StaciBishop.com

July 2018 Family Update

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 03:58:00 +0000

Skylar and I popped down to Bham to spend 4th of July with my family as is our tradition, as is the local fireworks show. Skylar got her very first driving lesson this year in my grandfather's old pickup truck out in the pasture. Classic! She and Aunt Sheila got in the sewing room and designed a reversible skirt. Yes, Skylar Bishop now has a skirt! Since we stayed longer than normal, we skipped grandparent camp this year as she was missing Onyx. Ya'll, her and that dog are tight. They really are besties!

After we returned back to Nashville we received some concerning news about my mom's health and made the decision for Skylar and I to move temporarily to Birmingham to help care for her. My sister-in-law graciously agreed to foster farm our chickens and we tried to streamline as much as we could at the BFF to make things as simple as possible for Mike for the remainder of the year.

It's a little tricky for our family living in 2 different states but we are doing pretty good. Moving back home temporarily was the right thing to do and I'm thankful for the extra time I'm getting to spend with mom. But living here has its perks too. Like being able to swim at Uncle Bennie's or having him bring us fresh veggies from his garden. Aunt Sheila is right next door and I have cousins right up the street. We've been out to visit my Uncle Fletcher's cabin and my Dad is thrilled to have me so close. Many of you know that he has been relentlessly trying to get me to move back to Alabama for about 2 decades straight. I'm still getting voicemails, lest you worry about that. And Skylar has Hannah right next door as well, who is also homeschooled so they will have plenty of time together.

This past week Skylar has been at summer camp with New Tribe. It is no small feat to watch a bus drive away with your 11-year-old knowing that they are headed for Oklahoma, which is basically a billion miles away. Despite me only seeing one picture of her the whole week and fearing the worst, she had an absolute blast! She says it was the best camp she's ever been to, which is a pretty high accolade. She came home E X H A U S T E D!!! In fact, she has taken a nap 2 days in a row which is unheard of in her world. She's going to hang with Mike in Nashville the rest of this week and he will bring her down to Bama this weekend. I miss them both so much! Onyx does too.

Business is going well. My VA clients have been very understanding about my decision to relocate my office and many tasks have been delegated while I help take care of mom. My HempWorx business is growing like crazy and I hit a new rank (25K) with the company this month!!! I absolutely love hearing the stories my customers tell me about how CBD oil is helping them and their pets. I'm excited to be involved on the ground floor of such a new and exciting opportunity that is exploding not just in the US but around the world! If you are interested in hearing more, please let me know.

I think that about wraps it up for July. Next month Mike and I have a little trip planned for our anniversary and I'm taking Skylar to her very first concert!

June 2018 Family Update

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 23:01:00 +0000

Ah, summer! This month has been full of summer activities.

Mom came to visit the first weekend of the month and was able to catch a couple of Skylar's softball games and go to New Tribe with us. Mike and I were even able to sneak in a date while she was here.

Skylar moved up to the youth group at New Tribe this month. The transition totally snuck up on me and I don't think I was quite ready. I'm seriously not a fan of the growing up business. Skylar, on the other hand, jumped in with both feet. She absolutely LOVES youth group. Thankfully, we have developed some great relationships in the last few months and the leaders have been super welcoming and very gentle with this first-time youth group mom. We've even decided to let Skylar go to camp with them next month in Oklahoma. You know, like a million miles away from home. Hold me, Jesus. Skylar is pumped!

In case you didn't know, our girl loves summer camp. She would go to all the camps if we'd let her. She attended her 3rd year of Cumberland Camp this month. She earned this one all on her own through BeeKidCandles.com. I was so proud of her hard work and we are so thankful for everyone who ordered from her. She had a blast and was even able to afford extras like laser tag and had spending money for the store. You can still order to help her save up for her next camp!

While she was at camp, Mike and I worked our booties off getting some things completed in time for our big summer party. We recently inherited a large cabinet and bookcase that was built by Mike's grandfather. I refinished it and we moved it into the office. I'm loving the way it turned out and it has created a much more cohesive look in that room. Mike also finished my custom barn door for my laundry room which includes a piece of tin from my dad's farm in Alabama. I was so tickled to get two sentimental pieces added to our home in one week.

Once Skylar came home from camp, we entered a marathon weekend. I had to work the concession stand at the ballpark and it was also the last day of softball with closing ceremonies. Mike was at home smoking meat for our Summer Solstice Party and my Dad came into town for the festivities. We enjoyed having everyone over for our party. It's always so fun to see friends who have been in our lives for as long as we have been in Nashville alongside the new faces that have come into our lives in the previous year. Seeing kids run and play in our back yard brings me so much joy. It's one of the things I always imagined when dreaming about our land. Sunday was Father's Day and I was so glad my Dad was able to go with us to New Tribe.

And if a marathon weekend wasn't enough, we packed up and headed to Pigeon Forge on Monday. Our friends have an awesome camper and invited us to come and hang with them for a few days. It turned out to be the perfect way to decompress after the previous week and we had so much fun. My favorite thing was indoor snow tubing!

We celebrated Onyx first birthday! Oh how we love this girl. I was convinced I never wanted another puppy but she has been the perfect addition to the BFF. There really aren't words to describe her sweet and gentle personality. Her and Skylar are truly best buds. She got a swimming pool for her birthday but is currently only using it as a large water bowl. LOL!

The rest of the month was pretty par for the course as far as work and farm chores. Things are going really well with Hempworx and I recently booked my trip to the company convention in October. I have seen CBD oil help so many people and I love sharing the benefits with everyone I know. I want everyone to try it. The ones who are the most skeptical become the biggest fans because it works so well for a variety of different symptoms.

We have something exciting in the works for the BFF and hope to be able to make an official announcement soon so stay tuned. For now, I'll leave you with a pic of our baby birds who went from eggs to flying the coop in just 10 days.

May 2018 Family Update

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 03:49:00 +0000

Not a whole lot happened this month, aside from work, but I still feel like it flew by.

Skylar attended the sub-regional competition for 4H at the beginning of the month. Grandma and D-Dad were able to come see her presentation and Mike took off work. This was a big deal for our girl and she did GREAT! We were so thrilled for her that she got second place, which included a trophy! This was her first year in 4H and I simply could not be prouder of all she accomplished.

She's also turned into quite the little entrepreneur. She decided that she wanted to go to several camps this summer but they are all pretty pricey. I explained that I would pay for 1 but she would need to earn the money for the others. She came up with the idea for these awesome rolled beeswax candles and she's super close to earning what she needs for Camp #1. She even designed her own business cards, bought her first URL, and now has a website. You can place your order at www.BeeKidCandles.com. The candles have been getting rave reviews and I'm so excited with her creativity and determination to acheive her goal!

We wrapped up our first semester of small group at New Tribe. I just can't even tell you how much we have grown to care for those families. They are all precious and we have enjoyed every second of getting to know them better. We also had a church-wide family picnic last Saturday that was an absolute blast! Mike smoked 20+ pounds of meat and, I swear, it was the best I've EVER eaten! Aside from the yummy food, they had a huge water slide for the kids, a volleyball tournament for the adults, free Kona Ice, and so much more! I love Jesus with all my heart but living life with other Believers is a pretty awesome perk and a heck of a lot of fun!

Mike is settling in easily at his new job and he even traveled to Winston-Salem for a few days for a work-related event. Skylar and I held down the fort and for the first time in 13 years I actually slept while he was away. I am typically the biggest scaredy cat when I'm home alone. Always have been. This trip, I fell asleep quickly, slept soundly all night, and work up feeling amazing! Thank you, CBD oil! Oh, and did I mention I can now eat gluten again. Seriously, if you are curious about CBD oil, message me. If you are local, be sure to RSVP for this free class that I'm teaching on CBD 101 (limited spots available).

We are knee deep in grass cutting season again. Our grass seriously grows SO fast and there is a ton of it, but I've been able to listen to some really good books. I promised myself I'd listen to more non-fiction this year. I've recently been on a Bush Family kick. I listened to Sisters First and 41 and adored the both. I've also planted a few things in the garden like beans, peas, zucchini and corn. My onion and carrot seeds didn't germinate and I'm now on my second batch of tomato and pepper plants but they are coming along nicely. So far, the Back To Eden gardening system (Google it!) is working out really well. I haven't had to water once any my plants are flourishing!!!

Skylar has been taking fiddle lessons since January but she recently made the decision to switch over to the ukulele. She's actually really good at both (or so her teacher tells me) but she naturally leans towards the ukulele so it will be fun to see how she improves from here.

I've worked a couple of overnight postpartum shifts this month helping one of my sweet repeat families. Snuggling babies in the middle of the night is truly one of the best jobs ever.

I think that's about it for May. Skylar leaves for camp in another week and our annual Summer Solstice party is quickly approaching. I can't wait!!!

April 2018 Family Update

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Tue, 01 May 2018 02:35:00 +0000

We kicked off April with our Spring vacation. However, April 1st was also Easter. We couldn't fathom missing our 1st Easter at New Tribe so we delayed our departure by a few hours and it was definitely worth it! The church has grown so much since we started attending around Thanksgiving, so they launched a 2nd service on Easter Sunday. It was super exciting to be a part of the inaugural 9 am service! Since then Mike has been serving in the kid's ministry and I have become a part of the Welcome Team. After the struggle we faced last year trying to connect at various churches in the area, being a friendly face to a newcomer is something that has become near and dear to me despite how far it is outside my introverted bubble. Everyone is so genuine, friendly, and welcoming at New Tribe that it's pretty easy to follow their lead! Our small groups (ahem, Tribe Groups) also kicked off this past month and we are enjoying getting to know other families. Our little group is just precious to me. We are all at different stages of life and spirituality but we seem to click pretty well!

Ok, back to vacation. We spent a week in Washington DC and it was fabulous! There is no way to do everything in one week but that didn't stop us from trying. LOL! We visited...

Ford's Theatre
Spy Museum
Museum of Natural History - The gem exhibit was a highlight for me.
Air & Space Museum - This was a favorite for Skylar.
Botanical Gardens - It was orchid season but I loved the medicinal garden best.
Museum of the Bible - Absolutely fascinating! I could have spent another day here.
Arlington Cemetery - Saw the changing of the guard and visited several other areas.
Annapolis & Chesapeake Bay
Monument Tour - We did this at night and it was spectacular. Saw Lincoln, Jefferson, MLK, Vietnam, Roosevelt, WWII, Washington Monument, and the Cherry Blossoms which smelled amazing!
Capitol Building - We had a fabulous tour guide and also got to see Representative Cooper's office.
Library of Congress
Air & Space Hangar - This was a last-minute stop on our way out because Skylar enjoyed the other museum so much. I think we all really enjoyed this one!

Now, I did all the historical things for my people because I love them but, truly, I vacation for the food! D.C. did not disappoint. I feel like we ate our way around the world while we were there. We also stayed in an awesome Air B&B in a residential brownstone area that was perfect for us! Despite us coming home exhausted, it really was a great trip! We also had a great house sitter while we were away. Ben did a great job keeping the BFF running and feeding our critters.

Once we were home things didn't slow down. My workload is busier than ever and Mike made the decision to change companies. It's something we've been talking about since December and an opportunity presented itself so the time felt right. He's still settling in but we think this was a really good move for us personally and for him career wise.

Softball season has also started back up. Skylar is with the same coach and many of the same girls from her team last year. They picked the team name, Blue Lightning this year and Opening Day was this past Saturday.

Many of you know that I have dealt with depression almost my entire life and anxiety in the last few years. This past fall I began taking CBD oil and it has been a game changer. Despite the winter that didn't seem to want to end, this was my easiest cold season yet. Mike has also started taking it for his arthritis and joint pain and has finally stopped taking one million ibuprofen every day. He says he's sleeping better and it's helping his tummy troubles too. I'm even able to eat gluten for the first time in 3.5 years. Y'all I am such a believer in CBD oil that I became a distributor for the company. If you want more info, please let me know and I'll be happy to share. This stuff is amazing and is helping so many people in my life.

The BFF got another upgrade this week and we checked another item off our list. Skylar has been driving our new 4-wheeler around everywhere.

This month I worked with 2 sweet families who are repeat clients. It's always exciting to help a mama welcome a new baby when we've worked together before.

Our co-op has ended for this semester. We wrapped up with Field Day this past week, which is always the highlight at the end of the school year. Skylar also competed in 4H and won for 5th grade in Food Science in Wilson County. She moves on to sub-regionals this coming week. I'm so proud of her!!!

I think that will just about wrap it up for April. Stay tuned for May. Surely things will slow down a little bit. Oh wait. It's about to be grass cutting season again. LOL!

March 2018 Family Update

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 17:04:00 +0000

Mike and I kicked off the month attending the Symphony where they dedicated the entire evening to songs by Frank Sinatra. We had awesome seats close enough to read the sheet music and we both enjoy Sinatra but we spent the entire night being entertained by the conductor's facial expressions. Ha!

We also found out this month that there is a cave here at the BFF. It was tight so there was a lot of mud and a lot of trust involved but we were pretty proud of ourselves.

Skylar and I attended the Teach Them Diligently Conference for the 5th year this month. This time I spent the majority of my time in the vendor hall, which is a drastic change from my first year. We have absolutely loved unschooling this past year and I greatly enjoy purchasing whatever items that I know will interest Skylar or just seem to catch my eye. It's so much less pressure yet results in so much more learning. This year I also opted to skip the childcare program and instead put her in robotics camp, which was fantastic! Then, I got to meet Ken Ham and had him sign one of Skylar's books. She flipped out! She thinks he's awesome. In fact, on the first night we had to sit on the very.front.row. to hear him speak.

My sister in law took her kiddos to the Chattanooga Aquarium for their spring break and graciously allowed Skylar to tag along. She had a blast! For our Spring Break, our girl went to Birmingham, where she spent a week with various family who kept her busy sewing, shopping, movie watching, Easter egg hunting, and cave exploring. Mike and I enjoyed a little mental break and we finally saw The Greatest Showman. The soundtrack is my new Saturday cleaning music.

In case you've been following along. It's a month later and Metro Stormwater still hasn't finished our driveway but they did manage to get the sidewalls put up. Now we wait for steps 3 & 4, blacktop and grass seed. Maybe by summer. LOL! And then we can finally put up our real mailbox. Bless.

In other news, our garage that we built back in November finally got approved by the codes office this week (another looooong story) and we also reached a settlement with the insurance company from our rollover accident from last July. These things had really been weighing on me and stressing me out. I'm so thankful to have them off my plate. Big answers to prayer!

Next week we are headed to DC. Hope everyone has a Happy Easter!

February 2018 Update

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 01:23:00 +0000

February was pretty ho hum with the exception of the Olympics. Oh, how I love me some Olympics! Althought, I do miss the dual screen set up we had at our other house. Regardless, there were many late nights and lots and lots of pacing, cheering, screaming, and jumping up & down, as usual. Mike traveled to Knoxville for a 4-day work trip mid month so Skylar and I basically laid in bed and watched Olympics the whole time. LOL! And when we weren't watching Olympics we were homeschooling about Olympics. At 38 years old, I'm a brand new coffee drinker (I know, I know) but I had an added appreciation for that caffeine boost during the 2 weeks of the Olympics. I'm a committed fan and it involves a lot of late nights. Can't wait til next time! #Tokyo2020

Our church started a new Bible Study that we've been going to and it will run through March. The ladies meet on Tuesday nights and the guys meet on Wednesday nights but we are all studying the book of James. We've even been challenged to memorize the entire book. I'm currently on verse 12. Only 96 more to go! The suggested time frame to learn it is 5 months, which I think is probably doable. Focus on 1 chapter a month. I'm excited to challenge my brain with some memory work and I'm particularly excited because it's a big chunk so the entire thing will stay in context. When I haven't been working on my Bible study, I've been knitting. Skylar taught me how. Thank you homeschool co-op!

The BFF got a little upgrade a few weekends ago. We were able to purchase some tree seedlings for $1 a piece so we planted 15 new trees. There were 5 different varieties so I'm hoping this will help bring some color to our property in the fall.

I passed another kidney stone this month. Thank you, family genetics! It moved quickly and relatively easily but not without me waking everyone up and demanding to go to the ER. Mike was warming up the car when I had a sudden pinching pain and then everything eased up. I can't find any medical proof to my remedy but I've now passed 2 kidney stones almost instantly by using colloidal silver. It may be a total fluke. Guess I'll try it again next time and see if I can do it 3 times in a row. Not that I'm looking forward to it. The pain is seriously worse than childbirth. It's so intense and there is no break. Not even for a second. Since it was so short lived, we went on our planned field trip to First Freedom Bank. I seriously think this was one of the best field trips we have ever been on. We were so welcomed and everything was so nicely planned out perfectly for our group.

Have I mentioned our ongoing saga with Metro Stormwater? When we moved in last year I contacted them about our culvert because it was too short and the sides of our driveway entrance were falling off. We also have standing water every time it rains even just a little bit, but it has gotten progressively worse. They came and looked at the problem last March and agreed it needed to be fixed. For the record, we (along with every other resident in Davidson county) pay a stormwater fee every month that covers repairs like this. We received a notice that the work would be done in May 2017. It wasn't. I have called Metro every month since then and have been given every excuse in the book including "we don't know." In January 2018 I finally played the political card and got our local council person involved. Like magic, suddenly people were showing up to investigate the problem, mark water lines, and decide on the size of culvert needed. This past week they finally showed up to do the job. Well, they started on it. The new culvert is in but we are waiting on more gravel and blacktop. They also have to repair our neighbor's culvert as well because it was part of the flooding issue. But wouldn't you know it, they haven't been back. Guess I'm calling again on Monday.

BEFORE

Speaking of rain, I am SO over it. Beyond over it. We are a mere week or so away from Daylight Savings Time. That will help my mood tremendously but we are also getting ready to head into grass cutting season and the extra daylight will be much needed.

That's about it for February. For more pics click here. Now, on to March!

February 2018 in Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 01:21:00 +0000

Click here to read the full February Update.

We LOVE the Olympics! #teamUSA

#TeamNoSleep

I learned how to knit!

Tree planting day!

I helped format a book and Skylar got a shot out in the acknowledgments.

Bank Field Trip

Our buddy Harper came to visit!

Every time it rains our front yard becomes a pond.

Finally getting our entrance fixed.

The work so far.

Our sweet Onyx is getting so big!

BE THE CHANGE: School Shootings

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 16:53:00 +0000

Be the change you want to see in the world.

The most recent mass school shooting sent my head spinning. It wasn't the tragedy so much as the one million opinions on Facebook on why this happened. The blame game, incessant arguing, and a demand for change. And there are lots of suggestions for why we have this problem and how to fix it. Yet, no one seems to have a quick solution on how to change our culture or implement their solutions on a grand scale. Why? Because it's a HUGE problem!

Me? I agree with all of you. I nod my head in agreement with every root cause.

It's the government's fault. (agree)
It's our parenting. (agree)
It's a culture issue. (agree)
It's because of Hollywood/media. (agree)
It's a mental health issue. (agree)
It's a medication issue. (agree)
It's a sin/heart/evil issue. (agree)

Honestly, there's not a one size fits all reason to these school shootings and that's frustrating.

I'm also in agreement about how to solve this problem. But that's where my brain gets stuck. I don't know how to fix this on a large scale.

How in the world does one go about implementing stricter screening processes in every.single.state?
How do we get around HIPAA laws to include medical information in background checks for gun applications?
How do we sync retail systems to monitor ammunition purchases?
How can we get every board of education to approve paid armed security for every school?
How do we keep guns away from the bad guys but still give the good guys the right to bear arms?
How do we (___fill in the blank___) on such a massive front?

I have racked my brain over who to call, where to write, or where to start for 2 days. Even if I knew where to start, it will take time (a lot of time) to get new laws and processes implemented. Let's be realistic here.

Then, I saw this video. In fact, I've seen it before - the last time there was a mass school shooting. I thought "That's awesome! How come all schools don't have these? Surely they will work towards getting them now!" Nope. They didn't. Not on a large scale. This device is relatively inexpensive, especially compared to having a full-time armed guard, but is highly effective. I don't understand why this solution hasn't already been implemented.

I'm a big fan of the "be the change you want to see in the world" and "be a part of the solution, not part of the problem" philosophies. I do think law changes are coming but I'm tired of waiting.

So here goes.... I called up my friend who is a teacher and showed her this video. I asked her what type of door she has in her classroom and ordered the appropriate device. It will be shipped to her directly.

I may not be able to solve the root cause of mass shootings but I can do something effective. I can't fix evil and I can't change laws but I can be proactive in protecting lives.

I'm encouraging you to do the same. Yes, YOU!

The Challenge? We all know at least one teacher. Buy this for them. There is an option for every door type.

Is it a little pricey? Sure. But in comparison to their life and the lives of the kids they teach, it's priceless.

I'm not taking any excuses here.

If you can't afford one find a few friends and go in on it together.
If you are a room mom, work with the other parents in your class to collect the funds to buy one for your child's teacher.
If you are on the PTO, start a fundraiser.
If you don't know a teacher, let me know and I'll connect you with one.

Inward Swinging Door
Commercial Doors with Scissor Closure
Outward Swinging Door

If we are going to "Demand Change" we have to BE THE CHANGE!

*In full disclosure, these are Amazon affiliate links. For every purchase made, I get a small percentage back but pledge to use those funds towards additional purchases of the Barracuda Intruder Defense System for teachers.

BARRACUDA INTRUDER DEFENSE SYSTEM

5 Things I Learned After a Month of Fasting

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 03:31:00 +0000

We're coming off a month of fasting, which has been both challenging and refreshing. It's provided me with some insight of more than just spiritual proportions and I wanted to share my experience.

For starters, I have never fasted before. Not intentionally. In fact, I'm pretty sure just the word "fasting" made me feel awkward and had a bad connotation associated with it. In my mind fasting = starving. Prior to 2018, I have never been asked to fast or had the desire to fast. When our new church announced they were going to start the year with a fast for the month of January, I wasn't on board.

But, this is one of the things I love about New Tribe Church. They are challenging us in ways I've never known before. It's a little bit daunting yet exciting all at the same time. The invite always feels genuine and gentle. They have a way of making everyone, even the youngest or most inexperienced, feel unintimidated and welcome.

The plan was as follows.

Week 1 - Fast from sweets
Week 2 - Fast from social media
Week 3 - Fast from meats & sweets
Week 4 - water only for 24 hours

They tenderly encouraged the church body to participate. The instructions were basic and allowed room for the individual to define their own parameters. If you want to simply cut out desserts for week 1 - great! If you want to read every label and be completely devoid of sugar - also great! If you cheat - keep trying! Need to be on social media for work purposes - you are exempt. If you have dietary restrictions that prevent you from doing water only - completely understandable. If you want to stack your fasts and keep them going simultaneously - by all means. If you want to focus on one at a time - totally acceptable.

The goal? Develop self-discipline, depend on the Lord for strength, subsequently grow closer to Him, and participate as a church body to launch our year together. Those are things I could get on board with. Even when they used the phrase "starve the stomach, feed the soul" I wasn't completely turned off at this point. It seemed reasonable, doable, and worthy of my effort.

So, here's what I learned.

1. Kids can participate too. Since I have never actually uttered the word "fasting" to Skylar before, I wanted to approach it in a way that didn't feel awkward or have a poor expectation of the practice. We explained what we were doing, why we were doing it, and just as tenderly invited her to define her own parameters and participate. She decided to do 24 hours for every week that we did. She skipped all electronics one day during social media week and ultimately did not participate in the water only fast. I didn't want her introduction to fasting to be overly strict and negative and was pleased that she joined in her own way.

2. I have more willpower than I thought. Recently I've been thinking that my willpower is dwindling as I get older. Sometimes I feel like it's getting harder and harder to stay focused. The practice of fasting takes a lot of self-discipline. As adults, we have a lot of leeway and don't always practice self control and stretch this muscle. We want what we want when we want it- so we do it, or buy it, or eat it - because we can. I am grateful that I was encouraged to participate because I can see how fasting can benefit me in regular old life as well.

3. Social media week was T O U G H. I was amazed at my muscle memory towards social media. Every time I grabbed my phone my thumb automatically pressed Facebook. Like, an unconscious movement. It's what I did during commercials, while on hold, waiting for water to boil, or even going to the bathroom. It became obvious in a hurry that social media had become a time filler. There were times that I would pick up my phone to do something else and literally be shocked at how my finger navigated towards that blue button. It was mind blowing! For an introvert, Facebook is seriously the best invention ever. It allows us to connect with people but not have to experience them. I still craved connection and found myself texting family and friends more during that week. But I'm kinda thinking that might be the better way. It's more personal and less filtered because it's intended for that one individual. I'm back on social media now but planning to cut my usage back and limit myself to only hoping on at specific times of the day (i.e. morning and evening). It's kind of tricky because I'm also online for work during the day so I'm still trying to figure out the happy medium.

4. There are health benefits to fasting. I came across "The Science of Fasting" on Netflix and was really impressed by the health benefits they have found from both short and long-term fasting. It can help with asthma, diabetes, skin conditions, cancer, Alzheimer's and more! In fact, studies show that fasting for 24-48 hours prior to chemotherapy significantly reduces the side effects but increases the effect on cancer cells. Fasting causes healthy cells go into protection mode while the cancer cells become more vulnerable. Very cool!

5. I thought fasting was making me fat. I've been eating the Trim Health Mama (THM) way for almost 2 years. During the sweet fast, I even excluded my natural sweeteners, which threw off my go-to foods like protein shakes and overnight oats. I eat on the go a lot so it was hard to find quick foods that I could eat that were still on plan. During our meat fast I didn't plan well enough and ate lots of crossovers that week trying to add in extra calories and protein. Most people loose weight during fasting but I gained because I was eating so differently and off plan. However, that was all remedied after the 24 hour water only fast. In fact, I have since dug deeper into research about the health and weight loss benefits of Intermittent Fasting and we plan to start incorporating this into our regular routine. I just learned today how to combine it with THM so I'm excited to add another layer of healthy nutrition habits to our lifestyle.

The hardest fasts for me were definitely social media and then the 24 hour fast. Those were definitely a sacrifice. I was praying nearly constantly during those times but felt sustained. It's definitely easier when you have someone to help keep you accountable and commiserate with so I'd recommend that as well.

Overall, it was a great month of learning, practicing self-discipline, and growing in our faith. I'm thankful we have found a church that challenges and encourages us!

January 2018 Update

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 18:50:00 +0000

After the "year of hard things" and "the month that almost killed us" I was an eager beaver to move into 2018!

We rang in the new year with our sweet friends who have become such a constant in our lives over the past year. It took us 12 years of marriage to find "couple friends," which is another reminder to me to never give up on the important things!

We did have snow this month, much to my disappointment, but it does look so much prettier at the BFF. I am missing the subdivision life about zero these days! Onyx was a hoot. I love puppies in snow like I love babies eating lemons. They get me so tickled. She's been staying inside a good bit since it's been #stupidcold at night but the temperature and snow truly didn't bother her a bit. She's such a gorgeous girl and we are all so smitten with her.

Speaking of snow (and ice) it almost caused us to cancel Skylar's birthday party. We did have to change the date but we are so thankful all of our family could come celebrate with us. Mom and Rex even braved the roads to come from Alabama. It's a tradition! Scooby Doo is all the rage so that's the cake she picked for this year. I still can't believe this kiddo is 11. If you haven't seen it already, be sure to check out her year in review video. She received a new board game, Isle of Skye that we are loving! It's kinda like a cross between Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride, which are our other favorites.

For her birthday, we gave her family tickets to the Symphony. Skylar LOVES Elvis and they were doing a show playing his songs. She has also been quite interested in orchestra instruments so it was literally the PERFECT combo for her. We sat 3 rows behind the stage. For some reason, those are the most inexpensive tickets but we thought they were the best seats in the house. We had an amazing view and didn't notice any decreased quality in the acoustics. In fact, Mike and I bought the same tickets for an upcoming Sinatra Symphony next month. They had a band play along with the orchestra and the sound was so unique. We loved the whole night!

We started back to Co-Op this month and Sky is enjoying her classes this semester. She's learning to knit and is quite good at it. She even taught me so that's been a fun activity to do together snuggled up in my bed most nights. We also finally got connected with the Wilson Co. 4H Homeschool Program and are looking forward to participating more with that group this year. In other news, she saved up some money and bought herself a violin from our neighbor. Her first lesson is this Thursday and she's so excited!

This year I picked COMMUNITY as my word of the year. It combines so much of what has been on my heart the last few months. I also had an opportunity to meet Jen Hatmaker and hear her speak, which was like a dream come true. I absolutely adore her! I swear she stalks my life for content and makes all of life's quirks and frustrations seem not only tolerable but downright hilarious. I listened to her most recent book while riding the lawnmower this past summer. When I wasn't doubled over in laughter, she was totally blowing my mind and flipping my world around in a good way. She's such an encouragement and I'm so grateful I had this opportunity to see her.

As is typical for January, I've had several new clients join SBVA. I'm so thankful for my assistant Ashley who is helping me manage all of these wonderful women and their projects. It's been fun to see my business continue to grow and there's no substitute for dependable, quality help! I also had the opportunity to work on my first children's book this past month, which was a blast! My final copy should be arriving any day now.

Mike is doing well. We went to the year-end celebration for Union Station earlier in the month. The dinner was 1920s themed and we had a blast! I was so happy to see TWO of his employees nominated for an award. The whole account is in a much better place than where it was a year ago when he took over. He has worked really hard and I'm so proud of him!

We are also still loving New Tribe Church. We are starting to meet more people and we even participated in their month-long fast. Here are 5 takeaways I learned from that experience.

I'm so happy that the days are starting to get longer. We are really excited about the Winter Olympics starting soon. Even though they aren't the Summer Olympics they still get me pumped for TeamUSA. And after they are finished we will be practically to spring - YAY!

For more January pics, click here.

January 2018 in Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 12:13:00 +0000

For the full January update, click here.

Happy New Year! Had so much fun ringing in 2018 with our peeps!

#NYE #seeya2017 #byefelicia #welcome2018 #BlessedYearEver

So excited to see what 2018 holds. I’m still thinking about the sermon I heard yesterday. If 2018 looks different than you expect, will you still receive it and trust God? There are lots of other great tidbits included. Take 30 minutes and listen to this. http://newtribe.church/messages/#BlessedYearEver

This is my hope for the BFF this year (and always). We worked hard in 2017 to create a home that you (yes, YOU) will feel welcome and comfortable to stop by ANY time. This is something I grew up with but it has gone out of fashion. Such a shame! I PROMISE that you can come by anytime. We’re doing things differently here. It’s likely you will find me in my pajamas and a hasty bun and I will be thrilled to see you. Our little house may be small but it has a lot to offer. This house is a safe zone. There are no judgments here. There is coffee, wine, or ice cream along with a table, sofa, or hammock. We can sit and chat or walk the property. There is time for laughs, tears, or silence. You will find food, support, and a breath of fresh air here. Hugs are optional but highly encouraged. Seriously, just stop by. And come on around to the back door when you do. #BishopFamilyFarm

Took me 6 months but I finally finished it! In case you didn’t know, I’m a bit patriotic. 🇺🇸 #merica#teamUSA #wethepeople

This girl loved the snow!

❄️ Obligatory snow pic of the #BishopFamilyFarm and I don’t even like snow. But that view!!!

Ask me how much I miss the subdivision life.

Hint:

Skylar's Piggy Bank Project she made for 4H. The body is paper mache, on toilet paper legs, and it's nose is made out of a milk jug top. That's how you get the money in and out!

We call her Onyx for a reason. She's such a beautiful girl and a great farm dog.

On our way to the Union Station year-end celebration.

Oh how I love this girl. She’s such a unique little human with a style and personality all her own. My devotion to her fan club deepens on a daily basis. Happy 11th birthday, Skylar! You are so adored.

Scooby Doo Birthday Cake

Isle of Skye, our new favorite game.

At the Elvis Symphony for her birthday

Met Hatmaker. She called us “cuties” so naturally we are besties now.

#iAdoreHer #ForTheLove#MoxieMattersTour

Thankful for this girl - we both love us some Jen Hatmaker!

I’m still thinking about every word I heard from Jen Hatmaker and Nichole Nordeman the other night. It made my commitment to my word this year stronger than ever. COMMUNITY! She also told the elephant story which is fascinating and beautiful! Ask me about it if you haven’t heard it. I was reminded of the time I was in the middle and my little village protected me at all costs. I will be forever grateful! Forget mama bears. Let’s be mama elephants together! 🐘 #buildcommunity#mamaelephant

5 Things I Learned after a month of Fasting

2017 Year in Review

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 05:38:00 +0000

This is always my favorite post to write but 2017 will go down in history as "the year of hard things."

I remember taking our little house down to the studs and putting it back together again. I SERIOUSLY do. not. know. how we survived that season. Mike had just been handed a hot mess of a hotel site at work. He was working overnights + day shifts. I was doing my regular VA work and homeschooling and also working overnights for a postpartum family. We worked at the house several days each week and weekend. When we weren't at the house, I was managing a million other logistics to select, order, and arrange delivery or pick up of needed items. It was nonstop for 2 months. It was unquestionably exhausting. Just thinking about it makes me tired. We were clearly insane and high on the excitement of our new journey. Despite the crazy schedule, I have nothing but fond memories of the process. I loved every minute of our remodel. We, hands down, had THE best contractor on the planet and that made all the difference in the world.

I remember living with Grandma and D-Dad and how gracious they were to accommodate us. I remember dinners around the table and great conversations where I learned even more new stories about them.

I remember our moving weekend. Our crew had us settled and ready to sleep here on day 2 and then built us an amazing fire pit like icing on the cake. Our sweet neighbors even fed our crew and I remember the sheer delight of knowing how blessed we were.

I remember mom coming to help me with the decor. We shopped until we literally dropped but we decorated this entire house in one weekend and it made me love our little home that much more! The very first thing Mike and I hung on the wall was my marquee lights HOME sign. It is still one of my most prized possessions.

I remember going to see a man about some chickens and then transporting 9 of them in the back of my SUV from Birmingham to Nashville. It was S T I N K Y but we were so happy to start chicken farming! We've lost a few and added a few along the way but chicken wrangling turned out to be much easier than I expected. Plus, farm fresh eggs are so, so good!

Easter was our first family gathering at the BFF and I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of peace and contentment. After wishing and hoping for property for years, it felt so good to be home.

I remember trying to go to the lake. It somehow managed to rain almost every Saturday this spring and summer. We did sneak out one evening for a little cruise around at sunset and dinner with friends that I'll never forget. I'll also remember the day we literally tried all day to get on the water. There were constant roadblocks to the point that it became comical and we finally gave up.

I remember many an afternoon on the lawnmower. Grass cutting season went on and on and on. We went from spending about 30 minutes cutting grass at our old house to 3 days at the BFF. We have so much that we cut it in sections. But I listened to a lot of good books on that lawnmower and one in particular that rocked my whole world (thank you, Jen Hatmaker)!

I remember our road trip with dad and visiting Plant City, FL where we lived when I was in the 5th - 6th grade. A lot had changed, yet so much was still the same. We also got to see our family friend, Sue. I adored her as a girl and Skylar was just as smitten. I remember going to Animal Kingdom with my girl and conquering so much! We met a ton of characters and rode everything. The street performers and dancers were definitely a highlight this trip. Although, Lion King and the Safari will always be my favorites.

I remember Easton dying. He was 13. After moving here, he had really perked up and loved to ride the lawnmower with me. I thought for sure we had at least 2 more years with him but it ended so suddenly. I am thankful that we could bury him at the BFF. Skylar made a large cross out of scrap wood and metal that was perfect for his grave. We picked out a nice, bright spot by a tree that reminds us of how he loved to lay in the sun.

I remember Skylar playing softball. Over the years we have let her try all of the sports/activities she desired but this one. I played ball from Sweetie League through High School so I was done spending my Saturdays at the ballpark. Wouldn't you know it? Softball is the sport she loves! Oh the things I do for this kid.

I remember our Summer Solstice Party. We had over 70 people come celebrate with us. Mike and his Dad cooked a whole hog. I was so tickled to be able to share our home and property with our family, friends, and neighbors. It was the summer solstice party that I have always dreamed of.

I remember Skylar getting her expander and talking with an accent for the next 3 days to cover up her lisp. It was great, and she was really good too! When she got braces, she looked instantly older. I'm still not a fan of this growing up business almost 11 years later.

I remember my doula babies. I had one sweet girl who was in the biggest hurry ever and even took us for a little ambulance ride. Then a precious boy took his time arriving but gave me an awesome new respect for the power and determination of a mother. I was also finally able to witness a birth at Nashville's birthing center. Now that I'm only taking repeat clients, close friends, and select new clients, it makes each birth that much sweeter.

I remember our car accident. I still dream about it. I felt surprisingly calm while it was happening even though I thought we would never stop flipping. Strangely enough, Skylar and I were talking calmly the entire time it happened. I am still amazed that she was unharmed and I had minimal injuries. People die from accidents like ours. I remember my dear friend coming to pick glass out of my hair at midnight, Grandma coming to do laundry and drive me to appointments, and my bestie coming to wash my hair. Our village served us well. I remember thinking I would bounce back in a week yet here I am still in physical therapy almost 6 months later. Yet the drunk driver got a tiny fine and a few days in jail. Regardless, I'm still in awe of God's protection and thankful that He's given me more to do on Earth.

I remember our Solar Eclipse Party. I still can't believe that our address was in the complete path of totality for such a rare event. We had over 60 moms, dads, and kids join us. The 2 minutes of total eclipse was one of the coolest things I've ever experienced in my life. We all cheered and yelled and kids ran around with glow sticks. Being around so many other excited participants made it even more special!

I remember car shopping. Oh lawsy. What an ordeal. We had 3 cars literally sold right out from under us. It became a running joke about how hot the used car market is. I'm a sucker for American made SUVs but, in the end, I ended up with a Toyota Sequoia that I love.

I remember celebrating our 12th anniversary. I feel like it's taken us this long to finally hit the sweet spot but it feels really good.

I remember getting Onyx. Our last experience with a puppy was horrible. I was expecting the same this time around but I was smitten with her from the start. She has the sweetest personality. Skylar made the best video to welcome Onyx to our family. I was so proud of her hard work. I'm still amazed at how easily Onyx has blended into our family and how adored she is by all of us. We almost ended up with a different puppy but I'm so thankful that it worked out for us to get Onyx. She has been beyond perfect for us in so many ways. The best part is when she brings me treasures out of the woods.

I remember our annual trip to the beach with mom. This year we had Hurricane Irma to deal with but it ended up working out okay. One of my favorite pictures from this year is Skylar shell hunting on the beach.

I remember our fall family getaway to Louisville. The Ark Encounter was truly mind-blowing! Downtown Cincinnati was also a highlight but I'll never forget seeing my girl ride roller coaster after roller coaster at Holiday World. She rode every single one multiple times!

I remember Skylar learning to drive the Bobcat. When we had the concrete poured for the garage they left the Bobcat key and Mike gave Skylar a quick lesson. She drove that thing all over the place and even spread 2 piles of mulch in the garden. Like a boss!

I remember being hurt so deeply by a friend in a way I never expected and never saw coming. Losing this relationship felt like losing a family member. It nearly crushed me. There are days that I still mourn over it. Sometimes it feels like I'm going through the stages of grief all over again. But, as promised, God works all things together for good. I can already see how this situation has helped to stretch and grow me in ways that would not have happened otherwise. Some areas of my life had gotten really comfortable and this gave me a push outside my comfort zone that I needed. It doesn't make it hurt any less but seeing the purpose gives me hope for the future.

I remember drinking the Wilson County kool-aid, so to speak. For starters, I never thought we would live near Providence, much less Wilson County. The more we are here the more I'm learning to love it. It also helps that the area is continuing to grow and more businesses are moving "out here." We visited the fair, went to the Dancing Christmas Lights, and the Christmas Parade. I even signed Skylar up for 4H. I'm slowly but surely moving all of my business out this way.

I remember visiting church after church after church. Oh my. We were so weary from visiting, trying to connect, and find a good fit. It's really hard being the new person at church and we couldn't quite find somewhere that had all of the big things on our list. At one point we were dropping Skylar off at one church and then going to our car to live stream the service from a different church. I refused to settle and gave it one more shot. We found New Tribe Church and are so happy there. I'll never forget the night that God connected all the dots of the last year and showed me that this place had everything I had been looking for. Instantaneously, I knew we had found our new church home and we've been all in ever since.

I remember Skylar having the flu right before Christmas. In fact, we were all very sick. It was brutal. I had all these grand plans for creating traditions our first year in our new home but we just went into survival mode instead. LOL! We even missed Christmas with Mike's family. But I'll never forget seeing the fullest, brightest, double rainbow on Christmas Eve. We even saw where it went into the ground. Amazing memory!

I remember being D O N E with 2017. Between the remodel, rollover accident, church searching, losing my confidant, and having all of us so sick at Christmas, I was 100% convinced that 2017 was trying to kill me. Literally. I felt crushed from all sides - physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially.

This year was such a conundrum. 2017 pushed me WAY outside my comfort zone over and over and over again. Bless! It truly was the year of hard things. But, for as much as it took from me, it also gave me so much more. I'm rather excited to see how the growth of this year moves us into 2018 and beyond.

December 2017 in Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 04:04:00 +0000

If you missed the full December update, you can find it here.

A quick and easy little bunting I made with Skylar.

Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade followed by Mexican for lunch!

Gainey's Annual Christmas Party

At Mike's Christmas Party for Towne Park

My poor car.

We closed out our construction loan. This little house has come a long way this year.

Our first gingerbread house.

Onyx and some of the gifts she brought me.

Flu sucks!

We saw the most beautiful rainbow on Christmas Eve!

Onyx was good this year so she got a mammoth bone.

New Tribe Church & Heart

LOVE our 2017 family pictures!

Merry Christmas from The Bishops.

Ringing in the new year!

December 2017 Update

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 04:02:00 +0000

You guys. This month was rough. I don't think I have ever in my life been so happy to see a month go and the year too for that matter. I seriously felt like 2017 was trying to kill me and it came on hard and heavy here at the end. It seemed we couldn't catch a break.

On the way home from Thanksgiving, a deer decided to commit suicide into the side of my car while we were driving on 840. Thankfully Mike was driving. I'm already skittish enough behind the wheel after our rollover accident in July. But it still scared me to pieces because it hit on the passenger side. A few weeks later the back window of my car was shattered while we were downtown. The repair quote for the window was basically the same my deductible so we decided not to file that one because State Farm certainly has their hands full with my other claims right now. But I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed forking over 2 deductibles right here at Christmas time. Oh and that was also right on top of paying closing costs to convert our construction loan to a mortgage. Our poor bank account is in serious recovery mode right now.

Speaking of the other accident, I am still in a good bit of pain. I've tried all the natural things I know to do - Chiropractic, Massage, Yoga - but my back and neck are still causing constant pain and frustration. It's very wearisome to hurt day in and day out with no solution in sight. The problem with having a high pain tolerance is that you can generally function and don't complain a lot. I don't really want to go the pain management route but I'm pretty close to saying "give me the drugs!" The orthopedic doctor is only concerned with my hand. Because nothing was broken/sutured in my neck or back, it's not their first priority. Although, my hand isn't doing that great either. They've sent me back to physical therapy and want me to see a hand specialist in January. It's been 5 months. I'm just so over all of it! Hey, I never claimed to be a model patient.

About a week before Christmas, Mike came home sick. We think he had just a cold. Then I caught his cold along with something else (maybe a mild flu). Right when we thought Skylar had managed to avoid it she came down with the full blown flu. And, boy, was she pitiful. I was still recovering myself and Mike had to go out of town for work so we went into legit survival mode. He cooked us a pack of bacon before he left and that's basically how we survived for 36 hours until he returned. Bacon and Netflix is the way to go I tell ya. I'm not even kidding. Skylar was still feeling puny so we even missed out on Christmas at Grandmas. Good ole Mike went and picked up our gifts (and some plates of food) and we were able to Facetime with everyone to open presents. It took her almost a full week to get back to herself again. She barely had an appetite and would tire out so easily. The flu this year is no joke.

This past week has been C O L D and it's not looking to get warmer any time soon. I am missing summer big time! We've got a heat lamp on the chickens and Onyx baby has been staying inside at night. Heck, we've even been letting her come in during the day to warm up. I may or may not have mentioned how much I love this pup. For the last month she has made a habit of combing through the woods each day until she finds a present to bring back to me. I've received cans, jars, balls, shoes, glasses, pieces of metal, plastic bags, and so much more! It's a running joke around here right now and so exciting to see what treasures she will find. Hey, at least she's getting things cleaned up out there!

Despite the dreary feeling that overhung most of the month there were a few bright spots that I'm clinging to. For starters, we all 3 finally agreed on a church and we are head over heels excited to plug in at New Tribe Church. It's not anything like where we've attended for the last 13 years which is a little scary, but there's so much to love that we are just trusting this is where we are supposed to be. I'd love for you to check it out with us! We also attended the Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade and can't wait for next year. We just keep drinking the Wilson County kool-aid. I've even got Skylar signed up for 4H starting in January! I also got an Instant Pot, which is awesome! We had a couple of Christmas parties and we also got our family pictures back and they are my favorite ones yet. I loved every single one of them.

December is not quite the month I envisioned it to be and I'm so very happy to be moving on to 2018. We did end the year on a high note by spending new year's eve with our favorite couple!

Stay tuned for my annual Year in Review. It's probably my favorite post to write each year and there was a lot that happened in 2017.

My Favorite Books Read In 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 21:12:00 +0000

For the past 3 years, no matter how hard I tried, I coudn't make it past 25 books. This year I read 30 and it's very possible I will finish one more before December 31st.

I was the girl who swore she would never read books on Kindle and then I loved them. I also didn't quite think Audiobooks for me but that's how I read every single book this year and it has become my preferred platform. Not only can I multitask but hearing the book read aloud brings so much more dimension to the story. Granted, I listen at 2x the normal speed but that's beside the point.

I exceeded my goal this year and wanted to share some of my favorites because there were some really good ones.

1. The Sea of Tranquility - Hands down my #1 favorite from this year. I could not put it down. It was a cross between Twilight meets Eleanor + Park. The author had a way of drawing you in to not only the story but the characters as well.

2. Hattie Big Sky & Hattie Ever After - This little series was about grit and determination that had you cheering for the main character through both stories. Both books were very different and it's hard to say which one I loved more.

3. The Residence - I listened to several nonfiction books this year, which is rare for me. But the interworkings of the White House are absolutely fascinating and this story told by the staff will amaze you.

4. Small Great Things - I downloaded this book after my librarian friend posted "if you don't read anything else this year, read this." I didn't even read the blurb. It's the story of a labor & delivery nurse and I do love a good birth book. But that's not what this book is about. Not by a long shot. I was hooked before I realized what I was getting myself into but I don't regret reading this book. Not one bit. In fact, I concur with my librarian friend and think everyone should read this one.

5. The Knockoff - This book is total fiction but gives great insight into the Millenial generation. In fact, it might make you even like them a wee bit.

It goes without saying that I recommend anything by Jen Hatmaker, so Of Mess and Moxie was a no brainer. She gets me. Oh, how she gets me.

I review every book that I finish on GoodReads. I'd love for you to follow me there and tell me some of your favorite books from this year. I'm working on my list for 2018 and need some suggestions.

November 2017 in Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 20:29:00 +0000

Click here to read the full November update.

Thanksgiving 2017 - Love these girls!

Skylar saying goodbye to Onyx. Sweetest most pitful thing ever.

Iron Bowl | House Divided

Onyx, 5 months old, 30.2 pounds

Our chickens are finally laying again!

We've started drinking coffee around here.

Shutters, garage and front porch!

November 2017 Update

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 19:43:00 +0000

At this point in the year it always seems to speed up and things fly by. I hardly even remember November. Seriously.

We did finally get our garage installed this month. That was the last "big" thing on our renovation list. It was so fun watching them put it up in the same day. We also got our shutters installed and I painted the front porch. The outside transformation has been just as drastic as inside. This past week we finished up staining the grout in the kitchen, bath, and laundry area. I'm not sure why in the world I thought I wanted white grout. Thankfully it was a pretty easy $20 fix.

I remember when I was dead set on not living "out that way" near Providence in Mt. Juliet. But the longer we are here, the more and more I'm loving it. The Dancing Lights of Christmas moved "out here" to the fairgrounds and we checked it out before Thanksgiving. When we lived in Donelson, it was literally 3 minutes from our house but we had never visited before. When you live on Pennington Bend you mainly just hunker down during December to avoid all the Opryland traffic. Anyway, the show was quite impressive. I've decided that if all the cool stuff wants to keep moving outside the city that's just fine with me.

For Thanksgiving, we popped down to Birmingham to spend the holiday with my family. We ate so good! We took Onyx with us to meet everyone while our neighbors cared for the chickens. Since our co-op has ended for the semester Skylar decided she would like to stay for an extra week in Bama. I was happy to oblige this request. Mama needed a break. I sometimes wonder who has it better. My sister who can drop her kids off every other weekend or me who saves it up and does it all at once. It's a pretty good deal either way and I'm so thankful for my family who cares for Skylar so well.

Our pup, Onyx, still continues to be a delight. At her 5 month check up she weighed 30 pounds and they are estimating she will top out around 60-65 which, really, is the perfect size if you ask me! She's still very much all puppy. Her favorite pasttimes include chasing chickens, sneaking through holes in fences, stealing trash from the burn pile, and chewing electrical cords. She also loves to fetch, pull Skylar on the swing, visit the neighbors, and ride in the car. But the remainder of the time she is chill, chill, chill. We can't hardly imagine how we ever lived with out her. Her improving guard dog skills are particularly helpful.

I was able to return to yoga class this week and I'm quite happy about that. My recovery from the accident has seemed to stall so this is kind of my last resort to getting better. If nothing else, it's good for my emotional self.

The past few months have been pretty tough between the accident, work, life, church, and relationships. Being an adult is just plain hard sometimes. But it's given me a new and fresh perspective on a lot of things and how I want to do things differently in the new year. I'm excited and a teensy bit scared about what I feel the Lord asking me to do but I think it's all going to work out.

I can't wait to get my girl back and start celebrating the holidays. Our Lego Advent Calendar arrived and I'm pulling out our Advent Devotions for Busy Families book. This combo is our favorite way to count down to Christmas.

For more November pictures, click here.

October 2017 Update

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 03:08:00 +0000

We started October with a quick fall family getaway trip. We visited 3 states in 3 days. We popped up to the Creation Museum, then down to the Ark Encounter. Both are highly recommended but if you are short on time or want to spare the expense of the combo ticket, I would seriously recommend just spending a full day at the Ark. It. Was. Fascinating. Seriously, it was one of the most thought-provoking experiences of my life.

We visited Cincinnati, Louisville, and Lexington over the weekend and I have to say that Cincinnati was my favorite. It reminded me so much of Nashville. We had a gorgeous view of the city for dinner and then spent the evening at their riverfront park. We lucked out that there weren't any baseball games that weekend so it was pretty chill and easy to navigate our way around. On our last day, we headed over to Holiday World. The forecast was 100% rain but we had purchased our tickets in advance so we decided just to make the most of it. We were soaked through by the time we left but we managed to ride every single roller coaster multiple times. Our kiddo is pretty apprehensive about new things and this trip was no different. But, it's safe to say we have now turned her into a roller coaster junkie like her mom and dad. She begged to ride them again and again despite swearing that she wasn't going to ride them at all when we arrived. #NeverSayNever It was such a sweet little weekend with just the 3 of us and I'm thankful we had the opportunity to experience all of that together.

Have I mentioned how much I love our pup? Y'all I still can't get over how much I'm smitten with this sweet girl. She's such a mild-mannered pup. At her October vet visit she weighted 22 pounds (up 7 pounds from last month). She has mastered "sit," "down," "friend," and is getting better about coming when we call her. It's rare that we have to call her back. She's pretty consistent about hanging at the back door and keeping an eye on things. She's just figured out this week that she can bark and has since been telling us when someone arrives or there's a critter spying on us from the tree line. I was a little worried her sweet temperament was going to fail us in the alert department but I dare say she's gonna make a good guard dog after all. Her brother, Asher, stayed with us for a week and those 2 had a blast. As did Skylar!

Last week we had our concrete poured for our garage so things were pretty exciting around here. I sweet talked our contractor into leaving the key for the bobcat and we were able to get some more gravel moved on the driveway and mulch moved over the garden. Mike taught Skylar how to run the thing and she actually did most of the lifting and moving while we did the spreading. I'm not kidding, we turned her loose and she ran that thing like a boss! I was so thankful to able to get my garden squared away. I may still put some leaf mulch on top but it's ready to sit and compost for the winter. I didn't get to garden this year but I'm so excited for my "Back to Eden" garden next year.

Otherwise, it's just been work and school as usual. Our co-op is going well this semester and we are still unschooling the rest of the week. I love seeing how creative and imaginative Skylar is when left to her own devices. We've had to make several library runs because there is a new subject she wants to research and learn more about. Every day is filled with learning!

Work has been pretty busy for me and I've already started a waiting list for January (contact me ASAP if you want to get your 2018 off to a good start). I wish I could clone myself because I absolutely love all of the projects I get to work on. I do have an amazing assistant helping me so that's allowed me to take on some extra projects. I'm also on the lookout for an intern to start now or next semester. If you know someone who is interested in graphic design and/or book design, I'd love to talk to them.

For Halloween this year, we went to the Trunk or Treat at The Glade church where we've been attending. They did a fantastic job and we loved all of the cool trunks and costumes we saw. For Halloween night, we went with our nephews to Main Street in Watertown. All of the shop owners at the square come out and give candy. Then we visited the residential area downtown and ended up at a little church with games, hot dogs, and chili. It really was the neatest experience. So many of the houses were decorated and it had such a small town feel. We enjoyed it very much! Our girl dressed as Batman this year!

That's about it for October. Excited to see what November holds!

More October pictures here.

October 2017 in Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 03:08:00 +0000

Our sweet girl getting a bath and rolling her eyes.

Crazy Auburn fan!

Out and about in Cincinatti at Riverfront Park

The Ark was amazing!

That time we went to Holiday World and it rained the whole time but we rode every roller coaster multiple times with no lines!

We love this sweet pup so much. Although, she probably has no idea what her name is. We call her Lovey, Sweet Pup, Puppers, Love Bug, Good Girl, Sweet Pup, and Onyx. It's pretty obvious we are smitten.

One of my clients from the East Coast came to Nashville for a visit!

Walden Farms Pumpkin Patch 2017

Our concrete is ready for a garage and we have sweet memories to look back on for years to come.

My Back to Eden garden is covered in mulch and ready to compost down over the winter!

My girl helping me learn Hebrew.

Happy Halloween from Batman!

Read the full October update here.

September 2017 in Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 01:38:00 +0000

Wedding Ready

Skylar with the Groom (knight in shining armor, literally)

oh how I love these girls

Sea shell hunting

PCB 2017 with Mom

Onyx baby!

my new THM cookbook!

Library Day. That's 44 books!

I've taken up coloring.

Get the full September Update here.

September 2017 Update

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 00:44:00 +0000

September was kind of a blur.

We popped down to Bham for my step-brother's wedding on the way to the beach. Hurricane Irma kind of dampened the first couple of days but then we had fantastic weather and shell hunting, which is Skylar's favorite. I didn't get to snorkel a lot but we still had a blast.

While we were at the beach, I had the grand idea to start an online deal sharing service. I love saving money and I love shopping from my couch so it only made sense to start sharing the things I find with everyone else. You can follow Online Deal Alert on Facebook. Be sure to find the pinned post at the top and let me know if you are looking for anything in particular and I'll keep an eye out. I've already helped several people check things off their list - at a discount!

While we were away, Mike held down the fort but we missed our pup so much. I was SO surprised at how much she had grown during the week we were away. At her first check up in early September she weighed 15 pounds but we can tell she's gaining quickly Y'all. I don't really enjoy the puppy stage at all (#BecauseBaron), but this girl is so sweet and laid back. She has been the perfect addition to our family and she has made a great farm dog so far. She's happy and content to hang close to the house and doesn't really wander at all. We most often find her lounging at the back door or under a shade tree. She even puts herself to bed at night in her kennel outside. I can't get over how gentle and calm her personality is. She's really smart but she's also pretty lazy (thank you pyranees). The lab part makes her really friendly so it's like the best of both worlds. We have joked that we hit the jackpot with this love bug and are so happy to have her here!

We've also added 2 new chickens to the BFF, Dot + Freckles. I call them "the twins." They stick pretty close to each other and I really can't tell them apart. They've had quite a time trying to acclimate to the rest of our brood but things are finally starting to get better. Everybody went on a laying strike for a while but I think we've gotten the pecking order in line now.

I was able to help a postpartum family earlier this month. I literally watched a baby go from 36 - 48 hours old and it was so precious. I also had a repeat client deliver at the end of the month. It's such an honor to work with a family again.

Stay tuned for October. More September pics here.

August 2017 Update

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 03:15:00 +0000

August was crazy town.

After the car accident last month things went a little bezerk. For someone who is a homebody it sure felt like we were going somewhere every single day. And I was not a happy camper. Between orthopedic doctors, physical therapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, car shopping, and court, having a day at home was rare. Ugh! Did I mention that I'm a homebody? So, not only was I hindered in my work because of my hand, but then there was the time issue to boot. To my own surprise I think I've managed to keep all of my clients happy and projects moving forward but it hasn't been easy. For someone who likes to finish projects ahead of schedule, I felt behind most of the month. I still do. Type A. Sigh. I can't help it.

We did finally get "car" checked off the list. Man, the used car market is HOT. Kinda like real estate in Nashville right now. We literally had 2 cars sold right out from under us. Frustrating! We finally found a Limited Toyota Sequoia that I absolutely love, so it all worked out in the end. It's the first non-American car I've ever owned in my entire life. It kinda feels like I'm cheating or being disloyal somehow. Do I miss my Mountaineer, Starry Night? Yes! But I'm loving my new heated seats, sunroof, bluetooth phone connection, weather teck mats, back up camera, and DVD player. I didn't know what I was missing out on. LOL! Now, if I could just come up with a name for her.

We also started 5th grade. We were a little delayed from our original plan because of the car accident. With my hand messed up, I couldn't quite handle anything else on my plate. But my girl BEGGED to start school so we kicked off one week after Metro. In TN, 5th grade is technically "middle school" but I just can't even admit that we are here already. Our co-op starts up next week but in the meantime, we've been working on things at home. My girl's curiosity to learn and creativity amazes me sometimes. It's such a priviledge to be her mama and learning facilitator.

One super exciting event this month was the Solar Eclipse. Our new home was right in the path of totality. We had 60 friends join us at the BFF for one of the coolest things I've ever seen. It was so eerie to see it get dim during the middle of the day and then go to complete darkness when the sun is in the middle of the sky. We saw stars and our flood lights came on. The sun's corona was whispy and beautiful. We didn't get a chance to listen for crickets because we were all cheering and chattering away. It seemed like the fastest 2 minutes and 8 seconds ever! I'm definitely planning to travel for the next one in 2024. Once you've experienced it, you wouldn't want to miss it again. Check out this awesome timelapse that Josh Rowe captured.

Mike and I also celebrated our 12th anniversary this month. I don't think it's any surprise (and we will fully admit) that our entire marriage has just been hard. But I finally feel like we are getting to the sweet spot. This 2nd decade has certainly been immensely better than the 1st and it feels good.

We also have an exciting addition to the BFF. Meet our new pup, Onyx. She's a black labrador/pyrnaees mix and she is the sweetest thing. After Baron, I thought I was ruinned on puppies forever but this little love bug has stolen my heart. She really is precious! I've read good things about this mix and we are hopeful that she will be a good guard dog for our chickens and farm while also being a family friendly pet. We all adore her already. Skylar made this awesome video to announce her arrival.

Mike has been traveling for work this past week, although it's more fun than work. He has worked so hard over the last few months to earn this trip and I'm glad his best buddy from work earned a spot too. He comes home tomorrow but they are having a blast.

That's about it for August. For more pics, go here. Next month is our annual beach trip with my mom. I sure could use a vacation!

August 2017 in Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 03:10:00 +0000

Be sure to read the full August update here.

Me and my girl went to see Little Mermaid at TPAC.

It was just the motivation I needed to start driving again.

And when you go to TPAC, you also have to go to the TN State Museum.

A bench that Skylar designed, measured, cut, and built.

1st Day of School pancake tradition

On the 1st Day of 5th Grade we studied dinosaurs.

Voted in a special election for our new district.

Happy 12th Anniversary

@Fin & Pearl

Crusing in the convertible with Grandma & D-Dad.

My cousin came to town for the eclipse and took us to the Opry. So fun!

Solar Eclipse Party at the BFF

What a fun day!

Mike's new headshot for work. I love it!

Very happy to be done with car shopping!

First non-American car I've ever owned. Eek!

New car. Same old habits.

My ALL American girl.

Welcome Home, Onyx!

Sweet pup!

July 2017 in Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 03:57:00 +0000

Be sure to check out the full July Update here.

4th of July Celebration with Mimi & K-Diddy

So excited to visit with my Bham bestie!

All of the princesses

When the kid is in Bama...

Hiking with Angie & Coe

Swimming at Uncle Bennie's

Cracks me up that Skylar found the Free Book Bin even in Bama

Getting to know District 33

Happy to have our girl home.

Three Generations of Look Alikes

BFF patriotic upgrade

She's got braces! Isn't she adorable?

We found the cutest little neighborhool library up the road.

How we landed after flipping 3 times.

Driver's Side

The other vehicle

At the tow yard

I got a splint and some stiches as a souvenier

Pretty narly looking and hurts like the dickens.

I'm getting pretty good at typing with only 7 fingers.

July 2017 Update

noreply@blogger.com (Staci Bishop) — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 03:33:00 +0000

Lawsy. July has been a doozy of a month.

We started out with our annual trip to Birmingham to celebrate the 4th of July with my Dad and Skylar stayed behind for Granparent Camp. This year she asked to stay for 2 weeks. I'm so thankful for all my family who stepped in to care for her during that time. She got to experience not only grandparents but special days with aunts, uncles, and cousins too! In Alabama, she's "Camper of the Week" every single day. LOL!

Mike and I got some much needed rest and recuperation while she was away. I also finally had time to do something that had been on my to-do list for a long time... build a website for myself. I've been putting some systems and staff in place for quite some time in order to grow my business even more. I'm so excited to launch www.StaciBishop.biz. If you know of someone needing help, please send them my way.

Right after Skylar returned home, we went to court regarding the robbery we experienced last month at the BFF. Someone took several items including our push mower out of our garage. They offered him a plea deal but he's still going to spend 7 months in jail. Unfortunately we still haven't recovered any of our items and we won't receive any restitution, but I feel a little better that this guy isn't still running around stealing from others.

Our girl also got braces this month. Y'all know that I'm not a fan of this growing up business but she just looks so darn cute with them on that I can't help but to love it. She's pretty excited about them too!

I'm sad to report that we lost one of our chickens over the weekend. A little Google research leads us to believe that we have a weasel as the culprit based on the bite marks and cracked eggs. We've taken steps to beef up the security on our chicken coop and hope to set a trap to catch the little pest soon.

This past Saturday evening, Skylar and I were involved in a car accident. We were hit from behind by a drunk driver traveling at 50+ miles per hour. I never even saw him coming. The hit spun us out of control, sent us airborne and we flipped 3-4 times. I never felt scared while it was happening. I just kept thinking that we would never stop rolling. Skylar and I talked through the whole accident. It was so strange. When we finally settled we were upside down. Many passersby came to our aid. Skylar was able to unbuckle and someone helped her out of the window. I was trapped and had to be cut loose and they had to lift up my car to get me out. The next part is so unbelievable that I still can't quite wrap my head around it. We both walked away from the accident virtually unharmed.

She has some bruises and burns from the seat belt and I received 6 stitches in my right hand. We have zero broken bones, no fractures, and no internal injuries. Despite 6 out of 8 windows being broken, Skylar didn't have a single shard of glass on her. I had glass all in my hair but she had zip, zilch, nada. I am 100% convinced that the Lord placed her in a bubble during that accident and there are no words to explain the gratefulness in this mama's heart. We are both extremely sore but, truly, we should both be dead or severely maimed. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around that fact but I'm choosing to be grateful and trusting that this accident did not come as a surprise to the Lord. I'm overwhelmed by His protection. I trust that His plan will benefit us and be used for His Glory. He is good, all the time.

I saw the orthopaedic doctor yesterday about my hand. They need an MRI to confirm that my tendon isn't torn because I'm having trouble with one of my fingers cooperating, but otherwise we are recovering slowly but well. I'm hopeful the stiches and splint can come off next Monday but we already know I will need physical therapy either way. The first 2 days were the most difficult getting the physical pain and emotions under control. While I wasn't scared at the time of the accident, the weight of it has caught up to me and I've had a few bouts of anxiety. Even riding in a car makes me nauseous right now.

Thank you to all of those who have prayed for us or texted to check on us. I'm sorry that I haven't been able to return them all (bum hand and such) but it has meant the world to me to hear from you. Our tribe has taken good care of us and my clients have been so kind to be patient to give me time to rest and recover. Everything makes me tired and I've needed lots of naps. LOL! At the same time, I've been told I'm a terrible patient because I probably overdo it. It's hard to keep a type A down. Ha!

Let's hope next month is a little less adventurous although it sounds like we will be visiting a courtroom again pretty soon. Sigh.

More July photos here including accident pics.