Pickin'N'Grinnin

The more I write, the more I feel the need to share my desire for this blog.  If you get nothing else from this post, please know/remember that I get to pick and choose what I want to share with all of you on Hootknows- it’s not always an accurate picture of real life.  It’s just a snapshot. In other words, please do not think the grass is always greener on my side of the fence- I struggle too!!

I created this blog to document some of our everyday details (and to make me take pictures to go along with those everyday details).  I hope it is evident throughout my posts that my strength and joy comes from the One who lives within me- Jesus.  He is the reason I wake up every morning! 

I am humbled and honored that you find my life interesting enough to read about.  Thank you!

Love,

Bk

Texas Road Trip

After visiting my family for a week in Louisiana, I decided to head to Texas with some great friends to surprise Alisan (pronounced Alis-AN) for the weekend.  This was kind of a last minute trip just like mine and Fosh’s beach trip.  In fact we were supposed to go to the beach with Alisan and her husband this summer, but after a minor change of plans Fosh and I decided to go by ourselves instead.

Since college Jessica, Amanda, Alisan, and I have planned a trip every single summer so that we could catch up and spend time with each other.  Over the past few years, we have traveled to Destin, New York City, College Station, Gulf Shores, Austin, Nashville, and Dallas to see each other since we all live in different cities/states now.

Amanda did not go on this particular trip because she now has a baby and was visiting her out-of-town family.  To make a long story short, Alisan knew Jessica was coming to visit her, but she didn’t know her sister Abby and me were going to tag along.  Don’t worry we checked with her husband first to make sure it was okay!  She was not very surprised (that’s just the kind of girl she is), but she was very excited to see us!!! And to be honest, we were super excited to see her too!!!

During our weekend visit we talked, and laughed, and talked some more.  We played Apples to Apples until the wee hours of the night.  And by played, I mean we lobbied as hard as we could hoping the judge would choose our answer instead of Alisan’s answer because she kept WINNING!  Our lobbying went as far as trying to prove warts were indeed useful and corn on the cob was considered chewy.  I think we even convinced ourselves of these “facts” at some point throughout the weekend.

In addition, we explored the downtown area of McKinney and propped ourselves up in the dressing room(s) at the outlet mall in Allen.  We did our best to hold every second captive and had a blast doing it!

Alisan and I have an ongoing joke that it doesn’t matter how far away we live from each other OR how long we go without seeing each other, we still somehow manage to dress very similar to each other.  On this particular day, we both walked out of our respective rooms wearing the exact same shade of purple.  We just had to shake our heads and keep going.

I love these girls so much and am so thankful for their friendship!!!  The next girl’s trip (plus husbands) is Nashville, RIGHT??J Thanks for being such amazing friends!

Bk

Truth

"Where you're going, how you're getting there and what you're doing to get there isn't as important
as who you're becoming. Finish strong." -TC

Tim Coats is such an inspiration to sooo many people in my hometown of West Monroe, Louisiana!! He was a youth minister at my old church and has done countless other things in the past such as deejaying at a local christian radio station and owning a laser tag center so that our youth would have a fun and safe place to hang out. His passion is encouraging the younger generation and ultimately furthering the kingdom of God. He rocks my socks off!

Photo Source: Ashley Roark

p.s. Tim Coats has started a group on facebook called "TC's Tidbits" that anybody can join.  In his words, "We all get bombarded with 'stuff' on fb, but if you want a short snippit each day that gives hope, encouragement, and just a different perspective than the world gives, [leave a comment below]."  You can unsubscribe at anytime.

Pop Quiz

While I was visiting my Dad in Dauphin Island a few weeks ago, he decided to point out some of his favorite things as he showed me around the island.  Although I didn't document all of our private tour, I feel like I took pictures of the most important part.  Are you ready for this???  My Dad fell in love with one of these chairs while he was staying at the beach. Can you guess which one?  I'll give you a hint... it's not yellow or blue-- although blue is his favorite color. 

You see that homely looking white chair that looks like it was a day late and a dollar short? Yep, that was his favorite.

Until next time,
Bk

Walk the Line

There's a fine line between looking like you have to go to the bathroom and looking cool.  I walk the line.

Photo Source: Kelly Moore Photography

Yours truly,
Bk

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!  You truly are the best Dad in the world!  Thank you for always talking to me, laughing with me, and challenging me to do my best.  I admire you so much and appreciate you always living by example.  I love you very much and I can't wait to eat Johnny's Pizza with you for lunch today! 

I love you!

Brooklyn

To My Mom

Here are 50 reasons I’m glad you’re my Mom...

1. You have a kind heart to the less fortunate.
2. Your laugh is contagious- especially when it's natural humor.
3. You were a fantastic single mom!
4. You love your job and have always worked hard for everything you own.
5. You love to shop.
6. Everybody is always welcome at your house. 
7. You cook the best soul food- especially fried okra!
8. You still peel my tomatoes whenever we're together.
9. You have the prettiest green eyes.
10. You love your mom more than any other person in the world.
11. You stand up for what you believe in.
12. You are low-key.
13. You are honest.
14. You value your sisters- and they value you.
15. You love costume jewelry! 
16. Daisies are your favorite and the color yellow will forever remind me of you.
17. You would give Michael and me the shirt off your back.
18. In fact, you would give anybody the shirt off your back.
19. You can laugh at yourself when necessary.
20. You know how to do everything. I'm pretty sure you could build your own house if you had to.
21. Everyone is considered family at your house.
22. We always had home-cooked meals growing up.
23. You're confident.
24. You have a soft spot in your heart for animals.
25. You can sniff out a hole in the wall restaurant with the best of them.
26. Your coleslaw is delicious.
27. You've always made my friends feel apart of the family.
28. You play Scramble with Friends with me (and let me win sometimes)!
29. Your vegetable soup is the best.
30. You have a pretty smile
31. You taught us to say "please" and "thank-you".
32. You taught us to accept everybody.
33. You didn’t allow me to have more than one coke a day while growing up- I still try to stick to this rule.
34. Sweet tea is a staple at your house- even though you only drink unsweet tea.
35. You taught us the importance of a dollar. I still remember going to the fair with a specific amount of money for food and entertainment.  That money had to last us the entire night.  It was up to us as to how we spent it, but once it was gone... it was gone.
36. You never batted an eye when I asked if you would attend Melanie’s Art Retreat with me.
37. You wrote a post on Melanie’s blog that I will treasure forever.
38. You’ve always talked highly of our dad in front of us.
39. You fixed my hair until I was embarrassingly too old to still have my mother fix my hair.
40. You still go through the trouble of stuffing our stockings and wrapping our gifts at Christmas time.
41.  You desire to know more about Jesus.
42. You are crafty (refer to #20… I’m pretty sure you could sew your own clothes if necessary too).
43. You secretly let Fosh use your yellow cupJ. Just kidding!
44. You’ve never been one to “Keep up with the Joneses”- you’ve always just done your own thing.
45. Your family is important to you.
46. You think it should only take five minutes for everyone to fix their hair.
47. You wonder whose legs I inherited knowing full well they are yours made over.
48. You visit me in Tennessee!
49. You have a beautiful heart.
50. You are my favorite lady in the whole wide world.

Happy 50th Birthday, Mom!!  You still look as beautiful as ever. 

I love you!

Brooklyn

Double Take

During the summer of 2009, my friends and I decided to take a trip to New York City to celebrate Alisan graduating from college.  We thought it would be fun to celebrate with her since she celebrated our college graduation with us (and because we love her)!  

While we were there, we took a picture on the top of the Rockefeller Center in front of the Empire State Building.  Please keep in mind, this picture was taken in June 2009.

Amanda, Jessica, Me, and Alisan

Fast-forward to January 2010.  One of my favorite bloggers decided to paint a picture to raise money for Haiti.  I know Elsie does not know me from Adam (or Eve); however, her painting could not be more spot on of our picture above (even though that's not the Empire State Building in her picture).  I am still in disbelief that I did not buy this painting.  I mean, check out the hair color!!  And we're even standing in the right order!!  Sigh. It was too good not to share.

Photo Source: Here

I hope y'all are having a fantastic day!!

Bk

Truth

‎"The Christian life isn't hard. The Christian life isn't even difficult. The Christian life is IMPOSSIBLE. There has only been one Person who pulled it off, and He was so good at it that they named it after Him... God is telling us 'You can't live the Christian life; but I'm telling you I know Who can. I'm going to put the One who can live the Christian life inside the one who can't live the Christian life, so that the One who can live the Christian life can live the Christian life THROUGH the one who can't live the Christian life'. That is the mystery of the Gospel." - Louie Giglio

Watch me long enough... better yet, watch me five seconds and you will see that I will inevitably fail every time without Jesus by my side. He is my strength and my joy. And for that, I am thankful.

Bk