Well, where to begin. This is one of those blogs that I know what I want to talk about, but have no idea where to start. I guess you can say that this post is a self help Holly post. A post that I have been studying about and trying to overcome. It's about a little thing called Gluttony. I have always known the definition of the word in my head. The meaning and that the word was found in several places in the bible, but not until recently have I really ever just thought about it and how it related to me. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, I am not a shop-o-holic, I don't want or need new things all the time... but guess what? I love food. I crave bad foods. I am an emotional eater... meaning I eat when I am happy, sad, tired, energetic, lonely, lovely... get it? I eat at every emotion. So, it recently dawned on me... what the world Holly, you are sinning on a daily basis.. You are a glutton. I eat waaay to much food. I think it's fine and great to enjoy food. I love to cook. I love to make things and prepare things for my family and friends. It's part of me.. and I think that is okay, but what is not okay is the amount and the cravings of the food. It has hit me like a bat upside the head. It is a SIN... just like stealing, murdering, living in an unbiblical relationship, and being a drunkard. Yikes... not good. I try and live right and know I fail miserably a lot, but I never even thought of it as an ungodly thing. I want to not eat as much to be thinner, healthier, wear smaller clothes sure, but I never thought about doing it to honor God.... and that should be the number one reason. My cravings and wants are food not pot, but to God I am not sure there is a difference.  Philippians 3:19 says, " Whose end is destructions, whose God is their belly, whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things." I never thought of it that way... that I am putting my wants and cravings before God. God has told me not to be a glutton, but I do it anyway... I think of the needs and wants of my belly first. In Proverbs 23:19-21 it talks about being wise and how we should not be among the drunkards and gluttons... The over eaters. The ones who crave and eat to much. I shouldn't be among them. It states is simple and doesn't cause the slightest bit of confusion. Proverbs 25:16 goes on to say that when you find something sweet.. you can taste it, have a small amount. Enjoy it, but DO not eat so much that is makes you sick. I think it is saying have self control. Things can be enjoyed from time to time in moderation, but when we lack self-control the cravings and wants over take us, and before we know it we have had 3 slices of cakes instead of having a small serving. So, this is an obstacle for me. This is something I have to overcome! Maybe you struggle with this.. or maybe your struggle is something else, but lets all try and look at ourselves and not overlook something that really may be a sin in disguise. Something you never even thought about before. This was the case for me and now I realize that shoot.. I need to be asking the All Mighty One for help, because it is a real struggle. Finally I want to leave you with some verses that I stumbled upon today during quiet time. The verses are from Galatians 5:16 (The Message) "My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God's spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness." Later on in the chapter is says that "It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time.... uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions."

It sounds so easy, " Live freely, animated and motivated by God's spirit." I am going to try and know that I will stumble and fall repeatedly... but let us all try and live freely,  animated, and motivated and let's fill our lives up with God's lovely spirit.

Love you all have a blessed day!

-Holly

2013 was not the best... a year full of emotional days and lessons learned. Through all the hardships and trials I can see I leave 2013 a better person. A year that will leave it's mark on my heart forever, but a year that is gone and in the past now. I am a changed person this first day of 2014. I am a more spiritual person. A more understanding person. A less dramatic person. I am also less tolerant of unnecessary negative actions and personalities. I have learned that it is okay to distance yourself from things and people that make life unhappy and negative. You can't fix people... only love them. I have learned that also.. my job as a mother and a wife is to always make sure my family is happy, healthy, and God centered FIRST before anything else! 

This year I am not making resolutions... I feel like everyday we should be striving to better ourselves. To try and help make a better me this year I am trying to simplify. I am going to try and quit making life more difficult and try to just live life to the best of my ability not worrying. I am going to try and let God's spirit lead me and my family instead of trying to direct the scenes myself. I need to get out of the way and let the true leader light my path! 

2013 has had some very sparkly moments. My love and care for my husband has never been greater. We have grown closer this year and made it through a year that would break most apart.  My family is caring and extraordinary, even though I wish Nashville was closer so I could see them all more often! My best friend has been there with me through all the crazies. She has listened to my cries, whines, and disappointments. She has given great advice and told terrible jokes to keep me laughing. More than anything she is a trustworthy God centered friend that makes my life better! I also reconnected with several wonderful people during this past year... one in particular really helped me to turn my life around and help me see the happy again. Our talks were brief, but the words were lasting. The care and prayers are more appreciated than you know. A person who would never put themselves up on a pedestal, but someone who leveled with me and doesn't sugar coat. KW you really made a difference. 

One of the things that really helps me stay positive and helps me keep my mind on Jesus is the music I listen to. Lyrics that speak to my soul. This past year music has been a safe and comforting place. There have been many songs that have really helped me. Really spoke to me. Given me hope. Given me inspiration. I know the few people who read this are busy.... but if you have a moment click on the links below to some of the songs that have really helped me to find my center! 

Hillsong United has a song called Oceans. I often have tears in my eyes after hearing this song even though I have listened to it hundreds of times. Oceans is how I want to lead my 2014. The song says that Spirit lead me where my faith is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters. Where ever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet would ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior. 

Hillsong United: Oceans

My best friend shared this next song with me on a day that I really needed to hear it. Gungor reminds us that God makes beautiful things.... beautiful things even out of dust. This song is a beautiful reminder that no matter what has happened with Jesus as our savior we can all be made new. 

Gungor: Beautiful Things

God has a plan and can turn these ashes into something beautiful.

The Afters: Broken Hallelujah

Mandisa made me dance this year.... her Overcomer anthem is a great song for all girls to sing at the top of their longs. Whatever it is that you might be going through, I know your not gonna let it get the best of you... You might be down for a moment feeling like it's hopeless, that's when he reminds you that YOU are an OVERCOMER! 

Mandisa: Overcomer

Plumb's song Need You Now is one of those lyrics that feels like it came straight from my heart. I need you.. God I need you now.

Plumb: Need You Now

The last song is about as corny as it comes... but I guarantee you will be shaking by the time you are done. I LOVE this song. 

I just can't believe

Where my life was at

All that I know is that my heart was broken

And I don't ever wanna go back

Ain't no explanation

How I saw the light

He found me and set me free

And it brought me back to life

Blame it on the transformation

Changed down to the core

His love is real

And I can't sit still

Cuz my name's not shamed no more

Mercy Me: Shake

So, 2013 is in the past. It's over and done. The memories will live on with us, but today is a new day. We were blessed with another sunrise. Let's live it better than yesterday. Better than last year. Make it count. Learn something new. Help someone that is struggling. Make a bucket list and actual mark off some of the things you have always wanted to try! We have a blank slate in front of us. Next year on this date in 2015 when reflecting back what do you want to see? Make it happen.... I will be striving along right there with you. 

May you have a bright and shining new year. Much love to you all! Let's rock 2014!!! 

-Holly

Spreading Sunshine

Blessed.... yep. That is me and my family. We have what we need and beyond! Sure, we have had some really rough times, but with those times come lessons learned... blessings in disguise even though at the time I probably wouldn't have called them that! I have a nice home, comfortable vehicles, food to feed my family, and clothes to dress them in. I am able to stay at home with my kids while my husband works hard to provide for us. My children are so very blessed and it makes my heart happy. They have toys, clothes, multiple pairs of shoes, and have never once gone to bed hungry. While all of this fills my heart up with joy and I am so thankful, what comes with it is that they have never needed anything. They do not understand what "need" is which I am grateful for, but they also do not understand how incredibly lucky they are to have all the necessities plus all the "extras" they do have. 

So, I have come up with an idea for our family to help spread blessings to others. A way to help teach our children that giving is good. Giving helps others. Brightening someone else's day is amazing. That not everything has to be about them, but rather about others. I want to try and change their way of thinking even more... don't get me wrong, they are giving and sweet children, but I want to mold them into thinking, " What can I do to help or to make someone else's day brighter". I want to teach them to do this in a way that is completely about the other person... not giving to look good to others or only doing good if they are going to get something in return! Just pure goodness out of their on hearts. 

Starting this month we are going to start a new monthly tradition called, " Project:  Spreading Sunshine". My children are my sunshine. We are blessed with a sun shiny life and so what better name for our new family tradition. I want to teach my kid's to leave their sparkle where ever they go. Leave a place shinning more brightly than when they first got there. 

Once a month ( at least ) as a family we are going to "Spread Sunshine" to someone else.  Some ideas I have are making cookies for the police/sheriff/ fire departments. Making cards for the senior citizens home. Making goody bags for the children's home.

We are already working on this month's project.  We are currently heading up a Snack Pack for Kid's food drive. We are collecting pop tarts, granola bars, cereal bars, and peanut butter. The items collected are then bagged up and given to local students who do not have food over the weekends. On Friday's back packs are filled with food to help them make it through with out being hungry. I figured this was a great way for kids to help other kids. 

I want my kid's to get to the point to where they can come up with their own ideas of how to give back and help make other people's day! I want them to become more generous with their own money and time. I want them to see that helping other's feels good and will really bless them in the process! 

I hope you and your family will join in with us on this project. If you have any other ideas that we could incorporate into "Project: Spreading Sunshine" let me know. I would love to hear them! I will try and blog about all of our SunShiny outings! Please pray for our family and help us to open up our hearts even more to the people who could really use a helping hand or pick me up. 

-Holly

So, it's a beautiful Wednesday morning. I love Wednesdays... HUMP day. It is one of the first chilly panhandle mornings of fall and the mornings stay dark till almost noon... okay, not really, but 11:30 or so.=) We are on the faaaaaaar edge of the central time zone so we enjoy it saying light in the evenings longer and staying very dark in the mornings. I grew up in Tennessee on the other edge of the central time zone where it turns night at noon... ok maybe 12:30 =)... That is one thing that I can say without a doubt I like better about living in West Texas. It makes for cozy mornings and more time to enjoy the outdoors in the evenings.... WOW.... I totally just digressed.  

So, this lovely chilly snuggly Hump Day morning has me thinking about SNOW and hot chocolate. A bunch of life's wonderful little things kept popping into my mind. So, I figure it's time to do my ever so often list of "Holly's Favorite Things"! I know... the excitement is just too much. Do not roll your eyes at me... you know you love it. =) Or maybe you don't but just read it anyway. =)

One of my most favoritest recipes for fall is Pioneer Woman's Tortilla Soup. Y'all it is awesome. It's husband and child approved... even the left overs and that right there is a true success... we tend to HATE leftovers here in the McNeely home. It's totally yummy and filling. Go here and check out the lovely-ness! 

One of my favorite books EVER is called The Giver. I read it back a few centuries ago when I was attending the beautiful Kingston Springs Elementary School. It was sooooo good and I remember just wanting to read more and more. Then a couple years ago the big Hunger Games phenomenon came about. I love those books as well, but thought the whole time that it was just the newer version of The Giver. I nearly did a triple luxe double back flip yesterday when I heard that they are making a movie of the book. It will be interesting to see how the movie comes together... it could be a total flop, but I have hope it will be awesome just like the book. There are some pretty impressive actors set to be in the movie including Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges.... I am stoked for this one.

One of my other new found favorite things is this new liquid eye liner. I am not sure why I have always been scared to use the liquid, but it always freaked me out since I do not have a steady hand. I finally bit the bullet and got some after my pencil liner kept smudging all over the place. It's Maybelline Master Duo. Try it out.

I have a couple of Pinterest finds that I absolutely love. I do not own these things, but I reallllllly hope to one day. They are just full of awesomeness! First is this adorable sweatshirt. 

How cute is that.... I would love to have it. It talks about my favorite person and it is my favorite piece of clothing ever... a pullover. Ahhhh. It is meant to be. =) 

Then this little gem of a shirt... It speaks for it's self. Just need a different color, because yellow and me do not work.

Next is probably my most favorite of my favorite things. It's The Message Bible/ the remix. It's translated by Eugene H. Peterson. Here is the description from the website, "Translator Eugene Peterson worked from the original Greek and Hebrew texts to create The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. Written in American-English, the words we use in our daily conversations at home and in the workplace, The Message has sold over 16 million copies and influenced the lives of people around the world."  I love reading through The Message along with my KJV Bible to help me understand and relate better to the words. You should check it out.... and guess what? They have it in neon pink! =) Here is what my copy looks like.

Last but not least on my list of favorite things.

FALL.

I do miss my Tennessee Fall.... nothing like the beauty of the changing seasons.

 Pumpkins!!!

Coffee

I hope your day is filled with all of your favorite things and lots and lots of love and laughter. 

-Holly

Tuesday Ramblings

• The wind is blowing... like blowing hard enough you need to hold onto your hats, wigs, and small children when walking outside.  It hasn't rained in a long while. The sky is so dirty from the dried cow poo and freshly plowed dirt from the neighboring fields. I should be used to this from living in the Texas Panhandle for over eight years now, but I guess you never really get used to a sky filled with flying cow matter!

• My Nannie had surgery this morning to fix her blocked carotid artery. Things seemed to have gone smoothly!!! Our God is wonderFULL! 

• I am in the process of giving up lots of my PTO responsibilities. I am a stay at home mom, because I want to stay at home with my kids. Being this is Ari's last year before he starts kindergarten I have decided to step back from the school and spend more uninterrupted time with my sweet boy! I will still volunteer my time and head up events, just not be present as much! 

• The new show called "The Black List" is awesome. It is one of those sit on the edge of your seat shows. It's my favorite show since 24! I can't wait for that one to come back on in 2014.

• My little boy just randomly says "I love you" all throughout his day. He will make an amazing husband one day with his loving nature and hardworking personality. His favorite activity is to make everyone else laugh! He is good at it too! 

• My little angel girl is brilliant. Her smarts impress me! Her teacher gives spelling words based on ability. So not all students in the class are on the same spelling words. Anika is on the hardest level and still only missed one on her first run through of the words. Her reading level is way above 2nd grade and she is very good in math! I am so proud of her hard work ethic. She is always well behaved and is always on the best color. I am super proud of that little tootie bear.

• I can tell I am getting old, because I am beyond excited about getting a new front door. =) Never knew that things like that would excite me so much.

• Every person you meet today probably has something going on in life that is not perfect. It may be a different challenge than the one you are facing. It may seem petty and small, but it could be huge to them. So, if a person is a little off or grumpy, don't assume they are just jerks. You never know what's going on with them in secret. 

• My brother is awesome! He would do anything for me. He often tormented me as a kid, but as far as grown ups go he is one of the best around.

• I have lost 4 pounds since starting to workout again. May not seem like a TON, but to me it's a lot. Each pound is like prying my Ari off of his John Deere Tractor to go to bed... stubborn and unwilling to just go...

• Ari has learned 10 letter sounds in his beginning reading book. He can read 15 or so words now and is just chugging along. 

• Anika is progressing in piano very well. She doesn't love to practice, but she loves to play and make up "her own" songs. She is currently playing Mickey Mouse Song, Jingle Bells, Brady Bunch, and The Bubble Gum Song. It's amusing to watch her play. She bops her head right along with the beat. 

• I am am still reading Soul Detox. I am reading through it slowly to really let it all sink in. It is very very good and soul stirring. You should pick up a copy.

• I am also reading Made to Crave. A book about a woman's weight loss journey and how she finally succeeded with replacing her food craving with cravings for God. It seems pretty good and a real so far. I will keep you up to date. 

• Miley Cyrus is one lost girl, but I really wish she could figure out Hollywood life and get her life back on track. She is very talented and I love her voice, but she needs some major Jesus in her life! 

• The Civil Wars are my musical loves this week.

• Mary Magdalene was a great example to all of us Woman. She shows you that even Woman can do things for Jesus! 

• I wanna go on a cruise sooooooo bad. Anyone wanna take me?

• Volunteers are next to impossible to find. I am seriously forlorn about how to get more volunteers to help with school PTO. No one wants to help and the ones that want too can't won't find the time to give a few hours once a month.

• All people have tendencies that can cause harm to their souls. Addictions and addictive personalities can be past down in genes. Tendencies are just that though... We all have the power to overcome our addictions, because we have a friend called Jesus and an amazing God who can overcome the darkest of circumstances! Sexual promiscuity, alcohol, prescription drugs, food.... whatever it might be. We do not have to act on these tendencies. 

• It's the season for pumpkin everything.... and I love it!

• I am done rambling. =) Have a great day and if you made it all the way to the end of this ever long list of nothingness.... you are a rock star! 

-Holly

Crazy-ness and the oh goodness NO's!

What a week. It has been a busy hectic one to say the least, and what is funny is that I thought it would be a slow week. I should know by now that I shouldn't think things are gonna be smooth sailing... I always get proved wrong. I enjoy my hectic life, but I admit that this week proved a little challenging... and what really takes the cake are the comments such as, " oh how nice to be able to sit at home and be a stay at home mom." To that I said.... nothing. Because momma always told me if I don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all!" I wish there were days that I could sit at home and do nothing, but yeah... that's not gonna happen. I am a wife.... I take that role seriously.  I try and provide a loving and relaxing home atmosphere for my hard working husband. Always trying to be positive and trying to be a cheerleader in my man's life. Yes, I am a momma of two wonderful children. YES, I believe it is my calling in life. I am raising two of the future's adults. Praying they become useful to society and more importantly soldiers for our God! I spend 3 days of my week volunteering for my children's school running our Parent Teacher Organization and numerous extra hours at home preparing for events, shopping for our school store, ordering shirts, and planning canned food drives... FOR free. I also am homeschooling my youngest in K-4 four days a week instead of putting him in a regular daycare/preschool. I coach 10 beautiful 2nd graders in volleyball and devote time and love to them each week. Along with helping teachers prepare things for their classrooms. Yeah... all the sitting on the couch eating bon bons is really fun. =) HA. 

This week along with all my usual obligatory chauffeuring, chef, PTO, Momma, teacher's helper, after school play date maker, coach, tutor, teacher, lover, kisser of boo boos, and wifey duties I had to add another hat to my collection.... an exterminator hat. I hate that hat!!! With a passion. That hat means that I am a MOUSE catcher. I hate mice. Like, hate them a lot. Not as much as I loathe snakes, but close. They are gross and fast and INVADING my HOME. Yuckola. My little boy and I have chased and caught and smashed 3 mice INSIDE and we have caught 7 in traps out in the garage. We live out in the country on the corner of a crop circle in the midst of fields.... lots and lots of fields. Our whole yard is surrounded by fields which are now being harvested. I know the little critters are being driven out of their homes, but it is not okay to come join me and my family. Oh GOODNESS these creatures are giving me a run for my money. Every movement and every sound freaks me out, because I am just sure it is another mouse. It's not good. It's stressing me out y'all. I even went and got a new Momma cat to help with the "Killing at the McNeely's"! 

So, yeah I have been busy. No, I have NOT been watching Soap Opera's while eating chicken salad on croissants, getting mani/pedis all the while shopping with my fully loaded credit card while I whisk my kids off to school and the local mother's day out. It's not like that. So quit assuming. 

Why are mother's so judgmental of each other. Aren't most of us trying to do the best we can. I do not know a single mother who wants the "worst" for their child. We all do things differently, or course, but different doesn't always mean AWFUL. Some mother's work. They work hard for their children to give them a good life and they do the best they can to juggle all that life throws at them. Some mother's raise their kids by themselves. Maybe their spouse died or left them to fend for themselves. They have to bust their booties for their children. Then there are the part time working moms who work the night shift to spend days with their kids. The Helicopter moms. The Tiger Moms. The homeschool moms. The "Let the Child Choose" moms.  The stay at home mom. The "Super mom". The "let them cry it out moms". The "never let them cry moms". The "Shelterer". The "Give'm Space" mom. There are a million ways to parent. Guidance and suggestions can sometimes be helpful, but my goodness lets not be so mean and judgmental.  Most mom's are probably trying their very best to be the very best for their kids. So lets give each other a break and be gentle with one another. The world is cruel enough without the mommas guilt tripping each other. So working mommas QUIT dumbing down the stay at home moms. Stay at home moms quit guilt tripping the working moms. We are all on the same team. The team that is building tomorrow's grown ups... So, let's teach our daughters that each of us may mother differently, but it's okay. Teach them to pray for guidance for their "calling" in life. Whether they may be the next CEO or the next PTO president, my hope is that they can respect others and work hard where ever their lives may lead them. 

-Holly 

What's your biggest life long struggle? Mine is weight! It has always been weight. I hate my fat. It is my thing that I have never been able to concur. I have always been the biggest one around. A little on the chunky side for a big part of my life. Then I had babies. With the babies the weight piled on... and now my baby is 4 and 1/2 years old and the fat is still hanging around. I am sick of it.

I have good self esteem. I am good at a lot of things. I have succeeded in most things that I have tried, but it's this one battle that I keep fighting and keep failing at. I think about all the things I could do better and be better at if I could be more fit and healthy. I want it.

My down fall.... well it's a nasty four letter word. Something that you must have, but only in good and healthy ways. My downfall is FOOD. I love it! I love to bake and cook for my family. All happy and fun occasions are usually based around food. Not a healthy salad either. Good ole southern hospitality food. It's my thing when I am happy or sad. I lack self control. That's all there is to it. 

I want to kick this in the bootie once and for all. I want to win. I am not use to losing. Especially when I am the one in control of my own fate. I hate that I keep losing. 

This morning I started a new journey with a good friend of mine. We both need to lose quite a bit of weight. We are at different phases of our weightless/working out journey, but we are both striving to live healthier happier lives. We have small goals we are wanting to reach all with one big final goal in mind..... GET HEALTHY! 

Now, I say this seriously... PLEASE pray for us as we go through this journey. I need the strength and the inspiration to do this. I have failed at it a lot.... I need God to help me WIN this! I am praying that God will keep me from temptations and give me the strength to get my bootie up and hit the gym with workouts that COUNT! I wanna WIN. 

Support us. Pretty please... Thanks Lovies!!! 

-Holly