I've always loved the "Hey, it's OK!" feature in Glamour magazine. It seems like some of the pardons in each issue are universally relevant to all women. I have decided today to do a tribute to a few of my personal "Hey, it's OK!" Thanksgiving moments.
Hey, It's OK!
...to have a plate full of tan, cream, and brown items.
...to eat ham in lieu of turkey.
...to calculate your T-giving seat at the family table.
...to sleep during the Cowboys game, but wake up for the Aggies.
...to prefer an elastic waistband.
...to still criticize the Macy's Thanksgiving Day performers.
...to eat off of paper plates in an effort to save post-meal clean up time.
...to still let your Nana scratch your back. :)
...to let your friends and family know that there's no one else that you'd rather be thankful for.
...to wake up with the crazies on Black Friday.
...to get a little competitive during the family bowling game.
...to enjoy Thanksgiving in all its abundance, but still get a little hyped that it puts you one step closer to Christmas.
I hope that your Thanksgiving is full of love, laughter, football, food babies and much, much, more. I will soak up my time with my family and reflect on a year that have given me so much to be thankful for - God is so good!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Rebuttal
Oh, it's on - it's on like Donkey Kong! You can't blindly put up pics from a Vanity Fair shoot and call it fair* game...
I apologize to any of you that don't normally see this kind of behavior from me. In fact, I distinctly remember hating this part of the Twilight craze this very time last year. It's not that I'm fully changing my ways, it's just that sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do :)
TEAM JACOB!
*Note the restraint on the inclusion of a shirtless pic. See, now that is how you play fair.
I apologize to any of you that don't normally see this kind of behavior from me. In fact, I distinctly remember hating this part of the Twilight craze this very time last year. It's not that I'm fully changing my ways, it's just that sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do :)
TEAM JACOB!
*Note the restraint on the inclusion of a shirtless pic. See, now that is how you play fair.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Finding My Seventh Day
The past few months of my life have had me on this giant quest for what my life means right now. I feel like I’m constantly searching for my church home, that perfect job, the love of my life, or simply, my comfortable little niche in this world that hits the sweet spot at just the right place.
You know, just the little things...
What I have discovered in the past few weeks is that it’s all just smoke and mirrors. Without intention, I have created this dizzy little environment of constant movement. I am lucky enough to be involved in a Thursday Community Group of college friends, combined with new faces, that allows me to come (even if for one night) and just talk, share, listen, sit, and just be. More than any other time in my life, the stillness terrifies me. I realize that I’m desperately afraid to evaluate my life and question if what I am doing is right (is there even an answer to this?!), glorifying, holy, and accountable. Are my gifts being used to the best of their ability? Going a step forward, are they even being used? We shared our strengths and weaknesses about this, each defining our struggles with contentment and the constant need for something better, faster, brighter...busier. Busyness is so intertwined into our daily fiber that it has become deceptive to what it truly is, sin. It isn’t the action that is the sin (after all, we have to work, provide, volunteer, etc.) it’s the “crutch” that we turn it in to. When your busy job interferes with the relationships in your life, it’s safe to say that you must evaluate what you’re putting your faith in to. What is the worth of that promotion when you’ve let down everyone else in your life? Or worse, what has that harmless social function turned into when you allow no time for yourself?
With these questions, we took to our group and challenged each other to a daily moment of silence for 10 minutes. Some of you might think, “seriously...10 minutes? Easy.” But I knew immediately that this was going to be a challenge for me. You see, silence does not happen to be one of my gifts, and more specifically; I have no shining achievements in the art of stillness. The first few times I tried to do this, my thoughts would go something like this:
...what did I forget at the grocery store?
Do I still have clothes at the cleaners?...
...ugh, would you just look at those cuticles? I can’t even remember the last time I had a manicure.
I wonder what I’m going to do this weekend?...
...My ends are so split, I could go for a trim.
It makes me sad because I know that this robs me of some quality time with God. How can I truly dwell in Him if I can’t be still for a mere 10 minutes? The past few weeks I haven’t allowed myself the pleasure of solitude, and quite frankly, I feel it. I feel my relationships suffering and my grip loosening on things that matter the most.
I believe that God gives us little (sometimes large!) inward glimpses into our life to warn us that our path is starting to get rocky. The quieting of my heart doesn’t mean that I’ll stop every mid-week pleasure that is tossed my way, but I’d like to think that it will re-define the emphasis on my time with Him. The holidays tend to spill over with some of life’s greatest joys while also continuing the fray of our never-ending “busy” rope; something that I think we should all be cognizant of. Eat too much, soak up your friends and family, give back, love more, live more, but remember to calm yourself before the Lord. I can’t imagine that you’d regret the abundant intimacy that can be achieved through such stillness, and Lord knows that we can never underestimate the power of being busy for him.
Most importantly, that manicure can always wait.
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” ~ Genesis 2:1-3
*Editor’s note: The irony of this post is that I’ve had half of it written for days now and have yet to publish it because (you guessed it)...I’ve been too "busy."
You know, just the little things...
What I have discovered in the past few weeks is that it’s all just smoke and mirrors. Without intention, I have created this dizzy little environment of constant movement. I am lucky enough to be involved in a Thursday Community Group of college friends, combined with new faces, that allows me to come (even if for one night) and just talk, share, listen, sit, and just be. More than any other time in my life, the stillness terrifies me. I realize that I’m desperately afraid to evaluate my life and question if what I am doing is right (is there even an answer to this?!), glorifying, holy, and accountable. Are my gifts being used to the best of their ability? Going a step forward, are they even being used? We shared our strengths and weaknesses about this, each defining our struggles with contentment and the constant need for something better, faster, brighter...busier. Busyness is so intertwined into our daily fiber that it has become deceptive to what it truly is, sin. It isn’t the action that is the sin (after all, we have to work, provide, volunteer, etc.) it’s the “crutch” that we turn it in to. When your busy job interferes with the relationships in your life, it’s safe to say that you must evaluate what you’re putting your faith in to. What is the worth of that promotion when you’ve let down everyone else in your life? Or worse, what has that harmless social function turned into when you allow no time for yourself?
With these questions, we took to our group and challenged each other to a daily moment of silence for 10 minutes. Some of you might think, “seriously...10 minutes? Easy.” But I knew immediately that this was going to be a challenge for me. You see, silence does not happen to be one of my gifts, and more specifically; I have no shining achievements in the art of stillness. The first few times I tried to do this, my thoughts would go something like this:
...what did I forget at the grocery store?
Do I still have clothes at the cleaners?...
...ugh, would you just look at those cuticles? I can’t even remember the last time I had a manicure.
I wonder what I’m going to do this weekend?...
...My ends are so split, I could go for a trim.
It makes me sad because I know that this robs me of some quality time with God. How can I truly dwell in Him if I can’t be still for a mere 10 minutes? The past few weeks I haven’t allowed myself the pleasure of solitude, and quite frankly, I feel it. I feel my relationships suffering and my grip loosening on things that matter the most.
I believe that God gives us little (sometimes large!) inward glimpses into our life to warn us that our path is starting to get rocky. The quieting of my heart doesn’t mean that I’ll stop every mid-week pleasure that is tossed my way, but I’d like to think that it will re-define the emphasis on my time with Him. The holidays tend to spill over with some of life’s greatest joys while also continuing the fray of our never-ending “busy” rope; something that I think we should all be cognizant of. Eat too much, soak up your friends and family, give back, love more, live more, but remember to calm yourself before the Lord. I can’t imagine that you’d regret the abundant intimacy that can be achieved through such stillness, and Lord knows that we can never underestimate the power of being busy for him.
Most importantly, that manicure can always wait.
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” ~ Genesis 2:1-3
*Editor’s note: The irony of this post is that I’ve had half of it written for days now and have yet to publish it because (you guessed it)...I’ve been too "busy."
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
3-Day!
Hello, friends!
As many of you know, the months of training have commenced into one very big weekend for the gals of Our Sole Purpose. My Mom, Sister, Coleen and I took to the streets of DFW and set out for the cause. What started as a small pipe dream among the 4 of us, ended up being one of THE most rewarding experiences of my life. I couldn't have hoped for more as we were inspired and encouraged by our fellow walkers, constant supporters, hometown cheerleaders, friends, family and even random strangers.
We started before dawn on Friday and embarked on a huge journey with close to 3,000 other dedicated participants. I wish I could share with you every weary story, every disgusting blister, every crazy thought, but unfortunately, most of that information lies in small nook of this crazy weekend. We all managed to take different pictures, but I happen to believe that Tiffany chronicled our journey the best.
Here is a portion of the email I sent out to some of my closest supporters before the race in reference to why I walked this weekend:
"In all seriousness, this is a big step for me and my family (no pun intended). It's hard to believe that 4 short years ago my very young/energetic/feisty Mom was battling the biggest fight of her life. I remember feeling the waves of powerless emotions, only to turn around and feel utterly empowered by strength, sympathy, courage and love. You all played a major part of my life during that time and in the time since, and for that, there are truly no words. This weekend will be a celebration of where we are now, a place of thankfulness and hope, with the prayer that we'll offer but an ounce of what was given to us."
I not only walked for my Mom, but I walked for you. I hope that you'll feel my sincerity as I tell you that I am both honored and happy to do it. Thank you again for all of the love and support...
my cup absolutely spills over.
xoxo,
Kristen
Up with the sun on Day 1
Why do you walk? "I walk for Zsa Zsa"
Finished.
As many of you know, the months of training have commenced into one very big weekend for the gals of Our Sole Purpose. My Mom, Sister, Coleen and I took to the streets of DFW and set out for the cause. What started as a small pipe dream among the 4 of us, ended up being one of THE most rewarding experiences of my life. I couldn't have hoped for more as we were inspired and encouraged by our fellow walkers, constant supporters, hometown cheerleaders, friends, family and even random strangers.
We started before dawn on Friday and embarked on a huge journey with close to 3,000 other dedicated participants. I wish I could share with you every weary story, every disgusting blister, every crazy thought, but unfortunately, most of that information lies in small nook of this crazy weekend. We all managed to take different pictures, but I happen to believe that Tiffany chronicled our journey the best.
Here is a portion of the email I sent out to some of my closest supporters before the race in reference to why I walked this weekend:
"In all seriousness, this is a big step for me and my family (no pun intended). It's hard to believe that 4 short years ago my very young/energetic/feisty Mom was battling the biggest fight of her life. I remember feeling the waves of powerless emotions, only to turn around and feel utterly empowered by strength, sympathy, courage and love. You all played a major part of my life during that time and in the time since, and for that, there are truly no words. This weekend will be a celebration of where we are now, a place of thankfulness and hope, with the prayer that we'll offer but an ounce of what was given to us."
I not only walked for my Mom, but I walked for you. I hope that you'll feel my sincerity as I tell you that I am both honored and happy to do it. Thank you again for all of the love and support...
my cup absolutely spills over.
xoxo,
Kristen
Up with the sun on Day 1
Why do you walk? "I walk for Zsa Zsa"
Finished.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Home.
I was asked to join a "blog carnival" on my definition of home with a few of my other blogger friends. I have never done anything like this before but thought it sounded like fun. Please visit Elizabeth's site and enjoy the varied definition of home and what it means to each of us...enjoy!
God’s Country – 10/15/08
Goodbye, NY – 4/13/09
"Really, how do you say goodbye to something that you love so much?
I came in as one person and will be leaving tomorrow as someone entirely different. As I sit here in the dark, buying my time and trying not to go to sleep, I realize that I can't even begin to summarize this amazing experience into one blog post. With all of the excitement and anticipation of my upcoming Texas life, I have forgotten just how full my heart is with love for this City that has changed my course forever.
The life of new friends, weekend brunches, work life, tiny apartments, late nights, summer trips, endless dining, and bizarre occurrences has finally commenced. My fear is that one day I will meet someone that won't know this part of me. They will not know that this experience has shaped me into who God is asking me to be. I have been challenged to go beyond so many comfort levels that I would have never thought possible; all the while learning that I can, in fact, appreciate the beauty in differences. A close friend here once told me that without some of the "outrageous" characters in this world we would not learn to appreciate what makes us all so unique. I will miss this. I will miss my life here and all of those people that came with it.
This past week I have had a honeymoon with the City. I stayed out too late, enjoyed some nice weather and remembered how I fell in love so many years ago. I walked into New York almost two years ago and it took me just the way I was. The blessings that have been given to me are endless and for that I will be forever grateful. To all of the laughs, tears, and joy that I have experienced, I will never forget. So today I leave. I walk away knowing that while Texas will fill my soul, New York will hold my heart."
C’mon Get Happy – 9/18/09
"First of all, I love New York. No really, I love New York. Until very recently, I had no idea what it meant to call one place home. Is it the place where your parents reside? Maybe the house that you’ve lived in the longest? Or simply, is it the place that makes you feel your most comfortable? My entire life I have envisioned it as a singular concept. Sure, “home is where the heart is,” but that doesn’t necessarily get me anywhere. What if your heart is in two different places, how do you explain that? There is no doubt that Texas is my home...the South is where I was made, it’s my fiber. To some degree I cannot even fathom a childhood without the space and safety that mine had to offer, however, something has always drawn me to New York. I remember sitting in bed at night and dreaming of what my life would be like, would the City energize me? Would I find love? Would it change me forever? To all of those questions I asked, the answer is yes. There were times that I felt practically electric, I would walk around and think, “I can’t believe I live here.” Everything felt bigger, brighter and faster...sometimes I kept up, and the rest of the time I just watched. For every second that I am in Texas and think “this is me, this is who I am,” I get pulled into my desire for NY and realize that a (huge) part of me belongs there too."
As you can see from the excerpts of my previous blog posts, the last two years of my life have had me “searching” for my perfect home. While I don’t have all of the answers to exactly what that means, I can tell you that it has made me all the more of a person for it. I have been lucky enough to laugh with new friends, long for old, miss my family, soak up the Texas sun, breathe the NY air and feel everything in-between. The bricks and mortar of the homes of my past, present and future might be ever-changing, but the love and comfort never will. The hug that you just have to have, the tears that you’ll only shed in front of those that you choose, the abundant laughter, the special note, the last phone call of your day, the remembrance of your big achievement, the random email, the smell that brings up immediate association, the photo that carries a memory, the ability to be silent together, the accountability, the vulnerability, and lastly, the joy. These all help me define home. I wish that I could just hand you a zip code and point you in the direction of my constant footsteps, but lucky for me, home is all around.
God’s Country – 10/15/08
"Also known as...Texas. For those of you that know me (you all do), you might know that I have not shied away from the fact that I think Texas is the best. Not only do I think it is the most superior state, I also lean towards the idea that it has the most wonderful people. Moving to New York not only solidified my bias, but it has also instilled a deeply-rooted love for Texas that I will never take for granted.
This past week I found myself in a sort of funk. Nothing earth shattering, but the kind of funk that could only be fixed by:
a) family
b) friends
c) queso
d) all of the above
...I can honestly tell you that a good dose of God's country was all this girl needed. Friends, fun and healthy competition restored me back to health and put me at ease."
This past week I found myself in a sort of funk. Nothing earth shattering, but the kind of funk that could only be fixed by:
a) family
b) friends
c) queso
d) all of the above
...I can honestly tell you that a good dose of God's country was all this girl needed. Friends, fun and healthy competition restored me back to health and put me at ease."
Goodbye, NY – 4/13/09
"Really, how do you say goodbye to something that you love so much?
I came in as one person and will be leaving tomorrow as someone entirely different. As I sit here in the dark, buying my time and trying not to go to sleep, I realize that I can't even begin to summarize this amazing experience into one blog post. With all of the excitement and anticipation of my upcoming Texas life, I have forgotten just how full my heart is with love for this City that has changed my course forever.
The life of new friends, weekend brunches, work life, tiny apartments, late nights, summer trips, endless dining, and bizarre occurrences has finally commenced. My fear is that one day I will meet someone that won't know this part of me. They will not know that this experience has shaped me into who God is asking me to be. I have been challenged to go beyond so many comfort levels that I would have never thought possible; all the while learning that I can, in fact, appreciate the beauty in differences. A close friend here once told me that without some of the "outrageous" characters in this world we would not learn to appreciate what makes us all so unique. I will miss this. I will miss my life here and all of those people that came with it.
This past week I have had a honeymoon with the City. I stayed out too late, enjoyed some nice weather and remembered how I fell in love so many years ago. I walked into New York almost two years ago and it took me just the way I was. The blessings that have been given to me are endless and for that I will be forever grateful. To all of the laughs, tears, and joy that I have experienced, I will never forget. So today I leave. I walk away knowing that while Texas will fill my soul, New York will hold my heart."
C’mon Get Happy – 9/18/09
"First of all, I love New York. No really, I love New York. Until very recently, I had no idea what it meant to call one place home. Is it the place where your parents reside? Maybe the house that you’ve lived in the longest? Or simply, is it the place that makes you feel your most comfortable? My entire life I have envisioned it as a singular concept. Sure, “home is where the heart is,” but that doesn’t necessarily get me anywhere. What if your heart is in two different places, how do you explain that? There is no doubt that Texas is my home...the South is where I was made, it’s my fiber. To some degree I cannot even fathom a childhood without the space and safety that mine had to offer, however, something has always drawn me to New York. I remember sitting in bed at night and dreaming of what my life would be like, would the City energize me? Would I find love? Would it change me forever? To all of those questions I asked, the answer is yes. There were times that I felt practically electric, I would walk around and think, “I can’t believe I live here.” Everything felt bigger, brighter and faster...sometimes I kept up, and the rest of the time I just watched. For every second that I am in Texas and think “this is me, this is who I am,” I get pulled into my desire for NY and realize that a (huge) part of me belongs there too."
As you can see from the excerpts of my previous blog posts, the last two years of my life have had me “searching” for my perfect home. While I don’t have all of the answers to exactly what that means, I can tell you that it has made me all the more of a person for it. I have been lucky enough to laugh with new friends, long for old, miss my family, soak up the Texas sun, breathe the NY air and feel everything in-between. The bricks and mortar of the homes of my past, present and future might be ever-changing, but the love and comfort never will. The hug that you just have to have, the tears that you’ll only shed in front of those that you choose, the abundant laughter, the special note, the last phone call of your day, the remembrance of your big achievement, the random email, the smell that brings up immediate association, the photo that carries a memory, the ability to be silent together, the accountability, the vulnerability, and lastly, the joy. These all help me define home. I wish that I could just hand you a zip code and point you in the direction of my constant footsteps, but lucky for me, home is all around.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Freaky Deaky Dutch
TURN THE LIGHTS OFF
Happy Halloween! Love, The Tinies
Mom: "You guys better get a Christmas card picture..."Me: "I think we got one."
Never disappoints.
Just taking a breather.
Smiling really IS his favorite...(ie. botched party trick.)
"Hmm, that's funny - I don't remember Max holding a red Solo cup in the book..."
Ryan: "Yeah, I stopped off at Party City on my way over here and this is all they had left..."
"Gnome better time than the present."
Thursday girls!
Beyonce, you crazy.
Eskimo, Michelle O., Little Miss Sunshine & The Garden Gnome
"You're a weird guy, Ace."
Just can't stop posing...
Until next year...
Falcon Heene, over and out.
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