:: summer lovin ::

oh summer how i love thee!
the sunshine, the heat, the spontaneous storms, the tan lines, the sweat, the bar-b-ques ....oh happy sigh :)
summer is most definitely my favorite season...and this one, though almost over, has been wonderfully enjoyable!

:: summer successes ::

~ i have the hottest husband ~

~ my house is cleaner (please don't mis-read that...i said cleaner not clean) ~

~ up-to-date with laundry ~

~ ordering and loving a king bed ~

~ discovering embedded links ~ enjoy :) ~

~ amazingly wonderful, "oh my goodness, you too" friendships rekindled ~

~ rediscovering joy (like joy joy, not myself)

~ oh happy sigh ~

:: summer failures ::

  

~ all of our doors are still not painted ~

~ classroom is not even close to being ready ~

~ the lasagna, the fried deer steak (my hand is almost healed), the any type of food I attempt ~

~ i still canNOT cook...grrr ~

:: summer goals ::

~ i really REALLY want to make this...i even have the shirt to make it with ~

~ oh and this too (and yes i have another shirt just for it too) ~

~ paint the stinkin doors ~

~ le classroom ~

:: summer habits ::

 ~ craft blogging... OH MY GOODNESS I LUV FINDING CUTE CRAFT BLOGS!!! ~

~ for inspiration ~

~ stumbling ~

~ reading, reading, reading, oh and what i should be reading ~

~ cutting the grass / mowing the lawn ~ oh the bruises...and sweat :) ~

~ thrift store shopping!! oh what success! ~

:: summer travels ::

the traveling has been oh so adventous and enjoyable (and i typically don't care for travel)

~ we went here for some training and to be loved on by super awesome national staff ~ oh the love ~

~ here, here, and here for some awesome vacationing ~ ps...stingrays scare the mess out of me! ~

~ and travels to come ~

~ and we have the second best dog sitter ever!!! the best moved away...how dare she... ~

DEAREST SUMMER,

PLEASE DON'T END!!

LOVE,

ME

some deep questions

Because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.

1.How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
um 6 or 21

2.Which is worse, failing or never trying?
they both hurt.  i am more comfortable with never trying then failing...not that that makes it better or worse...its just comfortable.  in giving people advice i would usually say that trying things and giving it your best effort is always worth it so take the risk of failing (except jumping off the balcony at the nat...thats just crazy

3.If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
we feel like its expected...even when it really isnt...or if it is the people that "expect it" shouldnt matter.  and you never know until you try (haha see above)

4.When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
unfortunately...im a chicken...

5.What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
the lack of peace and joy...not just Christmasy peace and joy...but genuine deep down lasting peace and joy.  it would help us all get along :)

6.If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
anything with puppies or zoo animals :) training and cuddling them

7.Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
...probably settling...but since i've settled i believe in my work more and in myself more...kinda finding what i believe in by settling.  but who knows about tomorrow?

8.If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
ummm sleep in more, had kids sooner, married my friends off...sounds like a bucket list in the making

9.To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
to a large degree...meaning "its all my fault" hehe.  for a large part i am dependent on others to assist in making decisions (even the little ones)...but i actually am controlling the course (they should have drivers ed for this course though seriously)

10.Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
...doing things right...very very closely followed by doing the right things...its the perfectionist, control freak, performance anxiety inside of me...

11.You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
point out the good in her.  defend her without becoming "defensive". "oh are you talking about ____. she is amazing.  did you know she saved the whales and took all the graffiti off my house all while babysitting a newborn and writing her thesis?" that is exactly what i would try to say

12.If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
love much - even when it hurts

13.Would you break the law to save a loved one?
um...depends on what i was saving them from...jail - no...creepy person - possibly...death - most likely

14.Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
most definitely

15.What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
process life...i over analyze and over anxietize...all while pretending life is perfect and im ok.  oh wait thats not just me....but i feel like its just me...IS ANYBODY OUT HERE?!?

16.How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
because not everyone likes books and puppies as much as i need books and puppies and justin :)

17.What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s
holding you back?
have a kid...fear...finances...insurance...fear...fear...NEEDLES!!...responsibility

18.Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
yes...fear! (see above)

19.If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
australia of course. they have kangaroos and sunshine and aussie accents and sunshine and an outback on every corner :)

20.Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
no - unless the light in the button doesn't come on...then i press it again (just one more time) if the light stays off it stays off...

21.Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
joyful simpleton :) though being a genius has its benefits...i should know :) bwahaha

22.Why are you, you?
because God needs me to be me and likes me just the way i am :) and He wants to use me too.  i truly believe He used experiences in my life to mold me just the way i am...perfectly imperfect

23.Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
i try...i dont want to be the naggy, clingy, i told you so friend...but sadly sometimes i cant help it...

24.Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
losing touch...its sad...but it happens and life goes on...

25.What are you most grateful for?
my life - the good, the bad, and the ugly :) the hard and the happy :) the smiles and the tears :) the opportunities and the fears (i just rhymed :) )

26.Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
...this is a tough one because i do not remember large (really large) chunks of my childhood...and new memories happen every day...but i rely a lot on the joy of past memories...but the memories that are yet to be made may bring joy as well...so as long as i dont have to lose the memories that are yet to be made once they are made then i would choose to lose all of my old memories

27.Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
yes...sometimes you just know...and sometimes it takes forever to figure it out...and sometimes the perspective of the "truth" changes over time.  so what is truth?  is there truth? dont answer that...i dont like debates

28.Has your greatest fear ever come true?
nope...every time i think it may be i overcome the fear that is staring me in the face

29.Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
actually yes...and it has made a difference in many aspects of my life today...but the time ten years ago doesnt matter a lick

30.What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special?
playing circus in the backyard in georgia...we were all a part of the circus...even Ter the monkey walking on the top of the swing set

31.At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
when sharing the passion and love the God has placed in me - oh and my wedding DAY (make sure you read that right)

32.If not now, then when?
i think just because i have felt passionate and alive in the past does not mean that there will not be more moments and opportunities to feel more passionate and more alive.  i just have to seek those opportunities

33.If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
i have achieved it but i should pursue to continue achieving it...when the passion and life is lost what is the point?  therefore continue pursuing the passion and the life until you find it and it finds you and the meeting of the two is one huge emotionally intimate mess :) and then chase after it again :)

34.Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
isnt it so refreshing...i love it :) it helps that i tend to be a quiet person and many times prefer the quiet over the projectile vomit of too many words and ackward conversations.

35.Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
because they are protecting what they love - even when it hurts so many others.  people will do amazing things for the people/causes/religions they love and think are right.

36.Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
yes and no.  i think the holy spirit leads us and guides us and gives us the ability to discern the difference (i mean eve ate from the tree didnt she) but we dont always listen...or we choose to ignore what our conscience.  but sometimes there is no way of knowing without stepping out and experiencing for yourself

37.If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
uh haha well...seeing as though i dont actually have one...um...if i did..probably...because the people at work would harass me about it...i would move away...change my name...and find a job where people didnt know i was rich...and i could do my job because i loved it not because i needed it

38.Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
more work that i actually enjoy doing.  but what does that look like?  guess i have some self-reflecting to do

39.Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
not today nope.

40.When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
rarely if ever...i dont like the dark...at all...though metaphorically i feel like we all do to some extent each day with each decision we make (deep huh?)

41.If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
mom, ter, and aly-issa....but wait and sher...and dad...oh this list is going to get long

42.Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
uh no...besides...according to the people that really matter i am attactive and even famous.  when you matter you matter and your looks and the gossip that follows you cant change that.

43.What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
i am alive but am i living?  breathing and having a pulse means im alive.  pursuing my dreams, aspirations, and the things that makes me feel fulfilled and joyous means im truly living.

44.When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
ouch - deep down i think we should always choose to do what we think/know is right...but sometimes the fear deep inside us wont let us...so find a buddy and do it together :) besides...who decides it is right...because if i get to decide what is right...well...i may be wrong (see below)

45.If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
its the perfectionism and performance anxiety that comes out in all of us...silly fear of failure...and societal expectations...we want to be superman and conquer the world...not let society actually see us in our weakness...

46.What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
wear althetic shorts and ts more...and jeans...and ponytails...and eat with my elbows on the table (oh wait i already do that). talk more openly about my faith (sad isnt it)

47.When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
...saturday when hubby could have sworn i was hyperventalating...but in all actually i was just crying..

48.What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
snuggling, kisses, puppies, getting people to share their life and their feelings. yes :)

49.In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?
yesterday possibly...the day before that no...the day before that definitely not...mainly because i cant remember now and its only been 3 days...

50.Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
i am leaning on the guidance of those close to me, but ultimately the decision will be mine....arg....i wish i had an operation manual that would say "hey silly pick this one because it will make you happy and be amazingly awesome"

:: AB ::

so in honor of my super awesome friend "AB" im doing a blog update to give her insight into the awesome life of me :)...!! miracles never cease!

:: im home!! woohoo!! ::

:: not without adventures though ::

:: i forgot...no...i didnt forget...i just didnt...to take pictures ::

:: sorry ::

:: so back to the adventure... ::

:: we had 15 mins to get from our arriving plane at concourse A to our connecting flight at concourse C ::

:: we made it ::

:: then our flight couldnt land in its designated city ::

:: a plane in front of us hit turbulence and someone got injured ::

:: the airport stopped accepting flights ::

:: we had to go to another city...land...refuel...and sit ::

:: then they decided to "try" to go back to our airport...not knowing if the airport would let us land ::

:: people kept getting up to go to the bathroom even though they announced everytime someone got up for people not to get up because of the risk of injury ::

:: if was ridiculous ::

:: they wouldnt even let the flight attendents get up ::

:: we were by the bathroom and decided we were going to tackle people that tried to get up ::

:: we didnt actually tackle anybody though ::

:: we did share some disgusting looks with the other people near us that had the same feelings about the people that kept getting up ::

:: one guy fell...after the flight attendent told him to return to his seat and he said no ::

:: i laughed inside...after i knew he was ok of course ::

:: nobody on our flight was injured and we finally made it home ::

:: yup the airport let us land ::

:: TSA searched my checked luggage ::

:: i probably should not have put all the water guns in there ::

:: im surprised they were able to zip it back ::

:: well technically they didnt...there was about a 5-6 inch gap between my zippers ::

:: im glad my unmentionables didnt fall out ::

:: can you imagine how excited our babies were to see us? ::

:: they were really excited!! ::

:: can you imagine how excited they will be when you get home? ::

:: very excited! ::

:: i start school in two weeks! ::

:: crazy huh? ::

:: can you imagine ill finish a whole school year while you are gone? ::

:: crazy ::

:: i have 90% of the years units planned out ::

:: woot! ::

:: oh and im going to be more proactive...more assertive...and less stressed this year! ::

:: im going to move your closet to my house so i have a bigger wardrobe to pick from ::

:: just another excuse to see your mom :) ::

:: we went on a date last night (hubby and me not your mom and me)...mainly because we didnt want to cook ::

:: then we walked the puppies on campus ::

:: zeke almost got in the fountain ::

:: daisy limped a little...we didnt think anything of it ::

:: i checked her legs when we got home ::

:: she stepped on a nail... ::

:: a big nail ::

:: over an inch was in her paw ::

:: hubby pulled it out...quickly ::

:: it bled a lot ::

:: im thinking it bent when it hit bone ::

:: it went in near her top pad of her paw ::

:: i was sad ::

:: after an aspirin and sleeping in bed with us...daisy is ok ::

:: my mom's coming sunday ::

:: i hope to have all the doors painted by then ::

:: do you think i can get it done? ::

:: we'll have to buy more paint thinner to get my hands clean ::

:: where are you now? ::

:: lys ::

eek! im late..im late..for a very important date...no time to say "hello!" "goodbye!" im late im late im late!

so in honor of my super awesome friend "lys" im doing a blog update to give her insight into the awesome life of me :)...and im late!!...i was supposed to do this on sunday...but its tuesday (wedsnesday in alabama...but im not in alabama today)...alas...i will press on...

:: im not in alabama ::

:: AZ is hot "but its a dry heat" ::

:: it feels like im sitting really close to a campfire ::

:: or standing in front of an open oven ::

:: this is probably the largest gathering EVER of ministers in shorts and flip flops ::

:: there is a waterpark at our hotel ::

::we get it all to ourselves at night (we being the conference peoples) ::

:: i hope they are paying all 20 lifeguards well for staying soooo late ::

:: i want to be a lifeguard again ::

:: the ones here all had super awesome and amazing fanny packs with cpr masks hanging out ::

:: the babies are at home ::

:: without me ::

:: thats a big deal ::

:: we waited for you to come dogsit...but you never came...so we found somebody else ::

:: its a boy...who is definitely not loved as much as "lys" ::

:: they haven't eaten him yet ::

:: they probably (hopefully) miss me ::

:: school starts back in less then 3 weeks ::

:: AHHHHHHH ::

:: last week was pretty uneventful ::

:: oh yeah i got sick...pretty sick... ::

:: almost thought the answer to your question could be yes ::

:: then realized the real answer was no ::

:: hahaha are you confused yet ::

:: im better now ::

:: i have an official "hang out" time with your parents (mom specifically) ::

:: its tuesday after my old(er) lady Bible study ::

:: we watch movies...old movies...usually about nuns...well 50%... ::

:: ive gone twice ::

:: im not sure im ready for you to go somewhere with more "limited" internet access ::

:: though that does mean i am one month closer to seeing your face (and smelling your stinky shoes ::

:: have you and JH saran wrapped anything yet? ::

:: you should ::

:: reeses pieces are amazing ::

:: im going to bed now ::

:: g'night! ::


wish you were here!

















they wish you were there!

:: owie ::

so once again...in honor of the sweet and amazing "owie" i post a life update :)

:: hubby doesn't like sprinkles...who knew? ::
:: i painted 2 half doors (you know just one side of 2 doors) ::
:: it was a royal mess ::
:: who knew "ALKYD" paint means it permanently attaches to skin ::
:: that is until hubby saves the day with paint thinner...i seriously almost cried ::
:: 14 kids at cell this week...with even more new kids...and some gone to youth camp ::
:: it was one of those amazing talks when you plan and start one discussion and end up talking about something completely different...go God! ::
:: i have decided i want to go to youth camp ::
:: you've gone and that makes me jealous ::
:: maybe i'll go to the college retreat in oct that they have now ::
:: maybe it will be like youth camp ::
:: do you think they will let me? i mean im definitely not a "youth" anymore while also not a college student anymore...wow im getting old ::
:: but you are too ::
:: i was asked to lifeguard the women's retreat like you did last year ::
:: do you think you could recert me from Bucharest? ::
:: daisy taught zeke to want to lay on top of me when he sleeps...forget cuddling just lay completely on joy...its much more comfortable apparently... ::
:: we had a fourth of july celebration at church last night ::
:: yeah... ::
:: i saw AB this week :) ::
:: she misses you ::
:: wait i miss you too ::
:: i love getting "no sleep no food incoherent while yet perfectly coherent" emails from you ::
:: they make me feel special and loved ::
:: you sure you cant dog sit next week? ::
:: we are going (flying) to pheonix ::
:: it should be fun ::
:: i cant eat jalepenos anymore ::
:: they make me sick ::
:: sad :( ::
:: im still doing the old lady Bible study ::
:: its helping develop me into a "woman of spiritual confidence" ::
:: i really like the spiritual confidence part... ::
:: i think its been missing ::
:: but is soon to be found ::
:: we went to the lake for hubby's dad's bday ::
:: i am SUPER sore and bruised ::
:: but the MASTER of the tube ::
:: i still cant ski.... ::
:: i can get up pretty well...but then i fall down ::
:: Hannah Grace was given a bad report last week....that's why she is my FB profile pic...prayers would be super appreciated ::
:: i have decided that you and JH will become the best of friends while on the race ::
:: i may be completely wrong but she looks super fun and like yall would "click" ::
:: i leave you now because i must go brush my teeth ::

zeke is giving me moral support for the development of this blog...daisy's moral support is coming from underneath the bed...her favorite spot :)

:: aly cat ::

so one of my most awesomest friends EVER (aly cat :) ) just left on an 11 month missions trip (find out more here ). so i decided that i would do a blog to keep her updated on life here...at least in my house (we will see how long this actually lasts). so here's to you miss aly! i love you and hope you are having a blast!

:: i started going to a small group at FUMC - i'm the youngest one there (by far) but i think they still like me ::

:: rosie the dog's mother (or g'mother...im not sure) is there

:: its for women who feel kinda overwhelmed ::

:: we're doing a book called When Wallflowers Dance ::

:: you should read it :) ::

:: i made a new friend (CH) she's cool...but is definitely not you...which is good...because no one could come close to being you ::

:: zeke's new hiding spot when he is in trouble is the bathtub ~ all we have to say is "Zeke did you do this?" and he runs and hops in and starts shaking ::

:: his first time in the bathtub was when he ate your (yes your) case to your Scrubs DVD (we will replace it i promise) ::

:: we had 12 kids at our first summer XA small group meeting and 16 at last weeks ::

:: mostly people we don't know (which is pretty awesome) ::

:: somebody ran over one of my pear trees after the 2nd meeting ::

:: hubby tried to fix it...hopefully it will work ::

:: daisy girl misses you ::

:: she went to your house and looked in every room for you (except your parent's room...nala was guarding it) ::

:: we need a dog sitter in july...do you think you can do it? ::

:: oh wait you'll be in some super awesome country doing super awesome work for God...*man* ::

:: i like dr pepper now ::

:: i will eat chocolate ::

:: to answer the question that popped into your mind "NO!" ::

:: anti-anxiety list ::

i am getting my wisdom teeth out tomorrow...and...i am NOT looking forward to it. but i believe/hope i am handling it well so far. i have created a list (i LOVE lists) of sorts to help ease my anxieties and fears and take my mind off the impending loss of all my wisdom....

:: spend the day with awesome kindergarteners

:: wrestle one

:: get frustrated about every little thing...but keep it bottled inside

:: be late for your beauty appt

:: get your hair trimmed (but vastly enjoy the hair wash and style....it worth the extra mulah)

:: get a pedicure too (ahhhhhh) (oh and thanks hubby for the gift certificate!!)

:: go back to school to make sure everything's ready for your absence

:: go the the library to learn you can only check out three dvd's at a time

:: select three great/mushy/fluffy/funny/horrible movies to enjoy once your wisdom is removed

:: start a new book while sitting on the totally awesome porch swing

:: facebook

:: sing and dance with the daisy and the zeke

:: pop-tarts (remember no eating or drinking after midnight)

:: imagine what jb's baby will be...

:: wish you could be at her "Its A..." party

:: wonder if hair was cut straight...hmmm

:: cuddle the zeke and the daisy

:: cuddle the husband

:: hope his knee is just sprained...and nothing is torn

:: tell the hubby all your fears and worries

:: try to sleep