Thankful Monday

"Be filled with the Spirit... singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."  ~Eph. 5:18-20

How precious are my nephews!?  Ahhh!  =)  Mom took some pictures of Rach and her fam yesterday, and I think they turned out really cute!  Very thankful for these boys...

(Parrish family, October 2012)

Quick funny story:  My mom was taking Triston home from school, and as they drove by a baseball field, she said, "We ought to get you all signed up to play baseball sometime soon.  That might be fun, huh?"  And he said, "Nooooo waay!  I am an inside child!!"  Hahaha, I love that!

Next up, I'm thankful for a great relaxing weekend, including a movie marathon with Malori!

She had a Sound of Music party and did theme food that cracked me up... black and white cookies because they "reminded her of nuns." lol  Tea, mini PBJ sandwiches (jam and bread), Swiss chocolates for them crossing over to Switzerland, and cider for us to drink during the ball.  We also had hot chocolate and Kelsey's "butterfinger cookies" - all good! :)

As much as I'm sad for anyone who missed out on seeing this in childhood, it's always fun to watch a movie I love with someone who hasn't seen it before. 

A few quotable moments from the party:  

"Oooo, this is a big moment for you!"  (-me, excited to find out that Caitlyn was seeing the movie for the first time)  

"Aww, that's all I've ever wanted from my father was a backhanded tap on the cheek!" (-Kelsey, mocking Captain Von Trapp's awkward mini-gesture to Liesl! lol)  

"Baroness Von Tramp!!"  (-Caitlyn, who got really into the movie and wanted to see Maria and the Baroness fight it out)  

"It's awful - it's as if she's giving this song her last bit of energy, and then she's just going to die!"  (Malori, of Climb Every Mountain)  

"Take that, Zeller!"  (-Caitlyn, confused on Herr Zeller's name)  

"Wouldn't the nuns be in trouble, though?" - Caitlyn  ...

"Well, they're not really at the point where they'd be killing nuns yet."  -Kelsey, commenting on the Nazis in that time period

"...or ten or fifteeen!"  (-me, appropriately finishing off the "Just wait a year or two..." line from the 16 Going on 17 song.)

Captain VT quotes from the movie that I just noticed and liked:  "Still eating, Max!?  Must be unhappy." lol 

"Oh, pretending to be madly active, I suppose.  Activity suggests a life filled with purpose."

After Sound of Music, the girls left and it was just Malori and I... she's finally finished the Harry Potter book series, so we rented part 1 and 2 of The Deathly Hallows!  I'm not sure many people could handle 3 long movies in one day, but we were definitely up for the challenge! lol  We watched Part 1, then went to Hideaway for a late dinner, then watched Part 2.  The movies were as epic as I remembered, and even better when I had Malori there to explain the backstory from the books a bit!  A great story with so many great spiritual metaphors - love it!  I would go into it more, but I don't want to spoil anything for Laura... get excited and push through book 5, Laura-lai... you can do this!! :)

The movies were fantastic, then we stayed up till 4am talking, which I always love!  I'm genuinely feeling very thankful for my friendship with Malori lately... I just love who she is.  It's probably somewhat indefinable and I wouldn't be able to do it justice here, but I feel more freedom to be myself around her than I do with anyone else, really, and I feel like I'm finally letting go of the irrational fear-of-loss-or-rejection undercurrent that hits me so hard in any close relationship because I know that my place/worth/value in her life is real and secure.  And that means a lot to me!  Yay, Malori! :)

Next up, I'm thankful for Chet and Karli, and for Chet having a new house where we can hang out and have fun!  I came and helped them paint and do crafty projects last week... and took pictures, as per usual.

Also thankful for the Diving Deeper LifeGroup and for "Weenie Wednesdays" at Chet's place! lol

Randomly, I'm thankful for New Girl, because it's been freaking hilarious lately and gives me something to look forward to on Tuesdays!!  Pic = Schmidt "crushing it" with the new neighbors. lol

Finally, I'm thankful for God's grace and patience with me.  I've been listening to the Brene Brown podcasts lately, and she talks about how we lose our self-worth and have no chance of success when we try to shame ourselves into reaching our goals... that goal-setting has to come from a place of worthiness, knowing we are worth it.  She also used the analogy of using a 20-pound anvil on a thumbtack to demonstrate how we "crush our spirit" when we try to use shame to perfect ourselves.  That mental picture stuck with me and makes a lot of sense.  So that's something I'm going to try to be more aware of in my thoughts and words.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to meet with one of my former professors for some one-on-one counseling, and I'm hopeful that the counseling will help me on the journey to being wholehearted and healthy and happy!! =)

Painting & Patience

Over a year ago, I bought this huge canvas at Michael's... way too big to fit in my car at that time (Lexi), which I didn't consider until I walked outside.  I was able to put the top down and stick it in the back, and I was really glad that my house was nearby! :)  I had a starter kit of oil paint with 10 colors - I know nothing about oil paint and didn't bother to research it.  I immediately brushed some onto the canvas, then tried to cover it up with another color and realized that was impossible if both were oils.  But I loved the way the colors mix but still hold their own shade, so I used a different finger for each color, then got a paper towel and rubbed it back and forth over the whole canvas... really easy, and actually looked pretty good for what it was.  A nice muted rainbow effect.

I liked that for a couple weeks, then it felt way too plain and simple and muted, like it needed something brighter and better.  So I did a rope/chain/braid, whatever you wanna call it, in the center.  (I don't have a pic of that by itself, but you get the gist here.)  

I never really liked that either, though, so I finally got the acrylic black out one day and painted out the entire thing... so now I could start from scratch!  This time, I put texture all over the board first - it's fun to work with, and I figured it'd at least make it more interesting.  Instead, it kept the oils from blending very well.  So this one is textured and A LOT brighter... 

...and I'm still not sure I really like it. It just doesn't feel like me yet.

But hopefully I'll get it there eventually.  I just have to be more patient with it and keep trying.

A couple days ago, I read the sentence, "Just be patient with yourself, because God is very patient with you."  And I've been thinking about that - how I'm so hard on myself sometimes... and I can project that and assume that God feels the same way, that He's watching the clock and wondering why it's taking me so long to figure certain things out and get it right in life.  But that's not how He feels at all.  God is love, and Love is patient and kind.  So I was happy for that little reminder!!  God is working on and perfecting me little by little, even though He knows I will never be perfect here on earth... but He already sees me as His treasured creation -- beautiful, brilliant, unique, priceless, something He is never giving up on! =)  Now I just need to learn to see myself the same way.

Song of the Week = The Lucky One by Taylor Swift 
I just love her!  Even when she's doing something that I know is stupid or cheesy, I find her really endearing. =)  

Photo Friday ~ Anthony

Just a quick Praise Report that baby Anthony has been home for around 2 months and is doing really well!!!  He's 8 months old and weighing in at 11 pounds.  I'm so thankful/happy that they're getting some time to relax and hang out and do fun little things like go to the park as a family! :)

Memory Monday ~ Jenny

A quick Memory Monday post... of the weekend in February 2009 when "Jenny Freaking Womble" came to visit me in Tulsa! lol 

Hanging out at The Vintage with Liz, Bobbi, and Jayci

This pic still makes me laugh!  I was trying to get a candid shot of Jenny dancing, and she looked back right in time to give me a freaked-out smile.

The three of us went to see Bride Wars after the bowling fun.  Malori and I were not roommates at this point, but we were becoming good friends and that was the plan! :)

We went bowling with the LifeGroup that night, which was fun... then we all posed for a cute group pic and random guy decided to walk by right then. lol  I love it! :)

After seeing Bride Wars, the three of us went out for gelato.  =)

The next day, Jenny and I went shopping at Saks - here she is holding up her new keychain.  This pic makes me laugh because she did her hair with the little braid that morning, inspired by Anne Hathaway in Bride Wars the night before. lol 

Jenny left that afternoon, then I had the LG over for a Super Bowl Party at my place! =)  What I remember most about that night is laughing and talking with Chet... and that Malori left another less fun party to come to my house, which I had strongly encouraged via text. lol

I love fun February memories!! ❤

Top 10 Tuesday ~ Movie Musicals

This topic was inspired by seeing Pitch Perfect -- while it doesn't make the list, it did remind me how much I love musicals!  I spent the rest of the day singing the songs over and over and wishing I could join an acapella singing group. :)  

Anyway, here are ten of my personal favorite movie musicals... 

10.  Mamma Mia (2008)

As much as some of the casting choices were strange/obnoxious and the movie sometimes painfully awkward, I really LOVE all the songs in this movie!  Take a Chance on Me being my all-time favorite.  I vividly remember seeing the Broadway play with Holly and Josh, then us all singing that as we rushed our way back to catch the subway (the irony of the lyrics was not lost on me).  But it was a really giddy, ridiculous moment ...worthy of a movie musical.  Fun!!  I also love Mamma Mia, SOS, and The Winner Takes it All. 

9.  Enchanted (2007)

How perfectly cheesy is this movie!?  They purposely went overboard in every way possible to create the live version of the fairy tales!  That's How You Know is my favorite song in this one, but they're all pretty fun!  Who doesn't want to sing A Happy Working Song? lol

8.  Mary Poppins (1964)

"Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down!" :)  Let's Go Fly a Kite!  Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!  Chim-chiminey, chim-chim, cheroo!  Another delightful music-fest -- and it always brings back memories of the first time I saw it, when I believe Rach and I thought that if we laughed hard enough, we really would float up to the ceiling.  I still daydream about jumping into certain paintings and pictures today. :)  Minus that stupid sad song by the bird lady, it's a pretty fantastic movie.

7.  Beauty & The Beast (1991)

Be.  Our.  Guest!  Not my favorite Disney film, but I love Belle, and I adore the Be Our Guest, Bonjour, and Something There That Wasn't There Before songs!!  "And for once, it might be grand to have someone understand I want so much more than they've got planned..."

6.  Dreamgirls (2006)
This will forever remind me of the cruise with Rach and Kate in 2007 (see ridiculously hilarious video of Kate).  So many great, powerful songs - You're Gonna Love Me; I Love You, I Do; and my favorite, Listen!

5.  Sister Act 2 (1993)

This movie seriously made me want to join a choir and sing when I first saw it back in third grade!!  It looked like such a blast!  Wake Up and Pay Attention, Oh Happy Day, and Joyful, Joyful are my favorites, but I can definitely sing you the entire soundtrack. :)

4.  Grease (1978)

I first saw this when it was re-released when I was in 8th grade.  Then we bought it and I watched it a zillion times on our road trip to Washington D.C., much to the dismay of Mr. Sanders (who can rest easy because most of the innuendo was totally lost on me at that point).  Hopelessly Devoted to You was my personal favorite.  But again, I know every word to every song, and I love this CD!

3.  Lion King (1994)

The best of the animated movie musicals.  I Just Can't Wait to be King, Hakuna Matata, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Circle of Life, etc.  I attempted to learn a couple of those on the piano.  Lots of good memories with this movie, and for whatever reason, I still prefer it to the play.

2.  Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

"Goin' courtin', goin' courtin', oh, it sets your senses in a whirl!"  I vividly remember being so excited the first time I saw this on TV and how much I loved the whole barn raising / dance / fight scene.  I remember dressing up as a bride and singing When You Marry in June at a talent-show-themed birthday party.  So many fantastic songs and hilarious quotes from this movie - the Lonesome Polecat song was a particular favorite of me and Rach! lol  I just love it!!

1.  The Sound of Music (1965)
Obvious #1 choice.  Again, I remember the first time I saw it.  I remember singing Do-Re-Mi with Mom and Rach that night over and over.  I remember trying to sing that with Rach as we rode our bikes one day. lol  I remember marching up and down our stairs pretending to be Liesl and Louisa.  I remember acting out the So Long, Farewell song with Kendra at a basketball tournament.  I remember the Boston Pops sing-a-long and seeing it in theaters at another sing-a-long.  So great!  The story is fantastic and the songs are fun and full of heart!  One of my favorite movies, period, and definitely my favorite movie musical!

*Honorable mention:  School of Rock, That Thing You Do, Cinderella, Aladdin, & the restaurant scene in My Best Friend's Wedding. lol

"That will bring... us... back... to... Do-oh-oooh!  So-Do!!" =)

Mini Quotables Post =)

"Oh, Mark, that's super inappropriate!"  ~Scarlett, 17 Again

"Oh, I'm telling you guys - I think that we are in for a treat!"  (repeated more than once)
~J.E.M., discussing Sean as the new Bachelor

"I've been in the sun, can't you tell!?  My freckles are connecting - I'll have a tan soon!"  
~the always dry sense of humor Caleb :)

"I don't want to be this girl!  ...I wanna live my life in such a way that when I read an in-depth biography about myself in the future, I won't want to puke!"  ~the always passionate Paris Gellar (Gilmore Girls)

Waitress:  "Did you all save any room for dessert today?"
Dad:  "Oh, no thanks."
Triston (loudly):  "Oh, I have the room!  ...cheeeesecake!!"

"I'm like Sarah in Genesis, only I probably won't pimp out my husband."  ~ending line in an email from Malori :)

"I may be delusional, but I honestly do think he would remember me if he saw me now!"  ~Jeff, on Justin Bieber

"Well... we're both out $15,000."
"And we have to take long trips in a Winnebago!"  -Niles
"And we're not royalty  ....we're descended from thieves and whores!" -Frasier :) (one of my favorite episodes lol) 

"So I had planned this whole rant on my generation and its lack of recognition of all the personal and professional benefits we aren't entitled too, but for that to really smack you across the face as intended, I have to get worked up to it.  After downing 2 glasses of wine while cooking dinner, I'm just not feeling it.  As a consolation prize, I'm going to reward you with a random list of some of my all time favorite things.  You can thank me later."  
~Malo-riah, who should blog more often!  That first sentence particularly cracked me up tonight. :)


And now, a hilarious series of Jeff/Justin photos that I made for Jeff's Justin Bieber theme surprise party this past weekend... I spent a ridiculous amount of time finding these, but I would argue that it was worth it, because they really make me laugh! :)  Young J-Biebz, following in the footsteps of his would-be mentor...

Photo Friday ~ North Pole City

Aww, I want to be here right now, floating amidst the colorful decorations and Christmas lights, the pine tree and peppermint scents, and the sounds of Christmas music and kids laughing and playing on the train in the magical Christmas wonderland that is North Pole City. =)

Better yet, if I'm wishing for things, I want to be in a real magical Christmas wonderland, like the Candy Cane forest or the North Pole from Elf! lol :)

And now presenting... Christmas! lol  Really not sure why I did that pose in both photos - it just seemed like a place that demanded some photo enthusiasm from me. =)

Top Ten Tuesday

TOP TEN FICTIONAL BOYFRIENDS :)

*Saw a link for a post on this topic on Facebook and decided it'd be fun to write my own.  I wrote most of this during the 1 hour video we watched in class yesterday.  It's ridiculous, largely out of order, and I'm completely sure there are guys I'm forgetting - whatever - but the top 2 are pretty accurate for me. lol

1  Jess Mariano, Gilmore Girls
Who didn't see that one coming? lol  Yeah, it's partly the bad boy thing.  Partly the intellect and depth.  Partly the way he smirks and smiles knowingly and always has witty comebacks and is just the perfect mix of cocky and confident.  He has issues and can be surly and selfish (and somehow even that is weirdly attractive to me), but he is passionate and real, he does little things to surprise her, he pays close attention to details and to what she likes, he has deep conversations, he's funny and sarcastic, he's not afraid to rock the boat and confront things (knocks some sense into Rory when she goes off the deep end), and he eventually becomes a writer.  Yes, please!

2  Matt Flamhaff, 13 Going on 30
Love this guy!  The voice, the eyes, the dancing, the genuine kindness and selflessness, the loyal lifelong friendship... the fact that he's a photographer... and the fact that he's totally sold out in love with her... aaaaattractive.  That movie gets me every time.

3  Josh, Clueless
Aside from the unfortunate name, of course, he's pretty great! Funny, smart, protective, the right amount of sarcasm and tension and conflict, "kind of a Baldwin," and someone you could be really comfortable and have fun hanging out with!

4  Jack Callaghan, While You Were Sleeping
Funny, easygoing, pays attention to detail, sincere, talented, creative, and head over heels in love.
Wow, I miss this movie and the Callaghans and Lucy Eleanor Moderatz... one of my favorite Christmasy movies!

5  Seth Cohen, The O.C.
Ha, don't judge me.  I only saw one season of this show, but how adorable is Adam Brody?  Self-deprecating, awesome sarcastic sense of humor, smart, passionate, loyal.  It's really mainly the funny thing that gets me with him.  :)

6  Joe Fox, F-O-X, You've Got Mail
A kindhearted, genuine, confident, quick-witted, good with kids, Golden Retriever owning, super-successful businessman who owns a bookstore; enjoys good conversations, writing, and drinking Starbucks; and spends his spare time hanging out on his yacht. lol  Sign me up.

7  Jason Bourne, Bourne Trilogy
Faithful and committed.  Hot-ness with the blue eyes and the killer half-smile and the mysterious past that torments him and just makes you want to comfort him.  Annnnd he's a brilliant, super-protective, skilled assassin!  He leads with the perfect mix of passion/urgency and genuine care.  You would always be in the middle of an adventure, but simultaneously always feel safe when he was around.  

8 Mark Darcy, Bridget Jones' Diary
Because he's a little arrogant but has a good heart.  Successful, protective, and sincere.  And precious with his deep, semi-sad eyes and his reindeer Christmas sweater. :)

9   Miles, The Holiday
Because he's a talented musician who is fun, easygoing, and entertaining.  He's a nice guy who freely admits his own faults, and he's encouraging and funny and doesn't let you dwell on the negative too long.

10  Pete, Win a Date With Tad Hamilton 
Ahhhhh, Topher Grace!  He's fantastically lovable as the underdog pining for the girl in this movie (obviously, I'm attracted to the amiable guys).  He's precious and genuine and funny and self-deprecating.  And he fights for her, even after the hilariously discouraging David v. Goliath quote... he would tear the competition to pieces with his bare hands "or vicious rhetoric!" :)