May 30, 2012

ABC's of me

So, while I was doing my daily blog stalking reading I came across my friend Bradey's post... You can check it out over here. She is the lucky gal married to Cam's oldest brother Coby! She posted the ABC's of her and I thought it was fun reading it. Hopefully yall find it at least a little amusing and not a complete waste of your time to read the ABC's of myself... I also invite you to join in on this ABC thing!


Age: 20... almost 21
Bed: Twin. The same twin sized bunk bed I have had since before I was born.
Chore I hate: Dusting... There is ALWAYS dust EVERYWHERE. You can never dust enough for it to all go away. Annoying
Dogs: Jinx, Roxi, Marley, and Deuce... Deuce is actually Cam's, but I like think of him as mine. :)
Essential start to your day: eating cereal... I literally crave cereal the second my eyes open.
Favorite color: this changes on a daily basis... Today I am loving the many shades of orange I have been seeing on pinterest.
Gold or silver: Silver... although I do like gold. I just feel like I can not pull it off.
Height: 5 foot nothing.
Instruments I play or have played: I have a guitar with my name on it... does that count as playing? I once thought I was going to be a musician.
Job title: Nanny/Swim Coach/Student/Dog lover (I wish I got paid for this) 
Kids: I have three of the cutest little nieces and nephews in the world... They are technically Cam's I also claim them as my own as well :)
Live: Texas/Oklahoma
Mom's name: Sherri... mama... mom... the B**** is back... JUST KIDDING if only you knew her! 
Nickname: B, Bai, Noodles, and beans (long story about how I got those two names)
Overnight Hospital stays: Kidney stones... yuck!
Pet Peeves: um... smacking, leaving things in the sink, overflowing trash cans, and people who do not know how to drive.
Quote from a movie: "A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class, but by who they are inside. A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his." -- Marley and Me by John Grogan
Right or Left handed: Right
Siblings: One awesome younger sister by blood... many by heart :) 
Time I wake up: around 8... soon it will be 6:45 and I will be the wicked witch of the west...
Underwear: using Bradey's answer and saying noneya.
Vegetables I dislike: an easier answer to this question would be which vegetables I DO like.
What makes you run late: If I watch the news or Good Morning America for too long. Or if I simply can not get myself moving... I rarely run late though. Kind of a freak about that.
X-rays I have had done: teeth, jaw, shoulder, stomach, foot/ankle.
Yummy food I make: I like to think all the food I make is yummy... I really enjoy my mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and french toast. Cam might have a better answer to that question.
Zoo animal: I love the giraffes mostly because they are so tall and awkward, completely opposite of my... at least the tall part ;). I also love the elephants. 




May 26, 2012

Love Makes The World Go Round

    The other day I was reading my daily 1-minute devotional that I get from You Version on my i phone... The topic was "divorce prevention" and it provided a startling statistic. It stated that 1 in 2 marriages will fail... I knew the divorce rate was high and I have actually seen the new textbooks say the divorce rate is 50%, but seeing the numbers 1 in 2 really blew me away.

The devotional passage went on to state that there are 12 words that should be spoken and lived out daily.
     These words were:
       " I love you"
       " I admire you"
       " I was wrong"
       " Please forgive me"

The passage also stated that expressing love and admiration are the ingredients for divorce prevention. I could not agree more... If only we humans could love as God loved. If only we could look past all of the issues and the ugly stuff. This also got me thinking about the love dogs show us.

I have written about a dog's love before, but I do not think I expressed the need for this type of love. I just wish that we could all love as our dogs love us. A dog's love is always unconditional. A dog's love never comes with "ifs, ands, or buts". A dog's love is never untrusting. I was reminded of this excerpt from the movie and book "Marley and Me" and I think it explains the love we need to have quite perfectly.


"A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbol means nothing to him. A waterlogged stick will do just fine. 

A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his. 

It was really quite simple, and yet we humans, so much wiser and more sophisticated, have always had trouble figuring out what really counts and what does not. 

As I wrote that farewell column to Marley, I realized it was all right there in front of us, if only we opened our eyes. Sometimes it took a dog with bad breath, worse manners, and pure intentions to help us see."  ― John Grogan

I just wish that everyone in the whole world could have a love so pure, but I know that is near impossible. I also know that type of love is waiting for me in heaven and I could not be more grateful. I wish I could see more of it on a daily basis down here on Earth... Until then I will continue to cling to the people who do love me and hold tight to the many dogs that hold a huge place in my heart. 

May 21, 2012

Jesus Napped


Today while searching the internet and creeping looking through blogs I stumbled upon this. Pastor Mark Driscoll is the lead pastor at Mars Hill church and he blogs over here... I have watched a couple of his podcasts and I follow him on Twitter. He is a pretty inspirational and amazing guy. Anyways, this blog post was about napping. Particularly that we should nap because Jesus napped. You should go check it out...

I know that in this crazy, multi-tasking, busy, "get it done as fast as possible" world it is hard to just lay down and relax. Pastor Mark explains that while on Earth we will get tired, just like Jesus.

Luke 8: 23 states "Jesus settled down for a nap."

Now I am going to go nap. You should too! :) 


May 14, 2012

One More Reason

   I have found one more reason why dogs are the greatest creatures on Earth. I actually can tell you about a thousand reasons why I think this, but I will stick with just this one. My mom was telling me about this story of a seeing eye dog from Tulsa, Oklahoma the other night. I decided too look it up myself since I have been slacking on my news watching. So, here is a summary of this amazing story and a video for you to watch. It is an inspiring and hopeful story.

The Woodland West Animal Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma is one of the top animal hospitals in the nation. Just like all of the other hospitals and shelters they work hard to take in any animal that is suffering and needs help. This hospital unknowingly took in two very special and unique dogs. The first dog they took is was a Golden Retriever named Tanner. Tanner was born blind and had been placed in foster homes after his owner died in 2010. Tanner was placed in this hospital after he had began having seizures. These seizures caused him to "go into a biting frenzy". Blair was the second special dog to be placed in this hospital. Blair was a black Labrador Retriever and had been placed at this hospital because of abuse.

Because of Blair's horrific past she was very timid and did not like the company of any other dogs or people. Blair is a remarkable dog. She has become a seeing eye dog for Tanner. Dogs are simply amazing. I encourage you to watch this video, it is only about 2 minutes. I also encourage you to watch it because how could you not love seeing a beautiful Golden Retriever prancing around with a beautiful Black Lab!


May 12, 2012

When I grow up...

   Tonight instead of watching the Rangers show the Angels how we do it in Texas I watched an incredible movie with my mom. This incredible movie is called "We Bought A Zoo". 

This movie is based on a true story. A father, Bejamin Mee, and his two children are faced with the hardest life events possible. Their mother has passed away leaving a husband, a 14 year old son, and a 7 year old daughter. I can not imagine having to go through this and I never want to. This movie is a story of hope, a story of love, and a story of courage. Benjamin Mee is an amazing father. Rosie, the 7 year old, is so full of life and spunk. She is also the cutest thing ever. If you have not seen this movie you need to... Even if you don't love animals, it is really not all about animals. This movie is a about love. Seriously, watch it. 

When I grow up I want to be as full of life as Rosie. I want to love every aspect of life like a 7 year old girl. I want to see the world through the eyes of Rosie. In all of the Christian books I have read they explain that we need to have love for God like children. We need have a child-like faith. It sounds easy, but like that old saying goes "easier said than done". At least that is how I feel... I get so caught up in trying to think like an intellect and an adult that I simply forget about the little things. I forget that it is totally ok to just sit and do nothing. I forget that it is totally ok to talk to God whenever and wherever. I forget to not worry. I forget that He will always be there for me no matter what. I know this in my heart, but sometimes while thinking logically (in my mind I think it's logical) I forget. I try to rely on myself much too often. I want to just be like Rosie and not have a care in the world because she knows her daddy will fix everything, even in the toughest of times. I know my God is there, I can feel him in my heart all the time. I just sometime use my "adult" brain when I should be using my child brain. I want to have a child-like faith. 

Priscilla Shirer writes a whole chapter about this type of faith in her book "He Speaks To Me". I am not the only adult who struggles with child-like faith. I just hope I can struggle less and less each day, week, and month. 

May 9, 2012

Summer To-Do List

    I love summer. It is my favorite season. I love the sun. I love the flowers. I love the time spent at the pool. I love the time spent with family and friends. I love the longer nights. I love the beautiful blue sky. I love the lake. I just love summer. I have big hopes and plans for this summer... They will probably not all get done, but I thought it would be fun to make a list. Ok, yes I may be a little crazy... I mainly just like lists. Lists make me feel more organized, at least in my own mind. 


Summer 2012
To-Do List:

1. Attend Hot Yoga at least 3 times a week.
2. Run... This is a love/hate relationship. Mostly hate. 
3. LC's Bikini Boot Camp. If I am not going to run I am going to make myself do this.

4. Study for the GRE.
5. Play with my dogs... all of them.

6. Lay at the pool.
7. Spend time with the fam.
8. Enjoy every day life.
9. Go to Disney World.

10. Lay on the beach with the Mavs & Os.

11. Find a house to rent in Edmond.
12. Read Read Read.
13. Take the GRE.

14. Dress up more. 
15. Spend more time in His word.
16. Love life.
17. Watch baseball.

18. See Nickelback in concert.
19. Volunteer at an animal shelter. 

20. Blog more. 
21. Finish those half started crafts.
22. Apply to Grad School.

23. Go on date nights with Cam.
24. Stop. Drop. and DON'T worry.
25. Turn 21!




May 8, 2012

Jesus Calling

   Over the past two years I have had the privilege of being a part of an amazing bible study in Stillwater. God placed me in a group of senior girls that would touch my heart more than they will ever know. Our bible study leader, Nacoe, threw a graduation party last week for everyone... well I still have one more year, but she (being her sweet self) did not want to leave me out.

I feel so blessed to have known each of these ladies and am so happy that I will continue my relationship with them. Nacoe and her husband gave each of us the Jesus Calling devotional. Nacoe has read to us out of her devotional a couple times throughout the semester and I was wanting to buy one. I was happily surprised when she gifted these to us! I started reading out of it this week and I love it...

So here is a passage from today's devotional that I wanted to share.



   Living in this world we know and have come to expect that life is full of ups and downs. We know that we are not going to get through anything without having at least a little problem. I know this fact and I know that this is how life is, but I still seem to forget it every now and then. This passage reminded me that I do not need to worry about the problems that are inevitable because I have God on my side and he has already conquered all our problems. 

This passage states that we "will have an eternity of problem-free living reserved for you in heaven." Sigh.... what a relief. How amazing is it that we have a problem-free heaven to look forward to. That statement definitely took a weight of worry off of my shoulders. I constantly worry about things that I have no control over, this is something that I am working on. It is an ongoing process. Reading this passage today has just filled me with hope for my day and my whole life. 

I know God has a plan for me and my life. I know that He will use me as He wants. I just pray that I open my eyes and my heart to hear everything He tells me and shows me. This week I am going to do as this passage says and take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that God and I can handle.

I encourage you, whoever you are, reading this to do the same. Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

May 6, 2012

Catching My Breath...

  It has been a while since we last talked... Melissa and Ally successfully ran the OKC Memorial  1/2 Marathon. I knew they would rock it, they even looked beautiful when they finished! We also got to all go eat at Cracker Barrel, table for 16 please. :) 



I have successfully finished my Junior year of college. What?! That sounds crazy... I am now patiently impatiently waiting for my final grades, so far I have three A's. (yes I am bragging on myself)... I now have a full month before I start my summer courses. Cam and I also moved out of our little cottage in Edmond... We were helped by our wonderful families. Soooo thankful for guys and their muscles. Moving is hard work, it even wore Duece out. 

We also dodged a crazy Oklahoma storm... We opted to leave the trailer of stuff at my grandparents in the barn so that our stuff did not get rained on. 
I am terribly sorry for the lack of quality in this picture. 
I am really the worst at being still.

Cam will now be home until the end of May... He is going to play baseball in Kansas all summer. :( I will miss him, but I know that he will have fun. I am now going to continue to relax... I am happily moved into my room at my parents house and my parents are currently making a wonderful dinner to fill my belly! 

p.s. I am making it a goal to blog more! :) Be ready yall!