Try New Things...it's Fun!

Husband and I, well, we're a little on the crazy side.  We proudly refer to ourselves as hippies... we love the green, and we're kind of on the free-thinking side of life.  Not when it comes to morality and our faith, but when it comes to going against the flow.... trying not to do things just because 'everyone else is doing it.'  


Our hippie-ness has led to a very bright home.  Color-wise.  Our kitchen is purple with old 70's orange counter top, a golden dining room and a green, light seafoam-ish living room....  I know is sounds absurd, but really, it's fun and elegant in its own way.  The bright is accented with black and white randomly placed here and there.  I'm not one for the neutral colors....  I like them, they look beautiful in other people's homes, but I think it would stifle the creative genius in my brain that is fighting to release itself....


I've been on a kick to get new things put up and finished, the little things like pictures on the blank walls, knick-knacks on the shelves, etc.  So, we decided to paint our hallway because it was so boring and bland still.  Our house is in the shape of a square so the hallway opens up to both the dining room and living rooms, which are connected to each other.  So, I decided to paint the hallway blue...  and I don't mean a light, calming blue, it is BLUE!  BLUE!!!!  A very bright, not matching, carnival fun house kind of blue...actually Husband says it looks like a 'Saved by the Bell' blue, it belongs in a high school girl's room.  So, I tried painting some designs in black to see if we could save it...


Needless to say, we repainted it last night to orange.  And yes, I know orange doesn't sound any tamer than the crazy bright blue, but in our house it actually goes with the color scheme instead of totally working against it.  And now, we love it instead of going, 'I kind of like it, do you, I don't know, maybe not...'  

All this to say, TRY NEW THINGS!!  It's fun.  I would have always wondered what a blue hallway would have looked like had I not tried it.  A boss that my husband once had told him, 


"You always have the rest of your life to never try it again."  


So, give it a try!  If it doesn't work, there's always orange paint.

GROW!

Be careful what you pray for.

Seriously.

Husband prayed last year for patience and endurance.  I know that I learned both of those through my pregnancy.  And I'm continually learning them through motherhood.

I tend to pray for growth.  He sure is growing me.  I feel stretched to the limit, for sure!  But, then as I think about it, life would be boring if we weren't growing.  If we never had to rise up against new challenges, or take on new responsibilities.  That's how God is growing me.  Responsibilities.  A youth group and a baby, He's trusted me with both at the same time.  With His precious children.  He obviously thinks that I can handle it.  But it is taking some growth and stretching on my part to be able to handle all this the way He wants. 

So, the lesson I learned today, if I don't turn to the One who has led me here, I'm going to wilt.  If I sit in His light, I will blossom and grow and the colors of my petals will be vivid and extraordinary.

Road Less Traveled

This week on Wishcasting Wednesday we are asked a seemingly simple question:


What do you wish to know?


There are so many things I wish to know.  I think the biggest one on my mind right now is how to take the high road.  How do I be the bigger person?  Because I truly wish to,  but avoidance isn't going to do any good....  and I'm afraid if I encounter a certain person today then I will for sure not be able to take the road less traveled. So how do I handle a sticky situation with poise and grace?

I guess if we all could figure that out, the world would be a much more peaceful place to live.

ENERGY!

I knew I was tired when I was a pregnant woman, but I'm just now beginning to realize how tired I truly was.  I feel like a brand new being, up early, and not due to heart burn, actually accomplishing things around the house and getting really pumped for the things I have to get done today.

We are at the end of my second year as an official 'youth minister' and it has been quite a ride!  Challenging, but rewarding all the same.  I have watched these kids grow so much and fall so in love with the faith that I almost can't handle it!  Last night was our last night for the high school and the things they told us they've learned....it makes me happy to know that we as a team were able to help them grow in the most important aspect of their lives....

I can't wait for Wednesday to see what my middle school kids have to say!!!  Those are the kids that really surprise you!!

All this to say that even with having a baby in the middle of the year, or maybe especially because of that, the year went by WAY too fast!  I've fallen so in love with these kids and the volunteers that teach them.  I may think that God gives me too much responsibility, but I feel so incredibly blessed that He trusts me with such an important and life-giving job.

Just like I told the kids last night, it's soul-feeding to do what we do.

Wishcasting Wednesday: Movtivate

Today is Wishcasting Wednesday!!!  And since I'm trying to keep up with my blog, I want to answer today's question:  What do you wish to have?


There are so many ways to answer this question.  In fact, as I'm typing I have no clue what I do wish to have...  I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter, and a job that allows me to be a mother to her....

I"VE GOT IT!!!

Motivation, I wish to have motivation.  You know those people that can get out of bed during the summer break and go non-stop until they go to bed and by the end of the day they've built and entire castle, decorated said castle, and had their first ball in the ballroom of said castle all before noon so they can take a leisurely swim in the moat in the afternoon all to get antsy and go run a marathon?

Yeah, I'm married to one of those people and I often wish to have that kind of self-motivation.  I guess I should stop using excuses and get my butt out of bed sooner so that I have more hours in the day to use...  That and get unaddicted to the internet again....  Neither of which sound too terribly appealing.  But, self-motivation, I can work on that.  Maybe the motivation is there, but the discipline I am lacking....  Who knows.

Hey, I'm blogging again, that's a step in the getting my soul back and getting motivated direction....  We will see.

Sunday Drive

Today is Sunday.  A day of relaxation, for the most part. We like to attend Mass on Saturday evenings to give ourselves a day to sleep in.  And it. is. glorious.  Late breakfast of burritos and homemade hot sauce (salsa for those of you from not around here..) and freshly ground coffee all while listening to the coos of our sweet baby girl.

Husband is still spinning with excitement from his first CD being out and he got his first internet sale last night!  Our house has been invaded with piano meditation paraphernalia and thoughts on marketing and really, the house has exploded with excitement of dreams being fulfilled and future dreams are being conceived.  It's inspiring to see someone's dream cone to fruition and actually see so much positive response from others.

So, I have decided that I should do the same.  Maybe that's why I've been back into the blogging world.  To start unleashing the artist within.  To let myself create.  To color world with vibrant thoughts and big  dreams.

I've been reading other blogs and sites and trying to connect with other bloggers around the globe, and one thing that really gets the passion to flow is knowing that there are other people with the same types of dreams.  Many of those dreams become reality, and all because we take the time to connect and support and throw our dreams into a big pot so that somehow they become a melded giant ball of dreams and goodness.  And with the combined dream, we can all partake, have a piece of the confetti cake with rainbow chip icing.  Man, is it delicious and soul-healing.


So, for today, feed your inner-self:  Take a Sunday Drive.
Not necessarily an actual drive, but take 10 minutes to relax.  Spend time enjoying the family.  Eat something amazingly delicious.  Take a walk.  Do something that feeds your soul.

And, check out pianomeditation.com.  Share a piece of the dream.

8 Small Things

Today I decided to play along with my friend from The End of my Rope who plays along with Magpie Girl.  Today's project: list 8 small things you are grateful for, and seeing as I need to get out of this black mood that seems to match the dreary weather outside, here I am.

And here are 8 small things I am thankful for:

1.  Being sandwiched between the two loves of my life. (The husband and the kid.) Nothing can make you feel more loved than that!

2.  This amazingly delicious steaming cup of freshly ground coffee.

3. Being able to take a jog last night.  The first of many since Evalyn was born!

4. Baby cuddles.  They never get old for me.  Hopefully they won't ever get old for her, either!

5.  Being Catholic.

6.  Scrabble with the husband.  (Mostly because I'm winning this time. ;)  )

7.  Living among a community, and actually knowing people.  It's a nice change from the nomadic life I held before.

8.  Thoughts.  Being able to think for myself.

What are you thankful for?