One Thing Remains

"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

The most wonderful thing about God and His word is the fact that verses that you may not have read for years are suddenly brought to the hearts' surface at just the right time, providing comfort, peace and clarity of mind and heart. Such is the story with this these verses. I'm one of those people who loves words. Like really loves words! And when I read something like Ecclesiastes, my soul is stirred. This isn't the first time this verse has been used as an entry point to one of my posts, but there's nothing more comforting than reading this, no matter what season of life you may be in. It reminds you that, as difficult as a "time" may seem, a new time will soon follow. Things come to pass, not to stay. And when your heart feels lonely and wonders why letting go can be so hard, you are reminded that God is in control and has taken care of all the details. When your heart feels rejected, you are reminded that one thing remains: God's love never fails. It never abandons, though we may feel estranged. It is stronger than any mountain we may face and deeper than any ocean we may wade. It reminds us that fear has no place in our hearts because God is on our side. It builds faith and strengthens the soul. It allows us to love the ones who hurt us and trust God to bring the healing. But more than anything, it allows us to find joy in the midst of any and every season. True joy. The kind that can't be manufactured by emotion or bought at a store. The kind that isn't dependent upon perfect circumstances. The kind that is brought about by the knowledge that God's love is never out of reach. Though all else may fail, this one thing remains.

How Feathers Save Chicken {and dog} Lives

Never, ever in my whole life have I been more grateful for real, live, breathing chickens than I have been today.  Here's why:

Part One: Remember how I moved back to Utah and have been reunited with my mountains?!

Well you better believe that once the weather warmed up, I've been making love to those dirt trails like no other! Actually, my shoes have. But you get the idea.

Lola and Piper have shared my enthusiasm and have been on cloud nine with all the new smells and poop trails that they've found along the way. Lola has been such a good girl lately, I've been able to let her off the leash so she can run and play as she pleases. You want to know why she can do that? It's because she comes running right when I call her name. Like the angelic dog that's burried deep within tells her to. Piper is still leash bound because her adventurous spirit tends to tune-out the sound of my voice once that leash is unclicked from her rhinestone collar.  The devil on her shoulder tends to drown out the angel on the other side. 

Part Two: Today, when I went home for lunch, I brought them out to the field next to our house to do business. Piper was leash bound and Lola was wandering, looking for the perfect spot to drop it.

All of a sudden, something caught Lola's eye. It was the neighbor's chicken that had somehow escaped the safety of the chicken-wired fence and was out-and-about exploring the wilderness of their backyard. All it took was the movement of feathers and Lola was off to smell out this new creature. My heart sank as I tried to run inside as fast as possible to lock Piper up {believe you me, we did not want Piper in that mix} and retrieve Lola before the smell of chicken brought out her inner bird-dog. No sooner had I closed the door before I saw Lola prancing across the field with her new-found toy. I was sick and starting to cry as I ran toward her, praying that somehow, the chicken would be okay.

She approached me, so proud of her big feathered prize, and to my relief, the only thing that her teeth had grasped was a mouth full of feathers on the back of Hulda {yes, I've named the chicken. We'd been through too much together at this point to not have given her a name}. I pryed Lola's mouth open and released the timid bird who ran to hide behind a bush while I drug my disappointed puppy inside to join her sister.

I returned to the field to look for my new friend, who I found hovering underneath a patch of thorny bushes. I picked her up without protest and cradled her like a baby.

The Part That's Somewhat Unrelated, Yet Necessary To The Story:
I feel like now would be a good time to insert the fact that, although I am a huge animal lover, I have had difficulty considering chickens as a receiver of that love. Mostly because I've been attacked by so many of them. I had one rooster who took it upon himself to be my horse's personal body guard. The only way to retrieve my horse was to go out in the field with a pitch fork and pocket full of rocks to ward off the claws of the attacking bird. I've hated them ever since.

Hulda was the most precious chicken I'd ever seen. She rested in my arms without complaint, and call me crazy, but I think she actually enjoyed the cuddling while I hiked around trying to return her to a place of safety.

To my dismay, all of the doors to the chicken coop were locked. My next option was to knock on the neighbors' door and come up with an explanation as to why I was holding their feather barren chicken. It had to be a good and believable explanation, one that wouldn't make them want to kill my dog. But yet again, it was a dead end. My only other option was climbing the fence. A fence that was lined with chicken wire and wouldn't allow climbing with my current and oversized bootwear.

You guessed it, boots came off and I was barefoot, climbing a fence, in someone else's yard, with someone else's chicken, in my professional work attire, like a freaking hill-billy!

But it was all worth it to see the relief in Hulda's eyes once she was back in the pen with her goat friends. Poor baby.

And that, my friends, was the day I was glad that chickens have feathers.
Not just because I love feather earrings, but because feathers save lives.

Obviously I'm feeling extreme satisfaction right now. I probably will be able to eat dinner {my nerves wouldn't allow lunch} and the shaking of my hands has subsided. All is well with the world and Lola will no longer be allowed off the leash in bird infested areas. Her instincts are stronger than the sound of my voice.

But you know what's stronger than instincts?

Prayers for a bird named Hulda.

Breakthroughs

"Breakdowns can create breakthroughs. Things fall apart so things can fall together."

Just thought I'd share a few of my views this week! I feel like a part of my soul that's been dormant for far too long is starting to come alive again! And man, does it feel good!

Happy Spring!

Reclining: the new walking.

Wow, friends, so much to tell!

I'm not going to appologize for neglecting you, because I'm not sorry.

I've been so busy living life that blogging about it hasn't been a number one priority.

I am, however, sorry for the fact that I miss the connection that blogging has brought me to all of you pretties.

Let's start here.

Today I am at work...which means I am currently employed!!

Employed by a wonderful company, the one I mentioned here, about the job that I had all of you crossing your fingers and toes for me for! {Thanks for that, by the way!}

I feel so blessed.

Matt and I both do.

He loves his job, the variety and challenges that accompany it every day.

He has bid farewell to monotony and embraced the changes that each day brings.

And if there was any question before on whether or not I was overcome with obsession over my niece, all of those questions can cease to exist as I can officially tell you, I'M OBSESSED!!!!

Seriously, I am so in love with that little sassy pants that it could probably border on mental illness.

She's at the age where she recognizes people and is equally obsessed with pulling my hair and glasses.

I call them "love tugs".

Would you even believe me if I told you she took her very first steps last week?!

Because she did. She did it and she's not even 10 months old yet.

Gypsy baby is growing up so fast, I can't even handle it!

What I can handle is this:

Just chillin'. Like a villain. In the grocery store.

Homegirl is obviously is wayyyy too cool for all us folks who choose to push the carts instead of recline in them.

Get with it people.

Is it Thanksgiving?!

If only you knew how many remarkable blog posts would be on here, if only my brain had a recording device that could type everything that I think of while I'm either showering or running.

It's pretty insightful stuff, folks!

But alas, you will never know those thoughts.

Instead, you will be stuck hearing stories about my dogs or my current sickness or moving. And while your eyes graze across the page, I bet you never imagined the one writing this has two tissues sticking out of her nose whilst her fingers ramble away. Just revert back to the comment on "current sickness".

It's a beautiful sight over on my side of the screen.

And though he would never say it, I'm sure husband would beg to differ.

Sweet as he is, he would never whisper a word of how much he dislikes the fact that I have to lift those tissues in order to give him a kiss. And kiss me, he does.
True love.

Marriage is funny that way.

It brings about both beauty and hardship.

I feel like I've grown so much the last two years, that sometimes when I look back at the girl who stood at the altar to say "I do," I don't even recognize her.

Marriage is a beautiful thing in which two individuals, working together, achieve one of the most incredible acts ever known to man; they become one.  Not through some miraculous happening, but through a lot of bending, giving, breaking, sanding, fighting, mending, forgiving, loving and accepting.

No easy task.

It's opening yourself up to another person and giving them every part of you, knowing full well that they could crush you in the deepest way, but trusting that they won't . And vice versa.

Marriage is knowing and being known to the fullest and sometimes most embarrassing ways and yet still loving that person no matter what pet-peeves {or tissues} may try to interfere.
And it is for that reason that I am grateful.
Grateful for having the opportunity to marry my best friend.
Grateful for the fact that he puts up with my oddities.
Grateful that he allows me to dream and evolve, never once asking me to change.
Grateful that nearly four years ago, he had the guts to email a girl in Utah who he'd never met.
Grateful for his heart
Grateful for his love.
And grateful that he's mine.

Salt Lake or Bust

So a few things have changed since we last talked.

1.)  I'm in a new state. The state where Utahns reside, to be specific.

2.)  In true Marcie fashion, I have a new hair color to go along with my new life change. 

Burgundy / brunette would be a great description of it. 

3.)  It's a new year!! 2013!!!! Can you even believe it?! If you're reading this, I'm assuming you, like me, survived the dreaded "End of the World" fiasco that was supposed to go down in December. 

Silly Mayans. When will you ever learn?!

{source}

After a long drive {approximately 25 hours} and five states later, Matt, the girls and I all made it safely to our new home in Salt Lake City.

The girls made the trip doped up on dramamine and kisses.

 They were the sweetest road trip buddies! Such little angels for having to be in the car for so long. And would you even believe that they still LOVE car rides?! I can hardly believe it myself. They must get their adventurous spirit from me! ;)

All in all, we're getting settled into our semi-temporary home! The cold has been a much bigger adjustment than either of us expected, especially considering I grew up here! I don't know how I managed to forget how frigid the winter air in Utah! Husband started his job this week and I've had two interviews with a company that I'm hoping will love me as much as I do them! 

{Please, oh please cross your fingers for me!}

And one last thing....Matt and I feel so UNBELIEVABLY grateful for the love and support that we've received from our families during this transition! Moving is no easy task, and we couldn't have done it without their help. From helping us get packed up, flying down to help with the drive and then to helping us unpack when Matt was sick with the flu, we both feel overwhelmed with all of the love and support our families have given us. We would be lost without all of their generosity! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts! We love you all so much!

The Flip Side

I'm nearly to the end of my goodbyes and about to start hellos!

Have I mentioned I'm no good at goodbye?

I like to think that I soak in every moment. The happy ones and the sad ones. 

When there's happiness, I'll be there basking in every ounce of sparkle and joy that arrives with that moment.  The same is true with the flip side. I feel every tickle of every tear, every brick that arrives with the weight of sadness and despair. 

Sensitive.

My double-edged sword.

Husband doesn't quite know what to do with this yet, but he's learning. 

The great thing is that with every sad goodbye, I know there's a more exciting hello waiting for me!
Specifically, this little hello.....

Really, could the flip side be any cuter?

The Announcement {& lovey, dovey pictures}

Honestly people, did you really think I would make you wait a month for the announcement?!

Let's review.

1.) I'm a girl. Keeping secrets is not my strong suit. So unless you don't mind my husband, best friend and sister knowing, it's best if you don't ask.

2.) My attention span is that of a toddler. I would forget the announcement if I had to wait a month.

3.) Most of you reading are already aware of the announcement.

Cuatro.) Although I was flattered by all of you assuming that I'm mature enough to grow, nurture and raise a human being {cough, cough...pregnancy}, I'm hoping that it's not because all of these pumpkin bars I've been eating are starting to show.

5.) When I posted the "In one month..." part of the announcement, I meant it in the fact that the surprise is actually happening in one month. Obviously it's not a baby.

But aren't our family pictures so cuteeeeee?!!!!!!

If only you know what it took to get the dogs to hold still for the long length of a camera click. Their attention span is almost as bad as mine! You'll notice that Lola has obviously spotted a squirrel.

A few of you sweet souls thought that we were possibly starting the adoption process......well that's not what the announcement is this time, but I would like to think it's the first big step toward making that happen.

I'm sure you're done with my rambling and ready to hear our news. Here it is:

We're moving to Utah!!!!!!!!

Yes, folks! I'll be reunited with my beautiful mountains, precious niece and lovely family!

The moving decision actually came to be reality in October when Matt was offered a job to be a project engineer at an excavating company. We both have been praying so much about this decision and have had so many little "signs" that there's no question on whether or not God is going before us in this next step! There's a lot of emotions going on as we get ready to take this big jump, but excitement is definitely predominant, especially as it gets closer! 

Our days of living on Tulsa time have nearly come to a close, and we are cherishing every single one of them! Tulsa has been a place of tremendous personal growth and we have made many friendships that will carry on long after we have moved. We're so grateful for the times that we've had here!

Now, it's on to the next adventure!

Long Drives and Serenades

Husband and I took a drive this weekend.

A long, romantic drive.

The ones where you hold hands and no words are needed.

But words were spoken, because let's face it, I'm a girl!

That's when the sweetest thing happened....

One of the most beautiful songs of all time came on to serenade our drive.

Things just sort of hushed and we squeezed each others' hands a little tighter and listened to the sweet sound of Adele's "Make You Feel My Love".

Naturally, you tend to remember the treasure you were given in each other.

Husband took it one step further.

During the song, he said "I just got the feeling that God wants us to know that this is His song to us."

Tears came to my eyes, because I knew it was true. 

And I knew that God was right there with us in the car.

That moment, that song, was instantly turned to one of very, intimate romance.

Not just romance between a husband and wife, but romance between an ever-loving, never-giving-up-on, knows-just-what-to-say kind of God and his two little kids.

The kind of God that sees exactly where you are, knows every ounce of fear you're feeling about the next step, and knows that despite all those things, you're stepping out and putting all your trust in Him. 

It's in those moments, that that sweet, gentle Jesus shows up in the car and whispers of the lengths he'll go to reassure you of his love 

That, my friends, is true romance!

My prayer is that each and every one of you reading this will experience a moment of romance just as intimate as this with the God who is not mad at you, but madly in love with you! Those moments are the ones that can not be made up or manipulated by emotion, rather, they are made up of the reassurance that your life is full of potential and purpose, never to be taken away.

True romance.

Surprises...

....for surprises!!!

Big announcement coming soon! :)

Creative Tales & Puppy Kisses

I have to tell you, the arrival of autumn marks the awakening of my creative spirit!

Apparently it goes in to hibernation in the summer months??

A little backwards if you ask me. Most things hibernate during the winter. 

I would prefer to keep ahold of it year round, but I'll take what I can get.

This lovely photo was taken on the dirt road that I frequent on my runs!

Isn't it beautiful?!

Oklahoma really has some great scenery to offer, even if it is lacking in mountainous ranges.

And of course, I took one of my sweet angels with me!

Isn't she the sweetest?!

Oh, how I love those sweet puppy kisses!

We count ourselves lucky when Lola graces us with one of her gentle tongue swipes.

They are few and far between...which makes them treasures!

And would you believe me if I told you I took BOTH of these pictures?! 

Because I did. 

With the help of my good friend, the tripod.

Here's me hoping that your weekend is as beautiful as mine!

:)

Real life.

Right now, my husband has plunged himself into a job that involves ripping out the old shower, re-plumbing and creating a whole new shower for our showering delight! 

{Please say you noticed my word play on using "plunged" to describe the job.

Eh, Eh?? Just re-read it.}

He's not alone, his dad is helping him.

I, however, am alone. Except for the girls {a.k.a dogs}. 

That's why you have heard from my sweet fingers three times this week! 

This time I won't be talking much, though.

Mostly because it involves football. And mostly because I have a very minimal understanding of the sport and could probably go the next 37 years of my life without watching another game. 

That last statement is pretty much blasphemy living in Oklahoma. That's why I'm whispering. Very, very quietly. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeaseeee don't tell husband!! That last statement was also a wee bit dramatic.

Quite honestly, I enjoy watching football games when I'm actually at the game. Right in the middle of all the action! There's something incredibly soothing about being in the middle of a bunch of angry people who are all wearing the same color shirt as you. Call me crazy....or call me maybe....it's really up to you! The point is, you haven't experienced football until you've experienced Oklahoma football. It's not a game, folks, it's life. Real life.

This last weekend I went to my first OSU game with Matt and dare I say, it was incredible!

Fun isn't a strong enough word, but it's all I can come up with for now! Word.

And the boys managed to pull off a win, even with the zebra stripes playing for the other team.

Suck it, West Virginia!

Wow, too much?? Ain't no thang.

I'll stop here and let the pictures speak for themselves.

'Tis' Times Three

I just realized that I used the word "tis" in two consecutive blog posts.

This would make it three consecutive blog posts.

However, that's not what I'll be writing about today.

Today, I'll be writing about my second child's constant need for discipline and attention.

Oh, and please know, when I say children, I do mean dogs, which are pretty much the same thing as children, except they love you more and don't demand clothing. 

{P.S. If you're reading this and happen to be one of those poor, lonely souls who've never known the endless and devoted love of a four legged friend, please feel free to close this browser and click on the blog of a fish lover. You'll probably feel more "at home" there. There is really no gray area here. Dog=child. That's that.}

Yesterday the weather in Oklahoma took a thirty degree dive. Having grown up in Utah, these dramatic weather outbursts are nothing but the norm. They actually make me feel more at home.

Anyway, husband and I had a lazy day snuggled up inside by the fire with the two poochies!

Quite honestly, I was in heaven! Nothing warms my heart more than days cozied up inside with my sweet family! I even made my oh-so-famous potato soup!

However, my sweet Piper demands our constant attention. And when she doesn't have it, she finds ways to get it....like howling, barking or jumping on the counter and eating our food.

She really is an angel from heaven, even on the days when it feels like she's visiting from the land down under {and I'm not talking about Australia}.

Today she was put in "time-out" and restricted to her leash multiple times.

And when she was leash restricted, her solution: pouting.

Pouting and looking at me with that sweet bear face, pleading with me to let her run free. You would think that she is the most neglected child in the world.

Most dramatic is more like it. 

But my heart just melts in those sweet puppy eyes!

Not sure what that says about my parenting skills. One thing's for sure, Matt will definitely have to be the disciplinarian!

All My Single Ladies

I think I've mentioned to you before that I'm a walking contradiction.

Tis true.

You want to know why?

Because I love snow, but hate winter.

I'm always cold, but still continue to order iced mochas {and wear my coat while I drink them}.

I love dressing up and being girly but {seriously} HATE washing my hair. {Seriously, guys.}

I'm anti-social but when husband forces me out of my cave, you better believe I'm the crazy one in the center of all the laughter.

I love cooking, but rarely have the energy to make it happen.

I want to travel the world as a gypsy but have a house to come home to every night.

I want to finish my degree but have zero direction on what degree to pursue.

I like the idea of a career but would much rather be a stay-at-home mom to my dog-childs.

I say for months how homesick I am and then when the opportunity to move back presents itself, the actual going through with it freaks me out!

When will the madness end?!

Feel bad for the poor man that has to live with me.

Sorry, husband.

Good thing he loves me. 

And good thing I got him to put a ring on it. 

{Just an FYI for all my single ladies out there, the way to get ^that^ to happen is to endlessly sing Beyonce songs to him until he really does put a ring on it. Oh, and hide all the craziness until he's locked in for life! Ha! I'm totally kidding. But seriously, sing the song. 

And a little wrist action can't hurt.}

When plans don't pan

Well folks, I'm back.

For a moment, at least.

Life has been such a whirlwind lately, the last thing on my mind has been blogging.

Let's just say, tis the season of change!

I feel like such a walking contradiction when it comes to this subject. 

On the one hand, I've been craving for some kind of change to take place in our lives. We've needed some kind of change to jolt us out of this cloud of monotony. 

However, when you get jolted, you don't always react the way that you had hoped or planned. That's usually because things don't work out the way that you had planned. And we all are far too familiar with the feeling of not having things pan out the way they do in your head.

I know I'm being vague, but I will clear things up and soon as plans are finalized.

Until then, let's just talk.

I'm in the middle of reading the best book right now.

"Greater" by Steven Furtick. 

Absolutely perfect for this season of life Matt and I are in now. It's one of those books that is so good, not because it makes you feel good, but because it tells you the things that you don't want to hear, but need to. Another sort of jolting experience. The unpleasantly pleasant kind. Each one of us are called to be something greater than average in our lives. That doesn't mean it looks the same to every person, but it does mean it exists. And often the call to do something greater means leaving the comfortable behind.  It sometimes means sacrificing the things you hold so dear to your heart, only to be lead into a plan that even in your wildest dreams, you never imagined. Sounds exciting, right? Yes, in a way. But the hardest part of the journey is in the sacrifice. And I don't mean sacrifice in the old Biblical translation of killing something. I mean it in the sense of giving up something that you hold very close.

The book follows the story of Elijah and Elisha from the Bible, starting in 1 Kings 19:19.

I won't go in to too many details, but I will summarize it.

Elisha was a simple man. In fact, we enter his life in the middle of a field while he's plowing behind a dozen oxen rears. His life, too, is monotonous, but comfortable and predictable. In the middle of his plowing, a man, Elijah, begins trudging toward him and out of nowhere, throws a cloak over his shoulders, a symbol of passing on an anointing. Elijah then keeps on trudging. You can imagine the bewilderment on Elisha's face. But at that moment, he had choice to make. He could either run after the man who had bestowed upon him the opportunity for something greater, or he could choose to stay behind the oxen rears.  The safe. The monotonous. If you're at all familiar with the story, you already know that Elisha went on to follow Elijah and was given a double anointing than that of Elijah. He went on to do much greater things than the man who gave him the cloak.  So what's the point of this story? Well when Elisha chose to do the greater, he not only left his old life behind, but he burned up anything that would give him a reason to turn back. {And no, he didn't burn any friends, relatives or humans, for that matter. Gosh, people, come on! What kind of story do you think this is anyway?! ;) }  Elisha didn't receive the double portion of "greater" until he gave up everything that might hold him back or cause him to turn back.

So that's where we are. In the middle of making decisions. One that's already breaking my heart. My fashion statement the last week has been Quasimodo eyes. Not by choice, of course.  Just a nasty side effect of water coming out of your eyes. 

Thanks for listening, friend. Sometimes your ears help make everything more clear.

Insanity on Sunday {not the workout kind}

My heart is full!

Remember when I told you about the amazing adoption journey over at Treasures Over the Rainbow?

Well their journey apart is finally over and their two little kiddos are home safe!

Funny how blogs can emotionally connect you with people you've never met.

Such is the story with this family!

Here's a little peak at their adventure's beginning. 

I pretty much cried the whole 15 minutes.

God has used this family's journey to teach me something about my own.

Bear with me as I try to explain....

You've already heard me talk about the last two years...blah, blah, blah...it's been hard.

I've mentioned to Matt before about how I wonder if the reason why the consistent lesson in the last two years has had to do with patience and trusting God is because that's what's going to be required of us in our adoption journey. Yet for some reason, it has never occurred to me that the separation and feeling of loss that I've experienced could also be part of that lesson. It never occurred to me until today, when I was reading about the post-adoption process. When a child is torn away from their environment, no matter how young they may be, the emotional effects of the trauma are felt, even by infants.  It is natural for them to regress and experience grief at the loss.  My heart started aching as I read this, aching because I know how hard that loss can be at my age, and I can't even imagine having to deal with that loss at a much younger and less developed stage of life.  God was totally speaking to my heart. No, I'm not saying that God intentionally made these last two years hard to teach me a lesson. That is not in God's nature to be mean. He is good and anything contrary to that is not of Him. What I am saying is that in that moment of ache, I could feel him speaking to my heart, whispering, as only a father could, saying, "Your hurt isn't wasted and for no reason. I promised to turn all things for good."  

I already love our little ones more than words can say. And I have no idea all of the trauma and changes that they will have experienced in their little lives by the time we're able to bring them into our family. In fact, I can't even imagine it! But what I do know is that if this small taste of loss that I've experienced in my life will make me a more compassionate, patient and understanding mother, I would go through it 100 more times so that my child wouldn't have to feel like the pain they're going through is gone through alone. Is it weird that I already love my kids that much and have no idea who they are?! Sometimes I think I could claim insanity.

Friday's Letters

Dear Friday, weren't you here yesterday?! Oh wait, no, that's when you were supposed to be here. Ah well. Better late than never!  Dear September, do you even know how happy you make me?! Not only are you my own personal New Year, but you carry so many other wonderful qualities like......scarves, crisp air, boots, colorful leaves, layers upon layers of clothing, pumpkin spice lattes and the best quality of all, you bring fall! For these things and more, I thank you!  Dear Husband, thank you for taking such good care of me while I wasted away in piles of tissues and cold medicine this week! You truly are my hero, and I love how you baby me when I'm sick! Because let's face it, I am a baby when I'm sick!  Dear Messy Hair, thank you for making such a great nest on my head. The earth thanks you for all the saved water and unused shampoo.   Dear Sickness, why must you love me so?! Because I promise the feelings aren't mutual. Do you really enjoy watching me sleep the day away and cough all night? Do you get some kind of sick pleasure out of watching me blow my innards into a Kleenex?! Please find a new hobby. Preferably one that doesn't resemble me.   Dear Husband, sorry for sharing my sickness with you. Tissue?

Dry Shampoo and Red Lipstick

{source}

Sometimes when I get home from work, the first thing I do is put on red lipstick.

Husband keeps asking why I do this, and my response is, "I'm practicing!" 

Practicing for what, you might ask. The truth is, I really have no idea. And thank goodness husband has never asked that question. Because if he did, this is what my real answer would be {performed in true melt-down style}:

"I've had a long day of coughing in my ear, crying on my shoulder and sneezing on my keyboard. So right now, I want to feel girly. Yes, I'm aware my hair hasn't been washed for four days and I'm wearing a hippie shirt and pajama bottoms, but I need something, anything, to inspire me! So right now, I'm going to play make-believe and pretend like I've been wearing this lipstick all day while parading around Paris in my heels {which also happen to be red}. Yes, I do want to feel pretty every day. And yes, I am aware that washing my hair more often would help achieve that. But when all else fails, there's always dry shampoo and red lipstick!"

So here I sit.

Hippie shirt.

Pajama bottoms.

Five-day old hair, nested on top of my head.

And red lipstick.

Total.Glam.

25 Like This.....

{early} Birthday shopping {with mom} for this:

{Shirt: Mint Boutique, Skirt: Mint Boutique, Shoes: Steve Madden, Jewelry: F21 & 31 Bits}

Wearing jewelry like this:

{this company changes lives like this} 

With red lipstick like this:

Staying in a house like this:

{vacay...hey, hey!!}

And eating cake like this:

But most importantly, being both surprised and spoiled by amazing people like this:

Needless to say, my love tank is on "full"!!!

Husband put soooooo much effort in to making the day {week} special!

There were surprises around every corner!

I was honestly blown away by the little details that were put in by my friends and family to make turning twenty-five such a special and unforgettable experience!

I'm convinced it's only a foretelling of all the awesome things that this next year holds!

Bring it on 25!

Much to-do about Disney!

Husband had some great news the other day.

He informed me that Cinderella {a.k.a. the movie solely responsible for every little girls' dreams} is going to be released from the Disney vault! 

Vault: the holder of all things wonderful and Disney. Why must you hold childrens' dreams captive?!

So, needless to say, I wasted no time adding it to the top of my birthday list!

{Oh hey, my birthday is in less than one month!!! It's the big TWO-FIVE!!!! Eeeek!}

It seems fitting that the movie should be released in time for my birthday.

Cinderella practically raised me.

When you're little, most children pray that God would bless their food at dinner time. But nope, not me. At dinner time, I prayed that Cinderella's step-mother and sisters would be nice to her. Those are the things that really matter, folks. I had my priorities straight!

So did my mom. And that's why my Cinderella time was cut in half. A drastic move, if you ask me.

Nonetheless, our relationship held strong.

And that's why she's at the top of the bday list twenty-five years later.

However, the vault {the true Disney villain} thought it better for me to wait until after my birthday to release Cinderella. {See, I told you. Vault = Villain}

Alas, I will have to wait until October 2nd to be reunited with my dear friend!

But it's okay, I have my dear Belle to get me thru until then.

You see, Cinderella may have raised me, but Belle is who I became.

Don't believe me??

Here's proof:

You see, not only do we both have brown hair and matching horses, but we both love adventures, reading {the same book over & over}, eating food while being entertained by utensils, singing original songs {Disney has yet to get their paws on mine}, and laying in the middle of the field while wishing on a dandelion. And don't even get me started on how much we both love castles and baguettes! Let's just say, Jef and Emily pretty much stole our {Belle & mine's} dream date in the library. Really, Emily?? You're not even a brunette. At least steal your date ideas from a princess who resembles you. I bet Sleeping Beauty could give you plenty of great ideas! Wandering thru the forest barefoot, baking a cake, wearing a dress that changes from blue to pink?? Although, I would avoid any relating to spindles or sewing machines.

You want to hear something even more magical?! When my sister and I went to Paris a few years ago, we, of course, went to Disneyland! And guess who I met there? In her home country of France?!

Belle, herself! And as always, looking lovely.

{It should be noted that I did, in fact do my hair that day. But the rain and lack of sleep had other ideas on what a good first impression looks like.}

Oh hey, and Lumiere was there, too!

Yep, we were in heaven!
Don't you just love Disney?!