Transformation Tuesday

Hello Tuesday!
We have a lot of stuff going on this week at the Dogan house. This weekend Quinn took our coat closet in the living room and transformed it into a mudroom. I have been OBSESSING over it.
We bought our house in 2011 and have been slowly trying to renovate it over the years. We began with the living room and after the tornado we did the kitchen, dining room, and laundry room.  We have tried to do everything as budget friendly as possible with Quinn doing 99% of the work himself and me doing the styling.

This is the before.

Yall, our ENTIRE house had this carpet when we moved in. 

And this is the after!! I absolutely LOVE it. It is better than my vision. Quinn did the walls, bench, floor, and shelf with upcycled pallet wood. He used a nail gun to attach it to the paneling. He framed the bench with 2x4s and covered it with pallet wood, as well.

 I will link all of the details.

Galvanized Buckets

Wire Baskets (I bought these at Dirt Cheap, but I linked the original ones) 

Also, mine were $5 each at DC which is a STEAL! 

Gatehouse Hooks

Olive Bucket  Another Dirt Cheap find

Throw Blanket, not the exact one I have, but mine was another DC find and I couldnt find the exact one online.

Throw Pillows You guessed it, another DC find.

Gray Bins I actually did buy these at Lowes, but I wish I could have gotten them at Dirt Cheap.

We were actually able to get by with spending less than $100 on this room! 

I want to use this to hang the kids' backpacks and coats...BUT....I love it so much I sat there to read and catch up on my social media last night and Eli may or may not have caught me sleeping there. Ha! 

I could not be happier! Would anyone be interested in a post about the other rooms we have renovated?

Let me know in the comments, please! 

Decade-ly Dose of Dogan?

Okay ya'll.. I'm going to give this blog thing one more try... I mean, so far I am updating it once every two years. At least I'm consistently inconsistent. #facepalm.

Annnnnyyyyway... Life is great in the Dogan Household. Eli and Jena are in the 6th grade at Senath-Hornersville. That in itself just absolutely blows my mind. Eli plays basketball and baseball, but his true love is still in the outdoors. He has proven himself to be quite the fisherman, he impresses adults with his knowledge of bait, casting techniques, and skill. He also still loves to hunt and has managed to bring down a button buck during Missouri Youth Season and a nice 7 point buck this past weekend during the Arkansas Youth Hunt. I'm definitely no hunter but I love seeing him do what he loves and be successful. Hunting and fishing have been such a wonderful way for him to bond with his other family members and I am forever grateful for those memories.

Jena is a cheerleader and enjoys basketball and softball. She is definitely showing us the ropes in parenting a tween girl #prayforus... She is a social butterfly and is without a doubt the most helpful member of our family. She works hard at school and at home as well as staying busy with weekend plans and events. She amazes me at how independent she is. I'm pretty sure that if we gave her a food stipend she could live on her own.

Quinn is working at Nucor Yamato Steel and loves it. He is in the melt shop and has really made some great friends there. He is super commited to the gym, which means I get to be a 6 while married to a solid 10 #luckiestgirlever. He is the absolute best dad our kids could ever ask for, whether that means working over so they can have whatever they want or staying up all day after being on nights just to go to ballgames. He never ceases to amaze me in that deptartment.

We have some new fur babies around our house. Oreo is a tuxedo cat and has turned us from "not a cat" family to "here is a picture of my cat" family. Champ is a goldendoodle and I literally could not tell you one fault about him. He's my right hand man and goes most everywhere I do. We also inherited a ball python about a year ago. Rambo is pretty cool and spends alot of time with me in the BES Library. I still miss my Sammi-girl and Mia and think about them pretty much every single day. However, my heart has started to mend a little. They'll always be part of our family.

And as far as me, I'm still in the BES Library and love it. It is a such a fun job and my students are just absolutely amazing. My students and my coworkers bring a lot of joy to my life. I can honestly tell you that I am in the happiest stage of my life so far.

I have truly missed this blog and writing in general and I hope that I can be entertaining enough to keep a reader or two. If not, this will be my little slice of internet where I can vent and document memories as this life continues to fly on by.

I'm baaaaack!

Hello Reader,

Well, it's been almost 2 years since my last blog post. My life has changed so much since I last blogged. Since my last post I took a job teaching 3rd grade at Blytheville Elementary. If you follow me on social media, you know that the kids of Blytheville own a big part of my heart. As of the 2016-17 school year I am the librarian at BES. Best. Job. Everrrrr. But seriously, I adore my position. It gives me the freedom and flexibility to serve the school in many departments and teams. Plus, I get to see every kid in the school once a week. 

Besides that, Eli is now attending Senath-Hornersville Schools. We LOVE it. He has been blessed with wonderful teachers and his baseball buddies go to school with him. It also probably doesn't hurt that Memaw and Faye get to take turns taking him and picking him up. #spoiled

Quinn's band is currently on a break. And we've gotten in to the gym. We *try* to go every day.. but we don't always make it. I haven't been able to make it to yoga as much as I like, but I do incorporate it at school as a behavior management and refocusing technique for the students. They love it! 

In March of this year, we had to say goodbye to our Sammi girl. One of the hardest things I have ever done. Literally, heart wrenching.

I've been wanting to blog again for awhile. I *hope* I can find the time to give you your Daily Dose of Dogan.

See ya soon,

 

Liv Yoga

Hello Reader!

As many of you know (from Facebook)- in November- I began practicing Yoga.

The Kennett community is so lucky to have such a wonderful yoga studio.

Liv Yoga is downtown and offers several classes each day.  I have been going to the 8:30am classes everyday and catching the 4 pm class when I can! Yoga has been so helpful in getting through the challenges of my life, not to mention-I can see my old body coming back. I am nowhere near the body I want to have, but yoga is helping me get there. 

I wanted to try yoga for so long before I finally did.  I was nervous about not knowing what to do or whether or not I would be successful. I was a gymnast and cheerleader from age 5-18, but- obviously I haven't done much in the way of fitness during the last decade of my life. 

 

My friend Danyel, finally convinced me to try a class with her. After that one class, omygoodness. 

I could. Not. Sign. Up. Fast. Enough.

I knew this was what I  NEEDED!

  I have now been able to have at least one class with each of Liv's 4 skilled instructors. Jennifer, Keri, Courtney, and Charolyn all have different speeds and approaches- and they are all wonderful in their own way.

When I leave yoga, I feel so much more mentally prepared for the day. You see, yoga is just as much (possibly more) about mental clarity than it is about strength.  

 

So many times, when I am feeling down or stressed-I will remind myself to come back to my breathing and I am instantly more calm.

It is something that I definitely have to budget for, but- I can't afford not to.

 Giving myself the gift of one hour  (sometimes two-if I feel like I need another hour) to focus on me- is priceless. 

I encourage each of you to try it out. You will be pleasantly surprised at how much better you feel- inside and out. 

The current schedule at Liv Yoga is:

Monday: 5 am CH (hot)
8:30 am JM (hot)
10:00 am JM (cool)
5:30 pm JM (hot)

Tuesday: 8:30 am JM (cool)

5:30 pm JM hot)

Wednesday : 5 am CH (hot)
8:30 am KA (h)
10:00 am JM (c)
5:30 pm JM (h)
Thursday begins new January schedule!
Thursday: 8:30 am JM (cool)
4:00 pm CP (hot)
5:30 pm JM (hot)

Friday: 5 am CH (hot)
8:30 am JM(hot)
10:00 am JM (c)

Saturday: 8:00 am (hot)

CH- Charolyn Hilburn

JM- Jennifer McCormick

CP- Courtney Patterson

KA- Kerri Anderson (Gates) 

They are also having a contest now. 30 classes in 40 days. For the prices of $125- You can take unlimited classes in January AND(!!!)February. That's a $25 savings- and you could be a total hottie for that Valentine's Date...and Spring Break.. and any other event that is going to come up! 

Check them out on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Liv-Yoga/390916447680896

I'm curious- Have you ever tried yoga? What are some things you do to relax and reset? Have you given yourself a gift lately?

Namaste, Ya'll ;)

Challenge!

Wow!
That is the only response I can form after reading the stats from my last blog post. That post had over 1300 hits. I know that is not much in the blog world, but in my world, that is huge. Thank you for reading. Writing that post was so liberating. It was so freeing! Posting the link on facebook was downright, terrifying.  But, I am so glad I did. I mentioned in that post that I didn't want people reaching out to me.  Well, some of you didn't listen and I am so thankful for that. I have had calls, texts, emails, facebook messages, etc from people saying that that post spoke to them.  It is comforting to know that I'm not alone.  To know that other "happy" people deal with depression. I also had a few negative remarks, and I'm fine with that too. I'm learning to take criticism. I am also learning that some people bask in the pain of others.  I'm going to make the choice to be better than that.

I've gone back and edited that post with a little challenge.  I hope that it isn't a flop! I want you all to comment on that post, or share it on facebook with your story. It doesn't have to be about depression, it can be about an addiction, a need, or even something that you have overcome.  You can comment anonymously, or you can sign your name. If you have a blog, link it! I would love to read about you. As I read each comment or as you read each comment lift up that person in prayer.

As Kerri said in yoga today- Spread your peace to everyone you come in contact with!
Even virtually.

I've had a pretty low key week.  After my post Sunday, I was noticeably upset. When Quinn got home he had the idea of sitting down and making a plan to improve our lives.

We divided a paper into what we consider our 5 most important life parts.
1. Marriage
2. Parenting
3. Spirituality
4. Home
5. Finance

Under each section we made a list of 5 goals to improve that particular category. I won't share our goals at this time, since they are personal.  We gave ourselves until the end of the month to obtain those goals. At the beginning of February, we will sit down and see what isn't checked off.  That goal will roll over to February and we will add new ones in place of what we did accomplish.
I am so excited about this!  It is nice to have a plan in place to improve and it was nice to sit down with my husband and discuss each aspect of our life.

2015 is going to be amazing, ya'll!

New Year. New Fe.

*Updated 1/7/2014*
**I would LOVE for you to comment on this post (or on the facebook link, if you would prefer.) and tell me your story. You can even comment anonymously!
Yall- writing this post was so liberating to me. But, posting it on facebook was terrifying. However, I could not be more proud of myself. Just admitting what I am going through and getting so many responses of people with similar struggles, has been so therapeutic.
As you comment, read the other comments- without passing judgment. Remember, you don't know someone else's history. It is difficult to put things on the internet that you struggle with, people accepting this challenge are brave. As you read the comments, pray for those people. Lift them up. If you read a story of triumph, thank God for that person. If you read a story of dismay,  Lift them up. None of us are without sin and we all fall short of the Glory.
Let's spread peace and prayer!**



Hello Reader!

It's been awhile. If I don't get better at posting, I'm going to have to change my blog name to Quarterly Quotes from Quinn's Wife. Ha! 

While on the subject of being a better blogger... I want to talk about my list of goals for 2015.  Megan at More Sweet Tea, Please had a wonderful idea that really hit home with me. (Megan, I hope you don't mind me borrowing your idea!). She posted a bucket list for 2015, as opposed to the traditional New Year's Resolutions. 

2014 brought so many wonderful things and people into my life. 

It also took some great people and brought some hard times. 

I want so badly to make 2015 my year.

As many of you know, I resigned from Kennett Public Schools at the beginning of December. For many reasons, it was just the right move for my family and I at this time. I am looking into other job opportunities. I'm hoping that God will open up an opportunity for me soon. Until then, I will be launching an Etsy store and investing in some new things with Created in Chaos. I am so thankful for my CiC customers and hopefully will have some awesome new products for you soon.

As for my 2015 Bucket List, I have several objectives, but my first is this: To start liking me.

I am going to be brutally honest here. It is really hard to put this on the internet for everyone to read and see, but I can't fully commit to a new me until I openly acknowledge things with the old me. 

I am struggling and have struggled with depression for quite some time.

Please, don't think that I am writing this so that people will call, text, comment, or reach out in any form with sympathies. As a matter of fact, those things make it worse.  If there is one thing worse than not liking yourself, it's letting other people know that you don't like you. 

I have built a life based on people thinking my life is lollipops and gumdrops.  But, it isn't. 

Life is hard, ya'll. 

And, what makes things worse is- I don't really have a reason to be depressed.  From the outside looking in, I have a lot going on for me.  I have a husband that I love dearly, and he loves me unconditionally. He loves me when I haven't showered for 2 days and you could fry an egg with the grease from my hair. He loves me when I've sat in the recliner watching Love It or List It for 8 hours, while he has been working and our laundry is piling up. 

I'm so grateful for him, but I don't deserve him.  

I am privileged to be Eli's momma.  He is truly the most wonderful little boy in the world. And God gave him to me at a time when the last thing I wanted was to be someone's momma. But, He knew what I needed and I am so thankful for that. Eli has been my saving grace many times in his short life. I'm so grateful for him, but I don't deserve him. 

I could literally call Faye, Mom, Keith, Hannah, Magen, Dad, Beck, Pop, Uncle, or any number of family members at any time and they would come save me from whatever is going on.

And they have... 

I'm so grateful for them, but I don't deserve them.

I have a host of friends, some that I have known since I was 3 some that I have only known a few months- but, I know that they would do anything in their power to make things better or easier for me. I'm so grateful for them, but I don't deserve them.

Again, I can assure you I'm not saying all of this for you all to think "Wow! Felicia is lucky."

I know how good I have it, the point is- you don't have to have a reason to be depressed. You don't have to seek out depression. It will find you. On good days and bad. It will find you on Christmas morning. It will find you at a funeral. It will wake you up from a dead sleep. You can't hide from depression. 

 If you struggle with depression there is no need for me to explain. If you have never struggled with depression, consider yourself lucky. It is so much more than a bad day. It goes much deeper than a bad mood. Depression is anxiety attacks when the phone rings.. It's laying in bed until 4 am, arguing with yourself about why you can't just be happy.  Depression is wanting to get up clean the closet, do the laundry, cook for your family- but not being able to. Depression is yelling and hurting people who love you because all you want to do is push them away. Because, in your head- you are saving them from a relationship with you. Depression is dreading holidays. Dreading people asking you about what is going on in your life because, you don't really care what is going on. Depression is counting down the hours, minutes, seconds until you can get back in bed and fall into the darkness that is your mind. Depression is a dark, endless, never ending tunnel and you have no flashlight.  

Not everyone dealing with depression harms himself, physically. Depression is just as much, if not more mental. It's like being in a nightmare- but you are your own bad guy.

This whole post is probably shocking to those of you who only know me via social media.  It is probably even shocking to some of my friends and family members. Most people read the things I post or share and think I have it going on. I'm totally in control. I've played this game long enough to be good at it. Until recently, I've always been able to hide behind jokes and snarky comments.  I've always been able to make other people laugh and smile.  By nature, I am a "fixer". If you are dealing with a loss, I would normally be the person to come clean your house, bring paper plates, a cooler, help organize things to make it easier on you.  If you are sad or upset-I'm usually the person that will send you some stupid picture I found on google or photoshopped.  If you need someone to talk to, I'm usually the person who will listen. I think that I do these things because it helps me to see that other people struggle. Other people fall down. I'm not the only one. 

But, I have figured out that I am going to have fix me, too. I am going to have to work on Felicia, and that is what this year is going to be about. And I know that I'm not going to be able to do it alone.  I am going to build a stronger relationship with God this year. I'm not going to only seek Him when I'm down. I am going to praise him through the storm and through the sunshine.  I want Eli to see his mother happy, everyday. 

I'm not going to be ashamed or afraid to sit alone in church. I'm not going to be embarrassed by past mistakes. 

I'm going to beat depression, and God is going to help me. 

And hopefully, everything else will fall into place.

This blog will be my journal. Writing is therapeutic for me. I will use this to document my journey. My struggles. My triumphs. There will be good posts and sad ones. But, it will always be me.

PopWilliam, and a favor.

Hey Guys!
I know, I know-
Two posts, one week...You just can't believe it!? I'll admit, I'm kind of surprised myself. 

Today is one of my VERY favorite men's birthday! PopWilliam is the rock behind our family. He has taught me to stand tall even when I feel defeated. He has taught me to work hard for everything I have. And he has taught me to invest in my passions.  But, most importantly he is the light of Eli's life. Everything Pop does, E has to do. It just melts me into a puddle.
Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the years. 

One of my first pictures of Pop and Eli.

My Three favorite guys! 

For those of you that don't know, we live on the way to 'Pop's fishing hole'. In the summer, he stops and picks up Eli at 5am. He brings them a breakfast of Mountain Dew, crackers, and little debbies.  They fish until 9 or so, and then he drops E off at home. Eli usually comes in tells me all about their morning and sleeps until noon. And, you'll notice Sammi in this picture. She loves Pop as much or more than Eli does!

And, most days after Eli wakes up from his post fishing nap, Pop will come back and get him and they'll go froggin'. 

Pop and Eli both at 7 years old.

I've seen this picture hundreds of times. It sits on the mantel at my granparent's house.  But, this summer when I walked past- it caught me by surprise.  It was uncanny, like I was looking at a black and white version of Eli.  I picked up the picture and Poppa immediately started telling me the story about his shirt. I was a shirt that someone had hand made for him to have his picture taken in. He was very proud of that shirt! He said it had hawaiian prints all over the material.  I held up the picture to Eli and snapped the photo of his face without ever mentioning it to him. When I held the photo up to my picture of E, Pop said "see, I told ya he looks like me!". And oh my! Doesn't he? The hair texture, the same lips, same crooked smile. Same eye shape and even the way they're looking out of their eye. Exactly the same.

Oh, Eli Dogan- how I pray that you'll live life with the same kind spirit, but tough personality. I want you to stay pround and stand firm in your beliefs. I want to see you love like PopWilliam does. 

And, before I leave you-  I just wanted to take a few moments and share a story that has touched my heart. 

This is Aaron and Ashley Coleman. Aaron and I went to the same high school, and although I did not know him well, I always remember him being such a "good ol' boy." The kind of guy that's always willing to help someone out.

Aaron and Ashley got married in 2011, and have been trying to add the pitter patter of little feet to their family, ever since.

They made some big time life sacrifices in order to try IVF, and were able to conceive. After a little over 23 weeks, Ashley's water broke and Sweet Carter was born.  Carter was too perfect for this world, though. And the Lord called him home after only 40 minutes.

The video Ashley put together shows their journey as well as the love they share for one another.  I hope that you will take 4 minutes out of your day to try and make their dreams come true.

Please, take the time and watch their video and VOTE!

I just know that their nursery will only be empty for a short time.

This is the link to their video: 

http://haveababy.com/sher-believe-2014-coleman 

And, here is the link to vote: 

http://haveababy.com/vote-believe-video-journal-favorites

Vote on all your devices and pass the word. Let's make their dreams come true!!! 

Feel free to share this post as well as sharing their video links!