Be Quiet

Quiet.

Quiet is not me. I am not a quiet girl. And I'm not always proud of that. I'm loud, both in personality and in volume. I talk incessantly, especially when I'm insecure, which makes no sense to me. One would think that if you're feeling self-conscious you would get quiet and try to blend in with the wallpaper, but not me. I just start talking and don't shut up.

I get embarassed by it. I don't mean to talk so much. Sometimes I just start going and I can't stop. I've gone through all the psychological reasons for it... trying to figure out why I think everyone wants to hear what I have to say. Why do I think my words, my stories, my opinions are so important? Do I think I'm that funny? That intelligent? Is my information that necessary for all to hear?

Parts of it I have come to terms with. I have accepted and am not ashamed of the personality that the Lord chosen for me. I'm bubbly, talkative, and I am good with people. It's not all bad.

The time I find this problem to be at its greatest is in my prayer life. I pray and pray and pray which means I talk and talk and talk. I ask the Lord to hear my prayers and to guide me and direct me and sometimes I think He is saying "FOR THE LOVE, WOMAN, I WOULD GUIDE YOU AND DIRECT YOU IF YOU WOULD HUSH YOUR MOUTH FOR 2 SECONDS SO I COULD SPEAK".

I think that I'm just gonna be real with you people and come out and say it. When I'm stressed about something, worried about something, insecure, embarassed, overwhelmed... I'm just not a good listener. This is especially true when the One whose voice you are trying to hear is a Voice that is inaudible to the human ear.

I have to listen with my heart, with my spirit.

My prayer for 2011 is that I would listen, and, at a more basic level, that the Lord would TEACH me how to listen.

I can't hear Him if I'm talking. I can't follow Him if I'm not opening my eyes to see where He is walking.

So far, the best thing I have learned is that while I may not be at a place right now where I seem to be able to quiet my thoughts long enough to HEAR Him, I most certainly can read. What better way is there to have uninterrupted time with His voice than to read His Word?

I am seeking Him in His scriptures until I get to a better place of hearing Him with my spirit.

I have high hopes for the year. I can't wait to hear what He has to say.

Fresh

HAPPY 2011!!

As we begin the new year, I find it very helpful to have a fresh start. A clean slate.

Which is why on New Year's Eve I went ahead and started my fresh start with a pedicure and an eyebrow wax.

One of the attorneys at my office gave me $50 for Christmas and I felt that I should put it towards something that makes me feel good. And nothing makes me feel like a new woman more than pretty toes and well-groomed eyebrows.

It has been a busy, productive weekend here at the house. On Saturday we had something we like to call "Purge Day" here which is where we GET STUFF THE HECK OUT OF THE HOUSE. I cleaned out the fridge, the pantry, our closet, the drawers..... bags and bags are ready to go to Goodwill. LESS IS MORE, PEOPLE. And, to be honest, I have a deep, dark fear that I am going to end up on the show "Hoarders".

THAT SHOW IS CRAZY TOWN.

We spent most of today cleaning. And I mean the real thing. Cleaning for real. Lysol, Febreeze, 409, The-toilet-water-is-now-blue kind of cleaning.

And then I went to the grocery store and then I came home and then I cooked dinner and then I watched some funny shows with my husband and now I am relaxed and chill and my home is clean and pretty.

For the record, the Christmas tree is in the garage until we decide what to do with it.

4 Years Ago

4 years ago today I married my Grant.

It was also the same day that I happened to have a horrible 24 hour stomach virus.

The virus was not fun.

But Grant made everything better.

He is one of God's greatest gifts to me and I am beyond blessed.

Happy Anniversary, love.

Thanks for always making everything better.

This Is Gonna Be a Long One, Folks

Buckle up people.

I haven't blogged in a really really REALLY long time. It's the longest I've ever gone. But I don't want to drag this puppy out into 2011 so I'm just gonna do one really big blog to explain myself and my absenteeism.

Continue reading if you dare. We may be here awhile.

The first reason that I haven't blogged is this: The day after my last post, I got sicky sicky sicky sick. I had an upper respiratory infection and a sinus infection and 48 hours of a very high fever. I went to the doctor and got antibiotics but I was drugged up and in bed for days and missed alot of work. The fevers were not very fun. I lost my voice and I was oh-so-attractive.

But I had to press on because I had to get ready for the trip of the century. Grant and I were gone for ten days. We flew to New Orleans, drove to Alabama so Grant could be a groomsman in a wedding, drove to Orlando to spend FIVE DAYS in Disney, drove back to New Orleans (10 HOURS) for Christmas Eve and Christmas, and then flew back to Houston. I AM OVER THE TRAVELING.

Seriously though, we had a GREAT trip!!

See, look at my pictures :)

The twins, Evan and Emily, will be 2 in February. THEY ARE A DELIGHT!!

And this is Miss Olivia Claire. She and I did alot of bonding on this trip. And snuggling. And I kissed her cheeks alot. She almost came home with me because I almost stole her.


Hooray for the Magic Kingdom!! This is Grant's mom and dad in front of the beautiful castle. Thanks for the great trip!!


Grant's cousins were with us as well. This is Grant and 3 year old Sofia. This picture was making my heart ache.

Look at that smile!!


Okay and one more of Evan just cause he's such a punkin.

And here's our Emily. Or Emmy. Or Ema-lily. She is FULL of personality and spunk!

This castle just mesmerized me. I love when Tinkerbell flies!

It was a great trip, but after ten days of traveling we were ready to be home in our comfy bed and get our dog from the kennel. Poor Moxie, he didn't do so well at the kennel. They had to give him valium because they said he was in such a panic.

So when we finally got home, we came home to a little home maintenance issue called WE HAD NO WATER IN OUR HOUSE. Unfortunately, while we were gone a pipe broke in the front yard. Thankfully, one of our awesome awesome neighbors called the water company who came out and turned off our water. And then to make things even better, anothing AMAZING neighbor came over and helped Grant fix the broken pipe. We have a large hole in our front yard now but we can use the shower! Poor Grant came home from a big trip and then had to spend hours in the front yard digging a hole! But we could've come home to a much bigger problem if we weren't surrounded by such great neighbors!

Then we spent Sunday and Monday over at my mom's house having quality Christmas time with my family. I have some girly girly little girl nieces and a spunky little nephew too. They warm my heart.

I LOVE quality family time. Good food, good presents, good kids.

And then I came home and went to bed and had to go back to work today :( I have SO MUCH catching up to do at the office after missing almost two weeks but I made a large dent today!

I feel like there is so much more to tell but I can't think straight. I hope you and your family had a very Merry Christmas!

Here are a few photos that my sweet friend Sarah Shalley from Sarah Shalley Photography took for us in November.

I'm glad to be back!