A Grateful Heart Full of Praise

Happy Monday! Classes start tomorrow and I am so ready. I definitely will have to stop for coffee though as my first class is at 8:30 A.M. and that's when I've been getting up lately. #dontjudgeme

A few things happened over the weekend. First, I finished and installed Kathy's new blog design! I love it! It is fresh an has a slightly latin feel to it, which is so fitting since her family is from Argentina. I'm so glad she is so pleased with it too! She was a doll to work with and I'm so grateful to have her as a friend.

Second, we tried out a new church on Sunday. I seriously think God wanted me to be there for that sermon too, because boy did I need to hear it. The Pastor talked about making room for God in your life every single day and learning to trust him with things outside of your control. One of the things the Pastor asked us to think about was "What do you think is on God's mind today?" We all have so much to think about ourselves, but I can't even imagine the number of things on God's mind!

While I know I have a lot on my mind, it does not compare to God's mind, and I am grateful that I do not have to bear that burden each day. Thank you, Lord, for taking all of our worries as your own.

Third, we finalized our vacation dates for our trips to Georgia this year! I am so, so, so, so, so, grateful that we are able to take two trips this year and I am ready for the first one to come. I miss my mom and my Llama so very much.

What are you grateful for today?

linking up with

Georgia Vs. Missouri

Moving to Middle-of-Nowhere, Missouri from Atlanta, Georgia has been a huge culture shock for me. And slightly frustrating. There are so many great things about living in and around a big city, and I miss it. Let's make a list (cause we all know how much I like lists) of things I miss from Georgia.

1. Chick-fil-A
They are everywhere in Georgia. It's my absolute fave fast food place, and they always have amazing service and clean bathrooms. I know there are some here in Missouri, but we have to travel at least 30 mins away to get to one, huge bummer.

2. Moe's 
This place is like heaven in a red plastic food basket. Its a less healthy version of Chipolte (aka they have amazing white cheese sauce). They've got burritos, nachos, and salads. Ah-may-zing.

3. The Mall of Georgia
The largest mall in the state (duh) that has almost every store you could think of in one place. AND a movie theater.

4. The Georgia Aquarium
Let me just tell you how much I love watching the Beluga whales. They are so graceful in the water, it's like ballet. Plus the dolphin show, the whale sharks, and of course the cutest penguins ever!

5. Quick Trip
Only the best gas station in the world. I have yet to see one here in our area. The Hy-vee fuel center is a pretty close comparison though.

6. My Family
Seriously, guys, this is the thing I miss most. Especially my mom.


While I still refer to Georgia as my "home," I am beginning to love some little things about this tiny town in Missouri where I currently reside.

1. No Traffic!
Like, ever. It's amazing!

2. Snow!
We hardly ever got snow in Georgia, and I think it is so beautiful.

3. Cheaper Gas
I brag to my mom all the time cause our gas prices are lower than theirs.

4. The slower pace of life.
It's nice that everyone isn't always in such a hurry here. It helps me to relax and actually enjoy my experiences more.

5. Our House
It's nice to live in a real house, with a yard, and no roommates. I can decorate how I want. I can walk around naked if I want (Hubs would love this!)

6. My Hubs
He's the whole reason I moved here to begin with. He's done his best to make this place feel like home for me, but in all reality, home is not a physical place. It's where your heart is, and my heart is with him.

What do you like best about your town?

Linking up with

Vacation and Stuff

Tonight after my classes, Hubs and I are leaving for Georgia.

Our main objective is to retrieve the last of my belongings out of storage and bring them back to Missouri. BUT it's also Philip's (and my step-dad's) birthday on Saturday and we fully plan on celebrating out on the boat.

I'll be back on Tuesday trying frantically to catch up with everything I'll miss. And in the mean time I've got some awesome ladies helping me out, so come back Friday for the first guest post!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Birthday to my Mommy!!

Today is my mom's birthday!! I'm not gonna tell you how old she is, because she would kill me a lady never reveals her age.

She hasn't been one to celebrate this occasion in some years now, and always scolds us if we spend any money on her. The scolding also happens around Mother's Day and Christmas as well. But that's mom's for ya, amiright?

My mom is a pretty smart lady. I mean she shared some awesome tips and words of wisdom when I visited her for Mother's Day a few months ago (you can read that post here). She took care of three kids on a single mom salary. And she's always got a cool craft idea up her sleeve. So today we celebrate her, and all the wonderful things she has given to the world.

Ok I have to share TWO funny stories about this photo.

1. When we were getting ready for our Mother's Day outing, I had already come down stairs wearing my blue shirt before my mom had gotten dressed. So while I'm sitting in the living room (probably instagraming this picture and taking a selfie to send to Philip) she comes rushing out of her bedroom only half ready to excitedly show me she's gonna wear the same color shirt! She stood there for a second smiling like the goober she is and then went running back into her room to finish putting her makeup on. *side note: my grandmother wore the same color shirt as well.*

2. While trying to take the picture above, we could not stop laughing. It took us several attempts to even be abel to hold a pose long enough to take one. After about ten minutes we finally got a good picture. Why so long? My mom was more fascinated with looking at herself on my phone. She kept making faces and adjusting her pose, and her eyes were never looking at the camera, but at the screen. And when I'd point it out, we'd just laugh so hard. How do you explain that to your family in the other room? You can't. You laugh through your attempted explanation, and then they give up trying to figure it out.

So Happy Birthday Mom. I love you big.

Linking up with The Grits Blog.

Grateful Heart Monday

I've been sitting here thinking about what to write this morning, because I couldn't think of anything last night, and I still have no idea what to write about. I haven't been in the best of moods lately because of a disappointing realization that a person I thought was nice and welcoming is not and the budding friendship I thought we had is not real.

Then I remembered that Emily over at Ember Grey. has an awesome link-up called Grateful Heart Monday. I love this idea and I really need a pick-me-up right now to focus on the good things going on right now.

Let's do this in list form, because lists are awesome.

Super Duper Long Weekend in GA Re-Cap

Now that I'm home and settled, I can do a re-cap of my super long "weekend" in Georgia for Mother's Day. So here we go!

Thursday: Driving to Georgia. I saw the sunrise for the first time since December! The trip down took me about 13.5 hours this time, stopping three twice for gas, once for food, and a couple times to use the restroom.

Throwback Thursday

<div align="center">
<a href="http://peachesinmo.blogspot.com/p/throw-back-thursday-stories.html" title="Throwback Thursday Stories"><img src="http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o740/Seraffine/TBTButtonwMel_zps43f7f013.jpg" alt="Throwback Thursday Stories" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

This week is a free week! 

Tell us any story you want to share!

We're being a bit lazy because Melissa is out of town without her laptop and I just got home from Georgia yesterday with a car load of stuff from my storage unit. Lots of unpacking will be happening today. But, here's a picture of a six-year-old me!

This Is Where I Write

Today I am pulling another idea from my Snicklefritz's blog idea list. 

#17 Where do you write your blog posts? Show me, Tell me!

The beauty of using a lap top is I can write from anywhere I want. For instance right now I'm writing from the guest bedroom in my parents house in Georgia.

Georgia On My Mind

If you haven't guessed yet, or read this post, I'm originally from Georgia. I miss it all the time and have hopes to move back one day. Don't get me wrong, I have a great life here in Missouri with my Love and our fur babies, but Georgia is where my family is, it's where most of my friends live, it's where my heart yearns to be on a regular basis. The first month here was fine, I had a new house to decorate, a new town to explore, and I was finally in the same space as Philip daily instead of a long weekend every few months. After I settled in, it really began to hit me how much I left behind. I took a lot of things for granted and now wish I had made an effort to spend more time with my siblings, my grandparents, and my friends.

Throwback Thursday Stories: My mom/dad "blames" me for _____ .

<div align="center"><a href="http://peachesinmo.blogspot.com/p/throw-back-thursday-stories.html" title="Throwback Thursday Stories w/ Peaches in MO"><img src="http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o740/Seraffine/Blog/341f15dc-388a-4ae9-9ea1-ab0347c368e2_zps1ba6d966.png" alt="Throwback Thursday Stories w/ Peaches in MO" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Today we are owning up to things our parents "blame" us for. 

In a totally, joking way! 

Sunday Social

Throwback Thursday Stories: High School Graduation

<div align="center">
<a href="http://peachesinmo.blogspot.com/p/throw-back-thursday-stories.html" title="Throwback Thursday Stories w/ Peaches in MO"><img src="http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o740/Seraffine/Blog/341f15dc-388a-4ae9-9ea1-ab0347c368e2_zps1ba6d966.png" alt="Throwback Thursday Stories w/ Peaches in MO" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

This week we are reliving our High School Graduations.

How I Got to Missouri

My name is Amanda and I was born and raised in and around Atlanta, Georgia. I always said that I'd never move away, even for a man. Well, I was wrong.

Just under three years ago I was dating this guy who really brought out the geek in me. He got me started on this online game and after seeing all the cute pets and fashion for the characters you play, I was hooked. Lets just face it, that is the real reason girls play those type of games. I made a bunch of friends to play with even after my loser boyfriend quit playing and the relationship ended. One of those friends was Philip. Just so happens that in February of 2013 we were both newly single. We started talking to each other more and outside of the game. Soon Philip confessed that he had always had a bit of a crush on me (insert cute giggles and blushing) and I admitted that I was starting to like him too.

It was the end of March, specifically the Friday before Easter. Philip and I are chatting on Skype and he was telling me he was excited about having the next few days off work. I joked saying he should come and visit me. He responded saying "what the hell, why not?" and about 14 hours later at 5:00AM he showed up at my door. I was nervous that he wouldn't like me in person, not to mention very surprised he came at all. We had a wonderful weekend together and he returned home Monday.

Our romance grew over the summer, even through my super tough patch. He was there for me when I was struggling with my job and when I stopped talking to everyone, including him. I literally went into some crazy hibernation, gorging myself with pizza and ice cream, but he gave me the space I needed. Only God knows why, but Philip was there for me when I finally worked myself out enough to come out of hiding, put on real clothes, and wash my hair.

His next visit, planned this time, was the weekend after my birthday in August. This time I was able to take him to see a coveted landmark in Atlanta: The Big Chicken. And we hung out with my amazing roommate and his boyfriend. Another great weekend.

Fast forward to the middle of September. I was having a particularly rough day at work. After sobbing on the phone to my mother while I was running errands for my boss, I had decided, with her encouragement and support, that I was just going to do it. I was going to move to Missouri and start over. I called Philip to tell him my decision and to ask him if he and his two cats would take me in or turn my crazy ass away. He likes my ass too much to turn it away and all animals love me, so here I am!

It's four months later and I'm sitting on the couch and he's fallen asleep to Conan. Pumpkin is curled up on my left and Misty has chosen her usual spot in Philip's lap. I couldn't be happier.