Monday, June 23, 2014

Upon the Water




You guys, this song speaks the words of my heart. It is the prayer of my soul. It is me crying out to God in desperation for help. Yearning for the trust that Jesus will never fail me and for the faith to stand in this ocean.

This year, if I've learned anything, it is that nothing in this world is guaranteed. That my life can go from "perfect" to a disaster in a matter of minutes. It only takes seconds to utter the word cancer or to see your baby has no heart beat.

But I'm not in this storm by myself. Jesus is walking on water saying that, with faith in him, I can walk too. That I will not drown if my feet are planted firmly with him.


You call me out upon the water
The great unknown, where feet may fail.
And there I find you in the mystery
In oceans deep, my faith will stand.

And I will call upon your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise my soul will rest in your embrace
For I am yours and you are mine.

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
your sovereign hand will be my guide
My feet may fail and fears surrounds me
you've never failed and you won't start now

Sprit lead me where my trust is without boarders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever you will call me
Take me deeper than me feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior



Sunday, June 22, 2014

Stitch Fix: My June Box

Last Thursday I received my June Stitch Fix, and guys let me tell ya, it was a good one! 

If you don't know by now, Stitch Fix is a personal styling service that delivers five items of clothing or accessories based on your personal style and budget. You can schedule the box as often as you'd like. You keep the things you like and send everything else back in a pre-paid envelope (just stick it in the mailbox- easy peasy). There is a $20 styling fee that is deducted from the price of the items you keep. And if you decide to keep everything in your box you get a 25% discount.

I feel like my stylist, Shannon, nailed this box! She included so many fun pieces to integrate into my wardrobe. The main reason I love this service so much is the convenience- things get delivered to my door step, I try it on with my current wardrobe, and send back what I don't want.

Plus, the style inspiration ideas are stupid-proof. Perfect for someone like me!

So lets see whats in my box, shall we...

1. Renee C Striped Maxi Skirt $58.00
Even though you can't tell, this skirt is the perfect length; not too short to show my ankles and not too long to drag the ground. The material is light and perfect for summer. It is a tad pricer than I would prefer- if I would have seen this skirt at Target, I wouldn't have even tried it on because of the price- but that is the catch22 of this service. I already had it in my home, tried in on with some shirts, and decided I liked to too much to send back. A definite winner. Keep.

2. 41 Hawthorn Striped A Line Skirt $58.00
I loved the idea of this skirt. It is a good sturdy material, I liked the pattern and loved the length. Although it fit great in the butt/legs, the waist was a tad tighter than I felt comfortable with. Send back.

3. 41 Hawthorn Wrap Dress $46.00
I really liked the price of this dress. The material was a good quality and, though it is hard to tell, I really liked the abstract design. However, the bust and shoulder area were a bit too baggy and frumpy. This was a size medium and I feel that a small would have fit much better. Send back.

4. Papermoon Pasadena Crochet Blouse $48.00
This top is very similar to something on my Pinterest board (which I have connected to my Stitch Fix profile so my stylist can browse through what I've pinned). The crocheted detail makes me feel so dainty and sweet. I love the scalloped trim and the (unpictured) zipper up the back. Although Josh wasn't the biggest fan, this was a Keep.

5. Fun2Fun Gradient Stripe Tank $38.00
This tank is so very me. I love the fading stripes, the silk fabric, and the difficult-to-see pockets on the front. It is very comfortable and light and the material makes it easy to dress up or down. This was an easy decision. Keep.

Seriously, super fun. Right? I've already worn two of the three kept items, and I've received complements on both! Everyone I've talked to really seems to love this idea and I can't recommend it enough. 

Please use my referral link if you want to get your own Stitch Fix. It will give me  $25 to put toward my next box and you will get a fun and personalized box at your front door. And let me know what you get in your box too! 


Monday, June 16, 2014

Just Joshin': Getting to know my husband

I have had several friends do little diddies about their husbands: questionnaires, getting-to-know-you's, guests posts, that sort of thing. It's fun. It's different. And it gives you a break from hearing about my health, style disasters, and random thoughts.

And seeing as how this is a blog about my life, I might as well tie in the person who is the biggest part of it.

So, I'm honored to introduce you to my favorite person. The peanut to my butter. The string to my cheese.

(I'm in purple. Josh is in orange.)

Okay are you ready?
Yes. Whats on your shirt?
Oh, peanut butter.
Thats gross.

Okay, what is your name?
Josh Clark.

What is your middle name?
Dwaine.  With 1 syllable, not 2. Dwaine, not Dee-waine

What is your favorite color
Blue. These are really creative.
Just wait.

What is your favorite thing about me?
Your unfunny funniness

What is your favorite activity?
Playing with my dogs

When was our first date?
If you just want a date, it was August 20th.
What year?
2004

Who said "I love you" first?
You did, accidentally, in a car outside of McDonalds. And I responded with "Well, I'll see you later."
Oh gosh, I remember that. That was really embarrassing.

How long have we been married?
4 years 1 month

What is your favorite thing I cook?
Oh, there are so many options. I'd say hummus soup and poppy seed chicken.

What is your least favorite thing I cook?
Anything with brussels sprouts because it stinks up the entire house.

If I were ordering a drink for both of us, what would I get?
Something with whiskey for me and some kind of wine for you.

What is my most commonly used phrase?
Probably just saying my name really annoyed. (He then proceeds to mock me)

If you could throw out one of my clothing items what would it be?
Um, there are lots I would throw out. But if I had to choose- your mysteriously old clogging shirt or the shorts that look like a dog got ahold of them. 

If you had a week off of school and work, what would you look forward doing the most?
By myself or with you? 
It doesn't matter- in general. 
Sitting. Yard work. A movie. See how fat I could get off of pizza and burgers.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
2 old dogs, you, a couple of little ones running around, not in school and having a real job.

Tell me what you wanted to be when you were younger.
A stuntman. And strangely, a DJ at one point. 
Yea, engineering is close to those two. 
Yea, maybe I can keep DJing on the side as a hobby.

Until next time...



Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Binge-worthy Shows

During my healing/isolation period over the past few months the TV became my friend. Well, full disclosure, the TV has always been my friend. I love everything from a dark plot, to ethically-gray characters, to mindless teen drama.

During my normal life, I try to limit my screen time during the day. Otherwise, my house would be a mess and we would be eating out of cereal boxes. But as I healed from my surgery, not being able to exercise or talk, and being in isolation from radiation, I let myself be consumed by the television.

I didn't mean for my time to be spent this way. I had good intentions of making scrapbooks, cleaning out my closet, and scrubbing the house floor to ceiling. But each day I had little motivation to pry myself out of bed or off the couch; I called it a success if I took a shower or went for a walk. I gave myself lots of slack, considering the circumstances. I never once felt guilty that I was able to watch full seasons in a matter of days. I considered it a cultural cram session.

So, if you ever find yourself in need of hours of back-to-back show watching. Of your own cultural cram session. Here are the shows that I turned to.

1. House of cards
Some people save the best for last. Well, I couldn't resist the need to tell you about my hands-down favorite show. The best thing I've binge-watched. Ever. Now, I'm totally not a political person so don't let the setting scare you off. This is about deceit, scheming, and doing whatever it takes to get ahead. Maybe I love this show so much because I can't relate to any of the characters. And Kevin Spacey = amazing.

2. Game of Thrones

If you haven't heard of this incredible fantasy drama, then you have been living under a rock. Hands down the best show in television. It is based the book A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin, which I have since started reading since the show began. I love so many characters, and love to hate the others. I've been watching the show since the beginning but re-watched it during this downtime. The show is already on season 4, so you better hurry and catch up!

3. Veep

Again, I'm not a political person but Julia Louis-Dreyfus is hysterical. The HBO comedy is set in the office of the Vice President and the writing is spot on. Seriously. Watch this.

2. Orphan Black

This is a BBC series following a girl who learns she is a part of a clone experiment. It has great writing and an intriguing plot. But what puts the cherry on the cake is that one actor plays all the parts! I guess that makes sense, since she is a clone. But it is totally believable and I completely forget I'm watching TV magic.

3. Friday Night Lights

This has all the components of a good TV drama. High school football. Teens who are doing things way too mature for their age. And intertwined love stories that give soap-operas a run for their money. This show brings me back to my high school days, to a small town who loved their football. The characters are fun to love and easy to look at! Wink wink. (It feels weird to say that about characters portrayed as high school students....but alas.)

4. Gossip Girl

Talking about intertwined love stories, if you want a mindless plot then Gossip Girl is a show for you. After years of trying to watch all the seasons, I finally made it through. This is a show that you can stop watching for months on end and pick right back up. No need to refresh, because it basically is the same thing over and over again. That being said, I love it and I don't know why. And, I wish I was Blair Waldrof.

5. 30 Rock

Friends have been raving about 30 Rock for years now, but I could never get into it. After reading Tina Fey's Bossy Pants, I had a new desire to finally sit down and see what the hubbub was all about. Amazingly, society is right. It is extremely funny, witty, and the characters had me laughing harder than I care to admit.

6. Orange Is the New Black
Netflix sure knows what it is doing. While I don't love this Netflix original as much as House of Cards, this is a really good show. At some times the show was comedic, at others times it was a bit more serious. But I really enjoy the story and characters and I can't wait until the second season is released. I can totally relate the main character Piper if, you know, I was a possible lesbian who was convicted of a felony. I would totally be her if I had to go to prison (a completely straight version, however).

Honorable mentions: Parks and Rec, The Americans, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Downton Abbey

What shows do you love? Are you obsessed with Francis Underwood like I am? Do you look forward to Sunday nights for the new GoT like I do? Do you love Netflix and the fact that you can watch episode after episode without interruption?

Monday, June 9, 2014

Thumbs up!

Last week we drove to Little Rock for my final post-op appointment with Dr. Stack, my ENT surgeon. He gave my voice and scar a thumbs-up and confirmed that everything is healing well.


Praise God! 

I'd say my voice is 90% and my breathing is up to 75%... And things are only getting better each week. 

So, no more visits with the surgeon. Yahoo! Next on the appointment list is in 5 months with my endocrinologist for a ultrasound and bloodwork to make sure nothing is looking suspicious- just to monitor things. 

So, this was very good news indeed. Yay!

Thursday, June 5, 2014

4 months

4 months
120 days
2880 hours

Every moment missing you

Wondering how your laugh would sound
how your skin would feel
how your hair would smell 

Looking at your empty crib
your new clothes
your unmoving rocking chair

The house was clean
your clothes were washed
the carseat installed
hearts were ready

It seems so strange to be a mom without a baby
with heart and arms so empty

But I don't grieve without hope
This isn't the end
just the other side of heaven