A stressful bull to bludgeon...with crimson balloons

{image via: vi.sualize.us}

"Do you need a lift from your stresses in life? Sometimes our stresses are a heavy burden to bare...one that can only be lifted by God...and not by red balloons after all."

I went to a Caretaker Stress Management class this evening, so that I could get in some more of the required training hours for my job at the preschool where I work.  We went over many things, spanning from realizing just what our stress triggers are to accepting the stressful things in life that we must accept and cannot change and must just move on from, as well as tearing up paper into a hundred pieces and doing neck exercises. Alongside the neck exercises we also blew up balloons and released our stress and anger in a unified symphony of balloon flatulence...classy right? lol

Yeah...funny... Well, I kind of thought so too. I did however laugh under my breath when the lady who was conducting the meeting told us to breath in deep and extend our stomachs....exactly what Jared tells me to do when I'm stressing myself out...guess J was right after all. Supposedly your lungs don't fill up all the way and get enough oxygen to your body if you only breath in enough to fill the top portion of your lungs...really you should be taking in deep breaths that extend your stomach outward and that fill up your entire lung cavities so that your extremities, blood and brain gets enough oxygen.  Anyways...

Now I will admit that I did have fun sitting through a meeting that allowed me to blow up a balloon to represent every stress-filled moment in my life over the last week or so, rip up pieces of paper, laugh out loud about all of the silly things my kiddos at the preschool do, and so on with my co-workers by my side, but there was just something missing from all of the list of things to-do and not-to-do about stress management. The lady mentioned doing artwork, writing, listening to a favorite song, or even doing yoga or meditation as being great ways to relieve stress and get centered with yourself again, but not ONCE did she mention prayer or strengthening one's relationship with God. 

~~~

Blowing into that silly ochre balloon and ripping up that piece of ugly easter egg green paper made me realize just how silly stressing myself out over things that I have no control over in my life really are. Every force in the world may work against me to weigh me down, it/he/she/they may try to cause me more stress, but I know that I alone have control over how I feel, how I react and how I ultimately live my life out day after day until it is time for me to move on to the next chapter: My Heavenly Home. After all, my God is for me...so what stress can possibly be against me unless I allow it to reign over me and rule me?

I'll be honest with you all, sometimes I feel like a frustrated angry bull that is being irritated by the red flag of the life, by the life I so desperately yearn for and dream of having, but feel that I cannot possibly grasp a hold of, but I know that only the Lord can make me feel weightless and like I can float away from everything and everyone in life who tries to weigh me down and hold me by the horns. God is my bouquet of deliverance-covered-crimson balloons that carries me far far away from my stress-filled life and fears. It's as simple as that. I can bludgeon the stress filled bull of my life with Him by my side...my ultimate balloon weaponry....woot! *Analogy overload. I'm sorry about that.*

God is the ultimate stress reliever...and instead of grabbing that stress-ball and squeezing away (like what the class taught me to do tonight) perhaps I will find myself more eager to grab God's Holy Word when my life seems to be filled to the brim with stressful angry bull moments so that I can learn to let go...like a child letting go of their little red balloon so it can soar up into the sky and be seen shining brightly in the sunshine. 

P.S. This is officially the last day of NaBloPoMo. Thank you all for sticking with me during some of the most random postings I've ever posted up on DOTK before...and for commenting on my randomness of course! =) 

Ornamental Memories & Book Finds

{not all of my ornaments made it onto the tree this year}

Around Christmas-time ever since I can remember I have always received a new ornament, or two, for my small Christmas tree. It is a family tradition that has become so precious to me, and very much so looked forward to each and every year. It is so special to me just to be able to sit down on my bedroom floor and remember the many years gone by while looking through my box full of ornaments that have been pulled down from the attic. 

I have many memories that are tied to particular ornaments, and just to see each and every ornament makes me feel extreme nostalgia (which is a good thing!) Holding each ornament in my hand before I place it on one of the many green branches to be filled, I begin to relive my past...and it is a beautiful moment every year when I pull out my decorations once again. 

One of my most cherished ornaments is a little snow-girl on skis that says sister written across it. Both my sister and I got matching ornaments one year (1995), and looking at that ornament always reminds me that indeed I have a lovely sister who entered the world 16 years ago and made me a BIG SISTER! 

This year I was able to have a very special person *ahem....J* help me put up my own personal Christmas tree in my bedroom and as we started to hang the ornaments together I started to relive the many stories and memories throughout my childhood once again, and as they flashed through my mind and heart and spoke aloud about all of the many memories for him to hear...it was truly magical.

~~~

Momma surprised me this year by running out to Hallmark and getting me two very-lovely-and-uberously-sawesome ornaments! The first one she got me was one with Victor Van Dort and Emily playing the piano (it's a musical ornament that plays the piano duet that Victor and Emily perform from the movie Corpse Bride...so loverly!) Today after returning home from work I noticed that Momma had laid another ornament box on my dresser alongside my pile of junk mail. The second ornament was a Jack Skellington one...in case you don't know this already I'll just tell you that The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favorite animated films alongside Corpse Bride so I was super excited to add these two ornaments to my menagerie of memories.

~~~

MY BOOK FINDS:

{this is not the cover of the copy I got}

This past Saturday I made my way to our 'kinda-local' new/used bookstore. I managed to find a few neat books to add to my bookshelves. I managed to snag a brand new copy of Crazy Love by: Francis Chan for $7, a gently used copy of Coraline (which I knew was a movie, but didn't know was a book at all) by: Neil Gaiman for $3, a very-much-so-used copy of The Dark Tower & Other Stories by: C.S. Lewis for $5, and another book which shall remain title-less for now for someone for Christmas which shall remain listed as priceless. All in all I snagged some great deals I think. 

I also got a FREE PURPLE PEN from the man who owns the new/used bookstore. If there's one thing I love just as much as I love new and used books it would have to be PENS!!! Okay, so now you know that I do indeed have a pen fetish...oh well! =)

~~~

Do you have any special Holiday traditions that you hold dear to your heart, like receiving a new ornament each year perhaps? What uberously interesting books have you blogger lovelies read or found recently? I'd love to know...

{all images were via: images.google.com}

Singin' to Him Sunday - Love is Here

"LOVE IS HERE" By: Tenth Avenue North

*As always be sure to silence my music player on my sidebar so you can worship along and enjoy this video*

I remember just how much I loved to play and sing this song when I was part of the T.R.U.T.H. Worship Band, and so I thought I'd share this 'love' with all of you today too. For me love is more important than anything in the world, and even more so when it is the love of my dearest sweet Saviour that covers me and my life in ALL. The great thing about my Saviour, Jesus Christ, is that His love for me...for all of us...is not just merely love as we humans see it....receive and give it...but it is also full of complete forgiveness, grace and an endless unfathomable love that is all wrapped up into a two-word-cloaked-term...SACRIFICIAL LOVE.

The words that are sung and shared within this song are truly beautiful....love is here...love is now! I hope you lovelies will have fun listening and thanking HIM for HIS amazing unending love for us, that HE gave willingly, and for that which HE also longs for us to give back to HIS children without strings attached from day to day as we walk along this road so-called-life.

Heart. Mind. Mouth.

{image via: google images}

Is our Heart full of love for HIM, and stayed upon HIM?

Is our Mind focused in on HIM and HIS Word every day?

Is HIS name, and who HE is, spoken daily from our Mouth?

If we have the first two down, a Heart for Him and a Mind that is stayed upon Him, then shouldn't the third one be an obvious given? Shouldn't we speak of our Saviour, His sacrifice given us, and His epic love for us every day if we are truly called His own and are to reach out to others to show them this grandiose beautifully given sacrificial love? I am by NO MEANS brilliant at all three of these aspects! I struggle very much so to seek after HIM daily at times. Sometimes when the world and everything, and everyone, that is around me starts to feel as if it might falter I just want to shut it all out, and I wish to bury my head in the sand. That said as much as I do struggle at times I also know that I do long for HIM to take over my life in every area so that I can profess HIM and all that HE is with every ounce of me, every day, for everyone to glimpse. I only pray that I become more willing, and better equipped, to share my Heart, my Mind and my Mouth for HIM.

Sorry, if this post seems a bit scattered. These are just a few thoughts that I've had recently over this past week, after going to Church last Sunday. I am myself striving to be better at ALL THREE. I want for HIM to fill me up in my heart, and then to spill out of it for ALL to see daily. I want HIM to inhabit my mind, and to make me want to thirst to know HIM and HIS Word more. I want my mouth to profess my Heart and Mind for HIM so that all might know of HIS great love for us all.

Any thoughts on this random ranting...? Feel free to share with me! =)

A Giveaway on 'Books I Recommend'

Noah of Books I Recommend is having a giveaway for his one year blogoversary. Head on over and check out Noah's blog why don't ya!? He is giving away a stellar book by the way that personally I would love to have grace my own bookshelf....a copy of Sword in the Stars by Wayne Thomas Batson.

A Thankful Heart Filled

This Thanksgiving day has been quite relaxed. Early in the wee hours of the morning I stayed up and set up my Christmas tree with Jared while listening to Christmas tunes on my i-Pod. I even taught Jared a piano lesson this afternoon before we went up the hill to my grandparents house for Thanksgiving "Linner." Today has been filled with abounding love, a lovely quiet and small family get together, joys shared, scrumptious foods, ounces upon ounces of patience and the gifts of learning new skills shared with one another (J taught me some drawing/sketching basics.) I honestly have so many things to be thankful for that I cannot possibly list them here for all of you lovelies to read on my blog. I will however list a few things that am thankful for (because I was going to upload photos from today, but my computer is being a stinker...so no photos other than the one above for you all today...sorry!)

I am very thankful for...

My Saviour Jesus Christ.

My Family.

My Boyfriend.

My Dearest Friends.

My Blogger Friends & Lovely Readers.

Long Walks.

Long Car Rides with the Stereo Blasting.

Cafe Verona Coffee.

Photography.

Hugs 'n' Kisses.

Mountain Sunsets.

Rainy Grey Days.

Forgiveness 'n' Hope.

Books Old 'n' New.

Newfound Confidence in my Sketching Abilities.

Teaching Piano.

The Smiles and Coos of Babies.

etc...

I hope everyone had a lovely day today...because I know I surely did! I wouldn't trade the love of my Saviour, my family and Jared for anything in the world. How awesome is it that even though we are unworthy HE (Jesus Christ) alone is worthy and through Him we have redemption, love and grace?...now that is something to be truly thankful for! =)

Much love to you all...

Running Out Of Time...

Josh Groban- Bells of New York City
*Pause my mix-pod music player on my sidebar to listen to JG's glorious voice*

Goodness, I only just realized that today is the 24th day of NaBloPoMo and I hadn't posted anything on my blog yet! Needless to say today has been extremely busy, what with cleaning, preparing for things that are coming up in our busily horrifying December schedule and going to work today.....I am pooped.

Anyways since I ran out of time, am tired and had nothing pre-posted or prepared to write for today's post I decided to share one of my favorite tracks off of Josh Groban's new album Illuminations. I've never really wanted to visit New York City....ever....but this song makes me kind of curious about the city....and now I think I may want to hail a cab underneath the city lights and head through the crowded bumper to bumper traffic to go see a Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera after all. Oh yes.....perhaps I would love to hear the bells of New York city after all!

Well, G'night my blogger lovelies! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow. I am so very thankful for my God, my family, my love, my friends, and each and every one of YOU my dear blog followers! 

With much love and thanks,

P.S.- See you all tmrw on turkey day!!! =)

The 5 Browns - Simple Gifts/Going Home

I've had this melody playing through my mind all day (9 hours at work to be precise.) Part of this song, by The 5 Browns is from an old Shaker song called Simple Gifts that was written by Elder Joseph Brackett in 1848. I just so happen to love playing this song on the piano, and I like the lyrics too.

Lyrics for Simple Gifts:

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,

To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come round right.

I hope this little ditty gets stuck in your head too,

Movie Quote Trivia - Take 2 - Answers

To view the original post click below:

Movie Quote Trivia - Take 2

#1

Character #1: Edward Bloom

Guessed correctly by: No one

#2

Character #1: Danielle & Character #2: Leonardo Da Vinci

Guessed correctly by: Ashley of Live For Today, "Polka Dot" of Life Is Too Short Not To Wear Red Shoes & Caroline of Standing in the Sunlight

#3

Character #1: Priest & Character #2: Edmond Dantes

Guessed correctly by: Rose Dickenson of This Solid Ground & "Polka Dot" of Life Is Too Short Not To Wear Red Shoes

#4

Character #1: Red Stevens

Guessed correctly by: Rose Dickenson of This Solid Ground

#5

Character #1: Carter Slade "Caretaker"

Guessed correctly by: No one

#6

Character #1: Simon Birch
Guessed correctly by: No one


#7

Character #1: Leopold & Character #2: Kate
Guessed correctly by: "Polka Dot" of Life is Too Short Not To Wear Red Shoes

#8

Character #1: Anna  

Guessed correctly by: No one

#9

Character #1: The Grinch

Guessed correctly by: No one

#10

Character #1: Ivy Walker & Character #2: Lucius Hunt
Guessed correctly by: Noah Arsenault of Books I Recommend & Alaythea of Rock 'N' Roll Hideaway

Congratulations to "Polka Dot" for correctly guessing the most movie quotes! Thanks for playing along!

{All images via Google Images}

Singin' to Him Sunday - God of This City

*Pause my mix-pod player on my sidebar to listen to/watch the video*

This is a video of American Idol Season 8 winner Kris Allen singing the worship song God of This City. The first time I ever heard God of This City was while listening to the british band Blue Tree (if you haven't heard of Blue Tree I suggest you check them out, because they are wonderful) sing it on their album titled God of This City. I found this version of the song by Kris Allen later after listening to the other version, and I have to say that I do love both versions. I love the way that Kris Allen's voice meshes with the music so well...and how he is so very worshipful in this video! =) 

Believing that greater things have yet to come,

   

A Kingdom We Can't See Yet

‎"Our greatest moments of joy in this world are just the shadows of a kingdom we can't see yet--the faintest outline of a blurry castle our eyes can barely make out." 

~Natalie Lloyd~

On My Way To You...

I am really super excited this evening because of a few reasons... 

(1) Today was my last work day of the week. (2) Piano lessons with A went great today. (3) I am hitting the road tomorrow morning to go visit my awesome guy and his wonderful family for the weekend.

Currently though I am working on getting all of my NaBloPoMo posts up and written to be pre-posted while I'm away this weekend. So...don't worry blogger lovelies because even though I'll be away for a few day there will still be posts up for your reading and commenting pleasure. As soon as I am done writing and posting this particular post I have to go pack for the weekend (not one of my favorite things to do...at all!) I loathe packing, and unpacking is such a chore....it really takes me forever to pack....not looking forward to packing, but the weekend, now that I am looking forward to.

I am procrastinating the inevitable at this point. I'd much rather blog than go pack right now, but pack I must go do. I should be excited about packing, but I'm not. I am excited however about Jared taking me out to tomorrow to eat lunch and go to the movies though. 

Anyway, here's to hoping that everyone has a wonderful weekend whilst I am away,

P.S.- Jared tomorrow I will be headed on my way to you my love! Wahoozies! =)

P.S.S.- There's still time to make your guesses be known in my Movie Quote Trivia - Take 2 post.

Movie Quote Trivia - Take 2

I've noticed that a few of my blogger friends have done posts like this one recently and it reminded me that "Hey, I wanted to do another post like that too again!"  So without further ado...but first...a few things you should know before I get right down to it. 


There are a few rules you need to know before you start guessing away to your heart's content:


1. Do NOT cheat (this would include looking up quotes on google,  and imdb, etc.)
2. You can ask a family member for help on guessing the quotes, just give them a little bit of the limelight too, okay?
3. You must not only name the movie but ALSO the character's names. 



I'll post the answers next Monday evening. Have fun guessing away! =)


(1) {Character #1}- Sandra Templeton, I love you and I WILL marry you.


(2) {Character #1}- A bird may love a fish, Signore, but where will they live? {Character #2}- Then I shall have to make you wings.


(3) {Character #1}- Here is your final lesson - do not commit the crime for which you now serve the sentence. God said "Vengeance is mine." {Character #2}- I don't believe in God. {Character #1}- It doesn't matter. He believes in you. 


(4) {Character #1}- Any process you are going through will get tougher before it gets easier. That's what make learning a gift. Even though pain is your teacher. 


(5) {Character #1(voice heard only)}- It's said that the West was built on legends. And that legends are a way of understanding things greater than ourselves. Forces that shape our lives, events that defy explanation. Individuals whose lives soar to the heavens or fall to the earth. This is how legends are born. 


(6) {Character #1}- What I want to do and what I do are two separate things. If we all went around doing what we wanted all the time, there'd be chaos.


(7) {Character #1}- You require a chaperone. His intentions are obvious. {Character #2}- I'm alone with you, do I need a chaperone? {Character #1}- We are not courting, ****. If we were, as a man of honour, I would have informed you of my intentions in writing. 


(8) {Character #1}- What are you, the Lucky Charms leprecaun? 


(9) {Character #1}- Blast this Christmas music. It's joyful and triumphant. 


(10) {Character #1}- When we are married, will you dance with me? I find dancing very agreeable. Why can you not say what is in your head? {Character #2}- Why can you not stop saying what is in yours? Why must you lead, when I want to lead? If I want to dance I will ask you to dance. If I want to speak I will open my mouth and speak. Everyone is forever plaguing me to speak further. Why? What good is it to tell you you are in my every thought from the time I wake? What good can come from my saying that I sometimes cannot think clearly or do my work properly? What gain can rise of my telling you the only time I feel fear as others do is when I think of you in harm? That is why I am on this porch, Ivy Walker. I fear for your safety before all others. And yes, I will dance with you on our wedding night. 

5 Random Things That This Neo-Victorian Loves...

{image via: amazon.com}

Josh Groban's brilliant new album Illuminations (Go BUY it. You'll thank me.)

{image via: chickflickreviews.net}

The movie Leap Year. Thanks Miss Tricia (a.k.a. Jared's lovely momma) for hooking me on this film! 

{image via: dailystab.com}

Watching Survivor Nicaragua on CBS every Wednesday with my dear Momma...it's like our Football okay!

{image via: Criminal Minds' Facebook page}

Watching Criminal Minds with my Momma every Wednesday. My favorite character is Dr. Spencer Reid a.k.a. Matthew Gray Gubler. He is pure epically awesome. 

{image via: pepperblossomdecor.blogspot.com}

Dove Chocolate. Need I say more?

Just for fun (if you want to) list 5 random things that you love in my comments section.

P.S. - Today has been a busy and interesting day today. I'm sorry this post isn't longer and more creative, but it is what it is and I had to post something for day 17 of NaBloPoMo.

I Have A Confession To Make...

{image via: fashionandmodesty.blogspot.com}

I am really super excited about the Confessions of a Shopaholic Giveaway that Polka Dot is doing over at her blog, Life is Too Short Not To Wear Red Shoes!!!

In other words, I really had nothing much to write about for NaBloPoMo today, so thank you Susannah for giving me something to post about! =)

I *HEART* Josh Groban

{image via: amazon.com}

Well, my blogger lovelies, today is a very good day for me musically, because one of my favorite music artists (Josh Groban) just released a new album today!!! I cannot wait to get my hands on his new album! Any fellow Grobanite's out there?

{image via: last.fm}

I also found out that a favorite band of mine, Falling Up, who broke up last Winter is quoted on their Myspace page as saying that: "New music is in the works. Yes we announced a permanent break last winter, but that doesn't mean we can't still record music silly kids! Spread the word."

Today, musically for me at least has been an awesome day! *Hint* I actually found out about  Falling Up's news from a fellow Blogger friend (Britt/alvarezguitargirl) of mine in her blog post today. Check her blog out: alvarezguitargirl 

*Thanks Britt!*

Singin' to Him Sunday - Endlessly

ENDLESSLY by: Desperation Band

*make sure to silence my music-pod before playing the video*

The first time I ever heard this Worship song played was last year when I visited my Home-town and went back to my old (WONDERFUL) Church. The Worship team played this song at the end of the sermon, and I immediately felt moved, passionate and in such a close connection alongside every believer of Christ that was in the room, and of course with Him too.

Endlessly:

Saviour of my soul,

Lover of my life,
I love You endlessly,
Passion of my heart,
Everything You are,
I love You endlessly.

You love me,
Before I knew of You,
You love me,
Now I give it back to You.

With Your Majesty here,
I fall to my knees,
I love You endlessly,
With the beauty of Your Son,
I find myself undone.
I love You endlessly.

Endlessly

Singin' to Him endlessly,

                    

My Bliss

{image via: thesuburbanmom.com}

There is indeed no better way to spend the end of an adventurous day than to indulge in your bliss. Chicken Parmesan from Carrabba's Italian Grill: My bliss. This young woman loves her some Italiano food, and fellowship with her family after a long day of hiking through the Arboretum and driving around in the Mountains all day long. =)

So what is your blissful indulgence? Is it shoes, a favorite restaurant, books, movies, music, bubble baths?

Hoping that everyone has a wonderful weekend. 

P.S. I will have a blog post pre-posted for tomorrow, because there is no computer use in the H family household on Sundays. In fact since it is Sunday after all I think I'll start posting a favorite worship song of mine in advance for you lovelies to hear every Sunday. See you lovelies on Monday! Ciao!