Oh hello...

Oh hi there friends! I bet you thought I disappeared forever...good news, I did NOT! I just moved to a new city, started a brand new job and have been trying to get into the swing of things! Lots of stuff has happened since October and really I'm not going to try to play catch up in one post, or even many posts! It would take too long and bore you quite bad!! I will say that this was definitely the best decision and I'm so so thankful I was obedient to the Lord's whispers to my heart! He has been so faithful in this journey and my faith is renewed daily !

Don't get me wrong, things haven't been all roses and puppy dogs...close but let's be real...every day brings trials! I mean, I was ICED in for FIVE days straight...let me tell you, that was not fun. I fell THREE times in those five days and twice in one day. OUCH! I.Do.Not.Like.Ice!! Snow, which we haven't had, would be quite nice...maybe. I'm over this cold and wind and am ready for HOT HOT HOT temps! (I'll probably be singing a different tune come July/August)

I've found a new church, after much searching... I love it! I've only been going for about a month but know that it's where I need to be! I've been going on Saturday evenings and my Sunday's have been blissfully free giving me time to relax and prepare for the week ahead! This past Sunday I was driving to do some errands and this song came on the radio... I love this version!

"This Little Light Of Mine"

There’s a little flame inside us all
Some shine bright, some shine small
The rains will come and the waters rise
But don’t you ever lose your light
In this life you will know
Love and pain, joy and sorrow
So when it hurts, when times get hard
Don’t forget whose child you are

This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine, gonna let it shine

May you live each day with no regret
Make the most of every chance you get
Let your eyes get wide when you look at the stars
With the same sense of wonder as a child’s heart
With the ones you love treasure the time
And for those who are gone keep their memories alive
Hold on to your dreams don’t ever let go
There’s a fire inside you burning with hope

This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine, gonna let it shine

There will be days when you want to give up
When the clouds settle in
But after the rain comes the sun
Don’t you ever forget

One day there will be no more pain
And we will finally see Jesus’ face
So until then I’m gonna to try
To brave the dark and let my little light shine

This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine, gonna let it shine

There’s a little light inside us all

It's such a good reminder...we have to remember to let our light shine and let God shine through us daily. I've really been trying to do this, no matter if my day has been horrible, every time I walk in a patient's house or hospital room to deliver something I make sure to smile genuinely and let kindness come through.

So on this new journey, God has been teaching me that it's not all about me...it's about helping His people and showing compassion.

I promise to blog more regularly now that I'm "settled"!

xoxo,

SamanthaDiane

Lately...

Oh hey! Yes, I'm still here...as it's said, life happened. I have seriously been MIA and while I've been reading blogs I just haven't been blogging. I haven't really had the drive to write and honestly have been going through a lot since August. 

I'll start with the BIG news! I'm changing jobs and moving to Fort Worth! It's been a long time coming if I'm going to be honest about it. I've always wanted to go back to Fort Worth and while my work situation was stressful last year and honestly the last couple of years, this year has taken a turn for the worse.

I've had trouble with a coworker whom I should have no trouble with and whom should respect and treat my judgements of athletic injuries with respect...yet I've done nothing but struggle with this person this year. Let's just say I reached a breaking point and KNEW I needed out and I needed out asap!

I began praying and finding peace in the fact that there was obviously a reason I was going through these trials and God was working on a bigger better plan! And boy oh boy was He!! My friend, Kacee works for an orthopedic bracing company and has been keeping an eye and ear out for jobs for me the last couple of years. The morning after my breaking point, I was driving to school praying that something would come up and that God would close the doors of my current situation so that I knew that it was time to move on to something different. He was already slamming doors left and right and as I'm crying, praying all the way to work (I was loathing going to work, however I was headed to Fort Worth that Friday evening and that was all that was getting me through the week) Kacee called and said, " I think I found  job for you!" Literally as soon as the words came out of her mouth, I KNEW I was leaving my current job. I could've walked in a resigned that day I was that certain. The weekend came and I met with her friend who was looking for help in Fort Worth, the meeting went really well and it just cemented my thoughts. I didn't want to jump the gun and be cocky, so I kept praying and asked a few close friends to pray about it. I had an interview and they offered me the job! It's  one of the biggest blessings ever!

I am going to get to continue helping people and making a difference in people's lives. It's going to be a completely different dynamic and I'm seriously so excited for this new adventure. And God has been so so so faithful and His grace is abundant! I've grown so close to my Heavenly Father and am renewed in my walk with Him daily!

I'll definitely be blogging more as I move, get settled and start my life in Fort Worth!

Telling my co-workers and more importantly my athletes was the hardest! Some co-workers are very supportive and others have just completely written me off (and really I'm okay with this). I told my Softball girls first, as I got very close with them last year when we made the run to State! That was probably one of the scariest moments ever...I was so nervous telling them and they were crushed but are excited because they can follow me on twitter come November 15th! (Silver lining people sliver lining!) I told a select group of football kiddos and let it trickle down. They are pretty upset but totally see it as a good move for me! They all are so worried that I'm single and tell me I need to find a man (DUH! Tell me something I don't know!)

So I'm counting down the days...getting the house on the market this weekend and hopefully will have it sold in a few weeks!
This has been super lengthy and turns out the only thing that's been going on lately is that I'm getting my house ready, packing and trying to find a place to live!
I started this post on Friday, and it's now Monday, I spent the weekend getting the house in tip-top shape and Mom showed it twice and one already has given an offer and I've accepted it!{yes...you read that correctly...I sold my house!!} Didn't even have to put it on the market! Gotta love how God works in amazing ways and put everything in place so that it all works out!!

So there it all is, I got a new job, am moving to Fort Worth and just sold my house! It's super exciting and scary all at the same time! I'll keep you updated on how everything goes!

xoxo,
SamanthaDiane

5 for FIVE is back!!!

 

 

Hey lovies!! I'm so excited that 5 for FIVE is back! Wahooo! I'm linking up with Jenn again and I'm hoping that now I'll actually get crap done since I'll have the accountability again! :) A girl can dream right?

So it was the first day of school today...I've been back to work for almost a full month so it really was just a normal day but with a bell schedule, which I must say is quite nice! Alright, let's get to the goal setting!!

 

 

1. Workout...funny this always always pops up...but I've been so busy the last month that I can't tell you the last time I did a workout!

2. Find some time to clean up the house this week. My roommate is out of town until Sunday so I'd like to get things tidied up and maybe have the cleaning lady come and really do some cleaning!

3. Get into the Word...I really need to start digging into God's Word daily!

4. I'm so stinking close to hitting my monthly goal with Rodan+Fields and I have until Saturday to do...so I'm hoping to hit it by Thursday! I'll get a promotion and pay raise if I hit it!

5. Pay bills...ick...why do we have to be grown up...it stinks!

 

Here's to a great week!

Before I go, I have to share a sweet story with you from church yesterday! Our youth pastor preached on John 21 and how Peter denied Jesus three times and yet when it came down to it Jesus was not disappointed in him because He loves Peter despite everything. Pastor Corey shared a story about how he felt like he had failed his own father and held onto that feeling for years until a month ago. He told his dad how much he loved him and he was so sorry for disappointing him and his father told him he had never been a failure in his eyes! Well fast forward to after church and I'm outside talking to our Lead Pastor's son about the upcoming first day of school. He turns to me and says "Sam, what did you think of the message today?" I replied with " I thought it was so good...it really touched me and made me think." He replies with "Oh me too! It made me cry!" I said "Really? Why?" His response is so touching and so real... "It made me cry because I started thinking about how much I love my dad and I would never want to disappoint him, and knowing he would love him anyways...I just love him so so much!" Out of the mouth of babes y'all...the Truth! This kid has it right! No matter how much we "mess up" our Heavenly Father loves us unconditionally!

 

xoxo,

SamanthaDiane

Summer 2013 pt 2!

My absolute favorite part of summer was our trip to Orange Beach, Alabama!! Not only is the beach absolutely fabulous, but the company was awesome!! We get to stay at a friend's house on Ono Island for free {holla!!} and we cook most of our meals at the house and go out to eat a few times! The weather could've been better, it rained one full day and other days were cloudy but really any day the beach is a great day!

We usually park our hineys in the sand near Flora-bama as to be closer to the Bushwhackers...They make theirs with real ice cream and they are simply divine! Last year when we went, I wasn't the biggest fan...but they really do taste like a Wendy's frosty...but you can only have a couple because they will sneak up on you if you're not careful! :)
One of my best friends, Kacee went with us this year! It was nice to have a friend on the trip! There were eight of us total and not all of us could fit at the table for meals, so Kacee and I sat at the chess table, which we dubbed the kids table...it was a running joke all week. While the "adults" went golfing one day, we went on a dolphin cruise. It was AMAZING!! We found Flipper and it was so much fun and well worth the $10 {thanks to Kacee's military discount!}and two hours on the water searching for Flipper!

We definitely didn't want to come home on Sunday but alas all good things must end! Although my Daddy {who is awesome!} finally gave in and stopped at the Tiger Mart in Baton Rouge so we could take a picture with the tiger! He saw us Horned Frogs and wouldn't come out of his little home...we think he was just being a big scaredy cat! ;)

 

Enjoy the pics...sorry for so many of them!!

 

 

 We are ready to hit the road!!

 First night at the "kids" table...checkmate!

 We snuck out to the beach the first night!

 Crazy wind and clouds the first day on the beach...but it turned out beautiful!

 Happy campers!

 Mom and her two friends...too cute!

 Frogs and Aggies...best of both conferences!

 FLIPPER!!

 BUSHWHACKER!

The group at Lu-Lu's for Mom's bday!!

 

Just a few more pics... because we of course had a photo shoot on the beach! These are some of my favorites!!

 

 Helen and Ronnie

 Karen and Max

 My cute parents!!

 Our little family!

 Pretty sure this is my favorite ever!!

 Yay for besties at the beach!

 The "adults"

 The "kids"

 This picture just captures our personalities! Cracks me up every time!

The whole group!

We had a fabulous time and can't wait to go back!!

Again sorry for the photo dump!

xoxo,

SamanthaDiane



Summer 2013 pt. 1

I've been quite absent lately...I thought I'd have tons of time to blog this summer and tons of topics to blog about...I was wrong! I had tons of time, yet I felt like I had nothing to say! So here's a little catch up of my summer and then I hope to be back to posting regularly!

The first part of summer was quite boring and I took advantage of having nothing to do! I tried to sleep late(that didn't happen), I took naps and laid on the couch watching mindless TV. It was pretty good, I'm not gonna lie!

I took a trip to Fort Worth to spend some time with friends! One of my best friends is getting married in February and I was lucky enough to go dress shopping with her!! We found the most beautiful, perfect dress for her and then later on that day actually found our bridesmaid's dresses also! Check and Check! Done!! The weekend was a great, much needed little getaway to my favorite place on earth!
When I came home, my friend Julie and her two kiddos came back with me to spend the week with my family and go to the beach! Her husband was already in H-town for business so it worked out perfectly!! We went to the beach, had a pool day and spent July 4th on a bay boat! It was perfect!!
I'll leave y'all with some pictures and continue the second part of summer tomorrow! It's gonna be a lot of pictures so get ready!!

xoxo,
SamanthaDiane

Tatum and I enjoying Galveston!! Hey a beach is a beach right?

My daddy on the boat! Love him!



Mom, Julie, Cory and I playing in the bay! It was a perfect day!!



Love this family!!





Oh my word...

So I've been on summer break going on two weeks...and I thought I'd have time to blog a lot more and would have interesting things to say... surprise! I have neither! Last week, I started my break with a two day conference...remind me not to do that again next year!! Then I was lazy lazy lazy {so technically I had time to blog, but let's be real...I was lounging on the couch}. Trying to think about it, I can't even remember what I did last week after my conference was over. {How sad is that?}

I can tell you one thing I've been doing... gardening. Yep, I'm the 80 year old grandma! I planted tomatoes about a month ago maybe...maybe longer {I'm telling you, once summer hits, I lose all perception of time, I really am 80 I think!} But I am LOVING growing these 'maters! I even planted basil too so I can make homemade pesto this summer! The other day I went to Lowe's, which is becoming just as dangerous as Target and got more basil, some cilantro, rosemary and a bell pepper plant! I'm a gardening machine! :) I've gotten a bunch of cherry tomatoes and some a big tomatoes and they taste SOO much better than those in the store! Sunday evening I came home to my first tomato casualty. I'm not gonna lie, I was slightly devastated...since then I've had two more casualties...one was a BIG 'mater that was ripening {I found that one tonight!}! Needless to say I will be going to Lowe's tomorrow for some tomato cages...because I'll be darned if those birds/squirrels are going to eat my crops! My trusty Yorkie, Canton usually does a good job on 'mater duty!

 

But he's been a little lazy as of late...

 

I think next year I'm going to do a raised garden and grow all kinds of things!!

Do y'all have anything you're growing??

 

xoxo,

SamanthaDiane

 

Shh...do you hear that?

Y'all, that sound you hear is SUMMER calling my name!! She's actually shouting it!! I literally have 5 hours left of work {an hour today and 4 hours tomorrow!} and I couldn't be more excited!!

While I already have to attend a conference on Monday and Tuesday, I can tell you that my first weekend of summer break will be spend doing NOTHING!! I will have the obligatory Happy Hour drinks with friends tomorrow afternoon. Saturday will start with a workout and then a workout with my trainer in the afternoon...then as long as it's not raining, I'll be in the pool...with my sunscreen on of course! :) I know what you're thinking, "that doesn't sound like you've got nothing going on!", true that my friends, BUT it's not work! And it's all things I haven't been able to do lately! I honestly don't remember the last time I wasn't at a playoff game (baseball or softball) on a Friday/Saturday!!

Parents, kids, co-workers all ask the same thing, "What are you doing this summer?" and my reply is always NOTHING! Well...I'll make a trip to Fort Worth and my family is going to Orange Beach, Alabama in July, but other than that I'll be in the pool, maybe occasionally Galveston, working out big time because I actually will have time and I plan on doing an organizational overhaul on my house! Sounds busy I know, but it really won't be!

And I also get this a lot..."Gosh, you're so lucky to get the WHOLE summer off!"... ummm thanks, but I don't. I end up with only like 7 weeks (I know, I know, sounds like an eternity...it's not believe me it flies by)! I am so thankful that I get any time off so it's all good!

So it's always good to have goals for the Summer...here's some of mine!

• WORKOUT! If y'all follow any of my 5 for FIVEs you'll know that's been a constant theme...but I have NO excuse now that I won't have work!
• Organize my house...starting with the kitchen and working my way up!
• Plan out my menu for the week on Sunday and stick to it!
• Read...gotta find some good books to read!
• Enjoy the time off!

Do y'all have any summer goals? Also if you have any book suggestions, I'd love them because I'll be reading a lot and will definitely be reading on the BEACH in July!

xoxo,
SamanthaDiane