All In a Day's Word - Part 2

     Who here has ever been hurt by what other people have said or can remember a time when you said something you regretted to a friend? Everyone has, right? Sometimes I can't believe how easily words fly out of my mouth. I say things I don't mean but those words are there forever, living on in history and memory.
     In every family you have the clean freaks and the not-so-clean freaks. Let's be honest...some of us can't get into bed at night if it hasn't been made up yet and will not ever get in until all the popcorn kernels and wrinkles have been rooted out. And then there are some that are not bothered at all by the bed and if the house gets clean then great, but if not then the lived-in look is also great. The clean freaks have always wondered how it can be so easy for us to walk the five more steps to the hamper, while for everyone else it's like a lava pit is forever between them and the dirty clothes pile, forbidding any access!
     Well I'm the clean freak and Jon is the not-so-clean freak so we balance each other out quite well. ;) It would be easy for me to get upset (and I definitely do sometimes get upset) because he doesn't function the way I do. But first of all I don't really see how I could be upset for long when he looks at me with his winsome smile and blue eyes, and second I make it a point to appreciate the things he does do for me. He makes up the bed, cleans the kitchen with me, our car is always clean, and he picks up his dirty clothes from the bathroom floor. Wow, I appreciate those things!
     Jon is definitely the more easy going of the two of us and I can never top his sweet gestures, but I do make it a point to acknowledge the things he does for me. As a couple, as a family and as best friends, we've seen time and again how important it is that we feel loved, appreciated, and supported. We've entrusted each other with our hearts and we've got to be careful not to trample any flame, but kindle the sparks.
     When you're close to someone, you know what hurts them and you know what love looks like to them. I've personally witnessed how people will rise or fall to meet your expectations, cause you have the power to build them up or break them down. The words we speak to someone help mold them into the person they are. It takes a stronger man to point out the good that you see instead of focusing on the negative. Life can be tiring so why not give someone a breath of fresh air? A compliment, something you appreciate about someone, a quick thanks... At least once a day when you have a chance to complain this week, make a conscious effort to build someone up instead and see if there's a difference in the way you both feel!

     Live. Laugh. Love.

All In a Day's Word - Part 1

News Flash! Top Stories Now!

"The other day the Energizer Bunny got arrested; he was charged with battery. Also, a soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray has now become a seasoned veteran. We had an interview with a man who's addicted to brake fluid; he assures us he can stop at anytime. Lastly, we know now how Moses makes his tea, Hebrews it. Today's news update is brought to you by iwastesomuchtime.com. Thanks, and be sure to tune in next time!"

Ghastly Grammar

Two, To, Too - I'll, Aisle - Bald, Balled, Bawled - Scents, Cents, Sense - Knot, Not - Pour, Poor, Pore - Toed, Toad, Towed - Where, Wear, Ware - Fore, For, Fore - Chord, Cored - Buy, By, Bye

     Oh, what a wonderful world vocabulary is. :) Words are incredibly important in our culture and involved in everything. It's a way to describe how we feel and list off what to buy at the grocery store. It's how we enjoy each other's company and create stories and memories. We use words to teach children history in school and to tell a friend how to bake a new recipe. But words are also life and death. We have power in our words!
     I want you to go to a mirror right now and say to your reflection, "You sound so stupid." Lol, ok so now you feel stupid right? Well hopefully you don't tell yourself that very often, but we do tell ourselves other things everyday. I've noticed that I get slightly depressed when I stand in front of a mirror too long because I start feeding myself lies. There's I'm too skinny and my hair is bleh, I wish I was taller or had a smoother complexion. Maybe we wish we were wittier, funnier, or not so much of a worry-wart. But whatever it is when we say these things to ourselves we start putting that part of us to death almost.
     We end up believing the lies we told ourselves and we become captive to these opinions. Who wants to be captive to a lie that has no place in our minds? Entrapping us into believing that God didn't make us perfect or that we have no positive abilities? That is so frustrating and humiliating and utterly depressing! For me, my whole outlook on life changes and I become sensitive and whiny and just an overall 24/7 PMS wreck, pretty much!

     Imagine what it would feel like to live free! How would you feel if you only told yourself positive things? I challenge you and I to one week of encouragement. When you look in the mirror tell yourself positive truths and encouragements and see how different you feel! When you feel a lie coming on stop and think of a truth and tell yourself that instead.
     Let's live free. 

The Way I See It

     Does anyone else ever get overwhelmed by all the things you have to do at one time? Well, I do! There's work and laundry, keeping up with the bills, cooking, cleaning, photography, errands, reading, blogging, etc. Not to mention all the things I dream about having the time to do like scrapbooking, shopping, DIY, journaling, writing letters, Facetime, and more. There's just not enough time to do it all!
     This past weekend Jon's sweet great-grandmother passed away and we went to New Mexico for the funeral. It was sad, of course, but she lived to be 97 and was as sharp as a tack up until the very end. She and great-grandad left behind a wonderful family and an incredible legacy, so it was good to celebrate her full life. When we got back it seemed everything had piled up while we were gone and I got to the point where I didn't want to do anything but take a nap. I just felt so overwhelmed and discouraged that I didn't have time to finish anything! I literally only had time to wake up late for work, go to work, and eat leftovers for dinner. So, what did I do with the rest of my time? I have no idea! I'm guessing I went into La-la Land Mode...? (La-la Land Mode is when in your head you sing "Clean up, clean up! Everybody do your share! Clean up, clean up! Everybody everywhere!" when in reality you're sitting in bed monotonously chewing on chips.)
     So, while trying to sleep last night I started thinking about a conversation Jon and I had the other day. I had mentioned that I thought I needed to go to the eye doctor because my right eye always feels tired and makes me see spots everyonce in a while and then I said, "Oh my God, I'm going B.L.I.N.D.!!! Babe what am I going to do, I won't be able to see *hyperventaliating breath* and I'll never be able to look into your eyes again *more heavy breathing!* and I won't see our kids *on the verge of freaking out* Aaahhahhh Babe I'm freaking out!!!"
"Wait, but you're not even going blind."
"Oh yeah, I forgot... Anyway, that would totally be tragic, huh?"
"Yeah it would. But we'd survive... and I'd take care of you, of course." :)
     And he would. I have no doubt my dear Jon would lovingly be there to help me in any and every way he could. But in reality I'm not going blind and just for kicks we planned out what we would do if that ever happened.
     All joking aside, the way I see it is that life could be a lot worse. I've determined that anytime I get overwhelmed I'm going to think about going blind, Jon's kisses, and sour gummy octopuses cause I always feel better after each of those things.
     What helps you turn your day around?
    

It's Home

     "Home [isn't] a set house, or a single town on a map. It [is] wherever the people who [love] you [are], whenever you [are] together. Not a place, but a moment, and then another, building on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go."

~ Sarah Dessen     

     While living in a basement I've had time to ponder what exactly is a "home". It's obviously not a house cause those come and go but really it's love, safety, a person/people. It's a place for honesty and support, laughter, and a shoulder for when the storms hit.
     I sometimes get grumpy when I think about not having a place of my own, but I've come to grips with the fact that even though I don't have a house (yet) I DO have a home. And I have freedom to be me in my "home". For example, I don't remember being a super inquisitive child growing up cause I just knew stuff. I don't know how I knew, I just knew. And if I knew that I knew what I knew then how was I to know that there were things in life that I didn't know that I knew. You following me? Anyway, not being quizzical during childhood has led me to be an asker of all questions. (Kind of like a jack of all trades, but different) And most of my genius comes in the quiet, dead of night, right before the heavy snoring kicks in...
     "Babe... Babe, I have to know something..."Mmmmkay, huh what is it?" "Are suppositories real? Like can they really do that?" "What?! Seriously, that's what you've been thinking about all night?" "Haha yes, someone once told me doctors could do that if you don't take your medicine and I have to know if it's true or not... I don't remember how I started thinking about that...but anyway, Babe, is it true?" "Haha yes it's true! Where do you come up with this stuff?! Haha I can't believe that this is what keeps you up at night!" "I know I can't believe it either! But I just had to know so, that's it. Goodnight!"
     And after that my brain is happy and I can go to sleep. But the important thing is that Jon loves my questions and I have a safe home to ask them in, I have a place to be me. We can talk, share, ask questions, be weird, sing funny songs, and pick out our zombie apocalypse teams without being judged, but supported and respected and loved.
     And while I would still love a house to move my home into, I can appreciate what I have right here and now. :)
     So who/what makes your house a home?


Here's our "for now" home. :)
Before...

After...

   

Oh, The Places We Will Go!

     I'm just relaxing here before the fire while a blizzard whistles outside and I decided to snatch up this minute to update my blog. I want to pause here and say, I love my husband. I don't mean that in a conceited, gloating way, I just mean that I can't believe God chose me to be his wife cause I am way to blessed by our marriage.
     Friday, Jon and I woke up at the butt-crack-of-dawn and went on an adventure! This was something he had planned as a surprise for me so I couldn't wait to see what he had come up with. We arrived at this place (I still had no idea where we were going) and were sitting with a group of people in a bland lobby and waited. Waited for what, I had no idea, but we waited nonetheless! After a few minutes someone came walking towards us and it was her. It was Emily from the Dom and Jane morning radio show that I listened to every morning! "Welcome to Live Audience Friday, Everybody!"
     I freaked. "Oh my gosh, Babe, are we really here? *jumping up and down* Are we really gonna be on the radio?!? *more jumping and hugging* How did you do it? This is on my bucket list! *dancing in place*
     I had told Jon a few weeks ago that it was on my bucket list to be on Live Audience Friday one day and then poof! there we were getting a tour and eating breakfast, meeting the radio team, sitting in the studio listening live, and asking questions! On every LAF show they ask the audience questions and all of Denver gets to hear about your funny/interesting talents, how you met your spouse, etc. and then you play a game called "Band or Bogus" where they tell you a real name of a band and a bogus one the radio team made up sometime during the week. If you win you get a prize, obviously. ;) Here's a soundtrack of Jon and I on the radio...!

Jon & Bri on the Radio
(We are the second and third interviewees)

     Oh man it was such a blast and worth every minute of sleep we gave up! I am truly blessed to have a husband that takes note in what I say, and really works to make my dreams come true. I never would have guessed that I'd actually be on the radio one day, but I was! Oh, and the places we will go and the things we will see as we continue to cross off our bucket list items!
     What's on your bucket list?

L.O.V.E.

        

          L ~ Listen, Learn    
   O ~ Open, Obey

V ~ Vie, Value

          E ~ Experience, Eat

     Yesterday, Jon and I celebrated our first ever Valentine's Day as a married couple! I know it's a more commercial holiday but I love the music and the heart chocolates that come with lovely cards and flowers! It was just how I always imagined it would be... sweet, romantic, full of kisses and laughter. We got coffee and I received some beautiful flowers. Snow was falling softly all day while we walked around in the mall munching on Auntie Anne's Pretzels, looking at everything we wanted to buy. Jon surprised me for dinner and took me out to Pappadeaux's where we tried fried alligator and a live Maine lobster for the first time! I'm not a picky eater... I just know what I like so it was a tad scary to try something new but I'm so glad we did because I loved it. Jon has definitely helped me branch out in the food department and he helps make dinner so much more adventurous and memorable.
     I honestly don't know how I ever made it without Jon. He has taught me so much about how to love and respect, how to cherish and not freak out. He's been the example that I needed in many situations and he can always bring a smile to my face. He has helped me live each day to it's fullest and not get caught up on the little things. Last night, we realized that we have not once fought in all our nine months of marriage! I'm not tooting my own horn because I'm here to tell you right now that we just agreed that we disagree about something just about every single day. But we haven't fought or yelled or slammed any doors and I attribute that to Jon. I'm not an expert at marriage, but the things I've learned so far will hopefully build an incredibly strong foundation for a long and happy marriage.
     Valentine's Day brings out all the sappy individuals, the star-crossed lovers, and the stereotypical haters, but no one looks twice when couples hold hands and openly express love. Because it's expected. My goal, every day, is to love wholeheartedly as if each day is Valentine's Day. And to do that I've come up with a list of things that I think are important to help make love a priority.
   
     L - Step one is to listen and learn. I've come to realize that listening was a lot easier while dating because now you're making dinner and cleaning up instead of going out to eat on your boyfriend's tab. But stopping to listen to what your honey is actually saying makes a huge difference in how you respond to them and vice versa. But listening doesn't come in handy only during conversations but when you disagree or when you are still trying to decide whether or not your feelings are going to be hurt over something that was just said. For instance, last night at dinner, Jon said that if there was one thing about me that he could change, it would be how picky I am. I had to sit there and think about what he said and about what he said. What I heard him say was, "I don't like something about you and I wish you were different." but what he said was, "I really enjoy trying new foods and I want to help you have these experiences as well because I really love it." See the difference? A big part of listening is hearing what the other person is trying to say, not always what they said and that's something I've had to learn about Jon. Things don't always come out the way he planned them in his head. It's important to continue learning about your spouse, bf, family, etc. otherwise it's easy to become disinterested. So, what flowers do they like, how do they talk, what is number three on their bucket list?
     O - Step two is about being open and obeying. It's never been easy for me to come out and explain what's weighing on the back of my mind. But as a married couple we are partners, we help each other. If Jon asks me what's wrong then I should try and genuinely share. Your spouse or parents or mentor can help clear away doubts or intercede for you. If you're having a hard time with something share, be honest about struggles and your feelings. Who better to lean on than a spouse that's pointing you to Jesus? If you want them to trust you, you need to trust them but along with that comes responsibility. If your husband shares with you something and he says he doesn't want anyone to know let me just tell you "please don't share with your friends" means "please don't share with your friends" not "please don't share with anyone but your best friend who's best friends with everyone". Obeying does not necessarily mean doing whatever you are ordered around to do, but really it means to respect the spoken and sometimes unspoken wishes of your spouse.
     V - Vying for and valuing your loved one is a major step in showing love everyday. What does it mean to really vie for your husbands attention? Well, how about this, there's the t.v., work, eating, lawn mowing, you, maybe kids, and sleep all grabbing at your honey's attention right? Ok, now which one do you want to win out over the others? You, of course! So, be the person he loves, be fun, funny, sexy, bake surprises, be spontaneous, flirt for heaven's sake! Man, I don't know what it is about women (especially me) but when we are in our zone... "Don't you dare try to tickle me I'm doing the frickin' bills!" And oh boy, what do you know!, life has won out and we are no fun again! How does this keep happening? Whhhyyy mmmeeeee???!?! If you want your spouse's attention make yourself available. Pause your movie and put scrap booking away for a night, seek out time to be together and allow yourself to be sought out and found. Then value the time you share together, value your special person. Take note of their quirky habits and cherish each moment you share because one day one of you might not be there.
     E - And the last and fourth step is to experience and eat. Throughout life we gain experiences, we experience new sensations and realities so be sure and experience life with your spouse. Give yourselves memories you can remember back to together. This one is important to me because I don't want to be three jobs, four kids, and two houses down the road and realize I haven't seen my husband (figuratively speaking) in thirty years! Jon likes to skydive so one of these days I'm going to go with him and experience what he calls "getting your knees in the breeze". Lol I'm sure I'll be terrified but I want to share that with him so we can look back and laugh about how loud I whooped and hollered on the way down! Another activity to do together is to eat. I can't express how important it is to me that Jon and I eat as many meals as we can together. That's when we bond and share ideas, it brings us closer together. So eat out, try new foods, cook together, and splurge on ice cream every once in awhile.

     So, while I'm not the expert on marriage, I just wanted to share what's been going on in my head and encourage each of you to live as if every day is Valentine's Day.
     Love much. :)

Today, I Choose Joy

Joy is taking note of the moments that "make your day".

     This morning I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I have no idea why and I would definitely rather wake up in a good mood, but today that was most definitely not the case. On top of that, my hair wouldn't fix, I couldn't get rid of these wrinkles in my forehead, my favorite shirt was dirty, and my Colorado-weathered face won't stop itching. While driving to work I decided coffee might do me some good then I realized I left all cash and my credit card at home. (That's one way to save money!) When I got to work it was quiet and I knew I'd be spending the day alone, just me and... well, me. I've finally made it to my lunch break and here I am, still complaining, so I figured I need an attitude change. I need to stop thinking about poor, whiny me and all my insignificant problems that keep adding up to an even worse outlook on my day.
     I am grateful I woke up to a warm, spring day. I've been super productive at work so far! I'm thankful for the breeze through the open window and the bird singing in the tree. I am having lunch with Jon today! I feel rested. I am loved.
    
     Jon and I have been on a budget to help us save money recently and the one day a couple weeks ago that we decide to go to Starbucks and splurge is the day God decides to bless us. The car in front bought our drinks and made our day. We've had a lot of fun days recently and on those days joy comes easy for me. I am happy, we have fun, life is good, and joy is just a given. We all have those days where even the sun seems to smile, the grass is greener, and the birds sing sweeter. But then there are days like today where it's a lot harder to be naturally happy, but today... Today, I choose joy. :)