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... 

{{via}}

Beauty Life Saver- how to: beach waves for short hair
Fun Fact- The word "darling" is derived from an Old English term meaning "favorite minion". 
Journal Related- 

{{via}}

happy first week of June, sweet ones!! 

XO, bethany

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

More than summer wind. /// taking inventory.

I'm slowly coming back to this little niche as I wade through transition. A few weeks ago, I moved back in with my sweet silly parents to save money for a while. We're having an interesting time! Hope you are all well, dear readers. 

I had started writing this post but had hesitated on actually posting it. A few days later, I saw a similar list floating around the blog world, so I adapted mine to that one, since I liked it better. Sometimes the best thing to do in the midst of the busyness of life is to stop and take stock of your feelings, thoughts, and surroundings. 

Weathering: warm spring days. all of April's showers brought may's flowers!! I love how beautiful spring is in Texas. 

Watching: Drake and Josh reruns with my sister. She's laughing, which makes me laugh. Happy hearts. 

Feeling: somewhat discouraged I try to break a lifelong habit; feeling grateful that I have a wonderful job that challenges me and encourages my growth.  

Making: Mother's Day presents with my kids all week. We finger-painted pots, pressing the kid's thumbs & fingers to form flowers and butterflies. We tied lollipops prettily to place inside the pot, and added a note that said, "mommy, my love for you grows every year." I wish I'd remembered to take a picture of all the pots!! SO cute. 
Cooking: HA. right. my sister cooked today for mother's day, not me. 
Drinking: too much coke. 

Reading: Silenced by Dani Pettrey. ((related sidenote- soon book reviews are going to start appearing 'round here... :))
Wanting: a dear friend's desire to become a reality. Her heart for this desire is so genuine & how she is waiting so beautifully for Jesus' time makes me so proud of her. 
Looking: at facebook pictures of a sweet friend's baby girl who was dedicated today. 

Playing: music. Specifically, Save You- Matthew Perryman Jones; 23- Jimmy Eat World; Enough- Tyrone Wells. 
Wishing: on dandelions. 
Enjoying: the rare, still moments with my kids during weekdays, spent relishing their laughter and chatter and snuggles

Liking: this quote- "Don't let the seeds stop you from enjoying the watermelon."
Wondering: why we so often chose to revert to survival mode instead of acknowledging the difficulty, moving on, and choosing to live life past the limits.  
Loving: Kari Jobe's song, Forever

Hoping: to get starbucks while running errands shortly...
Marveling: over the fact that at the end of every day, I can chose to leave it all in the hands that were wounded for me. 
Needing: a new phone case. How materialistic, I know. But I do indeed, need a new one. 

Smelling: my sister's perfume that I've borrowed, every day this week. It's Victoria's Secret Pink- Warm & Cozy. 
Wearing: more dresses & skirts in my off time since I'm continually in shorts/pants for work. My friend Meatha is my inspiration. 
Following: candace cameron bure & her stint on dancing with the stars. That woman is such a jesus-shining inspiration. 

Noticing: just how allergic I am to dogs, since I've moved back in with my parents & puppy dog. Hello, sinus infections 24/7. 
Knowing: and reminding myself that no power of hell nor any scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand.
Thinking: my mom is probably the hardest person to shop for, honestly. 

Bookmarking: child development books.
Opening: boxes and suitcases trying to find the various things I'm missing since I haphazardly threw things together before moving. 

Giggling At: an interview snippet with jennifer lawrence. 

jennifer lawrence is the bomb. 

if you do one of these inventories, let me know! i'd love to read it :) 
love, bethany 

Sharing My Library- Vol 11- Late to everything that doesn't involve food.

Oy. Yall should know by know that I'm always late to everything. You know The Sound of Music, when the nuns are singing about Maria?

"She's always late to chapel, but her penitence is real. 
She's always late for everything, except for every meal!"

They were talking about me. It's not intentional. That being said, it's better to be late than never arrive!

We've had SUCH lovely weather the last couple days. After a rough winter, it's been SO nice to see the sun and feel its warmth!!! I threw open my door and windows while I was cleaning to air the place out. And in my book, cleaning always requires music. 

I've been listening to a LOT of Jesus Culture- Rooftops, Holding Nothing Back, Break Every Chain- and Bethel Music- my jam is Chasing You. Some of the lyrics to Chasing You are drawn out and taped onto my mirror. I've always thought that bathroom mirrors are a great place to tape up prayer requests, verses, and such. If it's in my line of sight, it's more likely to make an impression on my brain. It also gives me something to do while getting ready in the mornings- praying instead of staring mindlessly into space. 

Squeezing in that time adds to my quiet time. I found this great list of tips on one of my favorite ministry's blog- Quiet Time Tips. This has really made me dig deeper into my Bible. I actually have it printed out to refer to. 

Speaking of Jesus time, I decided to make my 6th grade girls Valentine's Day treats. One of my sweet girls, Callie, was sweet enough to help me. I took a mason jar and lined it with pink and red paper. Then we filled those with candy and a card, screwed the lid on, and taped a nail polish on top. Voila! Instant success. They were cheap and cute, and the girls loved them. That's a win!

Yall should have seen me leave the library last week... I had a stack of books a mile high. Cake recipe books, Multiple Sclereosis-related books, and fun reading. Twas a bit ridiculous; actually, it's never ridiculous to have too many books.

My absolute favorite cake recipe book was Vintage Cakes. Oh my gosh yall. I literally bookmarked every page. I'll have to buy it. It has gorgeous pictures and delicious recipes.

Besides reading in my downtime lately, I've been rewatching Downton Abbey. Swoon. A friend and I watch the current season together every Sunday night after middle school group. Between DA and Hallmark's When Calls The Heart (review coming), my grandma heart has enjoyed escaping to 1915. 

And here's a baby announcement my darling coworker Haley and I did at the bakery this week! 

check back soon! blessings, bethany