Like in the OC.

They just know, from the moment of hello.

New Hello Giggles Love.

I don't always have the energy nor the time to scour the pages of HelloGiggles.com but when I do I cannot leave the site for hours and I get a bit obsessed. So with that said here are some of my latest favorites!

http://hellogiggles.com/a-letter-to-my-younger-self

http://hellogiggles.com/please-dont-ask-whether-my-internship-is-paid

http://hellogiggles.com/10-signs-youre-addicted-to-online-shopping

http://hellogiggles.com/gratitude-changes-everything

http://hellogiggles.com/10-stocking-stuffers-that-should-be-retired

http://hellogiggles.com/can-we-no-longer-depend-on-the-kindness-of-strangers-or-anyone-really

http://hellogiggles.com/7-things-you-learn-from-working-in-a-restaurant

http://hellogiggles.com/amazing-etsy-gifts-that-will-blow-everyones-minds-this-holiday-season

http://hellogiggles.com/getting-over-phone-fear

http://hellogiggles.com/10-signs-your-dog-owns-you

http://hellogiggles.com/11-reasons-to-never-leave-your-house

I love the writers on this site, they are some of the funniest gals I've never met (but would love to).
Hope you had yourself a giggle!

Grandpa's Songs.

When we all were younger our grandpa had these songs he would sing to us, and it was just about the sweetest thing ever. I can even remember this one Christmas when I couldn't have been older than five and all us girls had matching Christmas patterned dresses and then my mom made booklets for everyone and we all sang the songs together. I tell you it's the sweet and simple things, that I could not be more thankful for.

These songs sang by others:

Chawing Chewing Gum- The Carter Family

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC2-z6cVDQo

(Better version because Johnny Cash sings it, also fun fact many do not know my Cash love originates from my grandpa)

Shoo Fly Pie- Dinah Shore

Johnny Cash- Hey Good Lookin

This may be the explain for my old soul.

Hope you love love it!

Hope and Fear.

We all have our fears, big and small. Those we face each and every day and those special fears that seem more impossible than we can handle. Tonight I went to a women's night where I got to listen to one of my favorite bloggers Diane Comer. She spoke about our fears as women, as human beings. The fears that hold us back, keep us up at night, and scare us. We all have dreams and sometimes we are afraid of the next step. Think about your dreams, what kind of impact do you hope to leave in this world? What do you want to be known for? What do you want to do with your life? Who do you want to be? These questions carry a lot of weight because we as human beings don't always know what we want and sometimes we want everything. We are so complicated, we often frustrate ourselves. But maybe it's time to sit down with a pencil and paper and write out what we want. It can be short and sweet or as detailed as we please. We need to really think about who we want to be and where we want to go. So we can put those dreams into action. And maybe you're like me without too many dreams holding you down, so what are our fears that are holding us back from the things we known we should be doing, participating in, caring about, trying. We all have dreams and fears, both small and large. So we need to face our fears by acknowledging them, we need to then give these fears to the Lord so he can guide us through our daily trials with our fears. To help us conquer those fears when we encounter them. To make us stronger and help us achieve those dreams we are so scared to work towards. We need to let him guide us to where he wants us to be, to who he wants us to be. We need to let it all go and focus on His plan, the only one that matters. No matter what our small worries are or our hopes in succeeding in a specific way are, we need to trust that he is with us guiding us to who he wants us to be. So we can be children of the Lord who are living by example, working with those around us, reaching out to anyone and everyone, and doing his work whatever that may be. We all have a specific purpose and it is our duty to ask the Lord to guide us to the purpose and help us work towards his goal and aspirations for us. We have a purpose, we aren't without reason, we were wonderfully and fearfully made so we need to act like it. We need him at all times in every moment, we need to keep him by our side so we can make the best decisions and actions. So talk to him about your fears and then talk to him about your dreams. We need to come to him perfectly honest so he will be able to guide us. Even now as we are planning this process out of coming to the Father with our hearts and minds, know that one day our purpose will be fulfilled and we can be joyful in knowing that the work the Lord had called us to do was completed and we can go home knowing we made a difference in the Lord's name. There is no more beautiful of a legacy and memory to leave behind on this Earth, where anyone and everyone is looking for a safe home and a caring creator to help us through this life where we are so lost and apart from the Lord. So I pray we can all talk to the Lord today about our troubles and thoughts and that maybe tomorrow we can face the day knowing the Lord will guide us through if we just stay by his side and our hearts open to Him.

The Little Things.

You'll always have it better. One moment you believe your day can't get any worse then it does. Then you believe this is the worst day I've had in quite a while. And why me, I mean come on I'm out here trying to do the right thing, at the right time, with the right words. I'm living and breathing kind I mean come on. Then you'll hear a story of someone just like you dying, all of a sudden no reason no rhyme no forewarning. Or so you think. Truth is, we aren't great we don't do great we don't deserve the best because we aren't. Does that mean we should stop trying of course not. We need to step outside of ourselves, our day was just a day. Bad or Good just a day. We live we breath, we cry we smile. At the end of the day we try our best and what more can we do? Try harder tomorrow, because someone else has it worse, everyone else also hurts, and all of those around us. They deserve our best day in day out, so we can carry them when the load is too tough.

let's love and love some more.

Country At Its Newest.

Because I know you've been begging, well not really. But you want some help navigating the waters. So here I am at your service. To be real I'm going to start off with some oldies, because they are the best and everyone needs a true foundation. Today's country, is well.. different.

Hank Williams Jr- Family Tradition

( I really do need to introduce you, so yes the old goodies are necessary, I love old country!)

Johnny Cash and June Carter- I'll Fly Away

(Yes, all for the Lord yes)

Johnny Cash and June Carter- Jackson

(Yes they are wonderful, love them)

Dolly Parton-Jolene

(Yes and Yes)

Hank Williams Jr- A Country Boy Can Survive

(Please and Thank you)

Merle Haggard-Momma Tried

Waylon Jennings- A Good Hearted Woman

Willie Nelson-Always On My Mind

Clint Black-When I Said I Do

(My childhood, but seriously)

Garth Brooks- The Thunder Rolls

(Can I be five again?)

George Strait- Check Yes or No

(My brother used to sing this to my mom all the time, sweetest thing I've ever recalled)

Toby Keith- Should Have Been a Cowboy

(Everyone needs to love this, otherwise how will we relate?)

Alan Jackson- Chattahoochee

(The fact the title is a real world, speaks volumes)

Brooks and Dunn-Boot Scootin Boogie

(When they were still together and going strong)

David Lee Murphy-Dust on the Bottle

(He wasn't around for long but this is a classic)

Travis Tritt- Best of Intentions

(The 90's were the best of times)

Collin Raye- Little Red Rodeo

(I'll marry whomever knows all of this, not even possible, I'm moving to the south)

Clay Walker- If I Could Make A Living Out of Loving You

Diamond Rio-Kissable, Huggable, Lovable, Unbelievable

(Seeing them in concert was a dream come true)

Aaron Tippin- Kiss This

Jo Dee Messina- My Give a Damn's Busted

(My mom always said it was okay to cus in song lyrics)

Shania Twain-Any Man of Mine

Faith Hill- The Way You Love Me

Deana Carter- Strawberry Wine

(Always a favorite)

Trisha Yearwood- She's in Love With the Boy

Martina McBride- My Baby Loves Me

(Also a dream that came true when I saw her)

Reba McEntire- Fancy

(She's Number One)

Reba McEntire- That's the Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia

(This is powerful, beyond one's way of understanding)

Vince Gill-When I Call Your Name

George Jones- He Stopped Loving Her Today

(RIP my friend, also this song is out of order)

The Judds- Grandpa Tell Me About the Good Old Days

(This song gets my heart, I love this)

Pam Tillis- Maybe It Was Memphis

(Also blessed to see her)

Tanya Tucker- Two Sparrows and a Hurricane

(heck yess)

Mindy McCready- Ten Thousand Angels

(Rest in peace, love)

Lee Ann Womack- I Hope You Dance

(This song taught me how to really live, it really spoke to me as a child)

Tim McGraw- Don't Take The Girl

(Seriously)

John Michael Montgomery- I Swear

(My childhood and parent's wedding song, so there's that)

Alison Krauss- When You Say Nothing At All

(all of this, all of these songs, are so great, dying over here)

Jamie O' Neal- She's Somebody's Hero

(Because this made me cry as a child)

Rosanne Cash- Tennesse Flat Top Box

(For real thought, love love)

Lee Ann Rimes- Life Goes On

Dolly and Kenny Rogers- Can't Make Old Friends

(Because these words need to be known)

 

John Anderson- Straight Tequila Night

Restless Heart- When She Cries

(An honor to see them)

Patty Loveless- I Try to Think about Elvis

(Also need to hear How can I help you Say Goodbye)

Mary Chapin Carpenter- He Thinks He'll Keep Her

Jessica Anderws- Who I Am

Sara Evans-Born to Fly

Blake Shelton-Austin

Kenny Chesney-There Goes My Life

Billy Currington- Walk a Little Straighter Daddy

Randy Travis -Three Wooden Crosses

(so important)

Brad Paisley- He Didn't Have to Be

Carrie Underwood- Jesus Take the Wheel

Mark Willis- Don't Laugh At Me

Alan Jackson-Remember When

Steve Wariner- Two Tear Drops

Sawyer Brown-The Walk

(My first concert at five, thanks mom and dad)

Blackhawk-Goodbye Says it All

Little Texas- What Might Have Been

Alabama- Dixieland Delight

Alan Jackson-Blue Ridge Mountain Song

(This man is pure country, and he is still going strong, this song is beautiful lyrically I mean most songs are but this is more touching than the rest, tissues ready)

Craig Campbell-Out of My Head

(He's had some hits, and they are wonderful, loving this completely)

Eric Paslay-Friday Night

(He is also new and this is his first single, great so far)

Jon Pardi-Up All Night

(These newbies are giving country music a run for its money)

Jake Owen-Days of Gold

(I always love this man and his hair, oh and his songs too)

Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert-We Were Us

(This is a combo I've never thought of and yet it is golden)

Cassadee Pope-Wasting All These Tears

(A Voice Winner, Blake Shelton sure knew what he was doing, she's wonderful and this song is a good break up one)

The Band Perry-Don't Let Me Be Lonely

(How did I not know about this the day it came out? LA LA LOVE)

Dierks Bentley-I Hold On

(The manly man song you are missing in your life)

Danielle Bradbury- Heart of Dixie

(Another Voice winner of Blake's, she's young, fun, and got some great vocals, woman power song)

Joe Nicols- Sunny and 75

(This man has been on the scene for over 10 years now, and he is so underrated, listen to more!)

David Nail-Whatever She's Got

(He is always great, and this is pretty darn cute)

Luke Bryan-Drink A Beer

(Okay if you've known someone who has died, or have yet to experience that, this song is a necessary listen, get them tissues)

Zac Brown Band-Sweet Annie

(What isn't to love about them, this is pure magic)

Jennifer Nettles-That Girl

(This is her first solo single, and it is great)

Chris Young-Aw Naw

(How can you not love)

Scotty McCreery- See You Tonight

(Soul mate, need I say more, it's that voice that gets me every time)

The Henningsens- I Miss You

(They've had one great hit so far, and let's just add this to the list)

Parmalee-Carolina

(They are fresh on the scene, and I'm diggin' this to the fullest)

Eli Young Band-Drunk Last Night

(Saw them they are good, they continue to surprise me with awesome, because it seems unexpected)

Thomas Rhett- It Goes like This

(He is newer and a little know fact he is Rhett Atkins son, so that's pretty great)

Florida Georgia Line-Stay

(They in no way are overrated, they are great, and I think it's great everyone loves them and they are coming to the home city so that's exciting!)

I could post so much more, but this has to be it for now.

Positive Words Only.

Why am I so negative? Why am I complaining? Why do I whine? Why is it always about me?
I'm sure we realize that these questions should be asked to ourselves regularly. We know we need to keep ourselves in check. But do we? Or do we just brush it off our shoulders and think it is no big deal because it was simply a sentence. But was it really just a sentence? We know our words carry so much weight, and yet we still don't care. What if I went around during my days and only let positive things escape from my mouth. What if I kept the negative quiet inside, till it eventually faded. What if I prayed instead of whined in my mind. What if I stepped outside of my little box and payed more attention to those around me. What if I could become a caring person? What if I could be the lover? What if I could try and go above in beyond? What if I left only positive words in the minds of those whom I come in contact with. What if I left the world a better place than I found it. So we know what we need to do, we just actually have to try. How profound. What if I actually smiled more? What if I was more thankful and vocal about it? What if I complimented others more? What if I was kind? Loving? And I listened? What if I let go of my cares and opinions and respected all things around me. Whether it's your style of life, your choice, your habits, or just simply you. What if I stood up for those who are being put down. What if I kept my thoughts that aren't positive in my head. What if I realized I am so small and my thoughts are insignificant. Then maybe I'll stop being all about me and start to think about others. What if I wasn't grouchy? What if I cared about my actions? Let's love, let's smile, and most of all when we want to say something that has no positive meaning or purpose we just shut up and shut it off. There's no excuse to be a grouch, there's no reason to be rude, so let's stop. Smile, breathe in and out, and go out into the world and clean up the nasty negative complaints. And I get it nothing goes right, everything is difficult and draining. But I don't care we have bigger fish to fry then care about ourselves, let's go give ourselves to a purpose to those around us it doesn't matter who. Let's let ourselves go, and just be peacefully.

With all of my love to you.

One of my favorite songs growing up...She's Gonna Make it, He Never Will by Garth Brooks
(Well I couldn't find it on youtube, so go look it up elsewhere. Love everything about it)

For all of the alternative listeners..

Johnnyswim- Heart Beats ( I actually love love)

The Head and the Heart- Another Story

(Also this, yes)

Shakira- La Tortura

(No matter how many times I'll deny it, I'm still in love with the language, but don't let the others know)

It's a great thing you cannot understand the lyrics

Mumm-ra- She's Got You High

(Because this will always be good)

One Republic- If I Lose Myself

( I can go mainstream with the best of them, they will always rock)

Band of Horses- The Funeral

(If you ever ask what my favorite song in the world is, it will always be this, ALWAYS)

I mean let's be real, this song gets my soul, the lyrics like understand me, well not really, this is actually a depressing song, like really depressing, incorrect use of commas I couldn't care less.

Taylor Swift-Come Back Be Here

(The red deluxe album is seriously underrated this is pure gold)

Taylor Swift- Girl At Home

(I'm not kidding so underrated, I love love love)

Jennifer Lopez- On the Dance Floor

(Because how can you not dance to this, let yourself go come on...)

The Postal Service- Such Great Heights

(Well hello beloved freshman year of high school)

M. Ward- Chinese Tradition

(Just found this moments ago, and yes please)

Darius Rucker- Radio

(My one plea, everyone must try out country music till they find one song they cannot get enough of, if I try your stuff you must try mine)

Lana Del Rey-Summertime Sadness

( Is this video the original, because if not it isn't as good, I've love loved her, no matter what everyone told me she was all about, how did I not know?)

Sara Bareilles- Brave

(This woman has been great from the start, she's too cool, love her and her messages)

Juanes- La Camisa Negra

(Okay, but seriously don't tell anyone, must make a spanish playlist on my to-do list)

Regina Spektor- On The Radio

( I don't even know, but it's tight)

The Fratellis- Chelsea Dagger

(You've got to be tappin' them toes)