My Seasonal Struggle

Yesterday in the wee early hours of the morning on my way to work, I switched off my CD of Mama Mia and out blared Frosty the Snowman on my radio! What a surprise! I sat there for a moment debating whether to turn the station but before I new what was happening I was singing at the top of my lungs "They led him down the streets of town...." with a huge smile on my face (I'm a sucker for Christmas songs)!

Yes, its true... I've embraced the Christmas spirit (3 weeks before Thanksgiving!)! And I don't approve one single bit! I hate that our society jumps from Halloween to Christmas and has totally no regard for Thanksgiving. And here I am, joining in with those disregarders with greatest of enthusiasm. (sigh)

Its a huge struggle for me every single year. And I'm not exactly sure what to do about it. My problem is I can't help but jump into the holiday season when its staring me in the face everywhere I turn. So, while I don't approve, and my apologies to my Thanksgiving holiday (I still love you and you will be greatly celebrated in a couple more weeks with tons of food, love, and fellowship), BRING ON THE CHRISTMAS SONGS.

(In my defense, however, I put my foot down after the Christmas songs. No Christmas decor until AFTER Thanksgiving :)

A Message from Abe...

Washington, Nov 21, 1864
Dear Madam,
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts, that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
Abraham Lincoln





"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government: of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
~Aberaham Lincoln
Gettysburg Address

Owl Love

I love owls! I think it has something to do with them representing wisdom, I don't know. But how cute are these Owl Sheets from Garnet Hill! I definitely wouldn't mind breaking these out every once in a while!

Don't Get Married Until...

When I heard that my church, New Spring, was starting a series called "Don't Get Married Until..." I made sure my engaged self would be sitting in a seat bright and early Sunday morning, front row. Well, yesterday Perry spoke to all the guys out there in "Don't Get Married Until... You are Willing to be a Man". And oh, what sweet words he spoke... right into my romantic, man lovin' heart!

Yes, I like my men to be MEN. I like to see a bit of rough and tough warrior looking back at me when I see my guy. I'm a sucker for leading men that aren't afraid to dig deep, get dirty, and maybe a little on the wild side. Men like Robin Hood (Robin Hood Prince of Thieves), Maximus (Gladiator), Wolverine (Xmen), Tim Riggins (Friday Night Lights), and William Wallace make this heart go pitter patter.

So when my pastor told our guys that some of them needed to grow a pair, I might even had nodded my head slightly (yes, my PASTOR told the guys that some of them needed to grow a pair! who says that from the pulpit!?! love a guy who just speaks the truth!). "The definition of manhood in America has gotten ridiculous... and in the church it has gotten flat out goofy" he explained. And in my book Captivating that I'm still reading (and lovin) John Eldredge tells that "Women don't fear a man's strength if he is a good man. In fact, passivity might make a man "safe," but it has done untold damage to women in the long run... Men long to offer their strength on behalf of a woman." I love that!

But for the last 2 weeks during this series, I've realized how blessed I am in my guy. I've literally wanted to jump up at the end of the service and throw my arms around his neck in utter contentment! I love looking over at him after some revelation and him giving me a wink... *sigh*. So, ladies, after week 2 of this "Don't Get Married Until..." so far, so good! I'm getting the ok to wed and I'm diving in... head over heels!!! :D

"I will find you.

No matter how long it takes, no matter how
far- I will find you."

~Nathaniel to Cora in The Last of the
Mohicans

The Heart of a Woman

"There is something fierce in the heart of a woman..."

~Captivating

I have started writing this about 10 times now. I don't know where to begin ...

When I started writing this blog I had no agenda, no expectations, no theme. And as I said in my first post, I'm no great writer. I have no clever writing talent and no great message to send out to the great cosmos. I didn't and still haven't told any of my peeps about it. However, as the weeks have gone by, I must say, I've taken great satisfaction in sharing whats in my thoughts and heart on any particular day. And I do like the idea of sharing my thoughts to someone I've never known on any level and seeing if they are feeling the same way. I am thrilled that there is a small handful of ladies out there that take a peek at my thoughts from time to time. I guess I like sharing whats on my heart to the unknown. I wonder to myself, "have I made an impact on someones life today? have I cheered them up or made them smile?"

I say this to all the great women writers (and bloggers) out there who have impacted my life. Who have made me smile, who have brightened my day, given me a great idea, or made me think... I've noticed recently that I follow only female bloggers (no disrespect to all the guys out there, ya'll are great too). And I have to say how awesome, talented, and creative are we, ladies?! Every day I am inspired!

I love how God created men and women. I love seeing the stark contrast of the feminine and masculine and then also seeing how they compliment one another at the same time. Isn't that amazing!?!? I've started reading the most fascinating and interesting book called Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge and to be completely honest it just rocks!

From the heart of someone who is about to get married I feel like I am constantly and completely aware of all the unhappy relationships out there or the marriages that "went wrong" or "whats wrong with me" or "where did all the good guys go" from all my single girlfriends. So why I am enjoying this book SO much? This book is about me... about my heart. I can totally relate to it and come away feeling that much better about myself.

So to all my *unknowns* out there, today I encourage the reading of this book. It will make your day :)

You belong among the wildflowers

You belong in a boat out at sea

You belong with your love on your arm

You belong somewhere you feel free.

~Tom Petty