What Women Fear

I just read the most amazing book.  What Women Fear, written by Angie Smith, was such a great read.  It has inspired me in more ways than I can count.  Angie is such a unique writer and makes you feel like you are her friend as you read about her story and the struggles and fears she has faced.  I think the most important thing that I learned from the book was that it is ok to worry, to have fear, as long as you trust God and have faith along the way.

Shelia Walsh said it best in her review of Angie's book when she stated, "You don't have to be around Angie Smith very long to fall in love with her.  She is funny and transparent with a passionate love for Christ.  In What Women Fear Angie holds up a mirror so that we can see ourselves from every angle, the thoughts we display on the front shelves of our lives and those we hide.  The greatest gift tucked into this book is the overwhelming picture of the mercy  of our God who understands our fears and invites us to stand beside Him in the rain and let His love wash us clean."

To sum up the book, Angie said it best when she wrote, "You have a God who longs to be the peace of your life and the glory of your days.  He desires your relationship, your trust, and your obedience.  He doesn't want you to live a life of fear, but the only way you will really believe Him is to do the thing that seems impossible."

If you are looking for an inspiring, provoking, life-changing read, read this book.  You won't be disappointed!  

Lions and Tigers and Bears, OH MY!

This past Saturday was my first day off in 19 days, not that I was counting or anything...It was so nice to relax and get to spend some time with my family and my husband.  Friday night Andrew and I went and ate sushi.  The little Owasso sushi place is so delicious!  The only problem is that you have to wait to so long once you get there for it to be made...but we were smart and called our order ahead, so as soon as we sat down, wa-la our sushi was ready!  After dinner, I passssssed out.  I was pooped!

Saturday, Andrew went on a 71 mile bike ride, he is a little crazy like that.  He tried to talk me into riding and had me convinced for about mmmm 5 seconds.  Then I realized that sleeping in was much more important to me.  Ha!  Who was I kidding?  I only slept till 8.  Then me and my trusty psychotic side-kick Roxy went on a nice run.  It was so nice out!  So much better than the 105 degree weather, dontcha think?!?  My mom then decided she really really missed me and her and my dad came to Owasso for breakfast.  I think she was going through "I miss my favorite daughter*" withdrawals.  We ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel and I shared with her my lifelong hopes and dreams and almost have them both convinced to move to San Diego with me...almost.

Andrew came home around 1 pm and was complaining like an old man that just got off a horse in good spirits and not the least just a tiny bit tired and sore after that grueling/supposed to be leisurely ride!  I convinced him to go to dinner and a movie.  I'd tell you what movie we went and saw, but then Andrew would kill me and blackmail me to no end.  Sooooo I guess you will just have to ponder...It most certainly was not Smurfs 3D!

It was a great night out with that wonderful hubby of mine!  Oh, and that movie I went and saw that I can't tell you the name of it, don't go see it.  It really wasn't that good, totally got my hopes up!  Such a bummer.

On Sunday, we went to this really cool Safari Zoo.  There were lions and tigers and bears, oh my!  And there were baby kangaroos!  We bought food for the animals and we fed tigers, lions, even a liger!  We also fed bears, monkeys, llamas, camels, deer, kangaroos, goats, donkeys, etc.  The list goes on and on!  It was so cool!  And you all remember how my husband is when he gets around animals dont you?  Like a kid in a candy store!  The best part of the whole day was getting up close and personal with the baby kangaroos.  They are so soft and neat little animals.  And that pouch of theirs?!?!  Crazyness!! 

We had such a great weekend!  It was so nice to relax and enjoy each others company for the first time in weeks!  I hope your weekend was equally as great :)

Its a Lion, I mean a Tiger, No wait...it's a Liger!  Can anyone explain to me the man's obsession with a Liger?  I just don't get it!  I had to pry Andrew away from the Liger's cage.  I think he would have gotten in there with him if I would have let him.  Anyone?!?!

The camel was trying to spit on me.

 What's with the pouch...I think there was a baby in there!

If you haven't been to this safari zoo, you should check it out sometime!  It's pretty cool.


*just checking to see if you are reading dear sister of mine ;)

9-11

Ten years ago today, I was a sophomore at OU.  As I heard about the terrorist attacks, I was driving to a class, that was soon to be canceled.  I remember being glued to the television day after day after that, hearing story after story, and I remember it like it was yesterday.   

New York is very near and dear to my heart.  My mom is from there and my aunt and uncles still live there; therefore, it is like a second home to me.  I grew up going to NY year after year.  I can remember that just the year before 9-11, I went to visit my aunt Susan.  We went to NYC for a day and took a boat out to the Statue of Liberty.  On the way out and back we got a gorgeous glimpse of the NYC skyline, with the World Trade Center right smack dab in the center.  It's crazy to think that the next year, the skyline would never be the same...

 

"I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." Lamentations 3:20-23

So often we take for granted this amazing country we live in and those that fight for us to remain free.  Let today remind us that we will never forget 9-11 and those that continue to fight day after day to ensure our freedom.  God bless those fighting for our freedom and those that died trying.  

Happy Belated Birthday Blog...oops

I can't believe I missed my blogs birthday.  Shame on me.  I must have been too busy road-tripping in California to remember this important day.  Oops!  Happy Birthday Blog!  You have been one huge blessing in disguise for me...

Geez, a year sure flies when you're having fun and working like a dog.  It's been a crazy year to say the least!  I can't wait to see what this year has in store. 

The past month was a little rough for me and slightly frustrating, ok a lot frustrating, for reasons I don't really want to go into.  (Thankfully this month is starting out much better)  Lots of stuff going on and having vacation withdrawal depression on top of it all doesn't help things.  I was looking back through some previous blog posts of mine and found this post about life and was suddenly reminded of all the good things I have to be thankful for.  Sometimes its so easy to get frustrated and dwell on the bad things, that we forget to remember all the wonderful things that life has in store for us.

God is pretty freakin amazing and does wonderful things...if you let him.  Be thankful for the life you have been given, and always always always say your prayers.

Oh My Pinterest

I've fallen in love with Pinterest. Oh my goodness.  It is so amazing.  If you haven't checked it out you really should.  I'm not completely familiar with it and all of its wonderfulness yet, but so far, I am in love. 

So what is it you ask...It's a website that has pictures of anything and everything you could ever think of...clothes, vacation spots, food, rooms, decorating tips, quotes, animals, photography, etc.  You can like a pic, then click on the picture and it takes you to the site that tells you all the details you ever wanted to know about whatever it is you clicked on.  It's pretty amazing.  Whether you are looking for yummy recipes, trendy outfits, amazing vacation spots, inspiring quotes, etc. pinterest is your site!  And there is so much more to it that what I have just mentioned but you get the drift. 

Here are a couple of pictures of where I am going on vacation to as soon as I can convince my husband to take me.  

Oh and did you know there is only 83 more days until my husband will finally let me put my Christmas tree up?!?!  I think that is one of my most favorite days out of the whole year.  I'd leave it up forever if I could.  I really think we should celebrate Christmas in July too, don't you?

I love the outfit ideas on pinterest.  I'm not a very trendy person.  I really like to dress comfortably and you will almost never ever find me in high heels.  But there are times when I HAVE to dress up and could use some good ideas of what to wear. 

And then there is the inspiring quotes that I have found on pinterest.  I love quotes and the feelings they can provoke.  Here are a few of my favorites for this particular time in my life.

Oh and lets not forget about the yummy food...I can't wait till my husband cooks all these things for me.

Anyhow, you get the drift.  Check out www.pinterest.com.  I'm apologizing now for the addiction.  Your welcome ;)

Not "Just a Dog"

Just a Dog 

From time to time people tell me, "Lighten up. It's just a dog."
or "That's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance traveled, time spent or costs involved for "Just a dog".

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "Just a dog".
Many hours have passed with my only company being "Just a dog"
and not once have I felt slighted.
Some of my saddest moments were brought about by "just a dog".
In those days of darkness , the gentle touch of "Just a dog" provided comfort
and purpose to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "Just a dog", you will probably understand phrases like
"Just a friend" or "just a sunrise" or "Just a promise".

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust,
and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "Just a dog" I will rise early,
take long walks, and look longingly to the future.

For me and folks like me, it's not "Just a dog".
It's an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts
away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday people can understand it's not "Just a dog."
It's the thing that gives me humanity and keep me from being
"Just a man " or "Just a woman".

So the next time you hear the phrase "Just a dog",
smile, because they "Just don't understand"..

Author unknown. 

"Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.  It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them." 

~John Grogan

 My dear friend Chelsea's little dog went to be an angel yesterday.  Will you please send some prayers up for her if you feel so inclined to do so.  I cannot even begin to imagine what she is going through right now.  You see, me and her, we are A LOT alike when it comes to our dogs.  We both know that our dogs are not "just a dog."

Most of you that know me, know that I can tend to take a while to open up to you if I don't know you.  The case wasn't so when Chelsea and I met for the first time.  We clicked instantly and it seems like our friendship formed an instant bond the moment we met.  Chelsea is one of the most down-to-earth girls I know and is a wonderful friend to me.  She's so caring and compassionate to those in her life and really cares about the people in her life.  She's one of those people, that when you talk to her and confide in her, she really listens and really cares about what you have to say.  She's also one of the only people I have ever met that gets my obsession and love I have for my dog Macy.  Probably because she is the EXACT same way I am with Macy as she is with her dogs.  She gets that I love my dog more than anything and would drive to the end of the earth for her, because she would do the same for her dogs.  This must be why we get along soooo well ;)

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.  ~Roger Caras

So, please friends, say a prayer for her if you will.  Little Kayli was her world before her son was born.  Her heart is broken right now and I just hope that she can find a little bit of comfort in the fact that Kayli is running around like crazy with my first love, Mouse, in Heaven.  I just know it!

"A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty." ~John Grogan 

Wednesday Randoms

Oh I am so glad it's Wednesday.  And I am soooo ready for this month to be over.  Been a rough one, minus the vacation of a lifetime, of course.  That, my friend, was incredible and something I hope everyone gets a chance to do in their lifetime, but work and some other stuff this month...not so much.  However, I have been taught that I need to learn how to deal with my frustrations.  I am not so good at it...never have been.  Why oh why do I like to keep everything so bottled up inside of me is beyond me...but me and God...we are working on it.  It's been a lifelong process...He's been teaching me a lot these days. 

Psalms 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." 

I have aaaamazing friends.  I find it fascinating that some people can know me so well to just be able to hear my voice and know how I am feeling.  Some friends are definitely angels that God has placed in our lives to help us along this journey.  I just hope that I can be half the friend that some of my friends are to me. 

I love my husband to the moon and back.  He is my soul mate, no doubt.  Speaking of soul mates, we just went and watched the movie "Crazy, Stupid, Love."  It's such a good feel good movie!  You should go see it...with your soul mate. 

We also ate some yummy mexican food for dinner.  I can't wait to eat all the leftovers tomorrow for lunch. 

I am about a quarter way through the book The Help right now.  It's getting good!  I can't wait to finish it and then go see the movie.  (I have no idea how to properly site book titles and movies.)

I have stumbled upon an incredible blog and it has spoke mountains to me.  Angie Smith is a very moving and touching writer and gives God all the glory He deserves.  I promise you that something that she has posted over the years will move you if you are ever in need of a little faith and encouragement.

It's almost time for Macy's yearly checkup with the cardiologist.  If you pray for dogs, like I do every single night, will you say a little prayer for her that she remains healthy please?  And will you also pray for my friend Chelsea's dog who just had surgery?   xoxo

I wish this heat wave would pass!  It's so too hot to even go swimming.  And my hoodie collection is getting neglected.

I ran 4 miles today.  Longest I have ran in a while.  It felt so good.  Thank God for treadmills! 

I love watching The Bachelorpad more than I care to admit.  

I don't know what to buy my husband for his birthday, he's going to be old.  Any suggestions?

I think I work way too much.

And that is all.  Have a great night!

“May God grant you always...A sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you. Faithful friends near you. And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.”