1.  What is your favorite thing to do in your hometown?

It's the simple things that we love about our hometown.  Nearly every visit, I like to eat lunch at Borroum's and eat a slugburger.  I enjoy walking around downtown and visiting the shops...lately the little toy shop.  Of course we love our hometown church...and pretty much call it our home church lately.  One event that brings me home year after year is our local high school Homecoming parade.  Always amazing to see the hard work put into the sweetheart cars and maid floats.  We have always said that Southern Living magazine should really come to cover it!

Last year, our nephew was the passenger in the cute car.  This picture doesn't even do it justice!  You should've seen the back!

2. What is the best vacation spot in Mississippi?

Hmmmm.  This is a tough one.  Usually, if we travel in state it is to our hometown or Jackson since we have family there.  Russ and I have taken a day trip to Vicksburg, and we have friends who loved a little getaway to Natchez.  Maybe I should add this to my list.  A Mississippi vacation!  Of course our football weekends in Starkville are always fun!

3. Tell us about the most fun date night idea in Mississippi.

When Russ and I were dating, we had lots of fun and creative date nights.  Maybe we should pick that back up.  Once you get married, it's a little hard to hide surprises from the other person you live with.  Ha!  Two fun date nights come to mind...One - I surprised Russ with a scavenger hunt around town leaving clues all over town.  The night ended with a Christmas dinner in my parents' back yard inside a tailgating tent.  I used my mom's Christmas China and everything! (And Christmas lights if I remember correctly.)  Ha!  That just goes to show how warm Mississippi Christmases can be.  Second - Russ cooked dinner for us one time.  It was so yummy and I've asked him to replicate it many times.  It was that boxed angel hair pasta with seasoning, and he grilled chicken strips to go in it.  I don't know what he did, but everything was fixed perfectly.  We haven't been able to get it right since.  Ha!  He prepared a picnic on the roof of his parents' house.  Remember those fun days?!  Ahhhh....it's time for a fun date night!

4.  What is one fun fact that very few people know about you?

I won our sixth grade talent show with two of my friends.  I sang and danced to Reba's "Why Haven't I Heard From You" wearing leopard print robes and leggings that were handmade for the occasion.  We even danced on and around chairs.  It was classic.  You remember the beauty shop music video Reba did for that song don't you?  If not, here ya go...

5.  Who is your favorite sports team (if you have one) and how did it start?

Ummmm...Mississippi State!  Hello! It started...well...I was born into it I guess.  I used to go with my dad to football games and tailgate the way tailgating is supposed to be.  Out of the tailgate of our Jimmy.

6.  What are your top three “Best Eats” in Mississippi? 

•  Bon Ami in Jackson is one of my favorite places to eat lunch or brunch.
• Russ's favorite place is Keifer's in Jackson.
• The best pizza around is Stromboli's in Starkville.  My roommate and I could easily finish a large pizza in one sitting.

7.  Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In five years, I see myself FINALLY settled into our forever location with a growing family enjoying my family and friends knowing that we are "home."

8.  If you could choose an actress to play you in real life, who would you choose and why?

I have no idea.  I'm pretty sure my life isn't exciting enough to be played by an actress.

9.  What is a southern tradition you and your family have? 

Our biggest traditions...you know - the ones you don't ever mess with...all revolve around holidays.  Christmas Eve service followed by family gifts and the reading of the Christmas story piled up on the same couch.  That's probably the longest standing one.

10.  List 5 things on your Bucket List you hope to do before you die.

• Adopt again.  And again.  And... (I'd love to grow our family as big as the Lord allows.)
• Take Millie Janalee to Disney World!
• Vacation in Hawaii with my hubby.
• Have a cabin on the lake that we can visit anytime.  Can someone else just lend us a boat?? Ha!
• Raise my children to be compassionate, polite, giving followers of Christ.

I'm Sharing Bloggy Tips...

Check out my guest post for Tech Tuesday over at our Mississippi Women Bloggers site!  I'm sharing one of my photo editing bloggy secrets.  (Well it's not really a secret, but you get the idea.)  Just go show some love and maybe you'll learn something while you're there.

 

By the way, have you registered with  us?  What are you waiting for?

Getting to Know You {link-up}

You may remember that I'm the editor over at Mississippi Women Bloggers, and we've been going strong since May!  We have had such an amazing response to our blogging community, and today we are getting to know our sister bloggers a little better through a Self Interview!  Join in!

**If you are not in Mississippi and want to participate, JOIN IN!  Just comment below so I can read yours!**

 

1.  What part of Mississippi are you from?

I am from a small town in North Mississippi, although I've moved around the state a few times.  I'm a small hometown gal at heart.

2.  How long have you been blogging?

I have been blogging since April of 2008...so that makes 5 years in the blogosphere!

3.  Why did you start blogging?

When I originally began blogging, it was to share my day to day life with my family and friends.  My husband and I moved 4 hours away from home, and I wanted a way to share our life with them.  I had followed a couple of blogs before then.  My sister-in-law began her own blog, and that was the push I needed.  I've been blogging full steam ahead ever since!

4.  Tell us what we can expect when reading your blog.

 Basically, you can expect a whole lot of pictures!  Ha!  I blog about my crazy fun family antics.  I blog about my daughter and the day to day joy she brings us.  I blog about adoption.  I share my heart...which basically means things I would probably never say out loud.  There is just something about sitting behind a screen and sharing your passions and thoughts with others that is comforting.

5.  What does your blog title mean?

My blog title has changed over the years.  My current blog title, 'Tis So Sweet, developed as we welcomed our precious blue-eyed baby girl into our family.  My husband and I had tried for about 6 years to grow our family.  Our prayer throughout our infertility and adoption journey (especially the last couple years) was for God to change our hearts to match His.  We were trusting our family to Him.  And, OH, how SWEET it is to trust Him!  My purpose behind this blog is now to show others how sweet life can be when we just put our trust in Him.  It's a daily challenge, but certainly worth it!

6.  What do you love about being part of Mississippi Women Bloggers?

One thing I have learned about blogging is that bloggers share a part of themselves that others probably never will.  Bloggers blog from the heart and never have to verbalize it, so many times we know the heart of bloggers.  We may never meet in person, but we know their hearts.  I have loved finding women in my own state, region, and even my own hometown who are sharing their hearts, passions, and advice.  Meeting new friends who share a heart for what I love!

7.  Who inspires you to blog?

For years, my readers inspired me to blog.  The kind comments, emails, and getting stopped everywhere I go to talk about whatever I blogged about at that time.  My readers inspired me to blog through our infertility with their encouragement and prayers.  My readers inspired me to blog through our adoption journey with their emails of love and advice.  My readers continue to give me motivation to share our life and love with y'all.  Blogging is a platform, so I need to share my story of trust, faith, and family!  My daughter (and future children) inspires me to blog as well.  At the end of each year, I print my blog into a book.  I love the idea of sharing my "voice" with my children and grandchildren as they get older.  How wonderful it would be to have a journal of your life and life before your were born!  Now, that's motivation!

8.  If you could pick a favorite blog post from the past year, what would it be?

Hmmm...I would have to pick three favorite blog posts of all time.  These three posts completely changed the direction and purpose of my blog the minute they were posted.

Praying for More

Stepping Away from the Shore

'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

My favorite post from this past year would probably be - Unplanned Pregnancy...Perfectly Planned Life

9.  Do your real life friends know you blog?  How do they respond?

Oh, YES! How fun it is to blog among friends who don't blog.  Haha!  I have very few real life friends who blog, so it's a running joke when something fun or embarrassing happens.  Everyone completely expects me to break out the camera and "put it on the blog!"  And I do.  They tease me, but they love it!

10.  What is your blogging routine (if you have one)?

Ummmm...this question makes me laugh.  I have absolutely no routine.  I used to come home from work each day (when I taught) and sit at the computer to blog my thoughts, stories, or events from the day.  I've never "planned" my posts or written drafts to edit.  My first draft is usually my final draft.  Now that I'm home with a one year old, I just grab a chance to blog when I can!  Sometimes you may find a string of letters amidst the words.  That's probably Millie Janalee's contribution.

11.  We all love social media!  Are there any social media links you would like to share so we can follow you?

Yes, I have Instagram, Twitter, and my personal Facebook page.  However, since becoming a mama, I try to keep my shared pictures of Millie Janalee and our daily life to real life friends...or friends I've gotten to know through blogging.  You just think I overshare on my blog.  Ha!  You should see my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  It takes oversharing to a whole new level!  I do have a Facebook page for my blog that is open to everyone, though.

Facebook

12.  Name 3 bloggers who have not joined Mississippi Women Bloggers that you would like to see join us!

Roan at Joyful Johnsons

Danielle at Musings of a Working Mom

Phyllis at Two of a Kind...Praying for a Full House

If you are a Mississippi blogger and haven't joined our little community, please do!  We'd love to have you join us 'round the table.  Sign up here.  Grab a glass of sweet tea.  And share your story as others share with you.

We're LIVE!

It's here!  Mississippi Women Bloggers is up and running, and I couldn't be more excited!  This is going to be a great opportunity to gather and encourage women.  It is also a great chance for us to learn from each other and share our stories.  Click on over to our site, and join for FREE!

Thank you for all your support as I join The Park Wife on her mission to gather, grow, and connect women from state to state.  Her vision has grown to include Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, and NOW Mississippi!  I'm looking forward to meeting new women bloggers and sharing stories around our state!  Join the fun.

The Way I See Her...

I've mentioned this before.  I feel like, as women, we spend so much time comparing ourselves to others and judging those who make different choices.  It starts very young...and even younger now it seems.  Who has the latest brand shoes?  Who has the newest version iPhone?  Who hangs out with the popular kids?  Who wears the latest boutique fashions?  As years go by, it doesn't end.  Who drives the newest car?  Who stays out late on the weekends?  Who even has their own car?  You would think that all the comparisons end as you enter adulthood.  But, what I've found is that adults can be just a bunch of junior high girls in bigger bodies.  We are still comparing ourselves and putting others down.  Who makes their own baby food?  Who is able to be the classroom mom?  Who sends the crafty snacks to school?  Who looks like they are ready to go out right after childbirth?  Who cooks five-course meals?  Who serves, helps, and never rolls their eyes at their husbands?

All these questions tend to affect how we, as women, evaluate our own lives.  Comparing ours to others.  Women, in general, spend too much time tearing ourselves down that it is no wonder our self-esteem often wavers.  It is also no wonder our children begin the cycle so young too.  Not just from older women.  But from television.  Movies and commercials and television shows star skinny, beautiful, flawless girls and women.  After awhile, we start to believe that everyone looks like that.

Except us.

When I look at Millie Janalee, I see perfection.  Literally.  Perfection.  Don't we all see our children as perfect?  Perfectly created by our God.  It hurts my heart to think that there will come a day when she looks in the mirror and isn't happy with what she sees.  I know that I will long for her to see herself the way I see her...

Beautiful!  Full of a natural beauty far beyond what I can describe.

I saw this video over at The Park Wife, and all I could think about is what I want Millie Janalee to see.  I want her to see herself the way I see her.  I want her to be grateful for her natural beauty inside and out.  I want her to find joy and give thanks for the way way God created her.  Every part of her.  God never makes a mistake.  She is perfectly made.  Perfectly woven to become a daughter of the King.  Please watch for yourself...

     

This is one of many reasons I decided to join with The Park Wife in the Women Bloggers network.  A network of women, from state to state, gathering together to grow and encourage each other.  I will be running the Mississippi site working to gather Mississippi ladies to get to know each other, share stories, and encourage each other.  We are preparing to launch soon.  So, if you are from the magnolia state...keep your eyes open so that you can join us!  Help us make a difference in the lives of other women in our state.  The website is not live yet, but you can check out Arkansas Women Bloggers.  This is where it all started four years ago!

Help women see themselves the way others see them.  Embracing their natural beauty and differences.