Pages

"The thistle is a prickly flower, aye, but how it is sweetly worn."
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Hello World, Remember Me?

Jude and I on Mother's Day

I think it's pretty safe to say I'm in a blogging rut.  Not because I don't have things to say, but I don't have the time to do it.  Or there are other things I want to do more.  Specifically gardening.  I have really been getting into this lately.  And thankfully with this cooler spring and now cool start of summer, it's been easy to do that.  I am beyond enjoying seeing all the new growth on my rose bushes.  This weekend I discovered morning glories growing wild so my head is full of how to try to capture and tame those.

My garden helper

For Mother's Day, Jimmy and I went plant shopping.  It's been amazing to have plants on my porch to look at and relax around.  So thankful for him and his willingness (and knowledge) to garden with me.  He is beyond amazing in countless ways.  Patient with my questions.  He loves on my child in ways that blow my mind.  And he serves me in the most humble ways, including planting flowers into pots with and for me.  He is the best man I know.

So much about this picture I love

My actual Mother's Day was spent relaxing in cool weather with some poetry on my front porch.  It was blissful and beautiful and peaceful.  Jude spent the time in what I have christened 'his digging spot'.  Because I'm pretty sure every boy needs one.  That evening Jimmy took us to dinner and because he is the kindest hearted human, he patiently played games with Jude while we waited.  I tried to get a pic of it, but none of them came out :(


Flash forward to last weekend (everything in between is a blur anyway...) and Jude and I joined my family in Annapolis Maryland where my brother graduated from the Naval Academy.  So much patriotism wells up in me when it comes to the military.  I am not the biggest believer in politics, but I love the general American ideals.  Flags, uniforms, gun salutes, etc just seem to foster that for me.  The commissioning ceremony was rather torturous as it was raining with a strong wind chill of 45*.  If it weren't for the fact that Obama was speaking and my love for my brother, I would have left.  The rest of the time was spent trying to stay warm, enjoying crab foods of all kinds, front porch sitting, and getting to know my brother's beautiful girlfriend (who happens to have been an Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Georgia.  I was one at Baylor.  My sis was one at Texas Tech.  There was secret handshaking.  And a possible night out with this...)

LITB

Some other pics from the weekend:


amazing
Future midshipman?

This is the porch I dream about.  My mansion in heaven will have this porch.

This weekend was spent celebrating that Jimmy and I have been dating for a year.  Technically a little longer, but we consider our first real date to be the beginning of June.  Last year on June 1st or 2nd (not actually sure of the date) we went to an Avett Brothers concert.  It was amazing musically.  Plus Dirk Novitski (sp?) happens to be an Avett fan and he showed up.  I was pretty nervous because this was the first date I'd been excited about since Michael.  I had no idea what I was doing.  Jimmy was nervous.  It  was the slowest start to a relationship considering I was somewhat freaked out to be dating anyone at the time.  I had no idea if I could trust myself to pick out a good one this time.  I took each day at a time and proceeded with caution.  As only God could know, Jimmy is just a naturally easy paced person, and my need for time suited him fine.  We spent 4-5 months 'figuring it out' and it wasn't until that long in until labels were attached.  And probably 8+ months in before we both were ready to acknowledge this was in any way serious.  Thinking back over this past year, (besides just making me cry right now- what the heck...) its just crazy.  Doesn't seem that long.  And yet Jimmy is by far one of the best things to happen to my life.  And in every way, one of the most patient, humble, servant hearted men I've ever met.  In fact if I had to pick a single word to describe him, servant would be it.  And having a character like that, well it's just impossible to not trust and respect him, which my heart so desperately needed to be able to do.  I love him so very much.

We celebrated last night by going to the KXT summer fest, which headlined, guess who- the Avett Brothers.  Same concert.  A year to the day of our first date.  It was a blissful evening to sit on a quilt in our warm, breezy June weather.  (until it poured that night haha :)  



So anyway, life is good.  In 5 days it will be summer.  I will get to spend my time with Jude who tells me every day after work that he 'misseded' me.  And I will continue to enjoy the ease of loving someone who loves me so selflessly for exactly who I am.



Friday, May 11, 2012

Weekend Thoughts



This week- has been quite a week.  I went to study the prairie with my kiddos.  The good news is there were loads of Indian blankets and butterflies.  It was beautiful.  (I have loads of pics on facebook.  Or you can follow me on instagram at thistleashd.  Or you can follow me on twitter also at thistleashd)  More good news- I managed to only get one chigger bite.  The bad news one of my kids got dehydrated, which was beyond scary.  All the more reason to thank your local firemen who come to rescue of little 8 year olds and freaked out teachers.  Then, that evening I got some disturbing news which just made me further rethink ever dating again.  Why are there so many sketchy guys in the world?  Beyond me.

Tuesday- I realized my facebook account had yet again been hacked by craziest ex girlfriend of my ex husband.  Does anyone have a good explanation for some girl who signs into my facebook account to randomly friend my ex's friends and send them friend requests on my behalf?  I'd love to hear it.  Weird is all I've come up with.  I put my facebook on lockdown.  And used an email that is federally offensive to hack.  Boom shaquita!  I spent some time with some good friends.  Not much to complain about there.  Except that in the end of my night a friend once again went off about his love for me.  It's not as sweet or cute as you might imagine.  It's mainly just frustrating.  And so complicated I can't begin to understand or explain it.  Which made me think I should start dating soon.  Ha- jk.  But it would make it easier for him to keep his thoughts in line I think.

Wednesday- I spent my time dealing with and working through all these emotions.  The stress, the disappointment in people.  It was raw and it was real and it was part of life.  But you know what I love about when my emotions are the most raw- how much I crave God then.  I know people like to complain about how we never crave God when it's good.  I see their point.  But I also love knowing that in the times of disappointment, God never disappoints.  Amazing considering how often I disappoint.

Thursday- I spent time dealing with explaining things to my parents.  Who I are always ready to give me another perspective on my life and the random issues it brings.  Plus, I met a friend at Wine2 and then saw a local production of Fiddler on the Roof!  Winning!  (ps I'm sorry but I love using that word. Thank you Courtney from the Bachelor.)

Friday- Today was field day.  Damani made a rap about it.  He also made a rap about Mother's Day on Thursday.  Someone please tell me where I will find another student who makes up raps for me on a regular basis?!?!?!  Best year ever?  Kind of.  I finished my kids reading levels for the year.  I only have   2 at risk.  3 progressing and 15 on or above level.  Which is definitely higher than last year.  Also, considering some of these came in reading at a K level, progress was definitely made!  Praise God!

Quotes of the week:

* Momma, you a princess?  (based off a dress I wore)

* Let me read you a famous book

And my favorite "I lub you momma"

Things I'm pondering:

* politics- why do I strongly disagree with every candidate?  What is the real call of a Christian in a political world?  How do you best take a stand for Christ while loving the world as you're called to?  Why are so many Christians unable to take a stand where the guidelines are clear?  Why do some Christians turn guidelines into battle grounds when love is also so clear?

* life- what do I really want out of it?  What does God really want me to be doing?  I'm really feeling like I'm getting to the place that I really want to move forward.  I'm finding all my fears ebbing, which can only  be an act of the Holy Spirit.  And so the natural next question is where from here?  This is more just exciting, because I know God has great things in store.  I just don't know what to do next.

* motherhood- why is single motherhood so hard?  I am really struggling to find the right balance between my role for Jude and my role for myself.

* the end of the school year- I will never get it all done.  Good gosh.

* Ecclesiastes- what is the 'time' for my life right now?  I think it's a time to try to find God's path, and time to seek peace, and a time to trust.  As always, anxiety gets the best of me sometimes.

So all in all it's been a time for reflection this week.  I think I'm realizing that I need to walk forward in faith without being afraid to leave some people or things behind.  This is true is so many ways.  It's a time for a new path though.  Only God know where that will lead.

As always, if you read this, I covet your prayers- for my wisdom, for peace, for patience...