FACT: I am guilty of making my husband take me to the circus once WITHOUT the children… and he “happily” obliged - (however, there was a rolling of the eyes!)
Wholeheartedly, I WILL admit it: I HEART the CIRCUS!
Fortunately, the circus comes to town around the first weekend or so of February every year! And GUESS who has a birthday around SAID 1st weekend of February?... Nope, its not me!
However, one little guy named Mack DOES!!!
Lucky for our family, my Mother-In-Law, Joanne, ALSO enjoys the circus (YET, another reason to LOVE the woman!!). Last year she treated the whole family to the circus for Mack’s birthday! And guess who is coming to town and taking us again today????? Yep, my very generous M-I-L, JOANNE – affectionately known as “Granny” by M&M... and at times have also been known to call her "JoJo Circus"! -- (which I think is hilarious!)
Now, let me clarify, I’m NOT(!) a fan of clowns – (Stephen King’s “It” did me in on those "happy" characters long ago!). But what I DO love about the circus is the talent and athleticism of the acrobats, the awesome animals (back off PETA!), the joy on the childrens’ faces, and ULTIMATELY, the $25 cotton candy and the $30 snowcones!! (Generally, we have to get one of each and share b/c they are so(!) stinkin' expensive!)
FACT: John and I had cotton candy AND snow cones at our wedding reception!! (guess who insisted on that little "bonus" treat?? ... I'll give you some time to think about it!)
I’m so glad that Mack has a bday JUST in the 'NICK OF TIME' for the ole’ CIRCUS! But let me just say that even if his bday wasn't around this time of year and I had to go all by myself, I would!! (without giving it even a second thought!)
FACT: I’m just a big kid stuck in an adult persons body!
Fo’ real people… I can’t tell you how excited I am about heading to the circus this afternoon for the Lions, and tigers, and Bears ...and did I mention COTTON CANDY AND SNOWCONES???
OH MY! :-)
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
HAPPY BDAY TO PAMMMMM....
(E*, Mote, Pam walkin' hand in hand on Kenyan soil!)
Today is my friend, Pam’s birthday!
I met Pam when she came to work at our church about a year ago. I can’t remember the date that I officially “met” her because I feel like I’ve always known her! We hit it off immediately – we’ve gone for walks, had coffee together, “interviewed” for church “broadcasts” (ha ha), played board games, laughed out loud about really dumb things (one of our favorite past times!), and spent time in Africa together!
Pam lived in Arusha, Tanzania for 2 years and had a few rather “radical” experiences there that forever changed her life. Because of those experiences, our church has an even more rock solid staff because she is on board!! She’s well traveled. She's fluent in Swahili. She's not a stranger of adversity, and yet(!), is a bold lover of Jesus…. She’s awesome! And when I get to spend time w/ my “Pam-a-lot” it makes me happy!
What I really like about our freindship is that even though we’ve only known each other for a relatively short time – I know that she will be honest with me. I’ve given her the authority to speak “truthfully” to me about decisions (good and bad) that I make – I love talking to her. There have been times when she’s spoken to me about something and I just “got it” – and I know that God has placed her in my life to make me a better person.
PAM,
I met Pam when she came to work at our church about a year ago. I can’t remember the date that I officially “met” her because I feel like I’ve always known her! We hit it off immediately – we’ve gone for walks, had coffee together, “interviewed” for church “broadcasts” (ha ha), played board games, laughed out loud about really dumb things (one of our favorite past times!), and spent time in Africa together!
Pam lived in Arusha, Tanzania for 2 years and had a few rather “radical” experiences there that forever changed her life. Because of those experiences, our church has an even more rock solid staff because she is on board!! She’s well traveled. She's fluent in Swahili. She's not a stranger of adversity, and yet(!), is a bold lover of Jesus…. She’s awesome! And when I get to spend time w/ my “Pam-a-lot” it makes me happy!
What I really like about our freindship is that even though we’ve only known each other for a relatively short time – I know that she will be honest with me. I’ve given her the authority to speak “truthfully” to me about decisions (good and bad) that I make – I love talking to her. There have been times when she’s spoken to me about something and I just “got it” – and I know that God has placed her in my life to make me a better person.
PAM,
you came into my life just in the “nick of time”…
I’m forever grateful that I know you and get to call you "friend"!
On this day of your birth, I hope you are still in your “jams”, eating a gluten free rice cake, slurpin’ on some coffee, and reading a book that you want to pass on to yours truly!
Love you, girl!
Xoxoxo,
E*
On this day of your birth, I hope you are still in your “jams”, eating a gluten free rice cake, slurpin’ on some coffee, and reading a book that you want to pass on to yours truly!
Love you, girl!
Xoxoxo,
E*
Thursday, February 5, 2009
John's LOVE for Zayleigh...
Back in Sept/Oct when I went on my mission trip to Africa, John took care of Zayleigh.
Now because Zayleigh wasn't "necessarily" his favorite "fixture" in our home at the time, I was a little worried about leaving her with him for 14 days.
Friends, John has a 3rd degree black belt in Kenpo karate. He has had big dogs his whole life. For my husband to take care of this 7 lb - loud mouthed - barely potty trained - ball of fur was his ULITMATE gift of love to me!
This weekend I heard a funny story about Zayleigh when she was in her "daddy's" care.
Apparently, John was walking Zayleigh after work one day (still in a suit and tie) when this man with a HUGE dog comes running towards them. Of coarse, Zayleigh (in all of her gusto) starts barking like the bulldog she thinks she is - MUCH to John's dismay!
Subconsciously, John had already jumped into a bush and was trying to "pretend" this whole scenario wasn't happening!
Feeling the pressure of trying to get Zayleigh to shut up and realizing how ridiculous he must have looked fighting with this "7 lb BARKING FUR BALL"
my husband reacted like an individual with touretts syndrome...
He turned towards the runner and BLURTED OUT with the same gusto as the 7lb barking fur
THIS BOLD PROCLAIMATION:
"THIS IS MY WIFES DOG!!!!"
The guy just gave him a weird look and kept running.
That's right people, that's myyyyyy DAWWWWGGGG!
Zayleigh, YES!?! But I'm talkin' about John!
Zayleigh, YES!?! But I'm talkin' about John!
He is myyyyy Dawwwgggg!
:-)
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Boundaries 101...
My husband told me something several years ago that I have
replayed over and over again in my mind.
He said: Healthy people establish and maintain boundaries in ALL relationships!
The older I get, the more I want to be known as a healthy, stable person. And the more I live and love on others, the more I agree with my husbands statement.
In order for me to be a healthy, stable person, I need to have healthy relationships with the people in my life.
Recently, I established some very structured and well defined boundaries with a person in my life that (at times) has caused me and my marriage pain and heartache. Unfortunately, I’ve found that when this one “unhealthy” relationship isn’t going particularly “well”, it causes my relationships with others (at times) to be less than “healthy” too!
I have prayed, I have fasted, and I have prayed some more about this – but after constantly feeling run over, taken advantage of, and often times just flat out angry, I feel like the time has come to set firm boundaries in place.
Last night in my quiet time, I prayed about how those boundaries were established and about the maintenance of those boundaries going forward. During my time with the Lord, I was reminded of my role as the wife and mother of my household.
He said: Healthy people establish and maintain boundaries in ALL relationships!
The older I get, the more I want to be known as a healthy, stable person. And the more I live and love on others, the more I agree with my husbands statement.
In order for me to be a healthy, stable person, I need to have healthy relationships with the people in my life.
Recently, I established some very structured and well defined boundaries with a person in my life that (at times) has caused me and my marriage pain and heartache. Unfortunately, I’ve found that when this one “unhealthy” relationship isn’t going particularly “well”, it causes my relationships with others (at times) to be less than “healthy” too!
I have prayed, I have fasted, and I have prayed some more about this – but after constantly feeling run over, taken advantage of, and often times just flat out angry, I feel like the time has come to set firm boundaries in place.
Last night in my quiet time, I prayed about how those boundaries were established and about the maintenance of those boundaries going forward. During my time with the Lord, I was reminded of my role as the wife and mother of my household.
God led me to Proverbs 31 – Verses 26-27:
“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
The more I meditated over these verses, the more I felt like God was releasing me from maintaining this particular relationship without boundaries. Given the nature of this “unhealthy” relationship, I have often times lost sight of God’s call on my life as the wife and mother of my home.
The Word says that MY(!) JOB is to speak wisdom with faithful instructions on my tongue (not rude or ugly things about others) AND that I need to be using MY(!) energies to watch over the affairs of MY(!) household - NOT(!) sitting idly worrying about a relationship with someone that isn’t set up to be “healthy” anyway??? (Regretfully, I have done this for wayyyyyy too many hours, months, and years to count!)
For the sake of me and my household, boundaries are a NECESSITY(!) in order to be the healthy and stable woman that ultimately God has Willed for my life!
Honestly, I should have set up these boundaries long ago – my feelings of heartache, bitterness, and feeling defeated shouldn’t have gotten to the levels that they did. But today, I’m HAPPY(!) because I feel like I finally did the right thing! And in my heart, its better late than never because I’m ready to continue my journey in striving for the Proverbs 31 wife and mother!
Two of my New Years resolutions were to “recognize my patterns” and to “choose not to take things personally”. I believe that by establishing these boundaries I’m well on my way to fulfilling these goals!
For the sake of me and my household, boundaries are a NECESSITY(!) in order to be the healthy and stable woman that ultimately God has Willed for my life!
Honestly, I should have set up these boundaries long ago – my feelings of heartache, bitterness, and feeling defeated shouldn’t have gotten to the levels that they did. But today, I’m HAPPY(!) because I feel like I finally did the right thing! And in my heart, its better late than never because I’m ready to continue my journey in striving for the Proverbs 31 wife and mother!
Two of my New Years resolutions were to “recognize my patterns” and to “choose not to take things personally”. I believe that by establishing these boundaries I’m well on my way to fulfilling these goals!
SOoOoOoO:
Yay GOD! Yay ME! Yay for BOUNDARIES! Yay for HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS!!
And ultimately, YAAAYYYY for the wisdom of my rockin’ (and very handsome) HUSBAND!!!!!!
Yay GOD! Yay ME! Yay for BOUNDARIES! Yay for HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS!!
And ultimately, YAAAYYYY for the wisdom of my rockin’ (and very handsome) HUSBAND!!!!!!
ANNNNDDDD on a very, "side" note: I’m having a fabulous hair day!
:-) Ohhhh Lucky me!
Mote --- TAKE TWO
And in the event you would like to see the kind of humor that I referred to in my previous post regarding my beloved "Mote"...
please see:
The girl is HA!Larious...
Love. lurve. LAAAAVVVVEEEEE HER!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Photography on the side – TAKE ONE!
I did my first “official” photo shoot in January with one of my very dear friends…
AMANDA (who I very affectionately will ALWAYS call “Mote”), went to Africa with me in September, has been in Hot Totties for years, goes to my church, is so hilarious that my cheeks always hurt when in her company, and is a country girl thru and thru – bottomline, I love her! Like, literally, A.D.O.R.E. her zany approach to life!
She’s Fun. Outgoing. Thoughtful. And… GETTING MARRIED on June 13th!
The day after she got engaged, Mote called to share the wonderful news. While on the phone, I asked her if I could take some “engagement like” photos of them to help me learn more about my “style” and “quickness” in utilizing the gazillion(!) functions on my camera. She was quite enthusiastic about my request and couldn’t wait to get it on the books (which, came as a complete shock!).
After one failed attempt due to bad weather, we set out on a Sunday in 30 degree weather to capture the love of Amanda and Brian.
After one fun, yet, very C.O.L.D. afternoon – ONE thing that I know for SURE regarding my “style” and camera “quickness”:
I certainly begin the adventure of "photography on the side", with the BEST COUPLE EVER!!! Capturing their “love in a lens” was INCREDIBLY humbling to me!
Brian and Mote… I can’t thank you enough for sharing that afternoon with me! You set my heart on fire EVEN MORE(!) regarding my desire for photography (which I didn’t even know was possible!!). You helped push me out of my comfort zone and try out this idea of “photography on the side”! I had SUCH a wonderful time…
One thing is for certain: I believe in your love!
Can’t wait for the wedding! Xoxoxo, E*
Late evenings and then EARLY mornings...
Are NOT good for me!
Last night we had our life group over to watch the Super Bowl. We had an ABSOLUTE blast… not only did the women hang out in the kitchen w/ the food (which is my kind of party ANYWAY!…) but we LAUGHED the majority of the night! It was fabulous…
What WASN’T fabulous was the stinkin’ alarm clock going off at 4:30am reminding me that my butt had to be at work at 5:30 this morning!
Because I was busy being a social lite last night, this day is “somewhat” dragging into oblivion!
But on the bright side there is only 73 days to go until I get a full week off…
AND get to go to my baby sister, Lisa’s bridal shower in VA!…
73 days… AND COUNTING!
Last night we had our life group over to watch the Super Bowl. We had an ABSOLUTE blast… not only did the women hang out in the kitchen w/ the food (which is my kind of party ANYWAY!…) but we LAUGHED the majority of the night! It was fabulous…
What WASN’T fabulous was the stinkin’ alarm clock going off at 4:30am reminding me that my butt had to be at work at 5:30 this morning!
Because I was busy being a social lite last night, this day is “somewhat” dragging into oblivion!
But on the bright side there is only 73 days to go until I get a full week off…
AND get to go to my baby sister, Lisa’s bridal shower in VA!…
73 days… AND COUNTING!
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