... oh sweet goodness.

the c family | teaser

Some of my favorite people.

Ever.

Stay tuned for more of this special foursome.

thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was, in a word ... incredible. That’s the only way to describe it.

Thanksgiving Day itself, was spent with family. We had a wonderful lunch with my dad’s family, then went to see my mom, grandmother and uncle. We headed down to Brian’s parents after that for another dinner, and to stay the weekend.

The week of Thanksgiving was such a wonderful relief for me. A week of heaven amidst a time of complete chaos. A breath of fresh air. A blessing.

We had some precious family in town for the week - namely our cousin, Jacob, and Laci, Jade and Gabriel. How we love them. It was so fun to spend a few days with them while they were here. I’ll never regret staying at Brian’s parents house, so that we could be closer. I’ll forever treasure the memories we created.

We love this family. I love this family. I simply can’t say that enough. I’m thankful for the bond that we share. I’m thankful for the friendship that I have with Laci and the love and support that she lends me. I’m thankful that Brian is so close to his cousin - and that they are a perfect example to their children of what cousins should be. Ammon and Jade bonded like nobodies business that week. And, sweet goodness, was it ever cute. We, once again, wished that we got to see more of each other. What a good thing that we are able to make the little moments count.

We stayed busy and never hungered - but what I remember best is that our hearts were full. Truly, it was the epitome of the holiday. If there ever was a feeling of thanksgiving, it was felt by us last week. We had all the things that matter most - and we had them in abundance. Reminding us to be ever grateful for the blessings we know ... all the year through.

the art of recovery

Recovering.

From Thanksgiving.

From a migraine.

From sheer madness.

Shortly ... from the Auburn/Alabama game ...

as I am currently almost deaf.

It is a very good thing, that ...

I've mastered the art of recovery.

Enjoying family.

Enjoying leftovers.

Enjoying the dreary rain.

And ... thank heaven above ...

I'm also enjoying some of this:

happy thanksgiving

Wishing you and yours

a bountiful harvest of

blessings, gratitude, love and joy

this season …

and always.

with faith

What would it be like

to have faith to move a mountain –

faith to walk on water –
such faith I've never known.

What would it be like

to ride a chariot of fire?

Or to see God's very finger

write upon a stone?

What would it be like

to sleep among the lions?

Or to build an ark while laughter floods my ears?

What would it be like

facing death to save my nation?

Or be betrayed by my own brothers

and not harbor it for years?

Faith the size of a seed

can do amazing things …
amazing things.

What would it be like

to defeat a mighty giant?

Or see the belly of a whale

and live to tell?

What would it be like –
stripped of every last possession –
to remain a true and faithful servant still?

Faith the size of a seed

can do amazing things …
amazing things.

What would it be like

to behold the Son and Father?

Or see visions of what was and what will be?

What will it be like

if I drink from heaven's fountain –

having faith to move a mountain ...

Faith the size of a seed

can do amazing things …

With faith the size of a seed –
what will He do through me?

Lyrics: Amazing Things; Julie de Azevedo, Tom Hopkins
Photo courtesy of Carrie Krainock

shane + shelby | teaser

Goin' to the Temple and w'ere ... gonna get ma-a-a-ried.

This was stuck in my head all day yesterday - and obviously still is. And for good reason.

Shane and Shelby were married yesterday. Enjoy ...
and stay tuned for more of these beautiful two.

what is this feeling?

I know it’s been a long time since I posted the events of the day the day they happen. This certainly isn’t going to be a cheery, everything’s-coming-up-roses kind of post. And I don’t even have time to be doing this today. Just humor me. We’ll call this cheap therapy. And maybe, years from now – or maybe in the eternities – I can figure out what happened to today.

To set the scene: Anyone who knows me well, happens to follow me on Facebook, or has paid even the slightest hair of attention to this blog, will know that I am a stressed-out person. Okay, okay. ‘Stressed-out’ doesn’t begin to cover it … but that’s what I’m sticking with. I do not have time for quote-unquote, ‘disasters’. My mentality of late (separate from the stressed-out business) hasn’t been that grand, either. So that coupled with the other means that I am just an all-around gem. I mean, I snapped a remote in half the other day, for goodness sake.

I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned this to any of you. Once, twice or a million times. So, just to ensure that all bases are covered, I’ll say it:

I hate my washing machine.

Now, before anyone starts spouting off the you-should-be-thankful-for-your-washing-machine’s … let me say something. I am thankful for my washing machine. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it. And I don’t. Mainly because it is more of a headache than a convenience at times. Today was such a time.

It all started when I started smelling burning rubber.

I don’t know what was causing that smell. I never found out what the problem was. But I figured out a system that would appease the tired, old, decrepit thing, so that I could complete my 13 loads – and I do mean, 13 loads – of laundry. Said system added about 8 hours to the task.

About half-way through the chore, I opened the washer lid to take out some clean clothes. Some suspicious white something caught my eye. Instinctively, I feared a bleach mishap. Because I had been using bleach. No.

Everything was covered – and I do mean, covered – in little, teensy scraps of tissue.

I don’t know how a tissue got into the washer in the first place. If you’ve ever seen me do laundry – and I pray to all that’s holy that you haven’t, because I’m kind of a nut – you will know that I inspect everything before putting it in or taking it out. Blame it on the OCD. Blame it on past experiences with said washing machine. Whatever the reason … I had a s.e.r.i.o.u.s mess on my hands.

Thankfully – and I do mean, thankfully – I was able to get every morsel off with a brisk shaking. Otherwise, there would have been hell to pay. Of that, you can be certain. Take a glance at the aftermath … and note that this is only a very, very miniscule section of it.



It was all very unpleasant. I immediately began to have horrible flashbacks of all of the horrible good times this retched washing machine and I had on Woodburn Drive. This was the first time since our move that that appalling thing has acted up. I pray this isn’t the beginning of the end. Bring on the déjà vu.

I share these events with you not as part of a plight to get a new washing machine. It’s on the list and will be taken care of when the time is right. No … I just wanted to let you know that this is the story of my life. And maybe yours, too.

When I am very busy, desperately trying to accomplish serious business – a day like this crops up. Always. Today for instance, I was doing laundry so that I can pack for our upcoming trip this weekend. One I’m stressing out about and ready to get over with. I also needed to tackle at least one page of the four-page to-do list. Needless to say, it didn’t happen.

It’s more than that, though. More than the washing machine and all the other things that happened today to make the day rotten. I’m in over my head. I’m really tired. I’m really frazzled.

People frequently make I-don’t-know-how-you-do-it comments to me. People think I can do anything and everything. My, but that’s flattering. It is. But, I wish I could say that I didn’t know how I do it, either. But I do know. It comes with ultimate sleep deprivation, panic attacks, psoriasis, nausea, ulcer-like symptoms, and depression … to name a very few. So, please don’t be jealous of me … and all that I can do. It isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

I’m tired of being stressed-out. And I think that’s why my motivation level is at an all-time low. I’ve been having a very hard time focusing. Something that I have never had a problem with before. I do not enjoy things the way I usually do. I’m tired of saying, “If I can just get through this next week.”

Last night, I had every intention of staying up for a while and work on some things. Not all night ... just a while. I had my list all planned out. I could have done it. All. I could have been done with those things, and been in good shape for today. But I didn’t. Not because I was necessarily tired. But because I didn’t necessarily want to do it … and I convinced myself that I could do it all ‘the next day’.

Denial. I think that’s the word I’m looking for.

This morning, I got up and started piddling around … doing a little of this and a little of that but none of what I should have been doing. I found that I had a maniacal amount of energy to box up our Halloween decorations. Finally, yes. On my list, no. I wrapped and organized and sorted and boxed. I took quite a bit of time doing it … even though I didn’t have time to be doing it in the first place.

Procrastinate. I think that’s the word I’m looking for.

After I put away the Halloween trappings, I decided to put out all of our new Fall/Thanksgiving décor. We have all sorts of new goodies this year … but I had already decided, considering all that was on my plate and how behind I am, that I wasn’t going to go all out this year. That I would save it all for the next season. Guess what I did? Since we paid for it, we should use it … right away.

Justify. I think that’s the word I’m looking for.

What’s a girl to do? What am I to do? I could scream and shout and throw a tantrum. I could huff and puff and cuss. I could cry. I could crack open that Sunkist and chocolate that is in the fridge.

{Snort} Like there was ever any competition.

All of the above.

because of the brave

This Veterans Day, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to those who have served in our Armed Forces – and those who continue to do so. We thank not only them, but also their loved ones who sacrifice as a result. We solemnly reflect on those who have given their lives, their time, and their service so that we may know freedom.

We humbly thank, from the bottom of our hearts, those in our own family who have offered up such honorable service. We are grateful for those that do so to this day. We thank you – and are so very proud of you. Our hearts are warmed as we hear and read of your service, your sacrifice, and your noble deeds. As we are reminded of the heroes that you truly are.

It is truly a shame that the general public only seems to remember these things on days like today. Or when they may have lost someone that is close to them - or have any other reason to remember. These acts of heroism are happening every second of every hour of every day – and should be recognized just as frequently. We owe our very lives to these individuals who give of theirs. So, thank you today - and every day.

We truly are the land of the free, because of the brave. God Bless America.

now this is what christmas is all about

Just imagine for a moment …

Jon: We’re almost back on the farm now, boys. I can almost smell mom’s chestnut dressing baking in the oven right now.

Garfield: (sniffing) That’s not what I smell.

Jon: There’s no doubt about it, Christmas is my favorite holiday. The air is crisp, homes are brightly decorated and everybody is walking around with big smiles on their faces.

(glancing at Garfield) Mmm-yeah … almost everybody.

I think the best part is watching the faces of children and sharing the memories of being a child at Christmas. I remember when my brother Doc Boy and I were little.

Garfield: Oh brother … here we go again.

Jon: Dad would chop down the tree …

Garfield: Chores!

Jon: Mom would fix up a meal …

Garfield: Work!

Jon: Doc Boy would get in the way …

Garfield: Fighting! Big, fat hairy deal.

Odie: Bark!

Jon: Decorating the tree …

Garfield: Gardening!

Jon: Wiring all of the lights …

Garfield: Electrical contracting!

Jon: Wrapping boxes and writing out cards …

Garfield: Office work … outta sight!

Odie: Bark, Bark, Bark!

Jon: Then we’d take those presents and pile them under the tree. We’d barely get a wink of sleep … wondering what they could be!

Odie: Bark!

Garfield: The special gifts of Christmas …

Jon: Christmas!

Garfield: That reeaaally make it great …

Jon: It’s so great!

Garfield: Are the insomnia and the anxiety kids get from having to wait.

Jon: Can’t wait till Christmas, there’s so much to do.

Odie: Bark, Bark!

Jon: Can’t wait till Christmas …

Garfield: Wake me when it’s through.

That was me last year. So me.

I always look forward to the Christmas season. It’s my favorite time of the year – by far. Regardless of whatever else may be going on, I always look forward to Christmas.

Last year … not so much.

It’s a hard thing for me to explain. While I did look forward to Christmas Day, I was far too stressed out to enjoy the season. It buzzed past me, and I was so completely lacking Christmas spirit. Sure, I did the same things I always do – and then some. But I didn’t enjoy it, as I always do. I was just as stressed out as I always am – and then some. But it affected me differently last year.

I’m hopeful that this year will be different. I can already feel the panic attack rising in my chest as I contemplate all that needs to be done. But I don’t want to go through what I did last December 26th … when I realized that a perfectly good holiday season had passed me by. I’m reminded of a favorite quote from The Nanny: “Like when I’m eating Häagen-Dazs and my spoon hits the cardboard.”

Yes. That’s what it felt like. Total devastation.

I learned a valuable lesson last year. One that I won’t soon forget.

We are Christmas people. We go to extreme lengths to create wonderful memories and traditions for our family. And honestly … we would not have it any other way. While I love to give my loved ones the perfect personal gift … and, let’s be honest, love to get gifts in return … I feel that the love and joy we feel during the holiday season is the most important thing. The experiences we create for ourselves are the most important things. And the things that will be remembered years from now.

I forgot that last year. Even though I did the same things – I did them without the most important ingredient. Love. And, as a result – I felt different.

On the one hand, I decorated to beat the band, we went to look at Christmas lights and I created the perfect Christmas experience for Ammon. It was all perfect. But on the other hand, I got so wrapped up in my deadlines and my wrapping jobs and my distain for crooked gift tags. I worried about the nitty-gritty of the process too much and the end result not at all. I realized – too late – that I had it all wrong.

Here’s to another shot. As Christmastime hurtles towards us at an alarming rate – I’m reminded of my pledge from last December 26th. Don’t let another holiday season pass me by. Breathe it in. Relish in it. Do it right.

Good old Garfield was never more correct when he stated:

All right, you guys.

Just permit me one sentimental moment here, will ya?

I have something to say.

Christmas.

It’s not the giving.

It’s not the getting.

It’s the loving.

There. I said it. Now get outta here.

Lyrics and final quote taken from A Garfield Christmas … a family favorite.

almost a wordless wednesday

"When words become unclear,

I shall focus with photographs.

When images become inadequate,

I shall be content with silence."

[ Ansel Adams ]