ROUGH RIDIN'

What do flip flops, four-wheelers, cards, creeks,cakes,kayaks,lies, washing machines, a Lexus, and a party have in common??? Read on to find out...

Driving for ten hours, my friends Kayla, Danny, and I went to visit my family in Ohio. My sister's fiance was throwing her a surprise 30th birthday party, and I wouldn't miss it for the world! We had such a great day, I just want to record some memories of it. :)
First of all...my sister, whom I love dearly, made it almost impossible to surprise! She kept showing up at my mom's house where we were hiding out! I may only be 5 feet tall...but it is still impossible to become invisible in a split second...we had no warning when she walked in the house! I had to quickly take off and hide behind the washing machine! At the same time my mom had to take of at moch speed with the 4 tiered cake she had just finished for my sister! Outside, Kayla and Danny had to casually, but quickly take off for the woods.
As I stayed crouched behind the washing machine, I was praying that I would not burst out laughing! Then I heard my sister began to interrogate my mom. "Who are those people out there? (she must have seen Kayla and Danny, Oh no!) As the questions poured on from there, I was impressed, yet concerned, as my mother very smoothly rambles on a stream of lies to my sister!
Well...unfortunately this was not the first time that day we had to hide! See we got there around 2 am Saturday morning and the party was not until 6 that evening. My awesome, lovely sister showed up to my mom's house 3 times that day!!! It was crazy. And again, we all know I have ADHD, and it is so hard to be still and quiet (Kayla apparently thought I was hilarious to watch, and also had a hard time not busting out laughing as we had to practically be statues in the back room awaiting our cue for a safe reentry into the world!) I went through an array of mood swings as I sat in the stillness; I went from excited, anxious, nervous, scared, mad, and down right angry when my sister was sitting right in the next room just chatting away forever to my family, and seemed to have no plans of leaving any time soon! My step-dad at one point came back to ask if we needed any food or water. LOL.

Well...six o'clock finally came, and we went out to the party! It was a very nice place (Brandon's, my sister's fiance, uncle's place) with a long lake with some paddle boats and kayaks (those were a lot of fun). Kayla and I were out in the paddle boat when I heard everyone yell, "She's here!" We quickly worked those thighs and peddled as fast as we could to get back to shore! I thought for sure she had seen me. But...I guess she didn't so I went to hide behind my brother and his girlfriend. It was so awesome! She was so surprised, and she hadn't even seen me yet. :) Finally, she must have realized I was behind them because she came running around them and jumped on me! It was a precious moment and one I will cherish forever! I LOVE YA MIS!



The party had started, and Brandon took her in to see the awesome cake my mom made (she is so talented). While he was showing her the cake, some of his family was getting his gift to her ready...can you guess what it was? Look back at the list from the begining of this, and take a guess; I will wait on ya go ahead.......yep....you got it! A BRAND NEW LEXUS!
Now, I hate to say this, but I was a little mad. Yes, mad...not out of jealously because Brandon knows when my birthday is, so I will be anxiously awaiting my gift...lol...JK Brandon :) But, no, I was mad because, I was supposed to be the "BIG SURPRISE", and he brings to the party a 2010 beautiful white Lexus with black leather interior and a giant red bow on top! I think Lexus trumps sister surprise...but they have promised to let me drive it to make up for bumping me down on the awesome surprise priorty list :) Well...I may have dreamed up that promise...but I think it is a good idea, right readers?? lol)

So...AWESOME DAY....BUT NOT DONE YET...READ ON!

On to four-wheelers and flip flops...oh yes and the creek (or crik as I would say) this part I will never forget!

When we got home from the party my brother Josh, Kayla, Danny, and I decided to go four-wheeling in the dark. My mom did warn us this was not a good idea. (mom's always know best!)
We were having a blast on the trails in the woods in the back yard. But...my brother decided to do a lil' off road riding! He was trying to find a mud pit to surprise Kayla and Danny (who were on a four-wheeler behind my brother and I). I do believe they were surprised! But hey, you pay a lot of money to get a good mud bath at a spa...they got one for free! So...my awesome, adventurous brother kept going off the trail to find more mud. I had to keep my face buried in his back to keep it from getting ripped off as we traveled through tough terrain. Kayla and Danny finally decided to stay back from us a little, and just keep watching us get stuck...smart move guys! LOL.
So, finally, after the mud all over my body began to dry and my hair was matted to my face, I made the suggestion to go in and play cards instead. After all, we have to leave in a few hours to drive back to NC. (we drove down just to spend Saturday there...crazy, but well worth it!) He seemed to think searching for something in the cool, dark woods was a better idea. (Don't worry Josh, I still love ya!)
So...we rounded a corner to head off the path once again and suddenly...
we were both flying off the four-wheeler.
It is amazing what all goes through your mind in moments like that. I thought for sure I was getting ready to hit solid, thorn-filled ground, and end up with a four-wheeler crushing me to death. However, as we flipped off the four-wheeler, we went flying into a creek....this was a COMPLETE SHOCK TO MY SYSTEM. I was very much unaware we even had a creek with that much water in it in our back yard/woods. I was under very cold water fighting for my life in complete shock thinking that I would never get out because the four-wheeler must be blocking me under. I did find the surface and my feet...however, I was a flip flop short (and if you know of my crazy obsession with my beloved flip flops...this was BAD!) I was just so caught off guard,, and cold and soaked, and scared, all I could say, repeatedly was "GET ME OUT OF HERE, GET ME OUT OF HERE!" (This my friends and family somehow later found very hilarious...not cool guys!)Anyways...long story short...well not so short, but, hours later we got the four-wheeler out of the ditch, and had to go face the parents...all turned out fine, EXCEPT THE LOSS OF MY FLIP FLOP!

I had the best time with my family in that one jammed-packed fun Saturday!!! LOVE YA'LL!!!

Now...I can turn this into a few good lessons such as: life can flip on you at any second without warning, but God will always be there as your anchor, and you can trust in Him no matter what the circumstance. Or, stay on the straight and narrow path!! LOL. Seriously Josh :) Or, when you get down in the ditch, let God be the one to lift you out and put you on the solid rock of Christ....see so many lessons here :)

BUT...I think the most important thing is: just HAVE FUN! ENJOY LIFE AND ENJOY QUALITY TIME WITH THOSE YOU LOVE!

Oh, and P.S.....we did finally go in and play cards...and guess who won!! you got it...your crazy, competative writer of this blog--ME :)

ATTACK AND CONQUER!

Saturday one of my most awesomest friends got married...and yes awesomest may not actually be a word, but I am a writer, and I believe we are allowed to make up our own words...lol...anyways, I had to let her go even though I would have loved to kept her all to myself. Who else am I going to watch Sweet Home Alabama with over and over again? Who else is going to be my most awesomest Cranium partner? (I mean she is defiantly going to miss my humdingers!!) Who else is going to help me search for hundreds of hot wheel cars when the boys lose them? I LOVE YOU ASHLEY AND YOU'RE SO AWESOME! I wish you all the blessings of God in your marriage!

It was a very beautiful wedding! And I had so much fun celebrating her new marriage. AND I CAUGHT THE BOUQUET!!

Now let me tell you...if I could attack my house work like I went after that bouquet...that would be nice...it would always be sparkling clean!

Yes...I ATTACKED AND CONQUERED!! I had a mission and NOTHING, NOT ANY OTHER SINGLE LADY IN THAT PLACE,was going to get in my way! I mean seriously...we all know how loooonnnngggg I have been alone...I know you get tired of hearing/reading about it, sooooo....I was going to get that bouquet!! (because you know what means!! oh, and if your "Mr. Right" and reading this...might want to start saving now, cuz its Italy for a honeymoon, and I'm taking no less!! I mean I screwed up bad enough the first time around...gettin' it right this time!!)



Yep...that is me in the front (silver dress) the shortest but the strongest!! lol.
I WAS VICTORIOUS...AND IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL CATCH!

So...I was thinking...why is it when a crisis comes into my life, I tend to cower back and worry? I had no problems at the wedding getting what I wanted...I saw the goal...the prize was in sight...the obstacles were small in comparison to my confidence (well I guess you could say competitive arrogance). I WAS going home with that bouquet. So, when problems arise that seem larger than life, why can I not go after them in the same confidence?

The word of God says, "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world." and "I can do all things who Christ who gives me strength." and "nothing is impossible with God." Therefore, when things arise that seem out of my control...I need to carry myself in God confidence and trust that He is in control. With His strength I can tackle any problem like I tackled those poor girls (love you guys) at the wedding. And...I CAN COME OUT IN VICTORY AGAIN AND AGAIN....and we know I like to win :)

With Christ I win every time...because even if the problem doesn't completely change...I can allow God to change me in the mist of the storms in my life. Gaining Godly character in crisis situations can sometimes be the best things that ever happen to us...even if we don't see it during the storm.

Walk in God confidence today...no matter what the devil throws your way.
Trust in Him and be victorious!

Band-Aid

While singing the song "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi, Brayden had mistaken the words for "Shot through the heart, you're to blame, you give love a band-aid" LOL.

Well, you know what...I think I like that version better. Instead of making love miserable...why can't we heal hearts.

I am thankful that I have a heavenly Father that does heal broken hearts, and puts a band-aid on my pain; renewing me and allowing me to move on and become a better person through the process of healing and growing.

If you have experienced any kind of heartache...bring your sorrow to the Savior and allow Him to heal the heartache and bring joy back into your life.

if you're happy and you know it....

ARE YOU CLAPPING???

Yes, apparently I have kid's songs stuck in my head based on these last two blogs...lol, but I went to bed with this one on my mind.

"If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surly show it. If you're happy and you know it clap your hands."

Hmmmm...I had to ask myself, does my face show the joy of the Lord?

Or does my face show the stress and strain of life?
Does it showcase my pathetic loneliness?
Does it take upon the form of bitterness and pain?
Does it reek with disgust?
Or...does is radiate with love?

What and I portraying to the world by my expressions and actions?

What are you?

itsy bitsy spider

As I was doing my hair in the bathroom this week, I noticed a spider staying in the same spot for most of the week. It never moved. It was a very small spider. The itsy bitsy spider was not climbing up the water spout...now you're going to have that song stuck in your head :)

He was just sitting in the same spot for a few days, and at first I thought...wow, must be a great life to be able to stay in the same spot with no worries, no to-do list, no responsibilities for almost a week!

But then one day, the spider had actually moved into the sink while I was brushing my teeth. The tiny little spider had to fight against all odds to survive as he faced the slippery, steep slope of the sink which was almost too much for him to handle as the current of splashing, rushing water rose in strong efforts to pull it in to the depths of the dark drain!

My thoughts...I bet he wishes he would have just stayed on his spot on the wall!

But...

I thought over the years of my life....

Staying in one safe spot also never amounts to anything. It may be safe, but it never allows for growth, adventure, excitement, precious moments that you wish you could pause forever, moments that take your breath away, joyful moments, silly moments, dancing moments, praising God moments, and falling in love moments...

Don't move equals don't live. Not living equals not feeling alive! I'm not just talking a heartbeat....I'm talking about enjoying the abundant life that God has planned for us!

The spider may have hated that moment in the sink...but think of how he felt when he made it out....VICTORIOUS!

We may go through a lot of mess...but "greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world"....with God in us we can take on the battle with full force and come out a better person because of it. Life can be hard, but we can still....just enjoy the ride!

What the World Needs Now...is Love Sweet Love

Cleaning my room, major spring cleaning, I found my journal from 1992-1997. It was some interesting reading!! I have not changed much! I was rambling on and on and on about so many random topics firing in from various directions like cannon balls attacking, exploding, doing their damage, but then moving on without notice.

But can you guess what the main topic of a young girl's journal was??? Yes...love!

Pages were filled with details of love; hand holding while walking around a camp ground under the stars, trips to Sea World getting soaked by Shamoo together, surprising him by driving hours to see him, little kisses goodnight making me the "happiest person", sharing intimate secrets about my life with him...worried it would change the way he felt, but it only drawing us closer, having a picnic and playing cards on the beach...well if you can call Lake Erie a beach...after living in NC...um-NO, playing mini-golf together--beating him at mini-golf! So many joyous times, bubbling over with excitement as I experienced the pleasures of dating, falling in love, and growing together with a special guy....

Why do we lose that innocence so quickly?
Why do we spend more time fighting with people we love instead of just enjoying small, special moments such as those above?
Why do we hold on to bitterness instead of hold hands by a lake laughing and learning about each other, and thinking of words we can say to let each other know how special they are?
Why do we not try to love more than we hate?
Why do we hurt, and insult, and tear others down, instead of just giggle and stare endlessly into the eyes of one we love?
Why do we not just appreciate what we are blessed with?

Appreciate the one you are with! Make sure the one you are with appreciates you as well. When he comes up behind you, and wraps his arms around you, and whispers sweet things in your ear...cherish that, and do everything you can to hold on to the innocence and excitement of love....

Because you could be alone.
You could be filled with negative bitterness.
You could be wishing just for one touch...just a brush of his hand across yours.
You could be so full of insecurities that you can't see past your own ugliness in order to except love.

If you have someone who loves you...you are blessed. Realize it.

If your relationship is being torn to shreds, and a bowlful of bitterness, and a dish of disdain seems to be what is for dinner every night; then I pray that God will once again be in the center of your home and family. I pray that God will restore your marriage, and the love and passion that He intended a marriage to be filled with. I pray that the barriers of communication will be broken down, and everything will be opened up and worked out. I pray that you will treasure the one you are with, and that the thoughtful little things will bring smiles to your face. I pray that you will once again have those amazing bursting all over your body, tingling feelings we once had as a young person in love!

Shake It Off!

Laughter truly is the best medicine!

I have been having one of those months...again. I am just very tired! I am a teacher assistant, and we are on the final countdown to summer break, but it can't get here soon enough. The teachers are done, the kids are done,and we need to be done! And here in NC, summer weather is already here, which really means it is time to be out of school and on the beach!

But for me, the end of the school year also brings stress because I am one of those people whose jobs is always on the line depending on the budget. So, that is one reason I have been a little stressed and exhausted. Add to that: no paycheck for two months, I bounce my banking account enough that you can just call me Tigger...get it...loves to bounce :), and I have to deal with an ex-husband who will do anything to ruin our summer plans to go see family in Ohio, and be in my sister's wedding, and I need to lose ten pounds to make sure I can fit into that bride's maid dress, and my spray-on tan, that I really loved, has now worn off so it is the return of the white legs, and the boys and I have so long ago outgrown this shoebox of an apartment that it is driving me stir-crazy, and my "dating life",well seeing as how it is extremely dead...not sure life is the right term...but...my unusual experiences have inspired me to write a new blog...one that will defiantly allow for some good laughs...well I have to laugh, or else cry...and I am trying hard to choose laughter!

Which leads me back to my first statement....laughter is the best medicine!

When it rains...it does seem to pour! This line from Demi Lovato's new song keeps finding its way out of my mouth, and the boys' as well (we love music in our house): "I can make the rain stop...if I wanna...just by my attitude." So, as I sit here alone AGAIN on a Friday night playing Solitaire, the game made for lonely losers who sit alone on weekends...just kidding...well...anyways, back on track. LOL. I sit here and think: I can cry, and go to bed early, and whine and complain about all those things, OR....

I can find reasons to laugh and enjoy life.

It is so much better that way! So, I put in a good comedy, and laughed so hard I couldn't even drink my water because I kept choking on it.

Our mindset is a choice. We can choose to focus on the negative, and be miserable. Or we can live seeking after the positive, and be filled with joy and laughter.

So whatever you are going through right now...SHAKE IT OFF....and the best way to do that is: LAUGH SO HARD YOUR STOMACH SHAKES LIKE A BOWLFUL OF JELLY!! LOL.

Psalms 126:2
Proverbs 17:22
I Thessalonians 5:16

ABUNDANT JOY!

The joy of the Lord is my strength.

listening...

I love listening to music, I love listening to the sound of waves crashing on the shore, I love listening to the sound of laughter coming from children filled with abundant joy, I love listening to the sound of my boys praying, I love listening to the sound of an acoustic guitar outside on a patio while people sit together and praise God, I love listening to the sound of friends and family spending quality time together, I love listening to the sound of a mixer preparing a delicious cheesecake...
There are many things I love listening to, but...
there are also many things I don't like the sound of...
like an empty house, a broken heart, whining and complaining, the sorrow of a confused, hurt, and devastated loved one, and the lies that are whispered in my mind by the master of deception.

What are you hearing in your heart?

A liar telling you you will never be good enough, you will always be alone, the emptiness will never be replaced with joy, dreams are unreachable, desires are a lost hope....the painful negative words can sometimes seem as loud as a jackhammer and easily crowd out the gentle, but amazing, beautiful, and powerful truth that we should be listening to...

A Savior sweetly reminding us: He will never leave us, nor forsake us. And if we seek Him first, everything will be OK and work out for good. We are His beloved children, and He has created us wonderfully and in His likeness. He has great plans for us if we will just trust Him...and most importantly He loves us.

Not only do you need to listen to that, but as it speaks to your heart...you also need to believe it.