a Busted Lip and a Prayer Request

Hello Friday! It's been a fairly long week, and I'm so thankful you are here. And... with your arrival comes one of my favorite link ups, Five on Friday.

ONE

 

I started out the week with a busted lip! Little Man and I were cuddling on the couch and Daddy came sneaking over to tickle him. Little Man got squirmy excited and then bam! hit my chin with the back of his head. The impact pushed my teeth up into my lip. It was a little bloody, but mostly it was swollen and painful. Thankfully, the pain only lasted for a few minutes and I only sported a noticeable busted lip for a couple of days.

 

TWO

 

Check out the lunch I had one day this week! We had a shrimp boil and it was oh so good. I will confess though, that I only ate the shrimp, potatoes, and corn. :)

 

 

Would You Be Friends With You?

Do you ever wonder if you weren't actually you, if you'd actually like you or not?

I occasionally enter these moods where I ponder on whether or not I'm okay with who I've become. I try to see myself from an outside angle and consider how others might see me. And honestly, I'm not always happy when I do this. Would I even want to be friends with me?

I realize I am sometimes entirely too hard on myself, but I also know that my standards need to be more like God's and less like the world's. I know I will never achieve the qualities that I strive for, but it's these periods in my life in which I become aware of the fact that I'm no longer working towards those characteristics that I find myself discouraged.


Where is my compassion? I'm becoming so wrapped up in the constant non-stop schedule that is life today that I don't even stop to consider the needs of others. When I do that, I'm saying my time is more precious than yours. How selfish. In order to serve Him, we must serve others.

Friends and Fall Celebration

In celebration of all that is Fall and Friendly, I am hosting my very first giveaway!

 

Actually, I really wanted to have my first giveaway for a couple of reasons. One, because I'm overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness for every single one of you who take the time to read what I am sharing. I am really excited about all of the new friendships that have come from joining the bloggy world. And two, I seriously do love the change into the Fall season. I look forward to the crisper air, long sleeves, fleece, and hot chocolate.

So, for an official kick off to the Fall season, let's have some fun! Three winners will get their very own $10 Starbucks Gift Card. I've got all three sitting right here beside me and I'll mail them out to you shortly after the giveaway ends. :)

 

 

As for details, the giveaway will last through September. There are all sorts of ways to enter - be sure to check them out below. Once the winners are chosen, I'll get in touch with you and will send your gift card to you shortly after.

Now, moving on to that Friendly Fall Fun!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

As always, thanks for reading.

 

Kate

 

September 22, 2013

5 on Friday: a Fly, a Camel, and a Face

Happy Friday Lovelies! I hope you're week has treated you swell and you've got just the kind of weekend you need ahead of you. My week has flown by! I haven't posted all week, so I'm going to use this week's Five on Friday as the perfect opportunity to give a quick recap - that's the idea, right? :)

ONE

Take a look at the picture below - do you see what I see? A fly. On the inside. Of my glass. Needless to say, I asked for another drink. But, I couldn't help but wonder how long it had been there before I actually noticed. I was chatting and laughing and not paying any attention. For peace of mind, I've chosen to move on under the assumption that I noticed it prior to taking a drink! 

 

 

TWO

I was sitting at my desk on Wednesday just working away, minding my own business when someone came up to me and started saying "Mike, Mike, Mike. Guess what day it is??? What day is it, Mike?" I was essentially speechless and responded with a look of complete puzzlement. It was obvious that I was not up to speed, so the video below was shared with me. "Woot woot!" Have you seen this commercial? I laughed until there were tears in my eyes. I realize, though, that I may have found it incredibly funny solely because of its preface by my co-worker. What do you think? 

 

 

Blogging Tidbits - The SK Edition

Happy Sunday Friends! I'm happy to report, it's time for some Sunday Social with Ashley and Neely.

1. What is the name of your blog?

My blog is Seriously Kate. When I first started blogging, the 'Seriously' seemed fitting since I was constantly saying the word in everyday conversation. But before actually committing to make it a part of my blog name, I researched the true definition. According to Merriam-Webster, seriously means "in a sincere manner" or "earnestly." I was sold after that, because that's exactly how I wanted to portray myself - as sincere and earnest.

 

2. What do you love most about blogging?

Besides the fact that I enjoy the art of writing itself and connecting with people, I love the thrill. I sound crazy right now, don't I? But, it's true - I love hitting the Publish button and waiting to see what transpires. Will people actually read it? Will folks enjoy what I've written or identify with it so much as to leave a comment? Will anyone whose never been to my blog before feel a connection and want to follow from now on? Are those who are already following me looking forward to reading what I've written or considering un-following me? Is there any chance that by sharing my experiences and my faith, I've actually encouraged someone else? And, will someone confirm that I am not the only individual in the world that feels this way in regards to whatever it is I'm writing about? It's the thrill, I tell you - the anticipation and expectation that my thoughts and opinions might actually be read, contemplated upon, and agreed with or disagreed with.

 

3. Why did you start blogging?

I really enjoy writing. My mind approaches it like a challenge - finding the perfect way to take the thoughts and feelings that I am experiencing and translating them into words that others can read and relate to. It's sort of therapeutic. My heart approaches it as the opportunity to share with others my ups, my downs, and my in betweens - a chance to encourage by sharing my very own personal experiences. I love that aha moment when you realize, "Hey - I'm really not the only one!"

  

4. What is something you'd want to tell someone just starting out in the blog world?

It is something I have to continually remind myself, and that is to find balance. As a work out of the home wife and mother, I have to remember that it's okay if I'm not posting every day, that sometimes sleep is actually more important, and that my family enjoys home cooked meals and clean clothes. :) I essentially try to remember that I need to balance the use of my "me" time between all the things I enjoy and not just the one - because blogging is addicting!!

 

5. Biggest blogging learning experience you've had?

I was a no-reply blogger for awhile. I had no idea, and then finally, a blogger who was much more advanced than I was showed me the light. As I've progressed more in my bloggy interactions, I see how that makes responding to comments so much easier. Basically, I totally get it now. :)

 

6. What are three blogs you love?

Oh, this is going to be hard. I've talked about why I started blogging and what I love most, but I have yet to mention how FUN it is to read others' blogs and connect with so many awesome women who I imagine if we met in real life outside of the blogosphere, we would be the best of friends. But I'll try...

 

Everyday Mom-ents

The Bauble Dept.

Everything's Hunky Dorey

 

Would love to hear your thoughts!

 

And as always, I am so thankful that you're reading. :)

 

Kate

 

September 15, 2013

Raising Imperfection Link Party #36

I am so excited to be co-hosting this week's Raising Imperfection party! And, I'm really glad you're here. :)  I encourage you to say hello to as many Lovelies as possible. Then, make sure you enter the Co-Host Giveaway - I'm blogging proof there is a winner!

It’s Sunday! ~ Welcome to Week #36 of Raising Imperfection!

It's your favorite post Sunday link party!

We can't wait to see what you've been up to! Please view our very short introduction video for some link party rules and announcements.

 

 

Be sure to come back for Feature Fridays! Leslie and I choose our favorite links from the link up and feature them!If you missed the last features, you can see them HERE.

Please grab our link party button!

 

<img src="http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t475/RaisingReagan/Raising%20Imperfection/NEWRIButton275x150_zpsf908716b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo NEWRIButton275x150_zpsf908716b.jpg"/></a>

Say HELLO to your Co-Hosts for this week:

Kate – Seriously Kate

Melissa – Home on Deranged

Please also visit your co-hostess for the month of September:

Angel - Sew Crafty Angel

Guest Host for Super Sunday Sync #52

Happy Weekend Friends - I am pretty excited to be Guest Hosting this week's Super Sunday Sync!  After linking up each week, I always submit my entries for the Guest Host giveaway that's towards the end of the post. I never really think I have a chance of winning, but I enter anyway. And would you believe I actually won?! If I can win, you can win too! So, be sure to link up and complete the entry prompts so you have a chance. :)

Welcome to Super Sunday Sync #52! You all were amazing last week and helped us reach 115 link ups for our first anniversary celebration ~ the most we've had at the SSS in a LONG time!
We love you ~ help us reach 120 link ups this week?
Tweet, share, promote!

Our lovely Guest Hosts for this week. Please, stop by their blogs and give them some love!

Amanda ~ Chaotic Cantrells

and our Guest Host WINNER from last week is Kate from Seriously Kate

Five on Friday - Facebook, Fried Potatoes, and Fall

Happy Friday Lovelies! Hope you've had a fabulous week. The weekend forecast for our area is showing sunshine and cooler temperatures, and I am so excited!

Today, I'm linking up with The Good Life for Five on Friday. I actually kept a little note going in my phone this week of things to share in this post. As a result, I think it's going to be maybe one or two more than five. I'll keep them short though - I promise!

1. I am excited to report that I finally caved and created a Facebook page for Seriously Kate. I can totally see a difference already. I was a little hesitant to start one because my goal is to maintain balance with my blogging - I was afraid of adding another form of social media to manage. I really had nothing to worry about. It's been a piece of cake!

2. On Sunday, my hubs wanted fried potatoes. Would you believe I have never ever in my life fixed fried potatoes? Both my mother and my mother-in-law are fantastic cooks, so I called them up to get a quick lesson. Heat up a little grease, throw in the diced/sliced potatoes, cover them for about 25 to 30 minutes on medium-high heat and voila! Don't these look amazing? I was so proud of myself - even if they were a little too crunchy once they cooled down.

3. I cannot, for the life of me, recall which blogger mentioned this really cool thing called theSkimm, but I signed up for it and love it. Monday thru Friday, I receive an email first thing in the morning giving me a recap on events from the day before - important events. What's neat, is the news is explained in everyday conversation and is pared down to the basics. You should totally check it out!

4. I thoroughly enjoy mowing our lawn. It usually takes close to two hours on a riding lawn mower. I use this time to listen to music or just enter a bubble to think and do nothing. I find it therapeutic. However, I'm done now. This summer has been so wet that not a single week has gone by where it didn't need cut. I'm no longer enjoying its therapeutic nature. Come on Fall!

 

5. I am so thankful for all of your prayers and encouraging words for Little Man. I am so happy to report that he is doing just fine. He doesn't mind me changing his bandage, and he even takes it off all by himself when it's time to change it. I think he's actually pretty proud of it now. If you missed his run in with the bulletin board and his mommy's emotional meltdown - you can read about it here.

 

6. I link up each weekend with two really cool blog hops, and each week you can enter to win a co-hosting spot for the next week. Would you believe that I won a co-hosting spot to both for the same weekend?! I'm pretty excited!  Be sure to check them out this weekend and follow your hosts and co-hosts! ;-)

 

 

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

 

As always, thanks for reading.

 

Kate

 

September 12, 2013

Emotions Today: Panic, Desperation, Love, & Gratitude

If I were keeping a record book of highly emotional days, today would definitely be added to the book. I thought about waiting to write this so that I'd be less emotional, but sometimes it's the emotional that makes it worth writing at all.

On any given day, my office is just a short drive from our little boy's school. I take comfort in knowing, that if needed, I can be at his side in only a few minutes.

Today, however, was a little different. After dropping him at school, I wasn't going to the office - I was travelling approximately three hours away with a group of folks. I had already arranged for his aunt to pick him up after school because I knew I would be home a little later than usual. He loves when she picks him up and was excited about going with her. I walked out of his school this morning without worry, my mind shifting its focus onto the next part of my day - work.

I had put my phone in my purse and placed my bag in the floor by my seat. I was driving, so I wasn't giving any attention to my phone. I had checked it during our only stop to find absolutely nothing needing my attention.

A short while later, we pulled into our destination. Everyone else had already piled out of the vehicle and was waiting on me. As I was gathering my things, I happened to check my phone - not out of real concern that something may be there but merely out of habit. What I saw was enough to raise some alarm - I had five missed calls, two voicemails, and a text message. I am not ever THAT important. I immediately checked the missed call list and noticed little man's school was on the list. They had left a voicemail which I hastily listened to.

Ask Kate - Turning Betrayal into Blessing

Dear Kate: I know the Bible talks a great deal about forgiveness. I know that we have all suffered pain, and that grief is a stranger to no one. But how does one actually forgive a person who has intentionally hurt them? My natural response is to take the matter into my own hands and somehow "fix" it, but I know that is not right. So, how do I turn something that has been so hurtful over to God when there is still so much anger involved?

The simple answer is faith - trusting that God is always in control. And as a result, choosing to accept that He ultimately allowed you to endure this trial and experience this pain, and then taking the step of letting go.

This is, in my opinion, much easier said than done. Life experiences, good and bad, are unique to each individual and have different effects emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I try not to say "I know how you feel" or "I know exactly what you're going through" to others, because although I may have experienced something similar, how we experience these events and their effects on us can be very different.

As for a more in depth response, I'd like you to imagine two friends conversing casually over lunch - Kate, who is an opinionated blogger, and her friend Jo, who has just posed the toughest of questions.

Five on Friday - Bluefin Shoes and Once Upon a Prince

I am so happy it's Friday! We do not have a lot planned for the weekend and that's exactly how I like it. :) I thought I would link up with 5 on Friday this week! This will be my first time jumping in.

1. I love to buy Little Man shoes at Rack Room because it is always buy one, get one 50% off. On a good day, this means I get a new pair of shoes too. Check out these super cute slip ons made by Bluefin! I was really surprised by how comfortable they were.

2. Speaking of those new shoes for Little Man - I learned a valuable lesson today regarding shoes with white soles. Do not send child to school in said new shoes when the playground mulch turns everything that it touches black. Duh.

    

 

3. On Sunday, I finished reading one of the best books I've read in a long time. It was called Once Upon a Prince written by Rachel Hauck. I'm really a sucker for Cinderella stories and this one is beautiful. I love how it intertwines the Christian faith. It is also different enough from what you'd expect that it keeps you engaged even though you know the ending will be a happy one.

4. Little Man cried and clung to me every morning this week when dropping him off at school. It's so hard to just turn around and walk away from him. It did get better as the week went on - I know it wasn't easy for him going back to school after vacation. What helps ease that is when I pick him up at the end of the day, he is all chatty and excited to tell me about all the fun things he did. Sometimes, he even says he's not ready to go home. I'm really thankful for his teachers and the great care they take of him.

5. I had lunch one day this week at a Mexican Restaurant. The interesting thing about this is that I actually branched out and tried something new. I always get the hard tacos a la carte and hit the chips and salsa pretty hard. This week, however, I tried the Chicken Quesadilla Deluxe. It was delicious! I'm pretty excited that I have another option to add to the list.

Happy Friday to you and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Thanks for reading.

Kate

September 6, 2013

Five Things of Vacation

Our family spent the last several days winding down and rejuvenating in a comfy condo on the beach. It was absolutely wonderful to get away, take a break, relax, and enjoy the sunshine and ocean waves.

    

 

We usually take our family vacation to the beach during early or mid summer. This year, however, we decided to put it off until late summer. And it proved to be well worth the wait. Here are five reasons why I'm glad we did.

Sunday Social - All About Summer

It's time for this week's Sunday Social with Ashley and Neely. This week, the questions are all about summer!

1. What was your favorite trip/vacation/activity this summer?

Our family vacated to the beach just this past week. The weather was great, the time together was wonderful, and of course I ate with no regrets. It was perfect.

2. What was your favorite outfit look/clothing item of the summer?

I came across these super cute boat shoes at a local department store. They are made by Rock & Candy. They are so incredibly comfortable, lightweight, and very versatile. I've worn them all summer with just about anything and everything.

3. What is one thing you wish you'd gotten to do this summer?

A staycation - our house needs some serious cleaning/organizing from floor to ceiling. As Little Man grows out of stuff, I just throw it into a spare closet and it just keeps accumulating. Funny thing is, I do the same thing with my own clothes! Only difference is, I don't purge my closet because I'm certain I'll lose that extra weight that got them banned there in the first place.

4. What was your favorite song of the summer?

I really can't choose just one song, but I can choose one artist. Over the summer, I discovered Zooey Deschanel's music - She & Him. I'm pretty sure I purchased all three of their CDs on iTunes. They were touring this summer, but we couldn't make any of the dates work. I've never been to a concert and really have no desire to go, but I was willing to make them my first!

5. What was your favorite movie/tv show of the summer?

I'm going to have to go with Despicable Me. We're always a little behind in the movie/tv department, so this summer was the first time we'd seen it. And I can say, we have watched it over and over again. Our Little Man loves it and we all walk around quoting lines out of it. "It's so fluffy!!"

Hope you're having a lovely, long holiday weekend!

As always, thanks for reading.

Kate

September 1, 2013