Thursday, November 27, 2008

be thankful.


"And above all these put on love,
which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
to which indeed you were called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,
singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do,
in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him."

- Colossians 3:14-17, ESV

Macy's parade enthralled, pajama-clad, surrounded by the loveliest, and only mere hours away from overindulging in mass quantities of food that cause nothing less than an overwhelming sense of urgent assisted breathing by tactfully unbuttoning those too tight for any form of comfort britches. What's not to be thankful for? Honestly.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

consider it an investment.

Since I've seemingly acquired this habit of sharing the things this little heart desires most, it would certainly be in poor taste not to do so on my first day back after an entirely accidental week-long blogging hiatus. I've been waning my holiday decorating loins until (the day) after Thanksgiving, biding my time, forcing myself to enjoy for only mere days more those white pumpkins I so painstakingly exerted an unmentionable amount of time searching for. But aside from my refusal to cave in to all things snowflake'd and reindeer'd too soon, I still allow these eyes to wander. To wander to things such as this...

Credit, of which, can only be given to Pottery Barn...
and "her" alone. Yes, her.

I consider a tree skirt a pretty solid investment. Granted, it's not a year-round-use kind of purchase like the husband would prefer, especially if the price could potentially produce unnecessary nausea. But in this fictitious mind of mine, it has the qualities to be a lasting holiday necessity in this content, two-person family of ours. And when this two-person grows, I can see little feet standing next to it, straining on tip-toes to nestle ornaments into their snug homes. I'm bordering sentimental just envisioning the tradition it could hold. Bordering sentimental over a tree skirt.

Albeit, it's nothing short of rare for me to splurg on anything that bears the Pottery Barn name (typically, I rely on T.J. Maxx for all things knock-off), but I've exhausted all of my usual outlets to recreate this idealic vision rattling around in my head. Despite it's mind-numbing price tag, the man has relinquished all control and entrusted the decision into these capable hands. In the recognition of all my labored hours of searching, he's graciously acknowledged my attempts and warranted me my desire in return. However, it still bears repeating:

It's an investment.
It's an investment.
It's an investment.

An investment that classically masks the inevitable tree stand; the inevitably atrocious-looking tree stand.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

everyone, meet fate.

To Whom It May Concern
(namely, a fine man I like to call my husband)

I'm a firm believer in fate. Strictly, what's meant to be will be. Well, upon my daily (honestly, hourly) OCD-esque perusing of Pottery Barn online, of which I instinctively, for the sake of you (my robustly handsome husband) and that which we've nicknamed a "checking account," gravitate towards the what's-not-going-to-[literally]-cost-me-my-most-precious-extremities portion of the place I seek decorating solace, my eyes fell upon the epitome of what my design loins have been floundering to produce since our nest's very inception...

Be still my heart, folks.

How can a girl not consider this nothing short of pure, unadulterated fate?

Our beautifully crafted queen-sized, rod iron sleigh bed has been screaming profusely for a makeover. Not that I don't thoroughly adore its current dressings (compliments of the Nate Berkus), but these spoke to me. Seriously. I'm not ashamed to say I pressed my ear absurdly close to the computer screen to assure myself that I wasn't, by chance, hallucinating, but, in fact, heard with absolute clarity the faint whispering of my name. I considered the encounter pretty prophetic, honestly. Unquestionably, my heart jumped out of my chest. Laugh, please. Humility is a close friend.

Essentially, we were made for each other.

Sincerely,
Your lovely wife

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

she's a tease.

[Deep breath. Exhale.]

I want to peak over the Rialto...
gelato in hand, the man on my arm...
like this, again. And soon.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

the long-awaited.

White pumpkins.

Sigh.

Is there any need to explain?

Thursday, November 6, 2008

fill our hearts with Your compassion...


"It is not too far a cry,
too much to try,
to help the least of these.

Politics will not decide
if we should rise
and be Your hands and feet."

Hillsong United

I proudly admit that I cower in the face of heated debate. When it ignites, I wither unashamedly. Aside from the man and a certain select few, my political opinions are tucked deeply into crevices that only my Maker has claim to. I don't display them for notoriety. I don't display them for public ridicule. I don't display them for approval. I don't display them for reproach. My political opinions are a personal dialogue between myself and the God that fills these undeserving lungs with breath. He doesn't mock. He doesn't disregard my thoughts as inferior. He doesn't accuse. He listens intently to the internal conflict that plagues this very heart in the midst of political mayhem; innately human in it's very essence. He leads me. He guides me. He calms me. He just is.

So, seldom do I provide a political voice in a public forum, but the man's so graciously presented me with words that I couldn't selfishly keep to myself. Hear my heart:

"We live in a democracy, a representative form of government, where it's as much if not more our responsibility to love and take care of our neighbors than our politician's responsibility. Real and lasting change comes from knowing and loving the folks who live in the houses that sit next to ours rather than saving all of our longing and hope for the voting booth...

Even greater than our forefather's sacrifices are those of our heavenly Father, who also shed blood in order to stir in us an allegiance greater than that of nation. We have an ultimate allegiance to our King and the Kingdom he's building in and through us that trumps all others...

Our ultimate hope is not in politicians or powers or governments, but in a day coming when all things will be made right. And our ultimate concern isn't success but faithfulness."

Derek Webb.
Caedmon's Call. Founder of NoiseTrade.

Monday, November 3, 2008

short, but sweet.

Ask me my agenda. I'll give you my answer.

I think it's imperative

that you still "date" your man
post-ceremonious exchanging of vows...
and unceremoniously...
bath towels.

Short, but appropriately sweet.
All on the brink of an entirely spontaneous, loving request of that husband of mine to break from the monotony of our heavily ritualized Monday evenings (of dinners on the couch with Monday Night Football in toe) and enjoy a night "out." To Bianca's, no less. Which not only hosted a rather impressive proposal but a rousing celebratory shindig in the name of holy matrimony (in fewer, less descriptive words,
our rehearsal dinner).
What an exceptionally sentimental man I snagged! Exceptionally.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

the stand.

All I am is Yours...

The Stand, Hillsong United.


You stood before creation,
eternity within Your hand.
You spoke the earth into motion.
My soul now to stand.

You stood before my failure,
carried the cross for my shame.
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders.
My soul now to stand.

So what can I say.
What can I do.
But offer this heart, O God,
completely to You.

So I'll walk upon salvation,
Your spirit alive in me.
This life to declare Your promise.
My soul now to stand.

So what can I say.
What can I do.
But offer this heart, O God,
completely to You.

So I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned,
in awe of the One who gave it all.
So I'll stand, my soul Lord to You surrendered.
All I am is Yours.

So I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned,
in awe of the One who gave it all.
So I'll stand, my soul Lord to You surrendered.
All I am is Yours.