God Cares, and So Do I

I'm caught up on podcasts and audiobooks, so I went back into my saved podcasts today.  HERE is my favorite episode ever from Mel Robbins (released just before my 40th birthday in February 2024).  This episode is what really drew me to Mel and played a big part in my decision to join her final Launch course two months later, which played a part in me choosing surgery and shaped my life in many other ways.  I love Mel's heart for people, and I love the message of leading with HOPE and LOVE she shares here (it's just her speaking from the heart - highly recommend it).  My theological views differ from hers, but in a way that should only deepen and strengthen my own life's message of hope and love! ❤

She talks about how love is in the details - being intentional about small acts of kindness.  She talks about our shared human need to be seen and heard and valued, and the great importance of being intentional and clearly saying "I love you and believe in you," letting ALL people know that they matter and that you see them and believe in their potential.

It all resonates for me, and this philosophy is gradually becoming ingrained in my identity.

This message from JB meant a lot today - intentionality matters.

I'm forever a details girl, and there are so many small things my friends and family members do that remind me I am loved.  And it all matters.  When I'm stressed about what others may think of my decisions, the "David, nobody cares" gif is a pretty helpful reminder.  But when I'm hurting and/or feeling unseen or insignificant, believing that nobody really cares feels extra crushing.  And false.  Even when most people get busy and fail to fully see us, God does.  And He cares about our hearts.  ALWAYS.

So for anyone reading this right now, whether or not we have met in real life, I sincerely love you and believe in you, and I believe in your God-given potential and value!  You were created on purpose and for a purpose.  I am confident that Jesus loves you and believes in you, and He is close to you today, and working behind the scenes for your ultimate good and His glory.  You matter.  Your voice, your needs, your thoughts, your opinions, your emotions, your memories -- they matter.  And if someone or something matters to your heart, it also matters to God.  You are never alone or unseen or forgotten.  God cares about the big picture, but He also cares about the smallest details.  (And so do I.)

Now I'm off to relax a bit as I prepare for my first day at the OCC job tomorrow.  I'm truly glad you are here, friends.  I love you and believe in you!  I hope you know you are capable of growth and positive change... and I hope you believe to your core that you are deeply loved and valued, just as you are today!!

❤ ❤ ❤

Feliz Navidad!

Couldn't decide on a post title, so I went with Chet Lee's favorite song. lol ;-)

This group pic from yesterday's party makes me happy!  Left to right, it's Michael Willis, Melissa Lyn, Karli Marie, Tate Haywood, Chet Lee, Parker Elizabeth, Jace Michael, Kyndal Faith, Rachael LaJo, Ellie Faye, Jeffrey Edward, Lindsey Claire, Mildred Maxine, and Triston Michael! ❤

Parker didn't take long to cozy up to Kyndal and Rach! =)

The brunch party menu included Gourmet Donuts (my fav donut shop in Norman), Candace's Cookie Creations (a CHA mom who has a side bakery business), pigs in a blanket, and CFA chicken minis and fruit! =) There was also H-Tea-O + apple cider, chocolate milk, and orange juice available!

Closer pic of the cute cookies. ❤

Parrishes by the tree (T came late and left early, so he wasn't a part of this pic, but something tells me he's okay with that)!

Rach was kind enough to take this group pic of our table! ❤

T-man and I - he's been busy applying to 20 colleges, and I'm proud of his hard work there!  (He's been accepted to OSU, OU, and a few schools in Colorado, and he is working on scholarship applications now).

Our attempt to get a fun outdoor pic (under the carport) by the nutcrackers Rach painted for Mom... you can only see one eye and the hat of each of them, which is hilarious to me!  As is the angle of this pic (from a phone camera with a timer resting precariously on Dad's car door handle). lol

Better pic of one of the aforementioned Nutcrackers...

Pistols firing!  Tate and Chettles took Dad's golf cart for a spin around the neighborhood!

"Mockey and the Boys!"

Thankful for the way these two have shown up for me over the past 15+ years... their Godly wisdom, genuine support, and all the laughter they bring into my life has gotten me through some rough seasons and shaped who I am today!

Parker and Ellie had fun hanging out with Dad!

We were first in line for the group pic, so Rach snapped this picture of us... just Chet, JEM, Ellie, me, Vivian, and Michaela! ;-)

The Jaceman did a brave-and-entertaining early Polar Bear plunge jump into the very cold pool, a preview of Chet's New Year's day party! lol

Mother/daughter pic by the Christmas banner!  (Kudos to Jen Hatmaker's "Black Friday deals" Amazon list for this red blazer jacket - a random pop-up on FB since I don't even follow her at this point, but I'm a fan of this cuteness!!)

A Mockey Little Christmas #8 (hosted by Mom) was a success!  I'm grateful my friends traveled from Tulsa to join our fam in OKC for this party for the 4th year in a row, and I'm grateful Tman and J&K were all able to come, and I'm happy that we had no drama or visits from the police this year!! lol

Mom came over last night and we worked on my home office a bit, working on closet shelves + cleaning and hanging my Oklahoma CSR, Texas CSR, RPR license, SNU diploma, and Chi Sigma Iota certificate... and most importantly, the red mirror that started in Mom's CR office in Lawton in 1977 and has been with me in Grady County, Creek County, and Cleveland County! ❤  Most people would wait and post a big reveal at the end, but I feel compelled to give little progress updates all along the way. lol 

Anywho, happy Christmas week, everyone!!  This glam-raccoon pic by the parks department made me laugh this week... and moments later, I asked ChatGPT to change my dress and headband to magenta-pink sequins. lol

Yes, please. lol  Ridiculous but fun!

❤ ❤ ❤

Ballets and Birthdays

Today was Parker Elizabeth's ballet performance in The Nutcracker with her Destiny Dance class!  It seemed like all of Tulsa showed up for it. lol The Union High parking lot was crazy crowded!

Yay for this group pic, and yay for this group! ❤

Karli Marie and Parker E pic before Act 1 - (she performed in Act 2).

Her presh ballet bun with the netting makes me happy, and her new unicorn made her very happy! lol

Screenshots from my video... she was the cutest lil' baker and seemed very excited to be on stage!

❤❤❤

Karli sent me these from her professional photo shoot - apparently, she was not a very willing participant that day. lol

Thankfully, she was a delight for tonight's performance! ❤

And got some ice cream to celebrate that! =)

Yay for our Mission BBQ dinner, and yay for Andy's dessert!  We had the place to ourselves on this extra-cold night!  Also, I ordered what I usually get at Freddy's... much like my Chicken Express vs. Charlie's Chicken mixup last week - what on earth!?  lol

And last but never least, Happy 36th Birthday to Taylor Alison today!  I definitely did the heart-hands along with the Eras crowd in theaters and while watching the docu-series alone in my living room last night. lolol

She was born on the 13th, and her birthday marks 13 days until Christmas - fun!

(And Taylor's lucky #13 + Travis' football #87 = 100.)  Get excited! ;-)

Okay, I'm off to watch episode two of that docu-series on Disney+ now.  Hope you've had a delightful Saturday!  I love you and believe in you, and I hope you pursue peace with God, yourself, and others today.

❤ ❤ ❤

A Very Bougie Christmas

Saturday night was Chet Lee's 5th Annual Bougie Charcuterie Board Christmas Party, his favorite event of the Christmas season!! ❤

Chettles decided to make the entire kitchen island a grazing board... it was a hit!!  He prefers the fancier cheeses, but I was very happy that this year's board included some easy grab-and-go cheese cubes and slices... yes, please! =)

The fruit tree! =)

Sushi platters, courtesy of Debbie - also a hit, just not in my world! =)

Dessert boards, including Little Debbie Christmas tree cakes!! lol

There was also puppy chow and fruit dip and great punch and hot chocolate and tea!  The Wilsons do such a great job putting together this fun party every year!!

As per usual, Chet was busy hosting and helping newbies feel comfortable, so we caught up after the party.  Chettles is a natural connector who befriends everyone he meets, so this yearly event includes his neighbors, church friends, new pastor, coworkers, lenders, clients, dentist, Chick-Fil-A friends, and the usual core friend group!

Leasa from Chick-Fil-A, aka Chet's mobile office. lol

Tree pic with the fabulous Foster fam before they left!

New piano player this year - she didn't take requests on the Christmas carols, but she played fantastic background music like the Home Alone song and Where Are You Christmas and other movie gems!

Christmas carols... always entertaining and cute!  We sang without booklets this time, so we were struggling and Googling the words for some of the verses. lol

It was a drill weekend for Steve, so he and Sarah arrived around the time Don and Kantrell were leaving... but I insisted on this photo since they all had on bright red sweaters with sparkling Chrstimas lights! lol

Bill and Melissa brought the kids back home toward the end of the night... I was so happy to see them again, and they were thrilled to get some fun snacks and see everyone for a bit!

Stephen took our annual friend trio pic... cuteness!  He had the phone up nice and high, then wordlessly started to bring it down to a far less flattering angle, and Chet and I both said "No" in unison. LOL

When I wasn't snacking in the kitchen, I spent quality time at the dining table laughing and talking with the Fosters, Myers, and Bradleys... then that group left and the Fultons arrived, so I caught up with Sarah and Steve for a while (getting updated on David's hospital drama and other family and school stuff).  This is a kid-free event, so when all the parents had gone home, it was the Iwanagas; Chet's neighbor, Mark; myself; and the Wilson fam!  Here's the final pics with Paul and Stephanie and the Wilsons (this photo was by Tate)!  It made me happy that Stephanie and I both went with our bling jeans for this bougie soiree! ;-)

Stephanie set her phone up on a timer, resulting in some cute selfies of the kids! lol

And a fun group shot that included all of us!!

All in all, it was a very fun party with lots of great food!!  My favorite quote of the night came from Jon Foster - Jessica was talking to Kantrell about how she has to be more careful about what she eats because her metabolism has changed since she was in her mid-20s, and Jon chimed in with "Pretty sure my metabolism changed when I was 8!"  lol  Kantrell and I quickly joined him in lamenting that we've really never experienced the lovely high-metabolism life, but kudos to those who did!!

"Mini-wave in celebration of ME!" lol ;-)  
(This is courtesy of Steve not paying attention to my fun photo prop.)

Mmkay, that's all for this post!

❤ ❤ ❤