53 is here!!!!

Ok so due to family being in town, I am slightly delayed in posting this but remember those lovely posts you've been reading about on my blog for the 53! video coming out soon? Well, ITS HERE! *ahem* It's actually, BEEN here, for a couple days but I've been a little out of the blogging loop for the last week sooooo better late than never, right!?

Guys, this is a POWERFUL, POOOOWERFUL movie. It brought me to tears!!!! It is absolutely a MUST watch.

So GO WATCH IT! Watch it here: 53 and then check out my girl's blog afterwards. She's an incredible lady with a heart that's just ridiculously overflowing with love. And guys - share this video! Share it on your blogs, FB's, twitters, etc. Remember, it's not just for your pretty little eyes! Share the love. This video was inspired by the greatest love story EVER. So let the love flow to those you know who need to know GOD's love and sacrifice.

Love ya all! Happy Friday, Happy Weekend, and HAPPY EASTER! Whoot Whoot!

Friday Favorites...and other stuff

Hey everyone! I have been so M.I.A. in the last week. Sorry for missing last Friday's Friday Favorites. I had family in town this week (*enter excited shriek here*). My adorable sister & brother-in-love came to visit from Monrovia, CA & we were non-stop chauffeuring and showing them around our town.

We took a hike through Silver Falls which has an outrageous amount of GORGEOUS water falls. I was sick that day so hiking was not as much fun for me as it usually is but I was with family so that's ALWAYS interesting! Then we took the two love birds to Cannon Beach here in Oregon which is DREAM-Y! We had a great time just walking up and down the beach. We thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful weather. Yes sirry. The rest of the week we stuffed our faces with amazing foods and liquids and enjoyed some cuddle time watching movies on the couch at home. It was a lovely week.

My Friday Favorites this Friday is going to be dedicated entirely to my time with them here this week! So here we go - (and this post will actually include pictures!!!! eek!!! i loooooove pictures!)

Favorite scenery - Silver Falls State Park. The water falls were just ridiculously amazing.

 



Monster and I. He's such a cutie <3



How many people does it take to look @ a map to confirm where we're going? 4 apparently, if you're a Reynolds

We love posing in trees

Grant's "King of the World" moment

Emilee (our other sister-in-love) trying to hold up a tree?

Favorite place we visited: Cannon Beach. I'm just a beach bum by birth so anything beachy just immediately puts me in a great "zen" and I'm happy.



aren't they adorable? they're always smooching!



the best looking sisters in town!

Favorite "picture" moment - I have two, actually. These two pics were taken on our hike. The first is of my sister. She was showing me the "easy" way to hike with a back pack. yep. Her technique made it into my blog. Way to go, girl! The second is of my husband (I'm married to the dorkiest man ever, btw. But he's my other dorky half :) ) who was showing us the proper form for hiking - to hike near the 'center of gravity'. Yep. He made it on my blog, too. Good job, Monster.



That looks MUCH easier, right?



This is his "center of gravity". *Shaking my head*



So that's that! There are all my "favorite" moments from their visit this week. If you want to see the whole shabang of pictures, check out my facebook album: A Grantika Visit .

Have a WONDERFUL weekend, ya'll! xoxoxo



Spotlight - Megan Mowbray

I am really excited to share with you my "Spotlight Feature" for March. I have had the privilege of knowing this amazing woman for a few years now & as I get to know her more & more, I am just in awe of who she is. She has overcome some major hardships in her life and has become one of the most amazing women I know. Her story is incredibly powerful. I hope it touches you in the way it has touched me.

It is my pleasure to introduce you to:

Megan Mowbray

Megan Mowbray was born in Long Island, New York. She grew up the middle child, having two older brothers and 2 younger siblings. She found herself taking care of her younger siblings at the age of 9 and developed a deep desire for kids of her own over the years.

“I always wanted to have kids. I loved taking care of my younger siblings and I knew I definitely wanted at least 2 of my own kids before I turned 25.”

Megan struggled in school. She spent most of her life moving. She moved approximately 30 times as a child. At the age of 14, she was diagnosed with Dyslexia, Bi-Polar Disorder, OCD and Anxiety Disorder. She always felt awkward & out of place at school & with people her own age. She found herself without a lot of friends, spending most of her free time singing or working out.

At 16, Megan dropped out of High School. At age 20, she joined the United States Marine Corps. While in boot camp she sustained an injury to the knee which lead the Marines to discover her personal medical history. When given the choice to stay and finish boot camp or return home, Megan made the decision to return home.

  

After boot camp, Megan visited friends in AZ. She reconnected with a childhood friend, Ben Chiles, whom she had met at 10 years old at his father’s church. “We were really close friends and I always had the biggest crush on him, but never told him. We hung out a few times while I was visiting AZ and then I went back to NY.”

In February 2007, Ben came to visit Megan in NY. It was snowing & Ben asked Megan to follow him outside. After some coercing, Megan obliged. Ben asked her to marry him. They were married on 07-07-07.

In January 2008, Megan became pregnant with her first child.

“I had a few miscarriages before I got pregnant. I had one in Dec 2007 and was told I would never be able to carry a child full term. Ben & I weren’t trying, but we weren’t trying to prevent it either because I was told I wouldn’t be able to have kids.”

When the gender of her first born was revealed and she found out she was having a girl, Megan was thrilled. “I was really excited because I never had a close relationship with my mother and I really wanted a close mother-daughter relationship.” Growing up, Megan’s mother was both physically and mentally abusive. Their relationship remains estranged even today.

From the moment her pregnancy began, Megan had complications. She threw up from the moment of conception until a week after giving birth to Jolie. She had trouble putting on weight, lost her vision, and started having contractions at 25 weeks. “I was constantly terrified of losing her.”

Jolie was born in October 2008. “She had a full head of dark hair and the most perfect looking face I have ever seen on a person. She was super alert & looking at everything. I remember holding her for the first time and her legs shot out and she was already trying to stand.”

As every first-time Mother does, Megan struggled with adjusting to Motherhood.

“I breastfed Jolie for 13 months and those first few weeks were bad. She wanted to nurse constantly and being a new mom, I really had no idea what I was doing. I remember just staying up, trying to breastfeed her and crying. I felt like I wasn’t feeding her enough because she wasn’t putting on any weight. Any time I tried to put her down, she would scream. She demanded to be held constantly and was up every 2 hours. I got very little sleep for those first 13 months.” 

What, at first, seemed like a simple ‘battle of the wills’ slowly began to grow into something more challenging. As Jolie aged, Megan began to see personality traits in her that made her suspect something deeper was going on. “I started to suspect that there was something more going on with Jolie than just being a high needs baby. She was almost obsessed with me and would fall apart anytime I wasn’t holding her. I kept asking our doctor if there was something different about Jolie because she wasn’t really talking a lot, wasn’t sleeping, started refusing to eat any solid foods, and was doing a lot of repetitive behaviors (spinning, lining things up, etc).”

Megan brought her concerns and suspicions up to her doctor and found little resolve. “The doctor told me there was nothing wrong with her. It really pissed me off because I felt like people were looking at me like I was a bad Mom because my daughter wasn’t doing all the things that other babies her age were doing.”

When Jolie turned 13 months, Megan became pregnant with her second child. “Halfway through my pregnancy with Maddox, I started to feel that having a second child wasn’t such a good idea. How on Earth was I going to take care of Jolie (who was already so demanding) and a newborn?” In a transparent display of vulnerability, Megan writes: “I never told anyone my doubts about having a second child. It made me feel like I was a terrible Mom.”

Maddox was born in July 2010. He was born a giggling, independent baby; much different from Jolie’s dependent persona. “Sometimes I would feel Maddox didn’t even need me. When he refused to breastfeed at 4 months old, I was heartbroken.”

Newly introduced to the pressures of raising two children only 21 months apart and completely opposite in personality, Megan was also facing her unresolved concerns for Jolie’s verbal developmental delay. Jolie was now 2 and she still was not talking. It was at that doctors visit that Megan finally received an answer for Jolie – one that she had been dreading all along.

“She was diagnosed with Autism. I felt so many things when I was told that my daughter had Autism. At first, I was really pissed because I was told several times by doctors, family members, and friends that Jolie was fine and that I was wrong. I was pissed at myself because I felt that it was my fault that she had it. I knew there was a family history of it (Megan’s youngest brother Cody has been diagnosed with Autism, Mental Retardation, and Bi-Polar Disorder) and I felt that I was being selfish for having kids in the first place when I knew there was a possibility that they would have Autism. I felt my heart break into pieces when I thought about how this would affect Jolie. Would she ever be able to say “I love you" or tell me her wants and needs? Would I ever be able to have a conversation with her? Would I ever be able to go do girly things with her like painting her nails? Will she ever be able to live on her own? I had so many questions and no one had the answers for me. I hated the word “Autism”. I hate when people refer to their child as "my Autistic child". The last thing that I wanted was for the world to look at my daughter and to only see Autism.”

Feeling confused, angry & uncertain about her daughter’s future, Megan fearfully found herself noticing familiar behaviors in her second child.

“As Maddox got older, I started to notice some of the things I had noticed with Jolie: not always responding to his name, doing repetitive behaviors, sensory issues about his clothing, and no real speech. I thought that maybe I was just seeing it because I was paranoid, but when he wasn't talking by the age of two we took him to the doctor. He was also diagnosed with Autism.”

Megan was overwhelmed. The normal challenges of raising two toddlers was significantly maximized. Instead of typical toddler temper tantrums, her children were having meltdowns. Screaming, kicking, throwing themselves on the ground, trying to hurt themselves - all the while unable to verbally communicate what was causing the breakdown. Their meltdowns could last for over an hour.

“Taking them in public is always a challenge because I never know if the store I'm in has lights, sounds, or smells that will drive my kids insane. In addition to that, Jolie is a flight risk. She has absolutely no sense of danger and will take off in a split second.” 

In the midst of a long list of obstacles integrated into parenting Jolie & Maddox, Megan has gained something of a much deeper value. She has uncovered a beauty in her children unlike any other & has learned lessons that no other children could ever teach her. 

“I'm not going to lie to you; Autism is a challenge. Your life will never be the same after you have a child with Autism. You give up sleep, you go through constant battles of wills with your child, and you may lose friends because some people just don't understand your world. However, for me, my children have taught me so many things that I wouldn't trade for the world. My children taught me how to love deeper than I ever thought possible. They taught me that normalcy is overrated and that it's much more fun to be different.”

The single most important tool Megan has found when acclimating to parenting her children and their specific needs is to throw away the label of “Autism” all together & to see each of her children for exactly who they are as individuals.

"Jolie is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. She has the biggest heart and loves to give kisses and hugs. For those who have met Jolie I'm sure you would agree that there is just something about Jolie that captures you. She brings you into her world. She just recently started saying "I love you". She has the sweetest little voice and I fight back tears every time I hear it. She is also incredibly smart. Jolie loves music and is always singing and playing her guitar. Sometimes I just stare at her and wonder how I got so lucky to be her Mom."

"Maddox has always been a happy boy. He is so engaging and just loves to make people laugh. He adores his big sister and wants to be just like her. Maddox is my little helper and definitely a mama's boy. He is also very smart and is always trying to catch up to sissy when it comes to know his alphabet and numbers. Maddox would spend the entire day just running and I can totally see him being a jock when he's older. He is such a little charmer and it's really difficult to discipline him because he is so cute. I truly cherish the alone time I have with Maddox while Jolie is at school."

Remembering back to how she felt as a new mom, newly introduced to raising two children with Autism, Megan offers advice to parents struggling with accepting Autism and the impact it has on their life and their child’s life.

“My advice to parents is - Autism is not the end of the world.
It's okay to be upset, and even angry, that your child has Autism.
It's okay to ask for help.
It's okay to take a break.
You are not alone!"

"Remember that your child didn't ask for this and you did nothing wrong to cause your child to have Autism. There is so much about Autism that we don't know yet and no two children with Autism will be exactly alike. So find out what works best  for you and your child."

"There will be judgment from people and other parents. At first it will be difficult to ignore it, but don't waste your time and energy on trying to explain your world to them. Celebrate the milestones your child has, no matter how small. I remember the first time Jolie got on the school bus and turned around and said "Goodbye!". I was so happy that I started crying and was dancing in the street."

"Don't excuse all of your child's behavior because they have Autism. Yes, children with Autism need to be taught things differently, but they are still children. They need boundaries, rules, routines, and discipline."

"Don't take away their childhood by putting them in therapy all day. Let them be kids. Let them be different. Find ways to enjoy the things they enjoy. For a while, Jolie was obsessed with hats. She always had a Viking hat on and anytime someone came into the house, she demanded that they wear a hat as well. I always felt completely ridiculous, but Jolie was smiling from ear to ear."

"Most importantly, Autism does not define who your child is. My children are my greatest teachers. They are my inspiration and motivation to be a better mom and person. I can't imagine my life without them. My world revolves around my two little loves - Jolie love and Maddox love - and I wouldn't have it any other way.”

 ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Megan is currently in college for Criminal Justice. For an assignment, she wrote an essay about her daughter Jolie. She has generously provided this for your viewing. To read her essay, click here: I believe in Jolie

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
If you have a story you would like to tell, submit it to: br33.reynolds@gmail.com.
*Not all stories submitted will be shared.

Friday Favorites

It's Friiiiiiiday!!!! Whooooo!!!!

Are we all doing the party dance?

I AM!

I'm having a lot of fun with these Friday Favorites posts! Man, they make you THINK! I hope you're having a great time, too. I'm going to start tagging some peeps in this to start helping ya'll get connected and mingled, introduced to other bloggers & invite more laughs into your life. So enjoy :)

Today's Friday Favorites topic is one that is near and dear to my heart: FOOD!!!

Let's doooo thiiiiiis!

Favorite Breakfast food: Ok, I have TWO favorite breakfast meals!

(1) French Toast

and

(2) Biscuits and Gravy.

They are both just way too good to try to choose one over the other.

Maybe I need to eat them both at the same time.

.....

Why have I never thought of this....?

///

Favorite Lunch food: I love a good Egg Salad sandwich. Not too peppery...not too

mayonnaise-y...just the right combination. Oh! And don't forget the relish!!! That just makes the Egg Salad sooo much better!

 ///

Favorite Dinner food: My Mom's Chili Spaghetti. Mmmm....it's killer.

/// 

Favorite Dessert food: Cherry or Pumpkin Pie. Can't get enough of that stuff. It's the crack in it, I'm sure.

/// 

Favorite Movie food: Can I say Nachos? Would that be a sin to totally trump popcorn? Idk. Popcorn is so cliche for movies and it never leaves my tummy feeling right. Nachos and cheese with Jalapenos...those are killer in a movie.

/// 

Favorite Comfort food: Cereal. Whenever I'm sad, I always run to the cereal box for some reason. There's just something soothing about Fruity Pebbles. Makes all the sadness go away.

/// 

Favorite Fast food: I've really been unable to eat at too many fast food places anymore. When you start eating right, something happens when you try to eat bad food! But the one place I can still eat at and LOVE is Taco Bell. You can't say no to their bean & cheese burritos. (But if you do...pass them along my way!)

/// 

Favorite Restaurant: O.L.I.V.E. G.A.R.D.E.N. O.L.I.V.E. G.A.R.D.E.N. O.L.I.V.E. G.A.R.D.E.N.!!!!

I'm not excited about that place at all, am I? :)

/// 

The food that if someone steals you wanna punch them in the face: Pickles. You will leave with no fingers if you try. Step...away...from...the...pickles!

/// 

The food that makes you ask: "Are you gunna eat that?": Tater or Sweet Potato Tots. If you have tots on your plate & you leave them undisturbed for more than a minute and a half...you will inevitably be asked this question. If you say yes and they sit there for another 3 1/2 minutes...you will inevitably be asked this question again. I'm very persistent.

/// 

The food that takes you back to your childhood years every time you eat/see/smell it: Strawberry Jam. My grandmother used to make her own Frozen Strawberry Jam. Whenever I see Strawberry Jelly or Jam, I immediately go back to sitting at my Grandma's kitchen table. She was the best.

///

The food that you can't live without: CANDY!!!!

Candy IS a food! Shut it.

It's on the daily food pyramid.

I'm sorry if you have the out-dated copy.

//

There you have it! My Friday Food Favorites!

Now it's your turn!!!

//Kerri , created , diaryofabrwneyedgirl 

Have a fabulous Friday, ya'll xoxoxo



Shout Outs -> my favorites!

Hey ya'll!

Happy Tuesday! I've been unusually chipper in the mornings this week. It's not a common occurrence for me so I'm enjoying the change.

Hey - today my blog is dedicated to a sweet, amazing gal Brittany over at created. She has an amazing love for the LORD and for HIS people that is just so explosive and so contagious.

Brittany has an incredible gift that has been placed, birthed and grown inside of her & if you haven't seen what that is, this is your opportunity!

On March 25th, Brittany will be releasing a new video intended to reach the hearts of those around us and share Christ's love & sacrifice. How appropriate that it's going to be released the week leading up to Easter, huh?!

So keep your eyes peeled for this video! Take a moment to watch the trailer here: 53! Trailer. And share it!!! Share the trailer on your FB pages, blogs, twitter, tumblers, Instagrams and all that other crazy technological stuff.

We are meant to uplift, encourage & appreciate each other. So often we get stuck in our little 'bubbles' or 'tunnels' and we miss opportunities to help encourage one another. Here's an opportunity....so take it...run with it...and spread it, girls & gals. Spread the love.

You guys are amazing. Are you as excited as I am to see this video March 25th? I'm like unable to contain my excitement!!!!

Way to go, Brittany. SUPER excited for your video to come out. I know GOD's love is going to pour out of that video!

5 Things about Me

Happy Monday!!!!

I am obviously still terribly out of the loop with blogging because I had NO idea my sweet, beautiful, precious friend //Kerri had tagged me in a challenge to post 5 things about myself that my wonderful readers probably don't know about me! If you know ANYTHING about me, you will know I am highly competitive. Soooo.... I will accept your challenge, K!

Here we go -

1 // I have a weird, unknown, ridiculous fear of feet. They just really creep me out. If someone puts their feet near me, I practically scream in terror. I don't know how or when or why this fear was developed. I used to rub my Dad's feet all the time! But somewhere, somehow, sometime ago my mind developed this deep fear for feet & now I can't touch them or have them close to me without nearly fainting from an anxiety attack.

Look what you've gotten yourselves into, readers. You asked for it.

2 // I have always loved writing. When I was younger, I used to write random stories about fairies in lost forests, girls & boys falling in love, sacred medallions; whatever fairy-tales came to mind & I'd draw pictures of the characters in my stories. I would staple the sides of the papers together to make it look like a book & I'd give them to my parents to read. I was always very proud of my writing.

When I become a famous novelist, I'll have to be sure to hire someone else to do the illustrations for me, though. That is one talent I most certainly do NOT have.

3 // Growing up, I'd find myself using the wrong words to describe something going on in my head. One time in the middle of the parking lot, I yelled back to my parents: "I knew you were going to say that, because I'm Psycho!" Even better, when visiting my Grandmother in her Assisted Living Facility, I held my hands up at eye level & in the lobby full of people, I loudly asked my mother: "Are these my pubics?" I was referring to my cuticles. Oh no, friends. It doesn't stop there. When I didn't get a response from her (she was, understandably, in shock from the question), I raised my voice in an effort to ensure she heard my question: "Mom, can you please look? ARE THESE MY PUBICS?"

I was a fun child.

4 // Exactly half way through my Senior Year of High School I had to move to a new city to finish out the last part of my school year. It was a rough time in my life. I worked really hard, though, and was awarded a scholarship to college. While walking up the stairs to accept my award, I slipped and fell. My skirt flew up in the back, exposing my behind. That was fun!!! But I graciously proceeded to accepting my award. Despite my slip it was a shining moment. As I was descending the stairs with my award to sit back down at my seat....yep, you guessed it. I slipped - AGAIN! Same skirt, same direction, but a different "side" of me exposed. I could not WAIT for that school year to end.

5 // Ever since I was a very young girl, I have wanted to open/work at an orphanage. I just have this hunger deep down in my heart to hold them, hug them, teach them music, play with them, and just love them. I want to open orphanages both outside and inside of the states. Many people don't know how many children are actually homeless in the U.S. and in need of someone to love on them. One day...one day I'll be able to go & at the very least, volunteer at one.

All good things are worth waiting for.

So that's me! 5 things you didn't know about me!
Thanks for the challenge, K! Love you!

And I love YOU, my fabulous readers :)

Have a Marvelous Monday!!!

Friday Favorites - Random

Hi friends!

It's Friday!!!!!! (insert bad dance moves here).

That means it's another fun day of "Friday Favorites!" Now, don't be afraid to link up & answer these questions on YOUR blog pages. We'd love to know more about the things that make YOU dance as terribly as me :)

Today's Friday Favorites topic: Random
The best one, of course!

So let's get this started -

Your favorite colors - Red and anything Black & White. Black & White stripped, Black & White polka dots; doesn't matter. As long as they're together, the likelihood is that I'll love it :)

///

Favorite places to shop - TJMaxx, Ross, Marshall's, and Michael's. I can never walk out with just one item. It's dangerous for my pocketbook.

///

Favorite people - My Best Friends, my Hubby & my puppies. Sure, I could name celebrities here but that would be boring!!! My TRUE favorites are the people I cry with, laugh with and don't wear makeup around. They pretty much have to be my favorites because they have too much blackmail to use against me if they weren't. Keep your enemies closest, right? *wink*

///

Favorite things to do - Read! I love to read! Running at the park; going to the $4 movie theatre with my hubs; coffee dates with girlfriends; playing with my GOD-babies; and cuddling in my bed with my hubby and our puppies.

///

Favorite board games to play - Sooo here's the thing with me and board games: I'm a sore loser. Like a REALLY sore loser. So the only time I'm having fun is when I'm winning! So when I'm WINNING, my absolute favorite board game to play is Balderdash. I love hearing all the crazy things people make up & I love to see what other people will guess I said. If you haven't played it, you MUST.

///

Favorite TV Shows - The Office, of course. CSI, Community, Parks & Rec, and pretty much everything on The LifeTime Movie Network (I know, I'm such a girl).

///

Favorite Websites - Blogger, of course :) But I also like Facebook, thejustbeproject.com, iheartorganization.com is one of my FAVORITES, and Amazon.com. Practically everything I own was purchased off Amazon.com.

///

Favorite Jokes - "Where do you find a dog with no legs?"

Answer: Right where you left him.

*insert blank stares here*

///

Favorite quote - Maya Angelou: "People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel."  Powerful.

///

Favorite Memories - Daddy-daughter dates with my Dad. Waking up next to my husband the day after I was married. The song my husband wrote me when we were dating - the song I walked down the aisle to. (I will never be the same after hearing that song). Sleep overs, long talks, laughing - pretty much everything with my Bestie Laura.  The trip to Vegas with my Mom & Sister. Watching American Idol with my Mom. Laying outside on the tennis courts in Ohio, talking to Kara. The first time I met Kerrin & the life she spoke into me (and pretty much every other encounter with her). The trip to North Carolina with my Uncle. Summers with my Nana (how I wished I treasured them more when she were still here). Pretty much every memory I have of my GMA Elaine. Playing "Aliens" in the backyard & being called "Sissy" by my baby brother. Growing up with my sister Nicole (I really, really miss how close we used to be). The night I got saved. The first night I met Karissa Lara -> the hug that changed my heart. The season of friendship I had with my friend Chris. I will always miss that. Mexican lunch dates and weekend hangouts with Amanda. Reading magazines on the front porch in P.A. with my mom Jodi.

///

I hope you enjoyed this weeks Friday Favorites!

Have a fabulous Friday & a wonderful Weekend :)

Real Talk

There are days, like my day today, when your character will be questioned.

Your heart will ache because you were perceived as something other than what you thought you were.

You will wonder, and question, if the perception is true.

"Am I really that way?"

"Am I really that person?"

"Do I really act like that?"

You will mull it over, around and around, again and again in your head.

The sorrow in your heart will continue to pain you & the lump in your stomach will grow heavier & heavier.

And on those days, in those very moments, you will have one of two decisions to make -

1. You can allow those moments to eat at you from the inside...feeding your insecurities...causing you to doubt your identity...devastating your whole day.

or

2. You can make the tough, conscious decision to let those moments grow you. You can take those comments, give them to our Father & ask HIM to do the mulling. Ask HIM to give you direction on what parts of those characteristics are true, if any, & ask for HIM to show you how to change those characteristics.

Above all else, remembering that your identity does not lay in the hands of others is the single most important thing you can do to maximize the most growth. Even if the LORD reveals that those characteristics are accurate, remembering that you are not your mistakes, you are not meant to be perfect and that you will forever be GOD's child, full of HIS power, HIS strength & HIS very breath & image are the ingredients you need to shut out the voices & aid yourself in your healing.

There will be moments - yes, MORE moments - when you are misunderstood.

Don't be victim to those moments.

It is in your weakness that HE is made stronger.

When HE is made stronger,

you are replenished & you are rejuvenated.

Youre worth it...and far more

You're feeling alone.
Like no other soul existent in the world knows you or knows how you feel.
They see the mask you wear...but no one takes a moment from their busy, "perfect" lives to strip away your mask to see what's underneath.

You're feeling scared.
Your life isn't how you thought it would be. The little decisions you've made you never thought would lead you to this point in your life. You feel broken....used....angry...hopeless.

You're feeling misunderstood.
You say the words filling in your head but as they cascade from your mouth it's as if someone else has stolen them & twisted them into something else. No one understands what the words really mean. Sure, they're words cloaked in anger. But they come from the deepest part of you that is full of pain & misery & regret. The part of you that just longs to be heard & to be understood. You can't find any other words to describe it. You just know that when you speak, your voice is lost.

You're feeling lost.
You turn left & you should have turned right.
You turn right & everyone else is going left.
You're spinning around & around & around & when you fall over from the dizziness that is your confusion...no one is there to lend a hand to help you back up.
Your knees stay bruised.
Your hands stay scraped.
Your heart stays shattered on the road.
You're alone in the effort to pick them back up & tape them back together.

You have wandered this life the best way that you know how.
You were born into the family you have & that isn't something you can change.
You've made decisions that have populated results that you can't fix on your own.

I want you to know...
there IS someone who cares.
HIS hands & feet bled that you might know the extent of HIS love for you.
HIS back was torn open, skin broken, body bleeding that you might know the extent of HIS care for you.
HE hung, dying in HIS blood, a spectator to all...so that you might know how deeply HIS heart aches for you.
HE was betrayed by those HE loved....given over to death so that you might know how desperately HE longs for you.
HE breathed HIS last breath....thinking of you....that you might know you would never have to be alone.
HE was made fun of, HIS name defamed & slandered, that you might know that your name is beautiful to HIS ears.

HE was beaten beyond recognition....
betrayed by those who said they loved HIM...
died on a cross...
HIS body left to decay in a tomb...
resurrected by the power of GOD...

all that you may know you are NEVER alone,
you are worth dying for,
and that you are passionately & desperately loved beyond anything anyone could ever give you in this world.

You are worth LIFE and HE wants to give it to you in ABUNDANCE.

You are loved.

Friday Favorites

Today I'm introducing you to a list of my favorite things!

Each Friday I want to pick a category of favorites & give you the answers.

If you have any categories you'd like answered, feel free to leave me a comment & I'll gladly consider making them my next Friday Favorites pick :)

Today's category: Movies

Favorite Movie of all time - This is a toughy!!! I don't think I have a favorite "all-time" movie because I like so many but I think "Princess Bride" will forever be one of my favorites

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Favorite Movie Genres - I am addicted to scary movies & 'obsession' movies. I can't get enough of them.

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Favorite Actors - Leonardo Dicaprio, Johnny Depp, Shia Labeouf, Denzel Washington

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Favorite Actresses - Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, Emma Stone, Rachel Mcadams

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Movies that make me tear up - "Boy in the Striped Pajamas" (I can't watch it, again), "Passion of the Christ", "My Sister's Keeper", "The other Boleyn Girl"....pretty much every movie lol

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Movies that make me laugh - Just about any Will Ferrell Movie

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Movies that make me want to throw the remote at the tv - "Man on Fire". I have a love/hate relationship with the ending. I cry & yell all at the same time

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Movies that make me cheer - "Taken". I always yell "Take that, scum!" at the end :)

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Favorite Person to watch movies with - My Best Friend Laura. We find the same things funny, we cheer at the same movies, we scream at the same people & I'm not embarrassed to cry in front of her because she's always crying along with me. haha

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Worst person to watch movies with - He's not the WORST person to watch movies with but my hubby Alex is a thinker so he's always over-analyzing movies. "A car would never flip on it's side like that!", "He only had 4 bullets in his gun! Where did the rest of the bullets come from?!", "Really? He jumped through glass? And has no cuts on his face? That's realistic." I love his brain.

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Favorite Place to watch movies - My couch, under a blanket, popcorn bowl on my lap, throw pillow under my arm :)