blog! Um yeah. It's been awhile, and I do have things to say, like we went to the National Western Stock show and Rodeo the week before last, and Kyla started ballet and tap last week AND she turned 4, we had a party for her... and it. was. disastrous. And that's all I can think about to write!! Seriously! But really, it was awful, I cried when it was over, not kidding. I can not get past it, and I don't even want to dwell on it. I don't want to go into all the detail, but I have this writers block where the only thing that comes to mind is... poop! There, I said it. Now I can move on with my life. *Insert sigh of relief here*
Okay, that was a lie I still can't move on. I will never move on and our only memories of Kyla's fourth birthday will be of POOP! Oh, and cleaning. Much cleaning.
Okay, that was a bit dramatic, no it wasn't. Oh my gosh.
So we started a little bedroom redesign project and I'm really excited about it. Have I ever told you how much I love a white ceiling? It's my freedom. I am now free in my own bedroom. When I have all the 'after' pictures I'll blog about that.
Until then I leave you with a quote... "Every party has a pooper, that's why we invited you."
Sincerely,
The lady who is moving on. For reals.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Scandalous Thoughts
Hmm... not what you're thinking... but catchy, right?
Last night on TLC there was a special on Ted Haggard called Scandalous.
If you don't know who Ted Haggard is or why there would be a show about him, just google his name... here, I did it for you. I don't expect everyone to know the story, though it has been national news, the people who know me well know the story.
Every time Ted Haggard pops up in the national news I get at least one person texting me or calling me or leaving me a message on Facebook, which is the only reason I am putting anything about it here on my blog.
After the show last night I laid in bed thinking about it, about his family, his new church and then I wrote this post in my head. Then I fell asleep and forgot it all :)
In the beginning, when the 'scandal' first broke I felt hurt, I was in disbelief, and I felt forgiveness. I don't know why, maybe because forgiveness comes easily for me, I'm not saying it's a great thing or that I'm better than anyone else, I'm just saying it's easier for me than others, a personality trait of mine is being able to put myself in others' shoes and understand where they are coming from. (Sorry, I'm not fresh on my Myers-Briggs right now). Anyway, I didn't care so much about what he did, I felt bad for his family, our church. People all over the country called me to get the real story, but that was always unclear. I didn't really care what the details of the real story were. I know that EVERY person has something in their life that they wouldn't want broadcasted on FOX or Oprah, or the local news or heaven forbid, CNN. It may not be that big of a deal or 'scandalous' but I do think everyone has something in their life that they aren't proud of, maybe a secret from the past, maybe a secret they are keeping now, or sin in their life. Ted Haggard's sin was exposed and put on national news.
I defended him for a long time using that argument. I never felt that what he did was okay, especially in the position of leadership God had put him in, but his fall was going to be longer than the average human.
In the last year or two Stephen and I completely stepped away from what had happened, not on purpose, it's just not something we dwell on. I honestly didn't know he was starting a church and even told someone he wasn't (oops.) I thought he was just having meetings at his home and offering counseling to those who wanted it. I personally thought it was too soon for him to start a church.
Well, fast forward to last night. Stephen and I watched the special, a documentary on the week prior to and opening Sunday of Ted's new church, which meets in their barn. I thought it was good. I see parts of how he has changed. His message is love and his actions show love. He is willing to be personable and helpful and loving to anyone who will accept him, and those who don't. It showed him meeting with a drug addict and a couple in need of counseling, things I don't think he would have had time for... five years ago. I think he is genuinely accepting of everyone and wants to help those in need. He wants to show the love of God. I think it's basic Christianity and I think its what Jesus did in His ministry.
On the show it repeatedly showed Ted dealing with people in interviews or people randomly calling his home and bringing up the past, the scandal, wanting to know the details, wanting Ted to just say that he is gay. Ted has a hard time with that and wants people to focus on what he is doing now. For me, four years ago does not seem like a long time ago, everything that happened feels recent and fresh. I think a huge part of the consequence of what he did will be people remembering him for the scandal in his life. Maybe not his family, friends, members of his new church, but people who just recognize the name Ted Haggard... as much as he doesn't want that to be the case.
One of my biggest issues with Ted and his new church (though, note, I have never been) is that on the show he did say: "I am a loser, this is a church for losers". He markets St. James, his new church, as a place for a bunch of misfits. I get it, I get that he wants to reach people that feel like they wouldn't be accepted in a typical church, but I don't like the vibe. I feel like when 'losers' get together they bring each other down, not build each other up, they unite against people that make them feel bad. Misery loves company. I am not saying that is what Ted or his congregation is doing, again I have never been to his church. It is just what I feel when I see St. James being marketed that way. I can only hope and pray that this church is Biblical (in my heart, I believe it is) and that they are helping people and leading them to the Father.
A few last thoughts before this gets any longer. I wish Ted and his family would stay out of the spot light. It sounds harsh in a way that I would not want to say it to their faces, no way. I understand their longing for redemption in the public eye, but I think they need to just focus on themselves and what is important to their real life... not their tv and internet life. I don't think it's helping them at all and honestly makes him come across crazy, while in real life I do not believe he is. I'm not necessarily a supporter, I'm definitely not a hater. I am also not going to spend any more time defending him, honestly, because I no longer know Ted or his family personally. Oh, also, if you saw the special and wondered how Ted's two boys painted the entire barn the day before the first service... my inside source (Stephen) tells me they actually had a crew of about 50 people helping paint and get things ready... I guess the TLC camera's missed that one.
Lastly, if you've been wondering, no, Stephen and I have no interest in attending his church. We are happy where we are and mostly don't want to be caught up in drama or risk being on national tv (at least I'm speaking for myself here :)
I may have some insight to the situation, but really I know just about as much as anyone who could hear the story from Oprah. I don't mind sharing, but honestly am not the expert! Actually, if you want, you can call Ted yourself! Like he says, his number is in the phone book! ; D
Last night on TLC there was a special on Ted Haggard called Scandalous.
If you don't know who Ted Haggard is or why there would be a show about him, just google his name... here, I did it for you. I don't expect everyone to know the story, though it has been national news, the people who know me well know the story.
Every time Ted Haggard pops up in the national news I get at least one person texting me or calling me or leaving me a message on Facebook, which is the only reason I am putting anything about it here on my blog.
After the show last night I laid in bed thinking about it, about his family, his new church and then I wrote this post in my head. Then I fell asleep and forgot it all :)
In the beginning, when the 'scandal' first broke I felt hurt, I was in disbelief, and I felt forgiveness. I don't know why, maybe because forgiveness comes easily for me, I'm not saying it's a great thing or that I'm better than anyone else, I'm just saying it's easier for me than others, a personality trait of mine is being able to put myself in others' shoes and understand where they are coming from. (Sorry, I'm not fresh on my Myers-Briggs right now). Anyway, I didn't care so much about what he did, I felt bad for his family, our church. People all over the country called me to get the real story, but that was always unclear. I didn't really care what the details of the real story were. I know that EVERY person has something in their life that they wouldn't want broadcasted on FOX or Oprah, or the local news or heaven forbid, CNN. It may not be that big of a deal or 'scandalous' but I do think everyone has something in their life that they aren't proud of, maybe a secret from the past, maybe a secret they are keeping now, or sin in their life. Ted Haggard's sin was exposed and put on national news.
I defended him for a long time using that argument. I never felt that what he did was okay, especially in the position of leadership God had put him in, but his fall was going to be longer than the average human.
In the last year or two Stephen and I completely stepped away from what had happened, not on purpose, it's just not something we dwell on. I honestly didn't know he was starting a church and even told someone he wasn't (oops.) I thought he was just having meetings at his home and offering counseling to those who wanted it. I personally thought it was too soon for him to start a church.
Well, fast forward to last night. Stephen and I watched the special, a documentary on the week prior to and opening Sunday of Ted's new church, which meets in their barn. I thought it was good. I see parts of how he has changed. His message is love and his actions show love. He is willing to be personable and helpful and loving to anyone who will accept him, and those who don't. It showed him meeting with a drug addict and a couple in need of counseling, things I don't think he would have had time for... five years ago. I think he is genuinely accepting of everyone and wants to help those in need. He wants to show the love of God. I think it's basic Christianity and I think its what Jesus did in His ministry.
On the show it repeatedly showed Ted dealing with people in interviews or people randomly calling his home and bringing up the past, the scandal, wanting to know the details, wanting Ted to just say that he is gay. Ted has a hard time with that and wants people to focus on what he is doing now. For me, four years ago does not seem like a long time ago, everything that happened feels recent and fresh. I think a huge part of the consequence of what he did will be people remembering him for the scandal in his life. Maybe not his family, friends, members of his new church, but people who just recognize the name Ted Haggard... as much as he doesn't want that to be the case.
One of my biggest issues with Ted and his new church (though, note, I have never been) is that on the show he did say: "I am a loser, this is a church for losers". He markets St. James, his new church, as a place for a bunch of misfits. I get it, I get that he wants to reach people that feel like they wouldn't be accepted in a typical church, but I don't like the vibe. I feel like when 'losers' get together they bring each other down, not build each other up, they unite against people that make them feel bad. Misery loves company. I am not saying that is what Ted or his congregation is doing, again I have never been to his church. It is just what I feel when I see St. James being marketed that way. I can only hope and pray that this church is Biblical (in my heart, I believe it is) and that they are helping people and leading them to the Father.
A few last thoughts before this gets any longer. I wish Ted and his family would stay out of the spot light. It sounds harsh in a way that I would not want to say it to their faces, no way. I understand their longing for redemption in the public eye, but I think they need to just focus on themselves and what is important to their real life... not their tv and internet life. I don't think it's helping them at all and honestly makes him come across crazy, while in real life I do not believe he is. I'm not necessarily a supporter, I'm definitely not a hater. I am also not going to spend any more time defending him, honestly, because I no longer know Ted or his family personally. Oh, also, if you saw the special and wondered how Ted's two boys painted the entire barn the day before the first service... my inside source (Stephen) tells me they actually had a crew of about 50 people helping paint and get things ready... I guess the TLC camera's missed that one.
Lastly, if you've been wondering, no, Stephen and I have no interest in attending his church. We are happy where we are and mostly don't want to be caught up in drama or risk being on national tv (at least I'm speaking for myself here :)
I may have some insight to the situation, but really I know just about as much as anyone who could hear the story from Oprah. I don't mind sharing, but honestly am not the expert! Actually, if you want, you can call Ted yourself! Like he says, his number is in the phone book! ; D
Here's a nice little transition photo into my last post ; )
Awesome candle 'beams' included!
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Wedding Dress Redux
My wedding dress:
I know... you're probably squinting right now, trying to see the detail. We'll there wasn't any, so save your eyes ; ) My dress was very plain jane. Strapless, A-line, slight biased ruching, no train. I tried on 3 dresses total and picked this one and wore it off the rack. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy and cheap to boot!
Umm... I'm pretty sure that's not what you're supposed to be 'booting' about when talking about your wedding dress. Ah well. What's done is done. I liked it fine then and when I look back at the pictures I like it fine now too. But I don't LOVE it, it didn't make me feel amazing, there wasn't anything fabulous about it and it didn't fit like a GLOVE, like this one:
Umm... I'm pretty sure that's not what you're supposed to be 'booting' about when talking about your wedding dress. Ah well. What's done is done. I liked it fine then and when I look back at the pictures I like it fine now too. But I don't LOVE it, it didn't make me feel amazing, there wasn't anything fabulous about it and it didn't fit like a GLOVE, like this one:
If I were to pick a dress today for my wedding, it would be this one, hands down (no, I don't know the price... why do you ask??)
I realize the two dresses aren't THAT different, so I know they are both 'me'. This one just has more 'wow' factor.
Pictures of this dress from the Provonias 2011 collection can be found here (dress 5/11)
My good friend Mindi opened a bridal boutique 3 years ago and does bridal shows on a regular basis. She called me last Thursday looking for a model for Saturday! I said yes, then regretted it for the next two days.
I was really nervous, as this is NOTHING like my day to day life :)
I didn't want to trip, or look awkward, or have 3 chins
(two out of three ain't bad! doh.)
But it was SO fun
and I got to wear two REALLY amazing dresses!
Here is the link to this dress
Here is Mindi (again) and more of her team.
If you have any Bridal (dress, shoes, accessories, bridesmaids, MOB, grooms, flower girl, etc) or prom needs... there is no one else I recommend!
Again, fyi
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