The Abnormally Normal Introverted Extrovert

My mom said something to me years ago that she didn’t even remember, but it stuck with me. When I was in 3rd grade, I had to get stitches in the side of my head, and I asked her on the way to the doctor, ‘Why me? Why did this happen to ME?’….to which she responded, ‘Why NOT you? Why any other kid?’ I remind myself of that conversation often when I’m going through a struggle {no matter how big or small} and wondering, WHY me or WHY my child or WHY my family? Well, why on earth not?….nobody is exempt from mental and physical struggles throughout our lives. The GOOD thing is that even though sometimes it may seem like we’re on an island, we are NEVER alone. There is always SOMEBODY who can relate, sympathize, empathize, or provide guidance and advice. In going through our own struggles, we become stronger and then can be that support system to somebody else in need. Life most definitely takes a village. Today, choose to LIFT someone else up. Help someone in your life find their stren...

I love pumpkin. I admit it. I'm part of the stereotype. I don't care if it's 20 degrees or 100 degrees. I love the taste, the smell, and most importantly, the healthiness of it. I've actually been adding pumpkin into my blended coffee for almost a month now! Hello....vegetables for breakfast? That's a win in my book! However...I am NOT the type who buys every single product on the shelves that slaps 'Pumpkin Spice' onto the box. I don't like the artificial flavoring found in so many items these days. {Pumpkin spice poptarts, M&Ms, gum, Pringles...? Gross.} I don't even buy PSLs from Starbucks anymore {I know-the HORROR!} I MUCH prefer to make my own pumpkin recipes. I love to experiment and try new ideas, and I do like to try pumpkin in different forms and with different ingredients. I've made bars, pies, shakes, coffees, creamers, cookies, muffins, sauces, breads...the list goes on. When I cut out dairy last year, I had to learn how to b...

My precious little baby just turned 4. FOUR! (or according to her, ‘fur’) I’m honestly not sure how that happened? I feel like the 1.5 hours of drug-free labor and delivery I endured on August 25/26, 2014 lasted MUCH longer than the last 4 years have! Mary Hollis… You are wild. You are sassy. You are loud. You are independent. You are a pistol. But, also…. You are sweet You are snuggly. You are silly. You are sensitive. You are smart. You are a BLESSING. We love you, our Sissy. 💖 You have big things ahead for your life, and you are going to be the most amazing ‘teacher who lives in the purple house’ someday. 📚 Happy happy birthday to YOU! 🎉 Here are some pictures from her big weekend. Enjoy!

One of my friends recently asked me to be a part of a morning challenge she will be hosting sometime soon. I felt inspired to share my own mini-challenge for creating successful morning habits. Do you feel like you NEVER complete your daily to-do list? Do you feel like you never get ANYTHING accomplished? Do you CONSTANTLY feel stressed and overwhelmed? If you’re currently struggling with your daily routine, feeling like you can’t ever get everything done, or wanting to have more time to yourself during the day, this challenge is for YOU! How do you think you could your life change for the BETTER if you woke up early for just 30 days and dedicated time to YOURSELF? In the book The Miracle Morning, Hal Elrod reveals that the most common key habit for productive, happy people is really quite simple: GETTING UP EARLY. Whether you give yourself 15 minutes or an hour each day- that is completely up to YOU. All I ask is that you make the conscious decision to dedicate time to yourself...

Saying yes is hard. Usually much harder than the quick NO that I frequently say to my kids. It’s easy to just say no to any request they make and keep moving with my day. Lately I’m trying to stop and think for a moment before I give an automatic NO. Tobin asks me to snuggle for a few more minutes at bedtime...my first thought: ‘I’m exhausted and really want to take a hot bath, put on my pajamas, and go to bed.’ Tobin asks me to play in the mud. First thought: ‘Oh gosh he’s going to get disgusting and track mud all over the house. I don’t need another mess to clean.’ Mary Hollis asks me to sit and play with her. First thought: ‘I have so much to do. I’ve got to cook dinner, vacuum, fold laundry, and unload the dishwasher before we run errands.’ Mary Hollis asks me to hold her...again. My first thought: ‘My back is sore, and it’s really hard for me to accomplish anything with only one arm.’ {I know I’m not the only one who thinks these things!} But I then focus on my SECOND...

For almost 2 years, I’ve been focusing a good bit of my energy on learning how to heal, appropriately fuel, and care for my INNER body through nutrition and fitness. Last Summer, I started the process of reducing exposure of chemicals on my OUTER body and even experimented some with making my own soap, shampoo, etc…but then I got somewhat sidetracked by my injury. Recently, I’ve been reading a bit more on the negative side effects (for me in particular—the impact on our hormones) of the chemicals commonly used in beauty products and cleaning products. (I mean, hello Katie, our skin is our LARGEST organ and is exposed to EVERYTHING!) I made the decision to slowly transition to healthier, more natural products that my kids and I will use on a regular basis. Products that are better for our bodies and our environment. I love making my own products, but am sometimes limited by time and finances. So, I’m in the process of trying various products, and will continue to do so. I will keep...

The 5 Second Rule: 'The moment you have an instinct to act on a goal, you must do it within 5 seconds, or your brain will stop you.' Yesterday, I made a 5 second decision and signed up to RAPPEL OVER THE EDGE OF A BUILDING IN OCTOBER! My work is sponsoring an 'Over the Edge' event in Downtown Memphis in October, and I plan to go down the side of a 6 story building! ‘Courage is like a muscle. It must be strengthened with use.’ I CAN do hard things. I’ve had an 8lb baby without an epidural. I've struggled through colic and lack of sleep. I’ve had a skin graft on a 3rd degree burn. I’ve run a half marathon. I've helped my husband through a major life transition. I’ve woken up daily at 4am for 2 years now. I’ve given up cheese, for crying out loud! I can challenge my mental strength. I can do HARD. I can overcome my fears and my anxiety. MY 'hards' are nothing compared to the experiences that many people in our city experience in their lives. I will choos...

It really IS true what they say... Opposites DO attract. One loud and chatty, one quiet and serious One fruit and veggies, one meat and potatoes One shopper, one saver One a reader, one a TV watcher One pink and sparkly, one camo One blissfully ignorant, one politically knowledgeable One can’t sit still and craves constant change, one is consistent and stable One physically strong, one mentally strong One early riser, one night owl One can’t be trusted with sharp objects, one can’t wait for hunting season One accident prone, one cautious and steady Two opposites. One home. One life. One family. One LOVE. Happy 9th anniversary, my honey. Here’s to many more years of balancing one another!