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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Divergent

You guys, this book IS AWESOME.

 

I read it this past weekend and it was the PERFECT thing to get me over Harry Potter. If anything can get you over Harry Potter. 

Although dystopian novels are gaining popularity, this one does not disappoint. 

Society in futuristic Chicago is separated into 5 factions: Candor (the honest), Erudite (the intelligent), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), and Amity (friendship). At the age of 16, everyone must select which faction to align themselves with. And that faction then becomes your family and your way of life. Beatrice Prior grew up in Abnegation, but has questioned whether or not she is truly selfless enough to spend her life as a part of that faction: wearing the same gray clothes as everyone else, only seeing a mirror once every other month during a hair trim, and only focusing on others rather than herself. The book follows Beatrice as she selects her new faction, and follows through on the daunting initiation process.

I could not stop reading this book y'all. And of course I promptly ordered the second one on Amazon, AND IT ARRIVED YESTERDAY. But I'm wrapping up 'Love Does' by Bob Goff first, so I haven't started it yet. The third book in the series doesn't come out until 2013 - AND I'M PRAYING THAT THERE WILL BE MORE THAN THREE. I just hate waiting for these kinds of things. And if I love the books, I want there to be 29384729356129384 so I can always read them and work the characters into my daily life. Healthy right? :)

Let me know if you want to borrow this book... I love to share. 

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Harry and Bob

Sorry for the meltdown a couple of days ago folks. I didn't mean to bear my soul in such a scary way. But in real life, it happens.


I finished the Harry Potter series last night. 


Twas the end of an era. 


The 7th book was epic. And I'm slightly embarrassed that it took me so long to read the series. I can understand why every man, woman, and child has loved it. Including Stephen King. Who was the one who convinced me to read it. 


I just ordered this guy from Amazon: 



as Bob Goff became so completely inspiring to me after reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. I cannot wait for this to come in the mail. I even ordered a second copy as a gift as I have that much faith in how great it will be. Cheers to you Bob.

In other news, I feel like I've been thinking a lot about family lately, and am starting to get excited about when Patrick and I will have one of our own. We love Lucy and Bailey tremendously, but sometimes you want more than what a pet can provide (this coming from someone who is afraid that they will love their cat more than their firstborn). And yes I'm serious. 

We kept Libby Gray two weeks ago for a weekend, and we really had a blast. She is so fun and sweet and FULL OF ENERGY. I know my dad and Jill were grateful to have some time away from her constant chattering, so Patrick and I happily took up the post. We got ice cream, we went to the pool, we went down a waterslide, we went out to breakfast, and we drew on the driveway with sidewalk chalk. Little girls are very fun, especially ones like her who are completely more fearless than I ever was as a child. I love watching how open she is to new experiences. Occasionally it takes a little extra encouragement, but she always comes around. And when she does, she is ALL IN. 

At the creek in the park. Lucy got in so Libby Gray did too. Luckily she was still wearing her new Hello Kitty two-piece.
Going down the water-slide. Look how sweet she looks!


We couldn't have had more fun with this sweet little girl. And I pray that we will one day have one as cute and sweet as she is to call our own. 

I'm heading to make dinner after a really long, but good day. Lucy and Bailey are begging to be fed, and I'm dying for some reality tv. Which is severely lacking in my life these days. I know, hard to believe, but my job does make me actually work. 






Friday, June 8, 2012

It's worse than that, he's dead Jim.

Divorce is an ugly and terrible thing. And I know that anyone who reads this would agree with me.

Patrick and I were talking the other night about how parents have an obligation to each other, first and foremost. Their relationship has to be good, strong, and healthy in order for them to give their best to their children. Obviously that does not mean that the children are not cared for, nurtured, looked after, etc. But it does mean that the parents must first have a good foundational relationship and solid commitment to one another in order to raise children in a healthy environment.

But one thing that is tough for me is second marriages. Both parents, once divorced, and despite great difficulty, have to move on from one another. They pursue different interests, they move out, they get re-married, and eventually they have someone new that they are committed to.

That in and of itself is not a bad thing.

However, the Bible doesn't demonstrate the clear priorities of parents in second marriages. It seems to me that once the parents are initially split, they each have to then be responsible for the children, since they are no longer responsible to each other. Because if they are not responsible for the children, who else will be?

I hate divorce because it forces children to have to learn to nurture themselves at a young age. Especially once parents are re-married and have new families. Because the parents get to start over but the children do not. The children no longer have a 'home' in the traditional sense. They don't have a safe place anymore to let their guard down. Or to participate in all the traditions and customs they grew up doing. If the parents don't make a concerted effort to prioritize their children, then its easy for them to just get lost in the shuffle. To not feel a part of any family. And to have to work to be a part of their parent's new lives.

But how do you tell parents that you're still important? That you're still their child and you still need them? They might have other relationships in the mix, but is it wrong to think that you should still have a priority in their life? Shouldn't your parents know that you're important? That you missed parts of your childhood that can never be recovered? And that they are the people that can make that not scar not cut so deeply?

The children can't and don't want to be the adults. The nurturers of themselves and each other. That's not their role in a parent/child relationship.

So that leaves me wrestling with all of these thoughts right now. Because I don't have a great answer. And I think parents need to do what they need to do to be healthy, but sometimes that damages the children in the process. And the damages cannot be undone.

Which makes everything just messy. And ugly. And dumps truckloads of crap on the kids to deal with over their life-time. To force them to look for the missing pieces of their 'home' and 'childhood' and pick them up, dust them off, and figure out what to do with them.

Then to figure out how to hold all of those things, and not let them hurt any other surrounding relationships. But only to use them in a positive way that is edifying and supportive for others. But to not ignore them because they need attention, and processing. And you want to be certain that you won't grow up to be the same. But not letting them overwhelm you or steal your joy or make you feel ungrateful.

All while not falling apart.

Is it even possible?


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Job Perks and Life Snapshots

So it looks like my most recent posts have just been a compilation of pictures I've taken over the last week or two. Which I'm okay with. We've had birthdays, our anniversary, and just random work stuff going on. Patrick started a new job 3 weeks ago so he's making the horrendous Buckhead commute as well. 


But on the upside, we have had some incredible new perks at my work that make me really LOVE going into the office (and bearing the terrible commute). First of all, we now have a fully stocked beer fridge. Praise God. Working in client services has the tendency to drive you to drink. And I'm not ashamed. Secondly, we now have 'Freestyle Fridays' which means - no meetings, no check-ins, and don't come into the office. Everyone works from home on Fridays now, so all of our catered Friday events will be moved to Monday. As well as our weekly massages. Thirdly, and on that same note, we can now work from home 4 days a week! I'm doing a bootcamp with work on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I will not be participating in all four days, but having the option is awesome. Lastly, we now have the option of getting our car washed and detailed once a month, AS WELL AS getting our HOUSE cleaned once a month. Can the benefits get any better!? Poor Patrick is finally going to have a clean house. He's going to be so excited! 


So with that said, here are some snapshots from the last two weeks. I have a lot of pictures on my nice camera, but haven't had a chance to upload those yet. But they'll be on their way soon! I hope. :)

KILLER butt work-out from Natalie at Fresh Life Findings. Trust me, you need to this. And if you think it's hard, remember that Natalie runs for 2+ miles AFTER completing it. Ugh. Over-achievers. Jk. :)


This is a pretty hilarious card I gave Patrick for his birthday. Sorry for the lack of class on this one. :)

One of the pieces of jewelry Patrick gave me for our anniversary. It's so beautiful!

MY GLORIOUS NEW FOOD PROCESSOR. I'll post more pictures of my recipes soon.  This is my first batch of salsa in it. It was pretty awesome.

We went to Lake Wylie for Memorial Day weekend, and spent LOTS of time with this little bug. 

My perfect morning.

Love watching the sunrise on the dock. Sweet iPhone picture too, I'm pretty impressed.

The King of Pops came to visit at work!

My Georgia Peach popsicle that I have attempted to replicate at home. Pureed peaches and agave nectar. Pretty hard to beat. 

Do you see what I see? Apparently 'vajazzling' is a popular trend that is exactly what you think it is.  'To bedazzle oneself in the nether regions'. You're welcome.

Our newly hung wine racks!!! They are awesome and look great against the dark gray wall.  If only we had an unlimited wine supply to populate these racks... then we'd be in business.

My newest piece of home decor. An antler from Alaina at Recycled Interiors.

Make sure to check out Natalie's blog for her great work-outs and recipes! They are all really awesome, and if you see how fit she is, you'd be crazy not to take some advice from her! I'm still hobbling around after that butt work-out.