Lord, I am YOURS

WOAH! Hey guys, it's been a while.... Christmas time was crazy busy this year, and on top of that I got the flu the day before Christmas Eve :( NO BEUNO! Anyways, the new year has snuck right up on me, but I'm not letting that stop me from making goals for myself this new year.

2014 was, well, eventful. I lost fourty plus pounds, ended a bad relationship, graduated high school, and turned eighteen. In the past months, I have totally rediscovered myself. This year has been full of blessings, and I am so grateful. With that being said, I am looking forward to starting 2015 completely fresh. However, I'm human, and I know I'll screw up. While the nostalgia of starting a whole new year with goals is definetley something I think about, I know Gods word says that each day is an opportunity to start new. A brand new start, everyday....wow! God is so good.

I want 2015 to be THE year for me. I'm an adult, and I'm at such a good place in my life right now. I'm so excited to see what God has in store for me this year. I realize that I often try to take things into my own hands. I find myself wondering all the time about love, opportunities, jobs, the list goes on and on. I know Gods plans for my life are FAR better than anything I am even capable of dreaming up; and that makes me pretty excited.

This year is it. 2015 will be THE year I give my life to God completely.

-God, you are in control. This is your story and I am YOURS. I want you to be in control completely. I am completely yours. Lead me where I need to be. Amen.

2015- get ready. I am a daughter of the king most high, and he is going to have his way with my life.

2015- BRING IT!

Xo,
 Faith

Silence with my SAVIOUR

Silence. It's for sure hard to come by in our home. With two rambunctious toddlers, high school boys in and out, a ten year old with more friends than I can count; silence is a rarity. I am the oldest of seven children, and I wouldn't have it any other way; but spending quiet time with God is so important to me.

 I recently started a new workout routine early in the mornings. I wake up at 5am, workout, eat some type of protein packed breakfast, shower and spend quiet time with God. Although pulling myself out of my cocoon in the mornings is far from easy, getting my day going with quietness all around me is such a blessing. It is so important to me to have that quiet time with God. Something about a still, silent room with me, my coffee, and Jesus is so precious. I notice when I don't wake up early and have that silence, I am much more moody and stressed throughout the day.

God is everything. He is love. He is health. He is happiness. He is hope. He is a redeemer. He is a caretaker. He is acceptance. GOD is my father; and he deserves every last bit of my time and attention. I know that by spending these quiet mornings with him, reflecting on his word, will only make me stronger in my faith and bring me closer to him. Even if you have obligations early in the morning, waking up just fifteen minutes earlier, praying and spending time in the word will make the world of a difference in your day. God deserves it.

Happy Tuesday, God bless you!

Xo,
Faith

Toddler Craziness! #babysittingprobz

   I just love this quote SO much! It covers everything I wish to live by.

I started a new workout schedule yesterday using our new home gym we got this past weekend. I am so grateful for that home gym, let me tell you! I am so excited to have the opportunity to start incorporating new types of weight lifting exercises into my daily workout routine. I did legs and abs yesterday and I am so so sore! I usually take one day out of the week to rest, and today was a rest day for me. I'm so glad I decided to use today as my rest day though, because, I am ten times more sore today than I was yesterday.

What are you guys up to this week? I have been swamped! Covered in toddler food and burried under my tears of toddler frustration. I mean, seriously, where do they get all this engergy?!? I'm just over here like 'okay, you wanna change your outfit into a bathing suit in the middle of winter!? Okay then.'  #babysittingprobz. Anyways, I just thought I'd throw up a random post today since I've been so busy! Hope you all have a fantastic ending to your week!

Xo,
Faith

PUMPKIN PIE MILKSHAKE

Ready for the EASIEST recipe ever?!? This pumpkin pie milkshake recipe is so ridiculously easy, I could do it with my eyes closed, haha!


 To make it plain and simple, whip up some pumpkin pie filling, pop the mixture into muffin tins and freeze! I know, it's temptimg not to eat it by the spoonfuls  ;) once the little pumpkin pie cubes are frozen, pop three or four into your blender, depending on the size of the smoothie you are making, fill to the top with milk, and blend! Of course it doesn't hurt to top with whip cream and sprinkles too ;) So easy and so delicious!

I saw this idea on The Pioneer Woman on the Food Network, tried it, and fell in love! I hope you guys try this recipe out and love it just as much as I do! :) if you do try this recipe out, use the hashtag #faithbakes so I can see your recreations :)

Xo,
Faithy

Cozy For Christmas

CHRISTMAS TREE OH CHRISTMAS TREE

Christmas time is the most wonderful time of the year in our home! My mom always manages to make the holidays special. Whether it be the beautiful Christmas tree, or the endless decorations around the house, our home quickly turns into quite the magical place. I was going to write this post about holiday traditions, but then I realized that we don't really have any. Our family is more of a 'fly by the seat of or pants' kind of family. Hahah! We love switching things up yearly. Which I guess, is sort of a tradition all on its own. Some years we have colored lights, some years we have white lights, some years a real tree, and some years, fake. Nonetheless, Christmas time is always so beautiful and special all in its own way each year!

Do you guys have any holiday traditions? I would love to hear about them in the comments below!

XOXO,
Faithy

Oreo Heaven

OREO BALLS 

Hey y'all! I just had to share with y'all THE most delicious recipe. I'm sure you have all heard of these, or even tried them. They seem to be quite popular, but, it was my first time making these. They were quite the hit in my household! Everyone really loved them, not to mention, there are only 4 ingredients! & let's be real, who doesn't love Oreos?!

INGRIDIENTS:
-1 package of Oreos
-24 oz of your choice melting chocolate
-1 8oz package of cream cheese (room temperature)
-sprinkles (optional)


Before beginning to make the Oreo balls, you will want to melt your chocolate. I got this idea on Pinterest and it worked wonderfully!
Just grab two glass jars/bowls and set them in your crockpot on low. Stir occasionally until well melted. This technique keeps your chocolate silky and smooth throughout the process.

To begin your Oreo ball mixture, place your entire package of Oreos into a gallon size ziplock bag and crush. You want you Oreos to look something like this:

Next, break up your cream cheese over the top of your crushed Oreos and blend. I found that using a fork works the best for this.

You then want to form the Oreo mixture into small balls and refrigerate for one hour.

Lastly, you will want to cover your Oreo balls in CHOCOLATE! & of course decorate. The Oreo balls will need to be stuck in your refrigerator for a half hour or so to set up completely, then they're ready to eat and enjoy! 

I hope you guys enjoyed this post and try out this recipe at home! If you do, take a picture and hashtag #faithbakes so I can see your recreations :) 

Xoxo, Faithy 

Showing December Who's Boss!

HAPPY DECEMBER

I am so so happy that December is finally here; it is my absolute FAVORITE month out of the whole year. Christmas time makes me the happiest ever. If you know me, you know how nostalgic of a person I am. I break out the lights, decorations, and cooking making craziness begins!

However, December can also be a hard month. With the craziness of the holiday season,  we often lose focus of our goals and in the month feeling tired, and run down. It can be so easy with all of the temptations of yummy holiday foods to just give in and indulge daily. BUT; not this year; we are not going to let the holiday temptations ruin our whole month. Make goals for yourself today. Decide how and when you will choose to indulge. Do not let this month get you feeling down. Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, and to make it that much more wonderful, I will be staying healthy and fit, even with cookies and chocolate covered pretzels laying around ;)

Remember that The holidays are meant to be fun and happy. So, do not deprive yourself; rather, do everything in moderation. Enjoy foods and treats you love in moderation, and hold on to absolutely NO guilt! This is the last month of  this year, and staying healthy will help you bring the new year in on a great foot. So, let's do it ladies! Let's make goals and reacher higher and harder for them than ever before! Enjoy this wonderful time of year with your friends and families; and remember, it's okay to let loose and enjoy yummy treats and sweets- you deserve it!

XOXO,
Faithy