Life on Melham Ln

Priorities....

2010-10-19T21:04:00.000-07:00

So, I've been off of the internet for about 4 days....because of 2 reasons!
1) Priorities
2) I'm exhausted!

After 4 12-8/11-7 shifts in a row....I'm POOPED!

I am so sorry that I haven't posted anything lately! Looking at my traffic, I'm definitely letting some people down! :(

SO - tomorrow is the bathroom/bedroom post that we've all been waiting for - ok so maybe not...but still! AND then...the Craft room and a PEEK inside Kenny's MAN CAVE! This rooms are not yet complete - so I'm excited about getting that done!

Today, I wanted to mention priorities because they have been on my heart lately... I have been so off course when it comes to those - and really, are we EVER on course?
It seems like everyone is .... BUSY, tired, stuck in traffic, and their schedule is too full -so when does that stop?

Well, the truth is...it doesn't - it only gets more full!
The key is prioritizing! Now, I'm DEFINITELY not preaching on the matter becuase I'm not a prioritizer, but I really want to show the people I love that I do keep then in priority over my job, the internet, etc.

Not to say I don't LOVE LOVE LOVE hanging out online & chatting!

In order to fill the void at home - MAINLY because Kenny is off and I'm working (or have been!) - I've been leaving love notes! Poor guy is probably SUPER exhausted after working only to come home and find an empty house and chores staring him in the face!

He's my love, and I'm SO lucky to have him - AND he's my priority - to show this I've been leaving these -

and these -

Do you? Do you leave these for your priorities in your life? Remember when I added that to my 101 goals? I've seen a great response! :)

God included. I'm definitely not preaching on this either because I have a long way to go...but do you leave love notes for Him?

Here's what I found about priorities....

· What we can afford and how much time we can find all boil down to what’s important to us.

· Priorities aren’t spoken – they’re lived.

· So, let’s dig in and discover how to beat “busy”! I wholeheartedly believe that busyness is one of the biggest battles we must fight in our war on mediocrity. If mediocrity is the opposite of excellence, then busyness is the biggest enemy of excellence (followed closely by laziness and unawareness). But we must march into battle positioned to win. Warriors stand taller, walk stronger, and march with purpose when they know that victory awaits them. But they also know that they still must be willing to march into battle in order to actually claim the victory.

· Claiming busyness puts you in the passenger seat of your own life, because you’re just along for the ride, reacting to whatever is next on the schedule. Succumbing to busyness is a life of existing from day to day at the mercy of obligations that we’re not passionate about. [Found here: http://www.allisonlamarronline.com/digging-deeper.html]

So while we take the time to read blogs (believe me, I do too), go to work, sit on the couch and watch t.v., we must ask ourselves if our priorities are feeling like priorities today!

Wishing you the BEST day ever!

See you tomorrow!

Lida

Until Tomorrow!

2010-10-14T19:00:00.000-07:00

I'll be posting the bathrooms tomorrow....sorry for the little break!

The Dining Room

2010-10-12T22:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess you are just gonna have to wait for our living room pictures!! But here's the dining room! :)

A before:

Nice, huh? Just kidding - the color of the walls is what I call FLESH....oh yeah, it's not tan, it's not orange - it's the color of the crayon in the multicultural box of crayons....
it's this:

And now....the BIG reveal!!!!!!

Sorry the pictures aren't great - I don't have Photoshop on my laptop!! So we have gray walls ... we love them....and black accents - and as you can see on the shelves that we are gathering some fun stuff to add to them (so please send us some!) - I love vintage stuff & unique stuff that can remind us of great times!!

Sorry the post is so short - but I'm SO tired ... so I'll see ya tomorrow for the living room & office tours!
I can't wait!

Love always -
K & L

FINALLY....the HOUSE! First stop, Kitchen -

2010-10-11T18:54:00.000-07:00

**WARNING: LOADS OF PICTURES**

Kitchen .... finally! :)
Well, the kitchen was the MOST work and we knew it from the start - the kitchen needed MAJOR work - here are some BEFORE pictures! Warning, these are scary!

Click on the pictures to see the REAL scariness of the house! At first we thought that we could refinish the cabinets (ie. PAINT) and redo the counter tops so we did this....

Oh, what's that you ask? UMmm...yeah it's ROACH POWDER...and dead animals...in my cabinets....at that point Kenny & I rethought our decision to redo the cabinets - good thing we did because we also found this:

The left picture was under our sink and the right picture was under the dishwasher - so we mold re-mediated (obviously)!

To truly understand what it looked like for a while, this is what it looked like:

And now - the BIG reveal!

So, we still have some work to do, we want to decorate more; especially adding a little sign that says 'Life is Sweet' along with paint the top of the bar ... and finally flooring! Our little breakfast area was turned into a long term pub area/laundry area. Here's the picture:

Can you see the flooring in the back?

So, what do you think?? Little improvement? We'd love your feedback!

Love always-
K&L

The Jaws of Life

2010-10-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

Today was ... interesting! Sorry for no posting yesterday - I knew I wouldn't have time! Got LOADS to tell you about Saturday...but the excitement also happened today! I witnessed the Jaws today! Here's how it all happened:
On HAPPY NEWS...my final day was today at the Kirk jazz! I'm so excited to be moving on to different ventures and feeling like I'm actually moving in my career and moving myself in the right direction!! My day was filled with both an excitement and a nervousness about leaving something that I've been a part of for a long time (almost a YEAR) - in any case, at the end of the night EVERYONE was so amazing - G made me cake & everyone was hugging! I'm pretty sure CJ shed a tear, it was little ... but maybe so, HA!

In any case, on my back from lunch I came over the intersection and saw the scene of an accident. Although I didn't see the scene my first instinct was just to check and make sure everyone was ok. I saw a lady on the phone and the other car was completely smashed. The driver of the other car came towards me and said that the girl was hurt inside the vehicle. I went over and started talking to her - completely relieved that she was breathing and coherent - the emergency crews came shortly after! I decided to call her family because I know that is something I would have wanted- one of the worst things to have is a family member in a car accident ... especially when it's a bad one... but then to have a police officer not give you details, that would be awful. I called her parents and chatted with them..waited to find out what hospital she would go to and called them back to tell them. At first they were supposed to be closer but the ambulance decided to take her to a better hospital further away. So the most interesting part of the time (not that I'm measuring) - was when they cut her out of the car -

*NOT the actual accident, this is courtesy of: www.blenheimfire.com*

I've never witnessed someone being 'cut out' of their car. The emergency workers let me stay because I was in touch with the family, and to be honest, it was a moment I will never forget. As I was standing there watching this I was thinking about my life....and how we're

sometimes in that state where we feel like we couldn't move. How we have to be cut out of our shells - wow, crazy thought, huh? But until recently, I had felt that way - I had felt as though I was trapped and I needed specialists to come and get me out. I cannot TELL YOU how much freedom I feel leaving my job. I ABSOLUTELY adore my team, and that's who I'll miss...but I knew that my friends at Kirk Jazz would always be there for me, and I'm super thankful for that! They have been my friends through all the adventures...really and truly, besides Kenny's co-workers our friends for almost a year. But that trapped feeling was so real - it's super easy to get caught up in the drama, the business, the meetings, the early/late days, (I could go on and on) - but at the end of the day ... do we really want to feel trapped? And do we?

I strive to always live out of the box and since I've been 'cut out' - I've felt like a new person. If you are struggling in your current state and need someone to help you out - reach out - I know I'll be there for you!

J was taken to a hospital and I've tried to call her parents, but to no avail - so I'll make sure to keep you updated on how she's doing!

On a mission to stay out of a trapped life -
L

House Intro! (finally!)

2010-10-08T23:09:00.000-07:00

Sorry if this is a little disconnected, I'm writing this in the middle of the night, after a long night at work! And I have to be back at 8 a.m.!! In any case, this is the story about our many houses! You may or may not know it, so I'll go ahead and tell you the story!

We didn't come by this house without much grief and anguish, in fact, we came to this house by pure grace! After a GRUELING time dealing with builders, moving, sickness...and house!

We first started having the desire and push to move to Houston in 2008 so Kenny set out to find a job in the around February. He found one quickly...REALLY quickly - and although we questioned the timing, we figured that it was perfect timing for us.

In short - we were wrong!

Amazing things happened during this time, 2 hurricanes, an illness, and MANY lonely nights later Kenny moved back to Alexandria 9 months after moving to Houston to pursue a career there!

This was one of our homes...

It was custom built for us....WAY out of our price range...but SO cute and right where we wanted it! It was in our S-T-R-E-T-C-H budget - but we could make it work! So we signed the contract in April....2 weeks later (supposedly) groundbreaking was to occur....but late August we were told that the company was going out of business and our home was no longer ours......BUMMED, MAD, UPSET...many emotions flooded this time in our life! At the time I was still living in Louisiana and Kenny was in Houston...only he was sick and having to take treatments...which made it HARD on everything else. This was devastating...so the realtor found us another house and we looked at it the same day....

But we just didn't feel right about the entire plan....why should be pay more for less...and we shouldn't be pushed into something that wasn't us.

So we moved back to Louisiana, not that our whole family had moved...but it was still a process!

Finally, last summer we decided to move again. It was going to be the final time we tried and we couldn't look back - so we didn't take ANY chances....we rented a cute little place on Melham Lane! Since that point we have grown so much, we have worked harder than EVER, and now we're finally starting to see something from our hard work! But we wouldn't change what has happened, because it's only made us realize that we can ONLY count on what we do and NOTHING is handed to you. Not that we thought it was, it just seems that sometimes you find yourself in a place where things DON'T happen as quickly and you thought and you realize that it's LIFE. So, finally after a YEAR of renting we purchased our first home! Although you have probably heard about it....you haven't seen the ACTUAL house! So here is the front shot....

Every day this week I will be posting different rooms in our house, what we've done to the room & what it looks like now! I hope you'll follow our house tour, we can't wait to share it with you!

The Schedule:

Sunday - Different posting (not house related)

Monday - Kitchen

Tuesday - Living Room/Dining Room

Wednesday - Office

Thursday - Bathrooms

Friday - Master Bedroom

Saturday - His & Hers Rooms

When I was your age....

2010-10-07T22:10:00.000-07:00

While I'm going to be posting twice today (since it's past midnight) - I wanted to bring up a conversation that Kenny & I had the other day!

Remember the long running joke that grandparents were supposed to say?

"Well, when I was your age I had to walk up a hill barefoot in snow, both ways!"

Now of course, joke is the word because one, it's Texas (or Louisiana) and it snows ... ummm...close to never - but I'm not going to say NEVER! And two, because you can't walk up both ways...ok, I knew you knew that..it's just for my fellow...well, I'm not blonde!

Anyway - our question was...

What will we say to our children when they are born & grow up?

Honestly, our children (when we have them...um, in a LONG time from now) are going to grow up where social media is the real deal. They are born with a blue tooth in their ear, have a facebook account prior to birth, and expect Disney HD/3D before the age of 2! Our 'when I was your age' statements are going to be...

· I had to dial a phone, and if you weren't home...you didn't get the phone call!

· I had to rewind a tape, it took 3 minutes!

· I didn't get my cell phone until I was 23! *Lida only!

· Facebook didn't EXIST

· We had to read books....(this is a sad reality, but it might be true! I love, love, love books...but I do read monitors most of my life!

· My first computer didn't have windows, word, adobe, or internet!

· My third computer had dial up internet, and we heard the dial tone.

· My first phone didn't have internet....or apps, or anything except a keypad!

· I had to pay cash at the gas station

· Our privilege at school was going to the Apple Lab and playing games

· We had to write on chalk boards

· We had overhead projectors

· Heck, we had to write our notes!

The list of course goes on and on...but isn't it a little sad to you? That our children will never experience NOT living in a socially driven society? Well, that opens a HUGE can of worms...but my thoughts are

...I want my children to grow up reading books, understanding the value of personal relationships (not on the phone or on a monitor), and feeling as though they have to work for what they get.

Sure, we make our lives the way we want, but I'll never forget the conversations I had with my grandmother about her childhood - the typewriter papers that I created in the fifth grade - and the value of spending time with my friends in the summer, outside in the heat!

We need to see the seasons in person (well, if you live in a place with seasons) - not because your screen saver changed... or carving a pumpkin during this time of the year, or savoring a moment with your family and friends.

Be sure not to miss out on the REALness in life; take a break from the monitor and LIVE it out loud!

My List!

2010-10-06T22:22:00.001-07:00

Well, so far it seems as though I've inspired one!! :) Please let me know if you are inspired too; three is my goal! :)

Here is goes....

My 101 in 1001

(October 5, 2010 - July 2, 2013)

Financial

1. Design a budget

- research budget strategies

- automatic bill pay

2. Pay off three debts per year

- Refer to chart in excel doc

- Map out plan

3. Add an extra mortgage payment every year

- Start a quick savings plan & by end of year pay 1 principal

4. Finish Christmas purchases by December 1

- Create a list, stick to list & budget

5. Purchase a party barge

- Price boats, find out what we need to save, insurance quotes

6. Give $100 every three months saved specifically from not eating out at restaurants - do this 5 times during the 1001 days ( /5)

- take out cash every time we don't eat a restaurant

7. Save $5,000 (1,000 /5,000)

- automatically withdraw, divide & plan out how to save

Professional/Personal Development

8. Finish my Master's degree

- Transfer to Phoenix, decide on major, finish program

9. Become a teacher (2011)

- Get books from Cassie, register for class, pass Texes exam

10. Join Toastmasters

- Wednesday morning at 7:30

11. Write a children's book

- With S, research topics, design character & genre by Nov 1

12. Develop & write my life mission statement

-research other mission statements, draft mine by Oct 15

13. Learn how to write grants

-sign up for class, volunteer to do this temporarily

14. Become a store manager

15. Study how to build a rental property business

- study what is needed for start up, by Jan 2012 start business

16. Become a life coach

-get more information about how I can develop the skill by Dec1

17. Become a role model to others (develop followers, become a speaker) - this will come in time

18.Build a children's book library of 200 books (for use when I am a teacher) ( /200)

-Garage Sales, library sales, book sales at stores

- Organize into genre

-Read & develop reports for all

19. Learn about non-profits

-Take a class, read a book, find out what is necessary & which programs to run by Jan 2011

20. Assist with Pet Fest

- work with Shelly, discuss Howloween Parade, network

21. Work on Operation Santa Paws initiative

- introduce this at Pet Fest

22. Action Leaders

- this will be developed in Summer 2011

23. Start MarriedStrong

- logo, plan, start blogging, get followers

24. Learn fundamentals on volunteering

- study volunteering trends, read books, ask coordinators

25. Start a training program for volunteering

- develop a program for volunteers

26. Join the Chamber of Commerce

- network through Spring, go to meetings

27. Develop a speech in order to speak at various groups/organizations

- research good speech practices, work on it at toastmasters

28. Begin a business

- Decide what I want to do, brand it, and go!

29. Read 30 books on leadership ( /30)

30. Read 52 books in 52 weeks - no cheating! ( /52)

31. Track my progress with this list

- Print list, plan accordingly

Love & Home

32. Collect items & decorate for every season

- New Years - Summer - Christmas

- Valentine's Day - 4th of July - Birthday

- St. Patrick's Day - Harvest

- Spring - Halloween

- Easter - Thanksgiving

33. Host a Thanksgiving dinner at our house

- BEG Kenny's family to come!

34. Plan family traditions with Kenny

35. Take weekly dates for 3 months straight

- Mark them on the calendar (big date guideline)

36. Paint a picture for the living room

- Purchase supplies, find design, do it!

37. Take a cooking class with Kenny

- Find online at Lone Star

38. Encourage Kenny every day ( /1001) with notes, etc

39. Clean/Paint/Fix up Craft Room

- By November 1

40. Decorate our living room

- By October 11

41. Create a headboard

- By January 15

42. Make a cleaning schedule and stick to it

- Research schedule, print, & follow

43. Finish our home improvement list

-Create master list, put on fridge, carve out time, complete

44. Finish Kenny's man cave!

- By October 31st

45. Get the remainder of the stuff @ Kenny's parents & organize

- By Christmas

Social & Friends

46. Start a couples group - complete with dinner & events

- Outline, design invites, create timeline, host first event

47. Host a Christmas party

- Plan event by Oct 30th, Invites out by Dec 1

48. Reunite with long lost friends

-Reconnect on FB, visit once per month

49. Visit Harper & Nate

- By Feb 1

50. Start a friendly neighbor program & develop relationships

-Join the Homeowner's Association, develop a plan to impact

51. Host a block party

- Work with HOA, schedule for March 2011

52. Boo our neighbors!

- Halloween 2011

53. Meet 10-15 new couple friends

- Network with others

Travel

54. Go to an LSU game - Fall 2011/Fall 2012

55. Visit Sara & Nic in England (Spring 2013)

56. Take a road trip to a northern state to see the leaves change

-Find some great last minute deals, go in September 2011

57. Go watch the 4th of July fireworks over a lake (July 2011/2012)

58. Take an anniversary trip (cabin in the mountains...:) 2011/2012

59. Go to Halifax to see Dad (2011)

60. Take a random Texas road trip (Fall 2010)

61. Take a cruise (Summer 2011)

62. Go to NYC & see a musical (and Clif!) - by Summer 2011

63. Go camping - Winter 2010

64. Go RVing with An & Alan - within 6 months

- Research location

-Coordinate with them

-Plan/Purchase supplies early

65. Visit Rhonna in Colorado (Spring 2011)

66. Take a train to Chicago & explore! (April 2012)

67. Go to Disney with the family (November 2012)

68. Learn to scuba & go with Kenny (on cruise?)

Physical & Emotional Well-being

69. Update my wardrobe/look by November 2010

70. Run a marathon

- Get on a training program

- Run the 5k at St. Jude, Dec 2011

71. Get my hair cut for locks of love by November 2010

72. Take the dogs on walks every day for a month (rainy? in house play) - starts Sept 1

73. Go to the spa twice in one year (November 2010/Jan 2011)

74. Drop 25 pounds by the 500th day ( March 2, 2012)

75. Be positive in my thoughts during difficult times (track by self- reflection)

76. Take 1 day per week to analyze progress & plan ( /143)

Family

77. Take Ronny to an Astros game

78. Send photo cards/newsletters every quarter ( /12)

79. Call Grams & Gramps once per week ( /143)

80. Take Ronny to Splash Town - Summer 2011

81.Send Mom to Uncle David's - Summer 2011

82. Create a photo montage for Mom (from pictures of our childhood) - Christmas 2010

83. Visit Kenny's family once per month ( /33)

84. Family photos three months ( /11)

85. Take Ronny to a Back to School celebration dinner/ice cream

Spiritual (Personal) Growth, Volunteering, and Warm & Fuzzies

86. Find a church I love & become a member by Jan 2011

87. Make sandwiches every week & hand out with water ( /143)

88. Buy school supplies for a child in need every year

89. Take 365 pictures of things that are meant to tell a story and remind me of each day - Start October 11th ( /365)

90. Make a book of the pictures

91. Blog every day for a month ( /30)

92. Do something for a good cause - a benefit or a walk by Spring 2011

93. Complete 10 pay it forwards (complete with cards) ( /10)

94. Pray every night with Kenny for 30 days straight ( /30)

95. Serve at a Shelter on Thanksgiving day

96. Volunteer at the KSBJ Share-A-Thon

97. Send 10 cards randomly every month ( /34)

98. Encourage 3 other people to start their list

99. Give $1 towards a charity for every completed goal, $2 for every incomplete goal

100. Be honest with myself about this list, track the list & finish it!

101. Start a new list on May 17, 2013

Some things are directly related and very specific and some are JUST PLAIN FUN! This really gives me a track to run on ... basically because it's hard to really see the future if you don't have a guideline! Why did I go with financial first? Because that is how I'm going to get anywhere else! All of these areas matter..but cannot be accomplished without a plan and without goals!

Did you know that only 4% of people even WRITE goals? Wow- 4%! I'm not longer part of that percentage of people....and I don't want to go on without a plan!

Have questions about my 101? Or want to see progress, I'll make sure to update you as I go!

Get on your goal! :)

-Lida

I'm a chicken goalie....ok, not really!

2010-10-05T19:22:00.001-07:00

It was a chance in a lifetime..."but I'm not good enough", I kept thinking...
"what if I fail"
"what if she doesn't think I'd work out"

So many 'what-ifs ...' makes me cower in fear.

I tell you this to say, you aren't alone! How many times have you had the opportunity to do something and chickened out? What is that dream you are wanting to pursue and have convinced yourself that you can't - you know what? Life is too short. Traffic is too tiring (something I've learned this week already)! And having a boss...well...isn't you!

Eleanor Roosevelt once said:
I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do, provided he keeps doing them until he gets a record of successful experience behind him.

Wow- amazing!
Franklin D. Roosevelt also said:
We have nothing to fear but fear itself!

I guess the Roosevelt's know a little something about fear...after all - the Great Depression, World War II, fight with Polio, Nation's unrest...you know the usual! When I put it in that perspective I realize my life is so mi-nut (help me out, Gladys)- it's RIDICULOUS.

It's when you are on the edge of a true adventure that you can either step off or fly...that's where I am -
And I promise no more confusing posts for a while - I also promise that I will reveal my adventure!! :)

In other news,
I started a super cool project - it's called the 101 in 1001 days!
It's 101 goals
in 1001 days (approximately 3 years)

And one of my goals is to inspire 3 people to do the same! Won't you be my inspiree? :)

It's hard to really plan for this year, next year...hey really who remembers their New Year's Resolutions? Yea, me either! So for a change, I'm working towards building 3 years worth of great goals!!

Start date: October 5, 2010
Ends: July 2, 2013!!

At that point I will be almost 29 (WOW), married for almost 6 years (together for almost 13!), and HOPEFULLY at the point where I really know what I want to do for the rest of my life (yea, I know - who am I kidding?!!)!

I'll be sharing my list tomorrow - stay tuned! :)

Dreams...

2010-10-04T18:27:00.001-07:00

Dreams are really funny things you know? Feeling like you are being hunted...feeling like you are going to succeed at life...feeling like you want to do something more. Sometimes dreams come to you in forms of not being able to sleep tonight...dreams of seeing you and your family in a house that you deserve - but you know what?! Dreams are placed in your heart by God - I truly believe that. As I was not sleeping last night and watching my clock "hands" tick I thought about everything I had and everything I wanted to be. Everything that I know everyone thinks about - or do you? Do you still dream? In the words of a very well known Disney movie - "a dream is a wish your heart makes, when you're fast asleep" - but my dreams are sometimes when I'm awake- when I'm driving home from work - or when I'm watching t.v.

What dreams do you have for you? What dreams do you have for your family? What dreams do you have for your future?

and now the major question:

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MAKE THEM A REALITY?

My Loves!

2010-10-03T17:47:00.000-07:00

Well...it's been a fun weekend - off to a new week and a brand new learning experience for me! I'm going to be working on something new (revealing later!) both in business and in my career. My ultimate goal is to have my own independent business and to wake up every day with a purpose & be passionate about what I'm doing. The good & bad thing about that is getting to it is extremely nerve racking ... I guess that's why it's called the JOURNEY. I cannot WAIT to reveal some extra special projects I'm working on!!

For today, I want to show you what I'm FALLing in love with on this BEAUTIFUL fall Texas day! :)
FEATHERS - I don't know what it is about feathers but LATELY, they have been on my mind a lot, to the point that I'm wearing them! Kenny and I call them my POOFS...and the dogs have been known to tear up a couple, but non-the-less I am still in love!

Photography - I'm hooked, I've always loved it but God has a funny way of sneaking things into your life that you never looked at before; photography has been my sneak!

COOL WEATHER - oh how I wish this is where I lived!!! Ok, maybe not MOUNTAIN cool weather, but 60s...and that's the Texas cool! Everyone loves cool weather (or should!) - can't wait for WINTER! :)

and FINALLY,
I'm loving my house, my hunny, and my boys! :) (Not in that order!)

Welcome Back!!

2010-10-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile ... since I've seen you!!

Well, that's an understatement. The truth is I almost completely disappeared from the blogger world - I know with my constant contact it's hard to imagine, but it's true! So I'm turning over a new leaf today, it's the first of October ... new things are coming my way and I'm super excited to revamp our little blog 'o love.
Life is been good to us - good only...but good! Hoping that we can make this say nothing short of AMAZING....it's my favorite time of year..the best time of year to me!

So stay tune for some great looks at what we're doing!

Just a preview, if you are new to our neck of the woods....
-Kenny is my hunny - we've been together almost 11 years!
-We're proud alumni of Louisiana Tech University - 2 degrees in 2006....jobs related to those degrees = 0
-We have two FURRY babies - Buddy Lynn and Bailey Bean ... our hearts! We are so incredibly attached to these two - FYI - Buddy is a total daddy's boy...Bailey's a Momma's boy!
-We're learning that happiness comes in many forms and it's NOT what we thought we thought it was 11 years ago!
& Finally, we purchased our first home in Texas - we love it! We miss our friends in Louisiana but our move here has grown us SO much!

We're so blessed to have you following us, now have a cup of coffee (Community, that is...) and chat with us! :)

Love always!

Meet our newest addition!

2010-05-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

Meet our house!

She's definitely a BEAUT! Super simple, tradition ranch style home sitting on less than an acre - Ha!
No, but REALLY we love her!

She's older than us (circa 1982), gray accents (our fav), and needs TONS 'O work...But we're up to the challenge! In fact, we've already proven ourselves to her - but you'll have to be patient to see the pics of our upgrades & remodeling!

A little over 1400 square feet, a 1 1/2 car garage (1 car and a lawn mower...OR really Kenny's bat...I mean MAN cave), 3 bedrooms! *guests please invite yourselves* (including my CRAFT room! :) and of course 2 baths! We love our first little starter....to future rent house home!

Please come & see us (often!)

Back to Reality!

2010-05-11T11:48:00.000-07:00

Well, after a super long sabbatical from my blog, I'm finally back! AND - since I have 1 follower that shouldn't be tooo bad for the rest of my future fans! Gotta laugh about that one! So without further ado, I'd like to sum up the last couple of months in a few bullet points...

Following a 6 month stint with NO job...I found 2 amazing jobs!! Which meant 80 hour weeks during the months of October - December!
I currently work as a Sr. Manager at a home interiors store - which I love and hate all in the same hour!
Kenny still works for a bank...(hint...what's in your wallet?) - but is AVIDLY looking every day for another one!
We bought a house towards the end of April!! Woo hoo! And love working on it and making it our own!
Mom & Ronny (along with us) will be moving out of the rent house ... into their own apartment! Which means that after 3 1/2 years of marriage, we'll be ALONE! We won't know what to do with ourselves! BUT, we are extremely excited! **Note: we absolutely love our family and don't regret any of the memories we've shared, please do not take this as mean or in bad terms!**
We're still learning how to be grown ups and STILL trying to figure out what to do with our lives!
NO we're not pregnant nor will we be pregnant soon!

Hope this kinda catches you up to speed! I need to update this more and I really think that I will since it will include our UPDATES to our home! We love this fixer upper...and it just HAPPENED to be on the same street as our rent home! Godcidental! So stick with me..AGAIN...and I promise to keep you updated! Ha!

Love always,
the newlyweds (again!)

Well...so far not good!

2009-11-03T19:57:00.001-08:00

Already didn't complete two days!! Can you believe it? :( But, I believe that where you start is not where you will end...I clench on to that statement all the time! :)

How is everyone? I know we're all busy and only have about 50 days until the BIG day! I'm working like a MAD dog and being extremely creative in my Christmas shopping this year...partially due to playing catch up after 5 months of not having a job! Now, thank you Lord, I have 2! I am VERY blessed, and VERY tired!!

If you walk into a Walmart and see a Game Islander with LOADS of games on it, please just say THANKS to your merchandiser from Hasbro! We have completed 3 already! PLUS - we have 3 to go! I have also been working for Kirkland's, I'm an assistant manager! So lately, it's been 60 hours a week! BUSY..but working, which is awesome!

Cannot wait for the holiday season, the fall weather here in Texas is great....mid 70s in the day...50s at night. If you have loads of fall leaves in your backyard, will you send a picture to me!? Rhonna has SNOW and I'm super jealous too! :)

We've been having fun playing loads of games and watching movies lately, hope you all are doing the same!

Love you much,
K&L

To keep up....

2009-11-01T15:47:00.000-08:00

I'm challenging myself to this:
Do you think I can do it?? Happy Halloween all!! On one of my future posts will include our costumes!! :)

We love you all!
K&L

Will you do me a favor?

2009-10-07T11:16:00.001-07:00

After thinking and praying and wondering for a LONG time, I've decided that my next action step will be teaching in either an elementary school or middle school (probably 5th grade max)! I love love love English, Social Studies, Geography, Math, & Reading. I'm not sure what I will teach, but I should be prepared for anything and everything! In the mean time, I've resolved to doing a couple of things -

Collect Lesson plans
Collect CHEAP CHEAP school supplies such as paper, pencils, markers, crayons
Collect books...grades 2-6
Collect board games
Collect decor for my classrooms (ie, posters, rugs, chairs)

will you do me a HUGE favor?! If you are working on getting rid of some stuff, find yourself on the sale aisle in Walmart where paper is 5 cents, or find great books in a garage sale or in your own home that you want to get rid of ... will you forward them to me? I need everything that I can get and with your help I can fully furnish my classroom with little cost!! If it costs, just send me a quick email (lidamathews@gmail.com) or call/text me (see FB if you're a friend)...and I'll be more than happy to reimburse you... BUT you have to call me! If not, you might think it's a great price and I may not have the $$ at the time!

I so appreciate all of you!!

Lida

P.S. I'm not quitting my MK business, I'm just going towards something that I feel that God is calling me to do!

Thanks again!

Busy Lives are ALWAYS a blessing!

2009-10-05T17:41:00.000-07:00

**Note: The pictures from this post were taken by Kenny's IPhone, some are GREAT and some not so good...bear with me until I can take pics with my better camera!**

We've been working working and having fun these past days! Sorry to not keep you up to date, I have to get better at that...just by the time its time to blog, all I want to do is READ the blogs!! I promise to work on my posts and make them more and more interesting!!

So without further adieu...

we had a fab time at our concert - Creed...back after 8 years away! we missed you friends!
This was the most amazing concert, and we're actually in the Guinness Book of World Records - 259 HD cameras were on the stage!

here are some more pics..
we were soo incredibly close, we loved it - BUT before we went...

here's the date we had! We don't get these often, we ate at an AMAZING vietnamese restaurant prior to the concert and thank GOODness we did - because food was outrageous! 1 beer=$9.50, nachos=$8.50!! The people in front of us had 4 beers each+2 pretzels (there were 2 of them)+tickets....=outrageous!: We ate on less that 20 bucks!

My Meal: Thai flavored..yummy!

Above is Kenny's meal...which was SUPER yummy too!

At the Concert - :)
(Amazing pyrotechnics..Kenny of course loved them!)

THIS was amazing...their last song was HIGHER...and every time they said higher, flames would shoot up! We loved it!

OH - and I must mention my little friend:

It's hard to see...but it's a camera that kept going back and forth....no matter how many times it did it, I would look and look at it! Leading to the realization that I'm a fish and like shiny (or not) things that move...ha!

Us before the show! Our view...

We loved our seats! :) Thanks Mom & Pops Mathews - we loved Kenny's birthday gift!

Well, if you guys haven't noticed, its fall....I absolutely love fall because my FAVORITE season is right around the corner...I know you know which one that is because I have a countdown on my blog! :) Kenny's favorite holiday is Halloween, even though we couldn't decorate too much due to outside decor+weather=a HUGE mess....we decorated some inside this weekend:

and this...
Eventually there will be multiple foggers (we have 3!), bones in the yard, a crime scene in the driveway, and scary ghosts in the tree! We can't wait for the SPOOKY day! We'll show you some neat decor later this month! But...just for laughs, when you are deciding what to wear as a couple to a party, it's SUPER hard to find something that is fun, affordable, and ... easy! So we went to Party City (LA friends, ya'll are missing out! SUPER CHEAP & fun costumes!) in search of the BEST thing to wear..or at least some ideas...BUT we couldn't pass this up - and I had to catch it...if you didn't know Kenny, you'd think he could definately PULL THIS OFF! :)

isnt this hilarious? I totally want this to be his costume..but...it may not pass, and we may have to settle for Joker & Harleyquinn...pictures soon!

Happy decorating, enjoying great weather, eating great food, thinking about Christmas (and Tday!), battling traffic...ahhh..Houston, and doing other fun things you do!
We love you!

Weekend Fun!

2009-10-02T08:02:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned for pictures of our happenings for that past week & our weekend decorating extravaganza!

Love you all!
K&L

Manic Monday!

2009-09-28T20:31:00.001-07:00

Do you ever feel like this?

When EVERYTHING is happening...and there is nothing you can do?

Well, remember this:

BELIEVING IN YOU!

Just a thought for a crazy Monday! :)

Have a great one, we love you!

Kenny & Lida

E is for Entrepreneur

2009-09-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

Thank you for all of your prayers!! Over the past couple of days I have had the worst news, I found out a friend of mine lost another baby...I guess it's just that time. I can't wait til all the Mom's go to Heaven and see their babies, oh that'll be the day! If you are interested in helping the family that I mentioned before, please just click back on their blog and there will be more information! I really want to go to the funeral, but I will be sending my prayers because unfortunately its about an hour and a half to get there. I'm praying for all of my friends that are either expecting, have lost babies, or maybe have lost others in their families.

So I'm sure you are wondering what the title of the blogpost is about! Well this time in my life has been filled with a lot of interesting things!! Anyway, I've heard people say, when they have been asked about what they do and the answer: I'm an Entrepreneur...I have found this to mean a lot of things:
Either, they are unemployed...lol
or they are working 15 jobs....or they have invented something
or they even work from home doing a couple of things

SO - the last one pretty much describes me! I'm working in two different places (part time) for the holidays and also doing MK, I've been working MK, but it's been slow....mainly because I know about 5 people here! In any case, I'll be doing a lot this Christmas season!

I'm really excited for this season because of:

The COOL weather (it's been SOO nice lately, cool weather please stay!)
Halloween!
Decorating!
Hot Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice Lattes (a rare delicacy, but delicious!)
Turkey dinners!! YUM....
Thanksgiving Sales! YAY - goal is to get that all done by Black Friday!
Christmas cards, we have the cutest ones picked out!
Giving back! We plan to serve at some shelters this Tday!!
GAINING an hour for the holidays!
Holiday smells!!

What are your favorites? Leave me a comment!! In any case, I'm just happy to have something! This might be a small Christmas, but none the less....it's a Christmas and we are thankful for the reason!

Thank you for reading our family blog, tomorrow I'll include some pictures of our fall decorations!

Love always,
Lida (and of course, Kenny!)

PRAY

2009-09-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

Please pray for this loving family - they are in Houston, I'm getting the details. His sweet wife Sara had breast cancer and delivered a beautiful Chloe - and then had severe brain issues and passed away today.

Please pray that she is no longer in pain and pray for that sweet little family.

http://bandssullivan.blogspot.com/

In the same breath, pray for a college friend who just found out that her baby is going to be miscarried this week! Jesus is bringing so many people home!! Pray for Stacy and her family!

Lida & Kenny

Nails..Rusty Little Nails....

2009-09-21T19:18:00.000-07:00

Ok - so before I start I need to wish one sweet little lady a HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
This is Kenny's Meme (and Momma), isn't she precious??!!! She is an amazing WOMAN of God! She's so beautiful from the inside out - I just love her! Happy Birthday beautiful lady - we love you SO SO SO Much!

So...interesting story today - I was doing a great thing - rescuing some lost balls that had gone behind the fence while throwing for the dogs! So Ronny and I found a pathway to go and I was really excited (because there are seriously 3 balls back there ... and hey...we're on a budget!) Some really exciting ones, the orange 'squeeky' that Buddy Lynn loves (yes, that's a middle name on a doggie!) and some others. I was SUPER smart and said...ok, we have to put shoes on - let's do that. So I naturally put my crocks on thinking, this is about the same thickness as my tennis shoes.

BOY was I wrong.....

We were about 6 steps in...and I felt it. A piercing pain into my toe! I quickly warned Ronny, ditched my ball exploration - and was sitting by the tub washing my foot. So...it's 9:23 p.m. and I've been at the Urgent Care (aka Doctor's offices that write 400 prescriptions and make you wait 2 hours (NO REALLY)) but it's better than the Emergency plus less money! Anyway, I went to the one in Humble at 4:50....and was directed to one 15 more minutes away in Atascocita! After being in the waiting room with a ton of people for 2 1/2 hours I was escorted in...FINALLY ... we are back home.

So the results...I have 2 prescriptions (seriously, it didn't go far...just a puncture), 25 less in cash, not only a painful toe but now a painful arm (thanks to a tetanus shot, and hours of wasted time. YAY...that's the exciting life, isn't it??!!

OH YEAH - not to mention it's my Momma's B-day - so Mom, sorry - Enchiladas tomorrow! Oh, and yes - that's me! :)

NEXT TIME....I'll buy the 5 dollar balls for the boys- they are MUCH cheaper!

Love ya'll,

Lida

A Fresh Start...

2009-09-14T14:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm so glad to say that we've been given a fresh start, I have some jobs lined up for the end of September/early October - not to say it's permanent but...something...thank God! Help is pouring down and we're so thankful! Thank you to all who have helped us...you know who you are! You are such blessings to us...Thank you! In addition, I'd like to say that I'm so thankful that God is working through us to produce a productive blog! From now on, I will be posting both updates along with new items of interest. I am excited about our blog and want to share information, please know that this is just my thoughts and our updates. Nothing else - if you are confused about something, please let me know! Thank you for your amazing support & help throughout this hard process!

Love always,

Lida (and Kenny too :)

2009-08-21T07:27:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!!

Well, it's Day 1 of my fast (I'm giving up procrastination & facebook! - which works hand in hand), and God is talking to me!!! If you know me at all, you know that I am typically one that speaks about God but doesn't go on about Him - well since we've moved I've had the desire to spend time reading about Him, Studying His word, and working with God's motives first. This is completely new to me - and the fact that we are dealing with some trials right now is all too familiar - unfortunately! Don't we always just RUN to Him when times are tough? Well, I am so thankful that He takes us back, because truly I know that I don't deserve it! If you are new to this blog (which everyone is because I just started it...) this will be a daily commitment on my part - to keep you informed about the happenings in the M&M world!! Here's just a quick rundown on my current life:

WE currently live in SPRING, TEXAS!

We moved here after second time trying (the first one ended poorly when our Home builders went out of business...here's us...thinking we were getting the original house!

God had other plans!! We rethought everything, moved back to Louisiana and waited for God to say - MOVE! So, yet again we found that we had the opportunity to move...so we did - we were obedient...and NOW - we're here! My brother (R) and Mom (L) live with us - so needless to say...we have a lot of people in our home! Plus we have 3 dogs and a cat, I think we could say that our life is a three ring circus!! :)

Kenny has be so completely wonderful throughout everything and I chose to believe that they are still living with us today because God has great plans for us! Here's my mom and brother on Thanksgiving 2006 -
My mom's story is amazing, a small believer in God - she endured 5 strokes and a brain aneurysm following the birth of my brother 13 years ago - something that my brother lives in guilt over - from an independent to a dependent woman - she's had many trials and tribulations but has trusted God for about 10 out of the 13! She's currently working with some godly women to write a book about her life - something that we are excited about!!

Kenny, my wonderful hubby and I are pictured below:

We've been married almost 3 glorious years and he's such as blessing to me - he knows what I need and is SO supportive in everything that I do!

Since we've moved, we've had some set backs, upsets, and falling in order to get up...but through it all God is strengthening us! He is mighty to save, and I know that HE is bigger than any bank account, bill, illness, injury, or even the devil himself!

I have been so involved in the word of God, here's what I read that really spoke to me -

This was found in the book of Proverb - I spent almost all night reading the entire book!! 24:27, 30-34!

First, finish your outside work and prepare your fields.
After that, you can build your house.

- wowo, what a concept - that's why God said...not this time to our house, our fields weren't prepared!

I passed by a lazy person's field
and by the vineyard of someone with no sense
Thorns had grown up everywhere.
The ground was covered with weeds
and the stone walls had fallen down.
I thought about what I had seen;
I learned this lesson from what I saw.
You sleep a little, you take a nap.
You fold your hands and lie down to rest.
Soon you will be as poor as if you had been robbed;
you will have as little as if you had been held up.

This so spoke to me - thank God for my business, because after 100+ applications being put in ... and nothing - it was God that put this business in my path...because HE knew and now that I've put my faith in Him and I am working...blessings will come.

We love all of you so very much,
Please know that we are praying for you - hoping that you'll do the same for us!

With love,
K&L