This morning I woke up at 5 am. Actually, let me edit that and say I was woken up at 5am. I did my best to get back to sleep, but to no avail. I ended up finally giving in to my nervous excitement and getting up at around 6:20.
Today I am going to my first orthodontist appointment. I finally broke down and went to the dentist a week ago, and I am so so so glad I did! It's been a long time, but I was pleased to find out that my mouth hadn't been overtaken by decay and my teeth hadn't sprung to life as little green gremlins of disease. Actually, I only had three very minor cavities, and the hygienist was actually impressed with the color and cleanliness of my teeth. Did I mention it's been somewhere in the ballpark of five-ish years since I went to the dentist last? I have to admit it: I struggle with a fairly major fear of the dentist chair. The dentists I've had in the past have been a little less than gentle with my delicate little mouth (ha). Plus, the feeling of someone else's fingers in my mouth, as well as the scritchy-scratch feeling of the little hook-type utensil on my teeth makes me feel all squicked-out inside. Plus, I have an aversion to needles. Big Time. The last time I had to have blood drawn, the orderly took one look at me, ordered me to have a seat (quickly) and began speaking in abbreviated code to the other little medical attendants. From their reactions and side-glances, I think he was saying something along the lines of "oh no, we have another fainter on our hands". When they came toward me with the needle, the veins in my arm found a new zip code. The guy with the syringe said, "I haven't even touched her yet, and she's about to pass out!"
Anyway, back to today's story. I am going to my first orthodontist appointment. Yay! I have been waiting for this day for at least 12 years. I have wanted braces since I was 14 and realized that one of my baby teeth was not ever going to fall out on its own. When I was little, I thought they were the coolest thing. I used to try to make my own retainer out of aluminum foil (didn't work too well- don't try it). I have since learned that the pain of them makes them a lot less than "cool" to wear (I had a breif foray into orthodontics when I was in high school, but Mom lost interest in prying me from the car for appointments after I got my first taste of the discomfort of shifting teeth, and that was that....). But, nonetheless, I have wanted them since high school due to my desire for all adult teeth and a straighter smile. Plus, I am extra excited because I found a dentist and orthodontist who can hopefully work together well, and who offer sedation if necessary (double-yay!!).
So, I was too excited and nervous to sleep this morning. So I got up and made my wonderful husband breakfast instead. This morning I chose to wear a servant's heart and happy attitude, and took delight in serving my husband and showing him appreciation and respect for doing what he does (which is being a wonderful husband, friend, and provider for us). I have noticed that whenever I choose to count my blessings and meditate on what I can do to make my relationship better, I have an overwhelming sense of peace in my heart. I thank God everyday for my life and my husband. I'm feeling like I'm on a second honeymoon today!
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Life Lessons from a Newbie
Ok, so I know I'm not that old, and I haven't been married all that long. As a matter of fact, it has only been about 4.55 years since David and I tied the knot. I am still relatively new in this field of life compared to many others. Ok, most others. But I have learned a few small things, and I have it on my heart today to share some of those things with you.
The Best Lessons I've Learned So Far
1. Never say anything critical to or about another person.
This is one of the hardest things I have ever undertaken, and I still fail in this pursuit daily, sometimes even hourly, or even "minute-ly". I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as constructive criticism. And also, let me just say that there is a difference between confronting sin, and being critical. There is also a difference between parental guidance and criticism. When I say criticism, what I am talking about is the (oftentimes mean-spirited) nit-picking, as in "Well this painting would have been great if they had used pink instead of purple on this little 1-inch-squared section right here." Criticism, from what I have observed, often comes from a spirit of "it's only done right if it's done my way", otherwise known as pride. Criticism is deadly in any relationship, but especially in the marital relationship. According to my understanding, relationships flourish with encouragement and peace. If you hear yourself starting to critique another, and you want to stop, just ask yourself, "What's something I like about them?" Also, if there is something that another person is doing that is hurtful to you, there is nothing wrong, critical, condemning, or devisive about saying, "Would you be please _______?" My example: Would you please put your drink on a coaster? (Heh, I'm usually the one who this request would addressed to....) Here's a couple relevant verses:
Ephesians 4:31
Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. (NCV)
Titus 3:1-2
REMIND PEOPLE to be submissive to [their] magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be prepared and willing to do any upright and honorable work, to slander or abuse or speak evil of no one, to avoid being contentious, to be forbearing (yielding, gentle, and conciliatory), and to show unqualified courtesy toward everybody. (AMP)
James 3:17-18
Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. (The Message)
2. Accept others where they are, and continually look for what is admirable and praiseworthy about them.
It's easy to get caught in the cycle of "if they would only.....". Do your best to stay away from that train of thought. It leads to an abyss of misery. A person is never going to change based on your opinions or suggestions. This path will only lead to your own frustration. "Never try to keep a pig clean- it wastes your time and annoys the pig" (source unknown). More can be accomplished in the attempt to help another by inspiring them with honest praise and exhortations than can be guilted or brow-beaten out of them. Plus, you and everyone else will feel much better afterwards for the experience if it is a positive one.
Some verses:
1 Corinthians 13:3-7
7If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Ephesians 4:29
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
(Both quoted from The Message)
3. I cannot control another person into changing what they believe or who they are.
Change comes from a place of brokenness, and only God can bring them there. Criticizing and arguing with a person will not bring them to that place. In the case of salvation of another person, the only thing that we as believers can do is to plant the seed by telling them about Jesus and directing them toward the Bible, praying for it to take root in their hearts, and then loving them through the process. Loving them means giving them a soft place to fall and leading by example. There is nothing I can do to "get someone to help me help them." The seed of truth will take root if the ground is fertile, and the only one who can do the work to fertilize it is the Holy Spirit.
This is one of those things that I have had a supreme struggle with. A lot of times I can look at another person's life, and it's easy to see what it is that they are doing to hurt themselves. It is so easy to know where another person is making mistakes, and so tempting to think, "If I can just explain it right, or shout it loud enough, then they will see what they are doing, and change it." Oh, if only it was that easy. However, that approach never works. Almost always, that way of dealing with someone just ends up damaging the relationship- they feel judged, and I feel frustrated. Plus, pointing out to others their mistakes causes them to go on the defensive. When people start defending themselves, it just makes the problem worse because then they feel they must prove they are right, and the problematic behavior becomes more deeply entrenched.
It all comes back to the same basic principle of letting peace rule in our relationships. We do this by encouraging and nurturing the good things we see in ourselves and others, and leaving the rest to God to sort out.
Proverbs 3:12
For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 16:6
By mercy and love, truth and fidelity [to God and man--not by sacrificial offerings], iniquity is purged out of the heart, and by the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord men depart from and avoid evil.
Drop me a note and tell me your thoughts! :)
The Best Lessons I've Learned So Far
1. Never say anything critical to or about another person.
This is one of the hardest things I have ever undertaken, and I still fail in this pursuit daily, sometimes even hourly, or even "minute-ly". I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as constructive criticism. And also, let me just say that there is a difference between confronting sin, and being critical. There is also a difference between parental guidance and criticism. When I say criticism, what I am talking about is the (oftentimes mean-spirited) nit-picking, as in "Well this painting would have been great if they had used pink instead of purple on this little 1-inch-squared section right here." Criticism, from what I have observed, often comes from a spirit of "it's only done right if it's done my way", otherwise known as pride. Criticism is deadly in any relationship, but especially in the marital relationship. According to my understanding, relationships flourish with encouragement and peace. If you hear yourself starting to critique another, and you want to stop, just ask yourself, "What's something I like about them?" Also, if there is something that another person is doing that is hurtful to you, there is nothing wrong, critical, condemning, or devisive about saying, "Would you be please _______?" My example: Would you please put your drink on a coaster? (Heh, I'm usually the one who this request would addressed to....) Here's a couple relevant verses:
Ephesians 4:31
Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. (NCV)
Titus 3:1-2
REMIND PEOPLE to be submissive to [their] magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be prepared and willing to do any upright and honorable work, to slander or abuse or speak evil of no one, to avoid being contentious, to be forbearing (yielding, gentle, and conciliatory), and to show unqualified courtesy toward everybody. (AMP)
James 3:17-18
Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. (The Message)
2. Accept others where they are, and continually look for what is admirable and praiseworthy about them.
It's easy to get caught in the cycle of "if they would only.....". Do your best to stay away from that train of thought. It leads to an abyss of misery. A person is never going to change based on your opinions or suggestions. This path will only lead to your own frustration. "Never try to keep a pig clean- it wastes your time and annoys the pig" (source unknown). More can be accomplished in the attempt to help another by inspiring them with honest praise and exhortations than can be guilted or brow-beaten out of them. Plus, you and everyone else will feel much better afterwards for the experience if it is a positive one.
Some verses:
1 Corinthians 13:3-7
7If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Ephesians 4:29
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
(Both quoted from The Message)
3. I cannot control another person into changing what they believe or who they are.
Change comes from a place of brokenness, and only God can bring them there. Criticizing and arguing with a person will not bring them to that place. In the case of salvation of another person, the only thing that we as believers can do is to plant the seed by telling them about Jesus and directing them toward the Bible, praying for it to take root in their hearts, and then loving them through the process. Loving them means giving them a soft place to fall and leading by example. There is nothing I can do to "get someone to help me help them." The seed of truth will take root if the ground is fertile, and the only one who can do the work to fertilize it is the Holy Spirit.
This is one of those things that I have had a supreme struggle with. A lot of times I can look at another person's life, and it's easy to see what it is that they are doing to hurt themselves. It is so easy to know where another person is making mistakes, and so tempting to think, "If I can just explain it right, or shout it loud enough, then they will see what they are doing, and change it." Oh, if only it was that easy. However, that approach never works. Almost always, that way of dealing with someone just ends up damaging the relationship- they feel judged, and I feel frustrated. Plus, pointing out to others their mistakes causes them to go on the defensive. When people start defending themselves, it just makes the problem worse because then they feel they must prove they are right, and the problematic behavior becomes more deeply entrenched.
It all comes back to the same basic principle of letting peace rule in our relationships. We do this by encouraging and nurturing the good things we see in ourselves and others, and leaving the rest to God to sort out.
Proverbs 3:12
For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 16:6
By mercy and love, truth and fidelity [to God and man--not by sacrificial offerings], iniquity is purged out of the heart, and by the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord men depart from and avoid evil.
Drop me a note and tell me your thoughts! :)
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Kitty Cat Television
There is no greater pleasure for my two cats than the priviledge of sitting and staring out an open window. It dazzles their senses, especially their senses of sound and smell. They pick up snatches of information with their ears and nose, and learn more about the world around them than I could from watching the television for a week. They get so excited whenever David opens the window for them that they begin humming, purring, and prancing in circles. Here are some pics:
Gizmo just gets so excited that she has to be crazy for a couple minutes to vent some steam!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Good Stuff
This week has gone super so far!
Last night, on the spur of the moment, I decided to try making Chex mix for the first time ever in my whole entire life. I looked up the recipe on good ol' google, gathered up husband, and headed to the store. While we were there, grabbing our required cereal ingredients, we noticed a too-delicious-to-pass-up recipe on the back of the corn chex, and decided to make that too.
An hour later, we were at home enjoying about 10 pounds of various chex cereal concoctions, revelling in the tastiness. I could seriously get addicted to the Muddy Buddies, although a lot of the time I can't remember the name of it, and called it Monkey Munch instead (it looks similar to the recipe that Kate Gosselin made for her kids on "Jon and Kate Plus Eight", hmmm perhaps she just ripped off the recipe from their website and added some pretzels or marshmallows or whatever to make it her own....).
On the original Chex mix, I decided to add some Goldfish, roasted and salted sunflower seeds, and extra cashews and almonds. Plus I made it with a whole stick of butter instead of 6 tablespoons. It was super super yummy.
Another good thing about their visit is that it gave us the motivation to get even more done on our house in the department of decorating and organizing. I even got a new shower curtain out of the deal! :)
Last night, on the spur of the moment, I decided to try making Chex mix for the first time ever in my whole entire life. I looked up the recipe on good ol' google, gathered up husband, and headed to the store. While we were there, grabbing our required cereal ingredients, we noticed a too-delicious-to-pass-up recipe on the back of the corn chex, and decided to make that too.
An hour later, we were at home enjoying about 10 pounds of various chex cereal concoctions, revelling in the tastiness. I could seriously get addicted to the Muddy Buddies, although a lot of the time I can't remember the name of it, and called it Monkey Munch instead (it looks similar to the recipe that Kate Gosselin made for her kids on "Jon and Kate Plus Eight", hmmm perhaps she just ripped off the recipe from their website and added some pretzels or marshmallows or whatever to make it her own....).
On the original Chex mix, I decided to add some Goldfish, roasted and salted sunflower seeds, and extra cashews and almonds. Plus I made it with a whole stick of butter instead of 6 tablespoons. It was super super yummy.
Plus, other good things have been afoot in our cozy little household. Aaron and Amie, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law (David's brother and his wife), came up to visit for David's birthday this past Friday and Saturday. Let me just say that I am totally in love with them. D and I have been married for four years and three months, but it wasn't until this past Christmas that we had the chance to connect on a deeper level with his side of the famly (everyone lives pretty far apart). This year, we had an early Christmas, and the more relaxed atmosphere gave more opportunities to truly enjoy each other's company, and get in some good girl-talk. Also, being older and wiser and more accepting of my own flaws helped give me confidence to give someone else a chance to get to know me a little better. It's not very often that you find someone that you can connect with at the heart level, and I'm lucky to have someone like that for a sister-in-law.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Adventures in Toddler Land
Yesterday and today I have had the pleasure of spending some good, quality time baabysitting my little neices Shayce and Kylie. Shayce is four and a half. She has given me some very enlightening information over the last couple of days.
Yesterday she was explaining traffic lights to me. Everything she told me was accurate, and I was impressed, so I asked, "How did you get so smart?" Her response? "From my thumb. One day I bumped it, and that made it smart. Then it made me smart. It was a magic bump."
This morning I let her play on PBS kids website for a little while. I turned it on, went out of the room for a couple minutes to change Kylie's diaper, then came back. When I came back in the room, Shayce was carefully watching a little video on the website, with a pen and paper in hand, drawing little circles and squiggles on the paper. I asked her what she was doing.
"I'm bizerving."
"You're observing?"
"Yes."
Her mother is a [completely awesome] school teacher. It's testing season at school. Need I say more?
Also, on Wednesday, Kylie was hankering after Shayce's trail mix that she made at school. My mom had told Shayce to share with Kylie, so Shayce very happily picked out the pretzel sticks from the mix and poked them into Kylie's mouth. Then, Shayce was finished sharing. Kylie, however was not. So, for the next two hours, Kylie hunted, stalked, and tried to sneak some of the delicious M&M's or marshmallows out of Shayce's bowl of trail mix. Every time I would catch her trying to sneak some, I would tell her no. Finally, after a couple of attempts, she made a grab for the bowl, I started to say no, and she looked up with a pout and exclaimed "Shhh!"
Yesterday she was explaining traffic lights to me. Everything she told me was accurate, and I was impressed, so I asked, "How did you get so smart?" Her response? "From my thumb. One day I bumped it, and that made it smart. Then it made me smart. It was a magic bump."
This morning I let her play on PBS kids website for a little while. I turned it on, went out of the room for a couple minutes to change Kylie's diaper, then came back. When I came back in the room, Shayce was carefully watching a little video on the website, with a pen and paper in hand, drawing little circles and squiggles on the paper. I asked her what she was doing.
"I'm bizerving."
"You're observing?"
"Yes."
Her mother is a [completely awesome] school teacher. It's testing season at school. Need I say more?
Also, on Wednesday, Kylie was hankering after Shayce's trail mix that she made at school. My mom had told Shayce to share with Kylie, so Shayce very happily picked out the pretzel sticks from the mix and poked them into Kylie's mouth. Then, Shayce was finished sharing. Kylie, however was not. So, for the next two hours, Kylie hunted, stalked, and tried to sneak some of the delicious M&M's or marshmallows out of Shayce's bowl of trail mix. Every time I would catch her trying to sneak some, I would tell her no. Finally, after a couple of attempts, she made a grab for the bowl, I started to say no, and she looked up with a pout and exclaimed "Shhh!"
Thursday, January 07, 2010
An Open Letter to my Lovely Sister
Dear Carrie,
I've been thinking about you a lot lately. It is probably because of the time of year- your birthday was last week. I wanted to take a minute to tell you exactly what I think of you.
You are Wonderful.
That's right. You heard me. With a capital W, too. Be complimented-- I dare you.
There are many reasons why I love you- among them are that you are smart, kind, gracious, and sweet. But most of all I love your heart. I love the fact that you are one of the most accepting and least critical people I have ever known. I love your heart, and that you celebrate with people. I love that I can talk to you about things and you get me.
I love that I got to grow up with you leading the way. I have admired and looked up to you since I was a couple weeks old (yeah, you know the pictures, where my little eyes were bugging out of my head with you peering down at me-- how come you got to be a cute infant, and I resembled an insect???).
I appreciate your creative spirit and desire to be a Godly woman. I think you are brilliant and original- you inspire me to think outside the box. I feel so blessed to be your little sister, and I am a better person for the time we have spent together. I look forward to future times together, and to being mommies together one day :)
Thank you for sticking with me through thick and thin (literally, ha). And thank you for being you.
I've been thinking about you a lot lately. It is probably because of the time of year- your birthday was last week. I wanted to take a minute to tell you exactly what I think of you.
You are Wonderful.
That's right. You heard me. With a capital W, too. Be complimented-- I dare you.
There are many reasons why I love you- among them are that you are smart, kind, gracious, and sweet. But most of all I love your heart. I love the fact that you are one of the most accepting and least critical people I have ever known. I love your heart, and that you celebrate with people. I love that I can talk to you about things and you get me.
I love that I got to grow up with you leading the way. I have admired and looked up to you since I was a couple weeks old (yeah, you know the pictures, where my little eyes were bugging out of my head with you peering down at me-- how come you got to be a cute infant, and I resembled an insect???).
I appreciate your creative spirit and desire to be a Godly woman. I think you are brilliant and original- you inspire me to think outside the box. I feel so blessed to be your little sister, and I am a better person for the time we have spent together. I look forward to future times together, and to being mommies together one day :)
Thank you for sticking with me through thick and thin (literally, ha). And thank you for being you.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Happy Birthday to my Wonderful Husband
Today (the 5th) was David's birthday. It was a pretty good day overall. We went to see a movie for his birthday- he chose Sherlock Holmes. I enjoyed it very much. I had heard from some that it was horrible or got a bad review from somewhere, but I have never read the books, so was unbothered by any comparison with the original story. It was wonderful. It had many humorous moments, suspense, intrigue, mystery, and some beautiful camera work and editing. Plus, I think I have a thing for Robert Downey, Jr.
But I have a much bigger thing for my David. In the spirit of celebration of the wonderful man who was born 29 years ago today, I have decided to take a moment to make public my appreciation of him.
Things I like about him as a person:
1. He has a great smile, with dimples and squints.
2. He has a kind heart.
3. He is very gentle and loving.
4. He is brilliant.
5. He is compassionate and caring.
6. He is resourceful, responsible, and a hard worker.
7. He is very thoughtful and considerate.
Things he does well:
1. He makes a mean Gumbo.
2. He remembers every anniversary of every little thing
3. He goes out of his way to let me know how much he loves and appreciates me
4. He helps me feel so special, valuable, and loved
5. He is considerate and thoughtful- he does a great job of living and loving with meaning and purpose.
6. He is soooooo patient, accepting, and content- he really inspires me in these areas.
7. He, like his Biblical namesake, is a man after God's own heart, in that he wants to do what's right and give the praise and glory to God through it all.
8. He is a man of feeling, and shares his heart with me. Alot of the things he thinks about are so deep and insightful- he amazes me.
9. He is very talented in many respects. He can solve any logical or technical problem that ever could come up. He does a great job at his work. He is thorough and dedicated in whatever he projects he takes on at work and at home, and whenever he finishes something it's not only complete but a work to behold.
10. He is beautifully artistic and poetic. The other day he let my mom read a poem he wrote, and she cried. He's that good.
11. He is a technical genius too- he works as a systems engineer, and spends some of his idle time at home building his own computer and writing the software for it. I'm not even sure what it will do when he is finished; when I ask what his computer will do, he says "compute things". He's like Michaelangelo- until it is revealed, the work must remain a mystery. :)
12. He is very funny- he is always coming up with jokes, puns, and little comments that keep me laughing ( or at times smiling painfully).
13. He is great with children and pets. One of my favorites is when he does impressions of our pets and what they must be thinking. He even does the "Mackenzie Dance".
He is the greatest friend and partner I could ever ask for. I feel blessed every day when I wake up next to him, and I am so so looking forward to the rest of our future together.
But I have a much bigger thing for my David. In the spirit of celebration of the wonderful man who was born 29 years ago today, I have decided to take a moment to make public my appreciation of him.
Things I like about him as a person:
1. He has a great smile, with dimples and squints.
2. He has a kind heart.
3. He is very gentle and loving.
4. He is brilliant.
5. He is compassionate and caring.
6. He is resourceful, responsible, and a hard worker.
7. He is very thoughtful and considerate.
Things he does well:
1. He makes a mean Gumbo.
2. He remembers every anniversary of every little thing
3. He goes out of his way to let me know how much he loves and appreciates me
4. He helps me feel so special, valuable, and loved
5. He is considerate and thoughtful- he does a great job of living and loving with meaning and purpose.
6. He is soooooo patient, accepting, and content- he really inspires me in these areas.
7. He, like his Biblical namesake, is a man after God's own heart, in that he wants to do what's right and give the praise and glory to God through it all.
8. He is a man of feeling, and shares his heart with me. Alot of the things he thinks about are so deep and insightful- he amazes me.
9. He is very talented in many respects. He can solve any logical or technical problem that ever could come up. He does a great job at his work. He is thorough and dedicated in whatever he projects he takes on at work and at home, and whenever he finishes something it's not only complete but a work to behold.
10. He is beautifully artistic and poetic. The other day he let my mom read a poem he wrote, and she cried. He's that good.
11. He is a technical genius too- he works as a systems engineer, and spends some of his idle time at home building his own computer and writing the software for it. I'm not even sure what it will do when he is finished; when I ask what his computer will do, he says "compute things". He's like Michaelangelo- until it is revealed, the work must remain a mystery. :)
12. He is very funny- he is always coming up with jokes, puns, and little comments that keep me laughing ( or at times smiling painfully).
13. He is great with children and pets. One of my favorites is when he does impressions of our pets and what they must be thinking. He even does the "Mackenzie Dance".
He is the greatest friend and partner I could ever ask for. I feel blessed every day when I wake up next to him, and I am so so looking forward to the rest of our future together.
I love you, David!
Monday, January 04, 2010
Digging Into the New Year
The last few days we have been busy as little bees around in these parts. Christmas/New Year's is always a busy time of year for us because of the proliferation of holidays and birthdays. this was our schedule this year:
December 18- Leave for Crockett for B--- Family Christmas
December 20- Drive back from Crockett to Dallas for Kylie's Birthday Party
December 24- Mc--- family Christmas
December 25- Christmas
December 28 - Mom's Birthday Party
January 1- New Year's
January 2- Carrie's Birthday and family party for her and David
January 5- David's Birthday
January 8-10 - David's family comes to our house to visit for his birthday, with many days previous spent furiously cleaning, sifting, organizing, and in some cases discarding our lovely junk from all the nooks and crannies in our sweet little 950-Sq. Ft. house.
This year is the first year that we are having David's family up for his birthday. Only one of his brothers (and his wife :) ) is spending the night, so that relieves some of the stress of trying to figure out where to put everyone.
Plus, it is the first year that we didn't spend the 25-28th on the road. Moving Christmas with David's family up to the weekend before Christmas made things so much more enjoyable, and less stressful.
Plus, we also chose not to go anywhere or do anything on Christmas Day or New Year's, so that also lessend the stress by quite a bit.
Now I just have to get my house back into a semblance of order, and we're all good.
December 18- Leave for Crockett for B--- Family Christmas
December 20- Drive back from Crockett to Dallas for Kylie's Birthday Party
December 24- Mc--- family Christmas
December 25- Christmas
December 28 - Mom's Birthday Party
January 1- New Year's
January 2- Carrie's Birthday and family party for her and David
January 5- David's Birthday
January 8-10 - David's family comes to our house to visit for his birthday, with many days previous spent furiously cleaning, sifting, organizing, and in some cases discarding our lovely junk from all the nooks and crannies in our sweet little 950-Sq. Ft. house.
This year is the first year that we are having David's family up for his birthday. Only one of his brothers (and his wife :) ) is spending the night, so that relieves some of the stress of trying to figure out where to put everyone.
Plus, it is the first year that we didn't spend the 25-28th on the road. Moving Christmas with David's family up to the weekend before Christmas made things so much more enjoyable, and less stressful.
Plus, we also chose not to go anywhere or do anything on Christmas Day or New Year's, so that also lessend the stress by quite a bit.
Now I just have to get my house back into a semblance of order, and we're all good.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Memories of a New Year
This time of year is a very special time for me and my sweetheart. Five years ago today I was nervously awaiting time to begin getting ready for a big, fun night- I was going to go with a group of friends to a new year's eve show and I had invited along this guy from church who very obviously had a crush on me. I wasn't sure about him, but he seemed sweet and I thought it would be nice for him to come along and I could get to know him better.
I wanted to get to see everyone getting together at my eldest sister's house that year, as it was tradition for all my family and our family friends, so I invited the group to come by and visit for a little bit before heading out around nine-ish.
The only person who showed up at my sister's house was David. It was a little awkward at first due to all the "knowing looks" we were being given, but I also enjoyed the attention. From David, and from everyone else. Plus, my wonderful youngest neice at the time quickly made a friend out of David and broke the ice. She wonderfully entertained him for the couple of hours before we left, and gave me an opportunity to observe his kind heart in his interactions with a very boisterous seven-year-old.
Well, at around nine, we decided it was time to head out. I decided to let him drive my car, since he was the boy, hehe. Plus it was a little icy. The car atmosphere on the way to the show was full of pregnant silences from what I remember, at least at first. Both of us are a little bit introverted by nature, which has grown into a nice habit of comfortable quiet in our home.
We chatted a little bit back and forth, and I discovered that this was the first time that he had ever been invited by a girl to a party on New Year's. I was glad to provide him with his first experience, but it was my first also, so I'm sure I did a super bang-up job. I was 21 at the time, and had never even been on a real date before. But at least I looked good, or at least I gather I did from the constant presence of a small bit of gathering saliva at the corner of his mouth for the entire evening. Either that or he was just malnourished like one of my parent's aging cats.
I don't remember much about the show, aside from a really really funny cartoon sketh they did about Zoloft, where they illustrated all the possible side effects of the medicine happening to the sad little blue blob. That and the very very awkward pause at midnight where neither David nor I were willing to kiss each other. First kiss ever on New Year's? I think not.
Then it was time to leave. On the way out I was almost assaulted by a very very drunk guy. Then, we chatted with our friends for a little bit, and I pulled my sweat-soaked 20 out of my shoe to pay one of my friends back for my ticket. Then we left. It was very very cold, and I was thoroughly shivering by the time we got back to the car.
I remember talking a little bit about what high school was like for each of us. It turns out that we didn't have such different experiences- both of us were very focused on scholastics, and spent little time outside of school with friends. Although I think I spent more time with friends and babysitting and parties than he did.
On the drive home, driving from the middle of central Dallas, and trying to figure out the 30/35 junction, we managed to get lost for three hours. I wasn't all that worried. I was enjoying talking to him. After we had figured out where we were, and were on the right track to get back home, I asked him the fateful question: "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" Do you know what his answer was? "Well, still at my job here in G--, married to you............ or someone like you."
I was floored. And highly complimented. I thought he was so. cute. And sweet. He said it like a blushing, shy, little boy. And I ate it up.
We got home about five minutes after that. We hugged goodbye. I went inside and told my family what he had said. They said to run as fast as I could. And I did- straight into his arms (figuratively speaking). We dated, and then got married eight months later. And five years to the day later, here we are. He is still at his job in G--. And he is married to me. And I don't regret a minute of it. He is my perfect mate, and has all my love and respect.
I wanted to get to see everyone getting together at my eldest sister's house that year, as it was tradition for all my family and our family friends, so I invited the group to come by and visit for a little bit before heading out around nine-ish.
The only person who showed up at my sister's house was David. It was a little awkward at first due to all the "knowing looks" we were being given, but I also enjoyed the attention. From David, and from everyone else. Plus, my wonderful youngest neice at the time quickly made a friend out of David and broke the ice. She wonderfully entertained him for the couple of hours before we left, and gave me an opportunity to observe his kind heart in his interactions with a very boisterous seven-year-old.
Well, at around nine, we decided it was time to head out. I decided to let him drive my car, since he was the boy, hehe. Plus it was a little icy. The car atmosphere on the way to the show was full of pregnant silences from what I remember, at least at first. Both of us are a little bit introverted by nature, which has grown into a nice habit of comfortable quiet in our home.
We chatted a little bit back and forth, and I discovered that this was the first time that he had ever been invited by a girl to a party on New Year's. I was glad to provide him with his first experience, but it was my first also, so I'm sure I did a super bang-up job. I was 21 at the time, and had never even been on a real date before. But at least I looked good, or at least I gather I did from the constant presence of a small bit of gathering saliva at the corner of his mouth for the entire evening. Either that or he was just malnourished like one of my parent's aging cats.
I don't remember much about the show, aside from a really really funny cartoon sketh they did about Zoloft, where they illustrated all the possible side effects of the medicine happening to the sad little blue blob. That and the very very awkward pause at midnight where neither David nor I were willing to kiss each other. First kiss ever on New Year's? I think not.
Then it was time to leave. On the way out I was almost assaulted by a very very drunk guy. Then, we chatted with our friends for a little bit, and I pulled my sweat-soaked 20 out of my shoe to pay one of my friends back for my ticket. Then we left. It was very very cold, and I was thoroughly shivering by the time we got back to the car.
I remember talking a little bit about what high school was like for each of us. It turns out that we didn't have such different experiences- both of us were very focused on scholastics, and spent little time outside of school with friends. Although I think I spent more time with friends and babysitting and parties than he did.
On the drive home, driving from the middle of central Dallas, and trying to figure out the 30/35 junction, we managed to get lost for three hours. I wasn't all that worried. I was enjoying talking to him. After we had figured out where we were, and were on the right track to get back home, I asked him the fateful question: "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" Do you know what his answer was? "Well, still at my job here in G--, married to you............ or someone like you."
I was floored. And highly complimented. I thought he was so. cute. And sweet. He said it like a blushing, shy, little boy. And I ate it up.
We got home about five minutes after that. We hugged goodbye. I went inside and told my family what he had said. They said to run as fast as I could. And I did- straight into his arms (figuratively speaking). We dated, and then got married eight months later. And five years to the day later, here we are. He is still at his job in G--. And he is married to me. And I don't regret a minute of it. He is my perfect mate, and has all my love and respect.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Winter
I have to admit something. Winter is my favorite season.
There is something so calm and peaceful about this time of year, when nature chooses to lay down its head, blissfully shut its eyes, and go to sleep.
My house is so much calmer and quieter when it's cold outside. We have a window unit in our living room to cool the entire house in the summer. Whenever spring rolls around, and we have to turn on the a/c for the first time in many weeks, the din is unbelievable. Because we not only have to turn on the window unit, but use a system of fans to funnel all the air around a corner, into the hallway, and into our room. It takes at least 3 fans. The white noise becomes deafening. Then, when the cats start shedding, we also have a round air purifier that sounds like our own personal jet engine with congestion. By the time all of those things have been up and running for about 10 minutes, I have a trickle of blood starting to run out of each of my ears, my vision is vibrating, David is fanning my pale face and suggesting I lay down and rest a bit.
Ok, that last part was a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the picture.
So, during winter time, I get the blessed peace of quiet. I no longer have the feeling of impending doom due to the white noise in my house being so loud that I wouldn't be able to hear it if a plane fell out of the sky on top of my house Donnie Dark-O style. I can now hear every last syllable of the neighbor's conversation, delivered at the top of their lungs in Tex-Mex with a drunken lisp.
I also love that my house is finally a comfortable temperature in a completely natural way. No more worries about the house burning down due to the motor of a box fan burning out. Oh yeah, you heard me. David and I had the delight of welcoming a dozen sweaty firemen into our tiny little house last September, thinking there was a fire inside the walls because of ancient electrical wiring. They were there with their little heat-seeking devices for an hour and a half before they figured out that the source of the smoke was not the wiring or our demonic air conditioner, but one of the fans in our impromptu wind funnel. Go us.
But the best thing about winter time is hands-down the ability to wear over-sized, tunic-length sweatshirts. It's hard to feel fat or uncomfortable in a nice, soft, baggy sweatshirt. I love winter.
There is something so calm and peaceful about this time of year, when nature chooses to lay down its head, blissfully shut its eyes, and go to sleep.
My house is so much calmer and quieter when it's cold outside. We have a window unit in our living room to cool the entire house in the summer. Whenever spring rolls around, and we have to turn on the a/c for the first time in many weeks, the din is unbelievable. Because we not only have to turn on the window unit, but use a system of fans to funnel all the air around a corner, into the hallway, and into our room. It takes at least 3 fans. The white noise becomes deafening. Then, when the cats start shedding, we also have a round air purifier that sounds like our own personal jet engine with congestion. By the time all of those things have been up and running for about 10 minutes, I have a trickle of blood starting to run out of each of my ears, my vision is vibrating, David is fanning my pale face and suggesting I lay down and rest a bit.
Ok, that last part was a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the picture.
So, during winter time, I get the blessed peace of quiet. I no longer have the feeling of impending doom due to the white noise in my house being so loud that I wouldn't be able to hear it if a plane fell out of the sky on top of my house Donnie Dark-O style. I can now hear every last syllable of the neighbor's conversation, delivered at the top of their lungs in Tex-Mex with a drunken lisp.
I also love that my house is finally a comfortable temperature in a completely natural way. No more worries about the house burning down due to the motor of a box fan burning out. Oh yeah, you heard me. David and I had the delight of welcoming a dozen sweaty firemen into our tiny little house last September, thinking there was a fire inside the walls because of ancient electrical wiring. They were there with their little heat-seeking devices for an hour and a half before they figured out that the source of the smoke was not the wiring or our demonic air conditioner, but one of the fans in our impromptu wind funnel. Go us.
But the best thing about winter time is hands-down the ability to wear over-sized, tunic-length sweatshirts. It's hard to feel fat or uncomfortable in a nice, soft, baggy sweatshirt. I love winter.
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