Wednesday, August 6, 2014



Hello friends! 
This week July drew to an end...months seem to speed by faster as I get older. 30 days is a mere blink, and you'll miss it. 

All She Wrote is undergoing exciting changes! I have decided that I'm going to take the month of August to refocus and rebrand this little space ((if you want to use the technical terms)). In no way am I shutting down; I just want to be able to focus 100% this month on the refocusing and rebranding . 

I can't wait to see what yall think! It's all done with you in mind. 

Until next time, 
Bethany

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

a quiet place

I'm an extroverted introvert. 

I thrive off of alone time. I thrive off of people time. It just depends on the day and the mood. But when I don't get alone time, it ain't pretty. I feel stressed, and stretched to the limit, and it typically brings about some form of anxiety. 

Since this season has me living with my parents again, where it's never quiet or empty, I have to carve out alone time. I have always been good about it, but lately, it's been HARD. I work 11 hour days, so when I get home i typically fall asleep on the couch before 830. My weekends are spent catching up on family and friends, and the only "me" time I get is walking the dog, if I'm lucky. 

What is working for me in this season is crashing at friend's houses. Let me rephrase that: when my friends are out of town, I house/dog sit and I get a few days of rejuvenating bliss. It's HEAVEN. I get to watch tv and movvies. I can read. I can catch up on Jesus time and finish lesson plans. 


I didn't realize how much I loved living alone til now. Reading the book Finding Spiritual Whitespace opened my eyes to a whole new way of life; forever I am grateful for that. So instead of letting a chaotic schedule and long hours tear me apart, I'm using it to draw closer to the Lord and take better care of me. I never truly understood that concept til now. 

What season of life are you in friend? Are you able to take better care of yourself, or are you in a season of taking care of others?

xo, bethany

Thursday, July 17, 2014

She's so refined.


As a young lady who adores vintage, I am enamored with regality, elegance, refinement- all things that old movie stars drip with. The characteristics ladies like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly and Maureen O'Hara emboldened are a rarity in this day and age. Cultural refinement wasn't an option. It resulted from spending time on intellectual pursuits. I had a mama who always carried herself with poise. She once said to me, "Young women need to be well rounded and refined; they ought to carry conversations with grace yet be able to don a dress for a dance or a glove for a ball game, and have fun doing it". 


The word "elegance" always calls to mind a song from "Hello, Dolly!", which goes like this-

"We've got elegance, we were born with elegance, 
and with elegance, we'll carry on" 

Born with elegance. 
 Are we still born with elegance? Carrying elegance on. Do we carry elegance on? 

It saddens me to see the current culture. We place more value in cheap, quick thrills than we do in developing long term characteristics. Gone are the days of elegance. Gone are the dignified days. Our world is determined to stomp out anyone and anything that still has class. Elegance has become a lost art. For many of us, it's an art form that we didn't learn. Like most women, I'm learning elegance. Because whether you're eight or eighty, it's always beautiful to be elegant.  

Say no to anything that is not important to you, and honor your limits.
Get enough sleep.
Spend your lunchtime as sacred you-time.
Wear your pretty clothes.
Limit your media consumption.
When you are in someone’s presence, really be with them.
Do more of what comes naturally to you.  Where there’s ease, there’s elegance.
Give creative and thoughtful gifts. 
Send thank you notes. 
 Speak eloquently and thoughtfully.
silence can be stunning.
Be kind with your words about others.
Don’t lose your cool in public.
Keep a tidy workspace…but also accept a little clutter and mess
Document what you are blessed with and what you are grateful for periodically.
Keep up with what’s going on in the world.
Be gentle, with your words, your actions, your choices.
Be able to laugh at yourself, at situations, and with others.
Devour old films, music, books, art, architecture, and nature.
Surround yourself with those who bring out the best in you, not the stress in you.
Encourage people.
Spend your days doing what you’re passionate about.
Don’t allow your mood to dictate your manners.
Have good role models, people who do something with their day to day life.
Let hard times grow you, not throw you.
Believe you are beautiful.

I hope you’re inspired to practice elegance today.

Xx, bethany

ps. check out my sweet friend's RUBY series. Be inspired by some Jesus loving, elegant, classy women. 

Monday, July 7, 2014

Beth's Bet>>>All She Read: A Name Change & Firewall Review

When I first started reviewing books for publishers, I needed a series' title that would tie it all together. My mom came up with "Beth's Bet"- like, Bethany would bet on your life because this book was so good. I liked it and went with it. But it kept bugging me. 

I realized not every book I read was going to be bet-your-life-worthy. I needed a new series title. The inner war was waged. Can I do that? People already know it as Beth's Bet. But you don't like that title. Yeah, true, so what will we change it to?

All She Read. Yep. It hit me like lightning. So from her on out, the book review series that was Beth's Bet is officially All She Read.  I have changed all previous titles and tags to make it easier for you to find the past & future book reviews, too. 

On to the actual book review...

Firewall by Diann Mills. 

First, can we swoon over that book model? Hello. 

Anyways. Beautiful tech geek Taryn Young is abandoned by her husband in the airport on her way to their honeymoon after a bomb goes off in the terminal. She gets pulled out of the wreckage. When she comes to, she's under scrutiny from the FBI. They believe she is behind the bombing. She sets out to find her husband- and she doesn't like what she finds- and to prove herself free. She comes across her murdered best friend, and learns that her best friend's daughter has been kidnapped. So she turns to the one man she can trust: FBI Agent Grayson Hall. You all know where this is going. cue romantic music as they run for their lives.....

It's got bad guys, guns, an angel dog, and a hilariously funny old uncle. It's set in Houston. It kept me intrigued, and I couldn't often tell where it was going, so those were pluses. BUT I couldn't understand half of it. There was way too much tech lingo/computer science hoopla. Because I didn't understand it all, I skipped the parts with it and just skim-read, which is probably why I couldn't always tell what was going on. So that being said, yall should know that there are only two times I skim-read: when a book is SO good that I want to devour it, or when I'm trying to hurry up and get to the end because reading it is annoying me. 

Honestly, I'd probably read it again. Actually, I'd make my dad translate the computer science stuff. People who can relate to the that stuff will love it. But I don't relate to that stuff, so I just liked it. Then again, I'm the girl who has trouble with a Mac. 

xo, bethany

disclosure: I receive books courtesy of various Christian publishing companies, including Bethany House, Tyndall, and Revell, each of which have blogger review programs. All opinions expressed on All She Wrote regarding the books I receive are mine, unless otherwise indicated.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Mud pies.



I let my kids play in the dirt. 

Yupp, you read that right. At least I did. I'm fixing to move to one of the four year old classes, and I assume they have the same obsession with messiness as every other kid does. 

But back to dirt. I know parents and teachers who don't want their kids playing in the dirt. It's just DIRT. If it was good enough for God to make man out of, then it's good enough to run through, and roll around in, and kick up, and draw in. Dirt builds immunity and spurs on creativity. Dirt beckons pouring and sifting and exploring. Hence, we play with dirt. 

It goes along with a point I made in this post

Life with kids is such a good catharsis for me, because I'm forced to evaluate how I look at situations differently. I can try to stop the dirt spreading, and worry myself into a frenzy, or I can choose to throw up my hands, say "oh well", and join in the fun. 

Here's to dirt spreading. xo, bethany

Friday, July 4, 2014

Captain America's Birthday.

I'm baaaaaack! Thank you for being patient with me, as I haven't been posting for the last few weeks. 
Now whoa baby, I don't think I've caught my breath since before VBS, and that was three weeks ago. Thank God for this three day weekend. VBS was a blast. Some people get worn out working VBS, but I thrive on it. Even having to go straight to work afterwards wasn't too much trouble. If you follow me on Instgram, you've seen our #AwkwardFamilyPhotos that our music team created every day, all week. It got a little crazy. 

My mom broke her foot during the week of VBS, so that threw a monkey wrench into family life. A broken foot + progressive Multiple Sclerosis = uhhhh ohhh. Life's looked a lot like this lately ((at least for my dad and sister; I work 11 hour days and only get to see Momma on the weekends)) :
Celebrate America 2014, our church's July 4th celebration, was this last weekend. It's always a hoot and a half. It was a great way to get excited about the Fourth of July. I've been living in a land of Red-White-and-Blue since last Saturday, as this week's theme at preschool/daycare was also July 4th. My 4 year olds were CONVINCED that is not America-the-country's birthday, but CAPTAIN America's birthday. I finally gave up trying to differentiate between the two. 


Speaking of all things Fourth of July, am I wrong to think that today is a day when TV should be playing patriotic movies nonstop? I'm really disappointed in the lack of options offered today. 
((disclosure- we have verizon; I am speaking of verizon's channel guide. I do not know of other provider's options))
I compiled a list of my favorite Americana movies. Yall have fun Netflixing these! 

The Patriot
1776
Gone With The Wind
National Treasure, 1 & 2
Saving Private Ryan
Apollo 13
How The West Was Won
Red Dawn (Chris Hemsworth version)
Forrest Gump
Glory
In Harm's Way

My to-do list this week is massive. How about yours? I hope you are all enjoying your fourth of July weekend! 
xo, bethany

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Because it's JUNE!


Hey loves, 
I meant to get this posted earlier this week! Eek. I'm going to be offline this week and much of next, due to a busy schedule with VBS and work. I'll be cramming in babysitting, my dad's birthday, and my grandma's visit, as well as redecorating my four year old classroom, plus my sisteer is out of town Don't look for too much to be happening here during that time. I'll be on instagram, though, so you can keep up with me there! 

To recap the last few weeks...
An old friend graduated this year, so Rachel and I headed to his partay. It is always such a blessing to see him & his family. 

>>with aunt ang<<

>>sister shenanigans<<

I'm reading Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, which means I'm currently feeling the Golden Age (isn't that me all the time though?). Lana Del Ray's "Young And Beautiful" is on repeat. I ran to Old Navy to grab shorts and came across a darling dress, that reminds me of flappers... 

The drop waist had me sashaying through parking lots and twirling up sidewalks. You're lucky I didn't pair this dress with my forties heels! Born in the wrong generation problems, I tell ya. 

At church this week, we worshipped with one of my favorites- 

"By grace I'm free
You've rescued me
All I am is Yours
I've found a love greater than life itself
I've found a hope stronger and nothing compares
I once was lost; now I'm alive in You"

For all the idiotic things I do, Jesus forgives me repeatedly and that is more than I can ever ask for. What a love. What a hope. I'm thankful that we get to worship through song and dance and the Word. 

until next time, prayers for you dear readers. 
bethany

Thursday, June 12, 2014

three months and a stolen heart

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The first week of June was my last week with my two and three year old lovies. 

Every June, so I'm told, our preschool & after school program goes through a transition period. Teachers get moved to new rooms, classes combine for the summertime, and students move up. A lot has been up in the air about our June changes, so we've all been experiencing this sitting on pins and needles feeling. As one of the more recently hired teachers, I found out in mid May that I get to move classrooms. It has had me both nervous and excited. Even if I were to stay in my current classroom, the kids are being moved around. Knowing that the twos/threes class won't be the same has helped me adjust to the idea, because I would hate to leave my class if those same kids were staying. 

Because I love those kiddos. They stole my heart, in three months. I love arriving and hearing the squeals of my name ("Ebbaknee!"). I love snuggles and wet kisses and kids who lean on my knees when I'm squatting to their level. I love answering fake phones they hand me. I love daily beauty parlor dates with my two girls. I love playing dinosaur with my boys. I love throwing dance parties every week and teaching them to twirl and boogey. 

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I love how much I fell in love with the one thing I said I would never do, which is teach kids. I didn't want to do what so many in my family have done- teach. Yet I had no idea how much I desired it, how much I needed it, how I dreamt of it, until Jesus gave me the opportunity to do so. I love how Jesus knows our souls and our gifts and our passions so well. I love how He allows those to collide into a job. 

Lord knows I have moments where I stink at my job. There is no perfect teacher, but there are grace giving kids. The word 'teacher' is such an oxy moron; you, as the adult, are supposed to be the one teaching the children, yet they are the ones who teach us adults. Maybe that is why I will miss this group of kids so much, because they have taught me so much about life. In three months. That is insane to me. 

I know I will fall insanely in love with my four year olds. They will teach me entirely new things, that I look forward to learning. But for now, I will grieve my babies moving on up & me, too.  

xo, bethany 

Sunday, June 8, 2014

one {wo}man's trash is another {wo}man's treasure.

You know the phrase, "There's a first time for everything"? Well, this is one of those times. See, I am no fashionista. Psh. I'm such a tshirt and jeans girl that I've had to learn how to be cute. And maybe my cute isn't other people's version of cute, but that is Aokay. 

Teaching preschool means I literally live in what I deem casual professional- usually polos with our logo on them and nice pants/jeans/capris/shorts. Our dress code's unofficial rule ought to be, "anything you can wear around kids but still impress parents in".  You mighta seen this picture (below) in this post




That being said, I spend a lot of my off time in tshirts and shorts. I only have a few outings a month that require dressing up, so I take advantage of those. 

I can't even tell yall the last time I bought a piece of clothing, brand new. I am such a big believer in thrift stores, in clothes swapping with friends, in hand me downs, in trading clothes with my sister. When you build your wardrobe this way, you're giving someone else's tossed-aside-clothes another chance at life. You get to breathe some life into a shirt or necklace or dress someone else might be out of ideas for! That challenges me more than new clothes do. 

I'd like to share some outfits I've put together recently, just to show you that vintage pieces, thrift store finds, hand-me-downs, and swapped/borrowed clothes can be turned into great ensembles. 

My Easter outfit was an Old Navy denim/chambray shirt from my girl Meatha, as well as a skirt from her. My necklace was a bridesmaid piece from a friend's wedding a few years ago, and my shoes were target wedges. 

A few Sundays ago, I threw this H&M  pink lace dress with this denim vest and paired it with last season target gold sandals. It was perfect for Mother's Day. 

A sweet girl friend, Rachael, was married recently, so I grabbed this dress from my sister's closet. These are the same gold sandals as above, with a pocket watch necklace, a vintage double heart ring, and my favorite cutout watch from Target. 


I kept meaning to take a picture in a casual outfit, but I haven't gotten a chance. Maybe we'll do that edition next time ;) I hope you enjoyed a peek into my wardrobe! 


xx, bethany

Saturday, June 7, 2014

All She Read- Finding Spiritual Whitespace


Sometimes, when I get my emails that contain the books I can choose from, I choose at random. When the Revell email came, I scrolled through the non fiction section, hoping for an easy read. An ombre white-tan book caught my eye. "Finding Spiritual Whitespace" was the title, with a subheading reading, "Awakening your soul to rest". Hmm, sounds nice and easy. Ann Voskamp, Lysa Terkeurst, ans Jon Acuff all recommended it. Okay, send me that one. 

When the book I arrived, I opened it to discover an utterly perfect new book. You know, the kind that are still bound tightly and have crisp pages that ruffle when you flip them. So naturally I was reluctant to actually open it and ruin it's perfectness. It sat on my desk, beckoning my attention for a few days before I gave in to reading it. 

Well, I can now tell you that the once perfect book is now a hot mess. It's tear stained, underlined, starred, with notes jotted in the margins, and pages dog eared, with a creased spine. A book has not been this well loved since I read Angie Smith's Mended

Finding Spiritual Whitespace is about more than finding rest. It lead me to find a better story for myself, because so many of my broken pieces were mended through the truths in this book. I wish I could truly convey the many ways I identified with this book, with this author. It is always such an unexpected blessing to find a kindred spirit. There are so many chapters that lead to me gasping aloud, because I finally found a book, rather, an author, who had been in my shoes. Bonnie Gray similarly dealt with anxiety, insomnia, desolation, clutter, mess, reluctance to share, and still made it through alive. She dealt with the hard seasons. Bonnie chose to deal with the hard places that she had previously chosen to close off, because she desired more than just surviving life. She desired restoration. She desired a new way of life, and beauty, and Jesus. So Bonnie fought to get there. Once she did, she went a step further, and shared how God lead her to healing and wholeness. 

Thankfully, Bonnie did what Jesus called her to do. I know the fight it is to actually write your story and share it. But Bonnie does more than share her story- she shares how to move beyond just surviving and shows us how to find restoration and rest amidst our stories. 

This book is a keeper, one to glean and grow from, one to reread. Head to the bookstore (or my favorite, amazon!) and pick up this gem! 

Bonnie's website and twitter

xo, bethany

disclosure: I receive books courtesy of various Christian publishing companies, including Bethany House, Tyndall, and Revell, each of which have blogger review programs. All opinions expressed on All She Wrote regarding the books I receive are mine, unless otherwise indicated. 

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Weekend Wishes - SML Vol 17


Hey friends. 

Today, I hope you know you are loved. I hope you know people care about you. I hope you know your presence is needed in this world. 

I hope it's cooler where you are than where I am. It's only June 1st and this week has been at least 100something degrees everyday- Texas is in full summer mode that's for dang sure. 

I hope someone touched your heart today. I hope Jesus sent just what, or who, you needed, and I pray your soul received it like water to a desert. 

I hope laughter found you when you least expected it. I hope you were doubled over, caught in the moment. 

I hope you were able to spend your weekend relaxing, or catching up on your to-do lists. That's how I spent mine. Surrounded by laughter and journals and friends and family. 

I hope you were able to see blessings in your life this weekend. 

_______________________________________

Song- "Once Upon Another Time" by Sara Bareilles
Book- Finding Spiritual Whitespace, by Bonnie Gray. review coming soon!! SO good. 
Humor- you have to understand that my little men love pulling their shirts up over their heads to act like dinosaurs... 
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Beauty Life Saverhow to: beach waves for short hair
Fun Fact- The word "darling" is derived from an Old English term meaning "favorite minion". 
Journal Related- 
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happy first week of June, sweet ones!! 
XO, bethany

Sunday, June 1, 2014

I can slay my own dragons (well, sometimes.)

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Between the two late twos/early threes classrooms, we have about 16 boys and 6 girls. BUT! Fear not, the girls can give the boys a run for their money. Teaching those little girls has given me such insight into their hearts. As a girl wouldn't I have insight into a little girl's heart? Well, part of me doesn't remember being that little. I grew up quickly as a teenager, leaving childhood behind, so my actual age is twenty but feels about 35. My memories of being two and three aren't detailed, although the book I'm currently reading is helping me rediscover my little girl self. So daily teaching these precocious girls is teaching me about myself and girls in general. 

You really don't fully understand the amount of time little girls spend dreaming. And wishing. And playing pretend. Their imaginations take them to places close to home and far away. All little girls exceel at one thing in particular- getting themselves into pretend situations that require their rescue. 

Rescuing. Of all things in the world, all little girls adore the idea of being special enough to someone that that someone would risk their life to save them. We don't grow out of this idea, either. It follows us through preteen years and into high school and we enter adulthood with it. Oh sure, we may not playact that desire anymore, but it's there, buried deep down in our souls. 

I don't think it's our fault, or our mom's or our grandma's. We subconciously pass it along, from generation to generation. It's in the books we read and the movies we see and the lives around us. 
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Think about it. 
-Cinderella works her hiney off for her dysfunctional family, holding on to that one night she got at a dance, with a prince for crying out loud! She dreams he'll follow her and sweep her away, forsaking all others to save her from her situation (and if she was like me, she probably didn't think he actually would) but he DOES.  
-the original story of Rapunzel. A beautiful young girl is locked away in a tower, waiting for a man to break her free from her prison and show her the world ((not to be confused with aladdin's "a whole new world")).  
-Spiderman. Mary Jane gets kidnapped. Hello, retrieval mission. 
-The song, I Need A Hero, by Bonnie Tyler. 
-the movie He's Just Not That Into You. See Ginnifer Goodwin's character. 
-or in my sister's words, "any old western where the broad is tied to the railroad" and "any episode of popeye. Olive Oil is always like, "Oh popeye, oh dear, oh my!"

and dozens of other examples. 

Please hear me when I say there is nothing wrong with having a desire to be rescued. But it becomes a problem when we assume that as our identity. I don't want my girls (whether my current ones or future ones or future biological ones) to ever place their identity in the need of rescuing. Because they are strong girls. They will be capable girls. They will be brave girls, diving headfirst into all God has to offer them. They will be God girls. At least that it what I pray for them, and that is what I pray I portray for them. 

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In the spirit of helping them become those girls, I'm trying to find more books and stories that exemplify those qualities. I'm compiling a list to post further down the road, so send me your suggestions!! 

xo, bethany

***the title of this blog post is a lyric from a Cheetah Girls songs, "Cinderella"

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Monday, May 26, 2014

All She Read- A Woman of Fortune

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Hello sweet reader friends, 

A Woman of Fortune is part romance novel, part mystery. This book's blurb (back cover) intrigued me. Basically, an uber rich Texas woman has to start over after her husband is booked for fraud. The husband's actions are far reaching, affecting hundreds of people, especially those closest to him. This book was a great reminder of just how our actions affect others. 

It was encouraging to see the main character pick up and start over from nothing. But I couldn't relate to her, or her children's reactions, so I had a hard time enjoying this book.
  
Although it was a well written book, I was not satisfied with the ending. This book won't be staying on my bookshelf. 
xx, bethany

Thursday, May 22, 2014

what i'm learnING from my kids

((because we aren't allowed to take personal pictures of our kids, this photo is via pinterest via here))



Messes are necessary to have a good time.

So rarely does life stay within the lines and boxes we would like for it to. The times we remember the most are when we throw caution to the wind and intentionally go outside the lines, beyond the boxes we confine ourselves to. Let go of control and follow your heart. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, it’s overwhelming- it’s worth it.


Hugs always help. 

Kids hug with abandon- they grab you and hang on for dear life to let you know you are loved and to be reassured that they are loved. Those are the hugs that piece your heart back together.


Sharing is where we find the greatest rewards.

 Sharing is hard because we don’t dare trust anyone else with the things we hold closest to our heart, for fear others might take & break those things. But sharing ourselves leads to closer friendships & relationships. Sharing our time and our possessions leads to blessing others and being blessed by others. When we pour out, we are poured back into.


The most beautiful presents come from the

 heart. 

Presents that come from a place of genuine love and care for the other person are the most affecting presents. They are the ones we cherish most, the ones we frame and keep and talk about in years to come.


Time is just a number, and is not to be rushed.

Hurry up is a phrase that ought to be banished from our vocabulary. Adults are always rushing to be somewhere and concentrating on where to be next; kids prefer to live in the moment, enjoying it to the fullest.


Life, and all it entails, requires mastering the 

art of flexibility.

Accidents happen. Plans get changed. People leave. It’s a constant roller coaster that requires seeing it to the end of the line, and you will when you adjust to the ups and downs and curves and such.


The best days will wear you out, in such 

fulfilling ways.



 xx, bethany

Sunday, May 18, 2014

I gotcha class right here.

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You know what is refreshing? Or rather, who is refreshing? Candace Cameron Bure. You may have seen my Instagrams about my admiration ((ahem, girl crush)) for her...

Really though, this is an age where people would rather be remembered for their immorality- such as "leaked" sextapes, maxim spreads, or political scandals- whatever will guarantee them their fifteen minutes of fame. And sadly, those souls are never fulfilled in those actions or with the attention they receive from those actions. 

A former child star, Candace Cameron Bure was probably even more susceptible to falling in with Hollywood's fast crowd, yet she never did. Instead, she found her fulfillment in Jesus. That's not to say she didn't have hard days or tough seasons, because Candace did have hard days- as humans, we are guaranteed hard days. But she stayed firm in her commitment to her relationship with Him through it all. 
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Candace is wife to former hockey player turned wine entrepreneur, Val Bure, and she is also momma to three teenagers. She isn't just known for her work as an actress (Full House, Make It Or Break It, multiple Hallmark movies, just to name a few). She is a New York Times Best Selling author- twice- and a sought after speaker across the nation. Candace is currently on season 18 of Dancing With The Stars. I have a feeling her career will blow up even more once DWTS is over. 



Initially, I started following Candace when I first started twitter. I adored Full House, just like the rest of america, but I was so excited to find out that CCB was a Christian. Over the years, I've learned to admire Candace as a sister in Christ. I've kept up with her blogs, and read her books, and followed her Instagram, and considered her one of my role model women. Because Candace isn't just another Christian woman. She is a cheerful, God glorifying, soul. She is an encourager and a truth speaker. She fights for what she believes in. She is real about her life, from her struggles to her joys, and is quick to point to Jesus in all of it. Candace puts together outfits from Target, and shares recipes from her kitchen, and throws dance parties with her friends and family. 

She's remained a favorite in the eyes of America because she is so genuine and so relatable(is that a word?). Although the release of CCB's second book brought about people who tried to bring her down, even they can't fight the fact that there is a certain charm about her, a certain light from within her. Candace does what all Christians should aspire to do: she makes non-believers wonder what she has & desire it for themselves. That something she has is Jesus. 


 
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So here's to one of the few actresses, who keeps Jesus first, her family second, and her work third. If our generation insists upon looking up to celebrities, may they be of the quality that Candace Cameron Bure is. May we all strive to be more like her; may we strive to live for Jesus more. 

Find Candace Cameron Bure on Twitter & Instagram
Buy her books here and here

xx, bethany

Saturday, May 17, 2014

May Madness. {{SML Volume 16}}

Hi friends!!
Welcome back to Sharing My Library :) 

Can I just say that I don't even remember what happened this week? Am I the only one that happens to? Just me? Kay, great. 

My best friend and I met up last week for a manicure date. She was in town for her former roommate's graduation, before heading back to Baylor to get her LMSW!! I couldn't attend her convocation because I had to work, but I am so proud of her.  She'll be back next weekend to help me organize the chaos of my room since I returned to my parent's house. 

Sunday morning was the first time in months that I attended First Denton's college group and contemporary service. It's strange to no longer be teaching middle school, but both  sunday school & big church were much needed times of worship. 

My sister and I finally introduced our parents to Frozen, because of Once Upon A Time's season finale. Personally, I can't take anymore of the Frozen soundtrack because that is all we play at work. The kids ADORE that movie and soundtrack. Who knew two and three year olds could recite movie quotes and song lyrics?! 

It thunder-stormed like crazy two afternoons this week, but my kids did great. We read a lot on those days, just snuggling staying away from the windows. ((It's still tornado season here in texas)) Pre-K and Kindergarten graduation was this week at work, which was very exciting. 

A sweet friend, yet another Rachael, got married over the weekend. She was a gorgeous bride and will make an even more beautiful wife. I will miss seeing her, as she's moving to Houston with her new hubby. ((Hashtag #AllMyFriendsHaveOtherHalves)) Her wedding brought about several reunions and a new friend as well.  

I'm trying to finish my ((current)) stack of child development books and get caught up on lesson plans before the weekend is over. 

Now, to share more of my library. 

Movie/TV. 
I am so utterly impressed with Chicago Fire & Chicago PD. Yallsguys (thats a southern phrase i think) - both shows are such a darn good shows. Well written, well acted, well done.

Music. 
Lost & Found- Katie Herzig
Young & Beautiful- Lana Del Rey
Sky's Still Blue- Andrew Belle
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)- Sleeping At Last
Wicked Calamity Jane- Bethany Joy Lenz

Book. 
Psh, this week, they're all child development related. No fun reading until I finish those. 


Blogger/Instagrammer/basically, follow these people. 
Katie Cook >>> Hope Engaged 
Bailey Robert >>> Brave Love Blog 
Ian Harber >>> Ian Harber

Did you miss these? >>>>

More than summer wind. /// taking inventory.

A wall of fire.

my dad can rap.

Beth's Bet- Silenced 


do you follow me on insta?? 
xx, bethany