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Young Hollywood.

Melissa Beene Ford/ Annie+ Katie

So this morning on the way to school, the girls were discussing what they’re going to be when they grow up.

Katie, my shy, artistic, sensitive soul, has always been drawn to animals in a major way. From the time she could toddle she would say, “I want to make the dogs feel better and the cats feel better and the sheep feel better and the ducks feel better.” Its just a given that she’ll be an animal doctor.

Or, a dog groomer — this silly notion she mentions from time to time, which I try to beat down because — not that there’s anything wrong with grooming dogs for  living but, you know, animal doctor pays a little better, after all, which is important in life, so she will be an animal doctor and that’s just all there is to it.

Heck, her Halloween costume when she was four was… an animal doctor (her idea). Complete with Beanie Baby dogs and cats in her lab coat pockets {monogrammed with Dr. Katie Beth from the I Love Pets Animal Clinic}.


Like I said… its understood. So we’re talking about it, and I reiterate, as I have hundreds of times through the years, how GOOD Katie Beth would be at being a vet, or anything else she chooses to do {except groom dogs…ahem}. Annie chimes in,

I know what I want to be when I grow up… A model. I would be REALLY good at that. My second choice is movie star. And my third choice? Hmmmm… my third choice is dancer.”

 Yeah, she really said that, and somehow… I know there is truth in her words.

I think back to our family fun photo shoot goofin’ this past weekend….



And I don’t know where it comes from, but somehow, she’s Hollywood, baby. She knocks people out of the way to position herself in front of cameras.

She even knows that most important celebrity skill: how to dress to go pick up Cheetos from the convenience store… Shield me from the Paparazzi, bodyguard; I’m pretending like I don’t want to be recognized…

I try to enjoy these fleeting moments when she’s just a five-year-old…


…because all too soon, she’ll be calling 90210 home and we’ll only catch glimpses of her now and then on E! News.

I just hope that if she needs to carry small dogs as fashion accessories, like glamorous models and movie stars tend to do, she’ll remember Dr. Katie Beth, Animal Doctor, back here at home.

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Hey there... I'm Melissa! Texas girl. Mom to three + one goldendoodle. Believer. Old house fanatic. Creating a happy + healthy home with purpose is my passion. I'm so glad you're here!

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I don’t know who’s big idea it was to strip 80 I don’t know who’s big idea it was to strip 80 years of paint off of this door down to the wood and start over… but that person has no business starting new projects. 😅 My neighbors must have thought this project would never end. *I* thought this project would never end. 😰 If you’re thinking of doing this yourself? Just don’t, ok? Throw the whole door away and buy a new one. 😂🤣 Just kidding.  Old house weirdos like me… we can’t just do things the easy way. Anyhoo… after some trial and error, @sherwinwilliams Celestial is what I landed on, and I have to say… I like it. Periwinkle-ish blue looks great with the yellow house and will look even better when the azaleas are in bloom. Was it all worth it? That’s not important right now. 🤭 Will I do this all again in two years? The magic eight ball says… without a doubt. 👏🏻 I’ve already picked the next color. #gluttonforpunishment #somefoolsneverlearn #oldhouselove #oldhomelove #makinghome #southernliving #gardenandgun #azaleadistrict #tylertx
Spring in the Azalea District makes the winters in Spring in the Azalea District makes the winters in an 80-year-old house completely worth it … what broken pipes, icy hardwood floors and drafty windows? 🤔 I forgot already. #comeonspring #azaleadistrict #tylertx
Happy Saturday ☀️ Happy Saturday ☀️
Salt Lake City is always magical ✨ Salt Lake City is always magical ✨
2022 had its highs and lows for sure, but scrollin 2022 had its highs and lows for sure, but scrolling through my pics from the last twelve months made me realize how blessed and content I am. Prosperity, love, and peace have been ours in abundance, in spite of the pain of losing my dad. The second picture is the last picture of him… the last time I saw him. 💔 But God has been good to my family this year and 2022 is ending far better than it began. 😄 #2022inreview #thanksforthememories
Who wants a Christmas tour of my home? 🙋🏼‍ Who wants a Christmas tour of my home? 🙋🏼‍♀️
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That’s it. That’s the tour. (Slide two). 
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It’s a new trend I’m starting: bare Christmas tree. Lowe’s tag still attached (so quirky and unexpected)! Christmas ornaments still in boxes. Coming soon to an Anthropologie window display near you. 
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Every year I think, “next year I’ll do better. Next year I’ll have it together.” And then, here we are on the SIXTH Christmas that we’ve been in this house, the sixth Christmas I’ve dragged our chaotic bunch of Christmas mess out of a chaotic garage I still haven’t unpacked from our move six years ago. 
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Maybe this year is the year I’ll organize it all and put it back neatly so that by Christmas number 7, it will be smooth sailing. People will flock to my social media to see how I’ve pulled everything off SO PERFECTLY. Next year will be my year. 
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Seems every year there’s less and less bandwidth for all these things. There’s more grief and stress, less money. More demands, less grace. 
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I put this sign on the wall in my office so I could keep it in front of my eyes: Love. Joy. Peace. And all that. I am SO unlike Jesus most days. So lacking in all of these character qualities. And that’s WITH waking up most mornings and spending my first 30 minutes with God Himself. 
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How lost would I be without that? Geez. I can’t fathom. I REQUIRE being transformed by renewing my mind every single morning, and even then, responding to people and life with love, joy, peace and patience doesn’t come naturally. 
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It’s the goal, though. 
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This weary world needs that from us Believers during this season, more than ever… even more than an Anthropologie-window-display worthy Christmas home tour. 
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I’m working on both.
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