Morgyn's Musings

Miss you already Sis

2010-06-21T07:12:00.000-07:00

Do's & Don'ts

2010-06-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

I don't wash my hair with traditional shampoo.

I do use baking soda and acv to clean my hair.

I DO shower everyday.

I don't use bottled chemicals to "clean" myself.

I do use glycerin bar soap or goat milk soap.

I do wash my face 2x a day-with Dr. Bronner's soap.

I don't blow dry my hair everyday anymore-it's soo damaging.

I do wear deodorant-every day.

I do brush my teeth- every day x 2!

I do shave my legs

and other areas that need shaved-on a regular basis.

Just thought I would clarify ;-)

Stuff

2010-06-05T20:01:00.000-07:00

Bummed all the herbs I planted were a bust and we had to buy starters.

Currently listening to Gateway Worship

Currently hungry for an avocado

Currently wishing I had a pair of chacos to wear today at the farmers market

Can't wait for my sissy and her hubby to be here next week

3's

2010-05-12T20:08:00.000-07:00

Three names I go by:

Morgyn
Morgyan
Morgy-Corbin, Michael's nephew calls me this! :)

Three jobs I have had:

Ice Cream Server

Gardener

Retail-yuckk

Three Favorite Drinks:

Java Break's Peach Melba-when I come back to KS, I WILL be going here and asking for the recipe..

An ice cold glass of water in a glass cup. Ice must be crushed... :)

Root beer

Three Places I have Been:

Orlando, FL

New Orleans, LA

Chicago, IL

Three Places I would like to Visit:

Greece
New Orleans-again! I LOVED it!
New York City

Three Favorite Foods:

La Familia's infamous sweet salsa. So many things about KS that I miss :(

Michael's mom's potato soup-SOOO good!

Dad's roasted Sweet potatoes and onions

Three makeup products I can't live without:

My eyelash curler! I have looong eyelashes-that actually stab me if they aren't kept curled.

Under-eye concealer. Dark circles must run in the family-no matter how much I sleep-they are still there! Any tips would be APPRECIATED!

Blush! I'm pale and pasty and prone to looking like the walking dead for some reason.

Three Things I am looking forward to:

Going home again

Meeting Jesus

Seeing my sister in June!

Three people I am tagging:

YOU!

Update

2010-04-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

Here's an update!

I've been 'poo free for 5 months and counting! Hair is thicker, shiny, and just plain wonderful.

If you can get over the scariness of not stripping your hair with sodium lauryl sulfate, then give it a try! (Michael, and a few of my friends have tried it and LOVE IT!)

I've also changed my skin care regimin lately. I have acne prone-sometimes oily-sometimes dry skin. I wash with Dr. Bronners castile soap 2x daily. I do an egg-white mask 3x a week (not as gross as you might think) and the results?

My skin is awesome! Breakouts are down to a minimum, and every day I wake up and my skin is better than the day before. I've actually told one of my best friends here about it who has horrible adult acne. I'm praying it works for her!

Michael and I recently celebrated 1 year together!

There's a shiny new piece of jewlrey on one of my fingers

(it's a promise ring)

I've been borrowing a camera from a friend at church to take some pictures of Michael's nephew, and my niece, Zaylee while she was in town with my sister in law visiting and I'm returning it this weekend. I promise not to cry.

I got a job-just waiting on training-which is highly frustrating.

I got a new pair of glasses-with a way high prescription. So high in fact, that I got sick 2x in the first day of wearing them.

That's all for now, folks!

2010-03-12T03:41:00.000-08:00

Laminin

2010-03-05T08:22:00.000-08:00

I will boast in my Lord who has done wonderful things for me.

I love my church

I dare you

2010-03-03T07:02:00.000-08:00

I dare you.

Want to change your life in 15 minutes?

For the better?

Watch this video

You will not be disappointed.

And in the mean time, I highly recommend this book:

It is changing my life, my heart, my relationship with Christ, with everybody.

For the better.

Do yourself a favor and pick it up and read it.

Let it change your heart

Thoughts

2010-02-26T10:23:00.000-08:00

Random thoughts floating around in my head:

Scared yet? :-D

Winter warm-up at my church with comedian-evangelist, Jamey Ragle was
AWESOME, life changing, church changing

So excited!

I've taken up knitting again..for 2 hours..then I got bored. again.
I haven't poo-ed in 1 month.
Yippee!-No transition hair, no problems, just fantastic, silky, shiny, thick, and beautiful results.
Dudley turns 2 next week. No i'm not having a party for him.
My sister is rad. She sent me a totally awesome care/birthday package which included
this book:

this book (which I cannot put down):

this book:

this movie:

this book:

and many more.
Thanks sis-you're rad. But you already knew that.
I'm officially sick of snow...as of 2 weeks ago. Is it spring yet?
Michael & I are officially the cutest couple ever

Don't ya think?

Live like We're Dying

2010-02-16T07:12:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we fall down and can’t get back up
We’re hiding behind skin that’s too tough
How come we don’t say I love you enough
Till it’s too late, it’s not too late

Our hearts are hungry for a food that won’t come
We could make a feast from these crumbs
And we’re all staring down the barrel of a gun
So if your life flashed before you, what would you wish you would’ve done

Yeah, gotta start
Looking at the hand of the time we’ve been given here
This is all we got and we gotta start thinkin’ it
Every second counts on a clock that’s tickin’
Gotta live like we’re dying
We only got 86 400 seconds in a day
To turn it all around or throw it all away
We gotta tell ‘em that we love ‘em while we got the chance to say,
Gotta live like we’re dying

And if you plane fell out of the skies
Who would you call with your last goodbyes
Should be so careful who we live out of our lives
So when we long for absolution, there’ll be no one on the line

Like we’re dying

You never know a good thing until it’s gone
you never see a crash until its head on
All these people right when we’re dead wrong,
You never know a good thing till it’s gone

I don't 'Poo

2010-02-13T07:59:00.000-08:00

So I said yesterday that I have went wild.

So that little "wild" thing I've been doing?
(and have been for a week)

:D

I haven't 'poo-ed in a week.

:D

and by 'poo, I mean shampoo

That's right- on February 3rd, 2010, I gave up traditional shampoo and conditioner.

Why, you ask?

I've had a love hate relationship with my hair.
Love it in the mornings, when I shower,
Hate it at night, or when I wake up and it looks like a messy, oily, birds nest.
Love it when it's clean, long, and shiny (for about 3 hrs of the day)
Hate it when it's dry, split-end infested, and unmanageable.

So I went wild. I gave up shampooing and conditioning.
Traditional shampoo and conditioner anyway.

I've heard rumors about going 'poo free and success stories of women who have done it and have achieved their "best hair ever"

So wait, I can get my "best hair ever" with this 'poo free method?

Count me in!

So I dove hair-into the world of 'poo free

So what do I wash with?

My shampoo:

Baking soda has a basic pH. It helps lift gunk and grime off the scalp. It's considered the "shampoo" step. I keep a box of it in the bathroom, and then each time before I hop in the shower to "shampoo", I take a tablespoon and drop a heaping scoop of baking soda into a glass mason jar (which I keep in the shower). In the shower I wet my hair, mix the baking soda with approximately 1 cup of water from the shower, and I mix it up really well., I carefully pour the mixture onto the front, sides, and top of my head, as well as the nape of my neck, scrubbing my scalp vigorously in a circular motion after applying. I rinse my hair well after this step.

My conditioner:

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has a lower pH, more like that of the hair. Thus, it helps restore pH balance to the hair as cream rinse or conditioner would, but without all the chemicals! I keep a bottle of ACV in my bathroom too. Before showering, I pour a tablespoon full of ACV into a small mason pint jar (kept in the shower), and then after the "shampoo" step (see above), I fill a mason jar about half-full with water in order to dilute the ACV. I simply dip the ends of my hair (about four to five inches up) into the jar with the ACV-water mixture and I can actually feel my hair getting softer during this step. I kind of hold the ends in the mixture for a bit and then rinse well.
Confused yet?

It's really quite simple. The first day was the hardest- Baking soda doesn't suds like traditional shampoo. So getting used to the "no bubbles" thing is still a work in progress.

So I've been doing it a week now.

What do I think?

I LOVE IT

I'm so disappointed I didn't' try this sooner. I was apprehensive to try this 'poo free method because I've heard horror stories of women who go through a transition period.

The dreaded transition period. Let me explain. Traditional shampoo is a detergent.
You know, that stuff that you use to clean your laundry with?
Sodium Laurel Sulfate (in basically ALL commercial shampoos)
IS a detergent-and strips your hair of it's natural oils.

When you go 'poo free your hair is not being stripped like it has been. In a lot of cases, this causes some women to go through a "transition period" where their scalp starts over-producing oil because it's not used to not being stripped all the time!
Usually, this transition period results in hair that is heavy, and greasy looking (it only lasts a few days-weeks) -which turns a lot of people off to the whole Idea of going 'poo free.

I was determined to try this, and to stick it out through the dreaded transition period.

Guess what?

NO TRANSITION PERIOD AT ALL!

It was like my hair breathed a sigh of relief-I have had zero oilyness!

The results of me going 'poo free?

I have had amazing results. I am so excited-my hair has so much body, the natural curl is coming back,
it's clean, not oily, SOFT, and incredibly shiny, healthy, and manageable.

I can go longer between washings-while I was using regular shampoo and conditioner, I was having to wash everyday!
Now, I can spread that out and I really only have to "shampoo" a few times a week.

My hair is stronger, prettier, and I am boasting about my success to all my friends.

Michael's actually tried it yesterday, and one of my best friends up here is jumping on the bandwagon.

I encourage you to try it. :)

Now, I'll post more info about it later this week-I'm swamped with papers this week.

P.S., don't listen to Brittne-it's NOT GROSS!

It's organic, healthy, gives you better hair, cheaper, and better for you.

TRY IT!

Going Wild

2010-02-12T07:47:00.000-08:00

I've gone wild.
But really, is that a surprise to you?

:D

Wanna guess what I did
(and have been doing..or should I say NOT doing)
for a little over a week now?

Hint:
It has to do with being more healthy, and "green".

P.S., Britt-don't give it away!
You too Mom!

P.S.S., Semester grades so-far are in
Guess who's got all A's?

:-D

Compelled By Love

2010-02-11T06:12:00.000-08:00

We're doing a bible study together as a church on Wed. nights.
Normally, we all break off into small groups, and there's about 4-5 different bible studies going on for everyone to choose from.
This year we started it off with something different.
The whole group of Wed. night church is doing 1 study together.
Our church has never been better.
God is moving, people's lives are changing (including mine),
and exciting things are happening.
This study has changed my life-
Let it change yours too!

Compelled By Love

I'm Sick of Snow...

2010-02-10T09:09:00.001-08:00

I'm sick of snow...

But somebody around here sure isn't!

2010-02-09T15:46:00.000-08:00

I've learned a lot in the past few months.
a lot.

I've learned that I can't change people
but I can pray.

I've learned that apart from God,
I am nothing.

I've learned that the truth sets you free.

I've learned that you have to hit rock bottom
before you'll rise-or start rising to your full potential

I've learned that life's not always fair

I've learned that I really need to start living by this quote:

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway. - Mother Theresa

And some people are not going to like it.
But that's ok.

I've learned that sometimes, you just can't please people.

But in the end, it's between you and God.
And that's all that matters.

I've learned that learning life lessons is unpleasant, hard, and humiliating
But they are necessary to personal growth

I've learned to value my privacy
what little I do have.

I've learned to surround myself with loving, caring, and amazing family and friends.

The ones who:
support you no matter what, (Michael)
stick by your side, (Robbie)
Help you pick yourself up, (Pastors Phil T., & Tony)
tell you they love you even when they are so unbelievably disapointed (Mom)
Hold you while you bawl (Dad)
Offer a smile and a hug (Monica)
Tell it to you straight (Pat)
Pray constantly on your behalf (Grandma Weesie)
Provide themselves as somebody to talk to without judgement (Brittne)

So I'm surrounding myself with more people like that-they've always been here- but now, for the first time, I'm choosing to really take advantage of the unconditional love they offer.

To New beginnings.

My lifesong

2010-01-07T17:28:00.000-08:00

Christmas Wrap-Up

2009-12-26T07:54:00.000-08:00

Christmas was Grand :)

Hope everyone had an excellent Christmas!

Lucky you to all my family back in KS and MO, you got a white Christmas!
Here. It rained, and was a dreary 40 degrees. Ugly day :(

But still, a warm time of laughter, FOOD, and family.

Now, I'm off to go shed the extra little something that is making me do a really funny dance every time I try to put jeans on :D

But first, a few of my favorite gifts!

A brand new ESV bible. Pink too!

Thanks Grandma Weesie & Pat! I LOVE it!

With Christmas money from Grandma Tamie & Grandpa Dan,
I bought this for myself:

Needtobreathe's latest album, The Outsiders
{This group is like a mix between Coldplay, Dave Matthews, and Jack Johnson-only Christian!}
I LOVE them :) Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

And with that same Christmas money,
I'm thinking about heading to half.com {i.love.this.website.}
because..

I'm pondering buying this documentary:

& this to go with it:

Food Inc.: How Industrial Food Is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer and What You Can Do About It A Participant Guide

It'll be like 2 for the price of 1/2 of 1! :)

And I finally leave you with Michael's and my Christmas card for next year
:D

My Christmas List :)

2009-12-17T18:49:00.000-08:00

Food INC-an amazing documentary that Michael and I just watched recently. I now really want to own it! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this documentary!

Michael Buble's newest cd, Crazy Love

Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different

Traditional Medicinal's Throat Coat tea. I drink this stuff like coffee, it does WONDERS for my vocal cords! And I just LOOOVE the way it tastes :)

Practical Theology for Women: How Knowing God Makes a Difference in Our Daily Lives

And on my "I really want it, but I know it's totally not possible list"...

The canon rebel. :D

Yeah I know, keep dreaming!

But really, relaxing time with friends and family is all this girl needs to make her happy. :)

Merry Christmas!

Something I wrote a long time ago

2009-12-12T07:31:00.000-08:00

Life is throwing some major curve balls at me right now.
I am learning some hard lessons, and going through some majorly faith testing, hard, and trying times. It amazes me to think of just everything that is happening to me right now. Life is getting rough and rather than just throw my hands up and give up, I've decided to buckle my seat belt and cling to the things I know are unshakable. My faith, my family, and the things I love.

I wrote this a few months ago during another tough time:

Thank you God for:
the tears I've cried, because I know you hold each one in your hands
the lessons I've learned, because I know that they have a purpose in your plan for my life
testing me in my faith. It only makes me stronger.
the people I've met, because I know that there is a reason that you have crossed our paths
your everlasting, never changing, always faithful word, the Bible
answering prayers
using the weak to lead the strong
revealing bits and pieces of your plan to me a little at a time
& loving me enough to send your only son to die for my sins.

Looking back on that time that I wrote that, I remember exactly what was testing my faith, and now, it seems like such a little little thing. We all have tough times, we all get through them. I'm going through a tough time, but I am ever so thankful for the lesson that I am learning from this tough time. and I know I'll get through it.

I have been a wayward child,
I have acted out,
I have questioned sovereignty,
and had my share of doubts,

And though sometimes,
my prayers feel like their bouncing off the sky,
the hand that holds won't let me go,
and is the reason why

I will stumble, I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes, I will face heartache,
But I will not be moved

On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart,
many times before,
My life has been a broken glass,
and I have kept the score,
of all my shattered dreams,
and though it seemed,
that I was far too gone,
my brokenness helped me to see,
it's grace I'm standing on.

I will stumble, I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes, I will face heartache,
But I will not be moved

On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
I will not be moved

And chaos in my life,
has been a badge I've worn,
and though I have been torn,
I will not be moved

I will make mistakes, I will face heartache,
But i will not be moved

On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand,
I will not be moved

2009-12-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness, laugh when you can, appologize when you should and let go of what you can't change. Love deeply and forgive quickly, take chances, give everything and have no regrets. Life's too short to be unhappy. You have to take the good with the bad, smile when you're sad, love what you've got...and always remember what you had. Always forgive, never forget. Learn from your mistakes...but NEVER regret!

How Deep The Father's Love For Us

2009-12-01T17:20:00.000-08:00

Faith is the thing that is willing to take a chance on the future. Faith is the capacity to see something on the horizon that we are willing to move toward. If our faith gets us from today to tomorrow, and in that new day we are ready or able to deal with something we thought we couldn’t face, then faith has done it’s job. There is a worse thing than weak faith. It is no faith.

Forgiveness

2009-11-04T09:41:00.001-08:00

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway. - Mother Theresa

God bless the broken road

2009-10-06T06:48:00.000-07:00

I set out on a narrow way, many years ago

Hoping I would find true love along the broken road

But I got lost a time or two

Wiped my brow and kept pushing through

I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

Yes He did

I think about the years I spent, just passing through

I'd like to have the time I lost, and give it back to you

But you just smile and take my hand

You've been there, you understand

It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

But now I'm just rolling home into my lover's arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

Been M.I.A.

2009-10-02T06:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been M.I.A. a bit recently.

I'm swamped to say the least!

Have I mentioned that I have the greatest friends?

One of my best friends, Sami,

is also a lover of all things photography,

and....

She's loaned me her baby her Canon EOS Rebel XSi

for 2-3 weeks! I have some photo shoots coming up
Like this baby's 1 year shots!

Anyway, she's loaned it to me to use!

:) Yippeee!!!

So I'm off to go play with my loaned toy, nicknamed Candi
(because she takes such sa-weeet shots)

One for the memory books

2009-09-21T17:47:00.000-07:00

Crazy weekend!

Michael and I drove down to AL to witness the marriage of our good friends, and fellow church members. Did I mention we drove back after the wedding too? Yeah so a total of 16ish hours in the car..in 1 DAY

We drove back so quickly because we both had to be at church the next day to worship our King!

Have I mentioned that I've been teaching the youth on Wed. nights at my church? Yep, currently we're in the 5th week of a bible study, and it's going fantastically well. :)

& Michael's been teaching the Junior Edge on Sunday mornings.

We both think it's really cool how God's put us in this position at our church, considering Michael feels called to youth ministry and has quite a passion for it. Working together on this has been an extremely fulfilling, and exciting experience for the both of us.

One of our students received Christ as her personal savior on Sunday, and it was quite a humbling, emotional, and beautiful moment for the both of us.

My "one for the memory books"?

Michael "cooked" his first meal ever for me, and it's one for the memory books. :D

Double Decker bologna and cheese sandwiches, baked BBQ chips, on a romantic card table setting complete with candlelight, laughter and pure joy staring into the one I Love's eyes. :)

Feelin' Good

2009-09-09T10:17:00.000-07:00

Settling into a routine, and loving it.

Today since all my homework for the week was finished, and I had finished my reading,
I vacuumed
and those little lines that the vacuum cleaner leaves on the carpet just made me
so gosh darn giddy.
It's the little things...

I'm in a fantastic mood.

I'm feelin' good, healthy, happy, and like myself.

It's fantastic. :)

Oh and I'm suuuper stoked because...Sunday is soo close. :)

I've been on a vocal rest for a while and
I'm more than ready to be back on stage, worshiping the King of Kings this Sunday.

I'll be singing this song:

:D Soo unbelievably excited

Have a fantastic day!

Wanted:

2009-09-07T17:17:00.001-07:00

Wanted:

Cure for a strong unhealthy urge and desire to own this:

so I can take more shots, better shots of/than this.

Am I drooling? Yeah sorry about that...
I know, I know, it's not the camera that produces the great shot, it's the photographer.

And don't get me wrong, I love the little camera I used to capture these shots,
but man oh man...

Imagine if I had this baby:

A girl can dream can't she?

As the love of my life would say...

I think I'm going to go light a candle now

:)

Blessed

2009-09-04T08:52:00.001-07:00

Quote of the Day:

2009-09-01T18:59:00.000-07:00

"Godly wisdom is gentle. Wisdom is not knowledge or intelligence. Wisdom is a lifestyle. It shines through your character and the way you get along with others, ultimately proving your relationship with God."

New Beginnings

2009-08-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

Allow me to introduce myself,

I'm Morgyn.

I'm now a student at Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana after a not-so successful run at Indiana University.

I love Jesus, sunshine, my family, friends, music, and many many other things.
Check them out over there if you're interested-------->

Today's my first day of class and after this, I probably won't be updating this blog too terribly much.

Sorry family! Once I get into the swing of things, I will hopefully find the time to update you all. :)

But for now, just know that this is a new me.

I'm a much happier, Jesus-loving and TRUSTING, confident, loving, and stress-free Morgyn.
And I like it!

Bring The Rain

2009-08-19T20:04:00.000-07:00

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that
I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory And I know there'll
be days When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to
praise You Jesus, bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the clouds that may
loom above because you are much greater than
my pain you who made a way for me suffering
your destiny so tell me whats a little rain

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the lord God almighty
is the lord God almighty
I'm forever singing

everybody singing
Holy holy holy
you are holy
you are holy

Falling flat

2009-08-19T05:23:00.001-07:00

Last semester I fell flat.on.my.face.

To put it point blank, I did horrible in school.

There are no excuses for my less-than satisfactory performance

But I felt overwhelmed, alone, and stressed.

I've learned quite a few valuable lessons in the past couple of days...

This situation I'm currently in has taught me that
I cannot think I'm self sufficient in everything.

If I would have reached out for help sooner in my struggles,
I would have a few more nights sleep under my belt, and a few more hairs on my head.

My head is clear, and I have never been more focused.

School is my number 1 priority this fall, and I'm happy to tell you that...

I'm enrolled and registered at Ivy Tech Community College for the fall, and will be taking 12 credit hours.

I have one last hurdle, and that is financial aid. I am confident that it will all work out though.

Honestly, I'm quite thankful for this really tough life-lesson. Right now if I could go back and change it, I probably would but I know that I will value this experience, and the lesson it is teaching me later on down the road.

God is bigger than my bad situation, and I rest in knowing that his almighty powerful hand is over this, and that I am never alone.

Love you all.

Some Stuff...

2009-08-17T03:38:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians 4:8-10
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

There's some things going on in my life right now.

I won't go into full details just quite yet, because some issues are still being ironed out.

Let's just say...

I messed up and made some poor decisions in this past year

and now...

I'm having to face the music.
I'm disappointed in myself, stressed, and scared.

But I know that God will provide

Sorry for the vague-ness...

But I just wanted to let you know to please be praying for me.

One thing I'm thankful for, is my increased faith in God.

This experience I'm going through is teaching me many harsh lessons, but I've never loved God more.
And I'm so thankful for that.

Again, sorry for the vagueness.

Foolish heart looks like we're here again
Same old game of plastic smile
Don't let anybody in
Hiding my heartache
Will this glass house break?
How much will they take
Before I'm empty
Do I let it show?
Does anybody know?

But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin
Broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Oh, Cause you see the real me

Painted on
Life is behind a mask
Self-inflicted circus clown
I'm tired of the song and dance
Living a charade
Always on parade
What a mess I've made of my existence
But you love me even now
And still I see somehow

But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin,
Broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Oh, Cause you see the real me

Wonderful, beautiful
Is what you see
When you look at me
You're turning the tattered fabric of my life into
A perfect tapestry

Oh, I just wanna be me
I wanna be me

Cause you see the real me
Hiding in my skin
Broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Oh, Cause you see the real me
And you love me
Just as I am
Wonderful, beautiful
Is what you see
When you look at me

Faith Like A Child

2009-08-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was super duper busy working at my church's Vacation Bible School.

This was my very first VBS event to ever attend/work at/see! Crazy, huh?

I was overwhelmed with the idea of working for the event, but after the first few minutes of being in the church, and interacting with the kids, all that went out the window.
Working with these kids was such an amazing experience for me.

We all have struggles with our Christian faith. We get so bogged down in our mistakes, our failures, and sometimes, it just seems like our road is incredibly long, lonely, and winding.

I know I struggle with focusing on whatever negative thing is happening in my life.
But why? God's own, true word states that He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)

I know the above verse to be true. Why? Because it's in God's word. And that is
Absolute Truth.
But still, I struggle. Why?

I know for me, I focus on whatever problem it is that I am feeling uneasy, or guilty about.
It's sorta like a teeny tiny pimple on your chin. You see it, and it seems ginormous. You're embarrassed, wondering if anybody else can see it. If i put concealer on it, and try to cover it up, will it just make it that more obvious to everyone else? The fact of the matter is, that teeny tiny pimple that seems so large to you, is microscopic to others. But us dwelling on it, makes it seem that much bigger.

So focus on the good. Kids are so easy to forgive. They don't focus on the bad, they look to the future. We need to be like that.
Philippians 4:8
Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.

Working with these kids, and teaching them about Jesus was such a blessing. I sure hope I blessed these kids, and taught them awesome lessons about their Savior. But honestly, what I'll remember about this experience is the blessing these kids gave me.

To have Faith like a Child.

Jesus loves me, no matter what.
Even when I mess up. He still loves me.

The qualities I saw in the children at Vacation Bible School are the exact qualities I want to have in my own life.
Innocence
Happiness
Free-spirit
Hopeful anticipation

In my business, and cloudiness, I had forgotten how simple Christian faith is, and how really childlike it is and should be.
Just believe.
Sure God is disappointed when we mess up, sin, and do things we aren't supposed to.
But he knew we were going to do those things anyway, and he forgave us before we even did those things. Jesus Christ's crucifixions cleanses us from our sins.
All we have to do to have that burden lifted is
Give our heart to God.

And have faith like a child.

It's that Easy!

So I want to say thank you to my VBS buddies that helped teach me this lesson, Zach, Alex, Skyler, Sarah, Luke, Jacob, Jeremiah, Kelly, Madison, and every other child in that church who I had the privilege of working with, and teaching them more about Jesus.

I love you kids!

Lead Me To The Cross

2009-08-14T04:36:00.000-07:00

Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemption's hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as loss

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I
Tempted and trialed
You are
The word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen

To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart

A little bit about me...

2009-08-13T04:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's fun to think back on all the little quirks that make me...me!

So the following, completely pointless list is not just for you, but for me. Because who knows, the fact that listening to a Mark Schultz song makes me cry now, may not be true 10 years from now.
And I don't want to forget that.

So yeah. Mark Schultz songs make me cry. Every time.
(it might be due to the fact that I knew I loved Michael when he played the cello to Mark Schult's Remember Me at our church's Maundy Thursday service...Yep I was a 'swoonin! Go ahead, throw up. :D)

I desperately need a new bible. My current one is marked on, has pages missing (thanks to a certain baby boy that apparently isn't a fan of Song of Solomon) But yeah.
I need a new bible, but I'm too afraid (or broke?) to buy a new one. My current one is like my comfort blanket. I'll be the first to admit it. It's been there since the beginning of my walk with Christ (so 4 years).

For some reason, my non-accent from growing up in Kansas, plus the southern(ish) accent that is prominent in Bedford, Indiana together, birthed a unique accent that is all my own but sounds an awful lot like Sarah Palin, or some kinda Minnesota person. Bruce swears that my new accent is payback for voting for Obama. (snort!)

I have never.ever.ever read a Twilight book. Don't kill me Kim.
Oh and...I probably never will :D

I actually looked on Craiglist today for a EOS Canon Rebel digital SLR.
Oh and I found one...close to home..$75.00
I'm thinking it's too good to be true...but still..

Ohhh man.

I hate pumping gas. Do you know how dirty those handles are?? Yucccckkk. Also, maybe this is in my head, but I feel like I smell like gas for hours after.

I try to be natural, and healthy and only drink water and tea, and avoid all caffeine but since dating Michael...
I've been re-introduced to the wonderful world of SODA POP!
My favorite? DR. PEPPER
But because I DON'T drink caffeine...when I do..
Oh man. So for my own safety, and reputation, Michael limits my Soda intake in public
Thank you!!!!!! :D

My favorite flowers are Daisies. Orange Gerbera Daisies to be exact.

I play with playdoh to relax me. I have nervous habits like (biting my nails...soo bad I know!). So in an effort to save my nails, I play with playdoh to relieve stress.
Plus, I just love the way it smells.

(When I do eat cheetos..) I eat them with a plastic fork. That way, whatever that stuff is that makes them orange....the "cheese" won't get on my hands.

Because I hate the texture of that "cheese"

The sound of a crinkling chip bag is like nails on a chalk-board to me. I.cant.stand.it.

Cotton balls bother me..The texture between my fingers is just strange, and I hate the sound they make when you rub them.

I listen to Kelly Clarkson. and LOVE IT!

I might be slightly addicted to Strawberry Chapstick.

I so wish there was a "cash for clunker" program for computers. My 'ol faithful laptop (who's "y", and "insert" keys pop off) would be traded promptly for a MAC.
Yes I've become one of them. A Mac lover.

Thank Michael for that one. But seriously. Once you go Mac...you don't go back!

And that's all for me folks. Do you feel like you know me more?
Have a good night, day, whatever time it is.
I need to go clean out Dudley's crate.
Again.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-12T06:05:00.001-07:00

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Adventure time

2009-08-10T12:15:00.001-07:00

This guy:

has left for school.

Leaving this girl:

quite sad.

But not to fret because
this guy:

will be home on Wed.

But still. This guy:

is going to be very busy.

But so is this girl:

Oh and this girl:

My best Indiana friend, will be home in 9 days

Yep this girl:

has been at a christian camp all summer in Illinois.
Hooray!

So this girl:

is busy getting ready for school, doing various church activities
like helping teach a youth class over this material:

and singing her heart out into something that looks like this:

So maybe it doesn't look like that. But anyway.
All that singing...

Yeah it's for this guy:
My savior, Jesus Christ to be exact.

Oh yeah, and I'm going on adventures.

:)

Welcome Back Britt!!!

2009-07-31T13:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome back Britt!

I'm a super busy girl this week/weekend. Getting ready for school, Church activities, taking photographs, working on my portfolio, working at Penney's, spending time with Michael, and helping at the church. Right now's Vacation Bible School so I'm BUSY.

So I'd thought I'd share a few photos from my portfolio that I'm working on... :D

Just a few photos from the shoot...

2009-07-21T12:20:00.000-07:00

Photography is really becoming a passion of mine. I love everything about it.

Doing whatever it takes to get the perfect shot (crawling in the mud, anyone?), holding my breath as the photos upload to the computer, editing, tweaking, I love it all!

Today I had my first "official" shoot.

My subject? Michael's adorable nephew, Corbin, of course!

I was pretty nervous when Jessie (his sister) asked me to do his photos. But once I got there, the nerves left, and I had a blast shooting Corbin. Plus, he is a wonderful baby.

Today Corbin was a tad cranky, so we didn't get all the photos we wanted to get done. So Thursday, I will be heading over to Michael's house to shoot some more photos of Corbin since Thursday is Bev's day to watch him. Plus, this will give me some good one-on-one time with Michael's mom. :)

Well....here are a few of the photos from today. Please honestly let me know what you think!

Thank you!

Putting our Adventure shoes on

2009-07-18T10:26:00.000-07:00

Michael and I are "putting our adventure shoes on"

Yesterday we went hiking up by Monroe Lake.

What a view!

We're enjoying the last days of summer together...( so sad )

Because pretty soon..this studmuffin will be 1 hour and 30 minutes away for school..

:-/

Anyway.......

Sunday, Michael will be putting on his working adventure shoes and will be leaving for Monticello, Indiana. He'll be gone for a week building a church with our worship pastor Tony, and his fiance, Jenny.

Today I put on my adventure shoes.

While Tony is gone with Michael in Monticello, I've been placed in charge of looking after his house, and his precious cat, Malika.

This cat hates me for the record.

Yesterday Michael and I were hanging out with Tony at his house and I was petting Malika telling her that we were going to become the best of friends this week and you know what she did??

She HISSED at me!!!

What an adventure! :D

Ok off to brush this darn cat, and then I leave for work pretty soon.

Hope you all are putting your adventure shoes on and enjoying this beautiful weather, too!

Girl time

2009-07-14T20:01:00.000-07:00

So funny story.

Michael recently purchased a Mac laptop with some of his money from Graduation.

I tried desperately to talk him out of it. Macs are expensive

I just didn't see what all the hoopla was about.

After much debate, he got one, and told me

"You just wait baby. You'll be wanting one of these within 20 minutes of using it"

"Uh-huh[totally rolling my eyes]. Yeah right"

Boy was I wrong.

I played with his computer (lovingly referred to as Lucille)

Yes. he uh. named his computer.

That's my boyfriend for you!

Anyway.

It took 5 whole stinkin minutes to convert me.

To really test the waters, I borrowed his computer to do some photo editing after a day of taking photos of the garden.

I.WAS.IN.LOVE.

Once you go Mac. You never go back.

I'm tellin' ya!

So I've gone Mac.

Even though my laptop's still an HP

I'm a mac girl at heart.

I now borrow (or as we call it..babysit) Lucille so I can do my major photo work.

Like Thursday. I'm taking Corbin's baby photos and will be using Lucille to do the editing.

So Michael dropped of Lucille tonight. It's our little inside joke that Lucille is his baby, and I'm the step mom.

I know, we're so weird.

So tomorrow, I'll be enjoying some quality girl time with my stepdaughter-that's-actually-a-computer........ and I'll be working on my portfolio!

Yeah that's another thing..I'm officially putting together a portfolio of my photos.

Woot-woot!

And because no blogging entry is complete without pictures....

Here ya go!

{and can I get a "woot-woot" for blogging 2 days in a row?!?! Yeah!!}

& don't be alarmed. Even though I've blogged 2 days in a row now, I'm feeling great. Back to my normal self and planning on making hummus and rosemary walnut pesto couscous salad tomorrow!

Because I know you were curious.. :D

Ok seriously.

Here's some photos!

Thinking in Bullets

2009-07-13T15:54:00.000-07:00

Lately, my thinking has been organized into bulleted lists.

1. Go to Kansas w/Michael
2. Breathe.
3. Do a little jig because you dropped 2 pant sizes!
4. Feed Dudley
5. Unpack
6. Clean room
7. Really now...UNPACK
8. Take photographs
9. Seriously. Get the fricken suitcase out of the middle of your floor
10. Paint toenails
11. work

And so on, and so forth.

So there's a lamo update for you. Now, I'm off to upload some photos because you know, I'm always taking a picture of something.

Photos from my trip to Kansas!

Sorta Wordless Wednesday on Tuesday

2009-06-30T17:35:00.000-07:00

alsdjflskjdlkfj

2009-06-28T17:21:00.000-07:00

Gibberish

I'm sure that's what my brain looks like right now.

Michael left for a mission trip this week to Cleveland Tennessee. He'll be back this Saturday evening..leaving me to do all the pre-trip schtuff.
[Our group from River's Edge getting ready to hit the road!]

Cause you know, I WE leave for Kansas a week from tomorrow!

Lots of stuff on my to-do list this week. I would elaborate and go into a detailed, bulleted list for you, but my notebook looks like it has gibberish all over it.
I understand the madness, and that's all that matters, right?
Michaels's mother saw a glimpse of my list and said "What in the world?!" haha

So this week's going to be a crazy one for me.
Family, ~~I'm~~ We're both SUPER EXCITED to see you all!

Even though I've been on a blogging hiatus...I haven't been on a camera one!!
Enjoy some snapshots of my days most recently:

{Turns out the photos I took of Michael and I...are on his computer.... so sorry!..I'll get those back eventually} :D

Have a good week!

A recap

2009-06-22T07:46:00.000-07:00

Man I'm horrible at updating this thing.

A recap of my life in the recent weeks:

Monica and Dad went to Oklahoma to visit Robbie and Amber, and sweet baby Zaylee. They were gone a whole week and 3 days leaving me all by myself to look after the house and our zoo of animals.
For the record, it felt like they were gone for months!
While they were gone, I worked mostly, with a few breaks here and there for church, and time with Michael.
Speaking of Michael. He has a pretty nasty rash on his back and is going to the doctor today to get it checked out.. Is that TMI? Sorry... :D
My days of have consisted off cuddling with my super obnoxious dog, prayer, listening to awesome praise music, reading, trying desperately to get my hair to curl instead of it's lame-o weak wave thing, working out, making peanut butter (nut butter to be exact..)and painting my toenails (and because I know you're curious...my color of choice is a vibrant OPI red color named "Caviar and Vodka". :D
Oh I had a sinus infection that started last Sunday..and I'm STILL getting over it...I really am starting to miss my voice. My speaking voice is for the most part...back but I miss my singing voice so bad. It's been 2 weeks since I've been able to sing at church and it's killing me! :(
So the parents came back Sunday. Man did I miss them!
Friday was an eventful day for me. Emotional actually. With multiple family members dealing with health issues, and me being overwhelmed with the task of looking after everything, and various other things...I called into work for Friday night. I needed the break, and was not in the right mindset to work. Everybody needs a break every now and then, right?
Friday night: I sit down to do my bible study
(P.S. I'm participating in an all ladies bible study at my church! It's called "Enjoy" and it's written by Tianne Moon. I HIGHLY recommend it!)
Ok so anyway. Friday
I sit down to do my bible study and...
I remember that I forgot to backwash the pool that morning.
And no I don't really know what back washing is...I just know it was on my list of stuff to do everyday while Monica and Dad were gone :D
So yeah, I go out to backwash the pool...at like 8:45 p.m.(sorry dad I know I'm supposed to do it in the a.m...)
I'm back washing the pool and I hear rustling in the trees behind the pool. So I proceed to climb the deck and look over to see what the noise is. (thinking it's an animal).
I see a man in a white t-shirt, and jeans RUN into the trees behind my house with a beer bottle in his hand.
And I'm all by myself at the house.
I text Michael and he calls me back telling me he's coming right over. There was some creepy stuff happening at the house while Monica and Dad were gone..including some random guy walking from my back yard by my dad's car one day, to a vacuum salesman at my door at 7:00a.m. the next day to this really odd event. So yeah, Michael came rushing over.
I went over to my neighbor's house to inform them of what I saw and we concluded that it was probably best I called the police..So call the police we did.
They came, spoke to me, and checked the house and yard for me. Of course they found nothing :(
I'm still glad they came and checked. Now, they're thinking it could have been our drunken neighbor wandering around. I've never seen or met the man, but I've heard stories...so yeah.

That's my life summed up in the past 2ish weeks.

I leave for Kansas 2 weeks from today! Oh and P.S. family......MICHAEL'S OFFICIALLY coming with me!!! I'll be calling you all to work out nitty gritty details and such soon!

Facebook Quiz

2009-06-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

I took this facebook quiz and about peed my pants with the results.....

Morgyn Carey This is tooooo funny. Sooo true! :D

Morgyn took the Which Famous Historical Couple Are You? quiz and the result is Lucy and Desi

You two are the artistic couple everyone wishes they could be. You laugh at each others jokes, you're the center of attention, and you compliment each other very well. When you leave the party, chances are people will still be talking about your jokes.

The song on my heart these days

2009-06-19T11:05:00.001-07:00

July 6...

2009-06-14T11:25:00.000-07:00

With, or without this guy by my side:

On July 6...
I'm coming to Kansas!
Well, and Missouri to see my Joplin Family!

I've missed everyone so much I'm soooo excited to see everyone!

Michael is still unsure on whether or not he'll be coming...
He's working 2 jobs right now, and still has to get it approved by both bosses...
He's super excited with the opportunity to be able to meet my family from home...and he really doesn't believe me when I tell him how flat Kansas is...so I'm hoping he gets to go
So I can prove him wrong. :D
Hopefully soon I'll know if it will be both of us coming...
but for now...
July 6th-July 11th
I'll be in Kansas/Missouri

And yes I do realize it's a horribly short amount of time...
But work has been nuts for me lately and I've been super duper busy with church...
Also this guy:

has been keeping me super busy!

To my family back home: See you soon! :)

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

Taking Time to Realize

2009-06-06T14:20:00.001-07:00

Yes I realize that I haven't posted a blog since Monday.

Sorry!

I realize that this earth that God has created is amazing

I realize the beauty of all HIS creations including:

this flower in my Grandma Weesie's Garden:

The never-ending love of a proud Uncle:

The first tomato in our garden:

The joy that having a dog brings to you:

The new lilies in our garden that have bloomed with life:

The eyes of a wise soul who I love very dearly:

The perfection and innocence that animals have in photographs:

The look on his face after he catches me secretly photographing him:

So sorry Posts are few and less frequent these days...

I'm taking time to realize all the beauty that is surrounding me daily.

:)

Oh the places I'll Go

2009-06-01T11:09:00.000-07:00

Oh the places I'll go...

and the things I'll do...
to get the perfect shot.

Kneeling in the mud is what I had to do to take these babies!

A little mud never hurt anybody, right??

Getting excited....

2009-05-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

This guy:

comes home tomorrow after being in Austin, Texas for a whole week..

I'm pretty excited :)

The adorable baby in the pictures is Michael's nephew, Corbin.
He's a doll, isn't he?

Oh and the girl standing next to my cheesing boyfriend in the last picture?
That's my dear friend, Tara. I've tweeted a couple times about her...
She's my good friend/fellow praise singer/kickboxing partner...

And I'm off to make dinner!
(MomBE's Chicken Diablo, couscous, and roasted carrots)
Yum!

Musings from Dudley

2009-05-28T06:36:00.001-07:00

Hey how's it goin?

Mom tied me up to a tree the other day.
I know, she's so nice, right?

I always know that when mommy grabs my leash and her camera...
it's time for some play time!
And yes, she's still playing with this new toy

So while I was eating grass...

Mommy was taking photos of stuff outside in our own back yard!
Like this:

& This:

Mom where'd you go?

Oh there you are.
Mom's super stoked about this year's garden. Check it out!

Ok I'm off to go chase a cat, chew on a rope, look out the window, whine incessantly at the bathroom door because Mom won't let me in, and play outside while mom takes pictures of me :D

Blogging's a Family Affair...

2009-05-26T19:17:00.000-07:00

So blogging has become a family affair...

And I think that is NEETO

First it was Brittne with the blog.

And then I (reluctantly) jumped on the band wagon.

Following me was my totally cool brother Rob, and sis-in-law Amber

Then it was my totally awesome Aunt, who goes by her totally awesome blogging name, MomBE

And THEN It was my little bro, Austin. :)

So blogging has become a family affair.

who's next? :D

Actually....the other night Michael turned to me and said these exact words
"Honey(yes he calls me honey :D) I think I want to start a blog after I buy my mac."

:D

Michael Luse, my boyfriend, coming to a blog near you SOON!

Always

2009-05-26T05:54:00.000-07:00

I love this song and wanted to share today :)

This guy...

2009-05-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

This guy...

had a much needed bath yesterday.

Oh how I love weather warm enough to wash the dog outside.

Dudley has really grown up and is turning out to be a fantastic dog.

I just love him to bits. Believe me, he was not the easiest puppy. He's had his fair share of problems, but I'm so blessed to have such a great dog. He's not a puppy anymore! He's a protective, strong, playful, wild, loving, and spoiled-by-his-grandpa & grandma lovable pooch.

And did I mention that Dudley finally decided to make friends with Michael?

Yep!

Michael came over yesterday for a quick second to show me how to charge the battery for my new toy.

And Dudley, believe it or not, gave Michael kisses! They played together, and Dudley even let Michael rub his belly!

This is a HUGE step for Dudley. He has had serious social issues in the past with people, and even though he's still got some work on his greetings, once he gets past that, he is 1000% better behaved.

It just tickled my heart to see Dudley finally be comfortable around Michael. :)

And sorry about the no graduation photos, those are all on Michael's computer so he can have them for his open house (tomorrow), so I gotta to over there and ~~steal~~ uh copy some of the photos so I can have them too!!

Will you settle for these shots of my amazing dog, Dudley instead?

OK great!

New Toys

2009-05-22T07:02:00.000-07:00

So sorry that posts have been lacking lately.

This guy:

is graduating this weekend. :)

So I'm busy at work helping him,

and his dear mother,

Bev get ready.

Oh and about the "new toys" title?

Yeah uh this girl about melted on the spot when Michael pulled this baby:

out of a camera bag last night.

This baby, (on loan from a church friend) is ours for the weekend. :)

Well I'm off to play with the new toy
(I need to get acquainted with it before tonight for Michael's Graduation)
I'm taking pictures! and Hopefully I can post those sometime this weekend.

don't hold your breath! :D

Photos with the new toy:

[Michael and his super sweet cat, Spikers]
:)

Free to be Me

2009-05-20T14:46:00.000-07:00

One day I'll tell you all about my "God winks"

Today's God wink came in the form of this song

Driving today, I was a bit down (that's a whole 'nother story)

but then this song came on the radio

It's a God wink ;)

"Free To Be Me" by Francesca Battistelli

At twenty years of age I'm still looking for a dream
A war's already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can’t always see

‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

When I was just a girl I thought I had it figured out
My life would turn out right, and I'd make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt

‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

And you’re free to be you

Sometimes I believe that I can do anything
Yet other times I think I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and You tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it’s easy to believe
Even though

I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

Back to the Daily Grind

2009-05-19T06:02:00.000-07:00

So it's summer for me now

and you'd think I'd be relaxing
enjoying some hummus on the back porch
and taking photos.

While i am doing the above activities,

I am also....

(still) Editing photos from my SC trip this past weekend

unpacking (y.u.c.k.)
Doing all my laundry (daunting task)
taking photos of Monica's beautiful yard and Garden

Trying to console my needy, and jealous pooch

getting in as much time as I can with my super cute boyfriend
(he took these photos with his phone and sent them to me while I was away)
(the adorable little boy is Zeke, the youth pastor's son with Michael at a folk festival he went to this past weekend)

and much much more!

How's your summer going?

Too Pooped for Words

2009-05-16T17:47:00.001-07:00

Too Pooped for Words.

So here, have some pictures!

North Carolina

2009-05-14T18:14:00.000-07:00

I am one state and less than one day away from seeing my
totally cool twin sister

More pics to come soon.

But my drive was not bad at all today

How could it be when this is the view?

Rolling in the Grass

2009-05-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

I have grass stains on my bottom

and dirt in places dirt shouldn't be.

But these pictures are so totally worth it.

Dudley's been feeling neglected lately
did I mention he's super jealous of Michael?
Yeah....... he is.

So I took him outside for a good run through the yard yesterday.

Most of the time when I take Dudley outside, it's just for a quick potty.
He knows to come right in afterward.
But when he sees me put his leash on, and grab the camera...
he knows.
He gets to run and play while mom gets to try and get some good photos in.

It's so sweet!

Photos from yesterday:

Sorry...

2009-05-12T06:33:00.001-07:00

Sorry about the lack of posting lately.

Summer is here (not officially...but school wise it's here!)
The flowers are blooming
The animals are frolicking
and I'm loving it!

Here's my life lately told with photos.

This hippie girl...

2009-05-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

This Hippie Girl...

Is super stoked that

some of her herbs are starting to show!

We planted the essentials early.
Basil, Cilantro(yummmm), chives, and rosemary.

If I can find the time, I would like to also plant thyme, parsley, and lavender.

If I can find the time

Did I mention that Michael thinks its adorable that I...
have an herb garden, put flax on everything I can, and chow down on couscous, and hummus?
No?
Well he does. :D

Cliches and Tomato Sauce

2009-05-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Michael and I have this running joke about cliches and us.

Lots of things about our relationship have been very cliche (but oh-so-cute)
Boy meets girl in church
Boy and Girl sing together at church
Grandmother sees boy and girl singing together and says a silent prayer to God about the good they could do together
Girl falls for boy (and refuses to tell him-she gives the reigns to God)
Boy falls for girl (and has cold feet)
And the rest is history!
:D

But yeah...wanted to share that because yesterday in cliche fashion, I totally almost ruined the big Meet the Parents dinner. How cliche is that??

ANYWAY

Yesterday was Meet the Parents!

And I think it went very very well!

Dudley (who is extremely jealous of Michael) was pretty well behaved for the most part!
Even though Dudley kept trying to show ownership over me in front of Michael.
(he did this by putting his paw on my arm, standing in between Michael and I, etc)
Despite Dudley's showing off

I'm happy with how yesterday went. :)

And the Lasagna that I was ~~freaking out~~ a tiny bit worried about?

Yeah......... About that....

So I decided to completely overwhelm myself and attempt making my own tomato sauce.

I sauteed onions, carrots, celery, garlic...all the good stuff together.

I'm halfway into my recipe and I look at my masterpiece.

This is what I see:

and I say to myself: This is wrong

This is wrong. It's too chunky!
I had cut up the veggies too big and I used too much meat. And I used the wrong kind of tomatoes.
I WILL NOT be using these next time:

My sauce was tooo chunky!
The lasagna will fall apart! what do I do?

Do I start over?
Should I have Dad pick up a jar of sauce?
What in the world did I do?
This is bad.

So I'm sending pictures on my phone to Brittne.
WHAT DO I DO??????

Duh. BLEND IT she tells me

So I blended it!

And it went from looking like this:

to this:

Oohhhh yeah!

So yeah the salads were all done

the sauce was done (and delicious)

The cheese mix was done (and delicious)

And so I assembled, and baked the beauty!

Voila!!!!!! Lasagna!
(or Lahsagna as I called it at dinner last night)

And it was ooooh soooo good!

I even felt confident enough to send Michael home with some for his awesome parents!

How cute was this spread?

After dinner Dad pulled out the baby pictures........... :D
(Thanks Dad!)

And then Michael and I went for a drive up to Monroe Lake. :)

So it was a GREAT night.
The Lasagna was YUMMY

Just uh...don't ask me to make that again. That was A LOT of work!

Meet the Parents

2009-05-07T03:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight is "Meet the Parents" night for Michael.

Even though he's already met Monica and Dad, this is the first opportunity they all have to sit down and talk and get to know each other.

I mentioned here, I'm making lasagna.
Lasagna is still the game plan!
Even though I've never made lasagna before in my life.......

When I mentioned to my mother on the phone about tonight, and that I was making lasagna her reaction was priceless (and so my mother too)
"Dear God Morgyn, why would you try to do something like that?"

bahahahahahahaha!

Thank's Mom!

I'm off! I have to do something with ricotta cheese! (pertaining to the lasagna)

This little turd...

2009-05-06T04:25:00.000-07:00

This little turd:

Turned 1 year old yesterday

Can you believe it?

I adopted Dudley from the local Humane's society. I wanted a dog more than anything in the world! I wanted a pet to call my own. Dad and I went to the Humane's society on July 25 of last year to just look at the animals. We saw plenty of dogs. Little beagles, chocolate labs, and even some full grown dogs.
I was cooing at a little terrier when I hear my Dad over on the other side hysterically laughing at this dog.
In this crate there were three little dogs. All were "beagle-mixes"
There was this one that caught our eye. Lenny (how horrible of a name is that?)
Lenny was the clumsiest, the cutest, and most obnoxious little thing I have ever seen. He could barely climb out of his little doggy door to the outside. The doggy door was just 1 foot off of the ground.
Who knew then that this same pup who I watched fall repeatedly trying to get through an opening 1 foot off the ground, would be the same dog that jumps on tables?
Lenny could barely walk straight, stand up, and was oh-so-cute!

Anyway, it was love. I was smitten, he was adorable. And somehow, I came up with the name Dudley. I had entirely different names picked out for whatever gender I decided to get, and I don't even remember those names now... I just saw Dudley and knew.

A little background on Dudley:

He was found "running at large" on the streets.
He was the last of the litter to be adopted. (it all makes sense now)
The Humane's society told me that Dudley was a "beagle-mix" and would turn out to be around 35 pounds. (He's 56 pounds)
Dudley cried the entire 35 minute drive home. I was seconds away from turning around and taking him back...
I didn't sleep for the first 5 days. He cried and cried and CRIED at night.
Potty training him was a dream. He has a wind chime on the front door that he learned to ring whenever he needs to go out.
He got into a bee hive when he was just 6 months old. I'm convinced the experience traumatized him for life.
He is not allowed to have fabric toys anymore. He destroys them within minutes.
He loves paper, Kleenex, tissues, napkins and anything else of the sort. Just recently he learned the magic of a Kleenex box. You go, take a Kleenex and one just pops up magically in its place!

Yup. this turd:

Is not a puppy anymore!

Lists

2009-05-05T05:51:00.001-07:00

My next two weeks broken down for you:

Because lists is all I'm good at right now.

Today: 2 finals, work tonight
Tomorrow (wed): 1 Final, grocery store run, church,
Thursday: 1 final (last one) family dinner at the house with Michael.
Per Michael's request (I asked him what he wanted me to cook)
He said lasagna
I've never made lasagna before.
Yikes!
Friday: WORK
Saturday: WORK
Sunday: church and WORK
Monday: WORK
Tuesday, Wednesday: Find some time to pack, hang out with Michael, and relax
Because on Thursday next week: I LEAVE FOR SOUTH CAROLINA

To see my baby twin sister. :)

I'll be there for the weekend!!

I'm sooooo excited!

And I'm super stoked that while I'm there, I'm going to be taking some photos of her and her smashing-ly handsome hubby! Because I love them, and I'm getting pretty good with a camera!

Hopefully my photos of her and Jon will turn out as good as these photos:

Fingers crossed!

Just enough time...

2009-05-04T06:22:00.000-07:00

Even though it is Monday, and I would love to get back into the swing of things with a Not Me! Monday post.... I'm a giggly girl who can hardly walk straight. You expect me to form a coherent sentence? Ha!

Maybe tomorrow...... But for today...
I have just enough time to post some more pictures
from my amazing adventure-filled weekend with Michael.

[and YES I did take all these photos!]

Enjoy!

[most of Michael and I's dates involve nature in some form...
what can I say, Indiana is beautiful in the spring,]

[and Michael and I are just two God praising, life loving, couscous eating, nature loving, music obsessing, photography practicing, giddy kids with permanent smiles plastered on our faces.]

Me:

Us:

My dimpled boy:

Ahhhhhh life is good!

Trust

2009-05-03T09:21:00.000-07:00

[a photo from my all-day date yesterday]

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.- Proverbs 3:5-6

:)

2009-05-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

I have a busy busy week ahead of me!

Tomorrow morning is our local Pregnancy Care Center's Walk for Life
Our Praise team is performing for this awesome event!!

And then tomorrow afternoon/evening, I have a date with this guy:

My adorable boyfriend. :) :)
[and this time, I will NOT forget the camera. New pics to come soon!]

*Things are going very very well for us(Michael and I) right now,
in case you were wondering...*

Then I have two worship services Sunday, followed by work,

And more work
And finals.
Followed by more work
Church
And then more work
And Michael time :)

God is good! Can I get an "Amen"?

To the lady at the Grocery store:

2009-04-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

To the lady freaking out at the grocery store:

Drinking a whole bottle of Germ-X will not protect you from Swine flu.

Common sense anyone?

Wash your hands

Cover your mouth when you cough

Sneeze into a Kleenex.

I may be wrong, but I thought that these were common courtesies all the time..

Call me crazy, but I think this swine flu thing is being embellished on. You should still be safe, and take precautionary measures, but when there are people afraid to come out of their houses because of this thing, I get ticked.
It's the media people. They need something to talk about.
What else is there for the media to talk about these days??

Please people, don't go drinking bottles of Germ-X!!

Spring Green!

2009-04-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

If you're concerned that I spend my days cooped up inside,
don't be.

This incredibly needy, clingy, jealous, adorable, obnoxious, spoiled boy is keeping me active.

He just loves running off his energy outside!

And what a beautiful day to do so!

And Prince Oliver decided to come by and say hello during Dudley play time!

Still Wordless

2009-04-29T03:49:00.000-07:00

Life is still crazy.
School, church, work, Michael, Dudley, family.

I'm a busy busy bee!!!

School is almost done.
Church is thriving, and is taking up a good portion of my time. (as it should)
work is doing well. I'm getting my hours in! Yay!
Michael....... :) I might be going out on a limb here to say....
This one's different. :)
Dudley is as needy as ever. He is super jealous of Michael, and they have yet to make friends....
Family is doing great! Today is Monica's 50th birthday!

& I'm going to the deep south see Brittne in a few weeks!!!! HOOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
{hooray for Brittne....not the deep south.} :D

Well I'm off to wal-mart in my pj's. I have to get the necessary things to make some yummy Tiramisu for Monica's birthday dinner.

Love to all!

Luckiest Girl in the world

2009-04-27T05:34:00.000-07:00

So last night was movie night with Michael.

He came and picked me up looking like this:

:D

Hot, right?

Last night was "fight night" at church.
So he dressed the part:

This is his "give me attitude" pose. :)

Yep he picked me up for our date last night looking like that. :)
Adorable, right?

Smelling like: Mountain Dew, Spinach, chocolate, dirt, and random other things.

After he cleaned up some, we watched Fireproof together.

I'm the luckiest girl in the world!
:)

Life's crazy ways

2009-04-26T11:32:00.000-07:00

Life is just crazy.

finding the words to form understandable sentences is a tad bit difficult for me at the moment.
It could be the fact that the semester's winding down for me
Or that I have a gazillion loads of laundry to catch up on
Or the new boy(friend) in my life that makes me act like a giddy school girl.

Basically, I'm a walking, smiling, goofy, music obsessing, God loving, God praising, hippie girl who can't speak clearly to save her life at the moment. :D

Life is just crazy.
But God is so good.

So instead of straining my brain, I'm just going to post pictures today.
Some from Monica's surprise 50th birthday party yesterday,
One of Trina watching the yard work that is getting done today.

Ok, I'm off to clean something,
and then later make myself look descent
because
I'm going to watch a movie (we're thinking Fireproof??) with Michael at his house tonight. :)

Hi......

2009-04-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

Hi I'm Morgyn!

I wanted to formally introduce you to...
my boyfriend,
Michael.

And P.S. BRITT It happened at the COFFEE SHOP

Good night!

This smile...

2009-04-25T05:08:00.001-07:00

I wanted to repost this. I have a busy weekend ahead of me...
And well, this photo is me. All the time.
God is good. All the time.

This smile...
is showing itself a bit more often these days

belongs to a girl who is living and loving life
belongs to a girl who has never loved/trusted Jesus more

is genuine.

:)

Tidbits from a Picnic

2009-04-24T05:17:00.001-07:00

Sometimes, words are unnecessary.
So here's a bit of what I saw yesterday on my wonderful date.

:)
[ an abandoned playground castle practically hidden within the forest!]

Soaring high on the wings of eagles.

2009-04-23T16:27:00.000-07:00

Just got home from picnic date with Michael.

I feel like I'm soaring right now.

If this is a dream, please don't pinch me

That is all.

(for now anyways)

:)

Goin on a picnic

2009-04-23T10:27:00.000-07:00

Me and this guy........

Are a goin' on a picnic/photography
outing on Lake Monroe tonight.

[photo taken at Starbucks last night where I tried the (I'm so going to butcher this...)
Venti Passion fruit tea lemonade(i think?)-Michael's favorite]

It was yummy! (and ginormous! I couldn't drink it all.
Lucky for me, this guy:

finished it for me! [tough job, but somebody has gotta do it!]

What are you doing for fun tonight?

New Camera!

2009-04-22T17:54:00.000-07:00

Have no fear,

The new camera is here!

If you follow me on twitter, then you know that I was quite distressed yesterday.

I had dropped our old faithful camera.
And I destroyed it in the process.

Giving how pictures is a huge part of this families life, we absolutely could not go long without having one. And by we, I mean me. :D

So I test drove the new camera at church tonight!

I'm still learning it's quirks, settings, and cool things...

but here's a taste of what's to come....

Please remember these are some of my first pictures taken with this camera, so quality, focus, etc isn't the greatest!

But I'm learning!

spooooky!

Oh and remember me saying....
I had a photography/picnic date tomorrow...
with a Mr. M(ichael)?

Well....

Meet M(ichael).

& yes, he is that cheesy in real life :P

:)

How can you...

2009-04-22T05:09:00.001-07:00

How can you look at this:

& this:

& this:

& this:

& this:

& this:

& this:

& this:

And tell me that there is no God?

Psalm 104:24
How many are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

Pretty Pinks

2009-04-21T03:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning when I peeked outside the kitchen window I saw this:

Positively perfect, right?
So out I went. With my pink t-shirt, gray sweater, pink crocs, and messy, undone hair.

I snapped some more photos like this:

And then I saw this:

and then my breath went out of me when I snapped this perfect photo:

M(ichael) and I agree, a photography outing is a must

A must (including a picnic in the park) that has already been scheduled for Thursday night..
(because we're just two god-loving hippies who happen to both love photography and picnics)
:)

Many more shots like this:

& this:

& this:

& this:

Will be coming soon!

I'm not perfect

2009-04-20T05:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, it's ok to feel vulnerable.

But I'm not even going to lie,
feeling vulnerable scares the daylights out of me.

New things are happening in my life.
And I'm scared.
Because I have zero control over this path that I'm on.

I'm not perfect, and even though I've chosen to give this new thing completely over to God, I would be lying if I said I was not anxious.
It's still a constant struggle to not be in control of this new thing.
because I'm a control freak.

But I'm trusting God.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I'm not perfect
But God is.

Goodies

2009-04-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Coming home on Friday, I was not feeling the greatest.

I was sick, tired, and sick of being tired.
But much to my surprise there was a cute little package waiting for me when I went to my room.

From my Aunt A. Or MomBE. Click here to see her blog (which I helped set up) Woohoo!
As a thank you for helping with the blog, she sent this package of goodies/a few of my favorite things/some of her favorite things!

I l.o.v.e. random packages.

Some contents of the package were:
Couscous, (i've mentioned before how much I love couscous, right? ok..)
Burt's Bees lip balm
Playdoh (I really like this stuff too.....)
and Friendship tea (all the way from the UK)-I'm super stoked to try this!

Thank's Aunt A!

Love you
Miss you

All.The.Time.

2009-04-18T13:47:00.001-07:00

After reviewing my past posts.

This recent one stuck out to me.

I say that I've never loved/trusted Jesus more.
Is that because things are going particularly well for me in my life?

N.O.

God is good.
All. The. Time.
Before this month, when I was hardly getting any hours at work God was good.
When my car was having it's multitude of problems, God was good.
When I was exhausted and stressed to the max about midterms, God was good.

Christians tend to lean on God during the hard times. Calling to him for comfort, help, and peace.
We should do this. I firmly believe that during times of hardship, leaning on him is the only way to get through it.
But we also should not forget to praise him for the good in our lives.
It's so easy to cry out for help, and be deep in prayer with God, and then when things turn around, forget that it is HE who brought on that good.
God answer's prayers but we aren't quick to thank him for it.
And by we. I mean me

So just because things are looking up for me right now, doesn't mean God is anymore good now than what he was 3 months ago.

Thank you God for:
the tears I've cried, because I know you hold each one in your hands
the lessons I've learned, because I know that they have a purpose in your plan for my life
testing me in my faith. It only makes me stronger.
the people I've met, because I know that there is a reason that you have crossed our paths
your everlasting, never changing, always faithful word, the Bible
answering prayers
using the weak to lead the strong
revealing bits and pieces of your plan to me a little at a time
& loving me enough to send your only son to die for my sins.

This smile:

Is not just because things in my life are going good right now.

This smile
is because God is good.
All the time.
In the good, and the bad.

Random Picture Challenge

2009-04-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

I'm not feeling too hot today and I have been laying on the couch all day. So, I have zero braincells or witty things to write about.
Why am I sick, you ask? Well It's actually a sweet story. I worked a long shift yesterday, and ended up forgetting my dinner at home. I was running late so I had no time to run back home and get my dinner. So...believe it or not, Michael brought me some of my favorite Mexican food. He insisted, and when I called him and told him a big N.O. and that I was perfectly capable of eating vending machine food, he said "Nope, I already placed the order. I'll be there in 30 minutes with your food. See ya!" haha! How sweet is that? I wasn't feeling the greatest yesterday before the food, and I probably should not have eaten that veggie quesadilla but I did, and it was good! But it wasn't as good coming up as it was going down. Poor Michael was so distraught when I told him how sick I was, even though it was not his fault at all..... :D
I am feeling better now after a long morning nap, and taking some time to chill.
But my brain cells are nowhere to be found.......
So I'm participating in Random Picture Challenge hosted over at 4 little men and girly twins!
I love her blog for many reasons, so you should check it out!!

Anyway. I did the 13th folder
42nd picture.

It's actually a recent one!

This is one very sleepy Prince Oliver laying in his favorite box, yawning for his not so favorite housemate who always has a camera in his face.

& That's all folks!

This smile..

2009-04-17T06:35:00.000-07:00

is showing itself a bit more often these days

belongs to a girl who is living and loving life
belongs to a girl who has never loved/trusted Jesus more

is genuine.

:)

Day today

2009-04-16T18:41:00.000-07:00

Wake up
Try not to scream at one's own reflection
Feed Dudley
Make oneself decent looking
Go to class
Meet Michael to go shopping
Go to lunch with Michael at Qdoba (it was his first time!)
Take long, back way home to have Michael show me the scenic route
Laugh, talk, laugh, laugh, talk, and laugh some more
~~blush~~
Come home
Give Dudley a much-needed bath
Make espresso brownies. (yummm)
Take a 10 minute cat-nap
Go to worship-team practice (in Pj's)
Bring espresso brownies
Take shots of pineapple juice with Michael. (ha!)
Sing lungs out
Pat oneself on the back because soprano harmonies sounded a-may-zing
End long, but great practice with prayer
Laugh with friends
Go home.
Pass.Out.

Pale and proud

2009-04-15T10:17:00.000-07:00

My name is Morgyn.
And I'm pale.
and PROUD.

Yesterday on the lovely 9 bus that I take to get to campus, I heard some fellow students talking among themselves.
Conversation went like this:
Girl 1: O.M.G. I'm so white. Derrick said he wants me to go tan before the party on Sat.
Girl 2: Girl I'm white too. Want to go tanning later? Jake told me I should hit the bed too
Girl 1: Yeah let's go later. We gotta look good for our guys!
Girl 2: Heck yes! We don't want to look like some Caspers walking around!
And at that point, I slipped in my earbuds. I had heard enough.
How.Sad.
I thought that our society was past this whole idea that tan is better.
Extensive tanning (in beds) has been proven to cause cancer.
Girls, we have got to embrace our skin. No matter what color it is.
Its our skin. You know, the one that God gave us?
Your skin is your body's largest organ, and it just so happens to be the most abused too.
I'm pale. I wear SPF 40 on my face every.day.
My body lotion has SPF 30 already in it.
I'm pale.
And proud.
What do you say?
Will you be Pale and proud with me?

The Grass is Always Greener

2009-04-15T06:46:00.000-07:00

So all around me, friends have been dying/cutting/changing their hair.

I've never dyed my hair.
But I have always wished that I would have been born with red, curly hair.
Instead, I have brown, wavy-ish hair.
Don't get me wrong, I love my hair....
But seeing my friends, and their new hair (that looks amazing) has me thinking..
Could I pull it off?
Maybe not red...but a change..
I'm bored with this hair (color).
What do you think?

Japanese dogs and vegetables

2009-04-14T09:31:00.000-07:00

If you follow my tweets then you know
That I had quite a battle with my taxes yesterday.

Because I moved to a different state, I had to do State taxes for both states. PLUS a number of other various forms that I really did not want to fill out.
Dad just kept printing form after form for me to fill out.
After many temporary (I hope) moments of insanity, the taxes are DONE.
And in the words of Stevie Wonder: Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm yours! (except I'm done!!)
I survived, and I did not even need to drink any stress relief tea (that a very special friend offered to bring to me at 10:30 last night.... He's so sweet.....)
Anyways....

I survived.
But I am left to be a living vegetable. I have zero brain cells left, and I am pooped.

So no witty words from me today.
Sorry

In other news:

Dudley thinks he's Japanese. I could not help but snort when I snapped this photo of him the other day.

Heehee

Going Green

2009-04-13T06:15:00.000-07:00

Remember how I said I was trying to live more naturally?
Don't worry grandma, I'm not a hippie yet. ;)

As I'm learning new things about living more naturally, and being more healthy, I will be sharing them here, on my wonderful blog. I would love to get your input on it!
Ok I present to you:
The first way I'm becoming more "green".

I use bar soap in my shower rather than body wash.

Body wash is more expensive, filled with chemicals, and uses more packaging than regular old bar soap.
One of my questions in making this decision was the packaging thing.. Couldn't I just recycle the bottle? We recycle at this house. Cans, glass, paper, and plastic.
I don't know about your town, but here, they will only accept plastics that have the number 1 or number 2 resin code on the bottom.
(Resin code is basically the name for that recycling symbol, and the number inside of it)
Like this:

Most shampoo bottles, and body wash bottles have the number 4 resin code on them. Which, unfortunately, I cannot recycle here. Bummmer

So I am using bar soap instead! I'm LOVING it. I'm not using a loofah (which are germ infested) And I'm taking shorter showers (which is also more environmentally friendly)

And my skin just feels healthier!
Currently my bar soap I'm using is Burt's Bees Milk and Shea Butter body bar, which was given to me as a gift by my Aunt Teresa. Thanks Aunt Teresa!!!
Have I mentioned that the bar soap lasts longer than body wash? I know personally for me, when I was using body wash, I was using a TON. With the bar soap, it has lasted me for a very, very long time! I'm excited to experiment with different soaps, and see what I like best.
My next soap try? Burt's Bees new rosemary, peppermint soap.
Because I love rosemary. And Peppermint. And soap!

So there you have it. My first "going green" lifestyle change.

What do you think?

Spicy Red Pepper Hummus

2009-04-12T08:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!

I'm busy playing around with my super hyper dog and family, and celebrating the rising of our Lord! (shhh...it's actually Friday while I'm writing this, I'm way to busy on Sundays to write a post of this magnitude...oh the joys of scheduling posts...:D)
I have gotten some question about this red pepper hummus I'm always tweeting about.
Well here's the recipe (with pictures to go along with it! I know, I know, I'm awesome...Hold the applause please..) :D
Happy Easter!!

Ok on with the recipe. But first, a health lesson about Garbanzo beans.
I just love Hummus. The main ingredient in Hummus is garbanzo beans, or chick peas. Chick peas have a delicious, nutty flavor, and a buttery texture. Garbanzos are a good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber, as are most other beans.
Fiber = GOOD
Chick peas are an excellent source of protein. And, when you get your protein from garbanzos, you also get the blood sugar stabilizing and heart health benefits of the soluble fiber provided by these versatile legumes. Chick peas are oh so good for you!
We always have some of this Delicious hummus in the fridge. Monica likes to take it to work and snack on during her lunch break. It's a healthy, delicious, and satisfying treat! You should try it!

On with the recipe:

Ok here is my little recipe card (sitting on top of my totally awesome new recipe binder)
You like? I got it on sale at Target! :)

(Please pardon my kindergarten style handwriting)
Ok so this recipe card has the basics on it. I add more spices than this, and the measurements are really not exact. It's more of a dump this, add this, puree this type of things...but yeah. There's the card for you.
You can really add anything you want. Hummus can be made so many different ways. Make it your own, add whatever you like in there!
But for my hummus...
Gather the following ingredients:

1 Lime
2 cloves of Garlic
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 T of Chopped Cilantro
2 T of Chopped red onion
1 Medium-lg sized Jalapeno
1 T. of canned Chipolte in Adobo Sauce
6-8 oz. of Jarred Roasted Red Peppers
1 16 oz. Can of Chick peas (or Garbanzo beans) Drain, and Rinse
Seasonings including: Paprika, Cumin, Salt, Chili Powder, and Pepper

On with the steps:

1. Blend whole can of chickpeas in food processor.
Add your red peppers right in. Blend again
If it's a little dry, add some Extra Virgin Olive Oil. But not much! Just enough to get you going a bit... Remember, you have some juice from a lime coming soon...

2. Cut Jalapeno in half, scoop out the seeds and white membrane (that's where the HEAT is) with a spoon.

Don't use your fingers people. Bad idea..I've done it...
Now, even though you are using a spoon
Do not touch your face
Cut the seeded jalapeno into chunks, throw into the food processor.
WASH HANDS.
I do this right away, I want to get that jalapeno off my hands pronto.
Because, if you're like me, you forget that you just cut a jalapeno, and you'll touch your face, or rub your eyes and... OUUUCH
After you wash your hands, blend the jalapeno and chickpea mix together.

3. At this point, I add the Flax Seed Meal. Flax Seed is very very very very good for you!
In fact, I sent some to my sister, Brittne as a gift in the her last package. I'm such a great sister, right?
Anyway, Flax is high in Omega-3 essential fatty acids. GOOD FAT Not Bad!!
Omega 3's are essential for good heart health. Along with being choc-full of Omega 3's Flax is also filled with antioxidants, nutrients, and fiber. Fiber is an essential part of anybody's diet. It regulates your digestive system. And eating more good fiber prevents cravings so you will not binge eat.
Monica, (I've spoken about Monica before, right?) Well when I moved here, I really wanted to make a healthy lifestyle change and be better to my body. I consume a diet rich in vitamins, low in fat, and high in fiber. Monica is as Brittne and I like to refer to her as, is a fiber cheerleader! And now, I dig eating as much fiber as I can... :D
Ok sorry, on with the flax..
Have I mentioned that Flax BUSTS belly fat??? Yeah, that's my favorite little fact about the mighty seed. :)
Sorry, I'm full of tangents..anyway. FLAX
Ok so I add the flax to the mixture

It blends right in, you can't taste a thing. Also, you don't even know it's in there! But it's doing so many goood things for you just being in there!
I add a good heaping couple tablespoons.

Ok
4. Add the Garlic,

red onion, (I so cheat and cut up some red onion early in the week, and store it for whenever I want to use it in things like salads) That way, I only cry once during the week. And when I want some red onion in something, it's right there, ready to go..

and Chipolte in Adobo

5. Next, add the seasoning, (I just eyeball it) lime and cilantro.

Squeeeze it in there!

6. Blend it up again (like 10-15 seconds) And Scrape down the bowl to make sure you have everything blended together. (I use one of my favorite kitchen tools for this...my teeny, tiny, rubber spatula. It's like the size of a small spoon, and gets around the blade easily)
At this point, I also like to taste it to make sure my seasonings are good. If it tastes bland it needs salt, if it's not spicy enough, it needs more chili powder, if it's not smoky enough, it needs more cumin..You get the gist!
After you scrape. blend again.

Empty into a pretty bowl, garnish with cilantro to make it even more pretty, cover, and chill!

And there you have it! Morgyn's Spicy Red Pepper Hummus. I like to enjoy this with baby carrots, cucumber, whatever! It's delicious, nutritious, and EASY

Enjoy!