Stilettos & Grace

On Mentoring

2012-01-27T10:31:00.000-07:00

(January is National Mentoring Month.)

Nearly a year ago I had the privilege of listening to a casual exchange between Mary Graham, Michael Hyatt and Luci Swindoll on the subject of mentoring.

The set up was great, because it was really just a conversation directed by questions from Mary.

(And it was hilarious, because anything involving Luci can never be too rigid or serious.)

Michael talked about the importance of mentoring, the intentionality behind it and the investment that both the mentors and mentorees put into it. He has a group of men he mentors every year. They read through books, meet regularly as a group and are expected to really invest in that time.

It is extremely intentional mentoring, with men applying to be in the group and him accepting them.

He spoke of how some have sought him out and asked to be mentored, but there was no connection and they didn't put forth the energy or investment to actually get anything from the mentoring relationship.

Luci talked of how she had no idea why she was even in on this discussion... but then proceeded with thoughts on imparting wisdom that concreted the "why."

She said she never set out to intentionally enter into a relationship in which she was mentoring a younger woman.

It just happened.

In fact, when someone thanked her recently for being a mentor, Luci had responded in a, "What? Huh?" kind of way.

Like Michael, Luci has also had women seek her out and ask if she would mentor them. She spoke of how she did meet once with one woman, but there was no connection... it didn't flow naturally. So, she didn't meet with her again. But, there were some young girls working at Women of Faith that would just happen by her office to chat... or they would come over in the evenings to hang out. This relationship produced great conversation, where Luci would share her heart and thoughts on life, and the girls would listen, ask questions, and glean.

So, when one of these girls referred to Luci as her mentor, Luci was kind of shocked, but thought, "Well, I guess I am!"

My point in bringing up both of these approaches is that neither are wrong and both are right.

I am becoming more and more aware of the three levels of friendship we need to have in our lives.

1. We need to be hanging out with and pouring into those around ten years or more younger, listening to them, encouraging them and sharing what we've learned.

2. We need to have friends around our same age and place in our walk that we can hang with and just talk about the journey with.

3. We need to have those who are around ten years older and up that can pour into us; listening to struggles, praying with us and imparting what they've learned along the way.

But what I'm also aware of is God will bring about these relationships based on our personalities and how we best function.

For some, it's going to be very orderly and scheduled, like Michael. God laid it on his heart to start this group, and so he did. It's proven to be very successful, and the relationships coming out of it are lifelong. He has also intentionally sought out men he respects whom he wants to learn from.

For others, it's more directed by who we're around often, who we mesh with and how things naturally flow, like Luci.

In both cases, Michael and Luci are taking the wisdom they have gained and the knowledge God has entrusted to them and passing it along. They are being intentional in the time they spend, but both in different ways.

This is far from a new concept. In Titus we see that older women should encourage younger women in their walk with Christ. We see Jesus pouring into his disciples all through the Gospels. Paul pours into Timothy and raises him up as a leader of the early church, through both time together and letters. (Hanging out and email?) These relationships were both intentional and natural.

Just like Michael intentionally started a mentoring group, and brings in men he knows will invest and click.

Just like Luci found younger women hanging around, wanting to hear what she has to say and just share life, so when they show up at her door she takes time to do just that... share her life.

I have some young girls that come over and hang out. It hasn't been something I've pointedly said, "Girls, we are going to hang out at this time and discuss these subjects." But, it's just happened as I've opened up my house and God has arranged our schedules.

Sometimes there's six of us gathered in the kitchen.

Other times one will text, "Are you home?" and be at the door within three minutes.

The other day I was chatting with one of them and she said something about, "I'm so glad you're my mentor." I kind of paused and thought, "Hmmm... well. I guess maybe I am."

I've had a younger friend ask if I would have an intentional relationship with her, where she was inviting me to speak into her life as we met every few weeks. I was honored, and we've been doing that ever since.

But, on the flip side, there was another friend who asked the same thing, and after one time of getting together I knew we weren't clicking and intentional investment from me was not going to be fruitful for her for that season.

We haven't met again in that capacity.

Mentoring, being mentored and friendships change with life's seasons.

Being a military wife has meant moving from place to place. Some seasons I've had a woman (or a few women) I can meet with, have coffee with, who will pour into me, encourage me, allow me to glean from them.

There are also seasons where I haven't had someone in the flesh, right there. This is when it's been helpful to have "mentors from afar." Women of Faith has been that for me, so have books, blogs and other resources from amazing women like Holly Wagner and Christine Caine.

I think often we almost have a pity party that we don't have anyone pouring into us, when we need to take some initiative and start pouring into ourselves! And then when we have a season where a mentor/friend is there, we need to cherish it and glean all we can. (But that doesn't mean we stop pouring into ourselves with great resources!)

The whole point is, ask God to bring people into your life who will pour into you. Pray about it and follow where He leads. Sometimes you'll be the one showing up at someone's door, seeing if they have time to chat. Other times you'll be the one with people showing up at your door.

And some seasons God will lead you to set a time and place and be intentional about who is there investing and being invested in.

You will find great resources, because God is so faithful to lead you to what you need most.

But remember that, while intentionality is good, we should never force a relationship somewhere it's not intended to go. You can't invest in someone who doesn't want to be invested in. You can try, but it's fruitless. It's always best to follow where God is leading and invest (and be invested) in that.

God's desire is for us to share life. With each other... with Him... through all the seasons.

Random Outfit Post... or, What I Wore To A Funeral

2012-01-23T13:41:00.000-07:00

In early December an odd day happened along where I attended a Memorial Service for a loved friend that morning and then drove from there to a funeral I had been asked to sing at.

I say odd because, well, that just doesn't happen.

I sat and listened to two services for people who had loved Jesus and shown that in their lives. They were more celebrations of God's goodness amidst tears of mourning the loss of this world.

There's nothing like someone else's funeral to hold up a mirror to your own life.

And what made it more of a revelational day was that we had our first Wonderland performance that night.

The irony was not lost on me, and I think I had a more profound sense of enjoying life's moments the rest of that weekend.

One of the questions with these kinds of things is what to wear. Gone are the days of all black, but we also want to be respectful of the grief that is present.

Especially with standing in front of everyone (I sang the hymn "In The Garden"), I wanted to make sure my attire was appropriate for the occasion, but still something I was comfortable in and... well... me.

Man, I really look somber in these shots. I truly did have a lot on my mind and heart.

pulling it all together...

dress: Max Studio, bought at TJ Maxx years ago. Have almost gotten rid of it a few times because I don't wear it that often, but it's a really great staple to have for occasions such as this.

gray tights: Calvin Klein, from Costco. These are SO nice.

boots: B Makowsy, from the Opryland Hotel. Been wearing a ton lately.

gray socks: Target. $1 sock section... which I think they raised to a $2 sock section.

scarf: Street vendor in NYC.

jacket: Can't remember brand. A friend has it right now. But it's wool/cashmere blend and was free at XS Threadz. Found it online for around $240 at Nordstrom. Heh-heh-heh.

pearls that you can't see very well: Cheap bracelets, Grams' necklace and Nate's Grandmother's earrings (that I wore in our wedding).

hair: Wave was still there from Wonderland dress rehearsal the night before, so I just let it fall where it wanted.

Normally, people would go with black tights and a regular heel. I chose the boot because it was a bit more unexpected, but still completely appropriate. The gray mixed up the textures/dimension a bit, and adding the sock was just more of that reasoning. Which, I actually think the sock looked better in person. Doesn't translate as well in the photos.

What to wear to a funeral?

This worked. Well.

And, even though I was pretty sober with thought, I'm never too sober...

UPDATE: LIFE

2012-01-21T23:08:00.002-07:00

So, I realize I haven't posted much in the last couple of months. What a wonderful whirlwind it's been with holidays and family and friends and events and...

Here's a pictorial update on a few things I've intended to blog on, and then time swept forward.

(If you follow me on twitter, some of these are repeats.)

(And, yes. This post title is totally a take-off on Desperation Band's new independent release, UPDATE: LIVE. Awesome raw worship, people! Download it and just let it play. It will change your atmosphere. That is a promise!)

Mom and Dad came for Thanksgiving. So, Mom and I hit the new H&M in Denver. Because, of course we would!

Wait. This one's more like us...

Rosie had a friend, Molly, over for Thanksgiving week.

Wait, again... this one's more like us...

(Ian had to sneak into the pic. Shocker.)

We got to meet Wally and Katie Rose from the Wally Show! They came to our amazing friends' Chick-fil-A to meet and greet.

What was so cool about this is the kids got to see authenticity defined. So often when you meet public personalities they're distant or come off with a better-than-you air.

Wally and Katie Rose were so down to earth and normal, just like you were chatting with a friend you ran into. Jordan and Brit came away beaming, and I could tell it was one of those my-kids-have-been-impacted-for-the-better moments.

(This is also a post I've been meaning to do. A person's character is often revealed not in how they treat adults, but how they treat kids. These guys were AWEsome! The White House is a fan for life!)

We really, really love Chick-fil-A.

Then came the decorating of the house and the White House time-honored tradition of The Hanging of the Husky Ornament.

There was snow. And I was happy.

(Here's the Random Outfit Post this was taken from.)

Our church brought back Wonderland this year, and it was SUCH an honor to be a part!!! I got to play an unconfident nerd turned God-confident girl, dance around and change outfits mid-song and sing O Holy Night during the nativity scene. I was a bit emotional during that last part.

In fact, I still am.

Fun practices...

Incredible drums...

Rachael's hair curled and piled high, so she could show me how to be "Popular"...

(If you didn't see it, you may not get that. *wink* )

Fun times to share with my family...

And Pastor Brady and I were very excited about it all...

Brit had her Level 5 State Gymnastics meet, where she got 3rd on bars and 5th on beam.

Her team, tebowing...

Our amazing roomie, Hanna, came with us and celebrated the victory!

Since it was in Boulder, we visited the Celestial Seasonings tea factory afterward. I've always wanted to go on the tour (because they're my FAV) and never did when we lived in Denver. I grew up sipping Sleepy Time Tea that Mom would make. Dad would build a fire and Mom would bring us tea with real tea cups on a tray. It was always so special.

We rocked those hair nets, I'm tellin' ya!

Throughout the Christmas season, the manger was repeatedly ransacked by Bionicles.

Mary and Joseph couldn't stand their ground, but baby Jesus was fine.

After Wonderland and Christmas parties were over, Kim, Denise and I decided to escape the fast pace with a few days in the mountains.

There was much sleeping, laying around in jammies, and zoning out on iPads...

Kim trying to embrace nature.

Excited to be away from it all, if only for a few days...

Girls. Snow. Boots. Fashionable. (But not snowboots.)

I was SO excited to get to attend my FIRST professional football game, courtesy of our friend, Elizabeth!

What a fun, fun, fun experience. They lost, but it was still a.w.e.s.o.m.e. I may have to admit that I'm now hooked. So, if anyone has any Broncos tickets they would like to give me...

(Yes, I got a picture of Tebow, but it was so blurry it wasn't even worth posting.)

Nate's parents and brother and sis-in-law came for Christmas, with London and brand new baby Quinn in tow.

Brit was quite smitten.

With a big snow came the discovery of a great sledding hill.

Christine and London got in on the action.

Watch out for snowballs coming your way...

Christmas Eve services with the whole family.

The girls posing while we're waiting for Nate to pull the car up...

But, ALAS! (again) These are more fun...

Rosie getting into the Christmas spirit...

hee-hee-hee.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds...

Christmas morning, waiting for the signal!

After opening stockings, Nate and I went to spend some time with our New Life fam for Christmas Sunday service.

What a special way to celebrate the birth of our Savior!

Capturing the moment with Amanda and Andrea...

We then went home and opened presents (most pics were crazy and blurry) and stuffed ourselves full and laughed ourselves silly while playing Taboo with our new junior high youth pastors, Brandon & Octavia. So thankful for family and friends!!!

A few days after Christmas, the whole White House decided to do the Incline!

Nate and Taylor showed me the Cave at the top...

Capturing the moment on the way back down Barr Trail...

And because everything in life is better with theme music...

No, really. I mean it.

Team Green Jacket tebowing...

Many games were played over Christmas break...

And just a few days ago I had the awesome opportunity to record vocals for Group Publishing's 2013 VBS curriculum. So much fun!!!

(By the way, if your church uses Group's 2012 VBS curriculum, you'll see me on some of the vidoes! Two on the Babylon music dvd and one on the Sky music dvd. They were a BLAST to film.)

But those are just a few of the fun moments we've been having, are having and are continuing to have! I'll be posting more soon on other White House happenings, as well as CRAZY amazing adventures that God is leading our family on in the very near future.

Adventures YOU can be a part of!

Happy 2012. There is SO much in store this year! I'm expectant.

Are you?

(My favorite time of day, on a clear night, in Colorado.)

In search of...

2012-01-07T14:14:00.000-07:00

There are always a few items I'm searching for when thrifting.

I think most of us have those, yes?

Things that our good-deal-radar is a little more sensitive to... always on the lookout for.

Some snippets from my current list:

...high-top Docs...

Remember these? For me, they're from high school. I never had a pair, but now I'm looking SO hard to find them.

I hear they disappear fast from thrift stores, which is probably why I still haven't found them after a year and a half of hunting.

Size 38 or 39 (not sure how they fit), if anyone finds some stashed away in your closet. *wink*

pic via

...elbow length (or over-the-elbow) leather gloves...

Yet another thing I've still haven't found after over a year of searching.

(But isn't it funny how I did find the skinny cargos from that same post?)

Well, it's not that I haven't found them entirely. I unearthed a pair in a vintage shop for around $80. Ummm... yeah. No.

pic via

...leather messenger bag...

After traveling to Kenya last year using my son's old one from school, I realized I wanted a nice leather one with different compartments.

Funny thing. They're also expensive. (What's it with me and expensive things? Wait. I find them cheap. Okay.)

Saw this one the other day at Bass Pro Shop... and then looked at the price tag. Ha!

Hence, the searching thrift stores. It will come. It will come.

pic via

The nice thing about the messenger bag was that I liked being able to sling it over my shoulder and still access everything in it under the flap.

It worked well as a carryon AND for pulling speaking notes/laptop out of, but my canvas version didn't hold up well to airport hopping and Kenya dirt floors.

(And, really, I want to resemble Indiana Jones as much as possible.)

Those who travel, other thoughts? Are completely loyal to something you love and use? Why? I'm opening up comments below. Can you let me know what it is? Or email me using the Ask Angela button.

With more travel around the corner (will blog on soon) I'm in search of something really great.

What are YOU hunting for?

Loving Lately... pinterest edition

2011-12-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Have you discovered this site yet?

(If you have, you're saying, "You are SO late in the game in blogging about this." I know, I know. But... some people still don't know about it! And because of my deep care for them...)

Oh-my-dear-me. You know all the super great stuff you find online and think, "Okay, I just need to remember this!" and then months later you think, "What was that thing? I know it was super cool!" Well, now you CAN remember! With Pinterest, you can "pin" all the ideas you find online onto different boards (fashion, diy, decor, whatev). AND, you can browse other people's boards to find even more amazing ideas.

Warning: HIGHLY ADDICTIVE

You need an invite to sign up, which you can either request on the site or shoot me an email and I'll go on the site and send you one.
(Because I'm co-dependent like that.)
But you can check out the photos on the site until you're officially on and just drool. *wink*

Once you have an account you drag a little bookmark to your bookmark bar, and then pin away! And on the site you can browse everything... or browse different categories... or find friends and browse their stuff...

(Find me here.)

Some of the funness I've pinned (because, in Angela Land, funness is a word, even if Words With Friends doesn't recognize it):

...Fashion Inspiration...

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com via Angela on Pinterest

Source: passionnailart.com via Angela on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Angela on Pinterest

...Home Style...

Source: flickr.com via Angela on Pinterest

Source: greigedesign.blogspot.com via Angela on Pinterest

...DIY...

Source: ruthiauda.com via Angela on Pinterest

Source: blogs.babble.com via Angela on Pinterest

...Freaking Brilliant...

Source: creatingkeepsakesblog.com via Angela on Pinterest

...Just Plain Love...

Source: avestyles.com via Angela on Pinterest

Source: ramblingasusual.blogspot.com via Angela on Pinterest

...Hair, There and Everywhere...

Source: seaofshoes.typepad.com via Angela on Pinterest

Source: hairromance.com via Angela on Pinterest

...Makes Me Laugh...

Source: stumbleupon.com via Angela on Pinterest

Source: prischarming.tumblr.com via Angela on Pinterest

I just want YOU to know about something that I have been loving.

(And, remember, I'm co-dependant like that. Because if I'm addicted, you really should be, too. Right?)

For the record, yes I know a knock-off site (pinspire) has already spun off. If you try it and like it better, let me know. But, for now... like N*Sync over Backstreet Boys, Disneyland over Universal Studios, McDonalds over Burger King... I'm sticking with the original.

Random Outfit Post: Keepin' it real... yo.

2011-12-29T19:13:00.002-07:00

This is one of those posts where I want to write something deep and pensive.

It's the time of year where I have so many things stirring in me that I don't even know what words to use.

(Well, kind of.

We all know I'm seldom short on verbiage. *wink*)

Just because I haven't been posting very often doesn't mean I'm short on topics or concerns or statements I want to declare from the mountain tops.

On the contrary, I'm so full of them I may burst!

Busy schedules and family and holidays and changes-occurred and changes-occurring and changes-that-we-suspect-are-coming-but-don't-have-evidence-of yet... it all lends itself to a frenzy in my heart and head and the only thing that can eeek its way out is...

...wait for it...

...waaaaaaiiiiiit for it...

Yes... a Random Outfit Post.

But, we're all about keepin' it real 'round these parts... yo.

And if you've ever been around me for any length of time, you know I'm a sweat-pants kind of girl.

Or, in this case, yoga pants.

And some days just call for wearing them out and about.

pulling it all together...

Yoga pants: from the Awaken Conference... that if you weren't at you missed OUT!!!

Black Tee: from my awesome friend Tammy

Gray Tee: Fav from French Quarter in San Luis Obispo

Fake Uggs: Costco, baby!!! Best ev-ah.

Plain silver hoops from I-can't-remember.

Now, you may notice that pink strip in my hair. I've actually had that since September, and the other day I accidentally pulled it out! Boo. It's an extension, and I re-dyed it a few times. But I love having a little funk in the flavor of my everyday.

We're all about real women living real lives on this here blog, so this is just me being real and posting real outfits... yo.

Maybe I'll be able to organize my thoughts more as we head into 2012.

Here's looking to all the adventure it will hold...

Seasonally Required: The Hanukkah Song

2011-12-22T22:33:00.001-07:00

Because it really is required this time of year... at least in our house.

Here it is, THE original:

Random Outfit Post: Christmas Casual

2011-12-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

The dilemma is always how to be Christmas-y without being cheesy.

Okay, well maybe not always. I'm not opposed to cheesy if it's quite intentional.

But sometimes you want to be appropriately Christmas-y.

This is what I did the other day to embrace the red & green.

pulling it all together...

Sweater: Gifted from friend, vintage (Thanks, Casse!!!_

Long sleeved tee: Favs from The French Quarter in San Luis Obispo ($7! Nate will be getting me some more when he goes TDY there again in January.)

Denim: Free People, via Goodwill... also seen here.

Silver over-the-knee socks: Claire's, from their 10 for $10 sale. Yes, they were $1. Score!

Boots: Gariella Rocha, via huge sale at 6pm.com

Scarf: NYC street vendor

Rhinestone earrings: shop at DIA

Bracelets & ring: the ones you always see me in.

As you can see, the red and green are a bit more muted. Still Christmas-y, but not "I've been thrown up on by a reindeer" kind of Christmas-y. I mean, you could really wear this any time of year... it just comes in handy when showing holiday spirit.

Touches of silver (socks & earrings) added an extra bit of cheer. *smile*

Love our view!

The boots are super-duper pointy, but oh-so-comfy. Sometimes they remind me of elf attire.

Whenever I wear these over-the-knee socks people kind of freak out about them. They're a bit fish-net-y, but I love how the silver can go more casual (ie, this outfit) or dressy (ie, a more black-based outfit, such as I wore this past Sunday that may appear on here soon).

Seriously. One dollar. Love.

Aaaaaaand, because it's me, of course I'm going to take a silly shadow pic when I suddenly become aware of that opportunity.

Merry Christmas!!!

Random Outfit Post

2011-12-07T14:11:00.001-07:00

Sunday was one of those "Ack! I need to be leaving right NOW!" thrown together outfits...

but I loved how it turned out!

I found this jacket a couple of weeks ago when Goodwilling with my Mom, and it seemed to call my name that morning.

Either that, or it was laying on my bathroom floor atop of a heap of clothes and, being bright red, just got stuck in my head as something to put on.

Yeah. One of those.

I loved the slight "military" feel of the whole thing, which is mostly contributed to by the pronounced jacket shoulders, buttons and pockets... but added to by the boots.

I wish I would have had my aviators to wear... alas, they died a while back and Wal-mart doesn't have the same ones anymore. Grrrr...

pulling it all together...

Jacket: Betsey Johnson, via Goodwill (I know!) It's actually a more orange-y red in person.

Denim: Free People, via Goodwill (*gasp* I KNOW!!!)

Tunic-y Top: Target, via Goodwill

Belt: Thanks, Mom =^)

Boots: B Makowsky, a token from my stay at the Opryland Hotel last winter

Big ol' Gold Hoops, that you can't really see: Forever 21

Ring: Claire's

Chains: Actually one necklace that belonged to Nate's Grammie

This next picture just makes me giggle, because I look like I'm watching someone do something I know they shouldn't do, but they're doing in anyway.

I've been wearing my hair like this a lot lately, with the whole front-pouf thing going on. It just keeps it out of my face. And when I'm singing, that's especially nice. I've thought about cutting bangs... actually, for years I've been thinking about it... but just haven't gone that route.

So, those little clippy things in black come in quite handy for stuff like this.

But, I go through phases, and I'm sure I'll be more into the side-swept fringe thing again soon.

And then the blow-it-all-back thing.

But, probably not entirely the head-band-thing, because I'm not a natural with those.

And with that useless piece of information...

Happy Fun Ball

2011-11-28T14:14:00.001-07:00

Somehow, in talking about Christmas presents, we decided it was time to introduce the kids to this:
*Please excuse the ad at the beginning. There was no way around it.*

...because they just don't make toys (or TV) like they used to.

"Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball."

Black Friday: An Explanation

2011-11-25T23:19:00.001-07:00

**Yes, I know it's been two weeks since I've last posted. I know I long ago fell off the NaBloPoMo wagon. Such is life, and I'm not going to beat myself up about it. There's always next year, and it's good that I've made the right priorities the priorities this time of year.**

This may come a little late, but I didn't even think of posting it until I saw so many people saying, "What's the deal with Black Friday?"

"It's not worth it."

"Why do people put themselves through this torture?"

So many tweets, a few conversations... and I realized maybe I should put my own thoughts out there.

When Black Friday rolls around, you have one group that goes nuts. Absolutely nuts.

We know this. We watch the news and see them screaming at each other... ramming one another with shopping carts... hollering as one lovely woman did in Toys R Us two years ago, "Get outta de way! Mah babies need toys! MAH BABIES NEED TOYS!!!"

They see something marked "sale" and they pounce, almost not even caring what it is.

Then you have another group of people that will in no way, shape or form engage in anything having to do with Black Friday. They see the chaos on tv, they hear the stories, and they think, "Is saving 30% on a talking doll really worth going through that?"

This group either has their shopping already finished, OR they just do it online and pay a little more because they can't stand the chaos.

I didn't think any of it was worth it either... until we had children.

And a budget.

And hardly any money in that budget.

I remember being stationed in Montana. We were on a 1st Lieutenant's salary and had three young children. Between still paying off student loans and two car payments, we looked at each other and wondered what in the world we would do for Christmas.

Scooters were such a huge deal then, and Taylor had been wanting one so badly.

When Wal-Mart came out with an unreal deal on them in their Black Friday ad, we knew we'd be able to get them for both the boys!

And we did.

We're the people that comb meticulously through the ads looking for good deals on things that are already on our list.

Usually our list is made up of if-we-find-it-for-a-good-deal items.

We're not we're-going-to-buy-this-no-matter-what people.

We're more opportunists who know what they're looking for.

So I'm not going to hit Kohls to buy jammies sets for 50% off, because they aren't on my maybe-list.

But I will brave a store amidst chaos to get something on my list that doesn't usually go on sale but is 50% off of Black Friday.

(ie, Legos... none of which went that cheap this year. Boo.)

And if the deal is online? Awesome! We'd much rather do that. But, truthfully, you don't always find deals as good online as you do in stores.

We know what we want. We comb through ads. We map out a plan.

We do our research so we know exactly how good of a deal we're getting... or not getting.

We know when to move forward (last night at Wal-Mart), and we know when to throw in the towel because the line is just too long (last night at Target).

We also don't pout (too much) when we don't get what we're after.

We mentally rate the deal we're going to get with the hassle of getting it.

And, over the years, Black Friday has enabled us to get some awesome things that we know the kids will love (and wouldn't have gotten otherwise) and still stay within our budget.

That makes it worth it.

Even if it means putting up with the lady pushing us aside while yelling, "Mah babies need toys!"

I do need to add that my husband is a genius.

And two years ago (with the babies-needs-toys lady), when Toys-R-Us was crazy at midnight and it would have taken four hours to check out, my awesome hubby "placed" our obtained loot-on-sale atop a high shelving unit.

We left and came back the next morning to find our items still there, out of sight of everyone.

He got them down and we went through the checkout line with everyone saying, "Where in the world did you get those? They ran out at 3am!"

Yep, they did. *wink*

And last night at Wal-Mart when everyone else was combing the aisles for a certain item marked "promo" that was already gone, my awesome hubby walks over to where they're usually stocked, grabs an unmarked one, and scans it to see if it was the same price as the marked ones.

It was.

Score.

Oh, the things people don't think of that my husband does.

So, maybe Black Friday also requires good teamwork? *wink*

The bottom line:

*Know exactly what you're looking for.

*Comb the ads carefully.

*Map out a plan.

*Do your research. (Stores often mark up "retail" prices and then take the percent off.)

*Weigh the shopping torture with the payoff... and keep that in mind when you're in the thick of it.

*Think outside the box when dealing with crowds.

*Never feel entitled to the deal.

*If there aren't any deals you're after, don't go!!!

When we enter in with those guidelines under our belt, it's worth it every time.

Besides, we always come out on the other end with great stories.

"Mah babies need toys!"

Here's to Black Friday 2012!

Awaken Sleepover!!!

2011-11-11T23:27:00.001-07:00

AAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

Awaken is HERE!

And we are crashing at my house and laughing and having a blast.

If you're NOT here then you can STILL be here tomorrow.

Ch-ch-check it out at awakenconference.com. Just show up and pay at the door and join the rest of us!

And now I'm going to go laugh some more and paint some fingers and make some t-shirts and eat some junk and probably stay up waaaaaayyyyyy too late.

Expectant

2011-11-10T23:09:00.001-07:00

I am expectant.

Of great things.

Of miracles.

Of movements.

Of growth coming through difficult situations.

I am expectant because I know I can be.

Because I live for Someone who specializes in great things.

Who does miracles.

Who raises up movements.

Who brings the growth.

I am expecting to hear the sound of the Holy Spirit

To hear angels singing.

To see food multiplied on my counter.

To see flyers multiplied in a girl's hand.

To see gas stretched in a gas tank.

To see my son healed.

It's difficult for me to be around people who are not expectant.

Who are unexpectant.

That's not a word, but it should be.

So many of us are unexpectant.

They don't think great things can happen anymore.

They don't believe in miracles.

They are tired of movements because they've seen the corruption and the dilution.

They're stagnant.

I want to grab them by their shoulders and shout, "You're missing LIFE!!!!!"

I want to hug them until they smile.

I want to help them see the impossible become possible when we live by a standard that is not of this world.

I want to spur their hearts to passion, conviction... MORE.

I want to share, because as I share my expectation maybe theirs will grow.

Some ARE stirred.

And some will never be stirred.

They will die in mediocrity and half-heartedness.

Oh, the agony of being on the other side and realizing there was a life you could have lived, but did not.

A Creator you could have known, but chose to believe did not exist.

People you could have helped save, but thought they weren't worth it.

The agony.

So, I live expectant.

Expectant that YOU reading THIS will have a realization of the LOVE that is held for YOU.

Expectant that YOU will SEE MIRACLES.

Expectant that YOU will join the GREATEST MOVEMENT of ALL TIME.

Expectant that YOU will finally let go, face what you've not wanted to face, and find FREEDOM in giving it ALL over to the ONE who created you.

"They overcame... by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony."

Revelation 12:11

Loving Lately

2011-11-09T21:41:00.000-07:00

*Knee-high socks and leg warmers.

No, I haven't actually been wearing the leg warmers as, well, they're intentioned. (Not usually, anyway.)

I've been letting them peek out of my boots so they LOOK like socks.

Heh-heh. Tricky me. (Now you know.)

*Claire's 10 for $10 sale...

where I get many a knee-high sock and leg warmer. *wink*

*The Awaken Conference.
SOOOOOO excited for this weekend!
Lives changed. Hearts awakened. Popcorn eaten and toes painted at my house. T-shirts made.
Barlow Girl and Everyday Sunday and Holly Wagner and Katie Luce and Hannah and Melissa and old friends and new friends and... aaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!
(You can still get tickets online until Thursday at 5pm MST. After that you'll have to get them at the door.)
Worth it.
WORTH. IT.
"I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it!"

*Oatmeal.

I KNOW! Crazy. I used to hate this stuff as a kid. Then we had a free coupon for some at McDonald's last winter. And if it's free... well... you HAVE to try it.

So I did.

Love. Lo-uhve. Lurv.

Then Starbucks.

And now Coach's Oats from Costco, mixed with brown sugar, raisins and pecans. They don't get soggy.

(It just occurred to me that maybe it's more the brown sugar, raisins and pecans. Whatever.)

*My iPhone.

My life.

Simplified.

(My wonderful hubby loves me so much!!!)

*Photos from over the last few years.

It's just fun to look at the kids, our expressions, walk through the memories...

*Scarves. SCARVES, PEOPLE!!!!!

They change up any outfit in an instant. I mean, just look...

How.

"I can't! I have little arms!"

Look at me. I'm in Qatar. Wait. No, I'm not.

Ian wanted in. Evidently, so did Nate.

Okay, so maybe not THAT outfit. Especially since today was Sweatpants And No Makeup Day.

But, scarves change up OTHER outfits.

*Silly pictures.

Wait.

I always love those. That's not just lately.

I have a hard time...

2011-11-08T23:04:00.000-07:00

...deleting photos off of my computer, because I think that *even if they're not very good* someday I'll want to have them as a memory.

...leaving message conversations on facebook, because I don't want someone to think I'm rejecting them or what they're talking about.

...asking anyone for money for anything.

...leaving things in the thrift store that I know could potentially be SO GREAT for someone else!

...going to bed at a reasonable hour when my hubby's out of town because there's so much to get done.

...parting with clothes I think I *may* wear again someday, unless they're going to someone I know will really use them!

...keeping up on the laundry, because it's never ending.

...with people who use foul language, because there's just no need.

...singing as one...

2011-11-07T21:29:00.000-07:00

...clinging... believing... standing firm...

Random Outfit Post

2011-11-06T21:33:00.001-07:00

I wore this today.

People seemed to like it, so I thought I'd post a couple of pictures.

Not too many, though, because my usual camera's battery was dead, so I enlisted Nate to take them with the iPad.

But he really wanted to be watching the football game instead.

I get that. So we took two and were done.

I don't think the outfit comes across too well here, but you get the general idea.

(Fyi, I'm super particular with the length of my pants. They look a little shorter in the photos than I thought they actually were when I wore them. Hmmm...)

pulling it all together...

Shirt: Thrifted, says from Vietnam

Tank: Best tanks EVER!!! My awesome hubby just brought me a whole new batch of colors from the awesome little boutique in San Luis Obispo called The French Quarter. $5 each. I die.

Denim: Citizens, via awesome Tammy, via Goodwill (Those are buttons down the bottom third of the leg.)

Shoes: RSVP, via Goodwill

Belt: Asos boyfriend belt. I drooled over this forEVer on ...love maegan and hunted for a similar one for a year in thrift stores to no avail. So when she tipped her readers that it was on sale I freaked a bit. It's actually a God-loves-me story, because I found out right before heading to bed one day and was super tired. So I thought, "I'll wait to order it 'til morning." Went to order it right away the next day and they were OUT. Of ALL sizes!!! De.va.stat.ed. I kicked myself over and over and... I prayed. Yes, seriously. This is the way I operate. Me and God. I went back about fifteen minutes later, still so disgusted with myself, hunted around some more, and all of a sudden there was ONE in the size I wanted! It let me put it in my cart. It processed the order. I jumped around the kitchen laughing and dancing. And when I went back to see if I could order more they were gone again. SO HAPPY!!!!! He knows things like that mean SO much to me, because He's the One who made me this way! Love that He loves us in our own love language.

(I just checked, they don't have the exact one *obviously*, but do have a skinnier version here for only $14.98 or a super thin, plaited version here.)

Necklaces: Uganda paper beads, thrifted gold beads

Bracelets: Leather ones I always wear, gold cuff (and ring)from Grams

Earrings (that you can't really see): Kenya

Hair: Loose braid

One of my friends told me today, "I hope this isn't offensive. Don't take it the wrong way. But, your hair looks like Pocohontas. That's good, though! That's a good thing!"

It made me laugh. =^)

And, fyi, Asos has a great selection of clearance in ALL price ranges, and free shipping both ways!!! I haven't ordered anything else yet to see how their other products are, but I'm glad they're now on my radar!

Now, off to sing, "Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains... can you paint with all the colors of the wind..."

2011-11-06T20:45:00.001-07:00

Saturday Night Musings (complete with an odd but cool fact)

2011-11-05T23:45:00.000-06:00

*Once again, I'm getting my post in just under the wire, but getting it in nonetheless.

*Brit had her home gymnastics meet today. I love how she always has a smile on her face and is encouraging those around her, no matter how she's doing herself.

I sure adore that girl.

*She didn't break her foot this year, which was a bonus... as opposed to last year at the same meet.

*I admit I was watching her feet on the balance beam, holding my breath hoping nothing happened this time around.

Then I realized how silly it was to worry and was able to enjoy the second half of the routine. =^)

She scored a 9.25.

We're a *little* proud.

*We had a small group leaders appreciation dinner tonight at church. I am so thankful for these people who are willing to give their lives in the middle of the mess because they know they are called!!!

(Now, if more of us would just realize this truth and DO something about it. Some of you know... you know you're supposed to open your home and have people over on a weekly basis. But you keep thinking that life is messy and busy and crazy and full. If that's your excuse, then you're never going to wind up doing what God is calling you to do.

Because life will ALWAYS be messy and busy and crazy and full!!!

We are called in the MIDST of that.)

*steps down off the soapbox*

*Funny to stand around afterward and quote movies with some friends.

I tend to think we're the only ones that do this to a seemingly abnormal fault.

I guess not. *wink*

*Now we're home and I'm going over Christmas music at 11:30pm... which is actually 10:30pm... because fall BACK is way better than spring FORWARD.

*Which reminds me that fifteen years ago on daylight savings time I gave birth to Taylor. He was born on the first 1:14am... and then it hit 2:00am and rolled back to 1:00am... and 1:14am came around again... so Taylor lived his birth time twice.

*File THAT under odd things you didn't need to know but find kind of interesting and humorous anyway.

(Because we all have a file in our brains that is named such.)

*And now, because it's my blog and I can do things like this, I present you with my adorable daughter and the gold medal she was presented with today because of her outstanding beam routine.

Red Old Man Shoes

2011-11-04T23:45:00.000-06:00

I wore this outfit a while ago (that seems to be a theme lately) and realized I've *gasp* never posted on these shoes!!!

I mean, I don't think I have.

I can't find a post.

And they're so awesome!

(I know some of you are going to be all, "Ummm... they're actually super awful." And others of you will be like, "Why, oh, why did you find these instead of me?")

So, I now give you what I affectionately refer to as my red old man shoes:

I KNOW!!!!!! I found them at one of my fav thrift stores (the one up on the Air Force Academy) last fall and kind of freaked. I seriously think they were $1.50.

The funny thing is I wore them back to the store a few weeks later.

Woman at the counter: "Oh! I used to have a pair of shoes just like that!"

Me: "Well, I got them here just a bit ago."

Woman: "Those were my shoes!!!"

Love it.

She said they're from some long-since-closed shoe shop in Colorado Springs that made all their own footwear.

They're such a soft suede and so lightweight that I feel like I should be skipping and dancing every time I wear them.

(Truthfully, I often do.)

I can just TELL ya that they are a BLAST to wear.

(blast.)

BLAST!!!!!

(I maintain that every woman needs a pair of red shoes... even if they aren't red old man shoes.)

Here's what I wore with them on this particular day:

pulling it all together...

Gray Skinnies: Sqin from H&M (Which opens next week in Denver! Aaaaaaa!!!!!!)

Gray tee with girls face, brand unknown: via my amazing friend Tammy, via Goodwill.

Lace Cardi: Target clearance last winter

Accessories: The ones I always wear, with Kenya earrings.

I think I'm showing you my accessories in this next pic, as well as my nail polish.

For a while I was painting my ring finger a different color than the rest of my nails.

Here they're black with a gunmetal kind of color on that one finger.

Doesn't quite come through in the picture, but I do look intrigued and mysterious.

Note I'm laying on the floor. I used my iPhotoBooth camera because, evidently, I couldn't be bothered to use the actual camera.

It also seems I didn't want to stand up.

I guess we all have days like that.

As a side note, my red old man shoes also came in handy for my daughter's use in a nerd costume this Halloween...

...and as Shakespeare last spring for a school event...

Now that you're totally inspired to go find your own old man shoes, run to your nearest thrift store!

(Or you could find them brand new, since this style is evidently all the craze right now.)

I will wish upon you good hunting and bright colored finds. *wink*

(Yes, I realize this should have been a Sassy Shoe Thursday post, but today is Friday. I didn't want to wait another week. I'm labeling it as such anyway.)

On community and silly pictures...

2011-11-03T15:37:00.000-06:00

We are called into community.

Did you know that?

That we weren't made to "go it alone."

We weren't made to walk this life out by ourselves.

We were created to need company... companionship... camaraderie.

That's why we process better if we can talk it through with someone.

We laugh more if we laugh with someone.

Our silliness makes sense if we're silly with someone.

We need each other.

God made us that way.

To need each other.

Not just as a husband needs a wife and a wife needs a husband...

but as friends who needs friends...

people who need people.

I came across these while looking through my iPhotoBooth pictures.

It got me thinking of this.

Who are you being silly with today?

Talking with?

Crying with?

Laughing with?

If you're not doing that with anyone, what walls do you need to let down so you can?

And if you're not willing to take silly pictures with friends, I think you're missing out on a great joy in life.

It makes me wonder what other simple joys you're missing out on.

Because, really, if you can't be silly with your friends, who can you be silly with?

Life is full... and we are called to embrace it together.

(And also to capture it in silly pictures. Why else do you think God gave us the knowledge to invent cameras? Sheesh.)

...love you girls. so much. so much. so much...

Snow Day Musings

2011-11-02T14:28:00.000-06:00

*Today is an actual snow day... as opposed to last week's snowy non-snow day.

*There's probably only about four inches in our backyard, but it's blowing around in such a way that we have about two feet on our deck.

*It was nice to sleep in.

*About 30 minutes ago we watched the fox trotting around out behind our house. He paused, seemingly acting non-chalant. Then suddenly pounced on something in the snow.

I grimaced and cried out, "Oh, NO!"

But the boys thought this was hilarious and laughed even harder as the fox trotted away with some little thing dangling from its mouth.

*I guess foxes have to eat, too.

*Ian is walking around right now with the camera taking random pictures of each of us... and Rosie the ferret... and the snow... and of picture books, which he declares is very funny. I almost told him to put the camera away so it didn't wind up broken.

But I stopped with the realization that 20 years from now those pictures will be the ones we look at, laugh about and tell stories of.

*He seems particularly interested in the camera's zoom feature.

*Ian is quite a sight. Now not only does he have an extremely long mullet, glasses and an insulin pump, but he also is missing one of his upper front teeth. He lost it two days ago while at school.

Its neighbor is super wiggly, too. For Christmas I think he's really going to be able to sing the song true to form.

*He wanted to take a picture of the computer taking a picture.

My family is seriously the best form of entertainment.

Happy snow day! Or for some of you a snowy non-snow day. Or for still others of you, a normal everyday day.

Hoping you find something to celebrate and something to laugh at in the middle of it all...

Tips & Tricks: Wearing Sports Jerseys

2011-11-01T14:18:00.002-06:00

***Today kicks off NaBloPoMo, which is a really super cool psuedo acronym for National Blog Posting Month. This is my fifth year participating, with only one NaBloPoMo failure in my brief blogging history.

If anyone want to join me in posting every single day in November, just go here and register! There are cool prizes, but I've never won anything. I just do it for *sigh* the love of blogging. (And bragging rights.)***

I am Mom.

I am also a sports fan.

Sometimes I am more of the second because of my status as the first.

Those who know me know I kind of go all out in supporting things I'm passionate about.

They also know you do not have to tell me a theme twice for me to take off running with it.

What does this mean?

It means I WEAR SPORTS JERSEYS, PEOPLE!!!

But, always up for the fashion challenge, I am not willing to just don some baggy, brightly colored awkward sack and let it be what it is.

Oh, no, no, no...

So, I give you (Drum roll, please?)

*pause*

(Drum roll???)

Tips & Tricks for Wearing Sports Jerseys

1.) A belt goes a long way for creating some kind of shape out of that shapeless thing.

As you an see here, I belted and then "mushroomed" the jersey up over the top of the belt. This will not work, however, if the numbers are too stiff to let the jersey move. This is the case with the Tebow jersey shown later.

(Brit had on a belt earlier, but lost it before this picture was taken.)

2. If the jersey is huge (as are the ones I seem to acquire), pair it with more fitted pants. If it is fitted, go with a looser shape on the bottom. This follows the rule of not wearing tight head to toe or baggy from head to toe. One is trashy, the other is frumpy. There is a wonderful balance, friends... a wonderful balance.

3. Mix it up by layering! In the above photo it was pretty chilly that day, so I put a long sleeve tee under and a chunky infinity scarf over.

I love the thought of wearing the teams' contrasting color as an accent, too! (If this was a UofO jersey, I'd go with yellow sleeves and a yellow scarf.)

3. With bulky jerseys, you need more substantial footwear to visually balance out the whole.

The example above is fabulous.

But in the one below I did NOT do this, and while the outfit was okay, it looked a little off-balance.

Those big, poofy shoulders really needed more anchoring than the slim Toms, but that day was warm and I was running late. (Me? Running late? Shocker.)

I think even some converse would have had a better effect.

4. Do your makeup. No, you don't have to if you don't want to. But one of the reasons some of you aren't wearing your teams' attire is because you feel frumpy and boy-ish.

For some reason, you think putting on a jersey means you have to look sloppy. Not true!!! Doing your makeup will keep you feeling spunky and yourself.

5. Accessorize!!! Like the scarf shown earlier or the rhinestone earrings shown here (which is why I paired the sparkly Toms), don't stay away from these just because you're wearing a jersey!

In fact, accessories really punch the This-Is-FUN factor and make your outfit unique to YOUR style.

6. Going somewhere other than the game? Want to look a little more polished? Throw on a jacket and heels! This Tebow jersey doesn't work well belted. But, I was wearing it to church (on the platform) and wanted it to look pulled together.

The jacket brought in enough contouring that I didn't feel too box-ish, and it also kicked up the polish factor. The substantial ankle boots kept it all anchored and in proportion.

With adding the large hoops and a gold cuff, I was good to go!

(I have to brag on this. I've wanted a Tebow jersey ever since he was drafted by the Broncos. But, I didn't want a cheap-y one, and yet didn't want to pay the $130, either!!! Nate found this at Goodwill... tags still on. Reebok pro jersey. God sure loves me.)

Don't feel like you have to sacrifice your style or your femininity just to support your favorite team or athlete! Go dig out that jersey you've been wanting to wear but have maybe been a bit afraid of. Embrace your inner fan!

Life is full of passion and fun and adventure... may we live it as such.

Random Outfit Post

2011-10-28T11:07:00.001-06:00

I went looking back through iPhoto to see if there were any outfits I'd taken pictures of but hadn't posted.

Found this one from mid-September.

GREAT example of a basic, go-to outfit: screen print tee + jacket + skinnies.

pulling it all together...

Tee: Gifted from one of THE. MOST. incredibly amazing women I know.

(I miss you, Cindy Litzinger!!!)

Jacket: Thrifted

Denim: 7 for all Mankind, a Mother's Day gift years ago. Have worn them into the ground, and my MIL has been so gracious to resurrect them from the dead each time.

(You can't even SEE all the patches and extra stitching. She may scream if I ask her to fix them again. *wink*)

Boots: Thrifted, also seen here and here

Accessories: The same ones I always wear, complete with Kenya earrings

GUESS WHAT??!!!? My Brave bracelet? That I wear, truly, every.single.day? From GodChicks? Well, Holly Wagner, the founder of GC is going to be at the Awaken Conference at New Life in just a couple of weeks!!! On November 11th and 12th bring your daughters. Bring your daughters' friends. Bring your youth group girls. Bring the college girls that live in the apartments next to you. Come with them and be poured into. You will NOT regret it!

We need to step UP and AWAKEN ourselves and the rising generation to what God is doing in the world... and how HE wants US to partner WITH HIM!!!

Don't miss out on this amazing event.

See all the speakers and get your tickets here.

(AND, if you're coming, shoot me an email so I can find you and say hi during the conference!)

LIVE LIFE ...to the fullest

Really, one of the things I live by. (From John 10:10)

Brave Grace... ah, yes. Lord, help me live up to it!!!

Embracing.

2011-10-26T11:56:00.001-06:00

Today was going to be a day where I ran errands and cleaned the kitchen and did laundry.

Today was going to be a day where I caught up.

Then suddenly it changed to today was going to be a snow day where we all stayed home and slept in and played games.

Today was going to be a day where we drank hot chocolate and laughed and watched a family movie. And it would be okay if the kitchen wasn't clean or the laundry wasn't finished or I wasn't "caught up."

Them today suddenly turned into a snowy non-snow day where there is still school, but two kiddos are home sick anyway. There are few dishes getting done, very little laundry being folded and almost no "catching up" getting accomplished.

There are no games being played and there is not much laughter (because it's reported that hurts tender lungs). BUT, I think there is some hot chocolate and maybe a movie forthcoming.

And the rest of life can wait. And that's okay. Because there will be a time not too far down the road when I find myself yearning for a snowy non-snow sick day. I will yearn for cluttered counters and someone needing laundry done. And there will be no more kiddos laying on the couch saying, "Mom, please come watch a movie with us?"

Engage.

2011-10-25T14:47:00.000-06:00

There is a battle.

It is raging, whether or not you choose to acknowledge it.

It is ongoing, whether or not you choose to engage.

You are a part of it, even if you say you aren't.

It is a battle for life... a battle for souls... a battle for eternity.

You have an enemy.

A very real enemy.

An enemy that wants you to think you're not worth it.

An enemy that wants you to think you can't.

An enemy that wants you to think you have no part.

An enemy that wants you to think you shouldn't even bother.

An enemy that wants you to feel defeated, so you won't even try to raise your voice.

An enemy that wants you to feel awkward, so you won't even try to take a stand.

An enemy that wants you to feel ugly, so you won't even want to be noticed.

An enemy that wants you to feel stupid, so you won't even want to be heard.

There is an enemy who is speaking lies to you.

He will come and plant a seed of doubt, a seed of insecurity, a seed of fear.

And if we're unaware of his planting these seeds, we will take them... thinking they're our own... and nurture them.

We will cultivate them into timidity, into anger and jealousy, into paralyzation.

...into the absence of action...

And even in the absence of action, you have chosen sides.

Because the weapons you are able to wield and fight valiantly with will lay unused at your side.

Your sword will sit unopened on your bookshelf, gathering dust.

You can take the wounds of your enemy and you can curl up in defeat on your couch, vowing to never again engage because the pain is too great.

Or you can take the wounds of your enemy and rise up stronger because of them, better able to defend those around you amidst the battle because you know the enemy's tactics.

You can open your mouth and let the sword cut through the lies that attempt to surround you, attempt to surround your family.

You can use the weapons you have been given with fearless confidence.

You can stand firm amidst seeming defeat because you know there IS NO DEFEAT IN THE KINGDOM YOU LIVE FOR... unless you accept it.

And when you hear, "You're not smart enough to speak against something like that..."

YOU WILL SPEAK ANYWAY.

And when you hear, "You're not pretty enough to be in that position..."

YOU WILL STEP ONTO THAT PLATFORM ANYWAY.

And when you hear, "You're too awkward and fumbling to organize something like that..."

YOU WILL DO IT ANYWAY.

And when you hear, "Nobody's even listening..."

YOU WILL SPEAK EVEN LOUDER.

Because you will know that those are lies...

and you wield the Truth.

We have NOT been given a spirit of fear, but of POWER, of LOVE, and of a SOUND MIND.

(Why do we tend to forget that?)

Be aware.

Stand.

Engage.

Advance the Kingdom.

Random Outfit Post

2011-10-21T19:31:00.002-06:00

About a week and a half ago I was interviewed by the morning show of a local radio station, KBIQ, about affordable fashion tips and tricks.

(Hi, Sara!!!)

It's always interesting rushing out the door in the morning right after you get the kids out, especially when headed somewhere that you don't want to look dumpy-frumpy.
It can be a bit... ohhhh... chaotic? Brain-warping?
It's in these moments that I need to not have to think about clothing options.
I just need to grab something and put it on.

I've talked about basic go-to outfits before, but this was a PRIME example of one...

so I thought I'd post it.

(Why do I look so serious/wistful in these photos? What was my deal? Too little coffee?)

pulling it all together...

Skinnies: H&M (design:Sqin)

Cardi: Ronson for Pennies, via Goodwill

Tank: Fav from a boutique in San Luis Obispo, brand name is Active Basic.

Hat: Charlotte Russe

Boots: Thrifted, $3!!! (Researched name and found they're from a little boot shop in Madrid.)

"Boot Socks": They're actually legwarmers from Claire's, off their 10 for $10 sale.

Scarf: Forever 21 last winter

Earrings: Kenya

Rings/Leather bracelets: The ones I always wear
Hair: Quick sidebraid.

The basic outfit in this is the skinny jeans with tank and cardi.

In the summer I cuff the jeans and throw on sandals. Now we're into fall, so boots are in order. And adding a scarf just changes the look so much!!!

My hair was *ahem* unwashed, so a hat was necessary.

Some of you are thinking, "Well, I don't have skinny jeans, so it won't work."

No, but I do this exact same thing ALL the time.

1.) Jeans/pants of some sort

2.) A fitted top

3.) A cardigan of some sort

From there you just add the appropriate accessories! I think so much of the stress of "what goes together?" is taken away in this. I seriously have massive amounts of tank tops in my closet.

...massive...

And I have quite a few cardigans.

I rotate between my favorite footwear and the options are nearly limitless.

One of the problems some people run into is they're looking at this thinking it couldn't possibly apply to them.

In fact, the moment you saw skinny jeans, you tuned out. BUT, it's the idea behind the outfit... the theory of the "basic outfit" and then building on that... that's the important thing here.

I do the same thing with my trouser jeans, I just make sure the crop of the cardi or jacket is shorter (sometimes).

What "basic outfit" do you seem to go back to constantly?

Is it similar to this?

Or maybe it's jeans and a flowy top with large jewelry?

Or maybe it's a business skirt with a semi-fitted blouse and a jacket? And you trade out the skirt for dress pants?

Or maybe it's (like my dear friend on whom it works so well) leggings/jeggings and a dress/tunic?

Recognize the pattern, identify the basics, stock up on them, and then rotate!

It truly is near-brainless dressing in the morning.

Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't ever branch out, I'm just saying no-stress dressing often times can come from recognizing our basic, go-to outfit and then building on it.

Your Brain

2011-10-20T07:34:00.001-06:00

Incredible. Absolutely incredible.

A whole different perspective in two minutes and fifteen seconds.

Tips & Tricks: Dry Shampoo

2011-10-13T11:49:00.000-06:00

I've only been using dry shampoo for about a year now, and have no idea WHY I haven't been using it my entire life!

(Well, yes I do. I simply didn't know about it. Maybe like you?)

This is one of those make-life-easier sanity savers on mornings when you just don't have time (or energy) to wash/style/etc whatever is atop your head. Just lift roots in sections and spray! (Don't spray too much, though, or your brown hair will appear to be graying.)

I run a quick burst along the root, and then sweep it about half-way up the strands for good measure.

Let it sit for a couple of minutes, then run your fingers up your scalp, from bottom to top, and tousle.

Not only will most of the greasy be gone, but it will give your roots a lift and boost volume.

Don't style it too much after you've sprayed, or you'll begin to bring back the limp, greasy strands you were trying to get rid of in the first place.

I also recommend this if your hair is thinning and you struggle to get volume to cover those now-not-so-covered spots. =^)

I like the Tresemme version, but am currently using Pssssst...

you can find them for a few dollars at Target in the shampoo aisle.

(I think I'm going to switch back when I'm done with this can.)

And if you're willing to spend a bit more money (which, I'm not), many salons offer dry shampoos that match your hair color, so you don't have to worry about any ashy-looking strands.

Just make sure you get one that smells pleasant. *wink*

The other benefit is your hair thanks you. So many of us are washing it way too often! Especially in dry climates (Hellloooo, Colorado!), this can lead to damaged hair with split ends because (as much as we don't want the grease) our hair needs some of that oil to stay healthy.

Give it a little break and extend your hair-wash cycle by one day!

Look at this funny ad I found from the 70's. So, maybe you've all known and it was just me who's been in the dark? =^)

The thing with God-confidence...

2011-10-11T10:33:00.000-06:00

The thing with God-confidence is that if I am walking where He leads I can be confident in what He is doing... in what He is going to do.

The thing with God-confidence is that there is so much freedom, because I am resting in who HE is, not in who I am. He placed things in me so HE could draw them out in HIS timing.

The thing with God-confidence is that I can walk forward boldly with my head held high, because I don't need to worry about the future or what it holds. He is already there. He already knows. And He is equipping me now for what is to come.

I can throw my head back and laugh with joy because HE directs my steps.

The thing with God-confidence is that I don't need to fear my motives or remain chained by indecision... because when I stay rooted in HIM I know it has nothing to do with ME and everything to do with HIS purposes.

The thing with God-confidence is that I can boldly desire the things in my heart, because they are the things of His heart. He has created us to desire beauty. He has created us to desire community. He has created us to desire justice. Because these are the things He desires.

Our culture is so absorbed with self-confidence... self-esteem... self-promotion... SELF.

As Christ-followers, let's not get caught up in that lie. It will leave us empty and fearful and paralyzed... because we will see that SELF fails us every time.

But, instead, let's pursue GOD and the things of HIS heart. Rooted in His words, eyes open to what He is doing around us. Let's engage in the things of HIS heart, with confidence in HIM.

"Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence."

1 Corinthians 10:12 msg

DIY Petticoat/Tutu

2011-10-07T15:14:00.002-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I wore one of the most glorious things ever.

The backstory is I've wanted a hot pink... as in HOT pink... frilly, poofy, tulle thing forEVer.

They're finally all over stores, but they're either too short or too expensive or the wrong color or...

I realized I would have to take matters into my own hands.

So, I've been on a hunt.

(I let God know I was on a hunt, which I'm sure wasn't news to Him. And, yes. I believe He has everything to do with my discovery.)

A few weeks ago I was in (shocker, here) Goodwill when I caught my breath and raced over to the dress rack.

There hung one of the most interesting floral creations I have ever seen... complete with a hot pink petticoat sticking out from the bottom of its scalloped sides.

*gasp*

The tulle ended about mid-thing under the dress, and was attached to gloriously stretchy hot pink fabric. All the makings were there... BUT, the price tag was a bit of a splurge for me, so I figured I'd think about it.

A week later it had still not left my thoughts.

Glory be! The dress was still there on my return trip. It came home with me. The rationale was that I would pay at least three times the price tag if I were to come across this exact petticoat/tutu thing in a store. Yet, here it was just needing a little work to expose its greatness.

The dress:

(Yes, these are taken in my bathroom.)

Oh, dear...

The transformation:

I simply folded the top fabric over itself to create a waistband. I was originally going to stitch it down, but realized I didn't have the *ahem* knowledge needed to confidently accomplish such a thing without ruining the stretchiness of the material.

Since it was already gloriously elasticized, I just left it.

Another great thing about this is there was fabric amidst the layers of tulle, so it wasn't see-through-y (ie Nathaniel the Grublet) when I wore it.

I said a few weeks ago this is kind of a no-brainder Do It Yourself, because all I'm telling you to do is search for a dress with a cool petticoat/tutu thing under it, cut it out and then rock it with a favorite outfit.

(You can see all the other pics from that outfit here.)

And, do I think that God had a hand in opening my eyes to the existence of this hidden hot pink petticoat/tutu/poofy thing? Yes. Yes, I sure do. He knows our hearts, and He desires to bless us in ways that speak to what He's placed in us.

God is SO freaking amazing like that.

Random Outfit Post: Mixed Stripes

2011-09-29T00:07:00.001-06:00

Because sometimes you just have to live on the edge like that. =^)

(Fyi, I wore this quite a while ago. As in, maybe even a couple months... or more than that.)

This outfit came together very last minute. It was one of those I-feel-icky-in-everything-I-wear-I need-something-not-fitted days.

I seemed to get a lot of "Hey! Love the stripes!" comments, so I took some pictures.

pulling it all together...

Shirt & Pants: Both Gap, via Goodwill

Jacket: Marc by Marc Jacobs, via Goodwill

(I KNOW!!!!!!! WHAT a find. It has a story. Another post?)

Belt: Target, via Goodwill

Sandals: Target clearance

Earrings: I don't even remember.

Bracelet/Ring: Grams'

Sometimes I wonder if I should start listing the prices of some of the items I find. (This entire outfit cost me under $25 total.) Because maybe it would be an encouragement to people that it really does happen? But maybe it would also be a discouragement to people? Hmmm...

I loved mixing the stripes in this outfit. Pants are vertical. Shirt is horizontal. It works because they're both small print, so while they're (similar) patterns, it's almost like they're solids because your brain doesn't register it immediately.

The pop of the belt and the crispness of the jacket polish it off.

And the wide-leg is super fun, too.

Speaking of wide-leg,

have you seen them all over the place for fall? It doesn't mean skinnies are out, by the way. Just that wide-leg is suddenly trendy again.

So, funny. There's truly nothing new under the sun, and everything comes back around again... seemingly fast these days, too. Where the trend cycles used to take about forty years, now it seems to be about seven to ten.

Moral of the story: If it's good quality, save it. You'll be wearing it again sooner than you think.

Other moral of the story: Don't live your life by trends. Have fun with them... but you rule the trend, don't let it rule you.

Play with the ones you like, leave the ones you don't.

Otherwise, you'll wind up like this:

They sing with us...

2011-09-26T10:25:00.001-06:00

It's interesting how my whole life (the first whopping 35 years of it) I've heard accounts from other people.

Miraculous testimonies, encounters with angels and other things I longed to experience in first person but thought I never would. I don't know why I thought that! I just did. I longed for it, but I'm this goofy girl who's a mom and wife and has a crazy schedule and loves fashion and cries out to God in the middle of my kitchen when I'm overwhelmed with dishes and dirty floors.

The kids and I have prayed for years to see an angel. We know they're all around, because the spiritual side of this world... the stuff we don't see but see the effects of... is way more real than what we do see.

And sometimes we catch glimpses of that much-more-real reality.

That's what I've longed for, to have my eyes and ears opened.

To be a part of the stories we hear happening to missionaries in other countries... but, America?

Maybe I'm just starting to share some of these recent things because I needed time to process them myself.

Sometimes something so beautiful happens, such an intimate gift from my Father, that I want to keep it to myself and bask in His lavish love for a while before sharing it.

Last June... June 24th, to be more specific... I had the honor of leading some worship for a YWAM team that was about to set out for another country.

They'd been through a year of training together and this was their final team meeting before they headed out the following week to a Muslim country.

The country is not closed to the gospel, but can still be very hostile to Christians, so I won't mention it here.

Suffice it to say, that room on June 24th was filled with every emotion imaginable. Luggage was packed, possessions were in storage units, arrangements had been made... and here was this team pressing into the presence of God in worship.

The atmosphere was thick and intense and desperate and beautiful.

I stood in the small room, in front of these 30 or so people with just my guitar, and we worshipped.

"Oh, Lord, speak into the silence. Breathe upon the lifeless. Wake us up from slumber."

"Hallelujah, holy, holy, God Almighty, the Great I AM... who is worthy? None beside Thee. God Almighty, the Great I AM."

Then there came a time where the team members were praying over each other. I kept singing, flowing freely in the lyrics, often not even singing words, only sounds.

I became aware of someone singing the most beautiful harmony with me.

"Who IS that?" I thought. "Their voice is amazing." I looked around the room to see the singer, but everyone was praying with each other.

I wondered if it was a child, because it was so high pitched. But I heard the maturity and confidence of an adult.

This soft, lilting voice continued to follow mine in perfect harmony... truly the most beautiful I have ever, ever heard.

"I must know who's singing with me!" I thought. "This is incredible." I realized the sound was coming from my right, but the only ones there were team members praying for each other. Suddenly I wondered how this voice could follow me perfectly when I was ad-libbing, and not even singing words. How did they know what I was going to sing? How could they possibly know where I was going in the song, in the melody?

I suddenly had the realization I was hearing angels. It swept over me and I became acutely aware of their presence just off to my right.

They were singing with me, worshipping with me, over this group of people who were about to take the amazing news of Jesus to a Muslim nation.

There were two or three of them, but their voices blended so perfectly that it sounded like one.

In that moment I don't know if I was more humbled and amazed that God would open my ears to such a thing, or that THE FREAKING ANGELS WERE SINGING WITH ME!!!!!!

Holy COW! They were singing the most beautiful harmony (the highest I've ever heard anyone sing in person) with ME. We were worshipping together.

The angels. Me. What words can I even use here? None are adequate.

I've thought about that moment many times since and can only react with awe that I got to hear. I'll never forget the sound, and in fact have heard it again once since then... a little over a week ago. Soft, incredibly high-pitched, yet sweet and pure and lilting. Truly, the most perfect harmony ever sung.

And I heard it. I heard angels. Singing with me.

What an amazing God I serve, who opens my ears to things that are more reality that what is before my eyes.

The angels. They sing with us. And it doesn't matter what anyone says to the contrary, because I heard them. I bet I'll get to hear them on this earth again, too.

Because my God SO rocks like that.

Random Outfit Post: Birthday Edition

2011-09-23T14:43:00.000-06:00

...which does NOT, fyi, mean that I'm wearing my birthday suit.

(Just thought I'd clarify.)

Yesterday was my BIRTHDAY, and I decided that it was quite necessary to wear something fitting for the occasion.

Fitting for the occasion = pink tutu.

...or petticoat... or whatever you want to call it.

Because I want to.

And because I can.

And, yes. I had way too much fun taking pictures.

But, so be it.

pulling it all together...

Pink Tutu/Petticoat: DIY... kind of. Tutorial coming soon. (Seriously, I don't sew people. It's a no-brainer.)

Tee: Target, like, five years ago

Jacket: Vintage 80's, baby! via Goodwill, complete with Michael Jackson Thriller shoulders. I totally love this thing. I'm not sure anyone else does. But I do.

Leggings: H&M

Socks (which are actually stirrups): Claire's (It's a clearance gold mine in there.)

Booties: Charlotte Russe, gifted from a friend. (Thanks, Becky!)

Sunglasses: Walmart (One of the only good things that comes from there.)

Various bracelets/rings/earrings: GodChicks, Disney, Relatives, Friends, Forever 21

So, all day yesterday I kept hearing comments that fell into the category of Oh-I-SO-wish-I-could-wear-something-like-that-but-I-just-can't.

Why not?

WHY NOT???

Why can't you wear a tutu if you so please?

I am all for being appropriate to the environment you're in.

But, honey, if you want to wear a tutu and it's not inappropriate for your day's activities... wear a tutu! Just rock it with some other fun accessories so it looks more like an actual outfit than something that belongs on stage at the Nutcracker.

I had a blast wearing that yesterday. It made me smile.

And I think God looked at that and said, "Yes, daughter. You ARE beautiful and I love seeing your joy spill out all over the place... especially in hot pink... because it's so you... and I'm the One who made you that way."

Yep, I think that's what He said.

Here is where I wanna sing, "Girls, they wanna have fun. Oh, girls justa wanna have..."

Ian came outside and asked if he could help take the pictures.

So, he crouched down, I sat, and he snapped away.

Then I said, "Ian! Get in here with me!"

And he obliged. (That may have been what he wanted in the first place.)

Moral of the story: Life is fleeting. Rock the tutu.

(Or different hair color, or nail polish, or whatever.)

Yesterday in History

2011-09-21T15:57:00.000-06:00

Yesterday a seismic shift occurred in the foundational operations of our nation.

There is a small minority fighting and shouting loud support for what has taken place. It doesn't matter what happens down the road, they believe this is the right thing to do.

There is a large group that supports the shift, but gives no thought to the future implications it will inevitably bring. Or they know what is coming down the road, but they mentally don't go there because that would make them question their support of the shift, thus going against what they want so badly to be the right thing to do.

There is a vast middle ground that either is blind or is trying very hard to be blind because they don't want to engage in any type of disagreement with anyone. If they hold no position then there will be no way to offend.

There is another minority, albeit bigger than the first, that knows exactly what will now occur but is remaining silent out of fear.

I fall into none of those categories.

When you create an environment highly conducive to immoral activity, the likelihood of immoral activity taking place rises significantly.

Regardless of where your opinion falls on Don't Ask, Don't Tell being repealed, there are vast future ramifications that I am hearing absolutely no acknowledgement of.

None.

Not by our government.

Not by our media.

The only discussion I am aware of is happening quietly in the military, behind closed doors of a training room where servicemen and women are saying, "But, what does this mean?"

And no one can give them an answer because the military doesn't even know.

They feign answers, but every path of explanation and reasoning falls apart with further questions.

When "anonymous" surveys were taken and studies were done to try and decipher the military's attitude toward the shift, the majority of service members didn't even take the survey. And most that did didn't answer honestly.

Why?

Because the "anonymous" survey was accessed by their ID card, which could be traced back to them.

And in the event that Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed (yesterday) they could be under fire for giving their honest "anonymous" opinions.

From here we will see inevitable lawsuits.

If two people who are sexually attracted to each other can share a dorm room in our military, why can't two people of the opposite sex?

What is the difference?

There is none.

If two people who are sexually attracted to each other can share a bathroom in our military, why can't two people of the opposite sex?

What is the difference?

There is none.

If we do not separate based on sexual orientation, it's going to be hard to hold the reasoning of separating based on sex.

When you follow the line of logic, it unravels.

We're already seeing it on college campuses, and now in our nation's military.

Schools. Public restrooms. It's only a matter of time.

We can say (as the official position of the US Government) that all individuals in our military will conduct themselves with utmost integrity in these situations and that no immoral activity will take place.

But, again, the reality is when you create an environment highly conducive to immoral activity, the likelihood of immoral activity taking place rises significantly.

So, in a few years, tell that to the service woman who comes back from Iraq having been raped by her fellow service member.

He should have acted morally, but he did not.

Tell her that now she's going to have to live with a man, because a lawsuit has won stating that there is no logical reason to separate based on sex when we're no longer separating based on sexual orientation.

He should act morally, though, and the military is already struggling with a budget.

So men attracted to women (and vice versa) will no longer be in separate living quarters, because men who are attracted to men are not separated and neither are women who are attracted to women.

It's the inevitable path we've started down.

And if you express your unwillingness to live with someone who has the potential of being sexually attracted to you, that is considered hate and falls under the hate crime law.

You could be prosecuted and discharged.

No one is talking about the future implications.

We're just trying so hard to do what we want so badly to be right that we aren't stopping to ask the question of what is going to happen.

We aren't even allowing anyone to raise the question that it could be wrong.

Life is...

2011-09-14T15:36:00.000-06:00

...running through the rain with a friend and not worrying about the wet, but laughing at it instead.

...not pulling into the garage immediately, but sitting in the driveway listening to said rain pounding on the car roof.

...walking in the door and realizing your shoes are soaked all the way through, and being glad for the adventure and JOY that rain brings.

A Memory (repost)

2011-09-11T00:00:00.000-06:00

(This was first posted on September 11th, 2008, following a trip to New York that previous spring.

I think I've reposted it once before,

but I'm reposting it again today on the 10th anniversary of September 11th.

May we never forget...)

I didn't expect it to affect me this way. I experienced it much like many other Americans, waking to news on the tv, sitting with my mouth open watching the horror. But I didn't know anyone who lost their life that day. I didn't even know anyone that knew anyone. I had a friend at The Pentagon who, had he of been in his office, would most likely no longer be here, but thank God he was off running an errand on the opposite side of the building.

So I didn't expect it to affect me this way.

Walking up to Ground Zero I wondered if we would really be able to pass through the large locked gate. Others stood outside peering in, taking pictures through the chain link. We went to the information/security booth. The guard looked at our ids, radioed to someone on the other side, thanked my husband for his service to our country, and told us to stand at the gate.

I still didn't expect it to affect me this way.

A man came and let us in. As the gate closed behind us the reality of where we stood began to hit. A tingling started at my hands and feet, quickly spreading over my body. As I followed the construction worker I realized I was numb, my breath shallow. I was watching myself taking steps, but didn't feel any movement. There were other people standing at the end of the makeshift path, peering down into the enormous hole.

The images on tv don't communicate how massive it really is. The buildings outside the fence seemed so far away, as did the ground below. Perspective didn't become clear until I saw a worker on the far side, and how small he was.

The rebar protruding from the concrete foundation somehow stuck with me, what was left of what had been.

I looked up. The sky was so vast, such an expanse. A plane passed overhead and suddenly all I saw was a blurry blue. My cheeks became wet. It was just so much. The loss.

We took photos. I didn't want to forget this. But I don't need those to recall the vivid memory.

The construction worker stood quietly by as we walked around the platform, taking in all sides. He waited patiently, just as he does with each visitor that comes.

As he escorted us back up the makeshift path to the gate we passed a trailer. Flowers were set outside and Nate asked the man what it was, but the sign on the door was our answer. My cheeks grew wet again.

The gate closed. The church just outside had new significance. We made our way down the street, around the corner to the museum. I didn't know if I wanted to enter, I wasn't sure I wanted to take the stories into my heart.

I hadn't expected it to affect me this way.

I worried about my umbrella and my purse. I needed to use the restroom. Anything trivial to move my mind from the depths of my heart it had gone to.

We walked quietly through the walls with memories in large print for us to relive with each survivor. Every so often Nate would beckon me to something in particular. Every so often I would beckon him. We moved slowly.

The cuff of my sleeve was stretched out and damp.

Rounding the corner took my breath away. One wall filled with names. Another wall, pictures of them laughing, hugging their daughter, playing baseball with their son, at their grandma's birthday party, smiling so broadly. My lungs could not find air, my vision was reeling. These people were me.

A rose lay on the floor.

I was still numb.

I didn't expect it to affect me this way.

God, help us. Help us see You. I don't understand the making of the tapestry or why threads are woven a certain way, but I stand firm in the faith that it will be beautiful. I know You don't cause these things. I know You didn't cause 9/11. And I know You didn't cause Ian's diabetes. I know You didn't cause Grandad to die when it was supposed to be a routine surgery. I know You didn't cause my sister's friend to develop a rare form of lymphoma as she's juggling new motherhood. I know You have given us free will, and our earth is fallen and broken. We as a people are fallen and broken. I know You came as a man, choosing to be the blameless sacrifice that our earth could never provide. I know You are truth. I know You are hope. I know You are light. I know You are sovereign and You can rescue and You can heal and You can prevent and You can protect. I know our tapestry is woven IN SPITE OF our own choices. I also know that I will not understand the deepest weaving, but that it is beautiful. It is a miracle. One that only You can accomplish. Thank You for being a tower we can rest in when we don't understand. Thank You for letting us cry and be angry and mourn, and for holding us close through it all. Some of us choose not to feel Your arms around us, but You are there. You are always there.

Thank you for letting it affect me this way.

Maintaining the "Clean"

2011-09-08T10:46:00.000-06:00

A year ago I was given a most awesome birthday gift.

It was something I had always wanted, something I had asked for every year...

and something I let sit on my counter since last September 22nd.

It stared at me. It called out, "Use me!" My husband would see it and say, "I thought you were super excited about that?"

"I was! I am! I mean... I'll use it when it's time."

See, a year ago my parents very generously gave me one of my dream gifts: Maids.

Merry Maids, to be more specific. A gift card that covered a deep "spring cleaning."

Yesterday I finally used it.

When the girl came to do the walk-through last week, she looked at all the rooms to be done (everything except the kids' rooms and laundry) and said, "It should take about 3 to 4 hours."

I think I asked a couple more times, knowing the extent to which dirt was piled behind the couches, atop the shelves and upon those blinds.

"3 to 4 hours." She said that was pretty typical for a house like this.

A couple days before, I started clearing away some of the clutter... and realized how much clutter-y junk there actually was! It was all dusty, resting on night stands and dressers and counters and tables. That was one of the reasons why I had waited so long to use my coveted gift card: I knew I would have to actually tackle the piles!And the piles are there in the first place because I don't usually have the time to tackle them!!!

Catch-22.

When the two Maids (hee-hee) walked through the house yesterday morning (cleared of clutter, ready to be cleaned) it was the same thing, "Oh, 3 hours, maybe 4. We should be out around lunchtime."

I was still skeptical, because I know my house.

I know it looks cozy, but is actually a lot bigger that it appears.

I know it looks clean on the surface, but there are things lurking.

3 to 4 hours. Out around lunchtime.

Okay.

At 4:15, those Maids finally crawled out the front door. Seven and a half hours.

They were tired. I'm sure they were sore.

They wanted to keep going at lunchtime (when I think they had fully realized this was going to take much longer than first anticipated), so around 1:30-ish I convinced them to take the crackers and Cokes I was offering. I knew they had to be hungry.

The funny thing about a clean house is that you now really notice the not-quite-clean areas.

After seeing them out, I walked back into the kitchen surveying my fresh-smelling surroundings... and found a few places they forgot.

(I don't blame them. I would, too, if I had worked for that long!)

I grabbed the Windex and wiped down the kitchen and dining room windows. I cleaned out the sliding glass door track. I scrubbed off some remaining spots on the floor.

This morning I got down on my hands and knees and dusted that little grill under the fridge doors.

With everything being so clean, it's easy to see the not-so-clean.

With everything being so clear, it's easy to see the clutter-y.

And I realize this is my life. I go back and forth with staying in the Word, with really delving into what it's teaching me. I go back and forth with keeping things up, and then letting them go, and then getting back into keeping them up again, only to *without quite realizing it* let them go again.

And I think this is why Jesus told us to remain in Him.

When we do that, it's easier to see the parts that aren't remaining in Him as much.

But when we don't spend time with Him, when we let ourselves get "dusty," it becomes harder to spot the messes and get them taken care of. They can easily overtake life without us even fully realizing it.
Or maybe we realize it, but we feel like we don't have the energy to take care of the "messes."

Maintenance requires daily time, both with my house and with myself.

And sometimes it requires bringing in the professionals to help you get back on track... whether Merry Maids or a trusted pastor or counselor or friend.

Often, we know full well how deep the dust goes. Others may look and say, "Oh, 3 to 4 hours. This is typical." But we know. We can be lulled into a bit of complacency by well-meaning people who say, "It's not that bad." And we think, "Yeah, I guess it's not. I'm sure it's fine."

But, we still know.

My house is clean now. I'm not saying it's going to remain spotless. Let's be realistic here.

But, it's easier to spot the messes. Easier to see the clutter that had become a part of daily living, however unwanted.

As the Maids left they were quite insistent that I should sign up for a monthly cleaning.

"Oh, this was a gift. It's not something I can do on a monthly basis."

"But, now that we have it all taken care of, the upkeep will be a lot easier," one of the maids implored.

"That's what I'm hoping," I said with a smile...

(What I wanted to say was, "If I could pay you $180 to come clean monthly, I would pay you instead the $240 to do this twice a month! Are you kidding me? Do you think I don't want that? Of course I want that! The reality is, that's another car payment, which we can't wisely afford... keyword being wisely... which is why you came and cleaned everything... so I could hopefully keep up on it better myself." But, I didn't say that. Maybe I should have. *smile*)

Let's try to daily remain in Him, because then maintaining the "clean" is a lot easier!

(Thanks, Mom and Dad. What a blessing!!! It's sure nice to head into our busy season with a deeply clean house.)

Random Outfit Post & Fashion Tip

2011-09-07T13:34:00.001-06:00

I wore this last week and wasn't even going to take pictures.

(I really should take them every day, but the day ends and I realize I forgot after I'm already in my sweats.)

BUT, my friend who normally does NOT like my Random Outfit Posts actually said, "You need to post this outfit!"

I was stunned.

So, it was on my mind and *gasp* I remembered to take pictures!!!

AND, this outfit is a great example of a tried and true fashion trick.

(If you've ever been to a women's conference, chances are you've seen this.)

pulling it all together...

polkadot dress/tunic/whatever: H&M (on sale when the hubs took me to Vegas)

denim skinnes: H&M

blue layering tank: brand is Active Basic, best ev.er.

cardi: Ronson for JCPenny's, via Goodwill (adore.)

belt: Came with a thrifted silk dress I found for ten cents. (Yes, I said ten cents.)

shoes: Stuart Weitzman for *insert name I can't remember here*, via Goodwill

sunglasses: Wal-Mart... about the only thing I like from there

earrings: I had taken them off and forgot to put them back on! *gasp* BUT, I was wearing my big gold circle ones.

Okay, ready for the tip/trick?

I don't have a super small waist. Now, quiet!!! I can hear some of you starting up even now. What I'm saying is that, in proportion to the rest of my body, I really don't have much of a waist at all. I'm kind of, for lack of a better term, boy-cut. Always have been, always will be.

Note picture one:

*Cue entrance of belt & jackety-type-thing.*

Now, note picture two:

When you add a belt AND a jackety-type-thing (here shown as a cardigan), it creates a sort of visual illusion, suddenly giving you a waist.

Peek back and forth between these two pictures and you can totally see what I'm talking about.

Nothing has changed except for the addition of the cardigan!

NOTHING!!!

And there you have one of the fashion tricks used tirelessly by professionals the world over.

Draw the eyes to the center with a belt, then cut off the sides of the belt (ie, waist) with a jacket/sweater, thus creating a new "waist."

I love these colors and patterns together!

Polkadots and plaid and teal... oh, my!

On Pruning and Life and Family and Such

2011-09-01T10:36:00.000-06:00

During the summer I love to have petunias on my front porch.

I'm generally a sucker for red, white and blue... because we are The White House.

But, really, even a mix of flowers that includes petunias should be there.

I think it goes back to my Mom doing the same thing.

Every summer growing up we would have pots of petunias out front and the walk would be lined with their bursts of color.

This summer, due to busyness and life in general, I didn't get mine into their pots until 4th of July weekend.

And even after that I wasn't too diligent about their pruning.

See, the thing with petunias (okay, any flower, but stick with me here) is that you plant them, and then prune them down to about half of what they came from the store as... or more.

You can't take off too much, or they won't make it. But you need to take off a significant amount so the water will go to strengthen their roots.

This also allows for other shoots to come off of where you prune them, producing fullness and more flowers.

If you don't do it, they'll become one long leggy stalk, usually with only one flower on the end, shooting straight up and then falling over because they're so tall and out of proportion.

That's the sign of a neglected petunia.

So, I got them in their pots and pruned them back... and then life filled in again.

Generally, you should go out every few days and snap off the heads where the flowers have lived their lives and shriveled up. Once again, this lets new shoots grow and doesn't send nutrients to stalks that aren't growing flowers.

I stopped doing that. I did the initial prune, but didn't keep up with the maintenance.

The other day I realized how leggy my petunias were getting. Yes, there were some flowers... but they were not full and fluffy and healthy like they should be. They were still growing, but it was all in one direction, and the were getting so long that they were falling over!

They were laying on the dirt, which was causing their leaves to rot, and they looked quite anemic.

"What the heck?" I thought. "Hey, I planted you guys! I pruned you. I fed you. I watered you (okay, maybe not as often as you wanted, but I did). What's going on?"

Then I realized the problem wasn't with them, it was with me.

I had grown neglectful. I hadn't been doing the maintenance pruning.

It was my fault.

So, this morning I went out and pruned my petunias again.

I pinched off all the old, dead blossoms and trimmed those leggy stalks back so new ones will branch out.

In about a week we'll start to the see the results, and my front porch will be the better for it.

I know flower and garden talks are cliche illustrations, but the point remains true.

So often we look at our circumstances and think, "Will I ever feel settled? Will things ever be smooth? Why do I feel pinched and pulled all the time?"

Yes, the issues in life can be constant... but I'm realizing that the One who tends my growth cares so much for me that He is constantly pruning, always trimming. He wants me to live the fullest and most beautiful life possible!!!

But, unlike the petunias on my front porch, we have a say in our pruning. "Ouch, God! I don't like this! I'm going to lean away and not let You touch my life for a while."

Then we become out of balance, often growing too far in one direction and falling over from the weight of our skewed life.

We think it's easier, more comfortable without the pruning... but the reality is we wind up not looking very nice to those around us. Instead of full color and many blossoms, we're barely able to squeak out one blossom on the end of our lopsided stem.

I want to be thankful that my Creator cares so much for me that He's always trimming away the dead stuff, pruning the areas of my life so they don't get out of balance.

Sometimes he pinches off a long stem that I thought was fine, but obviously needed to go.

Other times He's simply pulling off a blossom that has lived its life, run its course.

I want to stay submitted to that, even if it gets uncomfortable at times!!!

I also want to stay attentive to my children, and follow God's leading to be diligent with pruning in their lives. That's my God-given responsibility as a parent. Not to say that Nate and I get this right all the time, because we're imperfect parents just like everyone else on this planet.

When we realize our kids are starting to become too out of proportion or falling over, the problem isn't usually with them... it's because we've not been diligent with their pruning.

Ooooo... ouch.

BUT, we've found that when we keep ourselves submitted to the pruning of our Creator, we're better at having wisdom with the pruning of our children.

And our family winds up fuller and more beautiful for it.

The great thing about pruning is you can always do it. Of course, the longer you wait the more there is to prune, and the more painful and time consuming it becomes.

But, you can do it.

And no matter how long it's been, you'll be better off for it.

(So will your kids, just be carful to not take too much off at one time.)

Random Outfit Post

2011-08-28T00:08:00.001-06:00

Wore this a couple of weeks ago.

Love. ove. ove. OVE this dress. One of THE greatest vintage finds ev.urh. Total 70's, which is why I styled my hair this way.

(Product of the heatless curls tutorial.)

I had been looking for one of it's kind for a long time, and (if I remember right) actually squealed in Goodwill when I found it.

Total polyester awesomeness... but updated just a tad by the gladiator sandals.

pulling it all together...

70's vintage Chevron striped dress, via Goodwill

Oatmeal shrunken cardi, Target clearance

Vintage Anne Klein (I die!) bag, vintage belt via Goodwill

Tahari sandals, birthday gift from my awesome hubby two years ago

Cheapy gold hoops

Necklace & ring, Grams'

Gold necklace extender worn as bracelet.

I have to say, I do like this a little better without the cardigan, but I always get cold!!!

It looks more white here than it actually is, too, but whatcha gonna do.

I was excited to realize I had these different cognac leather pieces (shoes/belt/bag) that went together so perfectly. There's just something about it all that makes me want to sing...

or maybe even this...

The thing with people...

2011-08-27T19:54:00.001-06:00

We weren't created to live life alone. That's just the simple truth of it.

God created Adam, and then He created Eve so they would be together in this life.

And we are called into a community... the church.

A group of people who may not have anything else in common other than their shared desire to follow Jesus Christ.

We were created for it.

We are called into it.

Lately my ears have picked up some thought-provoking phrases.

"I'm just not a group person."

"Hanging out with a lot of people just isn't my kind of thing."
"Being with people isn't my gift."

"There's just so many people in church."

(That may be my fav.
Imagine. People in church. The nerve.)

The reality is, we were created to live this life amidst community.
Amidst people.
Together.

Christianity is a team sport.
Life is a team sport.

The moment you try to go it alone, it's going to become overwhelming and seem impossible... because it wasn't created to be lived alone.
Life wasn't created so we could live life alone.

Yes, we each have our own, personal relationship with Christ.

No one else can love Him for you.

No one else can follow Him for you.

But, there's this popular Christian mindset that's along the lines of, "Come on, Jesus. Me and you. Just us two. Livin' life..."

I think Jesus is looking at people who think that and saying, "Hey, I love you so much, and I am living this life with you... but I'm doing it through people."

We cry out for the Holy Spirit encounter in our car, but we're skeptical of the person who speaks encouragement to us in the parking lot.
(Ugh, this person...)

We stand in worship, hungry for that God-moment, yet we scoff at the person who invites us to small group after the service is over.
(Ugh, a group of people...)

We desire to see unity in ministry, but we snub our noses when we're asked if what we're involved in could partner with another ministry.
(Ugh, more people...)

We express frustration at the lack of older women mentoring younger women (the biblical model), yet we balk at the invite to come be a part of just such a thing.
(Ugh, I don't know those people... why would I go there? They need to come to where I'm at.)

The bottom line is, God desperately desires us to encounter Him
...and He desires us to encounter Him through His people.
He helps us into victory... through His people.
He brings us joy... through His people.
He provides for us... through His people.
He comforts us... through His people.
He puts His arms around us... through His people.
We can't cry out for God to come into our lives and then snub our noses at His people.
Well, we can... we just won't encounter Him fully.

And that's the simple truth of it.

Don't sit alone tomorrow morning, discrediting churches every way you can think of, and then wonder why your life feels like something is missing.

Something is missing.

God's people.

Heatless Curls Tutorial

2011-08-22T12:04:00.004-06:00

Okay, I'M not doing the tutorial, but instead merely pointing you in the direction of a great one and showing you the results of me trying it.

I came across this amazing heatless curls hair how-to on Love, Maegan a few weeks ago and decided to try it myself.

SUPER easy and so many fun ways you can style it.

And since I usually wind up showering at night before bed, the fact that you just sleep on and wake up with curls is glorious.

GLORious, I say.

(In fact, I wound up doing it for Brit for her first day of school.)

I was feeling rather 70's on this particular day, so I went with it.

Smooth on top, blending down into soft waves. That signature sweep to the side of the face.

(Yes, you get iPhotobooth photos.)

So, maybe you can't tell from these the complete 70's vibe. I did take pics of my dress. Expect a Random Outfit Post soon.

I started having way too much fun with iPhotobooth.

*ahem*

More proof that I am, indeed, a nerd.
(Ummm... don't know why this video is gray at the beginning. Can't seem to fix it. Oh, well.)

Here's the original tutorial video where Love, Maegan got the idea:

I'm now anxious to try wearing it wrapped the whole day and then let the curls down for day two.

(Brooke? Are you reading this? Thought that would look SO great on you!)

Still hunting for the right headband for that, though. The ones in the store are either too wide (I used one of the doubled for this.) or too thin.

Well, maybe thin would work.

We'll see. If I do it I'll show you.

"...he kept crying out..."

2011-08-17T10:37:00.000-06:00

If you were blind... literally, you could not see... and you had a possible opportunity to instantly regain your site would you take it?

If there was a remedy right in front of you, what would you do?

I'd like to think you'd go after it with all the strength you had!

Let's see, blindness vs. sight... dark vs. light.

I think I'll take sight, thank you very much.

In Luke 18 blind Bartimaeus hears a commotion, someone says Jesus is passing by.

He has heard stories of healing. This is his chance! HIS chance!

"Jesus... have mercy on me!"

But the people leading the way with Jesus "were sternly telling him to be quiet." (vs.39)

WHAT? Seriously?

Did they not know Who they were walking with???

The must not have. The could not have!

Here is a Man who can heal, and here is a man who needs healing.

DUH!!!

Yet, they told Bartimaeus to stop calling out.

Don't you think instead they should have grabbed Bartimaeus's arm and brought him to Jesus?

Don't you think they would have been trying to help the blind man?

"Jesus! Jesus! Heal this man! JESUS!!! Stop! This man is blind! You can help him see! JESUS!"

Instead they told him to be quiet.

What if Bartimaeus would have done what they said?

What if he would have stopped calling out?

(Now, we can't know for sure, because Jesus is merciful.)

But, maybe Jesus would have passed by and there would have been no story of this healing recorded in Luke 18 because it would never have taken place.

Bartimaeus would have been quiet.

But, NO!

"Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

"And Jesus stopped..."

He kept crying out, Jesus stopped...

and Bartimaeus was given his sight.

Instantly.

Healed.

This isn't a parable.

This isn't a fairytale.

This isn't out of a storybook.

THIS REALLY HAPPENED.

A man was blind, and then he could see.

All because "he kept crying out."

Now, I love how Jesus says "What do you want Me to do for you?" (vs. 41)

Hilarious.

But that's another blog post.

(Short story: Jesus already knows what you need, but He wants you to voice it. Sheesh. The man is obviously blind. Really, Jesus? He wants to see.

But, Jesus wanted him to say it, to put words to the need. "Uh, gee, Jesus. I was hoping you might do something about this thing that I'm dealing with. I mean, you know... just help me a little with this issue?"

Ummm. No.

"Lord, I want to regain my sight!"

Are you beating around the bush with your needs? Maybe you need to start voicing exactly what they are.)

Anyway, these other people with Jesus. What the heck was their deal?

Either they 1.) Didn't realize Who they were with, or

2.) Didn't think the man's need was important, was worthy of Jesus.

(So, I wonder if they thought their needs were important? Or were they just trying to be important by walking with Jesus? Ooooo... now that's a commentary on Christian culture.)

In either case, good thing Bartimaeus didn't listen to them.

He knew Who was passing by, and he knew the severity of his need.

So, "he kept crying out."

I also wonder if there were others, maybe around Bartimaeus who did listen to the people, who stopped crying out because they were told to be quiet.

Maybe that's why they're not mentioned in Luke 18. They stopped crying out.

Who's telling you to stop crying out today?

Who's telling you to be quiet?

Or are you someone who doesn't know who Jesus is? You don't need to wait for Him to pass by. That's why He died for us! His power is available to us all the time.

Or maybe you're someone who doesn't think your need... or someone else's need... is that important.

"I've lived with it this long. I mean, it's not like it's that critical. I just can't see anything. I mean, I'll manage."

What???

You have the opportunity to see and you're saying, "Oh, blindness is fine, thanks."

Whomever you are and whatever you need, decide today to keep crying out.

Be the Bartimaeus.

Be the Bartimaeus.

Choose sight.

On Birds and Ministry and Poop

2011-08-16T10:36:00.000-06:00

Sitting on my porch, staring out at Pike's Peak, listening to sounds drifting in the air around me.

There's an adorable little black and orange bird perched in the tree, singing a melody.

He rocks back and forth, sounding so sweet.

His colors are incredibly bright and he's adding such a special touch to the atmosphere.

Then I see a little something fall from his behind.

Yes, the bird pooped.

Nothing much to me sitting over here on the porch. It did startle the moment a bit, but he's a bird after all.

He's going to poop!

Even in the middle of adding so much good to the world around him.

A bird is going to poop.

But then I thought, what if I had been standing directly under the tree?

He still would have looked so marvelous and sounded so lovely... until he pooped.

If I had been sitting beneath him and been pooped on, I would have been more than startled.

It would have been frustrating. I would have had to clean up whatever got on me.

Or, what if someone else was sitting beside me? I would have had to help them clean up, too.

I probably would have been tempted to move, because I would have been pooped on!

But the fact that the bird poops doesn't make his colors any less bright or his sound any less lovely.

The fact that the bird poops doesn't diminish in any way what he's adding to the world around him.

*************************************

Observing the world around me, I see so many Christians doing amazing things.

I watch them give daily of their lives for the sake of spreading the gospel of the only One who can save us, Jesus.

They pour into those around them, walk where God leads, do everything they can to love and stand strong and encourage.

And then I see them make a mistake.

Yes, Christians make mistakes.

Sometimes we see the mistake and don't think much of it. It may startle us a bit at the moment, but they're people.

People are going to make mistakes!

Even in the middle of adding so much good to the world around them.

A Christian is a person, and people are going to mess up.

But sometimes I'm sitting directly under them.

Then the fact that they've messed up directly affects me.

I get frustrated. I have to clean up the mess on me... around me... my attitude.

And sometimes there's someone sitting right beside me, and the person's mistake directly affects them, too!

Then I have to help them get cleaned up as well.

Sometimes I'm tempted to move, because people's mistakes and messes affect me.

But the fact that this person, this Christ-follower, messes up doesn't make their heart any less genuine or their worship anything less than pure.

The fact that they make mistakes doesn't diminish in any way what they're adding to the world around them.

It doesn't make them any less of a Christ-follower... any less Christian.

Birds poop.

People make mistakes.

Sometimes there are birds that will perch right over us so they can poop directly on us.

And sometimes there are people... even those who say they are Christians... who intentionally make mistakes so it directly affects us.

But, as a whole, the fact that a bird poops and a Christian makes mistakes doesn't in any way lessen their beauty and the amazing impact they can have on the atmosphere of this world.

The reality is we're all going to make mistakes.

Just like all birds are going to poop.

But that bird still sits in my tree and sings and shines brightly and changes the world around him for the better.

Just like Christians are still going to walk out the love of Christ and stand strong for truth and change the world around them for the better.

Random Outfit Post

2011-08-13T18:31:00.000-06:00

I seriously think I wore this, like, a month ago.

I know.

Me.

Delinquent.

But I'm not even going to get back into how crazy our summer has been 'round these here parts.
(Do you even know how many blog posts I have backed up in this noggin o' mine?)

pulling it all together...

Tunic: American Rag, via Goodwill (This brand always seems to be great quality.)

Belt: Some little vintage leather thing via Goodwill

Leggings: Sale at American Apparel, from the hubs

Shoes: Nine West via Zappos

Jewelry: Earrings via Kenya, ring via Grams'

This outfit feels very fall-ish to me. The tunic (Shirt? Dress?) was perfect with jeans & boots late last winter, too. I don't normally wear busy patters, but this is fun for a change. I also belt it with a wide teal number that gives it a totally different feel.

But with all the pattern-ish-ness going on up top, it really needs a chunkier shoe to "anchor" the outfit.

Hence...

I've wanted to do a Sassy Shoe Thursday post with these new wedges, but have not gotten around to it. The back story is my dear, dear friend Jason gave me a Zappos gift card for my birthday seriously about four years ago. But every time I ordered something I wound up sending it back!

(Yes, I'm picky. I know that's hard to believe.)

I really wanted some natural-material wedges for this summer (and beyond!), put these in my cart over two months ago, and when I went back a few weeks ago they were marked down! Score.

(So, Jason, thank you for my awesome birthday gift!)

AND (here's the low-down, girls) they are truly all-day shoes. Sturdy. Comfy. Love.

(Yes, I tried them out running errands to make sure. Not that I usually run errands in heels... but if I wanted to, these would totally work.)

I feel very tall. *wink*

********************************

The kiddos start back to school *gasp* Monday... except for Jord, who doesn't have to go until Tuesday.

(He's pretty darn thrilled about that.)

Summer was short, with not nearly enough down days.

But we did have fun with the baseball and the football and the swimming and the Y and the various events and activities and...

I love my family.

Tremendously.

'Nuff said.

Opportunities

2011-08-05T23:19:00.002-06:00

Last Saturday Ian got (super cool) glasses.

This past Tuesday Jordan got (totally awesome) braces.

This past Wednesday Ian got hooked up to his (really amazing) insulin pump.
(Just saline right now so we can practice. Tuesday he goes "live," so to speak.)

Needless to say, we've had a lot going on lately.

(But, don't we always?)

And it's all a blessing.

Ian will be able to see the board at school.

Jordan will have straight teeth.

We'll be able to maintain much tighter control on Ian's blood sugar.

(He has diabetes, in case you didn't know. Is this the part where I'm supposed to say, "But diabetes doesn't have him?" Our God is bigger. How 'bout I just say that? ...me and Tomlin.)

Also, smack dab in the middle of all the newness, both cars needed work.

There were a lot of unexpected financial things... along with a lot of expected, but not usual, ones.
(It IS nearly the beginning of the school year.)

But, Nate was able to take care of both vehicles, keeping the costs to parts only.

(Yay for a handy hubby!)
And I learned how to pop the clutch to start a manual transmission!
(You can cheer louder now.)
I also had a surprising opportunity to earn some extra money by doing what I love to do, and meeting new and amazing friends in the process.

Once again, blessings and goodness that comes in the middle of what-the-heck-is-going-on-ness.

I sit here on the couch with an adorable ferret curled up asleep next to me.
The kids are all snug in their beds.
I'm thankful for opportunities that have come along unexpectedly.
I'm thankful for gadgets and gizmos that help with the expected and unexpectedness of life.
I'm thankful for blessing.
I'm even thankful for the what-the-heck-is-going-on-ness.

And I'm thankful for opportunities to be thankful.

I have an amazing husband and amazing kiddos.
And I have a God who sees and knows everything that's coming before it ever comes.
He provides.
He nurtures.
And He is faithful to give us opportunities to be thankful.

(And, yes. Ian still has his mullet... now with a fresh trim.

He's pretty serious about how awesome he thinks it is.)

Amazing Human Feats: Shaun White

2011-08-01T22:27:00.001-06:00

This is SO cool.

It doesn't matter if you're a sports lover or not, this is just super awesome to watch.

The set up is that it's pretty darn rare to score over a 90 on the vertical ramp.
Another guy had already scored a 91.
Shaun had to go big, or not at all.

Congrats on the gold, Shaun.

What a way to win it!

Late Night Musings

2011-07-29T00:00:00.001-06:00

Definitely not as exciting as Musings in Michigan or Musings from California, but musings, nonetheless.

*After the kids were in bed tonight I went in to switch laundry.

Being in the laundry room, I caught a glimpse of long-since-untouched sock basket.

I thought, "I should sort the socks tonight and pair them all up nicely."

*The sock basket is still sitting in the laundry room, untouched.

*Yesterday evening I sat on the bleachers, looking out over the extremely nice high school turf football field and watching the sun set behind the rocky mountains.

Breathtaking.

Then I realized... I mean, I knew, but sometimes it just hits you in a new way... that my son, MY SON, is going to be playing football on that field.

High school football.

HIGH SCHOOL FREAKING FOOTBALL.

*faint*

*I think God gives a special surge of strength to the hearts of mothers sometimes so they can endure the speed at which life goes.

*Rosie, our beloved ferret, has been roaming the house as I type this, until a minute ago.

She kept scratching at the bathroom door, which was closed because I didn't want her getting into the trashcan.

Scratching, scratching.

"Rosie, stop it."

Scratching.

"Rosie, seriously!"

Scratching.

"Okay, that's it. I'm putting you away."

No sooner had I put her in her cage than she scurries for the water bottle and gulps down massive amounts.

Whoops.

Evidently I had closed her cage so she couldn't get to the water.

*More often than not I think the things in life we're frustrated with are actually our own fault.

We just don't realize it yet.

*I really should compile a list of things people should be acquiring on summer clearance sales.

So many of them can transition to fall and winter, but the stores close them out anyway to move in new inventory.

Or you can get something for $5.00 now that you'll still want at the start of next summer, but at that time you'll only be able to find it for $25.00.

Case in point: swim suits, maxi skirts and tunics.

*Marijuana is all over the place right now.

The news. The streets. The conversations. The bandeau top that the very *large* girl had practically painted on her at the YMCA this evening.

And, whatever you say, however you want to try and justify it, the reality is that when you're high, you're high.

Your judgement is not at it's clearest, and your motor skills are a little off.

I wouldn't want a doctor performing surgery while high.
I wouldn't want a mechanic working on my car while high.

I wouldn't want a nanny driving around children while high.

I wouldn't want a pilot flying a plane while high.
I wouldn't want a lifeguard watching the pool while high.

And if you're really trying to bolster your argument and discredit mine, then don't sell bandeau tops to very large, unkempt women and have them wear them out in public.

Because that's not winning points with anyone.

*Now it's late again, which means I'm hungry and will most likely go raid the pantry before climbing into bed.

That probably negates the workout I did earlier.

But, at least I worked out, so I'm better off eating a late night snack than if I had NOT worked out.

*Once again, proving me the Queen of Situational Justification.

Except with too tight clothes, taking prescription meds out of someone's medicine cabinet or calling it a "debt ceiling" when it's more like a "debt escalator."

In those situations, justification is impossible.

*Pictures make every post better... just like fluffy baby bunnies make us say, "Aaaawww..." and be simultaneously a tad sick to our stomach due to intense cuteness.

And I can put pictures of them randomly throughout my blog posts.

Because it's my blog.

And I can do things like that.