What Love Really Means

Happy Saturday Friends! I am going to be super duper busy today! But it's all fun stuff. :) Before I head out the door I wanted to share this music video by JJ Heller that I am LOVING. I love this song. Plus I think she is adorable....and that is her husband in the video with her. I wish I was bold enough to cut my hair like her. I love it.

I hope you all have a wonderful and festive Saturday!

Love,

Amanda

Halloween Series- Part 2!!!

Okay....this is part 2 of my

Halloween Costume Series!

First I showed you when we were tacky tourists last year. Next up is our costumes from two years ago:

The 90's!!! Whatever! :) Oh yeah...overalls (only one side hooked), candy necklaces, Esprit brand, gold chains, sidewards hats, bangs, scrunchies, platform loafers....

you name it!

The 90's definitely made a statement! I think I had a scrunchie to match every outfit back then! :)
It was funny finding an Esprit shirt at the thrift store...cause I always wore that brand growing up! Anyone else?

It was fun dressing up as the 90's! It seems like people always do the 80's...so this was a fun change!

What other 90's trends did you love....or still love? lol!

What I'm LOVING Wednesday!

Hey all! Today I thought I would join up with Jamie at this kind of love for What I'm Loving Wednesday!
I'm loving this pic! I got this in an email it it makes me smile every time I look at it! It kinda looks like Miss Maddie. :) Are you smiling now?

I'm loving Apple Cider!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok....we might have already gone through 2 gallons of this in one week. heehee!

I'm loving the forecast in Springfield this week! Check it out....that is perfect fall weather right there!

I'm loving all the projects we have been getting done around our home! We have been tacking stuff left and right! oh yeah!

I'm loving Plum Sweets! Has anyone else tried this delicious snack? Oh you must! They are so yummy and have antioxidants too!

bonus...kinda healthy snack points!

Most of all I'm Loving....My FAM! This pic was from last weekend at the Pets N Pumpkin Days downtown! I will show you more pics later. It's a cute fall festival for dogs. They get to go around and get treats and mingle with other dogs! lol! Miss Maddie loves going every year.

Well, that's it folks! :) Happy Wednesday to you!

Lots of LOVE!

Special Halloween Post! :) :) :)

It's Halloween week!!!!

So, I thought I would do a few special posts throughout the week. I will be posting about some of Tim and I's Halloween costumes from the past! :) We Shepard's go all out when it comes to dressing up! haha! Now I must say....we always have a reason. We work with the teens at church and we always have a costume party or something! So, we are constantly trying to come up with new ideas!

So....for the first post in this series:

T a c k y Tourists

This might be my favorite costume of all time! It was way cheap and SO MUCH FUN!!!!

As you can see....we tried not to skimp on any details. Right down to the shoes and accessories!

Extreme closeup! :)

That's my man!!!

Every tourist needs a Polaroid around their neck!

We had a ton of fun with those costumes!

I'm sure you are on the edge of your seats wanting to know what other things we have dressed up as!!! ha! You will have to wait until tomorrow! :)

Have a wonderful day everyone!

HUGS!!!

Sunday Q& A Time!!!

Happy Sunday! I was tagged by Amy at A Southern Love to answer a few questions. So I thought today was the perfect day to do that! You should go visit Amy's blog and read her answers too. She is just the sweetest!

1. Why did you start blogging? What is your favorite part about blogging?

I started blogging several years ago....very sporadically. I had a friend that moved out of town and wanted me to blog with her. So I started. It wasn't until this year I started blogging on a regular basis and really began to enjoy it. I love love love blogging now! It is so fun for me. I love meeting people and gaining random bits of knowledge from recipes to crafts. I also love meeting other people that are in the same stage of life as myself. And also finding needs of others I can pray for. Blogging really is so much fun!!!


2. Have you ever met any bloggers in real life?
Sadly no! If we ever go on vacation or something and pass by your state....I would love to meet you! That would be so much fun. And if you are ever in the Missouri area let me know!

3. Do you like to cook? If so what is your favorite recipe?
I love cooking and baking!!! I don't get to cook and bake as often as I would like due to a busy schedule. However, I really enjoy it. I love cooking and baking for other people....having them to our home to enjoy a meal. I love that. I am still learning, so I don't think I'm very good yet. My favorite recipe? Hmmmmmm.....I'm still trying to discover that! I have always wanted to have my very own "signature" dish. One of those that everyone knows Amanda makes...and people request it! Hopefully someday I will have one of those! haha!

4. What is on your Christmas list this year?
I haven't really thought about it yet!! lol! Well, Tim and I have talked about not doing much for Christmas presents this year, cause we really want to do some projects on our house. But we haven't decided for sure. I do really really really want a new camera!!!!! You might have noticed all the pics I post are not that good. :( My current camera is stupid! I really don't buy myself very many clothes throughout the year....so I normally ask for clothes for Christmas too! I love when Tim picks clothes out for me! :)

5. What is your favorite childhood memory?
I am truly blessed with a wonderful family! I have a billion wonderful memories so it is hard to pick just one! ahhhh! We had a lot of fun on family vacations, being together at home.....but my best memories were all of us going to church together! I'm so thankful for them.

6. What is the sweetest thing your husband has ever done for you?
My hubby is a sweetie! When we were first dating in high school....he would always draw or paint me pictures, make me little crafts (yes he is a crafty man!) and take me on the cutest dates. Now that we are married he still does very kind things for me to show his love. I love him so much!

7. If you had $100,000 cash, what would you do with it?
First.....that would be AMAZING!!! haha! :) I would love to contribute a nice chunk of it to my church for their building fund. We have been trying to build a new building since we have outgrown our current one. Then I would pay off any random bills. Help out any of our family in need. And then......go do some major shopping! :) That would be so fun to just go shopping with no restraints! lol!

8. If you could be any kitchen appliance, what would you be and why?
Well, has anyone seen the commercials for the VitaMix machines? We don't have one but I think I need one! ;) If I had to be an appliance....I would definitely choose this machine. It says it can replace 10 different appliances in your kitchen! And it can make ice cream, hot soups, smoothies, chop stuff....and the list goes on! You can stick whole fruits and veggies in it and it will create amazing things! Seriously....you must see this commercial!

Ok, those are my answers! Hope you enjoyed reading them! It's back to work in the morning. I hope everyone has a great start to the week!

xo,

Amanda

I just wanted to say.....

I LOVE MY HUSBAND SOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!

I don't know what I would do without him. My absolute best friend and the love of my life!

I am so thankful and one blessed lady to have him!

I love when I get pictures of him kissing my head! I'm not sure exactly why.....but I love when he kisses my head. It is so sweet to me. So, having it caputred in a picture is even better, cause I can just stare at it all day!

random fact.

We just took these pics recently and I felt like proclaiming my love on my blog! haha! :)

This has been one really crazy week for us. A lot has gone. We have found God to be faithful in every situation we might face.

Trust in Him....you will find Him faithful!

I really hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed weekend!

With love,

Amanda

Update on the Bedroom Redo......

So.....we were at TARGET......again! I love that place more than I should! Well, we found some white drum lamp shades on sale for $11 a piece! I have never seen them that cheap, so we went ahead and got them. We had already previously found the lamp bases there on clearance. We were so very excited. I think the new lamps make a huge difference in the room. So, here is the before and after for ya......

BEFORE: AFTER:

Whatcha think?

We are pleased as punch! I just don't know why Target is so stinkin amazing!

I love you Target! xoxo

The Shepard's love dogs!

Ok, just call us the crazy dog people! haha! We dog sat for some of our friends over the weekend while they were out of town. We have watched Laylah before and we just LOVE her. She is a huge cotton ball! No joke. Here is Laylah and our Maddie sitting with Mr. Tim watching TV. They became friends! Then we took the pups on a walk one evening! Oh....and you can see the leaves changing colors in this pic! It was lovely.

And of course....here is our princess! haha!
Whenever we dropped Laylah off at her parents house, I asked if we could be her doggie god parents!!!! I'm crazy! They said yes! hahaha!

Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful day and loves on their fur babies, if you have any!!! :)

with love,
Amanda

Happy Friday...kinda late! :)

Hey there! Well, sorry I haven't posted for a few days! I have had one crazy week. I hope everyone had a wonderful Friday and are ready for the WEEKEND!!!!

I'm so excited because tomorrow I am meeting up with one of my childhood friends that I haven't seen in awhile! We are meeting for lunch at El Puente! It is a very yummy mexican restaurant in Springfield. Chips and salsa here I come......

We also have a fall festival at our church tomorrow evening! I think I am suppose to be handing out candy!

Oh yeah.....Mr. Tim and I are dog sitting again this weekend! We LOVE it. We heart dogs. The cutie we are watching is like a little cotton ball. haha!

Tonight we celebrated my brother's 27th birthday! And I think I had a few too many cookies.....blah! But they were sooooo good. Oh and I have the cutest nephews in the whole entire world. They melt my heart.

Mr. Tim made fried eggs today and our house STINKS now! I don't know what went wrong...but the smell is almost unbearable. ha!

Sorry for all the crazy random thoughts! Oh and I left you with a random picture to top it all off! We went to St. Louis about a month ago to watch the Cardinals play.....this was a pic on our way to the stadium. It was a gorgeous day!

Have a blessed weekend everyone!

With love,

Amanda

Walk for Life!

Happy Monday Friends! Well, I wanted to share some pictures from a walk we participated in the other weekend. We walked in the Walk for Life for the Pregnancy Care Center in our town. This organization encourages young ladies who are pregnant and are in a difficult situation often times. They help those ladies through their pregnancy and they choose life for their sweet little babies. We were really happy to be able to show our support for them! There were a ton of people there for the walk.

My family! Don't mind me.....I look super duper sleepy! It was a Saturday morning people! :)

Maddie enjoyed the walk...and got to meet other furry friends. She would never look at the camera! So frustrating! haha!

I love this pic of her cute face!!

It was a nice brisk morning too! We had a really fun time!

Did everyone have a good weekend? I hope so! I'm heading to bed......night night!

xo,

Amanda

I have been tagged.....

I was tagged by my blog friend Natalie to answer a few questions about myself. I have never done that on my blog before, so I thought that would be fun! I hope you enjoy getting to know a little bit more about me!

1. What do you do for a living and is it your passion? If it's not, what would your dream job be?
I am a ministry assistant at a church in our town. I do all sorts of things for the church.....finances, mailers, phones and keeping everything a float! I do love serving the Lord in that way by assisting the Pastors at the church. Plus....I'm a natural born organizer! lol! I have also always had a dream to open my own small business....like a flower shop, bakery or boutique. That would be fabulous.

2. What kind of tradition does your family have at Christmastime?
I am a CRAZY Christmas lady during the holidays. I go all out, all month long! I love it so much. Every year Tim and I try to start some new traditions for ourselves. We visit all of our families of course and share different traditions with them that I love. Tim and I always drive around on Christmas Eve in our p.j.'s, drink hot chocolate and look at lights in our town! It is so fun...especially when it is snowing! We also allow ourselves to open one gift to each other on Christmas Eve....we are like kids! Oh, I can't wait! I am all cheese!

3. What is your favorite form of fitness and why do you like it?
I love and need variety in my fitness life! I get bored easily. So...I love going on walk/jogs around my neighborhood, doing different videos at home, trying different machines at the gym and taking classes. I have recently been trying to wake up early for fitness as you might remember......haha! :)

4. If your married, did you have a long or short engagement?
Sometime I should share Tim and I's story on the blog....but we were engaged for 1 year. I guess that is kinda average? We started dating at the ripe old age of 15.....got married at 20....and now I'm 25! He has had my heart for a long time!

5. What is your favorite thing about blogging?
I started blogging several years ago because I had a friend that lived out of town that started one and talked me into doing it too. I didn't really blog much back then. This year is when I really discovered how awesome it really is! I just love blogging. I love sharing my life with everyone and sharing random thoughts and ideas. I have loved meeting so many other sweet bloggers out there and getting to know you. I truly feel like we are friends. Okay...I sound cheesy again. It is a blessing.

6. What is your favorite way to worship? (reading, singing, praying, serving)
Oh I could worship any way! God is so good and has changed my life completely. I love to find ways to worship God everyday. One of my favorite ways is definitely singing. Just hearing an amazing song....can hit you and just help you focus on God. When I'm alone, I can sing at the top of my lungs and just go to town! haha!

7. Does your name have a special meaning?
Hmmmm I'm not sure about this one. I think one time I saw my name meant beloved....but I'm not positive. My parents said they were going to name me Rachel but ended up changing it to Amanda in the end! Could you see me as a Rachel?

8. Truthfully, would you ever consider adopting a child? If so, would you consider foster adoption, domestic or international?
I'm am pretty sure Tim and I would adopt if the Lord lead us in that direction. I would love to adopt a foster, domestic or international. My brother is adopted.....but I have only and always thought of him as my real brother! I have never thought any differently. Love you brother!

Well, hopefully you learned a little more about me! And I didn't bore you! ;)
I am suppose to tag people...but I would love for anyone to participate that wants to. I love getting to know everyone.

xoxo,
Amanda

Today I'm thinking.....

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!!

Since I didn't post a miscellany post yesterday.....I thought I would get out some random thoughts floating through this head of mine! :)

Today I'm thinking...."trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways aknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

Today I'm loving.....this amazingly beautiful fall weather! It is just perfect. I'm soaking it all in and enjoying every moment.

Today I'm thankful....I get to prayer walk the low income apartment complex we will be working at every week with Lifebuilders. (i'm also thankful for the blog world! I just love blogging and I love all of my blogger friends! It is so much fun and a blessing too.)

Today I'm eating......the last bit of my homemade pumpkin bread! soooooo yummy and divine. I am so making that again. I enjoyed every morsel! haha. Wendy from A&W asked if I would post the recipe on my blog....so I promise I will try to do that this week! (Hi Wendy!)

Today I'm wearing.......a sweater! yay!!!!! I'm freezing in my office and I have a little space heater on my tootsies too. :)

Today I'm in LOVE.......majorly in love with my adorable husband! Well....that is everyday...I just thought I would share it.

Alrighty... those are my Tuesday thoughts! Enjoy this lovely day!

xo,

Amanda

I finally got my fall candles!!!!

Yay! oh yay!!!! I am so so so happy! I finally got some fall candles last weekend. Everyone run to the Slatkin Candle store. They had the triple wick candles 2 for $20!!! Normally one candle is $20! They have really good scents too.

These are my boxes of fall decor that Mr. Tim got down from the attic for me!!!!

oh happy day!

i LOVE my fall candles!!!!!!

These are the lamp bases I found on clearance at TARGET!!!!! I am getting white drum shades to go on top! :) Can't wait!

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I will probably do a miscellany monday post a bit later too! :) Oh....over the weekend I made homemade pumpkin bread for the very first time!! I was so nervous, but it turned out rather delicious.

Happy fall friends!!!

Amanda

Bedroom decor on the cheap......

You might remember that we have been slowly redecorating our bedroom!

I have just been picking up random things that I find for cheap and hoping to eventually get it all put together! I found this S for Shepard at Hobby Lobby awhile back for 50% off. The gold doesn't match our house....so we got some chrome spray paint! We loooooooove spray painting stuff! :)

Our spray painting station.

I had also picked up this empty frame for a about $2 on clearance. It got spray painted white.

And here is the finished product hanging on the wall. I got the idea from Pottery Barn! I love that place!! We have been hunting for the perfect lamps for a long time....and I came across some lamp bases on clearance at Target this weekend. I can't wait to show you a picture of them. I just have to get the lamp shades now!

It's a slow process, but it sure is fun!!!

xo,

Amanda

Everyone have a great weekend! :)