So over the past few weeks a lot of different things have been running through my head that I've been wanting to blog about, but haven't had the time between running errands, trying to tackle school work and just being lazy. But, three main things have been floating through my head, so this blog may seem all over the place and longer than normal, but I had to get it out...
Topic #1... I'm getting married.
yeah, yeah, yeah... I know I've already sorta talked about that. I've talked about how great my bridal party is, I've talked about the proposal, but as it gets closer and the butterflies flutter around faster in my stomach I don't think about the ceremony or the reception. I think of how my status with God will change. I will no longer be the single woman Paul talks about who has the ability to devote all her time to the things of God. Nope, after July 25th my attention will be divided between the things of God and the things of my household. That part makes me both nervous and excited. Nervous because I'm not sure how that will change my own personal style of seeking God and resting in His presence, granted I'm sure J could lead worship in our home at any given moment since he sings all the time. How will my new responsibilities impact my level of involvement at the new church we join as a couple? And in the years to come, how will these things change again once we start thinking about having children? See... this can make you a bit nervous. But, I'm sooo excited about what God could do through us as a married couple. C.Denard gave us this title of "power couple", at first it made me a bit uncomfortable because I didn't think we were any different from any other couple, especially when you spend time with other great couples. But, after attending a session at the UCCFS conference in '09, we were challenged with the question of "what is the purpose of your marriage?" At this time, this rocked my world, I'd never thought about it, so I had no clue. But, throughout the rest of that conference and since then, Justin and I have talked about how our gifts compliment, how we saw God moving in our relationship, as well as how we saw how God could use us in the future. So, as the days get closer my nervousness increases, but my excitement for what's to come in the future far outweighs that!
Topic #2... Justin is a great guy!
Justin is an awesome guy. I've known that for quite some time, but over the past few months I've grown to love him more and more. It seems that many people just see him, or get to know how more on a business/professional level, but I'm glad that each day I get to spend with him (which is few and far between with this long distance thing) I get to see new sides of him. I appreciate the man God has made him to be right now and bless God for who He intends for Justin to be. Since our meetings with various ministers to discuss the wedding, I've been thinking more about our relationship, one thing in particular... I'm glad I didn't settle! If you would have asked me 8-10 ago, I could have potentially told you two different guys that I saw myself getting married to, because they thought I was the "one". I'm glad I didn't settle for those guys, not that they aren't great guys and not that they won't be great husbands, but not really for me. Justin is just want I wanted and needed. I feel safe with him, he challenges me, he makes me laugh and tells me no. At first I didn't like that last point, but I've learned to appreciate it. He won't cater to me just because he feels he must to keep me. I love him for that. But, a recent thing that helped reinforce my ever-growing appreciation for the man he is, was our evening at Afram. After standing for about 30-45 minutes, I opted to sit on the pavement, while watching the performers on the big screen. Justin stood over me like a body guard, positioned himself so I could rest on him to be comfortable, he covered me in a way that most people wouldn't even think about. Thanks God, my gift of a husband rocks!!!
Topic #3... I don't seem to remember and this post is long enough... If it's important or comes to mind again, I'll do another post ;-).
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Yep... I was "that" girl...
Over the past few weeks I've been doing some self-reflection, which is not uncommon for me during the summer months. As my birthday approaches, I usually try to assess what I've done in the past year, months, etc, but this year will be a bit different. I'm still doing the self-reflection, but now my focus is on how my life will change after my birthday, since the wedding is three days after my birthday.
Well, my most recent "epiphany" is that I was "that" girl in high school. The girl who only had about two really close female friends and just hung out with guys all other times. Since I was an athlete it sorta made sense, we could talk sports, I could chill in my basketball sweats, and crushing on any of them was out of the question. That worked then, that even worked in college despite being in the sorority, I still only had a few close sisters that ran with but could chill with the frat for hours. As the wedding approaches though, I am yearning for time with my sisters, trying to see how I can squeeze in as much ladies only time as possible. Not that I'm not excited about spending the rest of my life with Justin, or having him around all the time, but in the years of '06-'08 I had what seemed like weekly slumber parties with what was then called the Fab4, which transitioned to W2E, which has now morphed into something else that I don't think has a name. Those times were the best, we learned each other more, we had great laughs, we challenged each other to be better, we made each other mad, we had some great trips and I wouldn't give that up for the world. Here in lies the problem.... in 48 days, my chances to have random slumber parties, to opportunities to just lounge around with my girls will shrink.
So, the epiphany... I've grown out of being "that" girl. I love being around like-minded women, I love being able to embrace all that is being a "girl", I love developing a stronger sisterhood. In my days remaining as a "Single Lady" I'm trying to get in as many, meaningful ladies only moments. So, if we haven't spent any quality time together lately, let's change that... 
let's do a dinner, lunch, dessert, sit and people watch, it doesn't matter. But, I need these moments to carry me over to October when I'm sure J and I will be ready to start getting out to have fun with just the guys or ladies nights out.
Hit me up if you wanna hang...
Well, my most recent "epiphany" is that I was "that" girl in high school. The girl who only had about two really close female friends and just hung out with guys all other times. Since I was an athlete it sorta made sense, we could talk sports, I could chill in my basketball sweats, and crushing on any of them was out of the question. That worked then, that even worked in college despite being in the sorority, I still only had a few close sisters that ran with but could chill with the frat for hours. As the wedding approaches though, I am yearning for time with my sisters, trying to see how I can squeeze in as much ladies only time as possible. Not that I'm not excited about spending the rest of my life with Justin, or having him around all the time, but in the years of '06-'08 I had what seemed like weekly slumber parties with what was then called the Fab4, which transitioned to W2E, which has now morphed into something else that I don't think has a name. Those times were the best, we learned each other more, we had great laughs, we challenged each other to be better, we made each other mad, we had some great trips and I wouldn't give that up for the world. Here in lies the problem.... in 48 days, my chances to have random slumber parties, to opportunities to just lounge around with my girls will shrink.
So, the epiphany... I've grown out of being "that" girl. I love being around like-minded women, I love being able to embrace all that is being a "girl", I love developing a stronger sisterhood. In my days remaining as a "Single Lady"
let's do a dinner, lunch, dessert, sit and people watch, it doesn't matter. But, I need these moments to carry me over to October when I'm sure J and I will be ready to start getting out to have fun with just the guys or ladies nights out. Hit me up if you wanna hang...
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
But God...
this morning i was in a slight car accident. the accident was my fault, i ran into the back of another car. my aggressive driving nature to jump out their when merging in order to avoid sitting their all day waiting for something to happen. even though, my car, vinny, has a few dents and scratches, he runs. after the accident, despite being a bit shaken up, i had a "but, God" feeling. and not in a "buutttt, Goddd" in a whiny, complaining tone, but a feeling of excitement and appreciation for all that God is. i felt, a sense of love, a sense of peace, a sense of protection. i love where i am with God right now, He's showing me more of Him while reassuring who i am as His daughter.
God, i love you for your constant protection, guidance, love, faithfulness, mercy and grace. despite my imperfections, flaws, doubts, and the never-ending list of issues, you still desire me, desire my heart, desire my mind, desire my soul. Daddy, you rock!
God, i love you for your constant protection, guidance, love, faithfulness, mercy and grace. despite my imperfections, flaws, doubts, and the never-ending list of issues, you still desire me, desire my heart, desire my mind, desire my soul. Daddy, you rock!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Calendars...
In November of 2008, I entered into a group of people who remain forever connected to all things electric by purchasing a blackberry. At the time, I was preparing to make a transition from being a full-time employee to a full-time student, from a senior advisor to a regional officer in ANQ, so I felt like I needed to be able to stay on top of e-mail and truly organize my life. When I first ordered the storm, my main focus was on being able to reply to e-mails on the go in addition to being able to update all due dates and events in one place.
After talking to a good friend today, I realized that calendars are a necessary evil. We need calendars to help organize our lives. No matter who you are, or what you do, you need order in your life and a calendar helps. We are able to make appointments, recognize the change in seasons, plan for trips, plant gardens, etc. However, after discussing the fact that April, the fourth month of the year.. just in case you didn't know, starts on Thursday, I realized that time is really flying by. My friend and I discussed that when we were younger it seemed like time just crept by, summer vacation never seems to come fast enough, birthdays and Christmases never seems to come fast enough. Oh, but now... days, weeks, and months are just flying by. In June of 2009, I left the teaching profession after FIVE years. It didn't seem like it had been that long since I had graduated from college. This year I will possibly join the alumni of Laurel High School class of 2000 for our ten year reunion. Time, again, is just flying by!
But, since that conversation earlier this evening, I began to think that calendars not only provides a track record of things that we've done or creates an outline of things that we need to accomplish. Calendars also lays out for us all the time we waste. Time we've wasted in progressing towards our goals, time wasted simply procrastinating... especially that senior year, oh boy... time wasted in fully experiencing life, even more, I realized that in my own life, I've watched the calendars change and I wasted time in drawing closer to God. I've wasted time getting to know family members better. I've wasted time exploring who I am and truly feeling comfortable in my life with all my experiences and life changes.
Nevertheless... those calendars are definitely a necessary evil and to some a must have... So, ask yourself, does your calendar outline a life of productivity, growth, and accomplishments or does it show missed opportunities, wasted weeks and months, and stunted growth.
I'm hoping that outside of being a wife by the end of the year, steps closer to being a licensed private counselor, and completing a post-graduate program, I hope to be at a higher place spiritually, I hope to be at a better place physically, and I hope to be at a different place professionally. I guess I can start counting down to a better me along with counting down to my name change.
After talking to a good friend today, I realized that calendars are a necessary evil. We need calendars to help organize our lives. No matter who you are, or what you do, you need order in your life and a calendar helps. We are able to make appointments, recognize the change in seasons, plan for trips, plant gardens, etc. However, after discussing the fact that April, the fourth month of the year.. just in case you didn't know, starts on Thursday, I realized that time is really flying by. My friend and I discussed that when we were younger it seemed like time just crept by, summer vacation never seems to come fast enough, birthdays and Christmases never seems to come fast enough. Oh, but now... days, weeks, and months are just flying by. In June of 2009, I left the teaching profession after FIVE years. It didn't seem like it had been that long since I had graduated from college. This year I will possibly join the alumni of Laurel High School class of 2000 for our ten year reunion. Time, again, is just flying by!
But, since that conversation earlier this evening, I began to think that calendars not only provides a track record of things that we've done or creates an outline of things that we need to accomplish. Calendars also lays out for us all the time we waste. Time we've wasted in progressing towards our goals, time wasted simply procrastinating... especially that senior year, oh boy... time wasted in fully experiencing life, even more, I realized that in my own life, I've watched the calendars change and I wasted time in drawing closer to God. I've wasted time getting to know family members better. I've wasted time exploring who I am and truly feeling comfortable in my life with all my experiences and life changes.
Nevertheless... those calendars are definitely a necessary evil and to some a must have... So, ask yourself, does your calendar outline a life of productivity, growth, and accomplishments or does it show missed opportunities, wasted weeks and months, and stunted growth.
I'm hoping that outside of being a wife by the end of the year, steps closer to being a licensed private counselor, and completing a post-graduate program, I hope to be at a higher place spiritually, I hope to be at a better place physically, and I hope to be at a different place professionally. I guess I can start counting down to a better me along with counting down to my name change.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
There's a difference...
For the past 6 weeks I have been consistently working out and watching what I eat. Since I've always been the "chunky" friend, my weight and outward appearance have always been an element of life. However, with my wedding coming up and a new role as a wife, I've felt more recently in the past few years (yes, years...) that it is important that I begin to change my personal eating and exercise habits in order to benefit my future family. My rationale is that if I make a habit of exercising and eating more fruits and veggies on a regular basis, these things will become regular visitors of mine even once my schedule becomes more hectic with work and school come August.
So, anywho, getting to the differences. In February, during the snow storms, I made a conscious decision to workout at least 3 times a week. To be honest, I had to work off the great food that my cabin fever roommates made during that first round of snow... we had desserts EVERY NIGHT! Since that week in February, I have been "faithfully" doing the same workout DVD at least 3 days a week, for a few weeks, I was doing the same workout everyday while adding a bit of cardio 3 days a week to that routine. The primary DVD, Biggest Loser Bootcamp, has 3 levels, I started doing levels 1 and 2 that week in February. That first go-round, some parts I just sat and looked at the tv, thinking, "you've got to be kidding me, you want me to do what with body, nope! I'll sit right here until I can do something I can manage". Well, about 6 weeks later, that's factoring in a week in Tampa and a week of this weird cold thing, I've been able to complete levels 1 and 2 for the past few weeks now. More importantly, I've been able to do some of the exercises on the higher intensity options.
I have no shame in saying that I don't really have any upper body strength, push-ups are like the death of me, but this is an area of difference: my arms are getting stronger, my back is getting stronger, and my core is getting stronger. But, there was one particular exercise that fought me for a while... the dreaded squat thrust!
For the newbies of the program, there is a modified version, for a while I did the modified version, move to the floor, step back, step forward, stand up... and repeat. Bob, the lead trainer on the video, then has you move to doing jumping jacks while in this push-up position. This was another exercise that I completed in the modified version, instead of jumping, I would step out one leg at a time, instead of jumping out with both. Well, last week, I started with a few jumping jack push-up things, not the full amount that everyone else did. Well, yesterday! I did the full intensity squat thrust AND the jumping jack push-ups! I was so excited! I was even amped enough to show Jamiel what I could do hours later.
My plan is to add level 3 next week to finish out the DVD. From friends who are doing the same program, the 3rd level is the easiest. I'm sure that it will push me to another limit, but, the whole time I've been getting stronger and losing weight as well. My primary goal, look flawless in that dress come July 25, 2010. But my true goal is a healthy and fit family, a family that knows when to overindulge and when to up the fruits and veggies, a family that can have fun lounging around the house but who craves physical activity.
So, anywho, getting to the differences. In February, during the snow storms, I made a conscious decision to workout at least 3 times a week. To be honest, I had to work off the great food that my cabin fever roommates made during that first round of snow... we had desserts EVERY NIGHT! Since that week in February, I have been "faithfully" doing the same workout DVD at least 3 days a week, for a few weeks, I was doing the same workout everyday while adding a bit of cardio 3 days a week to that routine. The primary DVD, Biggest Loser Bootcamp, has 3 levels, I started doing levels 1 and 2 that week in February. That first go-round, some parts I just sat and looked at the tv, thinking, "you've got to be kidding me, you want me to do what with body, nope! I'll sit right here until I can do something I can manage". Well, about 6 weeks later, that's factoring in a week in Tampa and a week of this weird cold thing, I've been able to complete levels 1 and 2 for the past few weeks now. More importantly, I've been able to do some of the exercises on the higher intensity options.
I have no shame in saying that I don't really have any upper body strength, push-ups are like the death of me, but this is an area of difference: my arms are getting stronger, my back is getting stronger, and my core is getting stronger. But, there was one particular exercise that fought me for a while... the dreaded squat thrust!
For the newbies of the program, there is a modified version, for a while I did the modified version, move to the floor, step back, step forward, stand up... and repeat. Bob, the lead trainer on the video, then has you move to doing jumping jacks while in this push-up position. This was another exercise that I completed in the modified version, instead of jumping, I would step out one leg at a time, instead of jumping out with both. Well, last week, I started with a few jumping jack push-up things, not the full amount that everyone else did. Well, yesterday! I did the full intensity squat thrust AND the jumping jack push-ups! I was so excited! I was even amped enough to show Jamiel what I could do hours later.
My plan is to add level 3 next week to finish out the DVD. From friends who are doing the same program, the 3rd level is the easiest. I'm sure that it will push me to another limit, but, the whole time I've been getting stronger and losing weight as well. My primary goal, look flawless in that dress come July 25, 2010. But my true goal is a healthy and fit family, a family that knows when to overindulge and when to up the fruits and veggies, a family that can have fun lounging around the house but who craves physical activity.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Sleeping on the job...
In October after the engagement, I thought I would do better at blogging about my wedding planning experience. I envisioned blogs that would express frustration and excitement. But, I haven't been doing too well with that. However, I feel like in the last few weeks Justin and I have really made a dent in the remaining elements of the wedding. With 128 days left until the wedding, I seem to grow more and more excited with each task we complete... but, not excited about each payment we have to make though.. huh?!?
So, let's see if I can do a quick update overview:
-Wedding Dress (check)
-Bridal Party attire (check)
-Website (check) www.mywedding.com/diayleandjustin
-Ceremony & Reception locations (check)
-Caterer (check)
-Groom & Groomsmen attire (check)
-Save the Dates (check)
-Invitations (check)
As I list these things... another task that we've completed pops into my head... we have really been on the ball with this wedding planning thing. I might have to look into event planning as my side hustle. This has been a great experience, but I think the people that are surrounding me are making it a better one. I was telling a member of the party earlier this week, that my bridal party --the great women I have around me-- makes it so much easier. They are uber-supportive, encouraging, excited at times even when I'm not, but more importantly... they ask about me, they challenge me, they love on me, and for that I'm glad that on July 25, 2010 they will stand next to me. They will be there to make sure I try and sleep, that I will have something to eat that morning, they will probably make sure I don't try to sneak out and go to church that morning but instead the P&W team members will surely usher us into the throne room, they will talk about the spinach dip ;-).
Like I said in an earlier post... I truly love and value the women around me.
So, let's see if I can do a quick update overview:
-Wedding Dress (check)
-Bridal Party attire (check)
-Website (check) www.mywedding.com/diayleandjustin
-Ceremony & Reception locations (check)
-Caterer (check)
-Groom & Groomsmen attire (check)
-Save the Dates (check)
-Invitations (check)
As I list these things... another task that we've completed pops into my head... we have really been on the ball with this wedding planning thing. I might have to look into event planning as my side hustle. This has been a great experience, but I think the people that are surrounding me are making it a better one. I was telling a member of the party earlier this week, that my bridal party --the great women I have around me-- makes it so much easier. They are uber-supportive, encouraging, excited at times even when I'm not, but more importantly... they ask about me, they challenge me, they love on me, and for that I'm glad that on July 25, 2010 they will stand next to me. They will be there to make sure I try and sleep, that I will have something to eat that morning, they will probably make sure I don't try to sneak out and go to church that morning but instead the P&W team members will surely usher us into the throne room, they will talk about the spinach dip ;-).
Like I said in an earlier post... I truly love and value the women around me.
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