Friday, January 14, 2011

Day 4- What I imagine paradise to be like

Sorry I haven't been around since Tuesday. Wednesday was the first day at my new job @ the local hospital. Thursday I had to work my first job in Jeffersonville, Indiana. And now today- here I am. A couple of days behind- but back at it! I didn't forget! As long as I come back- that's all that matters huh? This weekend may be hard for me to keep up- I work 12 hour shifts Saturday and Sunday starting @ 6:30am- so I may just come home-eat-and crash!

So on to the topic at hand....

What I imagine paradise to be like:

I imagine that paradise is pain-free. Relaxing. Stress free. There is no work. There is no illnesses. There is no anger. Hurt. Bad feelings. Or debt. There are no bills to pay...and no worries [cue Hakuna Matata song from Lion King]. You can eat anything you want [and never get full or a stomach ache]. You can see all the people you would want to see. I would imagine that you could do anything that you would want to do [within reason]. Life would just be perfect [much like the Garden of Eden]. You may even be able to be naked if you so chose!

Well- I am off for now. I am at my in-laws house for dinner- and had some down time. Now I have to work on my take home work project- and rest a little bit before my loooooong day tomorrow!


Faithfully Ever After- Kelly

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Day 3- 5 songs I would have on a desert island

Well today is a snowy cold day. And I refuse to go out in it! Last year- I tried to make it to school when the roads were frozen- made it less then half-way- and had to have Travis and his dad come and get me. I was not going to go that route again. Nope, not me. So here I am, at home, with my kiddos [who I'm sure are going to go stir crazy very shortly]

Today's question-

What 5 songs? That's a hard one for me- I love music- a lot. But if I had to choose just 5, I guess they'd be-

  • At Last- Etta James
  • Feeling Good- Michael Buble
  • Words I would say- Sidewalk Prophets
  • If you wanna be my lover- Spice Girls

  • Hangin tough- New Kids on the Block
Some of the music would be motivational and inspiring. And some would be upbeat so I could keep my mind off of being on a desert island.

Well- I'm off for now, gotta get some cleaning done and keep my kiddos from tearing the walls down!
Faithfully Ever After- Kelly

Monday, January 10, 2011

Day 2- Something that inspires me

So, today is day 2 of my 30 day challenge of self discovery.

[Yay me- pat on back]

Something that inspires me.

Can I have more then 1? Because I have a few. [I love making lists]

  • my kiddos inspire me- they make me strive to do better. Not just for them- but for myself. I hope that when they look at me- they see success and something they want to be, not something they are ashamed of.

  • Travis inspires me- he makes me want to do more for myself. He is my corner man. The man that patches me up when I'm hurt- wipes me off when I'm sweaty- props me up when I'm down.
  • my dad/step-mom/mother- striving to make them proud of me and doing things a little better then they did inspires me.
Those are just a handful of things that inspire me.

I can't wait for day 3. I love learning about me.


Faithfully Ever After- Kelly

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Day 1- My guilty pleasure

I actually have a few guilty pleasures [ I can't limit myself to talking about just one!]

  • chocolate ice cream [or any ice cream] for breakfast
  • a hot bath with a good book
  • foot rubs from Travis
  • getting my nails done
  • getting my hair done
  • watching re-run reality shows [even if I  know the ending]
  • dancing around to music from my teen years [ie NSYNC, Backstreet Boys]
  • Oreo cookies and milk
Well- that list has just left me hungry and ready to dance.


Faithfully Ever After- Kelly

Personal 30 day challenge

First- I would like to say thank you to Casey Barnett for posting this on her Facebook and giving me the idea to spend 30 days thinking about myself.

I really never think about myself. I hate to be selfish. I always put my kids and Travis first- then me last. But, at the beginning of 2011 I decided that I was going to focus a tad bit more on me- beginning with a little personal challenge. Getting to know me a little more [and sharind me with you!]

[that- and I was running out of creative things to post- my mind has been so busy with schedules/work/house cleaning. and I didn't want to blog about cleaning!]

This is the challenge that I am going to give myself for the next month- welcome to Kelly :)

PERSONAL 30 DAY CHALLENGE:
day 01- Guilty pleasure
day 02- Something that inspires you
day 03- The five songs you would have with you on a desert island and why
day 04- What you imagine paradise to be like
day 05- A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life
day 06- Earliest thing you can remember
day 07- Favorite cover of your favorite song
day 08- Someone you think would make a good president
day 09- Five things you want to see change
day 10- A dream you had this past week described in detail
day 11- Favorite picture ever taken of yourself
day 12- Your favorite musical artist’s life story
day 13- A memory that never fails to make you laugh
day 14- Best mashup you’ve ever heard
day 15- A moment, phrase, or song that has changed your life the most.
day 16- Something that you want to do within the next five years.
day 17- What you want to remembered for.
day 18- A picture that makes you feel
day 19- A passage from a book that has touched you
day 20- A band that you immediately liked and the song that made you like them
day 21- Your favorite medium of art.
day 22- Someone you would give your life up for without question.
day 23- Most awkward first impression you feel you’ve ever given
day 24- Something you did as a child that other people remember you for.
day 25- Something you would do if no one stopped you or if you knew you wouldn’t fail.
day 26- Your definition of love.
day 27- Your definition of the meaning of life.
day 28- A moment you remember being completely happy in and a description of why you believe you were. what is your definition of happiness?
day 29- What you live for.
day 30- Ways you believe you have grown over the past thirty days



Faithfully Ever After- Kelly

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Eh

Today is an eh day. A day where I say eh.

I am so tired. Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually.

Eh.


Faithfully Ever After- Kelly

Friday, January 7, 2011

Funeral Questions

I just realized- at this very moment- that a lot of the things I experience, I can usually sum up with a song. I guess maybe my life should have been a musical? That'd be fun, but I'm not sure I could handle all the hair/makeup/wardrobe that I'm sure would come with that. Hehe.

Back to the original topic-

So yesterday [cue Beatles] was the day that our family said our final good-bye to Uncle Tom. But let me tell you, I wasn't ready. I know- who is ever really ready to say good-bye to someone they love? Yesterday was hard. Very hard. But Micah [my 6 year old] made the day a little brighter.

You see, she is a very bright, but inquisitive girl who needs to know all the details about things. So throughout the funeral she asked me a lot of questions- and of course, as her mother, I tried to answer them the best I could.

Micah: "Mom- does Uncle Tom have shoes on?"
Me: "Yes he does honey."
Micah: "And socks?"
Me: "Yes"
Micah: "Clean ones?!?"
Me: "Of course baby, he wouldn't wear dirty ones would he?"

Later...
Micah: "How did they get him in there [ie casket]?"
Me: "I have no idea"
Micah: "I'm sure they picked him up Mommy."
[good point huh?]

The last one [and my personal favorite]...
Micah: "How'd they get Uncle Tom to stand up to put his clothes on?"
Me: "They didn't"
Micah: "Well how'd they get the clothes on then?"
Me: [thinking quickly] "You know how we lay babies who don't know how to stand on the couch and put their clothes on? Well that's how they did him." [good thinking Kelly]
Micah: "Oh, okay Mommy."

That girl can even make a funeral not so hard. I love her. Questions and all.



Faithfully Ever After- Kelly

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Getting to know the girl behind the blog!

This is a little survey about me. Just so you all can have a little information about who's writing to you day after day. Just a little about the woman behind this blog :)
___________________________________________________________________________________
Apple juice or orange juice? Apple



Are you a morning or night person? Let's call it- mid-afternoon


Which do you prefer, sweet or salty foods? Sweets [for the win]


Ninjas or pirates? Most definitely ninja [I look best in black]


Ninjas vs pirates, discuss. Well ninjas actually do things- like fight and defend people. Pirates just plunder and sail. I don't like water all that well.


What was your favorite childhood television program? I watched a lot of TV when I was younger- but the one that stands out the most in my mind would have to be "Punky Brewster"


Are you a collector of anything? I have a stash of magazines under my bed [don't let your mind go there]. They are all parenting magazines- and I don't get rid of them because I'm scared I'll need an article and won't have it!


If you could be any animal, what would you be? Snow leopard


If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Ability to read people's minds. And be able to choose whose mind I read.


What is usually your first thought when you wake up? Boy I'm still so sleepy!


What do you usually think about right before falling asleep? Today was a really long day!


What's your favorite color? I have 3, lime green-pink-and black


What's your favorite animal? I love cows!


Do you believe in extraterrestrials or life on other planets? Yes, I don't think humans are the only ones. Where are they? I don't know. But they are there


Do you believe in ghosts? Yeah- but I'm not sure they make contact like people believe they do.


Ever been addicted to a video/computer game? Which one(s)? Facebook had me addicted to for a summer.


You're given 1 million dollars, what do you spend it on? Bills, my parents bills, a new house, and a college fund for my kiddos.

Have any bad habits? Cracking my knuckles and ankles- and chewing my nails


Which bad habits, if any, drive you crazy? Chewing loudly


List 3 of your best personality traits: Nice-funny-caring


List 3 of your worst personality traits: Selfish [at times]- anti-social [at times]- bitchy


Have any celebrity crushes? I love Taylor Lautner and Jude Law


List 1 thing you wish you could change about yourself: I wish I had more energy on a regular basis


Any tattoos or piercings? 14 piercings and 7 tattoos


What's the first thing you notice in the opposite sex? Smile


What personality traits do you look for in a partner? Caring-funny-nice-sweet- intelligent


What personality traits do you dislike in other people? I thoroughly dislike rude people


Are you mostly a clean or messy person? A little of both

Do you see yourself getting married in the next 5 years? I am married- so 5 years from now I hope to be still married!

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Someplace warm!


If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? Ireland-China-Australia


List 5 goals on your life's to-do list: Bungee jump-Scuba dive-Drive Cross Country- Fly Across the World- Buy my own House


Name 1 regret you have: Worrying so much about little things and not taking time to relax
 Name 1 thing you miss about being a kid: The naps!


Name 1 thing you love about being an adult: The freedom


What's your favorite song of the moment? Mean- by Taylor Swift


What's your favorite song of all time? That's a hard one!


What's your favorite thing to do on a Saturday night? Hang out with my kiddos and Travis


What's your favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon? Church/nap


Have any hidden talents? None that I know of


You're about to walk the green mile, what do you have as your last meal? Taco Bell


What would be your dream job? Right where I am right now

Which would you rather have, 100 million dollars or true love? True Love


If you could have 3 wishes granted, what would they be? To be in love with Travis forever- to have my kids grow up in a good life- to be happy


Ever wish you were born the opposite sex? If so, why? Nope


Name 1 thing not many people know about you: Its hard for me to trust anyone


If you HAD to change your name, what would you change it to? Scarlett


Do you believe in the afterlife? I believe that when we die- we spend eternity with Jesus- so I guess- yeah


On the topic of abortion, how do you feel about cookies? This question makes no sense- but I love cookies :)



Faithfully Ever After- Kelly

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Heaven

Again I sit here with my mind restless- running full of ideas and thoughts [that's status quot for me] and my heart heavy.

Travis' Uncle Tom has gone to be with Jesus after years of battling various illnesses. He passed away 6:29pm 01/03/2011 surrounded by family at his home.

When I first moved to Shelbyville from Indianapolis in 2005- Brenda [Travis' aunt] and Tom were some of the first people I met. And they both [instantly] fell in love with Micah [much like people do]. They treated her as if, maybe better, then they treated their own family. Micah and Tom used to ride around on his power chair and eat lots of honey buns. They would go "fishing" in the creek and play outside. She was his "baby girl". And now- he's at home with sweet Jesus.

This pains me. Not just for me. Or Travis. Or Tom's family. But for Micah. This is one funeral that is going to be extremely hard for me, because of her. She's 6 now- so death is more of a reality for her. This is one death that will actually be close to her and may just break her heart.  And I'm not sure my heart can handle her tears this time around.

Well that brings me to the topic at hand. Heaven. Paradise. Where we are promised if we live a life that is good and pure- and we put our full trust/heart/soul in God. Heaven was the last thing on my mind- until last night. And now I can't get my mind off of it.


Country singer Buddy Jewell had a song years ago- called "Help Pour Out the Rain (Lacey's Song)". The song is about a girl playing 20 questions with her father during a car ride- and the questions turned to Heaven.

She said: "Daddy, when we get to Heaven, can I taste the Milky Way?


"Are we goin' there to visit, or are we goin' there to stay?

"Am I gonna see my Grandpa? Can I have a pair of wings?

"An' do you think that God could use another Angel,

"To help pour out the rain?"


And much like the child in this song- I have so many questions. Questions that I wish were answered. What is it like? Who's there? Do we know we're there when we get there? Do we get to be with Jesus all day? Or our loved ones?
But I know they be answered can't until I get there.

So for now- I am going to hang my hat on the thought- that as long as I keep God in my heart. I keep doing His work. I keep my kids on the right path. I continue to proclaim that Jesus is Lord. And keep God first- then I will make it to that place.

Were I get to meet Jesus face to face, bask in His glory- maybe get a cool pair of angel wings and help pour out the rain.

Rest in peace with Sweet Jesus, Uncle Tom. We love you and miss you so much already. Keep an eye on your "baby girl", and always know how much she loved you. Can't wait to see you soon.


Faithfully Ever After- Kelly

Monday, January 3, 2011

Day by Day

Today has very much been a Godspell lyric day for me.


This is one of my FAVORITE musicals of all time [behind Grease of course]. The basic story [for those who haven't seen it or heard of it] is based on the gosepl of Matthew [from the Bible]. It contains parables [prodigal son, Lazarus] set to music- and at the very end- it contains a passion of the Christ.

From this musical comes on of my favorite songs, "Day by Day". I don't know why- but it always gets my toes tapping and my heart fluttering. I always feel the need to do motions and sing loudly [much to the embarrassment of my family].

Day by day



Day by day


Oh Dear Lord


Three things I pray


To see thee more clearly


Love thee more dearly


Follow thee more nearly


Day by day

Even though these lyrics are from a popular musical and spent time on the Billboard Music charts- I think this song is music for my soul. I mean- who doesn't need these 3 things. And they seem so simply. See-love-follow. How hard is that?

Ok. I know. Hard.

Because it is extremely hard for me. The hardest of those instructions is follow. It is very hard to follow something you can't see. And in the dark at that. God doesn't give us very much info when He asks us to do something. We are to say okay immediately to His prompt and then wait for further instructions. Now I'm a person who likes to know all of the info up front- right away. The older I get- I realize God just doesn't work that way. He likes to tell us what we need to know- when we need to know it.

Today. Everyday. All day.

Day by day.

That is something I am working on very hard this year. Taking things one day at a time. Not looking too far forward and focusing on the future, and not taking care of the present. I am taking this life day by day- and seeing-loving-following my dear Lord.

[thanks Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak for writing a contemporary-amazing-fun take on the gospel of Matthew- it is a musical that I can not only sing and dance with- but worship with]




Faithfully Ever After- Kelly

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Restless Mind

I have a super restless mind today. It is running all over the place. To and fro. I have thought about everything. And when I say everything [I mean it].

So far today- [and it's a little after 11am] my mind has contemplated:

  • my cleaning schedule that I haven't tackled it yet
  • why is it so cold in my house?
  • why does my husband complain so much when it's cold [put on a jacket!]
  • why my 2 year old is so incredibly loud?
  • why are we tickalish?
  • ^ did I just spell tickalish right?
  • why is puppy Jack so needy?

[this puppy right here]

  • why did I get a new puppy?
  • how much sleep am I going to miss when I start my second job?
  • shopped for Micah's new bedroom furniture [I love Pottery Barn Kids]
  • shopped for furniture for my living room
  • mentally re-painted my living room again
  • oh- and thought of something to blog [day 3 of 3]
I wish my mind wasn't running 100 miles a minute today. I actually wanted to relax [one of my goals for the new year].

Well day 2 of the new year has been great so far [as long as my mind slows down for just a second :)]

Faithfully Ever After- Kelly

Saturday, January 1, 2011

2011- Welcome Welcome Welcome

Well hello 2011- I'm so glad you're here. Getting to know you is going to be great. And I hope you are ready.

This year- I plan on

  • being a better and more attentive wife/mother
  • quit eating and drinking so much crap- my body does not deserve it
  • blog more- writing has been my passion and I've let that go by the wayside
  • journal more- I've found journaling is the window into my soul
  • make myself more of a priority. I can't keep putting myself last- even though it comes naturally
  • make a budget- keep said budget- save money
  • RELAX more- meditate/pray- it just needs to happen.
This year is going to be more about me doing more for me and my family.

This is going to be a great year, not because I said so. But because I will MAKE it happen.

Happy New Year!




Faithfully Ever After- Kelly