Birthdays!

Over the weekend we celebrated my niece and nephew's birthdays!!
Rachel is 16, Christian 14..they grow up so fast..
Next month Alicia will be 17, I can't believe how much they have all changed in the last 2 years. (she is in the third picture)
The last one is of me and my sister Michelle!!
We ate pizza, played bunco and guesstures and called it a day!!
Happy Birthday Rachel and Christian, we love you both so much!!!

I took this picture of a very random flower we had growing in our backyard...
But today, this picture is me.
I feel complete peace, a little exposed, yet if you look closely at me you will notice a sadness, a slight dark corner of my heart
All the while, I smile at the world, content to not let anyone truly see me. Not now, not today...

I sell confidence...

I am a stylist by trade...a stylist of the eyeball world. Most days I really love what I do...
I have been in this field for 14 years, today it struck me that I am trusted all day, every day, to be a judge of people.
I judge people for a living then select the best eye wear for their faces, lifestyles, and of course the latest trends. So when I begin with a patient it is my job to discern their likes, dislikes and personal style needs. What often ends up happening is that I "judge" them based on how they look...
I'm not going to debate, right now, whether this is wrong or right..(although I have some thoughts on that for another day)

Based on my assessment of the patient, I begin to show them what I think would suit them best...rarely am I met with resistance (I'm the professional, right??!)Wooooo hoooooooo, such power I hold!!!
Most of us see ourselves so different than others see us. So I see it as a challenge to alter the perception of the patient. I have a very unique opportunity to encourage them to step out of their comfort zone, or maybe try that color they've been wanting to try, but were too afraid. It brings me great joy to help the patient update, alter, or even change their appearance through their eye wear...
What I really love about my job is when a patient will trust me enough to go with the frame that I suggest, and they turn out absolutely LOVING it!!! They walk out way more confident than they came in and, just like a new haircut, feel fresh and new! That makes my job totally worth the 30 mile commute.
So to sum up my job, I judge, encourage, style, sometimes counsel and, of course, "sell" confidence to the average "joe"

So I encourage you (and me) to try something new today, step out of your comfort zone, go talk to that person, or even try to see yourself through others eyes..
You may be pleasantly surprised!!!

My TiVo List!!

I thought I would reveal a very intimate part of my life to you all!!! Actually I think a TiVo list does reveal a little about a person, so be that as it may...I am prepared to take the criticism for my shallow TV choices, as well as the occasional sneer...
I probably record EVERY reality show there is, and T likes to record the History and National Geographic channel. (yawn) So I thought I would post our TiVo List and would love to hear what you record...

The Fringe (my new favorite show)
Bones
The Office
Top Design
Project Runway
LockUp (especially like the LockUp: Raw)
The Hills (embarrassing, but true)
Weaponology
Next Top Model
Dancing With The Stars
Till Death
How I met your mother
Lost (when its back on)
Greys Anatomy
Privileged

Truth be told, this is my TiVo list, T doesn't really get to record much... BUT the "weaponology" is his!!

Does "time out" work on dogs??

So here are our wonderful dogs, Kisser and Poopers!! We love them so much, but sometimes they are just too sneaky...Today Poopers (the dog on the right) got into our trash can, tipped it over and started eating some chicken we had thrown away...when I found him he didn't drop it, (i said it just like the dog whisperer) and he continued to disobey me...So i put him in "time out"..Yes just like a toddler...do you think it works on dogs??

I can't hear...

My mom and I were talking last night about her friend Sally's prayer, prompting us to listen to the soft whispers of the Lord, this lead me to question Am I listening to the "soft whispers" of the Lord??
My honest answer is no, not all time...to be a great listener, I first have to discard my "old" habits:
The first being: I can't listen with my mouth open...(be quiet)
I can't listen while I'm moving...(be still)
I can't listen while I'm focusing on me
I can't listen if I don't care
I can't listen when I'm worried or anxious
What I realized when I was making this list, was that all these things are me being selfish...I am guilty of processing my thoughts while a friend is sharing with me, instead of being present with her and really listening.
I carry that same handicap into my relationship with the Lord..
I listen to what I want, when I want and on my terms.
Not exactly being aware or open to the "soft whispers" of the Lord.
How do I expect to hear the soft voice of the Lord, if my voice is so loud in my heart? Again, I am faced with the question..Who am I living for, Me or the Lord...
When I live for the Lord I become so in tune with His voice, and no matter how "soft" it is, I am lead by Him.

By no means am I suggesting my handicap is healed, however I will re-learn my listening skills, both with the Lord and my friends...and I pray that my spirit remain sensitive to the nudging of the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 3:15-17 (The Message)
Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ-the Message_ have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense, and sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives-words,actions, whatever- be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Summer Bash!!

We had our first ever, now annual, Summer Bash!!!
The pictures say it all!! We rented a huge waterslide!!!
Enjoy!

I yawn at the police!!!!

On the way to work to day, a cop drove by me...I realize that every time a cop drives by me, I begin to yawn...yep thats right, I act completly relaxed and at ease, to distract them from my actual speed..., I guess somewhere in my mind, if I appear to be "bored" that there is no way they will "clock" me...

Because what speeding person is so relaxed that they actually yawn while driving??
My crazy mind, right??
So, it actually works, try it the next a police drives by you!!!

Nature Walk...

Over the weekend Travis and I went to the El Dorado Nature Walk...we love it there, it almost feels like you are miles away...(almost) We like to just walk and listen to the sounds of the birds...just really relax and connect with the Lord..
I have found,for me, I connect with the Lord in nature...I feel more relaxed, more able to hear His voice, more open to hear His voice, more honest about how I'm feeling and really just more myself.

My spirit is refreshed by being outside!! Thats why I LOVE the mountains so much, plus the fact that my parents took us there every summer!:)
If I could daily get my heart to be still, as if I were in nature, I would have such an easier time hearing the Lord...sometimes I am just to loud or busy to hear Him..
Sometimes I tune Him out...sometimes I ignore Him...

My prayer today is that I hear the Lord, and be still before Him more...

Champions!!!!!

Travis's softball team won the championship of their division!!!!
Yay for my sweetie!! He is such a good player, and he hit a home run on the last game and they blew the other team away!!!
I have to lift Travis up for his amazing attitude, he gives his all in everything that he does, and continues to keep a positive attitude!!! He has been a wonderful example to me!! He loves the Lord, loves his family, and is so patient with me!!(we all know I need it(

Way to go, sweeties!!! I love you