Photo Friday ~ "Paintings"

Happy Friday, gang!!  

Thanks to a craftily-targeted FB ad, I downloaded the Prookie app this week.  Not sure why anyone would be willing to pay $5 a week for it, but it was fun playing with it during the free trial period and turning some of my fav pics into "paintings."  So that'll be my Photo Friday pics for today!

Wilson fam at Tate's 2nd birthday party! ❤

Mom and Dad on their 33rd anniversary! ❤

Me a couple days ago, with the app's pink hair effect thrown in for fun! ❤

My favorite kids in all the land! ❤

Grandad and Babah when we went dancing in 2011. ❤

Jeff and Ellie Faye... and Chinese food!?  ❤

Dad and the kids grabbing a snowcone halfway through their walk in the park! ❤

Cozy Wilson fam Christmas pic 2019 ❤

Watching their great-grandkids swimming five years ago! ❤

Mom's birthday last year... must curl my hair more often! ❤

Kyndal looking cute n' sassy at CHA Homecoming last year! ❤

Surrounded by ENFP friends + birthday cake = winning! ❤

That's all for today.  Hope you have a lovely weekend ahead!

Thankful Thursday (115)

"So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness."  ~Ephesians 2:7

Today, I am thankful for:

1.  Funny memes.  (...And chatting with Dentist Neil yesterday about the craziness of pandemic life and funny memes.  Also thankful for having no cavities again!! #winning)

2.  This Hamilton movie trailer... and having lots of friends who also love Hamilton... and the fact that it's coming to Disney+ one week from tomorrow!!! ❤  #getexcited

4.  Delightful summery cuteness pics of the niece and nephews... from six years ago, yesterday, and last weekend! =)

5.  Celebrating great fathers this past Sunday... including my dad, Grandad (our first Father's Day without him this year), Chet Lee, and Jeffrey Edward!  Chet posted this on FB, and I could not agree more:  "A quick message to all of the dads out there with little kiddos. How do I communicate this effectively....YOU HAVE ONE SHOT AT THIS! Get off your phone, engage with your kids, talk and read to them, play with them, and LOVE them! They change so fast and time is flying by. Don’t miss it!" ❤

6.  This = another meme that made me laugh, then it made me feel thankful for finding workouts and coaches that are actually fun to me, thanks to Peloton!!  (Now I just need to figure out how to gain that same level of joy/satisfaction from vegetables and grilled chicken!)

7.  For all the quotes that make me laugh!  (I have to start writing them down again because it's so easy to forget later otherwise.)  I do remember these two, though:

Friendly Olive Garden waitress: "I mean, when someone's standing over your plate offering to put extra cheese on it, you always say yes to that!" lol  
...She's not wrong.

Me:  "I tend to be fairly oblivious and don't really pay attention to cars. Y'all could throw me a surprise party and everyone's car could be right up front in the parking lot and I wouldn't even know it."
Sarah:  "Oh, I bet it's not that bad.  Do you know what kind of car I drive?"
Me:  "...Silver."
Sarah:  "Wow."
Me:  "But I do know the Wall-E sticker now.  And I know Laura drives a red SUV, and she has HOT on her license plate.  And Chet has a white SUV and the SLDIT plate... so I know some stuff, just not usually the make and model."
Chet:  "Yeaaaah, I'm pretty sure Laura's car is actually blue now."
(Me immediately laughing because I totally DO know that but somehow had a flashback to the days of Scarlett.)
Chet with all the sarcasm:  "But in your defense, it's only been, like, five years, and you only see her every day!!"  
*insert facepalm and laughing emoji*
Whatever, not my strong suit! lol

Movie Monday ~ Avengers: Endgame

Get excited - I'm bringing Movie Mondays back!
...At least for today since I feel like writing about this.  ;-)

I watched Avengers: Endgame again this weekend.  SO GOOD.  *This post may contain spoilers, but seriously, if you haven't seen it yet, that's on you.  Marvel up! lol

Those eerie beginning scenes where the world is still reeling in shock after Thanos' snap felt more familiar and relatable this time...  The camera pans over empty ballparks and shut-down businesses and large-scale memorial walls for the people who were lost.  The mood is heavy and depressing as everyone left behind is assessing the massive global damage, mourning personal losses, and feeling unsure about how to move forward. They've cut to five years in the future, and you see that nothing is normal, and everyone has reacted differently (rage, grief counseling, seeking meaning/purpose, leading others, seeking vengeance, and totally numbing out). 

Enter the remaining Avengers, who reassemble the much smaller team and work together to travel back in time and collect the infinity stones so they can defeat Thanos.  This plan requires the mind of a genius billionaire playboy philanthropist ;-), plus courage, grit, self-sacrifice, and serious teamwork... they succeed in collecting the stones, and they attempt to bring everyone back.  Before they can tell what's happened, Thanos attacks, and their strongest male warriors (Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor) work together to battle him.

Thanos is strong, and in spite of their best collective effort, he is clearly getting the upper hand.  They look worn down and defeated, then Captain America hears something behind him.  It won't make sense for those who don't care about the Marvel world, but that slow-return-of-every-lost-hero scene before the last battle is EPIC.  My favorite part of the movie.  They are no longer outnumbered or alone or defeated, and they have renewed hope and strength seeing their old friends and allies returning.  When Cap says, "Avengers, Assemble!" one last time, it's such a bring it on moment, and I love it!

Then the final battle begins, the culmination of 21 movies, a well done sequence where every main character gets a chance to shine in their unique strengths.  So good.  There's a girl-power moment that caused a lady in my theater to shout, "All riiiiight, ladies!!" and that memory always makes me laugh now!  And in the end, Dr. Strange had promised there was only one way for them to defeat Thanos, and Tony slowly realizes that it's up to him, and he makes the often-foreshadowed sacrifice play that wins them the victory.  And the enemy is wiped out and the world is on its way to peace once again.  Huzzah!

T-Stark has some of my favorite lines in this one, as per usual! ❤
Motivating the remaining team: "It's not about how much we've lost - it's about how much we have left. We're the Avengers; we have to finish this!" 

When Rocket talks to him:  "Until this exact moment, I thought you were Build-A-Bear!"

Responding to Thanos' annoyance that people had failed to move forward and let go of the people he wiped out:  "We're all kinds of stubborn."

In video for his wife and daughter:  "I love you 3000!"

He's one of my favorites anyway, but I so want to hug Thor in this movie!  The losses were more than he could cope with, and he is falling apart and numbing out and confused and hurting and gaining weight.  The scene where he breaks down getting to talk to his Mom again so many years later is precious.  "Yeah, I'm totally from the future!!" lol   He laments about his failures, and she comforts him saying: "Everyone fails at who they're supposed to be. The measure of a person, of a hero, is how well they succeed at being who THEY ARE."  I love that.

I also just love it when he gets the hammer and seems so surprised, saying, "I'm still worthy!" =)  Yaaaas, always!!  A short moment, but an important message: our worth does not change when we fail at a goal or lose people we love or get out of shape or go through a terrible season.  Sometimes the blows are crushing and it takes longer to find our strength and resilience, but rest assured that it is buoyant and you will find the will to fight again!

"There will be no knifing one another" is another great quote from him. lol   Already looking forward to Guardians 3.  Mmkay, Thor soapbox over!

The quote that made me laugh hardest:
Gamora:  "Him? Seriously!?"
Nebula: "Your choices were him... or a tree!" lolol

I found it somewhat amusing that with all the major battles and superhero stories and team reunions going on, they ended this final epic film by quietly completing a love story that always felt unfinished.  It was a perfect choice.  Grief over relationships that feel unfinished doesn't just go away, and our hearts need that kind of joy and restoration.  (It's part of the promise of heaven and why it's clear that we're designed for the coming kingdom, but I'm getting off track.)  When he references losing the love of his life at the beginning of the film, he says, "You gotta move on." And he says it with so much emotion that it's clear he's never stopped loving her. So I'm glad that door was opened and that he chose to pursue a better ending there! ❤

That's all I've got for today.  Hope your week is off to a good start!

June Journal

Happy Friday and Happy Juneteenth!  While looking for July blog challenge ideas, I found these writing prompts on Pinterest.  They're meant to be a daily journaling thing for those who enjoy that, but I strongly prefer blogging, and I don't ever want to write 365 blog posts in one year... soooo I'm gonna pick one day each month where I do a survey-style post that gives a quick answer to all of that month's questions.  And today is that day for June. lol  Yay!!

1.  A step toward my goals:  Committing to daily Peloton rides (I'm on a 52-day streak as of today - huzzah!!)

2.  Something good from last week:  Fun times with friends at Red Rock and the Wilsons' pool!

3.  A time when I was frightened:  June 12, 2007 - irrational fear/panic is the best way to describe what came over me when I read the letter

4.  A really good idea:  "Speak the truth in love!" ~Jesus

5.  Books in my to-read list:  Next up = On the Bright Side by Melanie Shankle

6.  Something to remember:  Not to dehumanize those who disagree or see the world differently

7.  The best thing about my day:  Thus far today, a Panera breakfast sandwich and a Cody Rigsby workout

8.  My best qualities:  Resilience and offering encouragement

9.  My top priorities:  Walk with God, fighting for healthy connections with people I love

10.  A new thing to try:  I recommend the Renpho scale ($40 on Amazon, and it measures body fat, muscle, protein, body water, BMI, etc.) which is somehow more motivating to me to have that data and see all those numbers shifting together.

11.  Where I was a year ago:  Feeling extreme empathy for Grandad's suffering and researching and screenshot-ing articles about both sides of the Christian perspective on assisted death (which I wrote about HERE the next day).

12.  Where I was five years ago:  Also a boring Friday at work, then driving to OKC, dinner at Hideaway with Mom & Dad and Bill & Jill where we started planning our Niagara/NY trip for 2016... which ended up being postponed to 2017 due to Mom's back surgery.  This is why I love Google Photos and having a blog record!! ❤

13.  What is home?  Technically, the lovely place I've been remodeling for the past couple months.  Metaphorically, anywhere that I feel genuinely comfortable and welcomed by family or friends!

14.  Dream job:  I've never had an obvious, solid, amazing and purpose-filled answer for that.  There are pros and cons to every career path I've considered, but if the goal is something I'm good at with good money, benefits, and job security plus limited interaction with the public plus time to workout at lunch plus enough free/quiet time for processing and writing and eventually the motherhood schedule, then I have arrived and I'm very thankful for that! =)

15.  Favorite things in Jenks:  Los Cabos, Tulsa Hills shopping center, and the Christmas lights on Main Street... two of which might technically be in Tulsa, but they're very close to me! =)

16.  Reasons to feel happy:  God sees me and He loves me and He created me for a reason and I matter to Him and He will never leave me to fend for myself and He is preparing a place for me in heaven even now!

17.  Words I need to share:  God sees you and He loves you and He created you for a reason and you matter to Him and He will never leave you to fend for yourself and He is preparing a place for you in heaven if you trust Jesus as your Savior!

18.  Something to give up:  Social media apps on my phone

19.  An area to grow in:  Speaking up for what is right even when I know others disagree #truthinlove

20.  An exceptional skill I possess:  Movie and song trivia expert ;-) Being a source of encouragement/hope

21.  What motivates me:  God-given strength forged through hard times and dark seasons; God-given joy that recognizes and appreciates beauty in all the small things!

22.  What I need:  Major difference in need and want, but what I need = the exact relationships and internal and external resources that God provides for me at any given point in my life (Ph. 4:19)

23.  How I relax:  Epsom salt bath and/or massage (it's been a while on that one)

24.  Person I'm currently grateful for:  Elizabeth, who I get to see for the first time in forever tomorrow!!

25.  Song I know all the lyrics to:  That's a very long list, but thanks to Sarah discovering the soundtrack and being super into it right now, I'll go with Alexander Hamilton!

26.  Movie I can quote by heart:  Also a lengthy list.  My current favorite comfort/background noise quotable movie = Man of the House (the Jonathan Taylor Thomas version - so much fun!!)

27.  What fills me?  Genuine connections and good conversations!  (Also, lots of carbs. lol)

28.  My role model:  I'll go with Jesus on this one - I don't have a super-specific earthly answer, but I see lots of admirable qualities to emulate in Godly leaders and friends

29.  Am I a role model to someone else?  I wouldn't put it that way, but I definitely have an important role in seeing, believing in, and encouraging my favorite kids + my friends and family!

30.  I am proud of:  How far I've come in my self-worth and my ability to see that other people's choices reflect their values, not my personal value!! ❤

**In other VERY EXCITING NEWS, I got an email yesterday saying AMC Theaters will be reopening next month.  It hasn't been much of a challenge thanks to all the streaming services available, but this is the longest I've gone without seeing a movie in theaters since around third grade, so that was happy news for me! lol  (Aww, memories of MoviePass.)

That's all I've got right now.  Hope you have a great weekend ahead!

Thankful Thursday (114)

"For you have been rooted in Him and are being built up and strengthened in the faith, just as you were taught, while you continue to be thankful."  ~Colossians 2:7

Today, I am thankful for:

1.  All the laughter and joy these two bring to my life!  This = Jace "creating a magical potion" today... I love his excitement level and that they're wearing gloves in the pool! lolol

2. The ability to workout and the ongoing gift of Peloton (I'm only halfway through my free trial, so I have yet to spend a penny of my own money on it, and I've done well over 100 workouts that I've honestly loved)!  Today's lunchtime ride was Disney-themed fun with Emma... yay!!  =)

3.  My new table with a leaf option if ever I start hosting dinners again, and my "bright and happy" new table runner! =)

4.  The fun of baking and eating brownies, especially during a pandemic!  Also thankful for Pioneer Woman oven mitts - so much cuteness! lol

5.  Thoughtful conversations that help me better understand things, and the God-given ability to heal and forgive!!

6.  The disastrous sequence of events in 2020 have *not* brought out the best in everyone on social media, so I'm grateful for good reminders to be kind:

7.  I am sooo an Enneagram 9, and I'm thankful for God's love and personal growth in recognizing and believing that my presence matters to others!  #chooselife #youmatter  *Reminder:  We have an enemy who targets us where we are most vulnerable and causes us to doubt these things, but we have a God who is stronger than that and He's speaking truth if we will only listen!

That's all I've got for today, gang.
I wish you love, joy, peace, and hope this weekend!!

Swim Time!!

Helloooo, dear friends, and happy Monday!

It was a really nice weekend that included my first swim with family and first swim with friends this summer!  I ❤ swimming and had been looking forward to it all week, so despite a slight sunburn, I'm pretty happy!!

Chet Lee took us out to Redrock to celebrate his biggest real estate closing thus far!  Here's our group pic outside the restaurant.  (Until I saw this picture, I was genuinely unaware that it was me + 5 couples - I'm always comfortable with this group, and I'm not plagued with insecurity about singleness, and I like that about myself.)

Sarah Elizabeth was the first friend to come see my house remodel, then she drove us to Redrock after that.  I told her that our pink and blue sunglasses were a sign that I'll have a girl and she'll have a boy someday. lol

The food was delicious, as per usual!  "Veggie Plate" of five sides for the win!!

After dinner, the Wilsons invited us over for a pool party and family-friendly pina coladas!

We were the only three who chose to swim, but this randomness is already one of my fav friend trio pics of us!!  The giant snake raft kinda looks like it's biting Tate. lol

Lots of entertaining and memorable conversations with these two! ❤

This Saturday was Mom and Dad's 39th anniversary -- we celebrated with a family lunch at Bricktown Brewery!  ...I had Friday off work, so I drove down to MWC and swam with J&K.  So much fun!!  I feel like I say this a lot so it will probably always feel true to me as our connections keep growing, but they're at really fun ages right now.  We played a long round of the movie guessing game where one person gives little hints and clues, and thanks to my love of Disney+, Kyndal's love for cheesy musicals and princess movies, and Jace's recent love of Marvel and Star Wars, we all knew lots of the same movies and it was really fun! ❤

I've now figured out how to halter this swimsuit so it's less ridiculous.  I loved this pic with the Miss joining me in the heart-raft enough to post it anyway, though!

T&C were each staying the night with a friend, which made me happy for them because I know it'd been a while since they've gotten to see their classmates and have fun together!  I'll hopefully get to swim with all four of them this coming weekend when I'm there for Father's Day.  But these two were a treat on Friday! ❤

This = me and Kyndal racing down and back in the pool.  She went all the way to the bottom to push off the floor to try to go faster.  It was not a winning strategy, but I applaud her efforts. lol

Whilst we were having dinner at Redrock, Mom and Dad were celebrating their 39th anniversary with the gang at The Ranch in OKC!  I was so proud of them for thinking to take a group pic - I love it and love these friendships!! ❤

So much summery cuteness in this pic!!!  (The Miss was laying on the outside couch not feeling well.)

Just a random meme that made me laugh this week! ...For the record, I find Chris Pratt fun and endearing whether he's Andy on Parks and Rec or Owen on Jurassic World. lol

One more... we're all very ready for this entire pandemic season to pass ASAP.

Some encouragement on a more serious note:

"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion.  People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."  ~Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

That's all for today.  Have a lovely evening and great week ahead!