Gettin' a Little Real and a Blog Announcement

I've been pretty proud this week that I have stuck to my She Reads Truth goals.  I did miss one day and one posting, but I blame the electricity outage from the storm this weekend.  I had a lot planned for Friday and Saturday... and none of it got done :(  

But moving on... The heart behind these goals is to make sure that I do more than just read a paragraph or two each day and then move on unchanged.  I don't want to forget the little lessons being whispered to me each morning.  

If there is one message that has really stuck out to me, it would be from the devotional on Day 2.  It talks about disappointment when things don't go our way or when our dreams for our lives seem slow in coming.  The author reminds us that, "Our plans, even on our very best day, are nothing compared to the amazing plans God has for us."

This is comforting for me, a major dreamer.  I love the author's reminder that God is sovereign in his timing, never too early or late in fulfilling his dreams in and for my life. I know that some of my dreams are from the Lord, and that they will come to pass some day. 

I don't talk about my dreams very often.  They're hard to explain and some are pretty wild.  But I will say that I don't think I've ever struggled with dreaming big for myself or the future.  Even as a youngster, I dreamt of being the next child actress or famous singer.  But it wasn't really the fame or spotlight I craved, believe it or not.  When I day-dreamt about celebrity life, I dreamt about the influence I would have.  I pictured TV interviews where I shared about my faith in Christ.  I saw myself singing and sharing the gospel to huge crowds.  I imagined lives changed by the Jesus they saw in me.

So proud to be the angel in a Christmas Nativity play!

Those dreams have changed and evolved over the years.  Ovbiously, I'm not a child star and I've never been on TV.  But I still dream of impacting others in a large way for Christ.  So when I read that last question in Day 2 of the devotional about chasing after a mediocre future when God wants to give you the extravagant, it really resonated with me.  I know God has extravagant dreams for me.  Even bigger than my own wild dreams for myself.  And that is super encouraging :)

But I also don't want to settle for the mediocre while I'm waiting for the extravagant.  And I don't want to miss the great moments and opportunities I come across in the present because I'm looking for something bigger and better in the future.  So I've made another goal and decided to make it a priority to blog more regularly about the things the Lord is doing in my life.  

1. To keep me in the present and to show myself the progress I am making in becoming more Christ-like.  And...
2. Because when God does do extravagant things in my life, I am sure going to want to write those down!

On the blogging note, I've been thinking about my blog: the look, the name, all of it.  And I just wasn't feeling it anymore... so... *brace for blog announcement*

We're Moving!

Just down the street in the blogger neighborhood, nothing too crazy. *wink*  But I'm really excited about a fresh look as I share my hopes, dreams, and all that God is teaching me.  My new blog is called Extravagant Dreams and I think both the name and the new look are a better fit for me. But I'd also love to know what you think. Won't you come share this journey with me?

  These are the thoughts I've been chewing on and mulling over this week.  I apologize if this was a little all over the place.  Thanks for letting me share! :)

A little kick in the bum for myself :)

So I'm following this blog called She Reads Truth.  It's basically a bunch of women going through the same devotional together and they're using social media to encourage, challenge, and pray for each other.  An online accountability group or Bible study, so to speak.

I did the first devotional sort of non-committedly (is that a word?).  I didn't get much out of it, but that's probably because I read sporadically and sort of hurried through them.  But when that devotional ended and they started a new one, I made up my mind to do things differently this month.  I really love this idea and I really want to be involved this time.  I need the accountability, challenges, and encouragement. So I decided to make some goals and challenge myself to be more involved.

There are a lot of blogs that I follow pretty anonymously - meaning, I read, but don't comment *hangs head in shame*.  I haven't gotten over my blog shyness yet.  :/ I should probably address that sometime.... But this blog and She Reads Truth community is going to be different.  I want to really be a part of this.  I want it to change me.  So even though I'm posting this about six days late, here are the goals I've set for myself.

• To read the devotional every day
• To talk to someone about it once a week
• To journal about it twice a week
• To post, comment, or tweet about it three times a week.

So here goes post #1.  Check back soon for post #2 and a fun little blog surprise! :)

In the meantime:  What has the Lord been teaching you lately?  I'd love to hear!

Weekend of Awesome-ness

So after writing this post and mentioning that we weren't going to be able to go to Canada, my wonderful, amazing, awesome hubby comes home the next day and asks if I want to go to the beach for the weekend since we couldn't do our family vaca.  Ummm... YES!!!!

I am a total beach bum and am so down for spontaneous beach weekends.  Looks like we got our mini vacation after all. :)  Isn't God kind?

Our hotel was right near a Sonic.  I sort of have a major addiction to Sonic (formed during my two years in Texas when I lived 1.5 minutes away from one.  Happy hour slushies?  Every. DAY.)   I think we ate at Sonic a total of four times during our short weekend there.  Yea, my stomach kind of hates me now, but it was so worth it! 

The US Airforce Thunderbirds also happened to be in town, so we got a cool airshow all weekend.  The traffic it caused wasn't so awesome, but it was pretty nifty watching these huge planes swirl and twirl, and dip and dive-bomb.  

We spent the day lazing in the perfect, warm, sun, and then cooling off in the chilly, but refreshing water.  We read books, tossed a football around, people watched, ate way too much greasy food, and just basically had the most awesome two-day vacation ever.  

Sorry for the blurriness - I can't figure out how to fix it! :/

One of the things I love about OC is the street performers that come out at night.  My favorite is the Spray Paint Artist.  He is so cool!!!!!  

We also saw a hyperactive kid playing guitar and harmonica so fast we thought he was going to pass out.  We're horrible people so we sat and giggled at him while we ate our ice cream.  Don't worry, he didn't know.  *sheepish smile*

The last time we went to OC we sort of got hooked on this arcade game.  We played so much we ended up with enough tickets for a football, a lanyard, and cute little beach decorations that make our bathroom look pretty.  This time?  We got addicted to an even bigger, better game.  

You know those weirdos you see with a million tickets coming out of their machine?  They have to practically wear their tickets in order to carry them all around.  They're the ones that win those awesome prizes that cost thousands of tickets and not the measly 100 or so that normal people win.  Well... We were THAT couple.  

Seriously, guys.  We had almost 12,000 tickets... I was carrying them around in a plastic bag because I couldn't hold it all in my hands.  But I'm not ashamed of our geeky-ness; we totally had a blast and made some hilarious memories.  We also won an awesome Coleman tent that I carried around proudly for the rest of the day.  Funny, right? Who wins a tent at an arcade??  

We do. :)

Suffice it to say, it turned out to be a pretty spectacular weekend.   While I still wish we could have made it to Canada with our family, our weekend at the beach turned out to be just what we needed.  We both came back rested, de-stressed, and definitely tanner.  Or redder in my husband's case (hehe!) 

We are blessed indeed. :)

Choosing Joy

Psalm 33:4-5

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.  The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

"He is faithful in all he does."  

 :) That's a really assuring sentence.  Sometimes I feel so faithless, but it is so soothing and comforting to know that in ALL He does, He is still faithful.  The "justice" part of me often thinks of God as... retaliatory?  

If I do something bad... then God will punish me.  If I do something good... God will bless or reward me.  This promise reminds me that I can trust Him to be acting for my overall good and growth and benefit no matter what I do or what kind of day I'm having.  

I encourage you to take this little phrase and put it in your mental pocket today.  :)  Remind yourself today of God's faithfulness and unfailing love for you in all that He does.  

Today I'm praying that you know His righteousness and truth in your heart.  That you see His faithfulness worked out in your life today.  Though He is righteous and just, his unfailing love is EVERYWHERE.  I pray that you see that unfailing love in every thing your eyes rest on today.  I'm praying for the kind of eyes that see Christ in everything.  :)  And I'm praying for joy to rule in your heart - over all the stress, over all the noise, over all the frustration and chaos.  Just joy.  :) 

This is a letter I wrote to my husband this morning to encourage him at work.  I wrote it this morning full of joy and truly assured of the promises of God's love for me in this verse.  This morning after receiving a sweet text from my husband.  This morning while I was thinking about my relaxing night to myself in the evening.  This morning when I thought we were going to Canada for an extended weekend stay at a cabin on the lake.  

Then my day happened.

As soon as I got home from work part-time-job-#1, I got a phone call with some information that could potentially mean no longer working at part-time-job-#2.  

Then hubby came home needing to eat and dash so he could get to his small-group meeting on time.  I completely forgot about making dinner [fail] because of the phone call and ended up making a mess in the kitchen [fail] while I tried to make a quick dinner and get him out of the door on time [fail].  

On top of that, we had to finally come to terms with the fact that we are not going to be able to go to Canada this weekend.  Hubby's passport expired in May and the renewed passport has still not arrived yet.  I know we just had a vacation in March - and it was truly WONDERFUL... but these past few months have been stressful, especially for hubby.  This is his childhood vacation spot and I was hoping a mini vacation would help loosen up those shoulder muscles that have been permanently tensed since his first day at this job.

Tonight, I was struggling to feel that same joy and complete trust in God's unfailing love that I did earlier today.  But I KNOW He is good.  I know there is a meaning for all of this.  I know He loves us and wants what is best for us.  And I know that He is faithful.  Always.

So while I might have been wallowing in self-pity [just a little!] at the beginning of this draft,  I am choosing to trust Him in this job situation.  I am choosing to believe that staying home this weekend is for our good and benefit [and not because I did something bad!]  I am choosing joy while I tidy up my messy kitchen.  :)

Be blessed today, friends.  I hope you choose joy today too.

Youngster hubby fishing in Canada - is he too adorable for words? ;)

Geeks, S'Mores, and Just Dance

What a full weekend!  It's amazing how just one extra day off with the hubby can make the weekend seem so much more relaxing and fun.  Here's a re-cap on our Memorial weekend adventures:

The BFF and I :)

Hubby rockin' the nerd glasses

We started the festivities early with a Geek Pride party on Friday.  :)  I was pretty proud of my Rubik's Cube T-shirt (it made me think of the T-shirts that Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory wears).  The food was awesome and geeky; I wish I hadn't forgotten to take pictures of it.  We had Tetris shaped brownies.  Little Pacman cheeses.  Pocky sticks. The whole geeky works!

LOL! Such a goofball...

On Saturday we had a little BBQ at our place.  Hubby grilled burgers and hotdogs, we even tried grilled corn on the cob for the first time. :)

It turned out deliciously! 

After it got dark, we roasted marshmallows over the grill.  I think this was one of my favorite parts of the day. :)  It looks like we are camping and it's just in our front yard!  

Then we brought the party inside... :)  Just Dance is seriously AMAZING.   And it's a great workout too.  :)  I would exercise all the time if my friends came over and played this game with me haha.  

All in all, it was a great weekend of rest, fun with family and friends, and a time to remember and be thankful for the privilege of living in this country. Thanks to all the faithful men and women who sacrificed their time, comfort, families, and lives so that we could live our lives in freedom.  I truly am grateful for the blessings we have because of your dedication to our country.  

I dropped my phone.... (Part 2)

Remember this post?  The one with the happy ending, because even though my phone attempted suicide it took my advice and lived?

Of course you do.  I posted it two days ago.  Well... the unthinkable has happened.  I kid you not, FIVE MINUTES after I clicked "Publish" on that post my phone re-attempted (and succeeded) its suicide mission.

SERIOUSLY?!?!?!

I can't even believe I did this.  The sad thing is, it happened the same way.  I totally should have known better than to put my phone in my back pocket when I went to the bathroom.  I usually don't do that.  :/  I'm actually pretty furious with myself.  :(

Hubby made a valiant effort at reviving it back to life.  He even got a flicker on the screen after all the blow drying and rice soaking.  But the poor phone just couldn't survive two potty dunks in a week.

So if I'm not answering your texts and phone calls, I apologize.  Also, if you know anyone who has a spare phone, let me know! ;)  Most people with a broken phone have told me they enjoyed the break from having to talk to everyone, but I'm feeling lonely and disconnected. I spent the morning looking online for a replacement that won't break the bank.  HA!

Rest in Peace, little phone.  I'm sorry I drowned you.  :(

I dropped my phone...

... in the toilet.  :/  Major bummer.

Don't even ask me how this happened.  I had just gotten home from work and think I must have still been in the coma induced state that hits you as soon as you leave the office and get into your car.

 I walked into the bathroom, lifted the lid, and SLIP!  Into the porcelain throne it goes.  :(

Yes, I reached in and grabbed it.  And YES, I soaked my hand in antibacterial hand sanitizer afterwards.  Yuck!

I tried soaking it in rice for a few hours, but it wasn't working so Hubby saved the day and blasted it with air from my blow dryer during commercials while we watched The Big Bang Theory.

It almost made a full recovery.  I lost all the apps that were saved on my SD card, but it miraculously saved the pictures and videos.  So thankful for that!!!!

So now I am doing a total app purge on my phone and starting over.  I had way too many pointless apps and they were major slowing down my phone.  Like the poker game I played once and haven't touched since. Or that recipe app that I barely used.  I'm trying to only download/keep ones that I actually use on a regular basis.

 So how about you guys...any recommendations on new ones I should download?  What are your top phone apps that you can't live without?

Guess What Came in the Mail Today????

...and guess who is going to be completely unproductive this weekend?  ;)

These were a gift from my sweet husband and have been on backorder for a month.  I am looking forward to finally being filled in on the excitement I have obviously been missing.  They better be as good as you all say they are, friends!!! ;)

What other books are YOU currently reading?

Quick Review on Year 1 of Married Bliss :)

Well, this year has absolutely flown by.  Wanna see what I've been up to the past year?? Take a look! :)

MARCH 2011

March, 12, 2011.  Absolutely, the best day of my life. :)  

 

We honeymooned in the Dominican Republic, soaking up lots of sun and enjoying the BEAUTIFUL views.  I felt like we stepped into a postcard for a week, everything was so gorgeous.  

April 2011

My bestie and I pulled an awesome April Fool's prank on my husband and his friends while they were at their poker guy's night.  Well... we thought it was awesome...they thought it was awful.  It resulted in our first married couple fight later on, but thankfully he forgave me and I vowed never to mess with his car again. :)

May 2011 

We hosted our first family night at our house in May.  Below is what the basement looked like when we first moved in.  We put down the flooring by ourselves and found an amazing deal on the sectional sofa so we were very proud of how cozy we made our new little house. :) 

June 2011

In June, I got my first salon job as a hairstylist at an Aveda salon nearby.  I became their Color Specialist after only 3 months of working there.  While I'm not there anymore, it was a great learning experience and I am so thankful for all the opportunities I had there.

July 2011

Celebrating the 4th together. :)  

August 2011

Birthday month!  I am forever in love with the beach, so hubby took me to Ocean City for the day on my birthday weekend.  This is me all dressed up in my birthday shirt from my sweet baby sister.  

September 2011

We added a new member to our family in September.  Meet Ava.  She is sweet, but spunky, and the most curious bunny I've ever met.  She loves to help me get ready for work in the morning by running in circles around my feet.  She also likes to imitate me by standing on her two hind feet and looking into our full length mirror with me while I put on my make-up.

October 2011

Hubby's birthday month and Halloween, of course.  I was Batgirl.  He was Horrible Pun Man. :)  

November 2011

Turkey Bowl!  I look really mad in this picture, but I had tons of fun!  Even caught some passes and almost made a touchdown.  That's my goal for next year. :)

December 2011

Along with all the normal holiday activities we did, we also helped out a friend by "starring" in his Zombie spoof web series trailer for a school project.  Don't we look absolutely dreadful? 

January 2012

We partied in the New Year in style!  ....and then got up super early to teach Sunday School the next morning haha.  DEFINITELY took a nap that afternoon. :)

February 2012

This is us at a UMD women's basketball game for my sister's birthday.  We beat Duke at the last second - such a great game!

March 2012

We got super lucky and were able to find a great deal on a second honeymoon for our anniversary.  :)  It was a much needed vacation and we had a wonderful time reliving the great memories from our first year and sharing our hopes and dreams for the year to come.  I am a blessed woman indeed to be sharing life with this incredible man. :)

Hope you all enjoyed the update!