2012 February 14 | Beneath My Heart

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I hope you are feeling loved today!

I been wanting to share a post like this for a while.

Just a post where I share some things I love lately.

So here it goes.

I cannot tell you how much I love Pandora! Have you ever used it? It’s a free online radio, and you can pick what types of songs you like to listen to.

Here is my playlist:

Yes. I love Dolly Parton. Smile

That station plays the old classics like Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. I was raised on the country classics, and they bring back such great memories.

But I mostly listen to my Chris Tomlin station. Praise music just sets my soul at ease.

I listen to it non-stop on my desk top computer while I am working on my blog or working around the house.

I downloaded Pandora on my phone too. Cy got me a connector for my car, so now I can listen to Pandora in my car.

The one thing that always lifts my spirit is music…especially Christian music. If you need encouragement during your day, why not try listening to uplifting Christian music on Pandora? Try the Chris Tomlin station and see what you think.

2. I love dark chocolate Kit Kats.

They are my new obsession. Especially if you put them in the refrigerator for a little bit so the chocolate is good and crunchy! YUM!

3. I love my new, sweet (great) nephew, Colt.

Dee. Lish. Ous!

I just want to squeeze his cheeks off! And I am so proud of my niece, Courtney. She is a wonderful mother! And Chris is such a wonderful father!

Courtney has a cute little blog about being a new wife and mother called Hope Floats.

4. I love Large Coke’s from McDonalds.

No big surprise here, if you have been reading my blog for a while. But it had to be included in my list of “loves”.

I usually ask for it in a large Styrofoam cup with light ice.

It is a physically, emotional, mental, and spiritual need in my life. Smile

5. I love the movie, "The Vow.

I went and saw it on Sunday night, and I absolutely loved it. It is such a great story about love. Go see it!

6. I love Yoga Pants.

Okay, so here is a confession…I wear yoga pants about 6 out of the 7 days of the week. Not kidding. At all.

I have three black pairs and one gray pair, and I just rotate them throughout the week. I’m usually putting them on right when the come out of the dryer. Two of the black yoga pants have bleach stains on them that I cover up with a sharpie marker, and the other one has white paint on the back of them where I leaned up against a freshly painted wall.

Yep. I’m classy like that!

I mainly wear only yoga pants because I have put on a few (dozen) pounds since last year, and none of my jeans fit me. It’s very frustrating.

So the only thing I really feel comfortable in is my yoga pants.

Did I mention how comfortable they are to sleep in?

Okay, here’s another confession…I might put on my yoga pants on in the morning, and then just sleep in them at night. Yes. I. do.

I think it’s very “green” of me, don’t you? No?

7. I love my Mary Kay makeup and skin care.

Cyndi, my sister, started selling Mary Kay before Christmas, and since I get the “family discount”, I can actually afford it. I’ve decided it was time to stop buying my facial products from the Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen line at Walmart. Smile

Since my skin is definitely NOT getting any younger, I decided to buy some good products for my face.

This is my favorite product that has helped my puffy eyes…

I’m not just saying this, but I have seen a big improvement around my eye area (which is a problem area for me.) I really wish I had taken “before” and “after” pictures of my eyes because it has been that amazing of a change. Click HERE to view this product on the Mary Kay website.

If you need a great Mary Kay consultant, my sister is available!

(A shameless plug for my sister. That’s sisterly love y’all!)

8. I love these boys.

Boy, do they keep me busy!!! This past Saturday, we had four basketball games between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm! Then we drove four hours to the Ky Opry to hear Jonathan sing.

We have games or practices almost every day of the week. And that’s not including homework, piano, church, and other responsibilities! But I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world!

I love being their Mom! I love having each of them in a different “stage.”

Jonathan is in 6th grade and is becoming such a young man. I have to buy him deodorant and hair gel. He has certain types of clothes he likes to wear. Mostly khakis and button downs. We have great heart to heart talks, and I am loving watching him stand firm against the pressures of this world and lean on Jesus for direction.

Luke is my goofball. This kid loves to crack jokes and make people smile. He is usually the one making a silly face in the picture. He loves golf and basketball. He is my most respectful boy right now, always saying, “yes, mam” and “no, mam” when he is talking to me. He is extremely artistic and intelligent. I call him my brainiac! And he gives me the best hugs!

Adam is nothing but LOVE. This kid loves to love and loves to be loved. He is a family guy and treasures time with Mom and Dad. He is sensitive. He is empathetic. I love to hear him talk about other kids in his class. He is always wanting to take care of them and make them feel special. What a tender heart he has! But he is a STUD on the basketball court! He is a quick as lightening and can out run any of his brothers. I expect big things from him when it comes to sports.

And then there’s Eli! The “cherry on top of our family.” He is just pure goodness. He is cute, funny, and has more personality than all of his brother’s combined. I spoil him more than I probably should, but do you blame me? He has this mama wrapped around his finger. He loves to sing like his brother, Jonathan, and he loves the ladies. Yes. That’s what I said. He is always saying to me (when he sees a pretty girl) “Mama, her’s beautiful.” And occasionally, “Her’s Hot!”

I know…I’m in trouble. Smile

God sure knew what he was doing when he gave me boys! I am one lucky lady!

9. I love this man.

I have spent 15 years with this amazing man, and I love him more everyday. He is the hardest working man I know!

He loves me fiercely, and he adores our boys. I always prayed for a man that I would want my sons to grow up to be like. (Although I had NO idea I would have four sons!) Nothing would make me more proud than for all four of our boys to grow up to be just like their daddy!

Our marriage is not perfect. Sometimes we argue or just plain get on each other’s nerves, but we are committed. We are committed to love each other and forgive each other.

I was thinking of how the love in a marriage changes over the years. It doesn’t stay like when you were dating. It’s a deeper love.

I don’t necessarily get the “butterflies” every time I see Cy (like when we were dating), but it’s something so much MORE, so much BETTER. He is my safe place. When I look at him I see someone I trust and respect. Someone who has always got my back. Someone I just enjoy being with. Someone who makes me laugh. Someone who loves me unconditionally.

I would much rather have those things than “butterflies”.

So many marriages end when the “butterflies” go away, but if we can stick through the tough times, the best years are just beginning.

10. I love this promise.