The Good Life Link Up {postponed}

We are taking a 2 week break on the good life link up.

You may have noticed that I posted mine but has since been taken down.

{I'll put it back up with a LIVE link-up next Wednesday}

If you follow my co-host Kelsey on Instagram you would see that she is out of town and having a great time at a scentsy conference.

Instead of having her write up the post while she is on vacation 

we are postponing it yet again 

{sorry who can blame her}

We will be back up next week.

I really miss you all and look forward to seeing you all link up again next week!
{If you have already wrote up your post, GREAT!!! Keep it up and link it up next week}

Next week’s theme is…  

Your favorite blog post 

 

EXCITING NEWS!!!!!!

BE SURE TO SHARE THIS LINK UP WITH OTHER NEBRASKA BLOGGERS!!!!  

The first week we hit 20 bloggers linking up I am giving out a prize 

to one randomly selected blogger {who linked up of course}

be true to yourself...BE YOU

I think we all struggle with being ourselves at times.

We need to be true to ourselves. Be ourselves. Be brave! 

At times it takes bravery to be ourselves.

The world today seems to want us all to be formed into a similar mold.

I say wear what you want to wear, dance when you want to dance, 

laugh when you want to laugh, be who you want to be.

BE YOU!

Surround yourself with people who allow you to be you!

Options are good but don’t let others opinions weigh too heavily on you.

{and don’t force your opinions on others}

Don’t waist too much time around people who think they know how you should be.

BE YOU!

Everyone is different, and I personally love that!
I admire those who stand up for what they believe 
{even when it differs from my beliefs}

I find it very refreshing when I see people who are not afraid to be themselves.

I don’t mean the people who act a bit off just for the attention. 

But the people who are carefree and are true to themselves. 

They are not trying to be who others think they should be.

They are true to their own personal beliefs. 

The ones who wear what they love and not worried if it is what’s currently in style.
The ones who speak of the Lord without the fear of others judging them.
The ones who are proud to drive a less expensive car than their neighbors.
The ones who are proud to be working moms in a sea of stay at home moms. 

In my bathroom I have a sign that says

“In a world where you can be anything, be yourself”

I love it.  I think it is so true.

We can be anything in the world. 

But you can’t be anything great till you are true to yourself!

BE YOU!

I found this video online and I am obsessed with it.

It is all about being brave enough to be you!

You have to watch it...It will make you smile {promise}

I want to see you be brave!

I want to see you be you!

go-to-gift for birthdays

What do I buy a child for a birthday gift?
How much should I spend?
What will they like?
What are their interests?
I think ALL parents think about this at birthday party time.

Well I have a go-to-gift, AN ART SUPPLY BOX.

Obviously I LOVE art, but so do kids!!!!!
It has always been a huge hit every time I've given it!!! 

It can be in a tote, plastic caddy, or anything that keeps it all together 
(and mom can put it away when needed kind of like play dough)

I usually personalized the container with permanent markers. 
(On the bottom I write a little message so they remember who gave it to them)

It works wonderful for all ages.

You just adjust the materials for the age.
For instance the one I have shown is for siblings, a 1 year old and a 3 year old.
So I did dry erase board (and marker), coloring books, drawing paper, 
glue stick, glitter glue, colored pencil, crayons, markers, and watercolors.

If it were for an older child you could include acrylic paints, 
canvas, paint brushed, paint pallets, etc.

Oh and the best part is this whole gift cost less than $15.
(a $5 tote and $10 worth of supplies)

This is my savior when it comes to parties!!!!

When ever in doubt I always put together one of these.

Do you have a go to gift for birthdays?

mini jello cheesecakes {Suzi HomeFaker Style}

What are you making for the 4^th?

I had found a recipe on pinterest yesterday and I was going to make it.  

 I even went to the store and bought ingredients but of course I forgot my list.  

So today when I went to make it I realized that I did not have all the ingredients. 

SO a NEW Suzi Home Faker recipe was born.

I looked through my cupboards and made “mini jello cheesecakes"

To be honest I haven’t ate one yet 

but you know I licked the bowl clean and it was DELISH.

*It made 12 mini cheesecakes*

I put a few sprinkles on mine.

I would have liked to have done more to decorate them 

but I didn't have anything on hand ***SHOCKER***

This recipe could easily be altered to be in ANY COLOR for different parties and themes!

Click here see my other Suzi HomeFaker recipes 

I also made a corn dip {variation are floating all over Pinterest}

I have made it for years and I alter the recipe for what I have on hand each time

and each time it is great!

What are you making for the 4th?

my JUNKY flower garden

I love flowers and JUNK!   

So every spring I enjoy planting my junk all over.

I then spend all summer trying to keep it all alive.

This year I'm doing pretty darn good {so far}
I mainly do container gardening.
Here are some shots of my JUNKY container garden….

You will notice old wooden posts as edging throughout.
We redid all the road side fencing last year so we had a TON of posts that were free so of course that's what I used :)

{out front}

  

{Out back} 

around our "patio", it is really an old foundation  from an old building

Now isn't this little serving cart adorable? 

 My aunt Nancy (who is super duper creative) gave it to me.  

It is actually an old shopping cart, minus the basket.  

She put the wooden slats on it.  It's PERFECT!!!!!  

I use it to serve drinks, hold sidewalk chalk, or potted plants. 

What do you think?  

Do you have a JUNKY yard/Garden?

Tom Osborne {The TeamMates Program}

This past weekend I had the opportunity to meet Tom Osborne.  In Nebraska he is legendary. There is a level of respect for him that is hard to explain.  And not because he took our Huskers to three national championships and 255 victories (although that is awesome!!!) but because he is an amazing individual.  He has amazing values, morals and religious understanding.  You don’t have to follow football to know who Coach Tom Osborne is. 
He has done a lot for our state {and beyond}!!! 

(source) 

So why did I meet him?

Well he came to do a presentation at our summer gathering for our local economic development committee.  He came to specifically talk about the TeamMates Program.  I have to admit I have heard of the program and I knew the overall concept but I never knew details. 

The mission of TeamMates is to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential. The TeamMates Program began in 1991 with the vision of University of Nebraska Head Football Coach Tom Osborne and his wife Nancy. The program began with twenty-two football players who met with middle school students in the Lincoln Public Schools. TeamMates has expanded and currently there are more than 6,000 youth in 115 communities across Nebraska, Iowa and California!
Tom shared some startling stats about our nation’s youth. Along with his statisics he also inclued jokes and bible verses.  All which made you think, think deep, and realize what a valuable program this is.  I wish I would have recorded the presentation (or taken notes).  I went there thinking “Yay I get to listen to Tom Osborne” but I had no idea how impactful he would be.  His presentation was very inspiring! {which I should have expected}.  If you or anyone you know would be interested in being a mentor please PLEASE look into it.  It is really amazing the impact one mentor can have.

Join the Team! Be a Mentor!

TeamMates Mentoring Program is a one hour a week school-based mentoring program. 

Who can volunteer? 
Any adult 18 and over with an interest in supporting a young person can become a Teammates mentor for a youth grades 3-12.

How much time does it actually take?

Just 1 hour a week!

What time of day would I meet with my mentee?

As a school based mentoring program, you can meet with your mentee anytime during the school day.

What do we do when I go to mentor?

You should let your mentee take a lead in deciding what to do during your time together. Play a board game or cards, do a craft, play on a computer, read, talk about your week, do homework, or go to the school gym! Visit the TeamMates.org resource library for more ideas!

I don’t want to be matched with a student who doesn’t want to meet with me. How does that work?

All students have indicated to the TeamMates Coordinator that they want to have a mentor. the TeamMates Coordinator meets with you before making a match – this is your opportunity to let the coordinator know your interest and hobbies and schedule. Matching is made based on similiar interests.

My schedule changes every week. Is that a problem?

Not at all. Just communicate your schedule with the TeamMates Coordinator.

Can we meet off school grounds?

Yes, occasionally. However, meeting outside of school should never replace the weekly meetings at school.

What types of support and programming does TeamMates offer their mentors?

TeamMates Coordinators have regular contact with mentors offering guidance and support. TeamMates also offers ongoing training opportunities and an entire resource library dedicated to helping you make the most of your mentoring relationship.

1. Apply 2. Train 3. Meet your Mentee

Questions? Call 1-877-531-TEAM (8326)

Visit the TeamMates Website

http://teammates.org/ 

Thanks Tom!

Thank you to you and your wife for coming up with the TeamMates Mentor Program!

(source)