Are we God-honoring?

*First off, I'm rarely this think-y on my blog. This has just been on my mind a lot lately.

For the second time in our marriage (both out of town, actually), Justin and I were walking down a street and asked by 2 men if we supported gay rights. The first time, we were in Denver on our honeymoon and Justin just said, "Uhh.." as we were walking. We were walking by. The timing was poor. The second time was very similar, except Justin said, "No, thanks."

As we were walking away I asked him if he thought our responses to those 2 situations were honoring to the Lord. Not that I was anti-what he said. I wasn't/am not. I just don't know the answer to that question. First off, that's a reallllyyyyy loaded question. With everything going on lately, my guess is that they mean in regards to marriage, but 'rights' makes me think of the right to vote, shop, drive, get a job, etc. I'm pretty sure that's not what they meant.

Anyways, if I agree with what the Bible calls marriage, but I'm supposed to love everyone - all my neighbors, straight, gay, purple, liberal, conservative, northern, rude, etc., then is saying "No, thanks" a loving response? Telling them why they're wrong and making them think I'm judging them certainly doesn't seem appropriate either. A sin is a sin is a sin, and a believer would not respond well to me being jerk to them and telling them how wrong they are, so why would a non-believer respond well. If I told them in love (whatever that looks like to a stranger on the street), I cannot expect a (potentially) non-believer to respond as a believer would if I approached them in love anyways.

I don't know the answer. I'm just thinking on it. I'd love anyone else's thoughts, but I would not love to argue with anyone about this. I will not talk to you if you try to argue with me.

Today I

Woke up around 9. I love not having to get up at a certain time. I then said a quick "Thank you Jesus" that we don't have kids yet, and I can sleep in. (Not that I don't want kids, I'm just thankful we don't have them now.)

Ate a cannoli for breakfast. Because I'm healthy and they're delicious. Here's the recipe.

Made a grocery list and planned our meals for the week. Because I LOVE to plan and make lists and to cook.

Didn't wear makeup or work clothes, thank the good Lord. I love to dress up y'all, but I didn't wear makeup in college at least 2 times a week. Now I wear it at least 6 days a week. I like to consider my lack of excitement to do that every. single. day. a blessing that my parents bestowed on me by always telling me I was beautiful and telling me that I didn't have to wear makeup to be beautiful. Seriously, what a blessing they are. Parents (I'm not sure there are parents reading this, but just in case) tell your daughters they don't need makeup to be pretty (or clothes, or boys, or whatever). I feel like my mom told me that all. the. time., and honestly (as she will tell you) I said "I know, mom." and got annoyed. It was/is so good for me though (hello, Peter). Also, my mom didn't always do that (be constantly 'put together'), so practice what you preach. It will rub off. (end my soap box tangent)

Got myself to the Farm to pick up our vegetables for the week. (We have a Harvest Share for the season.) I've legitimately never been more excited for vegetables in my life. It's a like fun surprise every time (except not really because we get an email in advance telling us what we're getting. It still feels like a surprise though.)

We're supposed to pick up between 9-12 on Saturdays, so I rolled in at about 11:30 (still on time) and got some extra herbs because I was one of the last to pick up (shocking, I know. Not.). Woo hoo for extra herbs! I got some I've never even used! (Lemon balm and lemon oregano) I'm excited for those.

Went grocery shopping (which I also kind of love minus the spending money part.) And bonus, I got to see 3 of my favorite boys in the whole world at the store. You're probably not supposed have favorites when you babysit, but I do, and it's them. I mean, I babysit them like 10 times more than anyone else anyways, so that makes sense, right? Hope this isn't offensive to any other families....

Came home and cleaned and did laundry. Y'all cleaning is so productive. Once I start, I usually enjoy it. I'm terrible at starting though. Also, I'm not a great cleaner, but it's so fulfilling and a great time to think....and to dance, which leads to the next thing I did...

Forgot to turn on the dryer, so the clothes just sat in there the entire time the washing machine was going with another load. The reason I initially waited to turn on the dryer was so I could finish dancing to my Hall and Oates song playing and still be able to hear it. Then I forgot all together. For your viewing pleasure:

Freaked out a little because I graduated a year ago. That is nutso. 

2 of my precious precious girls are graduating today, and it just blows my mind. I remember when we were at Kaleo falling hard and fast into sister-friend love. Sweet Natalie and Rachel, I love you to the moon and back.

Bosses

Y'all. I have had some great bosses in my day. Seriously. First off, I know, I'm only 23. I haven't worked a ton, but I've had a few jobs and even more bosses. Specifically, about 7 jobs (9 if you count that I worked at 3 different Office Depots) and about 11 bosses. That's not even counting assistant managers/bosses. I really really enjoyed most of them. Most. :) Currently, I thoroughly enjoy both my work environment and my bosses. Isn't that neat? That's such a blessing. I don't want anyone who hates their job to think I'm rubbing in this, I just realize that it truly is a blessing. I mean, I spend sooo much time at work.

A lot of people ask me what I do/what my typical day looks like. Well, both of those are weird answers and sort of make my job seem shady. I'll do my best to fill you in. The random-ness is one of the things I cherish about this job because doing the same thing every day is bo-ring.

Over the last few weeks I have:

• Sat in meetings and took notes. 
• Scheduled things. 
• Learned...well am learning, how to self publish a book and an e-book.
• Ordered books. 
• Gone to the news to help with client interviews. See one here if you're that interested. 
• Gone to a chapel event at a medical facility....also, I got blessed an anointed with oil at one of these when I first started. Not kidding. I've been to a lot of churches and that hasn't happened to me before. Check that off my list.
• Delivered pies to local medical facilities between here and Bentonville.
• Written Christmas/Holiday cards. 
• Learned about how/what companies make Deal Piggy and stuff work on the back end
• Blog/facebook for a few clients...I get to start Pinterest-ing soon I hope! 
• Written legal docs to start up an LLC. Yes, written.
• and more. :)

Guess what I'm doing tonight? Making more laundry detergent but with a new recipe! So excited! Seriously. I'll keep you posted.

Lovey love.

The last year of Ever

Welp, rumor has it that this is the last year ever. Sorry 'bout ya, Mayans, but my guess is that you are mistaken. I mean, I could be wrong...but I also couldn't. What if it was the last year of Ever though, y'all. It could be scary to do that, but also really stinkin awesome. You could justify quitting your job, doing whatever the heck you want, spending however much you want, going wherever you want, wowie. Here's what I'd do:

1. See. My. Chelsea. Lordy, I miss that girl.
2. Travel my face off. All the continents y'all. (Although I hate cold, I'd go to Antarctica for the Polar Bears). Also, if you're a realist like me, this would be paid for by the mondo loan I'd take out since I wouldn't have to pay it back.
3. I think I'd shave my head. Maybe not. Idk.
4. On the polar bear note, I would have to snuggle one. I'd just have to.
5. Then again, the world would probably just go crazy before then and everyone else would hoard up all the funds...so I'll stop my silly list now.

We're officially moved into our new apartment. It's starting to feel like home to me. The first night we were here watching a movie it felt like we were house sitting or something. I'll show you some pictures soon. My sweet Justin hung up a ton of stuff for me, but there are still a few things we need to do. Currently, I'm deciding where to place the bassinet. The one we bought for the wedding to be a drink cooler, which then became a blanket holder in our home, and now won't fit in the living room. Justin says we should save it for a baby (y'all it is weird to think there may be a baby in my belly or our house one day that we are responsible for. Yikes.) It's cute and neat because it was at our wedding, but it's also only gonna used for a short period of time and who knows if we'll even be here then. You know I'm not taking that thing out of the country.

Tonight is cheese party and the Cotton Bowl, but I must admit, I am WAY more excited about cheese party. It's exactly what it sounds like, a party where we eat cheese.

Go Hogs. Woo Pig. 

Echinoderms, hot cocoa, and dental implants.

All 3 of those things are very random, but what I'm currently thinking about. Here's why:

Echinoderms: I thought both hippos and rhinos were those. I was wrong. I thought of it because my twitter background is cutie hippos and my brother's is rhinos. We love big animals apparently. Also, I love polar bears, but yes, I know they'll rip my face off. Thanks for shooting my dreams down to hug one.

Tell me that's not cute. You can't. 

Hot cocoa: I don't really like hot cocoa mix unless it's in milk. Also, I don't really use hot chocolate mix. I use sugar, cocoa, vanilla, salt, and, duh, milk. 

Dental implants: I've been researching them a lot for work. Random, but true. I lovey love my job, y'all. It's random, but so great. I'm so thankful. It's so neat how God provides. 

Family Christmas this weekend, Justin's birthday on Monday, and our work Christmas party on Monday! Woo! Speaking of work Christmas, here's something I do at work: http://www.nwahealthandwellness.com/office-parties-101 Random. 

Lovey love. 

See ya summer

Y'all, first off I want to say that although it is 100andsomething degrees outside, I still, undoubtedly, love summer one trillion times more than winter, and I would prefer this weather over freezing any day except Christmas. So, all you haters wishing it were winter and complaining, I'll be doing it when we have 12 feet of snow. Bleh. That's all.

On another note, I GOT A JOB! Well, a part time job. At Boingo Bounce! Even better, with my friend Ashley! I'm so thrilled! I'm obviously still searching since I need a full time job ideally, but I'm thrilled! Bonus: I start tomorrow. Double bonus: it takes 4 minutes to get there from my house. Neato, huh? Thanks, Jesus. So, now I will be a grown up, and work. #notreally

This is a super random post because I haven't posted in a while, but if you weren't at New Heights Sunday, you must must must listen to the service online. There are few sermons/talks that I would listen to multiple times, but this is one. That one isn't on the website yet, but you should absolutely listen to this one. It's so wonderful, and Chels gives her testimony at the end. She was "for real a rebel". :) Hope you're not mad I did this Chels. :)

Welp, she's gone

Chels is safely in India and getting settled. That makes me happy. Her leaving wasn't super easy (I might've cried a little....or a lot.), but she's there now and doing grown up things like getting her classroom ready, and that makes me way excited for her. We probably weren't as prepared as we should've been to say goodbye (Meaning, we didn't really talk about it at all because it made us sad) which probably made it more difficult on our part. Whoops. But, I've skyped her twice since she's been there, and just seeing her face makes me happier! Anyways, thanks y'all who've been praying for us. I super appreciate it, and now that I know I will at least make it without her being in the same state, please direct all your prayers towards her. I mean, not towards her, but about her. Don't pray to Chelsea please. She and I do not support idolatry.

I'm still job hunting, and here's one thing I've noticed. Kind of a lot of the jobs I've applied for have a "Don't call about this job" somewhere on the application/listing. What?! Why do they teach us to do that in school then. It's super lame I think, and I'm kind of torn about whether or not to obey the command. Anyways, that's that update.

In other news, I've started painting our desk the same color as the table (Vintage Scotch Yellow-BHG from Walmart if you were curious. I love that name..or really anything with the word 'vintage' in it.) I really wanted it to be a different color, but I couldn't decide, and that's probably not what we need to be spending our money on now anyways (more paint, I mean), and it'll be in a different room. (wowie, I love conjunctions and run-on sounding compound sentences. Sorry.)

Here she is before. Missing hardware and all. We have to get a new top too. I'm so ready for this to be done, so we can put all of our stuff that's lying in the floor in it.

Also, sorry about the frequent blog changes. I can't decide what I like. I thought I liked this current an older one that none of you probably saw (red, chevron-y), but then I saw it was called 'Big Top', and that made me like it less. I don't like circuses. They're kind of creepy. I might stick with this one. I'm not too sure about this automatic centering. I love left align. 

And for your entertainment, here are some pictures that I forgot about:

After we floated the Elk River!

I made a Mississippi Mud Pie. It was ok, I thought. Justin loved it.

We went to the Rodeo!!!!! I. Love. The rodeo.

There was a NASA booth there. I don't know why.

Our 4th of July cake.

Pre-Harry Potter with Autumn's wand she found....in the bathroom.

Tomorrow's Friday!! Wooot! Justin's off, and I'm babysitting some of my faves. Bonus. Happy weekend!