Friday, April 8, 2016

Friday Favorites!

It's Friday!  Which means...


It also means that I am linking up with some of my favorite bloggers to share five of my favorite things from the week.

ONE
I blogged this week about three of my favorite topics; baseball, Trader Joe's and Texas!  On Monday, (aka Opening Day), I shared some of my favorite baseball memories.  On Tuesday, I shared ten of my favorite things at Trader Joe's.  Yesterday, I started a new series all about my favorite places in the great state of Texas.  My first installment covered the Dallas Fort Worth area.  If you're planning a visit here soon, or a local looking for new ideas, be sure to check it out.


TWO
Some people dream about seeing their name in lights...I dream about seeing my name in print..and this week, it happened.  One of the recipes that I featured on the blog a few months ago is featured in the April edition of Frisco Style magazine.  This isn't just a humble brag, I want it to encourage you.  I wanted to start a blog for a while, but finally got up the courage to do so on January 1st of this year.  Then I decided to reach out to a couple of local magazines and was shocked to hear back from the editor of Frisco Style.  All of this to say, if you have a dream, go for it!  Sometimes it may mean putting yourself out there a little more than your comfortable doing, but in the end you know you tried.  Whether you're considering starting a new hobby, going back to school, applying for a job, or running for an elected position, you'll never know if you don't try.  Go for it!


One more thing while I'm being bossy, if you haven't already made this chicken...MAKE THE CHICKEN!

THREE
Raise your hand if you panic when you're kids are quiet?  Yep, me too!  I was blogging away at the computer a few days ago...(Mark, if you're reading this, I meant I was mopping, doing laundry, or starching your jeans), when I realized it had been a while since I had heard the sweet sound of sibling arguing that I usually hear subtly in the background.  I looked around and didn't see anyone.  Then I found this:


They had made a pallet on the floor and were quietly just relaxing together.  That almost never happens.

FOUR
I was having a "moment" the other night, probably because someone I lived with used a glue stick as chap stick...or maybe it was when someone wrote all over the sofa with an ink pen...I can't remember, but I needed to "retreat" outside for a bit.  I was sitting on the swing pondering where I had gone wrong, when Kendall came out to cheer me up.  If you don't know Kendall, or haven't read about her here, you need to know she has compassion for days!  I knew she was just trying to subtly encourage me, but it was the sweetest thing ever.  She said something along the lines of, "Thanks for never feeding us stuff like Hamburger Helper.  I mean, my husband may get upset that we always have to buy things like salmon and filet, but thanks for making sure we eat good stuff."  

No offense to those that like Hamburger Helper, because I like it too, it just doesn't follow my current eating habits.  I feel like if my kids remember me for making sure they eat well, I have done my job.  


FIVE
Me too!  How many times have you use that phrase?  This week in my Bible Study we discussed kindness and compassion and how relating to other people by your previous experiences can go along way to be compassionate.  Whether it's becoming a mom at the young age of twenty (which is one of the best things I have ever done), dealing with divorce, coping through deaths of loved ones, struggling though miscarriages or infertility, hearing someone say, "I've been there.  I know what you're going through" helps so much.  If you are going through a tough situation right now, remember, you're not the only one that has walked this path.  If you've overcome a difficult situation, I encourage you to find a way to be a light in someone's life.  Reach out to someone that might need your words of encouragement, or just a hug from some understanding arms.  

That's all I've got for you this week!  Have a terrific weekend!

Emily

Linking up with the usual suspects...






27 comments:

  1. Huge congratulations to you on getting your recipe in the magazine - that is amazing! Happy Friday! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  2. Congratulations! That is so awesome to hear about your recipe. You go girl! Silence is definitely not a good sound with Littles a around haha

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    1. Thank you! Yes, usually if it's quiet, something is wrong!

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  3. Congrats on the recipe feature!! Pinned for sure..looks like a winner.

    Have a super weekend!

    Shelly||The Queen in Between

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    1. Thanks, Shelly! I hope you'll try the recipe & love it! Have a great weekend!

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  4. Emily... Congrats on being published in Frisco Style Magazine! I used to read it every month when I lived in TX. Your children are so darling! I remember when my kids were quiet for a time... it was never good. I put you on my blogroll because I don't want to miss a single post. Have a wonderful weekend with your beautiful family!!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, Katie! I appreciate the encouragement. Have a great weekend!

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  5. Congrats on getting published!! That is so exciting! I'm so glad I found your blog and the trader joes post. One just opened where I live but I walked in clueless. Can't wait to go back. :)
    - Candy
    www.thepandateacher.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Candy! Trader Jie's can be overwhelming at first. My biggest tip would be to go when it's not crowded so you can really explore. Have a great weekend!

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  6. AWW!! It must be so amazing to have validation from your children! All that hard work isn't for nothing after all. Michael grew up eating Hamburger Helper so he thinks the fact that I cook from scratch every night is the best thing ever, and I'm kind of convinced it's one of the top reasons he chose to put up with me for the rest of his life!

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    1. Jacquelyn, you are so talented! Michael hit the jackpot with you for many reasons!

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  7. That is awesome about getting published! And yay that your cuties were not in trouble when they were being quiet!

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    1. Thank you, Dara! Hope you have a great weekend!

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  8. That chicken looks amazing.

    Congrats on being published!

    And I LOVE Trader Joe's. It's one of my favorite shows.

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    1. Thank you! The chicken is a favorite around here. Have a great weekend!

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  9. Thank you for not feeding them hamburger helper!!! Congrats on print! I loved your posts this week :) xoxox Amanda

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  10. Me too!!! That one hit home for me :) This weekend at a conference I was at, a speaker said that all the hurdles/struggles you've been through don't define you. It won't be your only story. And that's how it feels when someone else has "been there" and is maybe on the other side of things now. Hope you had a GREAT weekend!

    Katie @ Cup of Tea

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    1. You're exactly right, Katie. I am stronger because of the trials I've been through. Hoped you enjoyed your conference.

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  11. Isn't it just the best feeling when you find out the silence was the good kind. Such a rare moment.

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  12. You go girl on the magazine! I remember feeling the exact same way the first time I saw my name -- amazed, relieved, awestruck and wanting to inspire others. You inspired me today to keep pushing for my 2016 goals!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by & the words of encouragement, Kait!

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  13. I can’t wait to go back and read those posts (I am a little behind)! That’s so awesome that your recipe was featured. Two hands raised on that one. I keep another little 5 year old boy every day after school and when they are quiet I KNOW they are up to no good! So sweet that they were relaxing together. And to your number five, yes, yes and yes. It’s so comforting to know that someone has been through something you are dealing with. And it’s encouraging to see them on the other side of it. Hope your week is off to a great start!

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    1. Thank you, Crystal! Silence is usually not good!! Hope you are having a great week, too!

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  14. That chicken looks delish! I've got some chicken in the fridge waiting to be cooked. Hoping to make it this weekend.

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