Hello, strangers.
Yes the holidays have come and gone and I initially had all these posts planned of cute ideas I had or creative advice that I could give, and then the inevitable happened when the weather changed from 70 degrees to 30:
I got a nasty cold.
There have been a lot of crumpled up tissues, peppermint oil, and immunity boosters in our house lately. And through it all, David has really been more caring and understanding. When we first were married, he struggled a but in this area because he had never had to care for a human other than himself before, so it took a lot of patience on his end and he had trouble like most newlywed men. I say men because most women have the nurturing instinct built inside of them from the day they are born - the desire to keep things nourished, healthy, and happy. It's not a coincidence that women were made to birth a child and raise them, to be the supportive and caring mommy that every child needs.
Anyway, David has been getting so much better. He's becoming a better husband every day.
You don't realize how difficult marriage is going to be until you are actually married - living inside the reality of dealing with the crazy differences and perks of another person. To be stable, loving and forgiving no matter what happens is a hard thing to do. And I admit, I'm not always that person. In fact, I'm never perfect. Neither is he. So, the last year of our marriage was tough but we also had so many good times of laughter.
We were brought together in the beginning because of our crazy personalities - we connected to each other in a way that was almost magnetic. I guess crazies attract crazies. Ever since we got married, our personalities have toned down a lot. I think being a responsible, working adult can do that to you. But I want to forever cherish that side of us - the side that a lot of people can honestly say they have never had. And every day that our marriage gets tough and I may think that it's too much for me to handle, I give it to God and he sends me the memories of the laughter we've shared. Moments with laughter can never be replaced.
This Christmas was a true blessing. I didn't deserve the gifts I received, but I am thankful nonetheless. My favorite gift was a book my brother made me of all of our inside jokes growing up. I don't think he left out a single one. He's the best.
I will be posting in this blog later this week. Rachael, Sal, Peter and Joscelynn are visiting Florida for the rest of the week and we have all sorts of plans. Beach, Disney World... it's going to be a good week. And my nose is starting to clear. I can't smell or taste yet (my two favorite things) but atleast I can breathe again. And a few nights ago as I was practically wheezing and couldn't sleep, I realized that I take my health for granted. I have never once worked out just because I'm healthy and want to stay that way - it's usually always to work a troubled spot or lose weight. But I've realized how important it is to start exercising again (it's been a few months) and to get back on track - for my health so I don't ever have to permanently be ill when I have the power to take care of my body.
So, alas, here are my resolutions for 2011:
1. More blogging (once or twice a week)
2. More photoshoots & advance my skills in photography
3. Play piano daily
4. Write more songs on piano
5. Attend more auditions for musical theater (that is my life's dream after all)
6. Start college FINALLY
7. Work out more often, eat healthier than I have been the last few months. I'd like to lose 30 pounds in 2011. Very possible!
8. Pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus. He has all the answers I need to life
9. Love people more
10. Become more of a confident person and to feel more comfortable in my own skin and walk in that on a daily basis
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
It's beginning to feel like Christmas.
I'm the only person that has been driving down the street with the windows down, Glee Christmas CD turned up, and feeling the cool 32 degree air on my skin.
These Floridians are a bunch of wuss'.
And while I have definitely become more accustomed to the heat and the sun throughout the past year, the cold has brought me closer to my innermost being. These are my childhood memories. Through all the driving I've done from one job to another, back home, church, work, etc I have had a lot of time to think and reflect upon some memories that really get me in the Christmas spirit. Here are some I wanted to share:
1. Walking in the street at night, looking at my house all lit up with lights and singing some cheesy song I just wrote on the top of my head about a Starry night - pretending I was making the music video.
(Was I the only kid who did those things?)
2. The long walks I would take with my family and grandparents in the chilly night of Wyoming. I remember being all bundled up, smelling chimney smoke, hearing the cars passing on the nearby freeway and anticipating the arrival of Santa that night and all the love and gifts that Christmas morning promises.
3. It never snows on Christmas Eve in Colorado, but Wyoming it snows without fail. This is why I love spending Christmas there. I remember looking out the window and seeing massive snowflakes - you know, the kind that hits the ground and stays there and when you go out and walk in it it's like crunchy powder - the perfect kind for snowmen. I remember sitting on my grandpa's lap as he read me, Jeremy, baby Kiley, and our cousins a Christmas story and as our uncle was in the other room shaking a jingle bell and my parents telling us it meant Santa was in the neighborhood and we had to go to bed quickly or he'd pass over us.
4. The Santa tracker website. I don't know if anybody else went to this website growing up, but it made Santa's arrival feel so real. I always pictured him flying over landmarks (wherever he currently was).
5. My parents made Santa feel so real that I can honestly say I didn't really know the truth until maybe 10 years old. I mean, they went all out! They would eat the cookies (but leave little crumbs and pieces), drink half of the glass of milk, and they would even have snow prints of boots going from the fireplace (or door) to the tree. I don't even know how they did that.
6. Writing letters to Santa on Christmas Eve was always my job. I took pride in it and absolutely loved it. I never forgot to write him a letter expressing my thanks and gratitude for freezing his butt off this one day of the year in his cold sleigh and for never passing over our house.
7. I love that "Santa" did this and I want to do this for my kids:
Whenever I would do something like give away a toy, or try to raise money for homeless people throghout the year, Santa would give me something special along with a note basically saying "I remember when you did this for this person, so here you go." One year I got a rainbow sparkly dress for my Barbie because I gave away an outfit of Barbie's earlier in the year. To this day, that's one of the greatest gifts I've ever received. Why? Because of the note that was attached. It was much more than a gift, it was a note of acknowledgement. (My love language is words if you haven't been able to tell by now).
8. Looking through a giant catalog of toys and circling any of them that I wanted. I probably circled all of them, but what I really loved about the catalog was the smell. =P
9. The closeness and laughter of family on Christmas morning is always my favorite part. Jeremy and I always would sleep together on Christmas Eve and, once Kiley was born, we took turns with her every year. I loed being next to my siblings. It was harder to go to bed that way because when two young kids are anticipating Christmas, who can put that to sleep?
There are too many memories to put on here. There are so many!
I know most of my memories were focused around Santa, but Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas and my parents made sure to always make that the main point. Without his grace, love and mercy, we'd all just be messed up creatures roaming the earth. I'm thankful for our Saior's birth.
Next post will have pictures, promise!
These Floridians are a bunch of wuss'.
And while I have definitely become more accustomed to the heat and the sun throughout the past year, the cold has brought me closer to my innermost being. These are my childhood memories. Through all the driving I've done from one job to another, back home, church, work, etc I have had a lot of time to think and reflect upon some memories that really get me in the Christmas spirit. Here are some I wanted to share:
1. Walking in the street at night, looking at my house all lit up with lights and singing some cheesy song I just wrote on the top of my head about a Starry night - pretending I was making the music video.
(Was I the only kid who did those things?)
2. The long walks I would take with my family and grandparents in the chilly night of Wyoming. I remember being all bundled up, smelling chimney smoke, hearing the cars passing on the nearby freeway and anticipating the arrival of Santa that night and all the love and gifts that Christmas morning promises.
3. It never snows on Christmas Eve in Colorado, but Wyoming it snows without fail. This is why I love spending Christmas there. I remember looking out the window and seeing massive snowflakes - you know, the kind that hits the ground and stays there and when you go out and walk in it it's like crunchy powder - the perfect kind for snowmen. I remember sitting on my grandpa's lap as he read me, Jeremy, baby Kiley, and our cousins a Christmas story and as our uncle was in the other room shaking a jingle bell and my parents telling us it meant Santa was in the neighborhood and we had to go to bed quickly or he'd pass over us.
4. The Santa tracker website. I don't know if anybody else went to this website growing up, but it made Santa's arrival feel so real. I always pictured him flying over landmarks (wherever he currently was).
5. My parents made Santa feel so real that I can honestly say I didn't really know the truth until maybe 10 years old. I mean, they went all out! They would eat the cookies (but leave little crumbs and pieces), drink half of the glass of milk, and they would even have snow prints of boots going from the fireplace (or door) to the tree. I don't even know how they did that.
6. Writing letters to Santa on Christmas Eve was always my job. I took pride in it and absolutely loved it. I never forgot to write him a letter expressing my thanks and gratitude for freezing his butt off this one day of the year in his cold sleigh and for never passing over our house.
7. I love that "Santa" did this and I want to do this for my kids:
Whenever I would do something like give away a toy, or try to raise money for homeless people throghout the year, Santa would give me something special along with a note basically saying "I remember when you did this for this person, so here you go." One year I got a rainbow sparkly dress for my Barbie because I gave away an outfit of Barbie's earlier in the year. To this day, that's one of the greatest gifts I've ever received. Why? Because of the note that was attached. It was much more than a gift, it was a note of acknowledgement. (My love language is words if you haven't been able to tell by now).
8. Looking through a giant catalog of toys and circling any of them that I wanted. I probably circled all of them, but what I really loved about the catalog was the smell. =P
9. The closeness and laughter of family on Christmas morning is always my favorite part. Jeremy and I always would sleep together on Christmas Eve and, once Kiley was born, we took turns with her every year. I loed being next to my siblings. It was harder to go to bed that way because when two young kids are anticipating Christmas, who can put that to sleep?
There are too many memories to put on here. There are so many!
I know most of my memories were focused around Santa, but Jesus is the true meaning of Christmas and my parents made sure to always make that the main point. Without his grace, love and mercy, we'd all just be messed up creatures roaming the earth. I'm thankful for our Saior's birth.
Next post will have pictures, promise!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
the start of the holidays (plus winner of a giveaway!)
I really need to start getting on top of things and posting pictures of events the day after. It's now on my bucket list, ranking with about 34 others things from writing a musical to making my own clothes...
Wow, life can just be a blur sometimes, huh?
Lately my conversations with David have been considerably short - one of us is always running out the door whether it's for work, a meeting, or ministry. Currently, the hubs and I hold a total of 6 jobs and are pretty involved at our church and starting to dig in at another church, as well.
His third job is seasonal, meaning after December he will have a bit more time to relax.
But being busy is a good thing.
Having jobs is a good thing.
In case you're wondering, we find it very important to make time for each other and have alone nights together atleast once or twice a week.
We spent Thanksgiving at his parent's house. His grandma is in town from Staten Island staying with them which is really nice because when I come over and work for Ray (my father-in-law) I am able to get to know her better and just have nice chit chat time. It makes me miss my two grandmothers, but I am so grateful to have both of them alive with plenty more stories to share. By the way, there aren't any photos of Thanksgiving on here because my father-in-law snapped all the pictures on his new camera that he's proud of, so I will more than likely be posting his pictures later!
Holidays without my mom, dad, sister and brother are still tough for me. I wasn't able to spend the holidays with them last year, nor will I be spending it with them this year. Next year I am definitely flying my butt off to Colorado just in time for snow, family, christmas light looking, and the true magical feeling of Christmas.
This year I'm making David do every possible thing with me that is related to Christmas even though we are living in a tropical rainforest. I've heard that there is an ice skating rink, and fake snow parades of some sort... makes me chuckle. But hey, that's all the people know here. I sometimes ask my Floridian friends who have grown up here if it makes them sad that they've never had a snow day. "No," most reply, "because we have hurricane days!"
Hurricanes? You can't build forts and people out of hurricanes, hurricanes don't have flakes that are unique and precise and melt in your hands...
There was a little bit of Christmas festivity last Wednesday when Colette and I decided to take the kids to SeaWorld. When I say all four I mean Brandy, Chandler, their big brother Aidan, and their cousin Dallas.
We sure had our hands full but the kids really loved it. Even though it was blazing hot, the Christmas music was joyous and full of Christmas spirit. but, c'mon, "Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow?" Hypocrites. ;-)
Those pictures above are the baby orca whale born a month ago. Doesn't look like a baby, huh?
On the way home Brandy was throwing a fit (which is actually atypical of her) and I said something along the lines of "These moments are my birth control" to Colette. :)
But, to be honest, sometimes when I look at their big eyes and smiles, my heart yearns for the day when I have my own cute children.
I'm excited for that day just as long as it is not too soon. ;-)
I snagged this picture of Brandy and me on the kiddie coaster before the lady noticed:
Isn't that great? She was so brave. I don't think I was that brave at 3 and a half.
Last but not least, the winner of the random-comment-pulled-out-of-a-glass-bowl is...
Callierae also known as my grandma! Yay! I will be sending your Warm Vanilla Sugar body splash from Bath & Body Works as soon as possible!
There will be another giveaway very soon (January, probably) for those of you that were hoping to win, so check back!
Have a great week of festivities leading up to the Holidays! I think David and I will be decorating our tree tonight, I'm excited!
Just out of curiosity, what are three things you are thankful for? Thought I'd have the Thanksgiving even after the holiday. Here are my three things:
1. Freedom and identity in Christ
2. The love of family and friends
3. The hard times we go through in life that bring us closer to God (the theme of my life in the past year).
What are your three? Post them below!
Wow, life can just be a blur sometimes, huh?
Lately my conversations with David have been considerably short - one of us is always running out the door whether it's for work, a meeting, or ministry. Currently, the hubs and I hold a total of 6 jobs and are pretty involved at our church and starting to dig in at another church, as well.
His third job is seasonal, meaning after December he will have a bit more time to relax.
But being busy is a good thing.
Having jobs is a good thing.
In case you're wondering, we find it very important to make time for each other and have alone nights together atleast once or twice a week.
We spent Thanksgiving at his parent's house. His grandma is in town from Staten Island staying with them which is really nice because when I come over and work for Ray (my father-in-law) I am able to get to know her better and just have nice chit chat time. It makes me miss my two grandmothers, but I am so grateful to have both of them alive with plenty more stories to share. By the way, there aren't any photos of Thanksgiving on here because my father-in-law snapped all the pictures on his new camera that he's proud of, so I will more than likely be posting his pictures later!
Holidays without my mom, dad, sister and brother are still tough for me. I wasn't able to spend the holidays with them last year, nor will I be spending it with them this year. Next year I am definitely flying my butt off to Colorado just in time for snow, family, christmas light looking, and the true magical feeling of Christmas.
This year I'm making David do every possible thing with me that is related to Christmas even though we are living in a tropical rainforest. I've heard that there is an ice skating rink, and fake snow parades of some sort... makes me chuckle. But hey, that's all the people know here. I sometimes ask my Floridian friends who have grown up here if it makes them sad that they've never had a snow day. "No," most reply, "because we have hurricane days!"
Hurricanes? You can't build forts and people out of hurricanes, hurricanes don't have flakes that are unique and precise and melt in your hands...
There was a little bit of Christmas festivity last Wednesday when Colette and I decided to take the kids to SeaWorld. When I say all four I mean Brandy, Chandler, their big brother Aidan, and their cousin Dallas.
We sure had our hands full but the kids really loved it. Even though it was blazing hot, the Christmas music was joyous and full of Christmas spirit. but, c'mon, "Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow?" Hypocrites. ;-)
Those pictures above are the baby orca whale born a month ago. Doesn't look like a baby, huh?
On the way home Brandy was throwing a fit (which is actually atypical of her) and I said something along the lines of "These moments are my birth control" to Colette. :)
But, to be honest, sometimes when I look at their big eyes and smiles, my heart yearns for the day when I have my own cute children.
I'm excited for that day just as long as it is not too soon. ;-)
I snagged this picture of Brandy and me on the kiddie coaster before the lady noticed:
Isn't that great? She was so brave. I don't think I was that brave at 3 and a half.
Last but not least, the winner of the random-comment-pulled-out-of-a-glass-bowl is...
Callierae also known as my grandma! Yay! I will be sending your Warm Vanilla Sugar body splash from Bath & Body Works as soon as possible!
There will be another giveaway very soon (January, probably) for those of you that were hoping to win, so check back!
Have a great week of festivities leading up to the Holidays! I think David and I will be decorating our tree tonight, I'm excited!
Just out of curiosity, what are three things you are thankful for? Thought I'd have the Thanksgiving even after the holiday. Here are my three things:
1. Freedom and identity in Christ
2. The love of family and friends
3. The hard times we go through in life that bring us closer to God (the theme of my life in the past year).
What are your three? Post them below!
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