E so Sweet

A Word for Wednesday: Solution

2012-02-29T06:30:00.000-06:00

Recently a friend posted on Facebook that she didn't know what was wrong with her plant. Now, I don't have the world's greenest thumb, but I manage to keep (easy) plants alive more often than I kill them. I've had to take the time to figure out how best to care for them. One thing I've figured out, which I passed along to her, was that sometimes they get over-watered. They need a chance to dry out. Otherwise they can develop issues with mold and other diseases. This is why its best to water them in the morning during hot months, so that by evening's cool they are dried out.

I guess my point is this: sometimes the solution is obvious, but there are times that it is not. I have a hard time telling people about things that I am going through because their advice can just become more of the problem. There are people in my life that I trust and whose advice I want. When I seek them out they help me to find the solution. Lately, I've know the solution, I just didn't want it to be what I knew it was. Anyone's advice might have just become more noise in my already clambering mind. Another possibility was that it would allow me to get off the hook and not follow what I knew was the right thing to do.

Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?

Happy Friday

2012-02-24T10:46:00.001-06:00

A happy for your Friday!

This is one of my favorite songs. I hope you enjoy it, too!

brain:drain

2012-02-23T10:49:00.001-06:00

I've had a lot on my lately and thought I would share.

I got beautiful roses for Valentine's Day. They are still going ~~strong~~ on my desk. This may be their last day on this earth. They had a great life, at least in my opinion.

Mary is doing well. She had her teeth cleaned last week and has been recovering from the anesthesia. She was super cuddly all weekend, which was fine with me.

I read this post over on Don Miller's blog and really liked it. It made me think about the things I am failing at and what that means. It also encouraged me to keep going.

I have several things to be planning, so I need to get on with that. One is a baby shower, any great ideas?

So what's been going on with you?

Ours

2012-02-15T14:39:00.000-06:00

So Taylor Swift's new single, Ours, has been one of my favorite songs from here Speak Now album. I just watched the video for the first time today and it is so sweet and wonderful. I thought I would post it here for your viewing pleasure. Be sure to watch the whole thing, the ending is amazing.

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T12:10:00.001-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day, my friends!

What do you have going on today? A surprise from someone special? A special gift? A fun movie night? Anything else.

When I was still living at home, my dad would do something special for me each and every valentines day. It was so much fun to come home from school and find his special surprise waiting for me.

Today my sweetheart came and took me to lunch and out for ice cream! He also brought me a dozen roses!

He is just the sweetest!

Love to you all! Happy Valentine's Day!

Merry Mary Monday: 2.13.12

2012-02-13T13:11:00.001-06:00

Just lounging around...

The Music Makes the Show

2012-02-09T14:00:00.000-06:00

So when I was a senior in high school a new show started on the WB. That little show is One Tree Hill. I have always liked the show when I watched it, but I have never been a loyal viewer. I have been watching it on Netflix for the past while and I have to say, its been fun to watch. The main characters on the show are currently where I am so the past episodes involve things that were going on in my life too.

The best part though has been the music. The show has a fun and wonderful score that often reminds me of times in college or when I was first on my own. I recently found this website which shows you all of the music from each episode. Its great when you hear a song that you love and want to download it. Anyway, just a random tidbit for this Thursday.

A Word for Wednesday: Blessed

2012-02-08T14:27:00.000-06:00

Sunday morning we sang "It is Well with My Soul" during morning worship. Its one of my favorite hymns. As we sang though I thought about the words.

When peace like a river attendeth my way.

I don't generally think about the state of my soul when my world is bathed in peace.

When sorrows like sea billows roll.

I realized that I don't say it is well with my soul when sorrows roll into my world. I've always thought that the act of saying it is well with my soul didn't matter. I know that it is well with my soul I don't have to say it. But to adequately share my faith I have to say it. What if I don't? When sorrows come in I don't act like all is well with my soul, I act like a spoiled brat.

Whatever my lot thou has taught me to say, "It is well with my soul."

It occurred to me in that moment that I don't always verbally praise God in the storm. Instead I verbally question God.

My lot is to live in a home with a dog and husband I love. My lot is to go to a good job each day. My lot is to eat three meals a day, without wandering where the next one will come from. My lot is to drive a car. My lot is to have pretty much whatever I want. My lot is to use indoor plumbing. My lot is to have electricity. My lot is not be to scared of truly bad people who are out to get me. My lot is wonderful. And beautiful. And privileged. And so often I mistake a patch of class 2 rapids for a stormy gale. And I need to get a better perspective.

Hello Moto

2012-02-07T12:46:00.001-06:00

How is everyone? I woke up at 3:00 am yesterday morning not feeling well and took the day off from work and really from life. I pretty much watched TV for an awful amount of time yesterday with sweet Mary. I did manage to post some pictures yesterday for Merry Mary Monday, so I hope you got a chance to check those out.

Anyway I'm back in the saddle today and wanted to tell you what my favorite commercials were on Sunday. (I didn't really watch the game, just the commercials.)

So in fifth place, mostly because I didn't really see the whole thing on Sunday was the M&M's commercial.

In fourth was the Hyundai commercial. It made me laugh, but I think I was the only one in the room.

Third was the Toyota Reinvented Camry commercial. I love my Camry, so I'm a little partial. My favorite part was the reinvented DMV.

In second place was the Doritos Slingshot commercial. Doritos always does a great job and tend to have my most memorable big game ads.

My favorite ad was the Skechers ad with the French Bulldog. I'm a little biased toward ads with dogs, but this one took it for me. (I did like the other Doritos ad with a dog and the cute rescue dog Weego.) So here it is:

Merry Mary Monday: 2.6.2012

2012-02-05T20:47:00.001-06:00

Its the Small Things: This is Why I'm Here

2012-02-03T16:19:00.004-06:00

So a quick funny story for your Friday.

On Wednesday night we were doing an activity where the kids were acting out some scenes that they had been given. One of the kids was "overlooked" and the other one had to come up with a way to honor them. Only the overlooked part was scripted. One of the groups of boys asked me, "Can we have a flash mob?"

My answer of course was, "No. You don't need a flash mob, be more realistic."

When it came there turn the overlooked kid was not good at math and got frustrated. The other one honored him with a flash mob with the three words, "Don't Stop Believing." There is no way that they know its one of my favorite songs. They didn't even know more lyrics than those three. There was definitely a hand in the air and some hip movement. HILARIOUS!

It was not like this:

So Thursday morning I'm driving to work and what comes on the radio? Journey's Don't Stop Believing.

And I cracked up in my car, alone. Then I realized, this is why I love working with my kids.

A Winter's Promise

2012-02-02T08:28:00.002-06:00

At my family's Christmas celebration I picked up a volume of four books that had been my Grandmothers. It was the "Never Miss a Sunset" Pioneer family series by Jeanette Gilge. I finished the first book last month and as promised here is an update:

(Via)

Never Miss A Sunset

This first book of the Pioneer Family Series focuses on Emma Vergerler and her husband Al. Emma is alone in the harsh winter to take care of the children and animals while her husband works away at the lumber camp. While the book only take places over a few weeks it gives an insight into the relationship between Emma and her heavenly Father. She deals with a wide assortment of emotions. Her and Al's courtship is revealed through Emma's reminiscence of their past. The story only has one real surprise, but it does show a lot about personal growth and the relationship between a husband and wife.

In my defense I did actually finish another massive book last month, but I had already read it once before. It's first part recently came out as a movie that greatly disappointed me so I wanted to re-read it to make sure what I remembered about the book was correct. I just don't want to blog about it other than this. Maybe this counts as blogging about it?

A Word for Wednesday: Resilience

2012-02-01T05:00:00.000-06:00

Lately resilience has been on my mind. Standing firmly where I'm planted. Not because I am fighting God's will, but because everything else seems to fight it.

(Via - Belle Inspirations)

It would be easy to throw in the towel when things get tough and I get frustrated. Walking away is where my mind goes immediately. So how do we stand firm?

I've also been thinking about what happens when we stand firm. Lives change. People see that we don't need to falter in our convictions. We don't have to bend to peer pressure. We don't wander off to pursue something that seems shiny. People begin to look up to us and ask how we do it.

So lets do it. Lets stand. Anyone with me?

FinishYear Update

2012-01-31T09:36:00.000-06:00

I haven't been very good at blogging lately. Sometimes its hard to express what I have to say. Sometimes I just don't really have anything to say. Here's a quick update on how I am doing with my 2012 goals:

1. Read through the Bible: I've really dropped the ball on this one. I need someone to get in my face about this one and really hold me accountable. Hopefully I can do better on this one and get caught up. I just did catch me up and I am on day 29. So I'm technically only 2 days behind, but I started 4 days ahead. This isn't good. I'm gonna make a mini-goal to be caught up by this time next week.

2. Start a Creative Venture to Help Others: This is still in the works. I am working with a friend to organize this and I have also started telling my friends about it. When I have more firm details I will definitely be letting you know!

3. Keep the house clean: I have been doing pretty good on this one this year. There is always more that can be done. I slacked some last week, because I deep cleaned last weekend for a girls night. I need to get back on track and start cleaning nightly this week.

4. Read two Books a month and Blog about them: So if you've been reading this blog this month, you know I haven't done this. I did finish one book and I will work on a blog for it. I hope I can have it ready for Thursday.

5. Blog at least 5 times a week. January had 4.5 weeks which means that I should have blogged roughly 22 times. I blogged 14 when you count this one. I didn't quite reach this goal (see item #1). I think I mentioned that if I blog 5 times a week for 52 weeks it is 260 blog posts. So I can still catch up on this one.

In other exciting and fun news, you can now follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter!

Merry Mary Monday: 1.30.12

2012-01-30T13:28:00.000-06:00

I told Mary to go to her safe place while I vacuumed.... This is where she went.

The (we're not having a) Baby Post

2012-01-19T13:17:00.001-06:00

"There it is." I said to Pop Rocks the other evening. It was just a normal night. We were on the couch with Mary watching TV and I was perusing the (insert clever adjective) Facebook.

"What?" he asked, so innocently.

"There's the weekly, 'I'm pregnant' post."

"Oh, who is it this time."

"A girl I went to high school with, you don't know her."

Not that it mattered if he knew her. It happens at least once a week in my feed. Somebody announces that they're pregnant. Sometimes with their second kid. One week there were three. different. announcements. And each time I'm so thankful that my parents don't want to be a part of Facebook. It not that I don't wish each of these parents-to-be well, its just that, well, its just that, its just that,

Exactly.

I'm not sure why it ~~upsets~~ ~~frustrates~~ befuddles me. Its just a bit overwhelming.

Like I'm so behind in my life or something. I'm super happy for each of these growing families. I truly am and I want each and every one of them to know that.

Its just that I get asked about our plans for a family a. whole. lot. By a lot of people. I have a whole slew of snarky answers too.

Usually all that comes out is, "We're just not there yet."

But what if we were, what if we had been trying for a year or more? What if we didn't want to have kids, but didn't want to declare it to you? What if I was expecting and not telling anyone? Why do I even have to have this conversation?

In case you were wondering,

Has this ever happened to you? What did you do?

p.s. Don't ask me if I'm having a baby. I'm not and one day when I am, I'll tell you whenever it is I want you to know.

p.p.s. I originally wrote this awhile ago and haven't had the nerve to post it. So no it isn't you that I'm referring to.

p.p.p.s. In case I wasn't clear. I am so super excited and happy and glad and joyful for each of my friends that are having children. I really really really am.

A Word For Wednesday: Today

2012-01-18T11:47:00.001-06:00

Today, like many days, I want to tell you how I feel. How I fall more in love with God everyday. How I helped a homeless person. How I made a difference in someone's life. How I am the best Christian ever.

But I can't. I. Can. Not.

I can't because, it wouldn't be true.

Today, like everyday, I'm struggling. Trying to make it. Trying to remember to breathe. Trying to remember that I am a light. Trying to remember that it matters what I say, think, or feel. Trying to remember to fall more in love with my Savior. Trying not to keep failing so miserably.

What are you doing today?

Merry Mary Monday: 1.16.12

2012-01-16T17:17:00.000-06:00

All tuckered out!

Sunday's Songs: 1.15.12

2012-01-15T05:00:00.000-06:00

The more I hear this song the more I like it.

"The war's already waged for my destiny."

Its the Small Things: Happy Friday

2012-01-13T11:24:00.000-06:00

Lindsay at Aisle to Aloha does a small thing link up each Friday. I love the idea of finding the small things that make life enjoyable and then spending time appreciating them. So here are some of mine:

My new "home-life" plan. I created a great system to keep Pop Rocks and I on track with keeping the house clean, eating in and being more in control of our lives.

I've been watching One Tree Hill from the beginning on Netflix. It is fun and funny to watch a show that started my senior year of high school. Last night, Pop Rocks caught part of it while I was watching it. He asked if the "kids" were supposed to be in high school. I'm only on season two so they are most definitely still in high school. I laughed and added that the worst part is, I was older than they were. Without checking, I'm fairly certain that all of the high school cast members are older than me.

The Beauty and the Beast is being re-released this weekend. I don't know when I will get to go see it, but I am hoping too! Its definitely my favorite Disney movie.

I started back teaching my Sunday School class and hanging out with my kids on Wednesday nights again this week at church. It was great! Having a couple of weeks off was nice, but it feels good to be back in the swing of things.

What small things have made your life better this week? Write a post and link up with Lindsay!

Life on Oriental Avenue

2012-01-12T09:57:00.001-06:00

Over Christmas my brother's then-girlfriend, now fiance, called to tell me that she had played Monopoly with my mom and brother. My response, "You didn't let him be the banker did you?"

When we were kids and the two of us would play the banker always ripped me off. At least I just knew he did - lets call it youngest child syndrome. I learned a lot from Monopoly. Mostly I learned that if you held onto what you had and didn't make crazy trades or flip those property cards over you could do okay. Sure I didn't win, but at least I was humiliated.

I was thinking last night as I drove home about how playing Monopoly gave me a leg up in understanding money and property. My parents have always been pretty open about money and gave us a lot of important lessons about using it. Money as a tool, not a commodity is a big lesson.

Its funny how a family tradition can shape our worldview on really important matters. I really appreciate my parents for teaching me these important lessons.

A Word for Wednesday: Light

2012-01-11T09:36:00.004-06:00

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14 - 16

I can admit it, most days I don't feel like much of a light. I feel dim and grungy. Like a candle trying to stay lit.

Then Jesus cried out, “Those who believe in me do not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When they look at me, they see the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." John 12:44 - 46

Most of the time I worry that I'm not living up to what I should be for Christ. I worry that I've tarnished his reputation. But then I remember, He's the SAVIOR - my savior.

Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Those who walk in the dark do not know where they are going. Put your trust in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” John 12: 35 - 36a

How do I shine brighter? I want to be bright enough that others find my God from my life.

Those who love their fellow believers live in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. I John 2:10

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. I John 1:5 - 7

Finish List Update

2012-01-10T10:53:00.000-06:00

So last week I shared with you my list of goals for Finish Year. I thought I would give you an update on how it is going.

1. Read through the Bible: So I tried this last year and did ok until someone said something to discourage me and I quit. I am not going to do that this year. But I got some further inspiration in 2011. I am using the YouVersion Bible app for a reading plan. If you have a smart phone and you want to spend more time (either quality or quantity). Anyway, I had started this awhile back and caught up to where I was - day 8 or 9, so not far. This effectively gives me some cushion days. I really like this plan as opposed the paper plan I used last year. The readings are everyday and therefore shorter. The paper plan had 28 days a month.

2. Start a creative venture to help others: I came up with a plan for this. I also found someone who was just as enthusiastic as I was about it. I don't want to talk about it yet, but believe me I will when the time is right. I am so excited about this!

3. Keep the House Clean: I made a "chore" chart over the weekend for Pop Rocks and I. We are both working on this goal, which has effectively reduced my stress over this goal.

4. Read two books a month and blog about them: I started a new book over the weekend. And I have one I need to finish up. I haven't blogged about them yet, but I will. (I should also mention that I was finishing a book over the weekend and that's why I got a late start.)

5. Blog at least 5 times a week: Since I made these goals last week, I'm not going to beat myself up for it. I am aiming for 260 posts this year. 5 down - 255 to go!

My goal is to make way for other things I enjoy in my life.

What are you doing with your New Year's goals and/or resolutions?

Merry Mary Monday - 1.9.12

2012-01-09T13:30:00.001-06:00

Mary enjoyed the holidays.

Now that they're over - its time to hibernate!

Happy Friday

2012-01-06T10:12:00.001-06:00

Its Friday! In case you didn't yet know. Its been an interesting week.

I started back to work on Monday after being off all but two days in the two weeks prior. I have to say, having a real Christmas break was wonderful. Its definitely what I needed to recharge. Its taken me a little while to get back in the groove though.

Pop Rocks cooked dinner the other night. It was delicious sweet and spicy popcorn shrimp tacos. I made it again last night, since he had a migraine.

I got a new desk at work yesterday. Consequently, I've cleaned and reorganized my office this week. I love my new desk with all sorts of work space.

I desperately need to clean house and do laundry tomorrow. I got the Christmas decorations semi-packed up last week, but I need to finish getting them into the correct storage locations. I have some in the basement that I need to put into better containers, as well.

Anyway, I don't have a lot going on. I have an art project to work on this weekend. A girls weekend to plan and some resolutions to plan.

What do you have going on this weekend?