Thoughts and refrigerator magnets

Ever since completing my job I have been cleaning out - this means that I have been cleaning out for several weeks.  However, I'm not done yet, I am still cleaning out.  I cannot project how long this will continue, but I'm feeling good about it.  So, why stop a good thing?  My motivation behind cleaning out and organizing is the fact that one day we will move out of this apartment.  When that day comes, it will be much more pleasant if I go ahead and sort through the "junk" now.  Casey thinks I am pretty harsh when it comes to cleaning out.  For example, one of my rules with clothing is - if I haven't worn it/looked at it in a full year then get rid of it.  But it seems to have worked successfully in my life thus far.  I have not regretted parting with a certain article of clothing yet.  (I'll let you know if that ever happens and then I may recant my rule).  Also, Case hasn't seemed to miss anything of his that I have parted with, and he has thanked me multiple times for "putting our home into better order."  Despite this large purging phase, I don't want to give the false impression that I can just get rid of anything.  I have come across countless letters from many different people over the years and I can't part with a single one of them.  Words of affirmation are my number 1 love language.  I have found letters from camp and my college years that are very dear to me.  In fact, I have dedicated an entire filing container for encouraging letters and notes.  In Gary Chapman's book The Five Love Languages he says, "Giving verbal compliments is only one way to express words of affirmation to your spouse.  Another dialect is encouraging words.  The word encourage means 'to inspire courage.'  All of us have areas in which we feel insecure.  We lack courage, and that lack of courage hinders us from accomplishing the positive things that we would like to do.  The latent potentional within your spouse in his or her areas of insecurity may await your encouraging words. "  Now, I realize he is talking about spouses and words of affirmation in marriage, but it does not just apply to marriage.  If we know someone who is really encouraged by words then we should write them a note or verbally communicate something we appreciate about them.  There are four other love languages I could go into, but I need to start supper!

I'll leave you with some country music lyrics that are on our fridge.  Our friends enjoy coming up with new phrases often!

Sorry it's a little blurry!

             

A little mod podge project

I really enjoy using mod podge.  Casey had never heard of the stuff until he met me - thank goodness I came into his life "learned him real quick" on its wonderful purpose.  (He would roll his eyes right now if he knew I was typing this.)  For those of you who don't know what it is, it is basically a glorified glue and water combo. 

This is what I did.

Now the lids are pretty!

Have a great weekend!

 

Reveling in...

the fact that around this time three years ago my beloved husband took me on our first date.  Little did I know that our date was a life-changing event taking place.  Yet, it has led me to where I am right now. 

First of all, let me clarify the definition I am using of "reveling" or "revel," and how I am applying it to our lives.  I found and liked these definitions best (it can be used as a verb or a noun).

So, when I say I am reveling in the fact that three years ago I started to date my husband, I am using the verb form of the word.  Therefore, I am taking much pleasure in it/delighting in it.  The timing of it, and the memories that come from that date are and always will be precious to me.  To bad I was not a faithful photographer then, otherwise I could possibly insert a picture from that day here.  Oh well, I won't let it hold back my reveling.  

I remember when I added the word "revel" to my vocabulary.  I had heard it and read it before, but never used it until  I was a camp counselor at an all girls camp known as Camp Desoto.  One of our camp directors used it in a small devotion right after we finished line dancing.  (Line dancing is a must at Desoto).  She said, "Do you know what I see when I look at this gym filled with girls line dancing and singing at the top of their lungs?  I see them reveling in friendships, in life, and this world that God has created."  Those aren't her exact words, but you get the idea.  Do you remember that Emily?  Anyway, her saying that has stuck with me throughout the years.  I like the thought of reveling in life, in friendships, and in this world that our loving Heavenly Father created.  

This time off from school, work, and a hectic schedule has been refreshing.  However, I will be honest.  I have not started reveling in this new season until very recently.  I cried buckets of tears the first couple of weeks of my "new life".  Slowly, I have come to the realization that because I went on that first date with Casey, and am now married to him, naturally my life is going to look different from the way I have always planned it.  I know that sounds like a basic concept, but boy has it been a toughy for me to swallow.  All this to say, currently, I am learning that it is completely acceptable to change plans and make different decisions from ones I had orginally made.

What am I reveling in right now?  Homemade bread.  Well, breadmaker bread. (I inherited the breadmaker from a friend - thanks Marianna!)  Close enough, right?  I am thankful to have the time to play around with different recipes, and to have plenty of room for mistakes.  I love the way bread smells while it is baking - to me it is the ultimate "homey" smell.

Casey is reveling in it too.

This is the conclusion of this post, but not the conclusion of my reveling!

(I hope I didn't wear out the word revel.)