My Year in Review

So, since I haven't posted in a year, I thought I'd do a quick Year-In-Review, just to catch all y'all up to speed about what's been happening in my life. My last post from last year was in April, with a photo-shoot that my sister did. That following weekend, I got ENGAGED! And my life since then has been a rapid ride, full of many changes, some pleasant, and some not so pleasant.

I'll be honest and say that I thought that I'd never get married. I'd been down that road once already, and it hadn't worked out, and I'd reached a point in my life where I figured I'd missed it, you know? And I really was okay with that. I figured I'd get a cute little house, a couple of cats, and be happy with my writing and my knitting. A good, old-fashioned, old maid, so to speak. And I enjoyed that idea. So when Josh walked into my life, it was a huge upset. Not a bad one, mind you, but a big one. And it did cause a lot of old hurts that I'd thought I'd gotten over to come back up again, in a different way. But by the time Josh proposed, I was head over heals in love, and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was God's plan for the both of us.

So, I got engaged in April, and we started wedding planning right away. WOW! I've never been very good at making a lot of decisions when I have a ton of options, and planning a wedding is nothing but full of decisions with a bazillion options. Who knew that people cared what was on the tables, and that it really did matter if the plates were white or not, or if the silverware was clear plastic or white plastic. Really? All that matters? Why? But anyway, I digress. I went dress shopping and found the perfect dress (is there any other?) and things started to fall into place after that. I think it was harder trying to find a bridesmaid's dress than it was to find my dress! No wonder my hair is turning grey. :) It was so amazing how so many people pitched in to help. I had one friend who catered the food, and it was AMAZING! Another friend helped me with the flowers and putting the bouquets and organizing the decorating. If it wasn't for her, I'm not sure how the wedding would have turned out!  And I couldn't have done it without my maid of honor. She was there through it all for me. We made colored sand and melted crayons to make crayon hearts. It was so much fun. Stressful at times, but fun. Crazy, wild, but fun.

And then, almost before I could blink, the wedding date arrived. So many things happened that day, it was CRAZY! But God was good, and everything worked out, and the day just flew by. I got married in September, and it was beyond anything I could imagine. I'll upload some pictures in another blog post, but I don't have access to any right now.

Since then, I've just been working a lot, and adjusting to being married. It's really different, not going to lie, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I've dealt with a lot of junk from my past these past few months, and Josh has been incredible supportive. God has been washing and cleansing my heart, and I'm learning to walk on the waves while keeping my eyes fixed on Him. But more on that to come later. :) I've just got to say, it's good to be back. I have missed writing and blogging. Hope you all have a wonderful evening!

In His Love,
Christy

Teddy Bears and Mud Puddles

Yesterday evening, my sister Rebekah and I went and did a photo shoot. Rebekah is an amazing photographer. These are just a few of the beauties that were taken yseterday.

The teddy bear was her idea... I think it's adorable. Personally, I really love stuffed animals. I think I have about ten or so on my bed. So, this was fitting. :)

As most of you know, I am very passionate about reading. And, since I always have a book with me, this seemed like a good time to take a break and read to her teddy, Mr. BoJangles.

 If you look closely, you can see the reflection of my sister in my eyes.

 Umbrellas are one of my favorite items. And this one is one of my favorites because it has all sorts of "storm" words - thunder, puddles, rainbow, etc.

This is just a random wooden fence that we drove by. Bekah pulled over and backed up. "This is perfect," she said. And was she right. Never doubt her. :)

Well, there were many more taken, and if you are interested, you can visit her Facebook page at Altered By Hope. She is always looking for photo shoot opportunities. So check out her page, and look through some of the other pictures that she has done of other people. Rebekah really is an amazing photographer, and I'm enjoying my bragging rights!  Have a wonderful day, and keep on smiling!

In His Love,

    Christy

Ellerslie Post 2

Okay, so I've been here at Ellerslie for about two and a half weeks, and I've only put up one blog post...
    Life here has been really busy, but I'm enjoying it immensely.  Last Saturday we had our Epic Ellerslie Games!  They were so much fun!! And, our team won!! I wasn't really planning on us winning - none of us are very athletic, but we had a ton of fun.  Some took pictures, so I'll post them soon. 

   The view here is absolutely beautiful!

This is one of my favorite pictures.  The sun is setting behind the hills, and reflecting off of the lake that is here... You will see a LOT of pictures of this area - I've fallen completely in love.

  I am learning a lot - more than I could possible try and convey in a simple blog post, but I will have to try and put one up soon.  I would love to write more, but I've gotta run - dinner is in just a few minutes, and then there is Kiddo Night tonight.  I'm working with the drama team, and it has been a blast!  Tonight's skit includes a huge sword, which I was carrying around campus.  Talk about big - I think the sword might be almost as tall as I am! :)

In His Love,
    Christy

Blogging Challenge....... The End (UBC #31)

  The end of the month has arrived.... It has been a very very crazy month!

My brother was home, and then he left for Afghanistan.... How I miss my crazy brother!

       I tried to finish writing my story... Truly I did! :)  But it just didn't seem to work out.

  Camp was awesome!  When I've had more time to process everything, I'll be sure to share it with you all.... I got some pictures from Eric Samuel Timm, and a free cd from Mark Allen.  There are a couple of songs on it that have rapidly become favorites.  I'm sure I'll be sharing them later.
 
                                    My week in a nutshell and then my good news about the job.  I'm working on getting my cpr & first aid redone.

      My mom had surgery.....
                                                  Then this past weekend, with Matthew dieing in the car accident, and my grandfather needing surgery, and Uncle Russ slowly dieing....

      This month has been comprised of Joy and Sorrow mixed together.... While sometimes life seems to be easier than other times, this month has been a reminder that we aren't made for this earth... We are simply passing through.  But, not only is the destination important, so is the journey.  May I challenge you to make your journey worthwhile.
     In His Love,
         Christy

Random pieces of life... (UBC #22)

So... This past week has been busy.  We had company all week, and I slept in Sean's room. :)  This morning I woke up to Sean pretending to sneeze and then laughing hysterically.  It was so funny, and such a fun way to wake up this morning....
     This evening I gave Sean a bubble bath.  Only, what I wasn't exactly aware of at the fact that Sean's favorite pastime while taking a bubble bath is to throw the bubbles at the person bathing him.  I proceeded to get very wet!
   After cleaning the house, my sisters and I decided to watch a movie.  The choices: Iron Will, Free Style, Ice Princess, Miracle, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Cranford, North and South, and last but not least, Wives and Daughters.  Since the four of us were having a hard time coming to a compromise, we devised a rather unique solution.  We wrote down all the names of the movies and put them in an empty Kleenex box.  Then, without looking at the piece of paper, we all drew out one.  After dumping the other four choices on the table, we put the unread pieces that we'd drawn back into the Kleenex box.  I then drew out one piece.  Cranford won.  However, dissension still arose.  Since two of the other three pieces choices in the box also contained Wives and Daughters, as well as North and South, I came up with an ingenious solution.  One episode of Cranford, then one of North and South, and then one of Wives and Daughters.  Yes, it will take hours and hours to finish them, but it's fun this way!  We watched one of Cranford, and then one of North and South before Riah and Kathryn had to head to bed.  But we will watch it again, starting with Wives and Daughters. :)
   Tomorrow I will have to pack, as Annie and I leave for camp bright and early Monday morning.  Item #12 will be started then!  I'm so excited!  I will post lots of pictures when I get back.  Ready or not Adventure, here I come!!!
  In His Love,
     Christy

In Flanders Field (UBC #20)

In Flanders Field

In Flanders Field the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.  Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset's glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders Field.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders Field.

  I first read this poem in high school.  I had to memorize it, and it is one of the things that has stayed with me, both because of its haunting beauty and fervent plea.  This poem was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD for the Canadian Army in May of 1915.  This poem is a lasting legacy of the terrible battle in the Ypres salient in the spring of 1915.  One of Lieut. McCrae's friends and a former student, Lieut. Helmer, was killed by a shell burst on May 2, 1915.  He was buried in the little cemetery outside Lieut. McCrae's dressing station, and since the chaplain was absent, McCrae performed the funeral service.  This poem came out of the anguish and pain of losing his friend.  

Half Way!!! (UBC #16)

This post marks my half way point towards 31 posts in the month of July.  I'm only a couple of days behind, so I'm feeling pretty good about it right now.  I still have a long way to go, and I'm going to be a camp counselor next week, so I won't have time to be blogging then. :)  I was thinking about doing something thoughtful or deep for this post, but nah. :)  I'm just going to celebrate the half way mark, and put something theepful (thoughtful + deep) up some other time.  Maybe later today. :)

*giggles* This is one of my favorite pieces of flair.  So, I thought I'd share it with you.  Stay cool, and enjoy the sunshine!!! :)
   In His Love,
    Christy

My week in a nutshell.... (UBC #12)

Last Sunday I got fired from my job.  I've never been fired from a job before.  I've quit jobs before, and I've had a business close for the summer, but I've never had to deal with the feelings of inadequacies that I felt last Sunday.  And then, when I was just starting to adjust to the thought of losing one job, I got fired from my other job today.  The first job I'd only had a couple of months, but the second job I'd had for almost two years.  Oh, and I got really sick on Tuesday, too and my mom had surgery on her shoulder Thursday....
    Needless to say, I'm still in a bit of a shock.  This week has just been one thing after another.  I honestly don't know what I'm going to do now.... But this one thing I do know.  None of it was a surprise to God.  And I'm going to continue to trust Him for His plan.  I don't know what else to do, other than wait and pray.  So if you think of me, please pray.  Pray that I will have wisdom and humility.  Wisdom to know what I am supposed to do now, to discern what is a lie and what is truth, and humility to being willing to listen to advise I might not like.
      One of the lies that I have battled with most of my older life is the lie that: Something must be wrong with me.  And that just simply isn't the truth.  Yes, I have flaws, problems, issues, sins, just like everyone else.  But that doesn't mean that I should wallow in the self-pity and wring my hands and declare my life a failure.  Because that isn't the truth.  God created me and He loves me, just the way I am.  His plan is in action, and never wasn't.  He is my All-Sufficient One.  He alone can truly satisfy the desires of my heart.  And I am working on choosing to remain content in all situations. 
   In His Love,
      Christy

Splish and Splash (UBC #11)

So, it started raining earlier today, and for whatever reason, I was in a really really good mood.  So I decided to *giggle* go outside and put a letter in the mail.  And on the way back, I started singing, "Singing in the Rain."   It seemed like a really good song to sing while out in the rain, right? :)  And then I was chatting with my friend Jessica, and we came started coming up with different words to "Jingle Bells," and I just had to share them with y'all.  So may I present, "Splish, Splash," sung to the tune of  "Jingle Bells."

Dashing through the rain

In my rubber boots down Main.

I'm so glad it's May,

Splashing all the way!

Umbrellas all pop up,

Making spirits bright.

Oh, what fun it is to sing a splashing tonight!

Oh, Splish and Splash, Splish and Splash

Splashing all the way!

Oh what fun it is to splash

All the way through May!

Splish and Splash, Splish and Splash

Splashing all the way!

Oh what fun it is to splash

All the way through May! Hey!

Oh, and don't forget!

I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I do!  Don't stay too dry... And I do believe the sun is starting to come out.  Maybe I'll even see a rainbow!

    In His Love,

       Christy

Transformers 3 (UBC #5)

Okay, I'm just going to come out and admit it.... I'm a bit of a nerd/geek.  I am a huge fan of the Transformer movies (second one not so much but it was still cool) and so I just had to share this info with y'all.  My church had a float in the local parade for the 4th, and I signed up to walk in it.  Boy, was it fun! One of the really cool things was seeing this vehicle at the line-up for the float.

You can't really tell, but if you look at the door, you can see the Transformer symbol on it.  This fire truck was built locally and used in the film Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon.  And to think that I got to stand next to this truck!! :)  I wish I had a picture of that, but I didn't bring anything with me to walk in the parade - didn't want to worry about losing it or carrying it for the whole time. :(  But just to give y'all an idea about how big it was, I wasn't much taller than the tire!  If you want to read more about it, you can go to this page where there is an article and a news video interview. 

     In His Love,
         Christy

Seven and Twenty, Here I come!

Today I'm turning 27 years old.  I am really looking forward to this year.  I know this might sound a little crazy, but I feel like this year is really going to turn into an adventure.  I have no idea what all I'm going to be doing this year, but I know that God has a plan, and I'm just along for the ride.  So, to help me experience the adventure, I've decided to borrow from my friend Alyssa's idea.
    May I present my list of 27 things to do from May 16th, 2011 to May 16th, 2012.  I hope to put up pictures of everything that happens.... :)  Maybe.  These are not in any order, except for the first one.  Seemed fitting, considering the rest of the list.

   1 ~ Live to be 28. (I know, I know, seems lame, but I'd hate to not finish the list!)

   2 ~ Finish writing one of my stories. I haven't really picked one out yet, but we'll see! 

   3 ~  Spend more time with God.  
  
   4 ~  Go on a picnic.  

   5 ~ Learn how to water ski on one ski.  I already know how to ski on two skies, and I think it's time I figured out how to do it on one.

   6 ~ Garden more.  I convinced my dad to let me get roses this year for my garden.  I'm really excited to see how they turn out - pictures to come!

   7 ~ Survive Nano and conquer it!  Last year Nano conquered me, but I'm determined to not let that happen again!
        Seven down and only twenty more to go!!!

   8 ~  Go sky diving!

   9 ~ Go on a date.  (Doesn't necessarily have to be with a guy - but that would be cool!)
  
  10 ~ Learn ribbon embroidery.

   11 ~ Finish 1 sewing project.  I have too many unfinished projects, and I want to finish at least one of them.

   12 ~ Be a camp counselor.  My sister is going to camp this summer, and I'm going to be one of the counselors.  I think it'll be interesting, to say the least!

   13 ~ Blog more.  Enough said.

   14 ~  Fly a kite.  And yes, I am really only five. (7-2=5)

Half way there!!!

   15 ~ Go Roller Skating at a rink.  When I was a kid, we used to go roller skating once a month as a home school group.  It was fun.

   16 ~ Go camping.  Doesn't necessarily have to be in a tent!

   17 ~ Go on a road trip out of state.   My friend and I were talking about maybe going to Canada for a weekend road trip.  We only live like 8 hours away, and I've never been there, so why not?

   18 ~ Learn to play guitar.  I have a guitar that lives in the bottom of my closet.  It's time to learn how to play it.

   19 ~ Memorize 1st John.  

   20 ~ Color my hair.

 Twenty down, only seven more to go!

   21 ~  Get a pearl ring or necklace.  More on that to come!  

   22 ~ Jump in a pile of leaves.

   23 ~ Watch the sunrise from a mountain top, and a sunset from the lake.

   24 ~ Make a snow angel.

   25 ~ Learn ballroom dancing.  

 Only two left!!!

   26 ~ Have a girls' party.

   27 ~ Make a list of 100 biographies and classics and read them.  (Okay, so this one might take me a little longer than a year, but we will see how it goes!)

   In His Love,

      Christy

Ramblings from Jasmine

Well, Christy has been so busy lately that she has hardly had any time to get on the computer, and when she does, she is usually trying to do three other things at once, so I thought I'd take a few moments and jump on here for her.  Who am I?  Well, my name is Jasmine, my friends call me Jaz, and I'm the main character in her latest creation, "The Morbid Murderess."
  Now, I just have to say, in my own defense, I didn't murder anyone intentionally.  Honestly.  And, technically, I didn't murder anyone.  So, I'm a little confused as to why she picked that title.  All I did was run over a frog.  Okay, okay.  I ran over two!  But it was dark!  I didn't see them.  And now I'm stuck.  How the heck am I supposed to find my Prince Charming now that I've run them all over?
   Excuse me, what in the world do you think you are doing?  
  Well, Christy was busy so I thought I'd help her out by posting a blog post for her.  Who are you?
  I'm Sarah, and it's my job to help Christy out.  Who are you?
  I'm Jasmine.  I'm one of Christy's characters.
  Yeah, well guess what, Jasmine, I was one of Christy's first characters.  You don't even have a whole chapter to your name yet.
   Well, it isn't my fault that she hasn't had time to work on my story!  And just because you came first doesn't mean that your story is better than mine.  She hasn't finished your story either!
   Girls, girls, settle down!  I'm sure there is a way that we could figure this out.
  Beth, what are you doing?  
  Wait, you know her?
  Yeah, she is another one of Christy's characters.  From "Becoming Elizabeth."
  But her name is Elizabeth.  How does she become Elizabeth?
  I become Elizabeth Bennet.  But that is beside the point.  Now, why in the world are you two fighting?  It is totally out of character for the both of you.  You especially, Sarah.  I'm disappointed.  Neither one of you are behaving out of love, are you?
  I'm sorry, Bethy.  You are right.  I don't know what came over me.
  Yeah, me too.  I'm sorry.  I never meant to get into a fight.
  Now, are you two going to finish the blog post together, or do I just need to finish it?  But you'd better hurry, because it is getting late, and she is going to go to bed soon.
   Well, then, in that case, I'd better wrap it up.  Christy will hopefully come and post a real post soon, but in the meantime, she is busy working, taking Sean to therapy on some days, and class.  Tomorrow she is going to be working at MOPS with her sisters.  She has also learned to knit, and is in the process of making a really pretty scarf.
  Oh, don't forget about her ball gown!  She's almost finished with that too!
   Oh, yes, it looks absolutely gorgeous!! I'm hoping she puts pictures up soon.
  Oh, right, thank you!  I'm sure she will.
    Keeping it lively,
       Jasmine, Sarah, and Beth