In high school and part of college I kept a prayer journal. Honestly, it was sort of a diary in that I did a lot of venting, selfish praying and daily logging. At that time, I talked a lot about boys, friends, family issues and school problems. I need to dig those journals out and re-live those days. There are prayers in there from some tough times and I have no doubt I will run across some pretty funny stuff too. Ahh, the problems of a high school girl.
I have grown up a lot and I view prayer a little differently now. We have been talking a lot about prayer in our Tribe (community group) lately. It's crazy how differently people view prayer and the different practices across our group. We started a Lenten practice last week that I am so excited about. Each of us was grouped with a couple of other people and each day we e-mail our daily prayer to those people. It holds us accountable to actively sit down and pray each day. The best thing about this practice is that it allows us to open our hearts to our faith community. It may be behind the safety of a computer screen, but it's a start.
I also found that yoga has really revived my personal prayer life. I find myself going early and staying for a while afterward. I find a place of peace and relaxation, and it allows me to really focus my thoughts and my heart toward God.
I hope my prayer life continues to mature as my faith matures. It's hard sometimes and I have so many questions about prayer. But, no matter what, I always feel great after a little talk with my Maker.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Ano Nuevo in Mexico
Two things have been a long time coming:
1. My family taking a trip to Mexico
2. My brother and Abby getting ENGAGED!! :)
After Christmas this year, my Mimi and Tom took the family to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We stayed in a house that belongs to Abby's (my brother's girlfriend, now fiance) family and it was amazing! We travel a lot with that side of my family and I must say this was one of my favorite trips. It's been a long time coming because Mimi put a deposit on the house literally two years ago. Hey...we made it.
The house, which comes with a cook/maid and groundskeeper, was right on the beach and literally had a hammock hanging inside right by a window. It was heavenly! We ate authentic Mexican food, drank some yummy Mexican drinks made by our favorite cabana boy, Juan, and played poker and gin rummy.
My brother, Justin, knew he wanted to propose to Abby in Mexico and my nosy family (me included) bugged him about it the whole trip! Surprisingly, he waited until New Year's Eve and popped the question on the beach. It was awesome since that beach is so sentimental for Abby. She has been going to that beach since she was a little girl and it made perfect sense to start a new chapter of her life there. Those two have been together since junior high. They broke up and dated other people, but as Justin said "We just love each other." There's nothing like knowing you are meant to be with someone.
I tried to think ahead so I got them a card for all of us to sign, and that's as far as I got. But, as always, my aunt and cousins and I came up with a creative way to congratulate them when they got back from the beach...poker chips spelling out a congrats! :)
Obviously the engagement was highlight number one, but highlight number two was definitely our whale watching excursion. I have never seen anything like this! We went out on a little zodiac boat and got within six feet of HUGE humpback whales. I am not gonna lie, I was freaking out. Questions that went through my mind:
1. What if he just opens his mouth and we go in? Like Jonah or Pinocchio?
2. What if he decides to get some fresh air right under our boat?
3. What if the males (who happened to be fighting over females during mating season) mistake our boat for competition?
Even though I was admittedly scared, I LOVED that experience. The two people who took us out were actually on a research team so they were really into it. I didn't feel like I was on a touristy whale watch at all. They were taking pictures and documenting the whole time we were out there. They taught us so many cool things about the whales that make the think "how can anyone not believe in a Creator?"
I can't wait to go back to Mexico. I am hoping my new sister-in-law will invite Jeremy and me and their future nieces and nephews down there for fun family vacations. :) If not, I will honestly get my group of friends together and we will all pitch in to rent the place. Totally worth it!
Enjoy a few more pics...
View from the Balcony (the beach is to my left)
The guys getting into trouble on the beach
It's December and I am wearing a tank top and shorts...awesome!
Enjoying some guacamole and margaritas
Nothing like a pedicure for some dad/son-in-law bonding time
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
12 Days of Baking
Don't ask me what I was thinking. I might regret this later, but this year, I started a tradition called "12 Days of Baking." My team at work loved it, and I usually had extras so Jeremy's office got to benefit as well. I LOVE baking so it was so much fun, but it was a little hard at times coming home and being on my feet all night. I might try to plan a little better if I do this again. It might be best to bake some on the weekends and do some easier stuff during the week. The most torturous part was coming home from an early morning run to ice cookies or decorate a cookie cake. (I guess it's a good thing I ran because I definitely ate everything I baked!) Anyway, here are the 12 days...
On the first day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me RICE KRISPY TREATS!
On the second day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES w/ VANILLA FROSTING (kindergarten style as requested by my colleague, Ted)!
On the third day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me HOMEMADE BUTTERFINGERS! (that's what I call them...they are amazing and addictive. It's just Cheeze-Its, PB and chocolate bark. Thanks to Jill for the awesome recipe!)
On the fourth day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me CHOCOLATE, FRITO, PRETZEL YUMMINESS!
On the fifth day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me RED VELVET CUPCAKES!
On the sixth day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me ORANGE COCONUT PECAN BALLS!
On the seventh day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me COOKIE CAKE!
On the eighth day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me DECORATED SUGAR COOKIES!
On the ninth day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me SNICKERDOODLES!
On the tenth day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me SNOWMAN CAKE BALLS and my family's favorite iced sugar cookies! Jeremy's office got the cake balls. His boss's little girls loved them and told their dad they didn't want to eat them. They wrote me the sweetest thank you note for their "lollipops."
On the eleventh day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me CHOCOLATE/OATMEAL/PEANUT BUTTER NO BAKE COOKIES!
On the twelfth day of Christmas, Molly Ann got lazy and took some fun candy for the team...which they loved just as much as baked goods!
On the first day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me RICE KRISPY TREATS!
On the second day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES w/ VANILLA FROSTING (kindergarten style as requested by my colleague, Ted)!
On the third day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me HOMEMADE BUTTERFINGERS! (that's what I call them...they are amazing and addictive. It's just Cheeze-Its, PB and chocolate bark. Thanks to Jill for the awesome recipe!)
On the fourth day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me CHOCOLATE, FRITO, PRETZEL YUMMINESS!
On the fifth day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me RED VELVET CUPCAKES!
On the sixth day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me ORANGE COCONUT PECAN BALLS!
On the seventh day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me COOKIE CAKE!
On the eighth day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me DECORATED SUGAR COOKIES!
On the ninth day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me SNICKERDOODLES!
On the tenth day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me SNOWMAN CAKE BALLS and my family's favorite iced sugar cookies! Jeremy's office got the cake balls. His boss's little girls loved them and told their dad they didn't want to eat them. They wrote me the sweetest thank you note for their "lollipops."
On the eleventh day of Christmas, Molly Ann baked for me CHOCOLATE/OATMEAL/PEANUT BUTTER NO BAKE COOKIES!
On the twelfth day of Christmas, Molly Ann got lazy and took some fun candy for the team...which they loved just as much as baked goods!
Monday, December 20, 2010
AHHHH...10 More Days!
Okay, I need to get with it! I have 10 days to fulfill the New Year's Resolution list I made back in January.
Here's an update on the list:
1. Blog More--Done.
2. Finish my scrapbook from Hawaii in 2007. Didn't touch it...crap! I am pretty sure the scrapbook and all the pics are buried at the bottom of my guest room closet. I guess that would add another resolution to the list...clean out the guest room closet. Let's be honest, this might go on 2011's list.
3. Cut back on chips and queso--Done! It helped that I gave up fried food for Lent.
4. See more live music--Done! In the month of October alone we saw Griffen House, tons of bands at ACL, Ray LaMontagne, Tyrone Wells and Carrie Underwood. I think I have done a great job w/ this one and I have loved getting to know new bands!
5. Have more restful nights at home--Pretty much done. We started watching the entire season of Lost on streaming Netflix, so we were planted on the couch a lot of nights watching two or three episodes at a time. That helped the whole stay at home thing. I think I have a pretty good balance of this even with all the service stuff I am doing lately.
6. Preserve my wedding dress--Nope. I am still planning on having that party. :)
7. Sing more--Sadly no. I can't seem to balance that with work, Junior League, church leadership and family time. Maybe very soon. I want to start teaching voice and piano again soon so maybe there will be an outlet there.
8. Play more piano--Again, no. Dang it I am not doing well w/ this list! My sister is a music major at Baylor now, so maybe she can inspire me!
9. Purge my life of stuff--Absolutely done. I am not all the way there, but I have really worked hard this year to be more aware of the crap I put in my body. This also includes me purging our house of extra junk we don't need. We cleaned out our garage so we actually use it for our cars now! My new business (http://www.ahealthierlife.net/) has helped me achieve a healthier lifestyle too!
10. Dig deeper into my faith--Sort of done. This can always improve. I can say this year has been more others-centered for me. I have been serving others (through church and Junior League) more than I was before, and I have to say it feels awesome. Life is too short to be selfish!
Here's an update on the list:
1. Blog More--Done.
2. Finish my scrapbook from Hawaii in 2007. Didn't touch it...crap! I am pretty sure the scrapbook and all the pics are buried at the bottom of my guest room closet. I guess that would add another resolution to the list...clean out the guest room closet. Let's be honest, this might go on 2011's list.
3. Cut back on chips and queso--Done! It helped that I gave up fried food for Lent.
4. See more live music--Done! In the month of October alone we saw Griffen House, tons of bands at ACL, Ray LaMontagne, Tyrone Wells and Carrie Underwood. I think I have done a great job w/ this one and I have loved getting to know new bands!
5. Have more restful nights at home--Pretty much done. We started watching the entire season of Lost on streaming Netflix, so we were planted on the couch a lot of nights watching two or three episodes at a time. That helped the whole stay at home thing. I think I have a pretty good balance of this even with all the service stuff I am doing lately.
6. Preserve my wedding dress--Nope. I am still planning on having that party. :)
7. Sing more--Sadly no. I can't seem to balance that with work, Junior League, church leadership and family time. Maybe very soon. I want to start teaching voice and piano again soon so maybe there will be an outlet there.
8. Play more piano--Again, no. Dang it I am not doing well w/ this list! My sister is a music major at Baylor now, so maybe she can inspire me!
9. Purge my life of stuff--Absolutely done. I am not all the way there, but I have really worked hard this year to be more aware of the crap I put in my body. This also includes me purging our house of extra junk we don't need. We cleaned out our garage so we actually use it for our cars now! My new business (http://www.ahealthierlife.net/) has helped me achieve a healthier lifestyle too!
10. Dig deeper into my faith--Sort of done. This can always improve. I can say this year has been more others-centered for me. I have been serving others (through church and Junior League) more than I was before, and I have to say it feels awesome. Life is too short to be selfish!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Puppies and Kisses and Rainbows
I love my team at Volusion! We have so much fun while we work REALLY hard. Everyone on my team loves dogs and we have a special place in our hearts for puppies (or cute dogs that look like puppies). So, when things get crazy and we are all feeling a little on edge, we tend to send around random pictures/videos of puppies. It always makes us smile! C'mon...who doesn't love a cute puppy picture! I wanted to share a few in the hopes that you will smile too.
Bulldog vs. Doorstop
The Winning Pic (mostly because it has a puggle in it) I got this off the Mr. Puggle blog and their names are Buddy and Pickles..I really hope the big one is Pickles.
Cute Little Thirsty Button
As a footnote: I don't really like cats, but this video is hilarious. It makes me wonder what goes through a child's head when we read books to them.
Bulldog vs. Doorstop
The Winning Pic (mostly because it has a puggle in it) I got this off the Mr. Puggle blog and their names are Buddy and Pickles..I really hope the big one is Pickles.
Cute Little Thirsty Button
This reminds me of when I was in high school and I would stay up really late talking on the phone w/ my boyfriend...and fall asleep.
Nanny nanny boo boo
Oh no...not the snow!
As a footnote: I don't really like cats, but this video is hilarious. It makes me wonder what goes through a child's head when we read books to them.
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