Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Cherished Mother
By Karl Fuchs


Every day since I was born,
My mother cared for me.
Now that's a lot of caring,
As anyone can see.

Please Lord protect my mother,
And keep her safe from harm,
For she is cherished person,
With great wisdom, love and charm.

Lord it's my mother's birthday
So please, help her to see,
How much she means to us,
Her loving family.

I love you mom!  Thank you for all the ways that you enrich my life and care for me.  I'm so blessed to have you as my mother, mentor & friend!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

It's Finally Here!


I know...I know...

I'm twenty-five and this obsession of mine is more than ridiculous but I just can't help it.  I just have to let it out - so here goes - just bare with me for a moment.

THE PREMIER OF ECLIPSE IS FINALLY HERE!!!!!

Okay - I feel better now.  All I have to do is make it through a few grueling hours at the office and mommy dearest and I are headed to the 12:01 premier this evening.  I'm sure I will regret that decision when 9:00 am rolls around tomorrow morning and I'm forced to spend a full day at the office - but true love requires sacrifices sometimes.


Bonus - tomorrow is my mom's birthday. So I will be the first person to wish her a happy birthday all while staring at super sexy Edward and Jacob watching a great movie and missing my husband terribly.

Anyone else have plans to see the premier? 

Monday, June 28, 2010

Miscellany Monday

Miscellany Monday @ lowercase letters

{one} I've been such a horrible blogger lately that I feel two posts in one day is completely appropriate today - a little randomness is always a good thing.

{two} I am in better spirits lately.  God is has granted me a peace over the past few weeks that I cannot describe.  I'm learning to flourish even when things are uncertain.  I've given my doubt to my Savior - and I'm a happier me because of it.

{three} I love tan lines.  Some people think they look trashy - but I love them.  I think they are sexy in a weird way. 

{four} After my unbelievably long/fun filled weekend - a Starbucks venti non-fat, iced white chocolate peppermint mocho with no whip would hit the spot right now.  I'm dragging today!

{five} Baby fever has yet to go away.  It's been here for three months now.  Does that mean it's here to stay?

{six} I can't wait for the premier of Eclipse tomorrow night.  My mom is coming up from SC and we are going to the 12:01 premier.  I'm sure I will hate myself at work on Wednesday - but it will be totally worth it!

{seven} I am not liking Lost Season 4.  It's too crazy - too difficult to understand.  Everyone keeps telling me that season 5 is so good and to just keep watching - but I'm not so sure.  It's pretty bizarre.

{eight} My eight-year-old sister-in-law informed us that "Eight is the new twenty-two" this weekend.  Umm...Lord help me when I have children - because I'm pretty sure kids are growing up WAY too fast these days!

{nine} I wish it were cool for adults to wear silly bands.  I think they are kind of cool - especially the hot pink ones.  I would color coordinate them with my outfits each day.

Running Mix Suggestions??

Okay - so now that I am back from vacation and back from my 3 day wedding weekend extravaganza - it's time to get serious.  (BTW - I survived the weekend - barely - but I survived and it's back to the office for me!)

Have you ever bit of more than you could chew?  I think I may have done just that.  A while ago, I agreed to run the USMC Mud Run with my hubby and another couple.  Before you say, "What the HECK were you thinking!?!" - let me explain.  At the time, I was working with a personal trainer twice a week and training for a half marathon.  A mud run of about five miles seemed like cake.  Now - almost nine months later, I'm asking myself What the HECK were you thinking!?!?!

The run is in September and if I don't do some serious training over the next three months - there is no way on earth I will be able to finish.  I have been instructed that tears just aren't allowed.  Steven and Jim don't care if they have to drag me across the finish line - but under no circumstances am I allowed to cry.  (Do they know me?  Really - since when do I have control over my overactive tear ducts!?!?!)

Anywho - so I'm beginning my morning runs again.  I feel as though the only shot I have at completing this is to get my half marathon stamina back.  I am also going to start the 30 Day Shred to build some upper body and core strength - but I know that endurance is what will ultimately get me through.

So I'm calling all bloggers - I need a good running mix.  You know songs with a great beats that will keep me pounding the pavement with excitement.  What do you suggest??

Thursday, June 24, 2010

All That I'm After....


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All that I'm after is a life full of laughter ~

As long as I'm laughing with you!

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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

I'm Baaaack

Hello beautiful bloggers!  Okay - so I've technically been back from vacation since Saturday - but I swear I haven't had an opportunity to hop on here and say hello until now.

Vacation was amazing as expected.  Destin is one of my favorite places to visit.  The beaches are beautiful and thankfully there was not a drop of oil in sight.  Could a girl ask for more??

But I do have one complaint - can someone please tell me why it is that in order to go on vacation you have to work double time the week before and after?  I mean - is it really a break when you have to spend two full weeks working non-stop just to be able to get away for a week? 

This week is beyond crazy for me because I am taking a half day on Thursday and all day Friday off to attend one of my besties wedding on Friday evening.  Hubby won't be joining me at this wedding - I'm a bride's maid and will be super busy AND a close family friend of his is getting married on Saturday.  So he is going to Winston Friday to help them get set-up.  I will get up early Saturday morning and make the four hour drive from Wilmington to Winston and join him at the wedding Saturday evening.

Oye - just typing that makes me tired!

So two and a half days of work left for me then I'm off for another long weekend.  Until then I will just dream of my beautiful beach vacation in Destin - how I wish I could on my spot on the beach right now.....


Monday, June 14, 2010

Two Years Ago Today....


Two years ago today began my happily ever after.


Two years ago today, I walked down the aisle toward my future.


Two years ago today, I said “I do” to commitment, faithfulness, family, charity, devotion, better or worse, sickness and health, and most importantly, an undying love for a man I can’t live without.


Two years ago today, I was blessed with the greatest earthly gift I have received thus far in my life – my strong, capable, adoring, nurturing, funny, talented, handsome, loving husband – my best friend.


Two years ago today, I looked into the eyes of the man that I love and prayed that this would never end.  Prayed that no matter what happens - we will always have each other.  Prayed that our love will survive.  Two years later, I know that it will.




I truly cannot believe how quickly the past two years have passed. I didn’t think it would ever be possible to love you more than I did on the day we said, “I do” – but somehow, I know that my love for you is stronger than it has ever been. There is no doubt that my love for you and commitment to you will only grow stronger with each passing year.


One day, we will sit on a front porch swing together, reading our books and reminiscing about these years – these precious years when it was just the two of us. Before the babies, grandbabies and lifetime careers – when all that mattered was just us. I dream about that moment, I look forward to that moment – because that moment will mean I have spent a lifetime with my best friend and that is the greatest blessing I can imagine.



I never imagined how blessed our marriage would be. I never thought I could feel so genuinely happy and content. I cherish the moments we have together now and look forward to the next chapter of our life together – to starting a family and raising them in a Christ centered home. I know that my purpose in life is to be your wife and the mother of your children. You are my destiny.


Happy Anniversary Steven. Thank-you for loving me unconditionally even when I deserve it the least. Thank-you for believing in me, in us, when I cannot find the courage. Thank-you all the ways you make life better each and every day. Thank-you for being God’s best for me. I love you.


Saturday, June 12, 2010

I'm On Vacation!

We're here!  After an incredibly long/stressful week at the office, I am finally in Destin, FL!  Left Charlotte at 6:30pm last night and arrived in Destin at 4am (5am Charlotte time!) 

After one day in the sun I already feel 100% better from the long week.  Looking forward to working on my tan the rest of the week.  :)

So if you don't hear from me often this week - don't worry.  I'll be back soon enough!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

He Made My Heart Smile


Steven was waiting for me when I pulled into the driveway last night. “I want Dairy Queen”, he said. We hadn’t even eaten dinner yet – but I’ve never been one to turn down ice cream, so we hopped in my car and off we went.

The closest Dairy Queen is actually at our local mall. We wound up grabbing a quick bite a McAlisters and decided to walk around the mall before indulging in an ice cream treat. We found ourselves at a sports apparel shop that surprisingly had a decent selection of Alabama apparel (maybe it’s because they are the National Champions!?!?) While browsing I stumbled upon the cutest Crimson Tide onesy with matching booties and toboggan. I shot Steven and smile and he said, “Oh yeah – my kid’s coming home from the hospital in that!”

We finally made our way down to Dairy Queen and ordered Snickers blizzards then headed to Barnes and Nobles for a little browsing. I found this book “Awkward Family Photos” and we stood in the middle of the aisle laughing for what seemed like forever at these incredibly embarrassing family photos from the 80’s and early 90’s. (I’m pretty sure that the picture of my crimped mullet could have easily made the cut!) We just stood there – laughing. Laughing like we did when we were 18 on a summer night with no school or work the next day – like we did before life got complicated.

At one point I looked up at him and thought, “So this is what it feels like to be in love?” Don’t get me wrong, I love Steven. Undoubtedly love Steven. But we have been going through a lot these past months and life has a cruel way of causing love to feel more life survival than passion most days.

I stood there soaking him in – my twenty something husband with daring blue eyes and a smile that makes me weak in the knees. I said a silent prayer of thanks to God for giving me that moment. That moment of pure happiness with the man that I love. No fear of bills or plans for the future. No worry about what decision is *the right* decision. Just complete, heart-and-soul bliss in the simplest moment. It was as if I could feel my heart smiling.

I think we all need more moments like that. Sometimes we focus so much on the big moments – like trips out of the country, graduations, anniversaries, birthdays and holidays. We hope that in those moments we will rekindle the flames of our romance and believe that those moments will carry us through our periods of “survival”.

But I realized last night that my marriage is comprised of the little moments. The times when Steven looks at me and says, “I want Dairy Queen” and I just go without asking about dinner or what’s on TV that night - I just get in the car and go somewhere with the man that I love. And as a result, I feel whole again. I feel years younger and happier than I have in months – all because my hubby wanted Dairy Queen and for once, I just said yes.



Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Dogs Gone Wild

Monday evening I found myself to be a single girl bored at home. Okay – so I wasn’t exactly single, but hubby was gone for the night and I was lonely. After a quick workout, much needed cleaning of the kitchen & master bathroom and a load of laundry, I refused to do anything else “productive”. I stole away to the master bath and drew myself a much needed bubble bath. I couldn’t remember the last time I had relaxed in a hot bubble bath while reading a book – and Emily Griffin’s “Heart of the Matter” was calling my name.

I added way too much bubble bath and stirred the water vigorously to create maximum bubbles. When I was satisfied with the mountains of bubbles floating on the surface, I quickly ran to the living room to find a lighter. What good is a glorious bubble bath without candles, no?

After a few minutes of searching high and low for a lighter, I returned to the bedroom to find Dixie sitting upright at the entrance to the master bathroom. Her ears were pinned back, her tail was down and she was whining. As I entered the room, she immediately backed away from the door and shot me her best “I had nothing to do with this – please don’t spank me” look.

As I rounded the corner toward the bathroom I heard the sound of water splashing onto the floor and walls. Correction – I heard the sound of A LOT of water splashing onto the floor and walls. Upon reaching the doorway to the bathroom, my fears were confirmed.

Bauer was in the bathtub - my glorious bubble bath bathtub – playing in the bubbles. His entire face was covered in white soapy bubbles. I stood still for a moment as I watched him smack his jowls repeatedly as he tried to eat the bubbles. With every shake of his head and wag of his tail (or should I say nub) water went pouring over the side of the bathtub and onto the floor. He was in puppy heaven – in my bubble bath – he was having the time of his life.

The initial “Aww..he’s so cute playing with the bubbles” reaction wore off in about .5 seconds when I realized what a mess he had made in my moments before spotless bathroom.BAUER!!! WHAT DID YOU DO?”, I shouted. As soon as the words escaped my mouth I regretted them.

Jovial, fun loving Bauer turned into scared, oh-so-sorry Bauer.   Bauer hates being in trouble more than any dog I have ever seen. He hates the phrase “What did you do?” more than anything in the world because he knows that he is in trouble. Those words send him into a panic every single time. He shot me those puppy dog eyes as if to say, "What - you didn't create all these bubbles just for me? I'm not supposed to be throwing water and doggy hair all over you pretty white, super-clean bathroom? Oh mommy - I'm sorry!"

Realizing he was in trouble, and wanting desperately to apologize, Bauer leapt from the tub (spilling what little water remained in the bathtub onto the floor) and tried his best to reach me. Unfortunately, my tile floors were soaked and Bauer was dripping with soapy bubbles, so he slid across the floor and barreled into my legs at full speed causing me to topple down onto the soaking wet floor with him.

As I laid in a puddle of water with bells ringing in my ears, Bauer licked my face enthusiastically in sincere apology for the mess and for making me fall. Not wanting to be left out, Dixie sprinted to my side and, tail wagging, began licking me as well. It took me a good five minutes to get them off of me so I could get to my feet to survey the final damage.

I don’t even want to talk about the twenty minutes it took me to dry the floors and clean doggy hair out of my tub and off the walls. Next time I’ll be smart enough to close the door to bathroom when I leave the room…..

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Post It Note Frenzy - Vacation Edition


Be jealous - be very jealous.  I am leaving for the beautiful Destin, FL THIS Friday after work.  If all goes according to plan, my oh-so-overworked toes will be in the sand come Saturday morning!

As  much as I am looking forward to a week of vacation - I'm not looking forward to the next three days trying to prepare for the trip.  Am I the only one who experiences pre-vacation anxiety?  I'm going to Destin with my MIL for a week and leaving hubby and the puppies at home.  As much as I'm looking forward to the break, there is a tiny part of me that feels incredibly guilty for leaving Steven all by his lonesome while I go enjoy the sun.  But unfortunately he can't join me on this trip and he insists that I take a week off and relax - so I'm going.  I can battle my personal demons while sipping on a fruity beverage and working on my tan (something tells me I just might survive!)

I just can't seem to overcome this feeling of anxiety.  No matter how well I try to prepare for a vacation, I always forget something of vital importance.  So I'm trying to start packing and planning now (I usually reserve this for the night before a trip - which may lead to my forgetfullness!) You should see my purse, wallet and desk.  Full of post its and reminders!  I'm hoping my extra planning and neurosis will allow me to finally leave for vacation with absolutely everything I need.  I hate having to run to the store on vacation for those forgotten items - it's so annoying. 

Here's what I have so far....








Anything that I am forgetting??

The Winner FINALLY Is...

OH WOW!  I am BEYOND annoyed with Blogger these days. I have been trying to write this post since Friday, but have been unable to post anything.  I can't make comments on my favorite blogs - I can't leave posts of my own.  Is anyone else experiencing these technical difficulties?  It's like I have "read only" access to Blogger!

Anywho - I should have announced this on Friday, but as explained, I was unable to do so.

The winner of the CSN $40 Gift Certificate Giveaway is





Stephanie over at Live. Laugh. Love.

Congrats to Stephanie and thank-you to everyone who participated. 
:) :) :)

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Final Day For The Giveaway

I just wanted to remind everyone that the giveaway for a $40 gift certificate to any CSN Online Store will end tonight at midnight.  Click here for details and to enter!  The winner will be announced tomorrow!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Being A Better Wife

Better Wife Wednesday


I recently stumbled across Karissa’s blog Being a Better Wife and I must say her writing is incredibly thought provoking and inspiring. Each Wednesday she hosts “Being a Better Wife Wednesday” in which she highlights ways that women can improve their marriage.


Today’s post felt somewhat like a punch to the gut. Not because Karissa was rude or said anything inappropriate – but because she was so right. In short, she discussed how a wife should love and respect her husband no matter how he treats her. My actions towards my husband should always be a reflection of Christ’s love and his calling on my life to be a Godly wife.

So it kind of felt like a punch to the gut, because I don’t live my life that way. I love my husband, dearly. He is my best friend and my relationship with him is the most important earthly relationship that I have. But my love for him isn’t a reflection of Christ’s love – my love for him is usually dependant upon whether or not I feel that he loves me. So if he’s treating me nicely, then I treat him nicely. If Steven is yelling and screaming during an argument, then I yell and scream during an argument. It’s so sinful, and I’m ashamed of how shallow my love for my husband is in comparison to my love for myself.

So now Karissa wants to know five ways that I can be a more God-centered spouse on a daily basis. This should be pretty easy for me because anything would be an improvement – but I want to make an actual promise to my husband to be the wife that I vowed to be on the day that I married him. So over the upcoming weeks I will do the following to be a more God-centered wife:

- I will pray for my husband’s need every day. I will pray that he is blessed, that he feels secure, that he sees himself as Christ sees him. I will pray for God’s guidance in his life and peace in our current situation.

- I will spend more time doing the things that he enjoys – like sitting outside with him while he washes the cars or spending time on the back deck in the evenings.

- I will fold my laundry – because piles of clean clothes beside the bed drives him crazy and there are always piles of clean clothes beside the bed.

- I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Instead of assuming he meant to hurt my feelings or purposefully forgot to take out the trash, I will assume that he is human and made a simple mistake. I will do my best to let the little things slide.

- I will have faith in him – in his dreams – in his abilities. I will stop questioning his every decision and believe that he can do what he says he can do. Instead of trying to bite my tongue so I don’t say something I will regret – I will pray that God changes my heart so I can gladly dream with my husband and support him without hesitation.
It won’t be easy, but it’s something that I feel convicted to do. If I truly believe that Steven is God’s best for me (which I do) then Steven deserves God’s best from me.

How can you be a more God-centered wife, fiancé or girlfriend?


PS - Don't forget to check out my CSN Giveaway HERE

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Taking My Thoughts To The Pavement


I'm running again.  Well - I'm walk/running again.  I forgot how much I enjoyed being out on the pavement.  Thirty or forty-five minutes all to myself (and sometimes Dixie).  It's nice to step outside and give yourself time to think.  Which for me can sometimes be scary because my mind has a tendency to go into overdrive when I am forced to shut my mouth.  It's as if my inability to speak my thoughts outloud causes my brain to go into overdrive and random thoughts bounce around my head at lightening speed.  To the uknown passerby I appear to be your average runner out with her pooch - but inside my head it sounds a little something like this....

I wonder what Dixie would sound like if she could talk? Probably like one of the girls from “Jersey Shore” – yeah, she’s totally obnoxious like that.
I’m so glad “The Hills” is finally ending. They should have stopped taping when LC left the show – she was the only decent person on there.
I love my husband.
I really want a cheeseburger – no Snickers – no hot fudge sundae – make that cheesecake. Stop craving junk food! Why run if you’re gonna eat that crap??
I kind of want another tattoo…but what?


What should I make for dinner? Lasagna roll-ups sound good. But I don’t have any ricotta cheese. I could run to the store really quickly. But then I would have to go out in public looking like this…. Yeah…I’ll just fix tacos.


What should I blog about today?


If I were a character on “Lost” – who would I be? I wish I were like Kate. She’s so hardcore and sexy and she’s made out with Jack. Not so hot about Sun – she’s too soft spoken. Claire is okay – plus she has a baby boy so that works. Then there’s Libby…she pretends to be a clinical psychologist at a psycho clinic, but really she was a patient. Yep – that would probably be me, the crazy one.


I really don’t like cats.


I really like the name Austyn Denise for a little girl. Or Emersyn Denise. But Steven hates both of them and I really don’t want a little girl…so hopefully this a moot thought.


I think I’m gonna start doing a food diary like Carrie Underwood. Maybe that’s not such a good idea – do I really want to document my failure every day? Ugh….


Another week without a lottery winner….How would I spend $200 million???


Oohh…”Deadliest Catch” comes on tonight. Speaking of…I can’t believe Alaska is so close to Russia! Russia is huge..it’s goes all the way across Asia…who knew??


Wait…what did I decide to make for dinner???
It just goes on and on like that until I finally reach my front door and run breathlessly into the house.  I can't help but wonder - am I the only person whose mind goes into overdrive like that while working out?  I mean all that mental stimulus should be a workout in and of itself!


Young, Fabulous, Newlywed





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