I'm lost in forever..

Bloggie! I have abandoned you. I have been pretty busy lately-not doing anything exciting. Just with life. I have been going to my camp down in Grand Isle A LOT. Like probably every other weekend. I'm actually going again this weekend! But I love it. I can't get enough of it. It's away from home, and that's all that matters to me. My job has been super stressful lately, so any getaway is really nice.
It's really hard to stay positive working in a stressful environment every day..so I have to constantly remind myself of all of the blessings in my life..and exciting things that are going on and gonna happen!
I am excited about Grand Isle this weekend..and I think J and I are going to see Batman on Sunday night. Yes! I have only seen 2 previews for it..and I just can't wait. I didn't really get excited about it until this week. Annnnd next month, I think J and I are going to try to go to Destin or some beach in Florida for a long weekend to relax. I always get excited for fall..I love all of the holidays and also we get to see family that we don't see all year. And next May, I'm going to Disney World!! For the very first time! I always wanted to go..I mean I never like begged to go there or anything. But now that I'm going, I'm superrrr excited about it. I don't even care that we have to drive like 87 hours to get there.
So there.
Lots of things to be excited about and thankful for.
I decided to get back on pinterest yesterday because I'm helping with a baby shower for a friend of mine and I wanted to get some ideas. Bad idea. Now I can't stop again :-/ I post so many random things..so tonight I decided to actually make a dessert from one of my pins..I made lemon blueberry bars. Which pretty much is key lime pie, but with lemons instead of limes, and blueberries added. Actually, that's exactly what it is. We have to chill it overnight before we eat it, but it looks really good! (and not healthy whatsoever, yes!) That reminds me, I'm also excited about planning and having this baby shower ("sprinkle") next month..I've never really helped this much in planning something, and I kind of like it! Only because she is one of my close friends, and I really do love making people happy. I love to do things for other people. It's also kind of intimidating because this girl can plan a party. Like down to every last detail..so I feel like the pressure is on! I'm sure she'll love anything that we do.
Anywaaaay. My bed is calling my name :)

Some girls try too hard to impress, with the way that they dress..

Blink 182. Ever since I discovered what Pandora was, I have been listening to their station. It's the best! It reminds me of when I was a teenager, and I had to ride in my older brother's car. And we had a Blink tape that we kind of had to hide..but we listened to it, speakers blaring (duh). I also love when my Ipod is on random and one of those old songs comes on. The best!
This weekend I had my continuing education course in New Orleans. Well of course, I was running late (my alarm was set to pm instead of am :0 ) so I had to speed the whole way there..and then when I got there, the garage was full..so I had to park 7 blocks down the street and pay $20. Awesome.
I made it RIGHT on time. The course was given by the International Weightlifting Association and it was about functional exercise..It was pretty vague, but I did get to learn a few things. The instructor runs a rehab center in Ohio (I forgot the name of it, but he treats mostly athletes) and was super laid back and awesome. He also has a master's degree in nutrition, which he didn't really go into, but that plays a huge role in the healing process, so it's definitely a plus. Also, a lot of the patients that we see really need guidance in this area! Anyway, he basically believes that every single patient should begin therapy with doing functional movements and patterns that they will need in every day life, and we should focus less on doing exercises that isolate certain muscles/muscle groups. Or, at the very least, give those as home exercises for patients. I most definitely agreed with most things that he was talking about..I mean..our goal is to get the patient back to doing their everyday activities..so it's only logical. It's very hard to get out of a certain mindset that has been around for years and years. It's also very hard for someone (like me) who has to work with multiple therapists, who all basically have their own way of doing things..So if a certain patient sees a different therapist 3 times per week..they could be doing a totally different program every time they come in. So even if you try to change something up, or do something a little bit different, the next therapist that works with them may change their program back to the old plan or do something else! Sorry, that's a little boring and monotonous, but I'm just gettin stuff off my chest :) For the second part of the day, we basically just exercised. We learned different movement patterns (which we all learned way back when, in school..but it's so nice for the refresher :) and stretches. It's really very hard to get people to exercise these days! It really frustrates me. The elderly people don't really understand, because in their day, they didn't need to exercise..they basically exercised all day long working outside, walking instead of driving everywhere, just basically doing physical work. No video games, TVs, computers to play/watch all day long. I don't know where I was going with that..I was just thinking about it. The younger generation (for the most part) cringe at the word exercise. People say to me all of the time, "You don't NEED to exercise, you are thin!" This annoys me to no end people! EVERYONE needs to exercise! I don't care who you are! Unless you are bending, lifting, running..you know, doing hardcore labor all day long, you need to exercise.

Wow..that was a tangent. Sorry! I'm sitting here halfway watching The Game Of Thrones season finale with hubs..he is so sad that it's the last one. He looovvves it.
Oh! Today, I went to American Eagle (shudder) to get my hubs some Father's Day stuff, and thought to myself, "since when did AE get cute clothes??" I haven't been in there in FOREVER and it reminds me of high school for some reason. I may have bought a few items for myself..and they weren't khaki's for work! Although, I do need to find some more shorts for work soon..

This entry has run far too long..I apologize!

P.S. I played a 3 hour game of monopoly today was an 11 and an 8 year old. I don't think I have to expound on that.

Goodnight.

I'm starting to believe the ocean's much like you..

If you are a female, and reading this, you should probably start following the Living Proof Ministries blog. I'm pretty sure I heard about it through 2 of my sister-in-laws (yay!) at some point last year, and I've been following it ever since. Also, Beth Moore has some really great devotionals. I sort of stole this from her blog today..just thought I would pass it along..I think she read it in one of her devotionals and decided to post it. 

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.”
— Psalm 55:22

Care, even though exercised upon legitimate objects, if carried to excess, has in it the nature of sin. The precept to avoid anxious care is earnestly inculcated by our Saviour, again and again; it is reiterated by the apostles; and it is one which cannot be neglected without involving transgression: for the very essence of anxious care is the imagining that we are wiser than God, and the thrusting ourselves into his place to do for him that which he has undertaken to do for us. We attempt to think of that which we fancy he will forget; we labour to take upon ourselves our weary burden, as if he were unable or unwilling to take it for us. Now this disobedience to his plain precept, this unbelief in his Word, this presumption in intruding upon his province, is all sinful. Yet more than this, anxious care often leads to acts of sin. He who cannot calmly leave his affairs in God’s hand, but will carry his own burden, is very likely to be tempted to use wrong means to help himself. This sin leads to a forsaking of God as our counsellor, and resorting instead to human wisdom. This is going to the “broken cistern” instead of to the “fountain;” a sin which was laid against Israel of old. Anxiety makes us doubt God’s lovingkindness, and thus our love to him grows cold; we feel mistrust, and thus grieve the Spirit of God, so that our prayers become hindered, our consistent example marred, and our life one of self-seeking. Thus want of confidence in God leads us to wander far from him; but if through simple faith in his promise, we cast each burden as it comes upon him, and are “careful for nothing” because he undertakes to care for us, it will keep us close to him, and strengthen us against much temptation. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.”

Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening : Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.

I know, I know..I had to read it a couple of times to really understand it because of the way the author worded it. But I think it's something we should come back to pretty frequently in our lives..because it's something that we all deal with on a daily basis. In some situations, I definitely put myself in His place and try to figure things out on my own..It's pretty sad that I call myself a Christian, and most of the time it's when a situation turns extreme, THAT'S when I'll go to God with it. It's something that I struggle with daily, and I will probably continue to struggle with it because I'm only HUMAN and I'm not perfect. I go through times in my life where I will automatically pray in a situation (honestly, I do that a lot.), but that doesn't mean that I actually leave that situation up to Him. Anyway, I could go on but I just wanted to post this and let whoever is reading it get something out of it for themselves.

Judah and I just got back from Grand Isle last night..we went for the weekend. Some of my aunts and uncles and cousins were staying at their camp down the road, so we spent a lot of time there. My cousins's husband, Gary decided that we should go fishing on Saturday afternoon in my uncle's boat..I'm not sure that he's ever taken out my Uncle Woots' (s's..?) boat before, so I was a little nervous about it. (If anyone that is reading this doesn't know me personally, my family has been fishing ever since I can remember being alive. So, I may not know much, but I knew enough to be a a little nervous about it!) After a few tries and finally getting the boat launched, we were out in the bay. We went to a spot where there is an oyster bed and caught quite a few fish here..at about 6:00, we decided to try out a different spot, but we knew it would be far away and we had only a few more hours of daylight to go..so we decided to go anyway, we stopped to get some more bait, and headed out to the spot (known as Four Bayous). We fished for about a half hour (and caught maybe about 10-15 specks) and then decided we had just enough time to get back before it got dark..so Gary cranked up the boat. Nothing. The engine wouldn't start. (Gary is probably the most laid back person I have ever met in my entire life) Apparently, the engine was flooded. Thank God there was one more boat not far from us..they were crankin up their boat, heading in too. We yelled over to them and they came over to check it out..they couldn't get it cranked up..so they had to tow us. At 8 mph. At that rate, we wouldn't be getting back until well after nightfall. (We never got their names, but they were some cute Louisiana boys) And neither of us had lights on the boat. Thank God, about 30 minutes later, our boat cranked up! So we untied the ropes that they were using to tow us, and hauled butt back to the island. It was dark by the time we got back..we were so relieved. After close to 28 years of being out on the water, I can say that this never happened (my memory is faulty, but I don't think it ever happened) to me! I probably made this story too long, sorry, I tend to do that..I will say, that in that situation, I didn't freak out. I just knew that we were gonna be okay. 

I really can't waaaaaiiit until my brother and sister-in-law come into town in June and we go back. (I might go back before then!)  I could probably live there all summer long if I didn't have to work. Here are some pictures:

My cousin Colton, and his girlfriend, Kacey (she caught the most fish, he caught the biggest fish :):

Gary didn't fish, he just called himself "The Captain" 

It was hot..

I <3 pelicans!

The towers..

Bye bye, sun..

...

Here I am, send me..

I have felt like blogging almost every day this week. And almost every day this week, I was too busy to get around to it. So here I am! Should be in the shower but ohh welll..Last I wrote, I was about to go see Thrice! And I did!! Amazing. That's the only word to describe it! The show was at a venue that I don't particularly like..It's hard to be able to get up close to the stage. So as soon as we got there, my older brother got us pretty close up to the front. We watched the band, O Brother play (I like them okay! I've seen them once-well actually twice and they do have a few songs I like) and then I wanted to go get a water..so I pushed my way through the crowd to the bar and when I turned around, everyone who came with me was following me besides my brother which meant that we definitely weren't getting our spot back. By the time Thrice came on, we were able to push ourselves up to..the mosh pit! Why, oh why do they still do this?? I got head butted once then decided maybe it's time to back up..which was pretty upsetting to me. But it didn't stop me from screaming every single word to every single song and having the best time of my life..The show was amazing and lived up to every expectation that I had for it. I am really sad that they are breaking up ("taking a break""going on hiatus" "spending time with our families"Please!! Just make more awesome music for me to listen toooooooo). Can't talk about it anymore.
I had a great birthday..got so many sweet and thoughtful gifts..got to spend it with friends and family..couldn't have asked for a better one.
This past weekend I went with 2 of my friends to my family's camp down in Grand Isle. We had a really fun and relaxing time. We layed out on the beach all day Saturday..and by that afternoon we were burrrnnnt. (yes, we used sunscreen!!) Sooo now I have second degree burns on my stomach and rib area..greeaatt..I have blisters, and my skin has peeled twice..It's just starting to feel a little better because I've been using antibiotic ointment.
I'm pretty sure that's all thats been goin on in my crazy life..I've been working a lot. That's about it! Will blog soon!

Whyyyyyyy

Why does my dashboard say that I'm not following anyone on blogger???? Where did you go?? Every once in awhile I will notice some people are missing from my list of people that I follow but I just got on and now it's just showing that I'm not following anyone..what't the deal?? Anyone else having this problem??

We are the image of the invisible..

Tomorrow!! Thrice tomorrow!!!!
Today is my birthday. But tomorrow. is. Thrice!! I can't even contain the excitement or the fact that my head will explode. I might actually cry a little tear. You see, it's their farewell tour. What am I gonna do?? I only like about 7 bands total. And they are up there. I don't know why it's so hard for me to get into a new band. I just like the bands I like, and that's what I like. I'll try harder this year to listen to more music and actually like it!
I really have had the best birthday week. The hubs surprised me with something every day this week. I got a new swing for our porch, a new planter (it's an old jack daniel's keg!), a new teapot (well, 2 new teapots, because my friend Ethan gave me one!!), a gift card to Urban Outfitters, a gift card to Whole Foods, and a reallllly pretty cameo picture that Ethan also made for me which is sooo pretty. I would say that that is a really awesome birthday!!
In other news..well there isn't much other news. But..I started an aerobics class with my sister in law last week. And. They should not call this aerobics class. They should call it boot camp. Because it is really hardcore. Who runs suicides for 25 minutes after high school?? Who even runs suicides for 25 minutes ever?? Well. We did! If we aren't like ripped up by the end of the year, then something is wrong ha!!
I think that's it for the most part. I'm sure that I will go on and on about Thrice after the show!!
I will leave you with some lyrics from the title of this post:
We were lost now we are found
No one can stop us or slow us down
We are named and we are known
We know that we'll never walk alone.
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hopefully I won't pass out from excitement!!!!!!!

Wake yourself up, you've been dreaming again..

It's been over a week since we finished our blogging challenge..and I don't wanna fall off the face of the blogging planet again!

It's been so pretty outside..I've been spending as much time as I can when I get off of work outside. I've been walking (it seems as if jogging/running is out for now until I resolve my hip issues, which actually seem to be almost resolved! I'm still going to wait awhile before I start pounding the pavement again..) outside almost every single day on a dirt road in the back. The farmer's/workers are used to seeing me back there by now. At first, they would drive by me a few times probably trying to figure out what the heck I was doing..but now I get a friendly wave. I really can't wait to start running again. I wish I had an elliptical machine! I actually secretly have always seen them as machines that older people with bad knees and hips use because it's bad on your joints to run on harder surfaces..but I guess I should start paying attention to my own joints and listen to my body. Why do I have to be so dang hard headed??

I took a page out of sister in law's book and made mexican lasagna tonight..although, I can't make it as good as her..I tried to cut corners with calories as much as possible..I used greek yogurt instead of sour cream (always!) and ground turkey and I even grated up some squash in there to add more vegetables (and I need to get rid of it before it went bad..). It came out pretty good.
I am going to attempt to make a chocolate cake tomorrow using..wait for it..avacados..date paste..coconut milk..dark chocolate cocoa powder..well that's all of the ingredients I can think of right now. Soooo I'm soaking my dates overnight to make the paste. Sounds gross, right?? It's gonna be soo good. Well. It LOOKS good in the picture..almost like cheesecake :) I'll have to write about it after I make it.

This weekend I will be going to my first gender reveal party for one of my friends..I'm excited about it! It seems like a lot of people are doing these now..I mentioned it to the hubs and he just looked at me with a blank face..and couldn't understand why anyone would ever do that. Leave it to him to ruin an exciting moment ha! okay, I'm jk..mostly :)

I should really go get some rest..Tomorrow is going to be an extremely busy day..I just want it to be over so it will be the weekend!