It's halftime, Reagan.

💜Reagan,

My dear daughter it is time for a halftime pep talk....9 is the halftime of your little journey to adulthood. I really better soak in this next year with you. It may seem silly but turning number 9 freaks me out a little with you. Not because I don't think you will be a wonderful nine year old, but because 9 to me, means you are stepping out of being my little girl and into becoming my lovely little lady. In 9 more years you will be 18!

Halftime means that we are halfway through with raising you to adulthood....you have learned so much thus far...like that you have to bathe daily, your teeth are important, you cant always be the best at everything, school doesn't come easy to everyone, that perseverance really pays off- especially  like when you were learning to do your back walkover {you practiced non-stop-even in the grocery store}


This next half is going to be tough - I'll be there to coach you but you will begin to learn about choices- your own choices. Mom wont always be there and it will be up to you. You will have to make more choices yourself. Peer pressure, hormones & drama are a given in these next years.

Just as I have always preached to bubby, one of my best things as a mom I will ever tell you is, "Life is a series of choices, YOUR choices. Choose them wisely." Whether it be a choice to be brave, a choice to push on or a choice to say, NO- whatever it may be is YOUR responsibility. Not mine, not your Dad's, not Adam's- nobody else can determine your life but you. One wrong choice can destroy your life. It is ok to make mistakes and learn from them- but just keep in mind some choices change the direction of your life forever, even if forgiven.   h a r s h    but     t r u e.

I am going to insert below a poem my Mom left for me before she passed away- I have read these words many times in my life and I think it will help you too.

IT'S YOUR MOVE

I gave you life..

 But I cannot live it for you.

 I can teach you things,
But I cannot make you learn.

 I can give you directions,
But I cannot always be there to lead you.

 I can allow you freedom,
But I cannot account for it.

 I can take you to church,
But I cannot make you believe.

 I can teach you right from wrong,
But I cannot always decide for you.

 I can buy you beautiful clothes,
But I cannot make you lovely inside.

 I can offer you advice,
But I cannot accept for you.

 I can give you love,
But I cannot force it upon you.

 I can teach you to be a friend,
But I cannot make you one.

 I can teach you to share,
But I cannot make you unselfish.

 I can teach you respect,
But I can't force you to show honor.

 I can grieve about your report card,
But I cannot doubt your teachers.

 I can advise you about friends,
But I cannot choose them for you.

 I can teach you about sex,
But I cannot keep you pure.

 I can tell you the facts of life,
But I can't build your reputation.

 I can tell you about drink,
But I can't say NO for you.

 I can warn you about drugs,
But I can't prevent you from using them.

 I can tell you about lofty goals,
But I can't achieve them for you.

 I can let you baby-sit,
But I can't be responsible for your actions.

 I can teach you kindness,
But I can't force you to be gracious.

 I can warn you about sins,
But I can't make you morals.

 I can love you as a child,
But I can't place you in God's family.

 I can pray for you,
But I cannot make you walk with God.

 Author: Medard Laz (from the book "Love Adds a Little Chocolate")


I sure do wish I could bottle your nine year old little self and keep you just the way you are now. This has been my favorite age of you! You seem to be more attached to me than ever and that says a lot because we have always been pretty tight since day one. I can see you mimicking my every move. Curious about my makeup, wanting to style your hair just like me, helping me in the kitchen- looking up to me to learn how to be a lady. Eight was a year of independence for you, you began to want to style your own hair and wear your own styles. You complete your daily chores around the house and for the most part you do what is asked of you. There are so many things I admire about you, Reagan. The way you keep such a light little heart even when things get tough. You know how to smile through the tough times and keep going and that is a rare quality in people these days. The way you are so thoughtful, always thinking about me or your friends first before yourself. Even though you don't like very many sports you are very athletic. You take tumbling classes and cheer and you have a natural talent in those things! You seem to make friends with almost everyone. While academics you tend to have to work harder at, your social game is strong. Creativity is your strong point, you don't do well being put inside a box. You have a temper- whoa, I didn't think I could pass down that Stone attitude but I think I did. You can go from calm to F5 tornado in about 3.5 seconds. You giggle at everything and your favorite song is Stiches by Shawn Mendes. You want to be a baker, teacher and a mother when you grow up. Three words to describe you would be free-spirited, energetic & loving. A few things you LOVE: Cheer/Tumbling, Animals, Ketchup {with everything!}, Onions {these are your fav!}, Going to town with Mom, Tennis shoes, Leggings, Broccoli , Riding your bike {or anything outdoors for that matter}, Earrings. A few things you DISLIKE: Jeans, Mayo/Mustard, Crust on a sandwich, Potatoes. Your favorite color is purple. Your favorite season is Summer.

You are truly wonderful. I am so glad you are my daughter. You are going to go so far in life! I cant wait to see what you grow up to be. Our bond may stretch pretty thin through your next half of childhood- but it will never break. I promise.

Happy Birthday my sweet 9 year old!

Love you more.
Momma


{a few random snaps from this weekend!}

These are my confessions!

/ that I miss Rocky and Anna {our big dogs} being inside the house. This may sound silly, but my dogs are like my children. It has been like throwing my kids in the backyard and not letting them in. {insert frowny face} They are actually adjusting better than I am and they both are totally fine. They love it!

/ that I do not miss the massive amounts of hair that said dogs above left on the daily in my house. My house has stayed so clean!

/ that we aren't having a big birthday party for Reagan this year. She wants a new trampoline, so we are going to be getting her one of those and just doing a small family only get together. We will grill hamburgers & eat a cake that she baked all by herself! Less stress for this momma for sure. I am not a good party person.

/ that this next week is Spring Break! Woohoo! I have to work all week, but we plan on doing some fun stuff in the evenings. I am just thankful for the extra mom time I will get in the mornings whilst getting ready for work!

/ that I am thinking of trying the It Cosmetics CC cream that I have been seeing everyone say good things about. Anyone swear by this stuff?

/ that I am in major need of a new wardrobe for Spring, especially for business wear for work. I have became so thrifty lately with my money, I don't want to purchase anything but the staple items. 

/ that it has been a struggle to post blogs regularly. I work full time, I am a photographer part-time, I am a wife a mother...etc. Sometime's it exhausting to wear all the hats I have to. I know you all can totally relate. 

Welp, I am off to begin my weekend! Hope you have a great one. Later, mermaids! 

Weekend Shenanigans!

Friday

+Friday after work, I had photogenic pictures then I worked on my chalkboard- I chose the lyrics from Jason Abbot Band "She's like Texas", I have just always liked that song and well, sometimes my moods can mimic the weather of Lubbock, Texas. :) - just being real here folks.

+Friday night was our last night with Rocky and Anna in the house with us. We soaked up every second of it. Annnnnd, by golly gee willikers our dryer decided to go out on us, adding another Honey Do to my honey's already long list of things to do.


Saturday

+Saturday morning I had a Senior photography session, so I took Reagan along to be my little assistant. We ran some errands and ran into our best friends at Target. We got to see Nicole and Addie!

Kullen stayed at home and fished all day in our pond and helped Adam a bit with the back porch. It was a beautiful day! I love our pond. So peaceful and serene!

Reagan and I had lunch at our favorite pizza and pasta restaurant. Joe's Pizza & Pasta. It was so delish!

Adam worked on our back porch. We put Rocky and Anna outside. The have a cozy little {well big actually} doghouse. It was a rough night for everyone trying to get used to them being outside.

Sunday

+Sunday Adam fixed the dryer {P R A I S E  H A N D S!} and we cleaned house allllll dayyyyy longggg. It was a spring cleaning event! In fact, I was so wound up from deep cleaning that I got absolutely no sleep Sunday night. You want to talk about a lonnnng Monday.......

Have a good {rest} of the week guys!

These are my confesssions!

/ that I thoroughly enjoyed Reagan's open house. I thought the teacher's did a wonderful job {as always}. 3rd grade has really been a year of growth for Reagan. It is so neat to see her persevere even with all of the challenges/obstacles she faces. Her 3rd grade has really focused on Leadership and I can tell a difference in Reagan since this has been implemented. I wanted to share some of her work! Ill begin with a couple of my personal favorites from the evening.

 +Favorite #1- Reagan wants to be a cake maker on Food Network! I really admire her creativity here in her drawing. She even added a little mouse. Because what kitchen is complete without a mouse? LOL I snickered on this one.

+ Favorite #2. She really didn't make this one, but her face was put on "Rosie the Riveter's" body, turning it into "Reagan the Riveter!" {How clever is Mr. Brown for this bulletin board?? Pure awesomeness!}

+Favorite #3. How cute is this? Describes my girl to a T!

and some more snaps from the night.

Reagan with Mamaw Pam and her sweet cousin, Bayla. BIG thanks to Mamaw for making Grandparents day at school!!! The girls loved it!

/ that even though its not quite St. Patrick's day, I am itching to decorate for Spring. I think 'all things spring' will be going down at the Ragland casa this weekend!

/ that in attempt to cut soda's completely, I have been drinking my weight in water with strawberry lemonade Crystal Light. Ya'll, I cant just drink plain water. It is so boring! Help, what do you all do to help drink more water in a day?

/ that Kullen has been grounded because of grades for like the first time in his life. He has struggled with those teenage hormones lately and I am hoping he levels out soon and gets back on the right track. Meanwhile, he is grounded for Six weeks and can I be honest? I am loving it. Is that terrible? Wait, hear me out. -I DO NOT LIKE THAT HE IS GROUNDED AT ALL but I love that he actually comes into the kitchen now and has full conversations with me! Like most youth these days, he is consumed with some kind of electronic 85% of the time. {Now we do have limits every day, but still} It has been nice to have his attention. I think it is doing him more good than not, so maybe it is a blessing in disguise. Tough love is hard, but I love that kid so much I want him to be his best and unfortunately, as a parent that means you cant always be the good guy.

/ that I am going to clean my house from top to bottom this weekend and finally organize under my kitchen sink!

/ that I have came across a new Youtuber this week -LoveMeg- and I just adore her! I love her cleaning videos- she is definitely someone I would be friends with in real life. Check her out if you don't already follow her. LoveMeg.

/ that Adam and I are in serious need of a date night. Something different though and not expensive? Any ideas? And gooooo.

That's all I've got this Friday, Mermaids. Hope you have a blessed weekend!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels

Looking for something to mix up the main dish of your kids lunchboxes? Look no further! These Chicken Bacon Ranch pinwheels were a huge hit at my house. They were snatching a grabbing them up as soon as I could get these suckers out of the oven!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels

 

 

what you need:

2 boxes Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets

Bacon cooked and crumbled

{or cheat like me and use 2 Packages Oscar Mayer bacon bits}

2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese

Ranch Dressing of your choice

Chicken deli lunch meat {or turkey if you wish)

parchment paper

EVOO Spray

 

First things first, thaw your pastry sheets as directed on box.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper sprayed with a light coat of EVOO Spray.

Lay out parchment paper, unfold your pastry sheet. Place about 4 slices of Chicken lunch meat, grated cheese, bacon & drizzle with ranch dressing just right smack dab down the center. Next, begin to roll from left, to right. You will roll all of your contents in the middle. Pinch the seam together a little bit to hold and roll to where seam is down on parchment paper.  It will look like a like a big roll. Now, slice {I got about six to seven slices per roll} and lay slices on your cookie sheet with the EVOO on the paper.

Bake about 7-12 minutes and remove pretty promptly. {My family preferred them cooked a little longer, you should be able to go to 10min and them be cooked}

 

Pop those babies out of the oven and serve hot, or you can do like me and make up several batches and freeze for those school lunches. Now I just pop about 5 for each of my kiddos and throw in their lunchbox along with a little container of ranch to dip them in.

Reagan really enjoys them because she doesn't really like sandwiches' and absolutely despises crust! So she really enjoys these!

If you try them, let me know what you think!