Fashion Fun!

Alright folks, the cruise is coming, and I'm in packing mode.  Yes already.  Today is all about outfit choices. I had to get some special new clothes just for the trip, of course.  No really, I did.  I didn't have many summer clothes, and what better time to get some than for our "honeymoon"?  The good news is, I didn't spend any more than about $10 for most of these pieces.  I do love a bargain.  Anywho, I decided to put up some of the potential outfits for the cruise, and have you all tell me your favorites, or suggest other combos!  Maybe that bores you, but I happen to love this kind of stuff.  

Next will be packing tips!  I'm going to try three different methods and see which works the best!

So be prepared for some travel-themed posts in the future... I know I'm looking forward to them!

 From top left going right, then the middle row, then the bottom row:
1.  top: Kohl's; shorts: JC Penney a few years ago; shoes: Kmart.  2.  top: Kohl's; shorts: JC Penney a few years ago; shoes: Kmart; hat: JC Penney 3.  top: Kohl's; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Old Navy; scarf: Italy-- a gift from my mother-in-law.  4.  top: Ecko outlet; shorts: Ross; shoes: Kmart.  5.  top: Kohl's; shorts: Ross; shoes: Kmart.  6.  hat: JC Penney; top: Target; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Kohl's.  7.  cardigan: Target a long time ago; top: Old Navy; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Old Navy.  8.  cardigan: Kohl's; top: Old Navy; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Old Navy.  9.  top: Kohl's; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Kohl's.

 1.  bikini top: Target; top: target; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Kohl's.  2.  hat: JC Penney; cover up: Victoria's Secret outlet; shoes: Kmart; bathing suit top: Target; bottoms: Target.  3.  hat: JC Penney; cover up: Ross; shoes: Kmart; bikini top and bottom: Target.  4.  hat: JC Penney; scarf: another Italy gift from my mother-in-law; bikini top and bottom: Target.

1.  cardigan: Old Navy, years ago; top: Target; shorts: Kohl's; shoes: Kmart.  2.  dress: Target; cardigan: Target a long time ago; sandals: Old Navy.  3.  dress: Target; shoes: Kmart.  4.  dress: Charlotte Russe; 5.  hat: JC Penney; dresses: Target; cardigan: I have no clue; sandals: Kohl's.  6.  dress: Target; sandals: Kohl's.

So if you please, could you tell me your faves and your ideas? Cast your votes! Thanks! :)



xoxo, A

Aaaand We're Back.

So, our lack of internet allowed me to take a two day blogging break.  I liked it/needed it.  I'm pretty burned out in general.  That tends to happen at the end of the school year.  This year seems longer than usual, and in truth, it is.  We go at least an extra week longer than other schools.  But this week we're watching films, next week is review week (and four days-- thank you, Memorial Day!), and the week after is exam week (four half days).  And then a few days after that, Hband and I leave for our vacation!  How did that happen already?!


Let's break this down into my current thoughts: 


1.  We are watching To Kill a Mockingbird in my eighth grade classes.  What a fantastic movie... but even more fantastic is hearing my students say, "The book is so much better."  Those kids loved TKAM, and I was blissful about it-- it's my very favorite book!  We are also watching Life is Beautiful in my high school classes, as we finished reading Night.  I had forgotten what a truly fantastic movie that is.  We're only about an hour and a half into it and I already have bawled my eyes out.  Plus, I'm learning Italian, listening to it for 45 minutes times 3 per day.  If you haven't seen these two movies, stop what you're doing now.  Stop.  Now.  Go rent them.  You will not be disappointed.  


2.  Writing.  I love it.  It is a favorite outlet of mine, and I like to consider it a kind of art form.  I like blogging because it forces me to do a little writing every day or few days, but sometimes it feels forced, or like a burden.    Often on a Sunday, I feel like saying, "I just don't feel inspired today.  There will be no 'Inspiration Monday.'  OK?"  And sometimes I do.  But it's good for me to be disciplined and do it anyway.  I'm always glad I did.  Again, I love blogging, but someday I ultimately want to be an author.  I want to write Bible studies/devotionals for women, and I'd like to dabble in children's books.  I put that on hold when I got rejection letter after rejection letter after submitting some queries to multiple publishers.  But last week, Hband handed me a letter from Chicken Soup for the Soul.  "It's probably a rejection letter," I said as I made dinner.  I had totally forgotten that I'd submitted a couple things over six months ago.
"Well that's positive thinking," he said, or something to that effect.
I opened it and immediately my eyes welled up with tears.  One of my stories had been chosen for the final selection to be published in October in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Finding my Faith.  It's not guaranteed that it will be published, but it's close.  It's closer than I've ever gotten.  I couldn't stop crying.  "I'm just so happy," I said through my tears.  
Hband held me close and said, "You sound the opposite of happy."
But I was so happy.  Something I'd worked so hard for was almost mine, and thank God-- it wasn't some goofy article or something meaningless.  This was the story of my faith, the story of how God used my youth pastor's life and death to make my faith real to me.  If published, this would be a way for God to continue to use his legacy for God's glory and the good of others.  
So in short (or I guess, long, since I gave you the whole back story), my passion was revived.  Even if I'm more sporadic in blogging, my passion for writing remains, and God has given me the encouragement I needed to keep on.


3.  I am entirely so excited about our vacation.  This is our "real" honeymoon.  I simply can't wait, but I can't believe it's here.  I'm pretty sure the nightmares about forgetting things will be coming soon.  I've gotten to looking up good restaurants in Rome and Venice, and soon, I will be blogging some fun packing tips and outfits, mostly just because I'm excited and want to share.


4.  Hband and I want to gorge ourselves on the cruise and not gain eight thousand pounds.  So we went on a Weight Watchers type diet... Eight pounds down in two weeks, for both of us!  It's exciting, and I'm doing so much more experimenting and cooking... with some failures, but mostly successes.


So in case you were wondering, that's what's going on these days.  I'll probably still take a few more days of blogging off, just for a breather.  


Thanks for reading! :)


xoxo, A

No internet, no blogs.

Sorry, friends.  Our internet decided to take a break, so I did too.  When it's up and running (so I don't have to do this from school), I'll start posting again.  Thanks for your patience!
xoxo, A

Photography Saturday: Florida Favorites

My roots run all the way to Illinois, but now I'm here in Florida.  I've begun growing roots here, too, as I've been here almost 5 full years.  A lot happens in 5 years.  You could get a job, move in with your bestie, be in three weddings, move into your own place, get a boyfriend, get engaged, and get married.  *whew* 


I didn't always love Florida.  When I first moved here, I kind of didn't like it.  The only thing keep me here was the people.  Well, that and the fact that I knew God wanted me here and to leave would be a Jonah-like thing to do, and we all know how that turned out.  The heat was opressive, my hair was no match for its humidity, the people drove weird, they called it "soda," not "pop," and there were only two seasons-- hot and hotter. 


But now, I enjoy Florida for its own unique features.  The beach is gorgeous every time.  Even on a hot day, spreading my toes in the sand and then hopping into the salty waves is fun.  Nothing beats those clear, non-humid days that are warm with a cool breeze.  While everyone else is freezing their goofies off in Chicago, I'm taking a nice walk in the sunshine.  I love the fish here.  I'd never heard of Mahi-Mahi until I moved to Florida, and oh how life has changed for the better.  It doesn't get any better than fresh fish on the beach.  I love that all my friends are not bleach-blonde tan goddesses, like I thought Florida was full of.  They're normal people who really only go to the beach maybe a few times a year.  I like the solidarity of those who live here-- we band against those crazy Spring Breakers and Snow Birds!  Publix.  Need I say more?  There are Publixes galore in Florida and I'm grateful.


Enjoy some of my favorite glimpses of my life in Florida.

The sunset on Clearwater Beach... always.

Home-grown oranges.

Old, kitschy hotels.

The sponge docks.

Two words: Disney World.

The skyline that makes me happy when coming home from a road trip.  And a storm blowing in.

Ocean life.

Fresh strawberries from Plant City.

Tarpon Springs.

The Bucs.  My other, newer boys.

I <3 Florida.

xoxo, A

DIY Friday: Photo Editing

Maybe I shouldn't tell you this.  Maybe I should keep this a secret.  But no, I think you need to know, if you don't already: anyone can pass for an amateur photographer these days.  It's easy.  Don't get me wrong-- there is no faking those extreme talents with an awesome DSLR camera.  That's why they have actual jobs as photographers.  But for the rest of us who just like photography and want to make pretty pictures, we have to use our point-and-shoot and some kind of post-processing.


I'd like to think I possess a little bit of photography skills-- both in the actual taking of pictures and the post-processing.  I'd like to think I have a bit of an "eye."  But maybe I'm just good at using the tools laid out before me.  I used to use Picnik, but they're closed.  Boo.  Since then, I discovered PicMonkey, which I think I like even better.  The only downside is that it seems like after a while, they're going to start charging for some of their features.  Nobody likes that, PicMonkey.  Nobody.


If this is old hat to you, I'm sorry.  But if you're overwhelmed by the website and think you're not creative?  Think again.  You can do this, and you can rescue almost any bad photo.  I mean really bad photos.  Want to see what I mean?

The photo of darkness: no flash= no faces.

OK. so maybe this isn't a FANTASTIC photo, but it's at least artsy and somewhat salvaged.

The blur: somebody moved = shmear. 

Not so bad, right?

This one is not so bad, just a little out of focus.

 

But this one is better, yes?

See? Just a few clicks and we've salvaged/improved photos!  Just mess around and play with the features-- nothing is permanent!  Have fun!


xoxo, A

Thoughts for Thursday: Joy-Robber

Take a look at this picture.

Take it all in.  Aside from my freakish laughing horse-face, do you see anything... off... in this picture?

Look more closely at the cake.  That was our wedding cake, with our topper below, on the table (a gorgeous Irish porcelain figurine).  We ordered a simple cake with whipped frosting, to be applied in a sort of messy way-- not polished looking, anyway.  But somehow in transport, our cake got lumpy, and it couldn't support our cake topper anymore.

The friend who transported the cake was beside herself.  What she didn't know is I was so, so thankful for her help, and so, so glad I didn't have to worry about the cake that day, that the state of my $20 Publix wedding cake was not going to upset me.

Notice our faces.  We clearly were not upset.  I found it hilarious, actually, that we were cutting our wedding "lump."

But I use this picture to illustrate a point I've been thinking about.  It would be easy to look at this picture and think, my wedding cake wasn't as good as so-and-so's.  I feel bad about it.  I wish I had had this.  I wish I had had that.  The day wasn't perfect because of this detail, and that bugs me.  Maybe that's a silly illustration, but I know I can't be alone in the comparison game.  As prideful people and sometimes perfectionists, maybe you (like me) want your everything to be "the best," and you find yourself constantly comparing yourself/things to others, making sure you measure up.

Why?  Why do I do that?  I didn't do it with my wedding cake, so it must be possible to stop doing, right?  I have found that comparison, as I've written before (don't know where I first heard this) kills your joy, kills your contentment.  Constant comparison of anything only makes you unhappy with your life as it stands and unable to find joy in the moment.

I've been thinking about this because I have this problem when it comes to different parts of my life, and I hate it.  It's so prideful and it's so wrong to be discontent with any part of this blessed life God has given me.  Confession: while I love wedding blogs that feature gorgeous weddings, I get slightly jealous that I hadn't gotten married on a boat/in the woods/in the city/on a rooftop or whatever.  I also love wedding photography, and while my photographer was both very talented and a great deal, I sometimes think, why didn't I get pictures like THAT?!  Another confession: my husband is fantastic.  But sometimes I compare him to what I think he should be doing, and it makes me discontent.  Why isn't he telling me I look pretty enough?  He doesn't bring me flowers.  He must be unhappy.  These confessions are hard for me to own up to, because they're embarrassing.

But they're real.  I think it's a natural, human, sinful instinct to compare yourself to others and either pridefully believe you're better, or to become discontent and wish for something else/better.  That strips life of joy.  Joy is peace and contentment whatever one's circumstances might be.  My life is far too wonderful to even begin to wish for something else/better (for the record, I don't want something else/better when it comes to my husband... he simply is THE best. :) ).  If I spent less time wanting what I think is better, perhaps I'd be more satisfied with what I have, and therefore better able to serve Christ as a wife, teacher, and friend.  After all, God's Word tells us that godliness with contentment is great gain.

So I'm thinking I'm going to apply the wedding "lump" approach to life.  Take whatever I have and enjoy it for what it is, not what it isn't or what it could be, and laugh along the way.  God's in control and everything is as it should be anyway, so I may as well not fret and strive for something else.  I don't want to let comparison rob me of my joy in each moment that God gives me.

How about you?

xoxo, A

Recipe Wednesday: Skinny Chunky Monkey Cookies

Warning: while healthy, these are highly addictive and you won't be able to stop eating them!  I found this recipe on Pinterest, but the original recipe is found here.

I have an incurable sweet tooth.  Seriously, it's a problem, especially now that Hband and I are on Weight Watchers.  I find that if I can say "no" and never have that first taste of sugar, I'm alright... but if I take one taste of that sugary carbo goodness, I'm gone.  I'm just gone-- down for the count in diet-world.  


But these-- these are healthy, and not so sweet that I find myself needing more and more sweet things afterward.  A lot of these healthy "cookies" are really more like baked oatmeal bites.  I happen to like the consistency-- that dense, moist texture-- but Hband's not a huge fan.  Plus, these weren't quite sweet enough for him.  Maybe next time I'd add a little honey.  I did think they were good as is-- so good that I really have to make myself stop eating them (but I don't feel guilty... there's no dairy, sugar, or flour in them!).


Plus, they are so, so, so very easy to make.  I literally made them in ten minutes. 


Here's what you'll need (makes 30 cookies):

3 ripe bananas
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mash bananas in a large bowl, then stir in remaining ingredients. Let batter stand for approximately 20 minutes, then drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes.











And in other, completely unrelated news, one year ago today, I said "yes" when he asked, "will you?"  I'm so glad I said yes-- it's only gotten better and better.  I'm so thankful he chose me out of all the girls in the world, and God saw fit to bless me with this man of my dreams.  :)  Prayers answered; dream come true.


xoxo, A
Here's what you do:

Nutritional Information (per cookie): 47 calories; 7.5 g carbs; 1.6 g fat; 1.5 g protein; 1.3 g fiber; 1 WW PointsPlus

Enjoy!!

Tip for Tuesday: Wedding Prayer

Sorry, I'm on a wedding vein this week.  I continued to think about the wedding on Sunday, and they included a prayer I've heard at many of my friends' weddings.  The first time I heard it was at my friend Ashley's wedding (find her blog here), still one of the best I've ever been to.  I knew from the first time I heard it, I had to have it in my wedding, too.  


We found it online, and Dad made a couple adjustments to it. Those adjustments aren't reflected here, but I think there was some kind of theological wording issue.  Regardless, it remains, in my opinion, one of the best prayers I've ever heard period, and completely perfect for a wedding.


So here's the tip: getting married?  Know someone who is getting married?  Consider this prayer, or even get crafty and put it on a frame or something lovely like that!


Enjoy!

The Puritan's Prayer for Marriage:

"Father in heaven, thank you for this husband-wife commitment to Christian marriage. As they look ahead, we pray that their future will never lack the convictions that make a marriage strong. 

Bless this husband. Bless him as provider and protector. Sustain him in all the pressures that come with the task of stewarding a family. May his strength be his wife’s boast and pride, and may he so live that his wife may find in him the haven for which the heart of a woman truly longs. 

Bless this wife. Give her a tenderness that makes her great. A deep sense of understanding and a strong faith in you. Give her that inner beauty of soul that never fades, that eternal youth that is found in holding fast to the things that never age. May she so live that her husband may be pleased to reverence her in the shrine of his own heart. 

Teach them that marriage is not living for each other—it is two people uniting and joining hands to serve you. Give them a great spiritual purpose in life. May they seek first your kingdom and your righteousness knowing that you will sustain them thru all of life’s challenges. 

May they minimize each other’s weaknesses and be swift to praise and magnify each other’s strengths so that they might view each other thru a lover’s kind and patient eyes. Give them a little something to forgive each day that their love might learn to be longsuffering. 

Bless them and develop their character as they walk together with you. Give them enough hurts to keep them human, enough failures to keep their hands clenched tightly in yours and enough success to make them sure they walk with you throughout all of their life. 

May they never take each other’s love for granted but always experience that breathless wonder that exclaims, “Out of all the world, you have chosen me!” Then when life is done and the sun is setting, may they be found then as now, still hand in hand, still very proud, still thanking you for each other. 

May they travel together as friends and lovers, brother and sister, husband and wife, father and mother, and as servants of Christ until he shall return, or until that day when one shall lay the other in the arms of God. We ask through Jesus Christ, the great lover of our souls.

Amen."

xoxo, A

Inspiration Monday: Vows

Inspiration Monday is taking a bit of a different turn today.  Instead of rounding up a collection to inspire you to have a party or decorate a room, I thought I'd give you inspiration for your marriage, whether it currently exists, or it still lies in your future.


Hband and I went to a wedding yesterday.  Well, "went to" is an understatement.  We actually drove nine hours round trip to see a dear friend get married.  The trip was fun because I got to be with my best friend the whole time.  This was the first time he and I got to attend a wedding together (besides our own).  Ironically, it was exactly one year after I attended another dear friend's wedding, where her mother told me I'd be next... and sure enough, I was engaged three days later!


I was unprepared for the emotions I'd experience watching a wedding with Hband.  I felt a rush of all those feelings I experienced firsthand just four months ago.  I told him I hope I never forget those feelings.  The tears I used to shed at weddings was different-- tears of happiness for the bride, tears for the changes that would occur... but yesterday's tears were tears of joy simply remembering the truly divine experience of entering into a covenant relationship before the Lord.


As I sat there, watching this couple become one, remembering my own wedding just a few months ago, I remembered how meaningful our vows were.  I remembered how we labored over the wording, careful to craft them to say exactly what we wanted to promise, and careful that they reflect a biblical marriage relationship.  We got the skeleton of our vows from some kind of bland "Christian vows" on the Internet, but we added Scriptural references and personal promises.  They are unique to us, they still give me the chills.


I remember pulling mine out of the pocket (yes, pocket) in my dress and barely choking back the tears as I promised my husband these things, and I'll never forget his precious, rare tears as he did the same.


I hope these vows inspire you to write your own promises for your spouse, or to keep the ones you promised long ago.


And by the way... if you're a bride-to-be, feel free to use these vows if you like them... but be sure to honor them.

I, Michael, take you, Amanda, to be my wedded wife. With deepest joy I receive you into my life that together we may be one. As is Christ to His body, the church, so I will give sacrificially to you, as a loving and faithful husband.  Always will I perform my headship over you, even as Christ does over me. I promise you my deepest love, my fullest devotion, my tenderest care. I will continually seek to love you, comfort you, honor and cherish you, even as I care for my own body.  I will provide for you, pursue you, and protect you, as the weaker vessel.  I will set as my goal in life to please first God, and then you, in all things, and I promise that I will lead us spiritually in faith and hope in Christ Jesus. I will faithfully follow Christ as I entrust our marriage and family to Him, and I will let Him make me into the man you deserve.  Ever honoring God's guidance by His Spirit through the Word, and so throughout life, no matter what may be ahead of us, I pledge to you my life as a loving and faithful husband.  Forsaking all others, I will keep myself only for you as long as we live, so that in all things, God might be glorified.

I, Amanda, take you, Michael, to be my wedded husband. With deepest joy I entrust my whole heart to you, and the rest of my days as God wills. As you have pledged to me your life and love, so I too happily give you my life, and in confidence submit myself to your headship as to the Lord. As is the church in her relationship to Christ, so I will be to you.  I will live first unto our God and then unto you, ever deepening my relationship with Him, as my first love and Savior. Loving you selflessly, patiently, gently, I will strive to obey you humbly; being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry; caring for you thoughtfully and always seeking to please you. God has prepared me for you and so I will strengthen, help, comfort, respect, and encourage you. I will strive to bring you good all the days of your life. Therefore, throughout life, no matter what may be ahead of us, I pledge to you my life as an obedient and faithful wife, and promise to persevere until death alone shall part us, so that in all things, God might be glorified.

xoxo, A

Recovery Time

Please excuse another hiatus... I need some recovery time!  Hband and I drove a total of 9 hours yesterday, to and from Tallahassee for a friend's wedding.  And had to go to work today, too.  So I'll be back, just as soon as I recover. :)
xoxo, A

Photography Saturday: Engagement Bliss

On the 16th, Hband and I celebrate one year since he asked me to marry him.  I can't believe how time flies!  I'll never forget how he did it... I'll share that another time.  But suffice it to say, it was both amusing and sweet. And then of course, he left the very next day for three weeks in Europe with his family, and I was left to the overwhelming feelings that accompany that new ring!  


I remember being very overwhelmed.  Happy, but overwhelmed, and scared, too.  Though there was no one else I ever wanted to spend the rest of my life with, the thought of forever was terrifying.  But God worked with my fear, and before long, I was all joy... and stress. :)  But mostly joy.


Almost one year ago, God answered a lifelong prayer, and I am forever grateful for the gift of my best friend and love of my life. 


Sorry for the mushy moment...


But now, here are some choice gems from our engagement photo shoot, by Kelly Johnson of Duna Photography.  She's so talented!  Enjoy!

xoxo, A

DIY Friday: Wedding/Anniversary Gift

Do you have a friend getting married, or an anniversary coming up?  Are you short on cash?  Have I got the project for you! :)  Head over to Michael's with your weekly 40-50% off coupon and pick up a frame that has a wide mat.  I find that those wedding/graduation frames that intend for guests to sign the mat work perfectly.  If you can't find one, make your own with cardstock!


Put a cute little picture of the couple inside, and here's where the fun begins.  If you're using cardstock, you could probably create a template and print out words in whatever font you want.  But if you're like me and love handwriting, do this yourself.  It's fun!  Write out the vows of the couple or the lyrics to their first dance song on the mat, and it provides a really pretty, very meaningful gift that will always serve as a reminder of their special day.  Or yours. 


I got this frame for SUPER cheap at Michael's.  Then I broke the glass by accident because I'm a klutz.  So my parents kindly had the glass replaced at Ace (turns out it was inexpensive!), and this is what I found afterwards:

Thanks, Dad.


Here's how it looks now:

Make it personal and meaningful, and have fun!  Also don't run out of ink, and you may want to put pencil lines on so your writing is even... I didn't and I kind of wish I had.  Even so, it's cute!


And PS, this is the song we danced to for our first dance as a married couple: "Love Never Fails" by Brandon Heath.  I couldn't think of a more appropriate song.  It still gives me the chills. :)

xoxo, A

Thoughts for Thursday: Singleness Stuff

I have a lot to say about singleness.  Oh boy do I ever.  And you're not allowed to discount it, thinking, Easy for her to say-- she's married.  Because I've been there, done that.  And I remember it very clearly. 

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak to some lovely girls at my church's Crossroads discipleship for women.  Most of them were single, though with varied backgrounds.  I was nervous to speak, because I didn't know many of them very well, if at all.  Would they care what I had to say?  Would they discount it because I'm married now and they didn't know me when I was single?  But I knew God had brought the opportunity, and I took it.  Turns out, it was as much a blessing for me as it was for anyone else.  Reviewing my struggles as a single woman reminded me of God's faithfulness in my life, and I needed that.

But I know there are other single women out there who weren't at that little meeting a few Sundays ago.  So I thought I'd include a condensed version of "singleness stuff" here for you, if you want it. 

It's still my goal to someday write a book on the journey of singleness I took and what it taught me.  Because I firmly believe that up to this point in my life, it was the one thing God used most to change me.  Maybe that's where you're at, too. 

Here goes:

Starting with some verses, here are some you should never forget, as a single person, married person, widowed person-- whatever:

Proverbs 16:9: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."
Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."
Psalm 27:13-14: "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong, take heart, and wait for the Lord."
Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things."

With that established, in no particular order, here are my thoughts:

• Be where you are.  Don't waste your time.  You could waste thousands of brain cells and minutes thinking about what you want and what could be and how you're dissatisfied/discontent.  Not worth it.  Your life will pass you by.
• Be faithful to the Lord wherever you are, and trust him to provide what you need.  Think of Ruth, who trusted God in a foreign land to take care of her and her mother-in-law.  She was faithful to do what God wanted her to do-- take care of Naomi-- and she was singularly focused on doing what he required.  She was where she was supposed to be, faithfully working for the Lord.  And God caused Boaz to notice her.  She wasn't looking for anyone or any attention.  But God opened Boaz's eyes and worked it all out.
• Study the character of God to love and trust him more.  When you see more and more how faithful, good, just, trustworthy, and loving God is, it will make it easier to trust him.
• As you learn to love God more, grow your relationship with him.  Delight yourself in who he is and what he's done, and as promised, he will give you the desires of your heart.  This doesn't mean he'll give you what you want; this means his desires will become yours.
• Know what you want in a future spouse and don't compromise.  As a sweet old lady who always called me on my birthday said, "Don't settle for second best."  It's true.  Don't ever get in to the settling mindset, like Liz Lemon and Wesley Snipes (the Brit, not the movie star)... that's for you "30 Rock" fans.  But seriously, pick three things or so that are the most important to you, and do not even consider dating someone who doesn't match up to those.  For me, it was that he'd love Jesus more than anything else, be able to make me laugh, and I'd find him attractive.  There were other things that were important to me, too, but those were my non-negotiables.  Yes, it's possible one could grow to find someone attractive, but I was convinced God wouldn't have me be with someone I ever found to be unattractive.  Just saying.
• BUT, as Hband reminded me, "you won't find Jesus."  So remember that even your dream guy will be a human sinner and will have flaws.  Maybe lots of them.
• If being single makes you sad, let it out.  Then move on.  Seriously, cry if you need to.  God gave us tear ducts for a reason.  But do move on.  Maybe journal and leave it there, but don't wallow in your sadness or it becomes self-pity.  How do you move on?  Remind yourself of the truth in God's Word.
• Do your future husband good ALL the days of your life, as Proverbs 31 says.  That means even before you meet him, you should be conducting yourself in a way that will do him good.  Don't mess around with other guys.  Don't do embarrassing things and put them on the Internet.  Learn skills that will help you do him good later, like cooking and cleaning.
• We don't live in Hollywood land, the land of rom-coms.  Don't expect that.  Your relationship and any part of it will most of the time not match up to a Nicholas Sparks movie.  He probably won't say the right thing most of the time.  He probably won't bring you flowers or sweep you off your feet enough to be leading man material.  The list goes on.  Appreciate him when he comes for what he is: a friend and someone who loves you and wants to push you closer to Christ.  Who is also very good looking.  What could be better?!
• Dating/marriage is not an if/then situation.  I hated when people would say "Once I submitted my will to Christ, I found the man I was going to marry!"  As if God's will was contingent upon something they did.  No.  God's will doesn't work like that.  Yes, submit your will to Christ, but don't expect it to be a magic potion.  Don't think, "If I do ____________, he will finally come into my life!"  Wrong motives are not exactly blessed by God.
• Your story is unique to you and perfected by God.  Don't want what someone else has, because your story is just yours.  I read somewhere that comparison kills contentment.
• If you have prayed that God make you content and take away the desire to be married if it's not from Him, and that desire remains, then it is probably God-given and you will probably be married someday.  That was a wonderful encouragement from my pastor once when I was really struggling.
• Be content where you are.  You'll never have this time of singleness again-- a time to be fully-devoted to ministry and travel and do whatever you want to do without being accountable to anyone but God (and I guess the government).  Enjoy your singleness.  Don't just endure it.
• Don't even think about dating anyone unless you could consider marrying them.  Why waste your precious time and emotions, or risk getting serious with someone who won't bring you closer to Christ?  
• Be encouraged!  Be excited for God's plan for you-- be excited for the future and what is to come; it will only get better.

And remember this: much of the advice I have for singleness also applies to marriage.  Never, ever think that marriage is a fix-it, or a cure to any kind of problem.  Whatever you struggle with before the ring, you will struggle with after, and maybe even more so, because now you've brought another person into that struggle.  The only thing that changes when you walk back up that aisle is you've got a ring and God sees you as one.  Otherwise, you're the same person.  Marriage doesn't fix anything.  It's just a blessing that takes work. :)

xoxo, A

Recipe Wednesday: Confetti Salsa

Is there any satisfaction equal to that when you are known for some kind of "famous" recipe, and it's requested of you?  I love that.  For me, it is my confetti salsa.  I was once told this was mandatory for me to bring to every single party.  Ever.  Sadly, it's taken a hiatus for a while.  I think this summer is the time to bring it back. 


In all honesty, this recipe came to me via my Aunt Maureen (as did her Monster cookies... to be featured here at a later date).  But I made it my own and man, is it good.  I could proabably eat the whole lot of it.



This recipe makes a huge bowlful, so either make it for a party or store the rest in individual containers. By the way, I took this off my original cooking site (short-lived) called "Quarter-Life Crisis Cooking."  By the time I'd have time or means to make something of that site/name, I'd no longer be in the "quarter-life" age range.  I'm pushing it already.  Oh well.  For those of us who are pushing "quarter-life," this is healthy, which we all know we need these days-- it has protein, fiber, and veggies!


Here's what you need:

• 1 seeded and diced red bell pepper
• 2 ripe avacados, pitted, peeled, and diced
• 1/4 of a red onion, diced very small (I'm not a red onion fan... add more to taste)
• 4 chopped greens of scallions
• 1 can "Mexicorn," drained
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 can petite diced tomatoes; try to get the ones with chiles
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegarette (I use lite)
• 2 packages of Good Seasons dry salad dressing mix

Almost all of these ingredients can be bought at Aldi for very cheap. The scallions, vinegarette, and dressing mix would have to be bought elsewhere.



Here's what you do:



Gently stir everything together and let it sit, covered in the fridge. The longer it sits the better, because the flavors marinate.  The avocado will lose it's gorgeous green, though.  


Difficult directions, right?



Other uses for the salsa besides the typical "put it on a chip":


1. lettuce wraps-- pull apart large leaves of lettuce from the head and pile a bit of salsa, perhaps some shredded chicken or fish, and/or some shredded cheese. Roll up and enjoy! This is HEALTHY!!


2. enchiladas-- warm corn tortillas in the microwave. Spread warmed fat-free refried beans on the tortilla, top with shredded chicken and cheese, or one or the other. Make up as many as will fit in a pan. Bake at 350 until slightly crispy on the outsides-- about 15-20 minutes-- and top with the salsa. This is also HEALTHY!


3. breakfast-- toast a wheat pita, scramble up some eggs or egg whites, and top with the salsa. Delicious and HEALTHY!


And honestly... I've put this on a sandwich before.  It was messy.  No judgments.  Also don't judge this crappy picture, taken ages ago.

Doesn't that just scream "SUMMER" to you?


xoxo, A

Tip for Tuesday: When People Annoy...

I meant for this title to sound ominous, like some kind of TV show-- "When sharks attack!" or "When neighbors snap!"-- only, "When people annoy!"


I'm a teacher.  The only other job I think that would cause one to get more annoyed would be stay-at-home-mom.  Or maybe day-care worker.  Because unless you work with children all day, you're probably not as annoyed as we are.  Adults are also annoying, and one could even make a case for saying they're worse, because they should know better, but I'm going to say that dealing with children every day for at least eight hours is pretty annoying.


I mean, it's rewarding too, but let's just focus on one thing at a time, shall we?


They whine, they hit, they bite, they snap, they ignore, they interrupt, they're rude, they're lazy... and those are just the good ones!  Kidding.  So what do you do when you're annoyed?  I know that my first, sinful instinct is to annoy in return or snap at them verbally.  Maybe retort sarcastically.  Sometimes even raise my voice.


What is the right thing to do when you're annoyed?  Pray.  I know this seems unbelievably obvious, but how many of us actually do this?  I can't even remember when I heard this first, but many godly individuals have told me that the best way to stop being annoyed by someone is to pray for them consistently.  Then, when you bring their issues and your own heart's issues before the Lord, your heart changes towards them and you genuinely will begin to love and care for them and what they may be dealing with.  How can you be permantently annoyed at someone you pray for consistently?  It won't happen.


I'm going to start trying my best to do this.  When that child asks me for the fifth time what page we're on, or the student gives me attitude, or someone asks me "what are we doing today," I'm going to try and turn my annoyance to prayer.  Especially since my eyes should be off myself anyway.




xoxo, A

Inspiration Monday: My Future Son's Room

I couldn't have a post about my future daughter's room and neglect my future son, now could I?  Again, this is hopefully years away, but when inspiration hits, there's no arguing. 


I kind of hope I have a lot of boys.  Which most likely means I'll have a lot of girls, but oh well.  All the better to soften Daddy's grizzly bear exterior, right?


So if I had a son, before he got too old to think this was fun, I'd give him a Peter Pan inspired room, because I'd probably never want him to grown up-- he could stay a little boy forever.  And this would be his room:

It won't be this dark or have a creepy light fixture, but there will be built-in bookshelves and bunk beds.

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It will have some kind of tent/teepee, maybe like this, but without the little chandelier inside.  Weird.

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It will probably have wainscoting as high as in this picture, and maybe this color, too. 

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To accent the above color, the drapes or bedspreads will be made with this, and varying tones/patterns of this: 

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With these pillows:

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And this: 

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And these, too! 

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And I'll paint Peter's shadow! 

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They'll have a campfire light:

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And posters like this: 

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And this: 

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And this: 

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Can you get the picture?  Built-ins painted taupe, with stripes and patterns of yellow, gray/taupe, red, and teal.  Cute, yes?

xoxo, A