Life with Helen

This blog has been on my heart for a few months.  I can't tell you how many different times I've started and deleted it, but this Sunday, Pastor Ron said exactly what I needed to hear in order to make this blog fly! Funny how God does that, huh? He said "Praying for yourself isn't selfish, it's critical." Growing up in church, I was constantly listening to the old men (sorry, but it's true) pray aloud. Each time it sounded rehearsed, like a song you've heard 100 times. I found myself doing the same. Praying the same prayer over and over. One day, it dawned on me that I didn't mean what I was saying.  I was wasting my breath, and was actually wasting God's time. It wasn't until a couple of years ago that I truly started talking to God. When you talk to God like a friend, he becomes a friend. I talk to him about my family, Matt, his family, my friends, work, Zumba, Ozzie, you name it! I ask him for help, strength, forgiveness, guidanc...

In case you missed it, I WON A RACE! Okay, I didn't exactly win, but I did get 2nd place in my age group, which earned me a medal! OUHHH, AHHHH! Friday night, I went to Kentucky with my friends, Sarah Brown and Krista Taylor, to run the Midnight Madness Glow Run 5k! We had so much fun! Krista also got 2nd in her age group, and Sarah actually did win her age division! She got 1st place, which means she got a trophy! To top it off, we all PR'd! It was magical! I think Krista and I both cried when they called our names! I jumped up and down, skipping all the way to the front to accept my medal. Don't worry; I'll play it cool next time. I honestly can't remember ever winning any race of any type! I take that back, I might have won a donut eating contest? I have said before how much I hate running, and I will now tell you why. Painful memories, I tell you! When I was in the 6th grade, I ran track for George Washington Middle School. I wasn't particularly good at an...

...for now. Shout out to Lindsay Rotella for giving me the idea for this blog! If you haven't heard, she is baby bumpin' these days, so she gets what she wants! Right, Chris!? ;) Fashion and beauty are constantly evolving, and we are constantly adapting! Well, most of us are...I hope. It's what we must do in order to not end up looking like the conductor of the hot mess express (aka Tara Reid.) I get a lot of questions about my hair now that I'm red! For those of you who don't know, being a faux redhead is hard work! Red fades VERY easily, so this is what I have to do to maintain my color. 1. After I get it colored, I don't wash it for 3 days. I know, gross. 2. Wash it in cold water. Miserable. Especially in the winter! Invest in that detachable shower wand thingie. 3. Use sulfate-free shampoo! You should probably do this whether you color or not. 4. Wash it every other day. Dry shampoo is the bff of a faux redhead! 5. I never use...

I am not a poet, so be kind!! Not everyone has a Helen, There is of course but one. Magnificent would be understating The amazing things she's done. Although unique in many ways We've learned to laugh and cope. Her humor will be passed down for generations, We can only hope. Helen doesn't like to play games. She's made that clear throughout the years. The only games she's interested in Involve the Mountaineers. She doesn't like drinking water,  It doesn't give her that kick. She likes a huge jug of Diet Dr. Pepper, That's always been her pick. She really hates to cook, Although it's very yummy! But her cookies are her specialty, They'll make for a happy tummy! She doesn't like flowers, Her garden is a mess, But she can sew like a pro, And whip out a mean dress! She loves that man, Gilad, and the way he Steps and Tones, But she's the dancing queen at Zumba, she can really get in the zone. We're so lucky to have a mom Who is unlike any ...

If you haven't seen the pictures yet, hold onto your britches! They will blow you away. I don't typically use this phrase, but it's the only thing I can think of that sums up how I feel. -- The Met Gala was EV-ERY-THANG. -- I even had time to sleep on it, and my mind is still blown! I tend to forget to blog about the Met Gala because it's not televised, but the fashion each year is stellar! I loved so many that it was really hard to narrow it down to my favorites! I really think I might have cried if I had seen Sarah Jessica Parker in person. I mean, I would cry anyways, but I would ugly cry on this one! Everyone knows how much I adore SJP. I feel like she is genuine and real, and everything she puts on her body is SO HER. I can't say it enough, I love her!   I think Blake Lively is one of the most beautiful women in the business right now, and check out her arm candy. OH BABY! I love her hair, I love her make-up, and I love her gown. It's al...