Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Finish This: Week Fifty-one {and Merry Christmas!}

Merry Christmas to all! Can you believe that it's Christmas Eve already?! And next week is New Year's Eve, and then bam - 2015! Jeepers creepers.

Bek, don't get ahead of yourself. Today is a day for family, singing, candles, and link-ups. Stay focused!

By now, I hope you know the drill. I'm linking up with the awesome hostesses of Finish This: Nicole at Three 31, Jen at The Arizona Russums, Becky at The Java Mama, and Lisa at Coastlined.


{Next week is The Great Big Year in Review post - I'm so excited to hit "publish" on this puppy! If you'd like the prompts so that you can participate, comment below or email Nicole and we will hook you up. You don't want to miss this big kahuna of a post.}

My favorite Christmas tradition is opening one present from my parents on Christmas Eve... it's always pajamas and my sisters and I always wake up Christmas morning in new pajamas. For several years my mom has been complaining that there are no. more. pajamas. anywhere {with four girls, it's close to true!}, but somehow she works some Christmas magic and we always get pjs. It's my favorite. {I thought about sharing a picture, but then I thought you readers might not appreciate it.}


My most memorable Christmas was probably 2012, because my grandpa was having a good day and he was able to stay awake and play dominoes with the family for a couple hours. It was one of the best days in Grandpa's last year, and my mom rightly noted that Christmas Day 2012 was a true gift, because it ended up being Grandpa's last Christmas with us on earth. I treasure my memory of that year.

The best gift{s} I've ever received, besides the grace and love of God, growing up in the best family ever, and having the most fantastic friends in the world, was the TARDIS blanket from my sister last year. I'd been asking for TARDIS slippers and she kept telling me she was not getting them for me. I didn't believe her, but it turned out she was telling the truth. My mom gave me the slippers and my sister gave me a warm snuggly blanket. I was shocked that a) she was telling me the truth and I hadn't believed her and b) that such a beautiful blanket exists.

The gift I'd rather forget was totally my idea and my sisters were dragged along in my madness. After performing The Nutcracker for two years {and between the four of us, there were only a couple dances we weren't in}, I convinced my sisters that we should perform it {AGAIN!!} for our parents... in our living room... with music for only 4 songs. So we practiced every time the 4 of us were left alone together, and on Christmas morning, that's what we did.
My poor, patient sisters... my poor, long-suffering parents...


There you have it - Christmas memories galore! I hope your Christmas is holly-jolly, calm and bright, and full of the love of Christ!

Monday, December 22, 2014

Goals for 2015

It's that magical time of year when Bek reviews her goals for the current year and sets in stone writing her goals for the coming year. It is also the magical time when she starts writing about herself in third person, and everybody {including her} is confused.


Moving right along...

Shall we start with 2014's goals?
  1. Invest time in new friendships. Yes! 2014 was full of friendship, and I'm looking forward to spending time with current and future friends.
  2. Get into a real exercise routine. Yes! Except for a few summer weeks that were simply crazy, I exercised at least three times a week for the majority of the year. I'd like to thank my sister for the cool workout jacket she gave me and my city for offering Zumba classes. 
  3. Continue to blog at least twice a week. Yes! Specifically, my goal was to keep up Funny Fridays, which has kind of died, but I did blog two times a week for the entire year!
  4. Try at least one new recipe bi-monthly. Oh my word, big fat fail here! I tried one recipe and made it at least three times, but that's it. I do feel more confident cooking, though; I coordinated 5 days of meals with my sister and friends for Family Camp, and I hosted Thanksgiving and made half the dishes. 
  5. Goodreads: 40 books. I adjusted my goal in June to 50 books, and as of this posting, I have read 55 books and am in the middle of 4 more. So that's a yes! :) 

Onto 2015! I really like what Emilia is doing and I'm going to concentrate on Mind, Body, and Blog. I also have some other categories, but I'm keeping those in my journal. So here are my Mind, Body, and Blog goals:
  1. Read 50 books. When I was thinking about my reading goals for next year, I came up with some specific kinds of books I want to read, and of course some of them are doula-related, so stay tuned for reviews.
  2. Maintain exercise routine {3x/week}, reduce sugar intake, add more vegetables. I'm going to get back on the MyFitnessPal bandwagon and start tracking food again, and the food is going to be less sugar and more veggies!
  3. Keep on blogging... Specifically, my goals are to:
    • continue linking up with the Not Alone Series at least once a month
    • share a doula-related book review once a month
    • post something "personal" each month. This can be a Doula Update, a Funny Friday, a general update, thoughts on a specific topic, or something else. I can add it to a link-up {like 7 Quick Takes}, but the "prompt" is my own. 
Bam - goals! 2015 is going to be splendid!

Thursday, December 18, 2014

What's Shakin', Bacon?


Ok, this post isn't really about bacon. It's more like a "what's up" post, but hey, the bacon is dancing. No turning back now.  

Last Friday, the young adults' group I'm a part of threw a Thanksmas Party. We combined Thanksgiving and Christmas into one big yummy food, ugly sweaters, fun games, twinkle lights, and uproarious laughter-filled gathering! It was so much fun...and I didn't take one single picture. I think the only thing that was recorded was the Ugly Sweater Runway Show, and I don't even know who has that blackmail material recording. 

After the party ended {at 11:30!!}, I unwound by reading about pregnancy. Yes, this is true. I'm in the midst of two different books right now, which makes both books feel longer. In order to quiet my Type-A-ness that yells "in progress!" at me, I have finished two book reviews for BAI's assignment. Hopefully I'll remember to post those before Christmas... I know you'll be on the edge of your seat till then.

Speaking of the edge, we are almost to the end of 2014! I'm starting a post to review 2014's goals, and I'm excited to remember all that this year brought. 

Thanks for shakin' the bacon with me. Happy Week Before Christmas!

P.S. If you need something to brighten your day, or just want a good excuse to look at Lee Pace, check out this beautiful and hilarious post. You won't regret it, I promise. 

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Finish This: Week Fifty

Ohhhh my gosh, people. Two weeks left of 2014. Gulp. Ca-razy!

Counting down the weeks means linking up with our fab hostesses: Jen at The Arizona Russums, Becky at The Java Mama, Lisa at Coastlined, and Nicole at Three 31 - happy birthday, Nicole!

{Hey, with the New Year approaching, I'm joining these awesome bloggers in posting a Year in Review post! This is the mother of all Finish This posts, and I've been prepping for weeks. If you want to join the fun on December 31st, let me know or email Nicole, and we will hook you up!}

Getting older is fantastic. More and more often I find myself thinking, "It's great being an adult!" I am a quarter of a century old, and I think that each year is going to increase in both challenges and triumphs. That's my hope, anyway.

My best kept secret should probably not be published on the internet. Sorry Charlie.
I will follow Nicole's recommendation and share instead 2 "secrets" to my life success. 1) Always wear deodorant. 2) Pick a recipe, master it, make it your signature dish, and laugh away the applause.

My guilty pleasure is reading birth stories. Grace at Camp Patton has theeeee best birth story link-up everrrr and whenever I've got some time {or even when I don't!}, I slink over and find new stories to read. Yes please thank you kindly please here's to you.

My favorite place in the world is wherever my family is all together. Usually that means my parents' kitchen table, and now sometimes it means my living room. In a couple of weeks, it's going to mean an airplane on its way to Omaha - yay for family travels!

There you have it! Next week is all Christmas prompts because Christmas Eve is next Wednesday. Holy Moses. Come join the fun!

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Finish This: Week Forty-nine

Happy Hump Day! Wednesday is Finish This Day, so let's join the link-up fun with Nicole at Three 31, Jen at The Arizona Russums, Becky at The Java Mama, and Lisa at Coastlined.


{Side note: if you've been following or participating in Finish This for a while, start looking forward to the Year in Review post happening on December 31st. This is a beast of a blog post - I've been working on it for several weeks! If you want to get in on the fun, email Nicole and she'll send you the prompts.}

My ideal winter weekend pretty much happened after Thanksgiving. The house was clean, the Christmas lights were twinkling, the pajamas were cozy, and "Gilmore Girls" was binged. Also, brunch with the bestie and her man happened, chai was consumed, and no cooking was required #leftovers. It was fantastic!

My favorite song lyric is too hard to choose! Augh! I make no long-term commitment to my favorite song, but currently my favorite song is by Amy Stroup and goes:

Hold onto Hope, Love
I've searched high and low
for you for you

Each day gets closer
So hold on stronger 
To me and you

Someday soon I'll find you
Someday soon I'll know you
Someday oh oh

I smile because a) it's easier than frowning, b) I have a great smile, and c) God is good and I am loved. 

Ta- da! Thanks for joining, and be sure to come back next week for more Finish This!

Monday, December 8, 2014

Q & A {and a Mustache}

My college roomie Catherine tagged/challenged/invited me to participate in this "get to know you" Q & A. Enjoy!


Four names people call me other than Rebekah:
  • Bek 
  • Beks
  • BG
  • Bekah
Four jobs that I've had: 
  • Babysitting {started at age 12}
  • LifeWay Christian Stores associate {senior year of high school}
  • after-school and day-camp counselor {first two years of college}
  • teacher's assistant/peer leader {senior year of college}
Four movies that I have watched more than once:
  • The Fall
  • Pride and Prejudice {Kiera Knightley version}
  • Sense and Sensibility {Emma Thompson version}
  • Pitch Perfect {haters gonna hate}
Four places I've lived:
  • parents' house in Seattle-ish
  • Kentucky
  • Frozen Tundra {aka Omaha}
  • my condo in Seattle-ish
Four places I've visited {check out the Travels tab!}:
  • Berlin
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Ometepe, Nicaragua
  • Kentucky {I surprised AJ}
Four places I would rather be right now:
  • under a warm snuggly blanket
  • on a front porch swing with a summer breeze
  • in my bff's apartment {with Nicholas Cage's face everywhere}
  • cutting down a Christmas tree with my Kentucky family
Four things I won't eat:
  • avocado {I know, I know, it's soooo good for you, and I've tried, but no cigar}
  • tomato
  • ketchup, mustard, or mayonaise 
  • any peanut butter other than Adam's #PBsnob
Four of my favorite foods:
  • tacos
  • crack popcorn
  • sangria {this counts as food because there's fruit in it, right???}
  • cereal
Four tv shows I watch:
  • Call the Midwife
  • The Mindy Project
  • Doctor Who
  • Gilmore Girls {don't mind me, I'm just on a binge!}
Four things I am looking forward to this year:
  • putting up a Christmas tree
  • hosting our young adults' group's Thanks-mas party 
  • planning trips for 2015
  • deep cleaning my house
Four expressions I always use:
  • Shut the front door!
  • Holy Moses
  • yes please thank you kindly here's to you thank you very much
  • hot damn {hey, being honest!}
Four people I'm asking to participate in this Q & A:
There you have it, Catherine! Thanks for the tag :)

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Not Alone Series: Advent

Hi friends! I know that today is Saturday and NAS link-ups are on Tuesdays, but sometimes even with Amazon Prime, things take longer than planned. So I won't make you wait another moment; let's get on with this Advent post!


What are you doing for Advent? How are you preparing your heart for this season?

So many bloggers mentioned Ann Voskamp's Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas*, so I ordered it myself. Then I read another blog about how she was excited to read this book with her children, and I took another look at it and finally clued into the word "family" and translated that to "kids" and so I cancelled my order and ordered the grown-up prequel, The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas*.

That is the really long and dramatic story of how I'm preparing for Advent. Funny, because the story of Christ's coming is also long and dramatic. I mean, mankind fell not even five chapters into Genesis, and Jesus came 42 generations after Abraham. I can't even fathom that. My grandmother has researched my family history back to the Revolutionary War, and I'm pretty sure that's fewer than 15 generations.

Ann Voskamp is leading me through the generations, starting with Adam and Eve, all the way through to Christ's coming. What a beautiful story of grace and mercy. God loves us humans so much!

NAS is taking a break from linking up until the New Year, so I plan on sharing some highlights from this devotional throughout the month. What's your favorite Advent reading/tradition/devotional?

*affiliate links

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Finish This: Week Forty-eight

This is a fabulous Wednesday for a link-up with Nicole at Three 31, Jen at The Arizona Russums, Lisa at Coastlined, and Becky at The Java Mama.

 
My biggest fan is my family. No matter what scheme adventure I'm on, they support, encourage, tease, and uplift me. Even if they don't understand everything I love {doula-ing, Doctor Who, cough cough}, they are happy I'm happy. 

My greatest blessing is the fact that God loves me. How great the Father's love for me!

Sometimes, all you need to feel better about life is a glass of wine and some Pushing Daisies. What can be wrong that a little Lee Pace can't fix?

That's all I have to say about that!
 

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Finish This: Week Forty-seven

So thankful to be linking up with our fabulous hostesses: Nicole at Three-31, Jen at The Arizona Russums, Becky at The Java Mama, and Lisa at Coastlined.


My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is going around the table and saying what we are thankful for. I know it's cheesy, but I love celebrating all the good things in our lives!

My most memorable Thanksgiving was hopefully not tomorrow - I'm hosting for the first time! My mom is helping me, but I am definitely cooking a turkey in the morning... gulp.

My favorite Thanksgiving food or dish is mashed potatoes, all day, every day. Bring on the leftovers!

I'm so thankful for my family, friends, and a gracious God. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Not Alone Series: Thankful

Linking up with Jen at Jumping in Puddles and Morgan at Follow and Believe for this extra "grate{ful}" edition of Not Alone Series!


In what ways are you thankful?! Write about anything you want under this theme. Do you have any family traditions that help you to be mindful of the blessings in your life?

Yesterday I posted my list of some things I'm thankful for. Today I'll share some traditions from my family. First, though, will you join me in a moment of prayer for the city of Ferguson and our nation? Jesus, please comfort those who mourn and bring peace to those who are angry, and help us find a solution that is a win for everyone and brings glory to You. 

Traditions: my family likes to go around the table and say something they are thankful for - I know, how cheesy and sentimental and awesome, all at the same time. We also will play a game after the meal: dominoes, hand & foot, UNO, etc.


My family is pretty fantastic, and I am so thankful for them!

Monday, November 24, 2014

Thankful


I'm sure that this week is going to be both full in general and full of Thanksgiving posts....and I don't care. Here are ten things I'm thankful for this season {no particular order}:
  • the mercy and love of God
  • the opportunity to pursue passions #DoulaAdventures
  • good health {and good healthcare when the health isn't good}
  • my fantastic family

  • the opportunity to pursue passions #DoulaAdventures
  • excellent books
  • wonderful friends

  • a great job with my favorite bosses ;)
  • a warm home in which to spend Thanksgiving with my family
  • this awesome blogging community :D
What's are you thankful for this season? 

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Finish This: Week Forty-six

Um, Thanksgiving is next week. Ca-razy!

Speaking of crazy, it's that time of the week to join our crazy-awesome hostesses: Jen at The Arizona Russums, Becky at The Java Mama, Lisa at Coastlined, and Nicole at Three 31.


If I could fly to any destination tomorrow, I'd go to Kentucky, no question. I spent two fantastic Thanksgivings with my Kentucky families, and I'm missing them a lot this month!
If I *had* to fly internationally, I'd head to either Berlin {again} or London. I hear that London during the holidays is amazing, and my eyes have only seen the inside of Heathrow Airport, so I'd go in a heartbeat. 

My best advice for traveling is be nice to the people helping you travel, no matter how tired you are or how delayed your flight is. Most of the time, the airline employees are doing their best to help you, and if you are nice to them, the whole situation is that much smoother. 
It is not the flight attendant's fault that the plane's windshield cracked in Denver; the passenger next to you may not know that his bouncy leg is preventing you from sleeping. Ask nicely, fake a smile, and focus on your destination!

I like to travel because I love both visiting old friends and making new friends/acquaintances on the journey. I also love experiencing places I've previously only ever heard of or read about, like Prince Edward Island or the Berlin Wall or Pompeii. Traveling makes me gape in wonder about the history that's happened in each place. 

That's a wrap, friends. Tune in next week for the Thanksgiving Edition - gobble gobble!

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Not Alone Series: Prayer

It's Tuesday again! Joining the link-up hosted by the wonderful Morgan at Follow and Believe & Jen at Jumping in Puddles


How do you pray at home? Do you have a special place in your house? How do you make that area special? Comfy chair? Prayer cards? What suggestions do you have to make a home alter? If you don't do this, in what ways can you begin?

Laura shared a picture of her bed, and I'm tempted to do the same. When I wake up, sometimes I turn on a chapter of the Gospels to listen to as I get ready will myself out of bed. I'll pray in my bathroom while I get ready for the day, especially for friends when they need it.

I also pray in the car, and not just the "God, help me" as I avoid stupid drivers. I pray for the future and about decisions and problems and people. 

At night, I'm back on my bed, journalling. It is my goal to journal at least 3 times a week, but that has not always been my habit. I love journalling my conversation with God, and it's awesome to look back and see what God has done in response to specific scenarios and prayers.

I really like what my roomie Catherine said about prayer: God is not a genie, and the Psalms are a great place to look for "templates" for prayer.

Thank you, Jen and Morgan, for these prayer accountability partners! I'm excited for that, because who does not need more prayer in their life? 

Amen! :)

Friday, November 14, 2014

7 Quick Takes: Focus on the Awesome

Thank God it's Friday.

This week has not been the most fun ever, so I'm choosing to focus my 7 Quick Takes on ways this week has been good and why this weekend is going to be awesome. Check out Kelly {our wonderful guest host} at This Ain't the Lyceum for all the link-up fun.


1. Haters gonna hate, but the soundtrack of my week has been Christmas music. Kelly Clarkson, Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra, even Andrea Botticelli have made this rough week a bit more bearable. Thank you, musical geniuses, for singing happy songs so beautifully.


2. My sister Jayna came over on Monday night, which is always fun. When we were at the grocery store getting hard cider, she introduced me to Strongbow Gold, which may or may not have bumped Angry Orchard into Third Place in My Heart. If hard cider is your thing, I recommend you give Strongbow at least one try. It's super yummy.

3. On Tuesday, I had a mole removed {side note: I love my dermatologist. She made the whole needles/surgery/stitches thing so painless and pleasant, and her staff checked on us like 4 times after I said I was feeling a little lightheaded. If you're in the area, I highly recommend her!}, so now I have stitches and a huge bandaid on my left forearm.
I was feeling good last night, so I ventured out to Zumba. Just to be safe, though, I didn't really use my left arm, because stitches breaking open and blood gushing was something I avoid AT ALL COSTS.
So I one-armed Zumba, and afterwards my instructor told me that she would have me teach sometime, because if I can one-arm class, then no one else has any excuse. Ha! Good one.


4. After work today, I am heading east over the mountains to visit Dahlia. Hooray! She is just lovely to be around. We can fly across the continent or sit on the couch all day, and either way we will have fun together.

This weekend, we are planning on scrapbooking and crafting. AJ, your Christmas present will hopefully take shape this weekend!

5. Speaking of Christmas presents, I'm feeling really on top of it this year. I have gifts for 2 out of 3 sisters already, and several yarn-related gifts are already finished. The gift I'm most proud of, though, is for my grandparents {trusting that they a) do not know this blog exists and therefore b) will not be reading this post}.
My sisters and I are using Shutterfly to create a photo book of the four of us. I only need two-three more pictures {ahem, sisters} and this album will be complete! My goal is to order it by Thanksgiving, so we are rocking it out.

6. The best part of my grandparents' gift is that we'll be able to give it to them in person. My family is traveling to the Frozen Tundra on the 26th to spend a few days with my mom's family! I'm really excited about this, and I'm already worrying praying for good traveling weather. Because of some health issues, my grandparents haven't been able to come out and visit us since I graduated from high school, so this is quite the exciting visit. Any upcoming holiday trips for you, dear readers?

7. Finally, coming back full circle to the week/weekend/awesomeness thing, I am spending Sunday afternoon with a friend looking at apartments for her and her new job! It's very exciting - this is a fabulous new job and totally in line with her passions and calling, and the apartments we're looking at are really cute.

This week hasn't been the best thing in life, but there have been some light spots and this weekend is going to be fantastic. Happy Friday!

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Finish This: Week Forty-five

It's Wednesday! Has this week felt 10 times longer than normal??? The answer is yes...an exhausted yes. BUT! To help us through Hump Day, we have this link-up hosted by Nicole at Three 31, Becky at The Java Mama, Lisa at Coastlined, and Jen at The Arizona Russums.


The best physical feature on my body is all of me, because any one part of me alone would be awkward, lezbihonest. My favorite feature is probably hair, because my leg hair doesn't show, I like my eyebrow shape, and the hair on my head is thick and healthy.

The best physical feature on my spouse's body is yet to be determined, but I'm sure I'll appreciate all of him.

These last few weeks of prompts have been short because we're working on our Year in Review post. This is a huge monster post of like 5 billion prompts to answer, and our hosts are being kind and giving us more time to work on that post. Email Nicole if you want to participate in the Year in Review - hurry, you'll need all the time you can get to "finish this" boatload of prompts!

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Not Alone Series: Help!

Holycowit'sTuesday.Whew! Linking up with Morgan at Follow and Believe and Jen at Jumping in Puddles for this week's Not Alone Series.


What ways do you run to implore the Lord's help when you are struggling? Do you always spend time in Adoration? Do you dive into the Bible? Automatically go to Confession? Could you be better? How? And what about those times when things are good and you are joyous? Do you still give the Lord your time?

Yesterday... Monday from hell, friends. In the office and in my community, it was a horrendous day. Was I asking Jesus for help, wisdom, direction, peace? That would be a hell yes. Was I still frustrated and sad and hurt and angry? Another hell yes.

As much as I would have loved to sit down and pray quietly for several minutes {or days}, that wasn't an option. Work still has to be done, the world still turns, and sometimes your sister's car breaks down and you end up skipping Zumba to give her a ride. As Forrest Gump says about bad things in life, "It happens."


K now let's be really real. I have lots of room for improvement in the Scripture-reading and praying departments. My default exclamation is four letters long, which is too short for "Praise God!" My first thought when something goes wrong is "ugh," not "Jesus, help me." And when something goes right, it takes far too long for me to remember to thank God. 

Am I getting better? I hope so. Do I have an action plan? That will be one of my goals for 2015, but I am not going to wait 6 weeks to start adjusting my reactions. Help me out here, blogging friends - how do you change your defaults?

Monday, November 10, 2014

The Best Weekend

People. Halloween 2014 was quite possibly the best weekend I've ever had in my adult life. I have not stayed up so late, laughed so hard, or loved my friends so much.

First things first: Cami and I "Cage-ified" Samara's apartment. Yes, that does mean what you think it means. We decorated covered Samara's apartment with Nicolas Cage. Some pictures were hidden in plain sight, and others, well, others haven't been found yet :D

this is the first one Samara found

not even wine was left un-Caged

We carved an attempt at a Grumpy Cat pumpkin... no judging. Our combined carving skills were all at least a decade old, and we realized halfway through carving that the template was not symmetrical. Oh well. 

Samara and I went to pick up pizza after Grumpy was finished, and we counted 8 "Elsa" princesses in town. And between our parking spot and the pizza place, we found a gelato shop...which we promptly added to our agenda and purchased Chocolate Peanut Butter and Chai Latte. Oh my goodness, it was amazing. 

After dinner, we began costume and make-up preparations. Who did we dress up as? Allow me to introduce you to Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Meghan Trainor!


We went to a local pub and met some of Samara's friends, and our table entered the pub's costume contest. Guess who took first place? Not us. But we got second place, and look at what we won:


Yes. We won a hand. A gross, nasty hand that already has caused trauma and laughter. We also won a gift certificate to the pub, which we put to good use right away. 

Once we got home and out of our costumes, we watched the 50th Anniversary special of Doctor Who. Such fun!

Saturday morning, we got up and on the road to Portland. Brunch, bookstores, and the best pop album of 2014 were the highlights - can you say Taylor Swift's "1989" album!? Have I been listening to it nonstop since Saturday? Unashamedly!

Sunday was a chill day with church, leftover Chinese food and gelato, and a Seahawks game at B-Dubs. After the game, we said our farewells and Cami and I trekked back north {listening to "1989" all 4 hours}. 

In text, this weekend may not sound very amazing, but it was. Cami and Samara and I are so comfortable and hilarious together, and spending time as the three of us was so wonderful. We talked about literally everything, and I loved how we all were able to take care of ourselves {with classes, homework, etc.} and each other so easily. We are seriously fun. 
I love us!

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Finish This: Week Forty-four

Celebrating/enduring Hump Day with this awesome link-up hosted by Jen at The Arizona Russums, Nicole at Three 31, Lisa at Coastlined, and Becky at The Java Mama.


{Kids} makes me smile because they are hysterical. I love how they are determined either not to wear any clothes or only one specific item of clothing. I love how they mispronounce words. I love how they get excited about anything and everything.

I put my trust in Jesus, friends, and chocolate, in that order.

I don't want to have regrets about not trying something; I'd rather have failed attempts than zero attempts.
As I write this, I'm thinking I say that's what I want, but is that how I live? The answer is: sometimes. I'd rather try and make a new friend than not have any - that's an area of strength. However, I hate failing, so lots of times I won't even try, like a new recipe or new hobby - this is an area of weakness. So... I'm working on living it.

There you have it - check out the link-up for more!

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Not Alone Series: Good Ol' Deal Breakers

Linking up with the faithful Jen at Jumping in Puddles and Morgan at Follow and Believe!


We have chatted about our deal breakers/non-negotiables before, but how do you keep from letting your standards fall? What prevents you from just dating any guy out there? What keeps you going?

Can we get real for this post? How many of us make this face when a TDH walks in?


Like, wowza. I would totally make that face if Benedict was in my vicinity, lezbihonest. 

But hold the phone - does that TDH love Jesus? Because no matter how cute he is, cuteness is not going to sustain a relationship for any amount of time. And neither does niceness or money or sweet wheels or a rocking job or a vacation home in Spain. Jesus is the best foundation for any relationship, and really the only One upon which I want to build a marriage. 

My list of deal breakers is pretty short, and so is my list of keeping up standards. It's all pretty simple, really. 

What about you? Join the conversation and the link-up over at Jen's

Thursday, October 30, 2014

I'm Just Gonna Shake Shake Shake

{I know that I said I wanted to write more posts without prompts, but I'm not counting these as prompts; they're more like conversation initiators. I know, the hair is split super finely. Whatevs. Shaking it off.}

Currently...

...wondering how early is too early to begin New Year's Eve party planning.

...stressing about doula training and how on earth I'm going to finish it all. Gulp.

...just finished reading UnDivided (Unwind Dystology)* by Neal Shusterman
Re'and* by Victoria Easter Wilson {review here!}

... currently reading Motherwit: An Alabama Midwife's Story* by Onnie Lee Logan
Spiritual Midwifery* by the one and only Ina May Gaskin
A Covert Affair: When Julia and Paul Child joined the OSS...* by Jennet Conant.

... going to read Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption* by Laura Hillenbrand - really excited about this one!

...listening to Imogen Heap and Kye Kye, as per usual, and.... Christmas music! Haters, please see above gif.

...craving more fudge that my flatmate made. She put a few sprinkles in and on it, and I think that was a very wise decision.

...enjoying a good hair day. Yay, straightener that works!

...getting excited for Cami and my trip to visit Samara! We are meeting at 5:30 tonight, having Chinese food for dinner {because why the hell not!?}, and then venturing down to yonder Oregon for a weekend of laughs, hugs, Doctor Who, costumes, chocolate, Portland, and whatever other adventures we find. CANNOT WAIT!!!

...grateful for a fantastic table lamp I found at Value Village. You. Guys. This thing is amazing. You know when you look at Target and you're like, mm, okay. Then you look at Pinterest and are all like, mm, if only me + drill + glass didn't = death.
And then you go to Value Village and the heavens open and a unicorn whinnies and fairy dust speeds your sprint into the embrace of the COOLEST LAMP EVER, and it doesn't even need a makeover. True story. Pictures coming soon.

...laughing at this clip from the Graham Norton Show of Miranda Hart teaching Benedict Cumberbatch how to walk like a diva. All day, every day, please and thank you.

Hope you all have a fantastic Halloween weekend!


*affiliate links that will, ideally, contribute to my doula education. Thanks for your click!