Tuesdays Thoughts

Wow, it has been a whole week since my last post and after all those days I am returning with the same type of post. 

Lucky you! 

I tell ya, these blogging ruts- they getcha all the time.

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Our friends got married on Saturday. Wooot wooot! Congrats to Josh and Emily! It was such a beautiful wedding, and they said their own vows {something Mr. B and I would never have been able to do! We were shaking enough repeating after the pastor.}, but it was really the sweetest thing. I am so bummed though because I didn't take any pictures! I didn't even bring my camera. What was I thinking?! We only have two very very poor quality pictures from a phone. 

I got alot of comments on my dress and my hair. And this is all I have to show. Awesome.

 It's not very often I get all dolled up like this so it's pretty unfortunate. I didn't get any pictures of the bride or groom either, but I know there will be a bunch on facebook soon. That's all that really matters anyways, right? Right.

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I had Mr. B measure me again so that I can see the results from Shredding. I still had my paper from when I did it last year.
Yeah...kind of wish I didn't.
According to our calculations, I am the same measurements in everything I was my first time around {pre-shred} with an additional 2" on my junk in the trunk. 

Cool. 

Lovely.

Awesome.

Encouraging.

Wohoo.

Sarcasm.

Yeah.

Let's just hope those numbers decrease as quickly as they did last time. 

Preferably within the next two weeks before vacation.

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I totally live a "grass is always greener" life.
I say that like I am proud.
 I am not.
But it's a hard habit to get out of.
 Anyways, I don't know why but I still have the weather for where we used to live on my phone and I like to look at it and compare the weather to here. You know,  just to water that grass even more. Lift my spirits, all that good stuff.  So pretty much on a daily basis I am extremely perplexed as to why I couldn't wait to move back to NH. I know I have mentioned this in a post before, but seriously....I do not understand. What in the world is wrong with me?!

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I am slowly starting to get back into the groove of buying things on sale and stocking up the pantry. It feels so good. I love finding good deals and seeing everything lined up like a little store in my house.

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Roxie is driving me nuts at the moment and keeps barking while the baby is sleeping. 

That is so annoying. 

I wish I could let her roam around in the backyard, but with all the melting snow she has rediscovered the dirt and bushes. Which are not ours, but our landlords.

I am pretty sure he doesn't appreciate all the holes and torn limbs.

Nor will he appreciate the mounds of poo that will magically appear when all the snow is melted because I have been too cold and lazy to bring her her spot.

So we are trying to devise a plan.

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I bought the new Yankee Candle, Fluffy Towels. I am kind of thinking it smells like old lady perfume/deodorant. Kind of disappointing.

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I had one more thing I was going to post, but decided I will just save it for tomorrow since I can't think of anything else to write about.

Super duper suspenseful, I know. 

I just felt compelled to add some excitement to your Tuesday. 

Hope it worked. 

Tuesdays Thoughts

After seeing Never Say Never, I have officially caught the fever. The Bieber Fever.

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It seriously felt like a concert at the theater. Huge line, crowded area, running to save seats, the shirts, the shouts, the energy, the annoyingness. It was a bit ridiculous. Never mind all the crazy screaming. Newsflash little teeny boppers...Justin Bieber is not actually here. It's probably safe to say, I have a low grade fever. Because this I just could not understand....

And yes, those super cool glasses are because we saw him in 3D. Jealous?

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We have 25 days left until vacation!! Can not wait! I need a palm tree and warmth {what's that? I had that for a year while we lived in Florida and complained on a weekly, sometimes daily basis?? Oh, my bad.} So of course with 25 days left, that leaves -5 days for the 30 Day Shred. Not that I have ever done 30 days. ever. And I have lost count of how many times I have restarted this workout. But the results really are quick and amazing and I am going to try my best to stick with it until vaca. I know it will be worth it. I have already completed 2 days!

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I had a wonderful Valentine's weekend! I know this holiday is overrated and a lot of people hate it, but I love it. I enjoy feeling extra special.  Mr. B bought us tickets to Kenny Chesney's tour this summer. I am soooo excited!!! I have been before, but I have always wanted him to come with me. He said the only concert he would go to would be Kenny. He took last summer off, but how perfect that he will be there this year! Mr. B held true to his word...now the next miracle will be if he actually dances with me like all the other sweet boyfriends/husbands I see at these concerts....

via

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Roxie felt the need to give us a massive gift for Valentine's as well. This gift didn't come straight from the heart...more like straight from her stomach. While we were enjoying our nice dinner. I have never seen a pile of throw up so big.
Of course, I did take a picture.
It was a possible blog opportunity.
But I will spare you.

So gross.

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The weather was so nice yesterday. Legit nice. Like 50s. It's back to the 20s but the rest of the week is a little warmer too. It felt so good. I can not wait for spring!! It's right around the corner!!!

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Those are all my thoughts at the moment.
Pretty lame, I apologize.

 Time to go read some more of "One Thousand Gifts.
 Is anyone else reading it?? It's really good and challenging! 

Have a wonderful Tuesday! 

Little Sisters

Sometimes I am extra thankful for little sisters because it gives me the opportunity to see some shows and or movies that might typically be called "not normal" for my age. It allows me to watch/listen to shows and music that I might be embarrassed to do on my own. Like going to a Cheetah Girls concert or seeing the Jonas Brothers Concert in 3D for example. Okay, Okay....let's be real, I don't take them to such things just so I can be The Best Big Sister. It's very possible I might have an ulterior motive for my own entertainment and viewing pleasure.  It allows me to still watch Full House, dance to Justin Bieber and of course still eat at my favorite pizza place, Chuck E Cheese {although, I had my 20th birthday party there w/o the little siblings, so I guess I can do that on my own}without anyone knowing that I actually enjoy such things .

The Biebs is all the rage right now.

My little sisters have caught the fever.

They needed someone to take them to his new movie,

and they practically got down on their hands and knees begging me to go.

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I am pretty embarrassed to be a part of such childish things,

but because I love them so much I decided I would put my pride aside and take them.

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I think I can handle two hours of complete torture for the sake of being a cool big sister.

If I have to.

Peace

As I mentioned earlier this week, on Saturday our church had a day of prayer and fasting.

I was looking forward to it and dreading it all at the same time.

I was prepared to be so hungry that I would feel nauseous,
 I get hungry on Sunday mornings after the service never mind not eating for 24 hours!
 Mr. B and I had a big dinner at Longhorns to try and fill us up- which I am sure is exactly what they did in the Bible too btw.
I am assuming that is probably one the things you're not supposed to do before a fast,
 maybe it's a dinner that makes you more hungry the next day.
I don't know.
It just typically seems like good food is usually bad for you in some form.
That's the way life works.

Anyways, aside from the no eating {I brought gatorade and different flavored gums},
I was dreading the tears that I knew would come. 

In front of everyone.

We go to a small church of just 40-50 people, on Wednesday nights they have prayer and since September I have been putting off going
a. because I am tired
b. I was hoping that next month I would be pregnant and not have to go. 

There was always a next time.

This Saturday was a full day event and one that they really urged everyone to attend. 

So this was it. 

Two nights before, we found out some information about a family member that really broke us down and created for a very emotional night. 

It was sort of one of those cycles were you go from shocked to angry to jealous to sad over and over. 

I didn't cry that night though.

On Friday I felt I needed to cry, the tears were right there.
 I didn't want to stuff them in anymore,
but I was watching the babies and it wasn't the right time to cry.

So as you can imagine, come Saturday...I was a mess.

By the first worship song the tears were coming.

I was dreading this.

I'm an ugly crier.

I hate crying in front of people.

But my tears were coming and I couldn't stop them. 

I wished I would've gotten them out before so that it wouldn't be all bottled up and in overdrive.

But I didn't.

Through these tears,

through worship,

and through prayer,

I was really challenged to stop asking "Why?"

"Why me?"

"Why her"

"Why is it taking so long?"

"Why does it say He will give you the desires of your heart?"

"Why does it say Ask and you shall receive?"

"Why do I always see everything as the glass half-empty?"

Instead, I need to start asking 

"What is the Lord trying to teach me?"

"How can He use me through this?"

"What am I learning?"

I need to find hope and encouragement through the scriptures, instead of doubt. 

Instead of thinking...my desire hasn't been fulfilled.

My request hasn't been answered.

In my time.

That's the key. 

That's the part I hate.

That's my sinful nature.

I want it now. 

I want it in my time.

In my plan.

Not in the God's perfect timing.

And I know I have heard it a million and one times.

I know in my heart it's what I truly believe.

But it's time to believing in my mind.

And my actions.

And my words.

There was a popular scripture that kept coming to my mind on Saturday.
Phillipians 4:7

"Peace that passes all understanding"

A phrase that I have heard numerous times.

A phrase that I have said over and over " I have peace knowing that the Lord knows what's best".
Blah. Blah. Blah.

But when you think about how powerful those words are.

How true they are.

That the Lord allows us to be clothed in that peace.

The peace that comes even when we don't understand.

Even when it's hard to understand.

Our plans are not always His.

Our time is not always His.

But he has blessed us with a blanket of peace for when those times come.

It's always there.

We need to be open to receive it.

To fully bask in it.

It has been so refreshing. 

Shortly after my eyes were opened in that aspect,
it was time.

Time for those who wanted  prayer and/or healing to be prayed for. 

The tears had previously been flowing. 

I was finally put back together.

But not for long.

I was prayed for during the song "Healer".

One of my favorites.

How can any not cry to that song in a setting like this??

Those who were praying were crying.

I was sobbing.

My mom was crying.

That's how crazy this was. Mama G never cries!

I tend to thing I got double the dose of emotions for the both of us.

I am so blessed to be a part of the body of Christ.

To have people in my life who cry out  to the Lord on my behalf. 

To not just pray that I will get pregnant now.

That the Lord would open my womb now.

But to do it in His time.

To declare that it would be in His time.

To pray for strength, comfort and of course, peace.

So as much as I hope with all my heart that this is where I needed to be.

As much as I believe in the power of prayer. 

As much as a long for this to be the month.

I know that if it isn't I will be strong.

I have accepted that peace that passes all understanding.

I will continue to search deeper into what it is the Lord wants from me now.

To be content with where he has me now. 

And to be all that he has called me to be.

When I am so focused on what is not happening, the merry go round of emotions, looking at the glass half-empty, filled with bitterness and jealousy;

I am taking away from all the Lord has called me to be. 

All He has created me to be.

All the He can use me for. 

So that is my book,

if you've made it this far- congrats!

I will be honest, I tend to skip over a lot of long posts like this. 

But I hope and pray that it can also encourage some of you, too.

It is always so cool when the Lord reveals new things to you, 

even when it's not always a new concept. 

It's rejuvenating and exactly what I needed.

I felt like in a way I was running away from the fact that this was really happening.

Searching for ways to fix it.

When what I need to do rejoice in the question "Why, God?"

instead of mourning "Why, God?"

Same question.

Completely different emotions.

Different attitude.

Different view of God.
Different sense of peace.

So peaceful.

Woman of Multiple Talents

Not to brag.

Or make anyone uncomfortable.

But I just had to share my most recent accomplishment with you.

It appears that I am not just able to provide a creation for baby showers.

But I am also able to provide a creation for a bachelorette party.

An actual pan of "this shape" cost $17! 

I felt confident enough in myself that I could get this point across without a special pan.

With just 5 cupcakes. Voila. 

We aren't into the strippers.

Or drinking.

Or bars.

So we spice up the night in more... ahem, appropriate ways.

Sidenote: It was perfectly shaped and clean in the pan and then when I tried to transfer this item to a plate it got allll messed up so an emergency reconstructive surgery was needed. 

Oh yeah and this all happened right as the baby's mom arrived to pick him up so to say the surgery was a little rushed would probably be an understatement. 

Good thing I'm not a legit surgeon.

So instead I will just stick to being a woman of {other} multiple talents.

And of course, continue to make my parents proud.

Misc. Monday

{one} Today is my wonderful husband's birthday!! Happy Birthday, Mr. B! Words can't express how thankful I am for this day and how amazing God is in creating someone so perfect for me. 

{two} We had a low key Super Bowl night in the Smelly household. Just me, Mr. B and the pup. And we had way too much food, and I may or may not have shouted partttay when I served the food to Mr. B. Just to make me feel better and lift my self-esteem, ya know. 

{three} Mr. B was craving Pigs in a Blanket so we bought some Lit'l Wieners and crescent rolls and made it happen. This event led up to a fact about Mr. B that most likely would have been life changing had I previously learned years ago. He shared that when he was younger his email/screen name was "Lilwieners714". Because he loved those Lit'l Wieners so much, of course.  This may have had an influence on my decision to date Mr. B back in the day. As if "lil" isn't bad enough...it's plural "wienerS". That's weird.

 Just sayin....

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{four} We had an awesome day of prayer and fasting with our church on Saturday, which I hope to be posting about sometime this week. 

{five} It's almost noon and I am still in my PJs and looking a little on the scary side so I am thinking that I have no other misc facts to share at the moment and I should probably go get ready since I need to meet my friend in an hour. 

Happy Monday!!

Three Important Announcements

1. Ben tested negative for Celiac Disease. I never thought we would be bummed about this news, ha! We were. We were really hoping this would be the culprit. So now we are back to square one, which sucks. A lot. But we are still trying to remain hopeful! I am so thankful that we can put our faith and worries in the hands of the Lord. Of course, it is in our  human nature to question and to be frustrated, but knowing that He has a perfect plan gives us some peace. And I sound like a broken record, I know. But I kind of feel like this season of our life is like that too so that's just how it works out at the moment :) 

2. Samoas are not cut from the Girl Scout cookie list!!!! There was rumor that Samoas didn't make the list and I was about to throw a hissy fit. Or maybe I did.  My mind could not even fathom why they would pick Do-Si-Dos over Samoas. They already got rid of my favorite, Juliets, years ago...now this?! I was feeling confident that the end of the world was near. But fear not, Mama G confirmed that that was a rumor and we can resume back to our normal life knowing that the chocolate-coconut-party-in-the-mouth-goodness will be returning. Thank you Jesus.

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3. Tomorrow is a day of prayer and fasting at our church. The day will be cut into different segments of prayer and worship. Please let me know if you have any prayer request! I know I have my list, and it's a list that seems to get longer each day and I would love to lift up anything that you need prayer for too. It can be specific, it can be vague, it can be praise, it can be healing...anything. Please let me know through comment or email. 

We would love to pray for you and strengthen the body of Christ and carry each others' burdens.