Anybody adding "running" or "exercise" to their New Years Resolutions?
If so, here is a new playlist of songs to add to your ipod. Do it. You will love these.
I Got It from My Mama by will.i.am
Give Me Everything (feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer) by Pitbull
You Make Me Feel... (feat. Sabi) by Cobra Starship
Moves Like Jagger [feat. Christina Aguilera] by Maroon 5
More by Usher
Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO
We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris) by Rihanna
Without You (feat. Usher) by David Guetta & Usher
Good Life by OneRepublic
The Edge of Glory by Lady GaGa
I Wanna Go by Britney Spears
It is embarrassing to share these songs because I truthfully LOVE pop music really only when I run and classic rock or singer/songwriter ALL the rest of the time. But I need a beat I can run to when my lungs are dying. These songs will carry you through at least 30 minutes.
My new Lululemon mantra? Sweat everyday. Go do it!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Year End
We made it through this year. Incredible.
Looking back at 2011, I knew it was going to be a tough one.
Last January, I declared it to be the "Year of the Marriage"
Matt and I have done some hard work on our marriage this year. The metaphor I feel comfortable using is it has been like having a knee scoped. The knee was working, but it hurt. And it wasn't doing what is what meant to do. It needed a surgeon to go in and dig out the old scar tissue, debris and other junk that was causing problems. Then once surgery was over, we needed physical therapy to relearn HOW to use the knee properly again.
We have been abusing our marriage and taking it for granted for so long that we needed a whole year to take stock in it and relearn how to slow down and love each other well.
As the very wise Buddy Odom has said, "We didn't have a bad marriage, we were being bad Christians. Who are married to each other."
People who are lazy in looking for opportunities to serve, care for and lay down their lives for another are going to have a difficult marriage.
This is us. Has been us. Will be us.
It is a daily struggle.
Thankfully we have been asked to pay attention to it and I am grateful for that.
Going to a marriage conference this year really helped to dig out the debris and to seek forgiveness for past hurts.
Going to France and the Sabbatical was learning how to be married without the distraction of needing to serve "others" within the context of the Young Life ministry work life.
Going back to work, sending kids to school and finding a loss of purpose set us up for a "new call to love one another" in a dark season for me. It was hard. But through encouragement, conversations and prayer, we found a new level of trust and understanding that would never have been there without the previous 6 months.
Now, we are heading in 2012 and the challenge continues. To not look back but to strive for deeper, more meaningful life and marriage together. It never ends!
Thankfully, I read this today from Oswald Chambers:
"You shall not go out with haste...for the Lord will go before you, and the God and Israel will be your rear guard." Isaiah 52:2
Looking back at 2011, I knew it was going to be a tough one.
Last January, I declared it to be the "Year of the Marriage"
Matt and I have done some hard work on our marriage this year. The metaphor I feel comfortable using is it has been like having a knee scoped. The knee was working, but it hurt. And it wasn't doing what is what meant to do. It needed a surgeon to go in and dig out the old scar tissue, debris and other junk that was causing problems. Then once surgery was over, we needed physical therapy to relearn HOW to use the knee properly again.
We have been abusing our marriage and taking it for granted for so long that we needed a whole year to take stock in it and relearn how to slow down and love each other well.
As the very wise Buddy Odom has said, "We didn't have a bad marriage, we were being bad Christians. Who are married to each other."
People who are lazy in looking for opportunities to serve, care for and lay down their lives for another are going to have a difficult marriage.
This is us. Has been us. Will be us.
It is a daily struggle.
Thankfully we have been asked to pay attention to it and I am grateful for that.
Going to a marriage conference this year really helped to dig out the debris and to seek forgiveness for past hurts.
Going to France and the Sabbatical was learning how to be married without the distraction of needing to serve "others" within the context of the Young Life ministry work life.
Going back to work, sending kids to school and finding a loss of purpose set us up for a "new call to love one another" in a dark season for me. It was hard. But through encouragement, conversations and prayer, we found a new level of trust and understanding that would never have been there without the previous 6 months.
Now, we are heading in 2012 and the challenge continues. To not look back but to strive for deeper, more meaningful life and marriage together. It never ends!
Thankfully, I read this today from Oswald Chambers:
"You shall not go out with haste...for the Lord will go before you, and the God and Israel will be your rear guard." Isaiah 52:2
Security from Yesterday. “. . . God requires an account of what is past” (Ecclesiastes 3:15). At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise when we remember our yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God’s grace tends to be lessened by the memory of yesterday’s sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future. God reminds us of the past to protect us from a very shallow security in the present.
Security for Tomorrow. “. . . the Lord will go before you . . . .” This is a gracious revelation— that God will send His forces out where we have failed to do so. He will keep watch so that we will not be tripped up again by the same failures, as would undoubtedly happen if He were not our “rear guard.” And God’s hand reaches back to the past, settling all the claims against our conscience.
Security for Today. “You shall not go out with haste . . . .” As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, forgetful delight, nor with the quickness of impulsive thoughtlessness. But let us go out with the patient power of knowing that the God of Israel will go before us. Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.
Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.
And that is what I hope for in my marriage.
I would do this entire year over again. No problem.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Getting Older
The last few months, at my ad agency we've been working with a new client "Tech RALLY for Seniors" It is an event group teaching senior adults at retirement communities how to use new technology like iPads and iPhones, Skype etc and they just shared this video on Facebook.
Working with this group has made me passionate about elder care and living joyfully all the days of my life.
I couldn't help myself. I had to share this fun video on here.
Working with this group has made me passionate about elder care and living joyfully all the days of my life.
I couldn't help myself. I had to share this fun video on here.
Friday, November 18, 2011
5 Years TODAY
We've been blessed to have Lucy in our lives for five years and I can't believe how the time has gone. She is so much fun and is so beautiful. It is tremendous to be her mother. She challenges me daily in so many ways but lately in ways that she doesn't intend. She is curious so she has asked me to define words for her and they have given me much food for thought. Words like; yield, compensate, panic, healthy, ecstatic. Try for a minute to boil down the essence of these words and you will see what I mean. She is challenging and lovely. A personality treat in a small body. This transition from the fourth to the fifth year has been a blessing to me and I can't wait to see all the ways that she changes as she leaves preschool and goes to kindergarten (EEK!) this next year.
If you get a chance, you should spend some time around my daughter. She is the cherry on top of life.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Changes Can Be Good!
Lucy and I started reading the American Girls Collection books this past week and started with the book "Meet Kit" about a little girl growing up in 1934 in the middle of the Great Depression.
Sounds fantastic for a nearly five year old right?
It actually is because a lot of the character traits that I am trying to instill in Lucy are what are being developed in the lead character Kit.
Kit loves to read books, write her own newspaper, play sports and wants to build her own treehouse.
She has a great sense of humor but more importantly has a strong sense of character and resolve within herself-especially when it has been revealed to her that she has acted rashly or her actions are selfishly motivated.
With the setting of the book being in the Great Depression, the family is obviously going to go through hard times and that includes Kit.
I often wonder what my own children would be like if we were living in another country or time and they were asked to do things like, I don't know-actual chores (like on a farm or village), and it has been fun to explore these topics with both Lucy and Asher through reading.
It is one of the reasons that I love to read to is explore my own fantasies through someone else's "reality" and to see my own children do that is like a dream come true.
In the last chapter of the book, Kit's mother says in order to overcome the Depression, "People will have to work hard. Use what they have. Face challenges. Stay hopeful...They'll have to make changes and realize that changes can be good."
This is particularly timely for us in our country as everyone needs to figure out finances, resourcefulness and figure out what is really important to them.
Now, who wants to help me with Kickstarter account to buy Lucy an American Girl doll?
Have you seen how expensive those suckers are?
Sheesh.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The Sloan Rangers
Are we Spanish wrestlers or Power Rangers?
That is the question.
Adult Power Ranger costumes were not easy to come by, so we made our costumes this year.
I actually had the kids make paper mache masks with me.
Yes, this all looks like a hobby homemaker project--but its only one day a year.
And no, we saved no money. But it was SUPER fun.
The kids had a blast and Matt and I got to walk around in glorified pajamas all night.
That's not so bad.
The masks were ditched immediately. But look at the joy on this boys face.
CANDY!
This is generally how I feel about Halloween.
Show me the candy!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sweet Marshall
"I need to know my life,
as its meant to be..."
-Mumford and Sons
Marshall is senior and is reminds me about all that life had to offer..
She is ready to grab life by the horns and be the person she was meant to be.
You already are.
If you ever want to remember what is you were like in high school; hang out with a high school student.
Any of them.
The promise of the future, their fresh faces, the hope that is within them.
It sustains you, enlivens you and you literally want to breathe them in-they have SO MUCH LIFE in them.
Look over these pictures again!
Marshall is a girl that anyone would want to spend the afternoon with.
I can't wait to see what is next for her.
Friday, October 28, 2011
The Spirit of Tour de France Fans
The new Tour de France route was release last week. There is no Alp d'Huez this year. Which gave me a sad face. How could race organizers not want more of this?! Yes, that is Matt and Kyle. The Spirit of Tour de France Fans
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Pumpkin Lighting
At our elementary school we have a fundraiser every year called "The Pumpkin Lighting Festival". It is not a joke.
Every grade picks a theme based on literature or pop culture. Then each class mom and teacher select a direction to move in within that theme.
Then you have three weeks to turn this puppy around.
Kindergarten was Smurfs.
First Grade was SkippyJon Jones.
Second Grade did If You Give A Miuse A ....books
Third, Angry Birds
Fourth: Lion King
Fifth: The Whipping Boy
These displays were impressive and I am not kidding when I say it took all my artsy craftsy skillz to pull this o e off. But I think it was accomplished. Take a look at these things!
We are walking out the door to head to the fundraiser now! I can't wait to see ALL the displays!
Every grade picks a theme based on literature or pop culture. Then each class mom and teacher select a direction to move in within that theme.
Then you have three weeks to turn this puppy around.
Kindergarten was Smurfs.
First Grade was SkippyJon Jones.
Second Grade did If You Give A Miuse A ....books
Third, Angry Birds
Fourth: Lion King
Fifth: The Whipping Boy
These displays were impressive and I am not kidding when I say it took all my artsy craftsy skillz to pull this o e off. But I think it was accomplished. Take a look at these things!
We are walking out the door to head to the fundraiser now! I can't wait to see ALL the displays!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Fussbudget
I am feeling this way today:
fuss·bud·get
noun \ˈfəs-ˌbə-jət\Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Asheville
If you watch/listen/read the news, then you've been hearing about Asheville in the last 24 hours because President Obama has been here talking about his jobs plan.
The creative director from my ad agency and his wife managed to snag tickets to go hear him and because of the nature of the gathering, this was the picture he snapped:
No matter your politics, it is always exciting when the President comes to town.
My kids have been asking lots of questions about the President. But #1, "Is President Obama in charge of the world?"
To which I answer AND I believe, "No. God is in charge of the world. Because He is sovereign. Right now, He has let President Obama help take care of our country."
Can everybody say "sovereign"?
The creative director from my ad agency and his wife managed to snag tickets to go hear him and because of the nature of the gathering, this was the picture he snapped:
No matter your politics, it is always exciting when the President comes to town.
My kids have been asking lots of questions about the President. But #1, "Is President Obama in charge of the world?"
To which I answer AND I believe, "No. God is in charge of the world. Because He is sovereign. Right now, He has let President Obama help take care of our country."
Can everybody say "sovereign"?
sov·er·eign
[sov-rin, sov-er-in, suhv-]
noun
1.
a monarch; a king, queen, or other supreme ruler.
2.
a person who has sovereign power or authority.
3.
a group or body of persons or a state having sovereign authority.
Labels:
asheville,
everybody breathe,
politics,
president obama
Monday, October 17, 2011
Right Now
Meet Hunter.
Senior in High School.
Playing Football.
Dating the Homecoming Queen.
Life is good.
As it should be in the best years of your life.
I was so excited for this photo shoot.
It was literally the most beautiful weekend of the year. No lie.
I am officially open for business.
:)
Shoot me a message if you would like to schedule a session!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
This Happened
This morning, Lucy got upset over what I had picked out for her to wear to school. No big deal. Pick out another cute outfit.
She wasn't happy about it but agreed after some convincing and I assure you she looked cute in her plaid dress, jeggings and cowboy boots. As cute as a college student.
So we get to her preschool, walk into the class and a table of four-year old girls sees her and one pipes up and says "eww. Lucy is wearing that dress again." And she said it in that voice that you've heard since you were in middle school.
Except this isn't middle school.
This is preschool.
4-year old preschool.
How is one supposed to battle this the rest of our days?
My job is to keep filling Lucy with he truth that our value does not rest in what other people think of us. But wow. This is a tough one for me to fight, I can't imagine the nature that will need to be within my daughter to grow up with these women and battle this on a daily basis.
The same voice that rang out at Lucy is the same dark voice that tells me that I'm not good enough, or smart enough, fun enough etc to belong to whatever clique or group I am longing to be a part of. Popularity is such a powerful tool and it is one that takes me down. I think that is why it hurt me so to hear it.
The truth?
I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
So is Lucy.
So are you.
No one can say anything different about that.
Your value is not measured in what others think about you.
It was measured on Calvary.
I have to remain there. And remind myself that daily. Now I have to add Lucy to the list of people to tell.
She wasn't happy about it but agreed after some convincing and I assure you she looked cute in her plaid dress, jeggings and cowboy boots. As cute as a college student.
So we get to her preschool, walk into the class and a table of four-year old girls sees her and one pipes up and says "eww. Lucy is wearing that dress again." And she said it in that voice that you've heard since you were in middle school.
Except this isn't middle school.
This is preschool.
4-year old preschool.
How is one supposed to battle this the rest of our days?
My job is to keep filling Lucy with he truth that our value does not rest in what other people think of us. But wow. This is a tough one for me to fight, I can't imagine the nature that will need to be within my daughter to grow up with these women and battle this on a daily basis.
The same voice that rang out at Lucy is the same dark voice that tells me that I'm not good enough, or smart enough, fun enough etc to belong to whatever clique or group I am longing to be a part of. Popularity is such a powerful tool and it is one that takes me down. I think that is why it hurt me so to hear it.
The truth?
I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
So is Lucy.
So are you.
No one can say anything different about that.
Your value is not measured in what others think about you.
It was measured on Calvary.
I have to remain there. And remind myself that daily. Now I have to add Lucy to the list of people to tell.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
I Want to Be Cool About This
cesspool of Sin Radio Spot
About a month ago, a state senator in NC referred to Asheville as the "cesspool of sin". It was very judgey and ridiculous. He made no real point except to alienate an entire city to whatever point of view he was trying to make and now my fair city has actually positioned itself as the "cesspool of sin" which is super fantastic.
Now my favorite station in town has just released a promotional campaign for a fundraiser by one of my favorite on air personalities, the host of "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me" on NPR, Peter Segal has produced this spot for WCQS that actually says "stay demonic Asheville."
Sigh.
Why?
WHY.
It just continues the anger, the fight and has crafted a feeling of alienation by this bit of nonsense. I want to laugh and look past it. But my conscience is pricked by this and I dislike it. I think it is poor positioning and branding simply as an ad campaign. But moreoever, I would like to acknowledge that I am a sinner trying not to contribute to demonic activity. What choices does ts ad campaign leave me with? It sounds like 1. Don't fund the station & 2. Don't listen. Neither of which I want to do.
I can take a tongue in cheek poke of fun. I am all about irony. I get it. This just feels undermining and like someone got too loose with the copy at the end of the promo.
In fact, this actually feels like being poked with a stick. A really sharp one.
About a month ago, a state senator in NC referred to Asheville as the "cesspool of sin". It was very judgey and ridiculous. He made no real point except to alienate an entire city to whatever point of view he was trying to make and now my fair city has actually positioned itself as the "cesspool of sin" which is super fantastic.
Now my favorite station in town has just released a promotional campaign for a fundraiser by one of my favorite on air personalities, the host of "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me" on NPR, Peter Segal has produced this spot for WCQS that actually says "stay demonic Asheville."
Sigh.
Why?
WHY.
It just continues the anger, the fight and has crafted a feeling of alienation by this bit of nonsense. I want to laugh and look past it. But my conscience is pricked by this and I dislike it. I think it is poor positioning and branding simply as an ad campaign. But moreoever, I would like to acknowledge that I am a sinner trying not to contribute to demonic activity. What choices does ts ad campaign leave me with? It sounds like 1. Don't fund the station & 2. Don't listen. Neither of which I want to do.
I can take a tongue in cheek poke of fun. I am all about irony. I get it. This just feels undermining and like someone got too loose with the copy at the end of the promo.
In fact, this actually feels like being poked with a stick. A really sharp one.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
A Months Worth of Pictures
With my camera lens having broken while we were in France, I haven't been very motivated to take any pictures. But that changed when I replaced it with an upgraded 50mm lens.
This glass is SOOO much better its unreal.
Example 1.
This is inside with no flash.
Example 2.
I have not been able to get pictures of Ranger because his coat is such a weird color it doesn't show up well in pictures. NOT ANY MORE!
Look at my beautiful dog.
This is a ridiculous picture of Lucy just to show you how much she's grown this summer.
This was a suit that fit her in June.
She insisted on wearing it.
I laughed the entire day.
Our prizes at the state fair.
Asher is now playing flag football.
I have always used the line "don't smile" to get him to smile.
So now that I am trying to get a picture of him being "tough" he can't help it, he has to produce the biggest grin you've ever seen.
Gah, I love this handsome boy.
Lucy is as silly as ever.
We were hiking and she got herself next to a rock and said "Mommy, this will be a good one."
Then struck this pose. No lie.
A boy and his dog.
I am so glad I captured Asher's expression here.
Priceless.
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