Life Lately - According to my iPhone.

 I totally meant to have this up yesterday, but my internet failed me. Completely failed me. Pray for the people I have to talk to about it. AT&T seriously hates me. My service is always down. #firstworldproblems I know. Just needed to vent. Here are some photos. It's all I got in me today.

flower and a sickly looking arm

outfit with my thrifted purse. (in love)

mothers day arrangements for sale at the farm stand

scary face. (mine of course)

big smiles for a little cutie

flowers by my talented mother. flower photos are my jam

small town festivals with happy friends

graduation parties for a sweet bestie

cattle crossing on a rainy morning

birthday lunch edits with this favorite guy of mine

braves game with the best family ever

and him.

Love you all. Happy Thursday! It's almost the weekend!!

A Mother's Love

A mother's love I have come to understand is something that you just don't get unless you are a mother. And my mama is and has always been the most perfect example of a mother and the love that only a mother can have. This post is a tribute to her.

I am blessed to have you, I am blessed to have ever even known you, not only as a mother but as a friend, a confidant, a hero, someone to look up to, someone to trust, someone to laugh with (and sometimes at), someone that fixes the wrong in my world, someone who encourages me, who teaches me, who cries with me, and someone who is one of the very best people I know.

Growing up we didn't ever have it all, but we always had you. You have taught and passed on the true meaning of hard work, your love of the land and all it has to offer. I am constantly amazed at all that you do for each one of us. You encourage us to make good decisions without overpowering us. You support my never ending ideas, are always ready to buy something I make, learn something I am learning, or spend your very rare spare time doing something I love. 

You are my heart Mama, I am who I am today because of the person you have let me become. I am who I am because of your encouragement, your brain when mine isn't working just right, and your never ending faith in the good Lord above. I love you more than I could put into words and I am so thankful God paired us up. He sure knows what he is doing. 

Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not jealous; is not proud; is not conceited; does not act foolishly; is not selfish; is not easily provoked to anger; keeps no record of wrongs; takes no pleasure in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. ~I Corinthians 13:4-7

Currently

It has been awhile since I did a currently post, but figured there is no time like the present. What better way to catch up with my blog life than to share a jumble of things going on right now. 
Currently...

#smithsdotugaloo2013

...skipping yoga and having a beer on the back porch while writing this. Sometimes it's nice to take a little break and forgetting workout clothes at home this morning made just that exact thing happen.  ...getting used to my brand new haircut, let's just say sometimes you just need to trim off a few inches (or six). Outfit/style post coming soon.  ...loving Spotify, and Garth Brooks has been on repeat today. Not sure why but its been nice to hear some older country. Speaking of, country music is extremely disappointing. I might get quite a few unfollowers for this one, but Taylor Swift has got to go. Along with all the other poppie wannabes. I liked country when country wasn't cool. What happened? ...thanking God for unanswered prayers (thanks Garth). Let's just say it's amazing the moments you go through in life and think that this is it. The good Lord has much bigger and better plans for you, and I am so thankful to have been blessed in those moments.  ...excited for a date night with A. Moments with him seem to be getting better and better. I just am so thankful to call him mine.  ... looking forward to a weekend staying put. Don't get me wrong, I am a goer. But this weekend I am exciting about staying right here. Enjoying the beautiful weather and having a few drinks on the porch while cheering on the Dawgs.  ... missing my sweet family. Pretty fall days make me miss them so much. I know afternoons like this would be spent working, laughing, and just enjoying each other. Growing up is hard.
So there is a little currently for you... I am gonna go enjoy my beer. Blessed to be able to share with you all. ooo, Montana

fall is upon us.

via

Don't you just love the way that sounds? Life starts over? I will be honest, fall isn't my favorite season, sure I love the cooler weather, but that only means that winter is coming and winter is not my favorite at all. I like to be warm, always. But I have decided to embrace the fall weather heading our way and this quote just says it all. A new season this year, a new season in life. 

Last night I realized that I was lacking the sense of adventure this year, that I might have had in years past. I have had a pretty great year don't get me wrong, but I want to do something that scares me. I want to inspire others and inspire myself to be better each day. I used to keep a "bucket list" of the things I wanted to do, and maybe that was what pushed me, but in the everyday hustle and bustle I have found it harder and harder to be led towards my dreams. I have decided to post that list here. Maybe going back to it will help me find my passion in life. I think it is so easy to get into the mind set that this is it. I don't ever want that mindset, I want to be pushed in life, I want to figure out my dreams and follow them, I want to inspire others to follow theirs.

 Own my own actual shop/business.
 Go Skydiving
 Go on a trip with my grandparents
Ride a bull volunteer at a food bank during the holidays
Teach someone something I am good at
Dance in the rain with someone I love
Go to a Braves game
Live in a big city
Live at the beach
Buy a moped/vespa
Pay off my student debt early
Take a sister trip
Schedule one weekend a year with my girlfriends and keep it for at least 10 years straight.
Go to all 3 races of the Triple Crown
Cook an entire meal with things grown in my own garden.
Find a job that I love
Go to the airport and buy a ticket to the first place I think of
Travel somewhere by train
Live in a tiny town
Ride horses in Montana
Take a trip out West
Own a home
Own a horse and show again
go to California
be on television go to GA/FL Football game
read the entire Bible
go on a cruise
This list is by no means complete, but ever-changing, ever evolving. As for right now, I am about to get my day started. Blessed to hear the rain on the roof as I type this. Blessed to be in this spacing sharing my thoughts with you all. ooo, Montana

A New Morning

This marks the first of my morning blogging so bare with me. It's early and I am trying to get into a new habit of getting the thoughts from my head onto this screen a little earlier. 
All mornings are a fresh start, a whole new day to take on another dream or goal. In a lot of ways I feel like mornings are God's way of giving us a do-over. A brand new day that we can better serve him, be a better example to others, or just treat ourselves and those around us with the utmost respect. I like mornings, I always have. Lots of the mornings of my childhood were spent up with the animals, feeding the horses in their stalls, getting ready for a show on a weekend. Those moments before a crack of light came into the sky were special to me. A typical morning before a horse show included so many things, from ironing our show shirts, to giving those horses one last grooming before we put them in the trailer, the mornings were when it happened. There are many of those times that stick out more than the rest, but one of my favorites is still embeded in my memory.

a late night hike recently

It was a cool morning, early fall probably, and the day before had been spent in Perry, Georgia. After one show we immediately headed to another in South Carolina. I was tired, he was tired but he made it a point to let me have a good time as soon as we got to the hotel. We jumped on the beds. Literally jumped, this became a little tradition that has always happened, even to this day. We stayed up late into the night working on some tie-downs for the horses. Showing was a way of life, and a way we made our money, so it was important to win the next day. We tied rope until our fingers were tired and I am pretty sure I passed out long before daddy. The next morning we woke up early and headed out to the show grounds to feed the horses first. It was still dark outside and I can still smell the hay and grain. While the horses were eating, and they always ate before we did, we headed over to the local IHOP. I remember the menu and ordering the "pigs in a blanket". This was the first time I had heard a food called this, and I made a big deal about it. We laughed and laughed about that for days. After eating we headed back to barn to get ready for the day. I got put on a horse to warm up and one for daddy too. After riding around the arena some, and getting the horse warmed up for the day, I decided to work on some of my circles, not noticing the lady lunging her horse in the center of the arena. When our horses met they both went opposite ways and I stayed right in the middle. Falling off hard down into the dirt. Nothing hurt but my pride. I, of course, got back on after a little coaxing from daddy, and I think we went on to have an okay day. Those tie-downs worked wonders and we got those horses to bury their butts in the dirt during their slides.
Looking back now, I lived for mornings like those, and in a way still do. Now it is all about encompassing it all, making it more than a memory, making it a part of me again. This morning is going to be a good one. I am blessed, blessed, blessed. ooo, Montana

You are just what we needed.

Today there were tears, but little sister graduated high school today. I truly can't believe that this day has finally got here, so in true Tana spirit, here is a letter to Josie.

Sweet Jose,

Let me start off by saying how much I love you. I couldn't be happier that God gave you to us. You are just what we needed. A push towards the direction of crazy, we can always count on you for a laugh, and I can always give you my own personal sob story (when I shouldn't) and know you will listen.

As you graduate, grow up, and get out of the small bubble called high school there are a few things you should remember. First off, we all love you tremendously. We may fight or get upset with you, but our love for you is constant. The same goes for God's Love, he is always there, at times when you feel alone, scared or just don't know what to do in a situation, say a prayer and feel his presence. He is there. Next, follow your dreams. Do all the things you always wanted to do. Make decisions for yourself and don't be in a hurry to find someone. Find yourself first. This is the time in your life to figure out yourself, figure out who you are and what you want, but don't be in a hurry, you have plenty of time.

And lastly, remember I will always be here for you, for you to call when you need to cry, yell, or complain. To call when you need a laugh, to visit when you just need time away. I love you gopher. Always.

Oh yeah... get ready to jump out of a plane. 

Tana

Yes! We are nuts!

via

Seeing these pictures on Facebook sure made my morning a whole lot better, it also helps that I am headed home for a 3 day weekend, to see my little sister graduate high school, spend some much needed time with my family, and just get out of town! 

This is all I got today folks! 

Happy Friday and Happy Weekend!!!

<3

Montana

#142

Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)

After completing this...

Dress: SaraMontana's Original // Shoes: Josie's

... the one thing I think I am good at is "winging it". First off, I have never created another garment, I didn't use a pattern, and my sister doesn't live near me, so constant fittings did not happen. I was asked about this time last year to create Josie's senior prom dress, and being the sweet, sweet sister that I am, of course I said yes. I worked off and on for about 3 months or so. She did give me an idea of what she wanted, but left most of the decision making up to me. I taught myself to sew about 2 years ago and have just been working it out ever since. I enjoyed learning different process and teaching myself by doing has taught me patience, hard work, and patience. Did I say patience?

I think "winging it" has become one of my better qualities, some may prefer to have a plan, but "winging it" has caused me to think on my feet, make a quick decision, and not be easily influenced. All good qualities if you asked me... Yes, I may not have taught you anything specific in this post, but I think that we can all say that "winging it" surely has it's place in this world. Later Gators, Montana

Are you linking up for  #BlogEveryDayInMay ? 

Josie's 2013 Senior Prom

 

 

 

 

A couple of weeks ago my sweet youngest sister attended her senior prom. She couldn't have been more beautiful and I am so glad that she thought to include me in her special day, by getting me to MAKE HER DRESS! Eeek! Seriously, I had never made another garment from start to finish and I have only taught myself to sew less than a year ago. I started with the design in my head last fall, but had been doing little pieces here and there to the actual dress starting in about January. It was a fairly simple design and I sewed a lot of it on top of a pre-existing corset but I am still very proud that I made an actual dress. A dress that she could move and dance in. I personally think she looked gorgeous and I am so happy that she had a great time with her date. I cannot believe she is all grown up and will be graduating in May. Seeing her off to prom brought back lots of memories of my own and being home to share this time with her and the rest of my family is something I will always remember. Later Gators, Montana.

Celebrating Baby Layton

I have been meaning to share these photos for a good bit now, as baby Layton's birth has already come and gone, however I am just getting around to editing and getting them all uploaded and sorted through. I have since visited this sweet boy and can honestly say I am super in love with his sweet face and I am so proud of his wonderful parents! I truly cannot wait to watch this boy grow up! We went with a western theme for this future cowboy and kept the flowers simple and sweet. I am in love with the way that it all turned out.

Baby Layton is loved more each day and I am so happy we had the chance to celebrate him!

time to get serious.

i am not one who usually makes resolutions. i feel that i try each and every day to push myself to do a little better. yes we should make lists and yes it sounds good in theory but i feel like sometimes resolutions are pushed so much that we only do them for a short time. all of these are things that i want to do each and every day. today is the day that i am writing them out.

after making the above graphic i have decided that i will also be reading the Bible from beginning to end. i had been thinking of doing it but Kristen's instagram picture helped me find a place to start. i am on track and cannot wait to see how the Lord brings me closer to him on this journey this year.
what are your resolutions this year?

CHRISTmas.

Source: Uploaded by user via Sarah on Pinterest

i realize i have been MIA for the past few days. i have had to make a lot of decisions recently and have had to take a short hiatus from posting. i have made those decisions and i am happy to say that my blogging will continue. however, it will not be until after Christmas. i want to take this time to enjoy the ones i love. i am working thru saturday and then will make the travels home to be with my family.  all of my decisions have caused me to be stronger in my faith and i am excited to celebrate the true REASON FOR THE SEASON this CHRISTmas. 
i look forward to catching up with you all after Christmas. wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays.

2for1

Its a joint Thursday/Friday post. I am thankful and saying High Five for these things today(and yesterday).

These ladies that make my life perfect.

Feeding the cows and moments like this...

(he's not gonna like this again)

Happy Weekend Folks!

I will be spending mine watching the Dawgs kick some Elephant arse, shopping with my Mama, and probably eating way too much while still watching my carb intake.

What are you gonna be up to?

18 years have flown by.

Yet another year has gone by. You are now a grown up. You are now stepping into the big bad world of responsibility, choices, and your future. Today is your birthday, Josie. My sweet sweet little sister. As I sit here I can't believe how grown up you are, how crazy these times have been. How blessed and thankful I am for you. 

I (along with the rest of my family) don't want you to grow up, we want you to forever be our little girl. The cute little blond, with that bob and bangs. The one holding that cute little puppy. But, fact is, you have. You have grown to be beautiful, strong, and extremely outgoing. You have grown to be hard-headed, passionate about your ideas, and ready to take on the world. I am learning to slowly deal with that, to understand that you are growing up, to TRUST you to make the right decisions. I love you Josie. More than you can ever imagine. I am so glad you are my sister, and I am eager to see the wonderful woman you will become. Happiest of Birthdays JOSE!!