Happy New Year's Eve

It's New Year's Eve
2011 is coming to a close
2011 was good to me
I made a list of all the things that God has done
I want to do it again this upcoming year but as things happen
Because I probably left some things off
2011 went by so quickly
I didn't make it 1000 miles
But I did take some serious steps
Be blessed
Be safe
See you in 2012

Julep Penelope and Butter London Diamond Geezer

christmas thoughts

It's Christmas eve, I'm 31
I have lived life
I've felt ran over at times
I've been victorious at times
Today I'm reflecting on everything
It seems fitting
Just came back from Christmas eve service
Made s'mores with the family
And we opened our stockings
Yes I'm 31 and my moms till stuffs stockings for all of us
But that's a big part of what I love about Christmas, the traditions
I am looking forward to started traditions with our children
Sometimes I feel suffocated at home not necessarily in my parents home
But in the town itself
I feel like I lose me and I'll always be the fraction of myself that I was when

 I lived here
I don't really know what to do about that
I don't come home a lot and when I do we usually stay around the house
But this weekend we are going to church twice
I don't know sometimes I'm insecure sometimes

I turn to my old defenses and ways
Why
I feel freer anywhere else and everywhere else
Tonight somebody asked me if i was a lawyer...

My plans before going to college
I graduated with a masters in social work in 2006
If that puts it in perspective
I don't know why I feel squeezed on the inside
I feel like I'm so much more than I'll every be allowed to be HERE
I'm sitting in front of the Christmas tree trying to figure out how

Some place can have so much power over me
If my parents moved I'd never come here again
Nobody can steal my joy
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
My Gods biggness is not determined by zip code
I need to walk in the realness that He is
When God sent His son He made a way
I might have been carrying my own burdens when I lived here
But I refuse to carry them now
Sometimes (often times ) the thing holding me back is me
Rise up walk in your purpose
Don't fade to the back or you'll be left in the dark
He brought me out of darkness into the marvelous light

Julep Penelope

Penelope is a super pale pink creme.

I don't really appreciate pink to the fullest

I know this shade doesn't flatter my skin tone when it comes to clothing or makeup

I kinda like it for simplicity sake

But I am about to add something to this manicure

Grind

So lately I have been super tired at the end of the work day
The husband suggested that I start working out again
So I started the first day of Christmas break
My thoughts were that if I have some days in before 2012 and before I go back to work that will help me to keep it up
I also thought about joining a gym again because then it might motivate me even more because I'm paying for it
Anyhow just competed day 5
Two days last week and three this week
My goal is to do 4 days a week specifically Monday Tuesday Thursday and Friday
I've done some cardio, kickboxing, and dancing.
5 days down infinity to go

Christmas mani

Julep Stefani

I really like green.

It's like an olive with mini sparkles green, gold,orange

Nail mail

My first Julep experience.
I ordered a mystery box. I thought it would be a good way to try them out.

The mystery box included three nail polishes Shania, Stefani, and Penelope.

It also included Facial for Hands, Age Defying Hand Brightener, Crystal nail file, and Pout Popper lip gloss Arousal. So it was all a surprise. I was glad to get a chance to try the hand scrub and lotion. I don't know if I would have chosen any of the colors. But one of my favorite colors is green and gray is nice as well. We'll see if I decided to order again in the future...

hmmm

World's largest wind chime ~Guinness Book of World Records

My youngest brother graduated from college this past weekend.

So all my immediate family was together for it.

It was interesting because we haven't all been at my parents house in awhile, probably since I got married (which was 2009).

But everyone was present along with two spouses and three grandchildren.

We had a good time and we all get along.
But I discovered something, maybe we all did about each other.

Growing up we were all very different but we had a common challenge

We all handled it differently.

We all survived.

But some of us are now thriving

And some of us are barely surviving

And some are in between

The thing about youth though is that your focus is so self centered

I didn't realize that anyone else was going through what I was

And it makes me think of what could have been if only

We had been there for each other

We had talked about "it"

The wounds are deep

But deliverance is available

I know that regardless of what has happened

Regardless of what could have been

My path was chosen

My testimony stands

I have overcome

And when I think about the Lord...

nail updates

December nails~ I ran out of regular top coat so I have been mattifying everything. The pictures are all out of order the oldest is pink and most recent is green duo tape manicure.

China Glaze Peachy Keen, OPI San-tan-tonio, Essie Matte About You

Ulta Jungle Look and Essie Matte About You

Same nails as above but added Funky Fingers Wild Child

Ulta Jungle Look and Butter LONDON The Old Bill

This was the last time I used my regular top coat. You can't see it but there are bubbles everywhere.

Same as above

Funky Fingers Pop Artist bright almost highlighter pink

I like the Funky Fingers vibrancy but the formula is thin. 

sermon outtakes

Burdens Down Lord~Psalm 55:22
Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

A burden is anything that can be oppressive or worrisome, a mental weight, or stress.

Main Points
1. We carry burdens unnecessarily because we don't trust anyone else and we don't trust God.
2. We carry burdens unnecessarily because of worrying.
3. We carry burdens unnecessarily because we try to control situations and make things happen on our own.
4. We carry burdens unnecessarily because we are too proud to tell.
5. The worst burden of all is unforgiveness.

For more
visit on the web: www. faithcfm2.org