
just because you snap your fingers.
I think the best thing that ever happened to me is that I was able
to express myself and find talents in me that I don’t think I have....
Did I do the right thing? Did I dig deep enough
and pull from creativity I did not think I had?
Am I settling for something that feels good to me?
...
I am drawing inspiration from my life....
The greatest pleasure is not accepting the ordinary but
a creative moment that says I reached higher and higher."

-Ralph Lauren

Images via Ralph Lauren

2011-03-16T10:01:00.009-04:00

haut les coeurs
(oh lay ker)

: lift up your spirit, take heart, be brave! have courage!

Just a good thought for a great day.
Have a great week!

Image via: R.H.

2011-03-09T15:29:00.012-05:00

"Your life begins the moment that you realize that you
are not a product of what happens to you...
that "what happens to you" is actually a product
of what you personally create or accept
from others as your own reality.
Once you have a full realization of this...
YOU without a doubt will be able
to start creating the life of your dreams!"

- Ingrid Vargas

image via: i heart this

{Happy Weekend}

2011-03-04T16:23:00.012-05:00

Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those

who dared believe that something inside them

was superior to circumstance.

-Bruce Barton

Mind over matter.

In my mind I am soooooo at the beach, running into the blue-green water

with my toes in the sand and just happy and laughing

on a delicious, warm and sunny day.

It's a bit of winter in a way here in sweet Georgia and rain for a day or two.

Makes me appreciate the good though.

So I smile still.

Happy, Wonderful Weekend to You.

2011-03-02T17:26:00.009-05:00

"Optimism is true moral courage."

— Ernest Shakelton

Believing for a great day for me and for you!

It's Gonna Be A....

2011-02-22T15:05:00.019-05:00

...A Bright, Bright Sunshiny Day!

I was literally running in my heels out the door this morning to get to work.

To know me is to know that I will almost get whiplash to turn my head towards the sunshine.

And so I did...Whip my head around when I caught this glow out of the corner of my eye through the wooden blinds and SMILED soooo much!

I just stood there and said..."Mmmmmmm", "Oh My Land!"..."WOW"..."Thank you!"..."That is AMAZING!"..and giggled with myself at how tickled I get over sunshine.

It was sunshine in perfection, so I ran and got my phone and captured an image to throw a little sunshine your way too. So, catch it please and feel its warmth all over ya.

Wishing you an Amazing Day!

2011-02-18T23:33:00.008-05:00

{Happy Day To You!}

Self + Confident = Beautiful!

image via farouche

{Nike inspired me to fly...You can too!}

2011-02-02T10:37:00.055-05:00

Because I am gonna fly!

A little Nike inspiration for ya.

Albeit, glistening {SWEATY} haired-girl, yes.

But that smiling-happy-go-lucky free feeling is so worth that cost!

I love that feeling! Even if it is hard work.

Do you run? If not and you want to, you can start with walk/running.

I started this way.

You just gotta tell yourself "I can do this!"

And you can! I promise!

Here is a cool challenge. I signed up for it this morning.

It is out there for the world to see, so no backing out.

Or, I won't let me back out!

I have run for years and always done things behind the scenes in challenging myself.

The me in the past would possibly not tell you how far

I ran until ...well, ya know, I conquered my goal... {Silly pride, really!}.

OK, I would however, giggle with you

and tell you that I tripped over road-kill varmint running not long ago

and it flew up in the air and I screamed {like a girl, because I am!}

as a person driving saw me and smiled and then I laughed hard.

I find daily life is so silly sometimes and it might make you giggle too

{Yes, that actually happened! And I went back

once to see a dead snake, but that is another story!}.

I did not call dibs, but the varmint seemed to call dibs on me as it flew in the air! Oh my!

But, the me that is NOW, has to start somewhere again.

So in this journey you will see the good and well, the days I feel

all out-of-breath-aint-gonna-run-today-because-I-don't-wanna-be-out there!

... and be all good with it and just smile at my silliness...and get out there and run.

During November before work took every waking second,

I was running 4.5 miles in the morning and 4.5 miles at night.

Yes, that is 9 miles a day, everyday, but I wanted to challenge myself and

it was a great place for me to direct any stress from work.

And pound out any frustration I had with the world.

But a part of it I realized at one point was not healthy!

I know you are saying..."Ummmmmm yes, that

equates to unhealthy or just plain crazy! {Insert Smile}!"

I can be a "Game-On" competitive kinda girl.

Then HALT! I stopped running.

I needed perspective, to confront some things in life and just good sweet rest!!!!!!

Anyone who might be a runner, or the runners I

know when one starts running again, it is as if one has never run.

As in EVER! Or it feels that way.

Well, the first day is wonderful running.....then....not so much!

If not for you, then it definitely happened to me. My will needed to kick in!

I have begun again, to feel the freedom running brings again one step at a time.

I started with 2 mile runs...and breathing heavy.

The first day back...AMAZING!

Then ouch...

My body felt like molasses, so I walked in-between runs the first couple of weeks.

But something happened in my heart and this week it all changed.

I ran 3-4-5 miles consecutively for the last three days and for the right reasons.

I ran for the sheer joy of running, period!

I felt myself , albiet out of breath, {Oh my land!} but, I was SMILING!

I ran because it just felt good to feel my ponytail flapping back and forth.

I was just happy to be there and thankful to just be present in the moment and enjoying it!

Happy to feel free and positive.

It felt good to sweat {Ahem, I mean southern-girl talk for"glisten"!}.

I love that feeling. My hair gets soaked and mascara is everywhere, but I don't care!

I ran and sang {loudly} to great music that I love.

And it felt so dang good. Oops...I mean "dang" in the most endearing of smile terms!

I just added a minute, then another minute every time.

I mean that is how the 9-plus mile a day deal happened.

Yep, by adding one minute at a time.

This time around I am doing it because it just makes me smile,

and something that I can do by myself, or share with another, or many.

Some of the best conversations and laughter I have ever had have come out of running.

Some of those conversations are what helped me overcome athletic asthma in the past.

If I can do it, seriously ANYONE can!

So if any of you are doubter's, give it a try.

You might well find yourself achieving more than you thought possible.

I double-dog-dare you actually!

So, in this I found this Nike challenge and thought..."You know if you are doing it, well it might be good for another to want to sign up and feel that same feeling you feel when running."

So here is the link to many different challenges Nike offers to everyone.

Thank you NIKE! I love you! Mwahhh for making me feel inspired.

Lastly, I want to do a shout-out for my life-long kindred friend.

Paige is training for a half marathon to run at her favorite place, the beach.

She ran 8 miles on Sunday! You go girly! So very proud of you and happy for you!

{Just a Thought}

2011-01-27T17:37:00.002-05:00

{Dare to have a Dream!}

2011-01-26T10:18:00.037-05:00

Yes, the Dare will have to consist of skills all goal achievers need,

including focus, tenacity, creativity, the urge to discover, a willingness

to adapt, common sense, hard work and a joy for life!

Are you game?

Know you have the ability to accomplish AMAZING and

program into action positive and healthy
possibilities that can be realized!!!!!!

I truly believe this for you and for me! I just do!

I have created this week a life goal list and this week have begun setting many

little actions in motion each day so that success and bright smiles can be obtained.

It makes me smile just to know these dreams

can and will be actualized!

Do you have one? A Dream/Goal list that is?

I hope yes!

I have been inspired by my close peeps to dream again,

so I will in turn wish to kindle inspiration in you too.

What beyond work or your day in and day out would inspire you to live life to its fullest?

What goals lived out would make you smile no

matter how challenging the task ahead when you wake up in the morning?

A challenge you might well even do for free just because it makes your heart sing.

Just something to think about....

Lululemon has a great GOAL Plan of Action. Many articles as well just within their site.

I love it so check it out for yourself and see if you find yourself inspired!

Hoping you find great hope and success in

whatever you touch within your day.

It's a Beautiful Day. Live it well.

Images via etsy and lululemon

{And She Smiles...}

2011-01-21T10:01:00.019-05:00

You will keep in perfect peace whose mind is steadfast,

because he trusts in you.

Isaiah 26:3

She is clothed with strength and nobility {Dignity, Valor},

and she smiles at the future.

Proverbs 31:25

...And she smiles brightly in trust, not

because she has to, but because she just does.

Enough said.

It's A Beautiful Day!

Hoping your weekend is wonderful.

{Gathering Light}

2011-01-18T13:14:00.006-05:00

A bit cloudy here in Atlanta today.
With that in mind it just seems like a good day
as any to gather a little bit of light and
do something good with it.

So...throwing you a bit of great soul shine for the
rest of your day, so catch it please!

"One day in retrospect the years of struggle will
strike you as the most beautiful."
-- S. F.

image via: r hardy

{So True}

2011-01-17T12:00:00.052-05:00

Have you ever been in the company of someone that somehow

makes you a better person in every way, just by way of who

they are as people and how they live their lives?
The kind of people that shine a light through you to call you to be a

better human, more giving, to walk in wisdom and integrity,

stand brave through adversity, experience great smiles, ease

and kindness that you didn't think possible in people

and just true and shine in every way?

I am a better woman for knowing and walking life with

amazing people just like the quote mentioned above and grateful

and smile-filled too.

Below are just a few of the people that have
impacted many lives in just that way.

{Suz}

This last Saturday I stood there and was just humbled honestly

as I viewed care surrounding this situation of my Mom

helping this person. It was like watching light being caught in a moment.

My Mom just stays aware and looks for opportunites

to bless people and serve. I have seen her do this time and time again.

To see her bless people makes one want to become a giver and change the world for the better.

She is just a good soul in so very many ways.

She keeps within me and so many the desire to have a servants heart and to look outward

instead of inward and love people with unexpected kindness.

She has given me the gift of knowing the definition of brave.

It is my honor to be her daughter.

{Lissa}

My precious friend Lissa called out of the blue this last week.

Those moments in conversation with her held precious in bold truth

and great in laughter shared. I am certain she does this with anyone she is in conversation with.

As we talked she turned my face to my creator, to rest, to truth, to much laughter, to light,

as if seemlesly by way of her life, period. She makes all that surround her funnier too

...and well more organized {The girl has a gift}.

I am so blessed by her friendship, accountability and sweet smiles.

This woman is light and she is true to the core!

{Paige}

Lastly, I went to Passion City Church with my life long kindred

friend Paige and her family this last Sunday.

These people just have beautiful and very funny souls, period.

I always sit with great smiles, and just so very real in their company.

I love these people. Every last one of them! To be with each of them makes me think,

smile, sets me a bit more steadfast every day as I turn my face towards

the one who made me and loves me more than I will ever deserve.

I learn more each day how to walk through this life true because of seeing

Paige walk in this life no matter storm or sunshine, just gracefully.

She has been my life long kindred and best friend for well over half my life.

She is my friend that I laugh out-loud with. She is first one to know,

share prayers, dreams, sorrows, hopes friend that

I share things most precious concerning my life with.

A great blessing not just to me, but to so very many.

Paige is just a woman solid in her faith, future-action oriented,

beautiful, smart and funny beyond measure.

I watch each of her daughters following Paige's path in values, leadership,

intelligence and laughter too, but in their own unique way.

Each of these girls are just good kind of people anyone would wish to know

and call their friend.

Simply said, I am grateful for each one of these people in my life and

so many more not mentioned that shine so many great smiles into souls that surround them.

Because of each of these people I am somehow a better woman,

and hopefully will spill over this light that they have given to me so graciously.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17)

image via: Nike

{Just a Thought}

2011-01-13T09:18:00.048-05:00

Thinking today on all that is amazing in this life.

The sunshine is out today and it is beautiful.

Which can I say makes this girl{me}

that adores sunshine, smile so very much.

It has been a couple of days full of

white wonder with beautiful snow in the South.

I have enjoyed the adventure of it all, or found

a sense of humor in the midst.

I mean when else in life does one get to experience...

...The creative adventure of cooking with frozen food in my freezer,

and sharing via cell phone with my life long kindred friend, Paige

the hilarity as I would read through

the steps as if a real recipe. The last step was always

to place the item on a plate so it looked as if from scratch.

Is it just me or do these meals look nothing like

the picture on the box? Just saying it makes one think.

But seriously grateful to have food, period.

...The adventure of pretending I was a Northern girl who knew exactly how

to shovel the snow{ice!} from my driveway so I could drive to Starbucks.

{This probably brought my Northern neighbors a giggle in viewing!}

Starbucks was calling my name as if I could hear the whisper audibly after

working in my home office for a solid three days straight...

today is day four.

And that my friends is what cabin fever and

a bit too much "me" time does to one's mind.

{No, I am not serious, or am I? Just kidding(insert wink}.

Honest truth, this girl needed to see a human smile.

Happy to report with a smile that people do still exist. Whew!

...The gift of having a visit from a kind soul that brought me chicken soup and a smile in conversation, just because.

...and I sit grateful.

So, I am just happy and thankful over the

gorgeous-glow shining {Sunshine} now in the sky!

Hoping your day ahead is full of sunshine

and just wonderful in every way.

poster image via: etsy

2011-01-07T15:38:00.004-05:00

Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace.

It is so sure and certain that a

man could stake his life on it a thousand times.

-- Martin Luther

image via: papayalicious

{A girl and her silly self portrait out-takes}

2011-01-06T23:45:00.032-05:00

Soooooooo, in the process of taking this self portrait deal for my new profile image, I had to giggle once I began going through my images. I can be silly and love to laugh out loud and smile along this journey of life with my people. I thought, "Kristin, if you are going to show the new image in your profile, you might as well be totally real here to show the behind the scenes out-takes of your self portrait giggles too." There are oh too many fish kiss faces, kiss the sky faces, quiet faces and silly faces because I had a hard time taking this process seriously....and well, the flash of light that became my companion as if smiling too along with me {ahem, smile!}. At any rate, just real, just silly, just whole, just all parts of me.

Anyhoo...

I just thought today is as good as any day to just shine a little silly, set some great goals and let go of cares.

Happy Friday, Happy weekend. I hope your moments are beautiful for you.

2011-01-06T17:43:00.002-05:00

"Dreams come true; without that possibility,

nature would not incite us to have them."

John Updike

I cannot find the origination of this poster, but I love it.

{Shine Brave}

2011-01-05T22:46:00.041-05:00

What if we were to live life with bravery?

I am not speaking of a forced kind of bravery.

What I am speaking of however, is a confident bravery that stands steadfast somehow beyond us.

The kind of bravery that helps us stand in true hope.

I have been thinking about the life of David in the bible much as of late. Often my heart resonates with him. I don't know if it is because I have had to face fears that I never thought imaginable in my life. We all have things of fear we have to face. Not one of us untouchable. I think that it could be that I see and admire that beyond fear that David conquered Goliath, as if to face valiantly this giant with his sling shot and small stones, but without fear. Or, did he have great fear, but trust was bigger...was his faith bigger? It could be that he like us had a life that holds sin, {We humans tend to do that, even though they look a bit different, ugh!} and went to God {finally after much} just honest and with a true contrite heart willing to face his life to change for the better. In the end God used it to show His love in forgiveness, to show His love in strength beyond measure and just His solid grace when we are willing to turn our faces and our lives towards His and create a life so worth living.

I realize that life, this life that can try to take us out, but also this life is worthy of making us brave if we are willing. This life can be beautiful if we will choose to stand in confident grace and not willing to bow to the feeling of scared, but face life with valiant faith beyond fear. I know peace can be found there. I have felt and feel it and even know it boldly beyond feelings. To look fear {no matter its form, small or beyond us in amazing} in the eyes and allow God to dissipate the darkness, beyond deep tears, worries, concerns. or losses so great that we feel we can't breathe and turn all of our fears into this everlasting solid faith and light. Light that can beam out of these lives of ours in its most brilliant and brave form.

I think God then will just wink at us with a smile and allow us to see that our brave was in us all along. That makes me smile thinking that could actually happen.

Just takes a little believing or faith of a mustard seed, you know.

Wishing you an amazing day full of brave and praying you smiles too.

image via I heart it

2010-12-14T14:16:00.019-05:00

“Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available.”

-Jim Beggs

Will you please be a trier along with me? Pretty please?

Thoughts are part of our lives. {Who knew?}

In an average day it is estimated that we have around 60,000 thoughts.

Have you ever wondered how many of these thoughts are happy thoughts?

It is known that happy people think more happy thoughts than unhappy people.

If we think happy thoughts... we create happy perceptions...

we create a beautiful aura of light around ourselves...

which leads us to happy events.

And so we create a exciting circle (where we become even happier).

Happy thoughts connect us with the light, confidence and courage to act...

to the power to believe.

To live our lives according to our hopes and dreams not somebody else´s.

Jealous, angry and fearful thoughts and feelings take us away from our own path...

our own purpose.

But a straight path doesn´t admit compromises.

This negative thoughts strip us of our power and ability to act effectively.

If we think fearful thoughts we become afraid and act defensively.

The route to a happier life is through changing this focus

from staring at your heart challenges and

tears to looking outward and becoming a blessing to another.

Which ALWAYS brings someone a smile and you too.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine brightly upon you

and give you peace...and many happy thoughts too.

Image via: I heart this Words on thoughts: From one of my files.

I really don't know where this came from but read it and thought it good.

{What Peace Looks Like To Me}

2010-12-05T22:55:00.029-05:00

I found this image in my phone from a couple of months ago.

No, I did not take my makeup off to go to sleep, so the eyeliner is a bit crazy...oh well.

We were trying that night to see who could stay awake the longest...I will say, she won {wink}.

I always lay my hair up on top of the pillow because it gets all

curly-wild at night and in my face when I wake.

My niece was having a night over and she looked to me when she woke, smiled and said...

"Kiki, you hair looks like one of those pencils

with the hair that you twirl and it gets all crazy!"

It did look like that! We giggled out-loud!

So, she did her hair the same and at 6:15AM we captured this picture with my phone.

She is delight and full of giggles, she speaks words of wisdom straight to one's soul as

if Yoda talking. I love that about her, she is wiser than her years. She has had to be.

She inspires to show the world to see that one should not take one-second for granted,

but breathe-in, breathe-out and enjoy so much this adventure called life.

She has taught me...

...how to give a hug and mean it genuine as a gift to warm another's soul.

...how to giggle {Literally, she had specific instructions to this, as in step # 1, 2, 3!}.

...how to whistle {I still can't whistle, but she says she can hear it...faintly. I smile!}.

She is such the consummate encourager.

She still teaches me to learn from life challenges and let hard things rest, or go

....and hold close to the heart moments perfect.

I realize I bring her peace and a solid place to just rest and find a gentle smile.

She is sunshine-amazing and imperfectly-perfect to me in every way.

She is not my daughter, but to this day she is my greatest blessing in this life.

And I love her.

I pray her life peaceful, beautiful, adventurous, protected and just amazing.