Sharing the Love

Thank you, Minda, for sharing this.

I needed to hear that.

Terrific Twos

Here's a list of some of my favorite things....(I copied this idea, but changed it up a bit, from one of the blogs I've recently spent a lot of time perusing).

Websites:

 www.hostesswiththemostess.com

-I LOVE this website and could spend countless hours on here. Great ideas for fun and different themed party ideas!

www.cupcakesandcashmere.com

- In love with this blog. This girl is a crafty foodie and fashionista. She does home decor ideas, outfits, recipes, how-tos. In general - brilliant. (If you like those kinds of things that is) Copied the favorite things idea from her.


Fashion:

Lace! I love it - so girly yet sophisticated (if done correctly). I'm obsessed. I especially love the idea of a crisp white lace dress. Perfect for summer.

Color blocking! So bold and beautiful. I love taking two complementary colors and making such bold statements with them. It's simple and colorful.

Music:

Britney Spears' newest album Femme Fatale. Very clubby - love it!

ADELE and her album 21. I underestimated her. She has an incredibly soulful voice.

Beauty:

Braids!! How have I never appreciated the braid?! It can easily be dressed up or down. I'm pretty sure this will be one of my go-to hairstyles this spring/summer.

The "nude" trend. Au naturale face - perfect for me, as I hate wearing pounds of makeup. Nude nails - simple and clean. Nude heels- elongate the legs...what else could you need?

Ah summer - you are welcome here.

A Short One

Sometimes moms are right.

"Anna, you need friends that have money too. So they can afford to do things with you."

So. Right.

Where do I find those people?

Fairytales

Last night after writing my blog post, I went to bed with a heavy heart.  I felt frustrated, boxed in and limited.  Trapped, even.  I went to bed, and couldn’t sleep.  The Lord very clearly gave me a Bible verse to go look at…which led me to all of the following.

Now, I typically don’t like to talk about relationships much (as a single lady).  I feel it teeters on a danger zone and can put your heart in a position it doesn’t need to be in.  However, I think I should share what was revealed to me last night, which will very much be about relationships.

As little girls, we are introduced to the fairytale: Princes and Princesses and happily ever after.  We get caught up in the idea that one day our Prince will come find us, and he’ll be perfect.  Then, we get older, and realize that maybe the fairytale doesn’t exist.  

•        Sometimes, the Princess sees a Prince (or any male in general) and, instead of waiting to see if he’ll come get her – she decides to go get him. Maybe he was looking for a different Princess.
•      Some Princesses just give up and are no longer on the lookout for their Prince. And, if he DOES find them, no one wants a Princess wallowing in self-pity or someone who’s bitter.
•        Other Princesses find out their Prince has been kissing all the other Princesses on Palace Avenue.
•        Yet still, some princesses decide they’ll do it on their own, because they don’t need a dumb Prince to help them. They’re independent and can do it their own way.
•        Princesses can decide that the Duke or Count (or, heck, in some cases, even the Stable Boy) is an okay alternative for a Prince. I mean, it’s not like there have been any Princes that have come through that part of the country.
•        Sometimes, the Prince isn’t all he’s portrayed himself to be. Maybe he’s arrogant and self-centered and only found the Princess to make himself look better. Sometimes, he stops trying once he’s got his Princess and becomes a lazy fool. Or many other numerous scenarios.

So, as this was playing out in my head, I thought, “Maybe referring to females as princesses is in poor taste and outdated.”  Besides, I’ve had friends obsessed with the princess/crown theme, which has definitely turned me off to the idea.  But, thinking further and barring any female that takes the princess theme to the extreme and becomes an entitled, self-centered diva, princess is right.

A princess is someone that has value.  She is cherished.  She is honored.  She is respected.  She is a leader.  She is important.  She is loved.  She is treasured.  She is influential.  Her words hold worth and weight.  And, as females we should view ourselves as such.

To tie this in to the verse the Lord gave me, He reminded me of the man who looked for the pearl.  “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.  When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

Matthew 13:44-46

I had always seen this as someone finding Jesus, or Him finding us.  But, the Lord told me that maybe I should consider myself as the pearl/treasure – I have NEVER considered myself as this.  Wait for the merchant [man] who will not only search for BUT recognize the pearl/treasure of great value [me].

So, I started looking up “treasure” and found many other Bible verses to support this.

“The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.”

-Proverbs 18:22

Then, in Song of Solomon, the bride is called his treasure numerous times.

“You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride.  You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes, with a single jewel of your necklace.  Your love delights me, my treasure, my bride.  Your love is better than wine, your perfume more fragrant than spices.”

-Song of Solomon 4:9-10

“You are my private garden, my treasure, my bride, a secluded spring, a hidden fountain.”

-Song of Solomon 4:12

“I have entered my garden, my treasure, my bride!”

-Song of Solomon 5:1a

And, finally, what struck me the most:

“Such, O women of Jerusalem, is my lover, my friend.”

-Song of Solomon 5:16b

She doesn’t mean some some dude I just met.  Or some guy I think will be great to have children with.  Or this man who I could possibly make marriage work with.  But, he’s a friend.  This to me means someone you share commonality with, a comrade, buddy, and confidante.  It’s someone you enjoy spending time with and sharing your life with.  Someone to laugh with.  Now THAT’S what I want.  I’ll hold tight to the idea of fairytales and keep looking out my little window in the tower and be the Princess that actively waits for the Prince.  As my Aunt S said, “I’m GLAD you’re picky.” So am I…so am I.

Stay Back!

Children love boundaries - or at least thrive with them...that's what I hear parents say. Boundaries provide structure, safety and prevent chaos. They are good, healthy and necessary.

Well, we as children of Christ are also to operate within certain boundaries - granted, this can be different for each individual. However, ultimately, the Bible gives us the guidelines and boundaries with which we are to live by.

A few months ago, I felt the Lord draw in my boundaries in a certain area of my life. I feel like He took me from a field to play in to a little 4x4 fenced in area. Some days it's frustrating, but I KNOW it's good for me.

Of course, almost immediately after I was given those boundaries - I tested them. And, not surprisingly, I got hurt. A gentle reminder from the Lord that there is purpose behind fencing me in, and it's not to be hurtful and controlling, but to protect me from the hurt.

I do know, though, at any time, I can leave my 4x4 area and frolic in the field...at my own risk. Being the somewhat free spirit I am...or more, hard-headed gal, this is oh-so-tempting. These boundaries are not going to be patrolled by the Lord. He won't be walking around the perimeter to make sure I'm following in line...it's up to me.  I have to make the decision to stay. I have to decide what's important - obedience and safety or selfishness and pain.

Tonight was the first time I had to stay inside the fence. It's hard and I feel REALLY limited in some ways. But, He's protecting me from the hurt. He has my best interest in mind. I have to trust and believe this.

Same old stuff...

So - you know, my life's been pretty boring lately....got a raise at work, have 3 friends/family give birth last week, and so on. The usual.

But, in reality, I could NOT be prouder to have become an AUNT for the first time and SO excited to see some great folks head into a new phase in life!!! :) Oh, such sweet, precious little bebes!!

This is the adorable Amelia (Millie) Wright...I have a feeling that she and I will be good friends in the future....how can you not fall in love with that face?!

This is the little fighter Miles (Milo) Wright...his little face has captured my heart. This picture makes me tear up sometimes! He definitely reminds me of Philip...already!!!

We are so dang happy for Phil Phil and Jenni! What a beautiful family!

Root vs. Symptoms

I know - I'm so behind in my updating! So, Friday I went to the doctor....the, er, "woman doctor." Ugh.  If you've read my blog, you know I've been experiencing some medical issues I guess you'd call them. I really went into the appointment on some level excited (not in a weird way) because I felt I would walk away with an answer...finally! Unfortunately, that didn't happen. The answer I received was - there's nothing we can do or you can get bariatric surgery. Really, lady? THOSE are my options? Nothing else can help...? It can't possibly be anything else?

I walked away with so many more questions than answers. But, I will not accept her answer...I gave her my list of symptoms, one of which is inability to lose weight. She told me that if I just lost some weight, my symptoms would go away. What? I've spent 2 years working my butt off in an effort to lose weight and I can't. Addressing one symptom doesn't get to the root of the problem.

Sadly, I'm still in my quest to figure out what's wrong with my body, but the Lord brought to my attention that this relates to our spiritual lives. How often do we address a symptom? How often do we fail to get to the root of the problem? Are we willing to spend the time to search out and explore, through difficult or painful means to fix our heart issues?

This experience opened my eyes that not all "qualified people" know the answer. A few letters behind a person's name or their professional experience doesn't always mean they know what to do. Sometimes they give you the wrong answer. Sometimes they provide the most drastic option available. Sometimes they don't listen. Sometimes they won't spend time with you to seek out the root of the problem - they'll address a symptom. Sometimes the first answer isn't the right or best one.