50 Ways to Bless Someone..

Blessing other people is one of the best things you can do for yourself, and for someone else. You never know when someone might be having "one of those days" or just might need a simple hug, or sweet note left on their door, a phone call that says "I love you" or even a simple smile to a passing stranger.

Here are some cute ideas for ya to try! :-)

50. Make a mixed CD of songs they’ll enjoy.

49. Create a hand-made card and leave a thoughtful note.

48. Randomly, without any prompting, look them in the eye and say, “I really

appreciate you—just for being you.”

47. Compliment them on something people may not often acknowledge—like their work ethic, or consideration for other people.

46. Give them something from nature that reminds you of them—like a unique shell, or a smooth but sturdy rock.

44. Send them a funny video from YouTube, and write, “You make me laugh more than this video. Thank you!”

43. Draw a map of your apartment with them in it and write, “I’d be lost without you.”

42. Give them something of yours that reminds you of them.

41. Give them a book you’ve already read, and inscribe it with a meaningful message.

40. Ask them if you can take care of their responsibilities; for example, you could offer to pick your friend’s children up from school.

39. Tell them they were so right about something and let them know how that information impacted your life.

38. Look for something on Craigslist you know they need—a job or a piece of affordable furniture, for example—and forward them the ad.

37. Squeeze their hand and say, “thank you.”

36. Ask, “How are you—really?” Then do nothing but listen and respond to what you hear for as long as they’d like to talk.

35. Ask, “What can I do to help you today?”

34. Notice how they affect other people—not you—and comment on it.

33. Cook dinner for them.

32. Make a simple sacrifice to spend time with them; for example, TiVo that show

you always catch, and stop by with a 6-pack.

31. See their potential, and encourage them to pursue their dreams.

30. Ask them to retell their favorite story.

29. Let them pick the plans and find a way to really enjoy it—go line dancing, and

see the experience through their eyes.

28. Offer them your skill for free. For example, my friend Cori who’s a graphic designer designed something for me last year as an early birthday gift.

27. Tell them which qualities of theirs you admire.

26. Introduce them to someone you love as, “My dear friend who taught me…”

25. Introduce them to something new that you think would enrich their lives.

24. Let them be right, even if you think they’re not, if it’s not that big of a deal.

23. Ask their advice on something important, and tell them their opinion means the world to you.

22. Send them a text that reads, “Thought of you today, and it made me smile.”

21. Notice when they do something that might have been challenging, and applaud their efforts.

20. Tell them the block in your planner that includes their name is the most important on a busy day.

19. Tell them you understand their struggle—whatever that may be—and say you’re always a call away to help.

18. Say thank you for something they don’t realize they gave you, like inspiration to seize the day, or the courage to leave an unhealthy relationship.

17. Let them know how they helped you think about something differently. For example, tell your friend she helped you see losing your job as a gift (if she did).

16. Surprise them in some way with something you know they’ll enjoy.

15. Send them a picture of you two together, and remind them why that day was amazing.

14. Ask how their big day went—whatever that big day may have been.

13. Share their pain when they have it. Hold their hand, wipe their tears, and be their shoulder to lean on.

12. Give them an uncomfortably long hug, like the Do Happy tip suggests.

11. Share a childlike experience with them. Go on the swings, get some ice cream, and let go of your stresses together.

10. Sing a song at karaoke and dedicate it to them. It doesn’t have to be a mushy one. Dedicate Ice, Ice Baby—it’s the thought that counts!

9. Encourage them to be completely themselves around you. Tell your female friend she’s beautiful even without makeup; or tell your guy friend you like his corny jokes because they’re his.

8. Be honest even if it’s uncomfortable for you.

7. Invite them out with friends of yours they don’t know. Nothing says “I value you” like inclusion.

6. Forgive something they did that hurt you without needing to hear the words, “I’m sorry.”

5. Look out for someone they love.

4. Remember something they said that they thought you didn’t hear.

3. Help them reconnect with someone important in their life.

2. If you blog, write something they inspired, and dedicate it to them.

1. Simply say, “I really care about you, and I wanted you to know.”

Happy Friday!

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/50-ways-to-show-you-care-without-spending-a-dime/

My New Special Friend..

Before I left for home in December, I met the sweetest guy in a bowling alley in small town, OK. For weeks my guy friends had been trying to get me to meet their friend that was just "perfect" for me and as usual, I quickly shot them down. They were insistant that he was such a good guy and that I needed to know him, but so is the Pope! With some serious persistance on their part I caved in and agreed to go with the boys to meet this cat. Now mind you, I had this stone cold mentality of "I want no one. I don't need that. I'm focusing on school. I have two jobs, I certainly don't want another one.". Having so many mutual friends I was surprised that our paths had never crossed but regardless I was just meeting a new guy to add to my stack of awesome buds that I already had.

It didn't quite work like that.

About a week an a half later we went on our first date. Now I figured this would be like any other date, nice guy, lovely morals, loud truck, southern twang, bible duct taped to his forehead, dropping the "You're the kind of girl I'd make a milkshake for.." lines and trying to sell himself on me like the generic salesman at the car lot. Not one single thing wrong with him. The last time I thought that about someone it was my daddy. Something very bad was about to happen and I knew it. Something very bad.  Not bad in the sense that what was unfolding was disappointing, but rather the fact that I didn't have it quite planned out like this. He was supposed to be arrogant. He wasn't supposed to be so down to earth. I needed him to drop some sick pick up line so I'd have have a reason to say Adios. Maybe he would twist when he walked, maybe he'd be kind of feminine. He wasn't supposed to be so genuine and he sure as heck wasn't supposed to turn my head so much that I thought I might break my neck. I desperatley needed him to do something that would give me just one reason to play the trusty "Friend" card so I could get back to my scheduled life. A land where not a male in the world would invade my space unless his name was Dad. Throughout the night I kept thinking to myself "Crap! This can't be happening. This is not happening. Guys always seem waaaay hotter at night, this whole thing will lose it's fire tomorrow morning." Not at all, and I'm so glad it didn't lose it's spark, because although we're still learning, I'm blessed to have one of the sweetest guys in the world. Big and tall with dark hair, sweetest smile and eyes that remind me of a little boy's, I have what I can honestly say is the best guy I've met outside my boys at home.

In the beginning I didn't know if it would work with my fire and his gentleness. Even though we stand solid on all the same foundation, everything beyond that is a no guarentee deal. It feels like a roller coaster ride alot of the time due to just how different we are. But that's what I like. :) I'm so glad I decided to rip up that schedule, he didn't fit in, so it had to go.

Sometimes the Lord is like that. We plan out what we think our lives should look like like or resemble. We think we know what is best for us, afterall we know ourselves best. As you travel the roads of life you'll come to corners that you don't want to turn, corners where it would be a miracle if someone could actually get you to take your foot off the break. But it's on those corners, where we don't know what's waiting for us on the otherside that the Lord teaches you to trust him. He is light and there is no darkness in him. There is nothing that He has waiting for you that you aren't completely capable of of enduring. He has fully equipped you up until this point to take that next step. Just as a Olympian must train before he makes a big break, it is the same with you and the Lord. He trains you along the way, BEFORE you get to that turning point in life so that when you get there, you are able to confidently turn that corner knowing that His goodness is before you and His favor is in your every step. It's important that we stay dilligent in the little things that he asks of us, whatever it may be, whether it's not watching a certain thing on TV, whether its not reading a certain magazine, listening to a particular song, whatever He has prompted you to do, be obedient. Not because it's a control factor but rather a growing point, so that He can move you into a higher place in His kingdom because He can trust your dilligence in the small things. If you mess up, thats ok! His grace is more than sufficent for you. There will be days when you want to quit, when you've messed up, but don't give in to the discouragement of the enemy, it will rob you of your happy. :) He's sees the effort put forth by you, recieve His grace every morning to walk in a greener pasture, in calmer waters, and in a brighter sun. :)

Happy Friday My Loves!

"My grace is suffient for you.."

 2 Corinthians 12:9

His name is Jarrod Cole.

You should be very very very jealous ladies. ;-)

The Update Y'all Have Been Waiting For...

February 23, 2012. Can you actually believe that February is almost gone?! Time is flying so fast and although I love the rush, I wish I could just slow it down a little. The last 4.5 months have been a whirlwind for me as I've settled into school, my new home, new jobs and new people. I finally have come to a place where I feel settled where I am for this season in my life..but when the next season I'll be ready to hit the ground running for whatever is thrown my way!

Christmas was a crazy time at the Diehm home, as usual. I went back to Indiana December 16th and was home for nearly a month! Much needed time with family, friends, and familiar places. By the end of my break I was so ready to jump back into school, in fact I was so ready I probably would have volunteered to write a 25 page paper on why the sky is blue. That's a pretty ready girl. :) Needless to say when I got back to my Okie home I was enjoying my routine once again. I brought one of my best friends back with me to Oklahoma. Miss Carleigh Pankop. Never seeing OK she was a bit sceptical. As we pulled into El Reno her face was priceless. A bit more rundown than the home we both know in our little corner of Indiana, I think she was convinced the Mafia was on our trail in the broad daylight. ;-) As the days went on she began to get aquainted with my little circle of friends and people that are special to me, and within a few days she was beginning to fall in love with the same place that I did..even if it was a bit rougher than what these Indiana girls are used to. :) The day came to put her on a bird and send her back home to the Hoosier state where cornfields and basketball are a way of life, it was the worst part. I'm not the most polished individual when it comes to goodbyes. In fact, I hate them. And I think that may be why they love me. ;-)

January, a month that I didn't even rememeber. You know when you get so busy and you turn around to look at your week and you can't hardly recall anything that went down? Yeah, that was was happened on February 1st for this girl. Now it's the end again and I can't rememeber where it's all gone! I'm over half ways done with my first year of college, a year that I was sure would be my first for flunking out of an institution. Fortunatley that has not been the case! Not even a little. Thank you Jesus. :)

So that's your quickie update for now, I'm working on a few other posts for y'all and I'll have them up soon! XoXoXoXo

Peace Love & Glitter

P.S. Have a certain topic you want me to write about?? Questions? Comment, Email, Facebook, I'd love to answer them for you!

Some of my biggest fans. :) My cousins. These are just a few of my favorite girls. Being on the older end, I have so much fun with them and all their questions about growing up, being a teenager, boys. Love them.

 Indiana winter. Doesn't get much prettier (or colder) than this. :)

My very first camo wearing, real live hunting adventure with Carleigh and a very special gentleman that I will tell you about later. Such a stud. :)

Situation: Traveling to OKC to a rodeo. Carleigh in my passenger seat. Miranda Lambert rocking out our radio. Look in the rearview mirror and I realize that this nice gentleman turned on his pretty lights just to get my attention. I knew what was about to happen. He was going to comliment me on my incredible driving ability. Afterall I have seen this a million times. My dad is Roger Diehm, king of the traffic vilations nationwide.

"Sir, how fast was I going?!"

"My aircraft clocked you at 84."

 Internal eye rolling. Carleigh dying of laughter because an aircraft clocked me.

"Aircraft?"

"Yes, ma'am. License and registration."

I'm gonna registration you.

Needless to say it was a ticket free day. Praise Jesus.

Our sweet friend, Andi lives in Stillwater, about 1.5 away so we went and visited her for the day! These are her sweet babies Amos and Violet. :)

Timmy Tebow. Tebowing? Mmm hmm. Every place we went Car insisted we Tebow, this is just one of about 16 pictures.

Denver airport. Running on 2 hours of sleep. Two exhausted girls and Chinese food to cope.

Yeah, she Tebowed in the airport. LOVE THIS GIRL.

I do not like pigs but we'll put that on hold for just a second.

Wook at dis sweet wittle piggy!

Samuel just had a litter as I was getting ready to leave home and I thought I should make my yearly visit to the swine facilities on our property. So I did.

Would you just wook at him!

Miss Olivia Coy and I in Celina, OH at a rodeo over Christmas break. This girl is literally a girl after my own heart. We are very best friends. We plan our weddings. Our homes. Our hubbies. Our kids. Our mom activities. It's legit. :)

I also did an engagement shoot when I was home. Cutest couple in the world! Zach and Cristy and baby #1 on the way! Can't wait!



My little Princess, Lauren Lee. She's a mini me with blonde hair and if there is such thing as being able to have an adult equivilant frienship with a 4 year old, Lauren and Lynni have it. :)

Hannah, the girl that stole Oklahoma's heart. :)

Last weekend one of my sweet friends from home, Hannah came and stayed with me and we had a great weekend! It was so good seeing someone from home. My drive to pick her up in Tulsa was quite eventful. I decided these Oklahoma people don't know anything about highways because they put their stinking exits on BOTH sides of the road. EXITS GO ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD PEOPLE. That or I don't know anything, which according to my brothers that is a strong possibilty.

Anyways. We only had a few days to spend together but I think we covered quite a bit of ground in those few days. Even though I'm pretty new to everything I loved being able to show her around and be able to spend time with her. Living in a house full of girls it can get tense sometimes with clashing lifestyles and different opinions and at one point she said "I feel like its the country version of Jersey Shore." I thought that was so cute, and disturbingly true.

Although I am not a Sooner fan (GO POKES!) We saw this on the front of a truck at Langstons so we thought we might need to get a picture. :) We of course got some shopping in before heading back to ride, Hannah was great. I met Daymon and Angie at church and they are such awesome people. They have totally taken me under their wing and made me feel so at home. I might just have to do a post on them! Anyways, they let me ride with them and so Hannah got to ride as well and she did a great job!

Our last night together, around 7ish we jumped in my car to start driving. Oklahoma had never met Hannah before and living in the middle of town and spending our time in the city she never got to see the prarie, the ranches, the huge Oklahoma sky. I wanted to take her to see the Oklahoma I fell in love with. Its kind of hard when you've got a highway out your back door, but thats ok, its not forever. :)

I love the nothingness of this state. Its so simplistic, and I love the way the people live. While Hannah was here I wanted her to be able to see that, to get a feel of just what it was that I loved here. I think she did. :) We chased the sunset, took some fun pictures with the windows down and the radio up. I love this life. I love my people. I love my Oklahoma.

Taking her back to the airport was the hardest day. I didn't want her to go and I don't think she did either. Oklahoma has a way of melting a girl's heart. While we were getting ready to go to the airport we were both quiet, cause we both knew if we said anything we were going to cry. I see alot of myself in Hannah and the place that she stands today is still strongly familiar to me. 17 years old, so many paths in life, so many options, so many things you can have if you have the courage to jump. The fear of making the wrong decision sometimes clouds the excitement of what life holds. The saying that the only thing to fear is fear itself is one of the truest things ever said. In the last few weeks before I left home I was worried that I was leaving oppertunities behind me, I was leaving relationships behind me, I was leaving my whole life behind me. What if I missed out on something? What if I missed out on what God had for my life? Then I picture myself 10 years down the road, if I never dared to come here, what would I be leaving behind? Who would I be leaving behind? When I look in my rearview would it say "I wish I would have.."? I would rather fail anyday than regret. I'm not saying regret is bad, but in this life I'd like to keep that to a minimum. Sometimes what one person would call regret another would call a lesson learned. And thats ok! We're all different, we all have a story and a reason.

If you're looking in your rearview mirror wishing you could go back, don't. Look ahead. Press on. If a farmer is constantly looking back behind him, he's going to wipe out everything beautiful in front of him. Nobody can make a new beginning but you do have the power to make a new ending. The Bible says that God restores time. You haven't lost time, you haven't lost oppertunities, you haven't lost relationships. Ask Him to restore those things in you, in your life and I promise you He will come through. He always does.

As for you Miss Hannah, whether you choose to be hairstylist, a doctor, a momma, or a girl chasing the sunset in Oklahoma, don't let the fear of the unknown hold you down. You've got wings baby, fly.

 I hope you dance babygirl, I hope you dance.

Sunday Playdate

Sunday was our "Playday" at church. Everyone brings their horses, they ride, eat together, hang out. Its so much fun. This was my first Playdate since I've lived here and I loved it. It was also Hannah's! We had an awesome time. I think she loved church pretty darn well! She's an Oklahoma girl and she doesn't even know it. I snapped a few pictures of it for ya'll. :)

My pretty little Hannah babe.. :) Is that not the cutest shirt ever?? Very Ree Drummond!

Anna and Miss Angie K watching barrels. They are the sweetest people I swear. 

One of my favorite little cowboys with his Daddy. :)

This is Miss E. She's a 72 year old cowgirl that can ride better than ANY cowboy I've ever seen! She's wonderful! I love her so much. Such a sweet spirit.

Hannah got to ride a horse for the first time since she was 6. Danny was her not so trustee body guard. ;-) He really wouldn't let anything happen, he's just seriously ornery and makes you think your life is about to flash before your eyes.

Which leads him to being a lone cowboy until he cleans up his act.. :)

She did a great job riding all by herself by the end of the day, we couldn't pry her off that horse!

Long Live the Little Boys...

Last weekend some friends and I went to Binger to a rodeo and although it was great I was loving these little boys sitting in front of us! All I have to say is their Momma must be one heck of a gal because they're some tough little guys! I love it. They were pushing, shoving, biting, kicking, duking it out, trash talking as in (Stuuuuupid!) ;-) and entertaining the place. I hope I at least get to have one little boy someday so I have an excuse to buy little Wranglers. So sweet.

Aaaaand I suppose I might need one of these so I can buy big boy Wranglers too. I really go to the rodeos to watch the little boys wrestle..I really do. I would never lie about that.

P.S. Sorry gals..I failed to get his name. I'm not THAT brave. All I know is that he can rope a calf like the Devil. Amen. Pray for me.

For my sweet Samuel..

I miss you AND giving your boar, Ozzy baths.

(I named him for you. You're welcome.)

"--It's no good running a pig farm badly for 30 years while saying, 'Really, I was meant to be a ballet dancer.' By then, pigs will be your style."