Project 31: Day 8

This challenge makes me laugh.  I'm suppose to share a beauty secret.

Are you kidding me? 

I have none.  I consider my day a success if I get a shower and fix my hair.  I am lucky.  I take after my dad's side of the family.  They have great skin.  In fact, I have a bad habit of going to bed without washing my make-up off.  Fortunately, I've never really had a problem with acne or anything.

The only real suggestion I have is total common sense...WEAR SUNSCREEN DAILY!  I use a moisturizer on my face that has a SPF of 25.  Even if I don't put make-up on, I still use the moisturizer with SPF (specifically Mary Kay's TimeWise Day Solution pictured below).  This happens to work well for my skin because I've found that a lot of moisturizers leave my skin looking oily.  This doesn't.  Love it!

Source

Project 31: Day 7

Day 7's challenge is to write a post encouraging another beautiful woman.  I thought long and hard about the potential candidates and finally settled on one amazing lady.  You see, I have this wonderfully hilarious friend from college.  I think we owe our friendship to Chaucer, Ovid, Virgil, and the like (and we can both recite the Prologue to the Canterbury Tales in Middle English...you should be so lucky).  She's been through her share of ups and downs, but has kept a pretty positive attitude through it all.  Maybe I felt the need to write this to her due to how drastically her friendship has impacted my life. So with no further adieu:

To F. Scott's mistress and the Bieb's cougar,

I don't know that this post will make sense to anyone but you, and I'm not quite sure I care.  Friendship, I've learned, is largely defined not by the amount of time you've spent together but in the dedication and love you invested in that relationship.  Oddly enough, I can't remember the day we met or what we talked about.  I remember passing notes while Dr. Grathwohl lectured, I remember a pink jacket that should be framed for all the wear and tear it endured, I remember your encouraging words when I carried a horrific brick around for a week, and I remember your laugh.

I bet you didn't know this, but I'm persuaded that your laugh gives life to those around you.  There have been countless days when your random sense of humor has pulled me back off that proverbial ledge.  I love going out to restaurants and watching people wonder why you are so happy (it could be because you just scored a box of fortune cookies since you weren't happy with the one you first received).  It is infectious, but not in a CDC kind of way.  :-)  

You have no idea how valued you are.  You have a magnetic personality.  Your friends want nothing more than to see all of your dreams come rolling into your lap.  You deserve it...AND SO MUCH MORE.  I know you have rough days and I want you to know that I will always be here to carry any burden with you so you don't have to bare the weight alone.  Imagine Atlas except the two of us instead of him, a couple strands of pearls, preppy (or any) clothing, and some oolong tea:

Picture Source

"Bare one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Galations 6:2

I know not every day is sunshine and roses, but I don't think you should ever go a day without hearing how spectacular you are.  Granted this isn't the most eloquent post, but the message is sincere.  Love you...more than rentamidget.com!

Who could you encourage today?

Project 31: Day 6 (a day late)

Begging forgiveness, yesterday was INSANE in the membrane.  (Yes, I just typed that.)

BIG day yesterday - I got a job and I started a Bible study!  This post isn't about either of those things, BUT the "job" is a supervising teacher position with a local tutorial agency.  Yay!  This keeps me in the educational field without being full-time.  I only work 4 hours a week!  That means no big days away from Emory AND a resume booster if the time comes when I decide to seek a full-time position.

As per the Bible study, I moved back here and had a serious issue with not being able to connect personally around this joint.  So I decided to take a leap of faith after having this nagging urge to start a group for a few years.  Guess what?  Satan totally tried to kick my butt (and the derrieres of other members).  Seriously, there are 15 ladies committed to this group and seven of us made it.  Granted, three of which I knew about before and were simply scheduling issues (which is totally understandable with a group that large).  However, all in one week the following happened: one girl got meningitis, one had emergency surgery, two had last minute school and work issues, etc.  Seriously?  Guess what we did?  We had Bible study anyway!  It was a great success.  I am so excited about this group of ladies!  I know there are great things in store for us!!!

On to Day 6!  Question: Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?  

Answer: BEEP YES!  I'm going to be real honest here.  I struggled for a little over 10 years with eating/body image issues.  I think everyone has a past when it comes to body image (and if you don't stop now and THANK GOD).

I have to credit Phillip for helping me through a lot of that.  I also think that with age comes a sense of confidence that is simply lacking when you're an adolescent.  Am I the most gorgeous thing in the world by society's standards?  NOPE!  Does that bother me?  NOT ONE LITTLE BIT!  Want to know why?  I have so much more to offer the world than just my looks.  Attractiveness, according to the world's definition, looks a little more like Gisele Bundchen and a little less like a 27 year old version of Paula Deen.  Guess which one I favor?  I am smart, witty, kind, loving, etc., etc., etc.  Is any of that taken into account when determining beauty in our world?  Not really.

So yes, I've been jaded and dismayed.  I'm SO happy have moved passed that phase of my life.  That's not to say that I don't struggle with self-doubt and the occasional body image issue, but I certainly don't obsessively live by them like I did previously.  Plus, "the King is enthrall by [my] beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord" (Psalm 45:11).  Guess who thinks I'm pretty?  ;-)

Just something to think about - I remember reading years ago about a breast cancer survivor that never saw herself as beautiful until she had a mastectomy and endured her fight for life.  I think it's telling and beautiful that only after the vanity was ripped away that she realized all that she was and had to offer the world. 

Who needs the world's dictionary to define beauty?  I am my own Merriam-Webster!  :-P  Look at me go!!!

Just a little Friday shout out to that man of mine!  Love you Sweet P!

Project 31: Day 5

Day 5's challenge is to write a post thanking someone that has made your heart come alive.  I think this is going to be incredibly difficult for me for much the same reason that I've yet to be able to document Emory's birth story.  Raw emotions are tough for me to deal with, and much, much more challenging for me to put into words (be they written or spoken).

I don't want this whole project to be about motherhood, but I honestly don't know that my heart ever fully loved until the day Emory was born.  (Seriously, I'm already tearing up.  See, very hard for this lady.)  Don't get me wrong, I adore me some Phillip.  I have a wonderful family that blesses me daily with support.  However, there's something different and completely indescribable about the love you have for your own child.  So, cheers to Emory:

My sweet boy,

Do you know what your smile does for my heart?  I always knew I wanted to be a mommy, but I never would have imagined that God would reward me with someone as amazing as you.  Every time you look at me with those big brown eyes, or flash that gummy grin, or grab my finger as tight as you can my heart melts all over. 

We were so excited when we finally found out that you were on the way.  Our doctor looked at you about two months ago and said, "It was a hard fought conception, a very difficult pregnancy, and a rough few months to begin with, but he looks like he was worth every second."  You know what?  You were.  I would do it all over again...times ten. 

I was so proud of you from the very beginning.  I think you have a little bit of my stubbornness because you sure did fight.  We got to see you a whole lot while you were in my tummy because the doctors decided you were high risk.  I remember going in for what should have been a normal appointment and being rushed down stairs to be induced.  Did you know that I was planning on going grocery shopping that day?  They told me you would be in the NICU because you were refusing to move, stopped practicing breathing, and weren't responsive.  Guess what?  You showed them!  You weighed almost a pound more than they estimated AND you never left our room.  (They tried to take you one night to the nursery, but I cried so they brought you back.  You were much stronger than I even then.) 

You make each day so exciting!  I have never been a morning person...EVER.  It didn't take long before I started loving those early morning giggles and chats.  You are the best person to take walks with, especially on the farm.  You love to take everything in.  I think you get that strong, silent thing from your Daddy.  However once you have a place figured out, you make your presence known.  I have to say that I love watching you learn and grow.  Seeing you absorb all the world has to offer is intoxicating. 

I was pretty happy with my life before you, but I always knew something was missing.  I never knew that SOMETHING SO LITTLE COULD MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.  Someone gave us a little magnet as part of a gift at one of our showers, so I hung on the refrigerator because the words remind me of you:

"Just when you think you know love, something little comes along to remind you just how big it really is." 

Little Man, some days you make me feel like my heart is going to jump right out of my chest with delight.  I'm sure you and I will tread rough waters in the future, but I always want you to remember that you are the reason I get out of bed every day.  I don't do it because I have to, but instead because I can't wait to see how much better our bond will be today than it was yesterday. 

I love you Sweet E.  You are the light in my life.  Thank you for making me come alive.  

Big slobbery kisses to you,

(So blessed to be able to sign this as) Your Mama

Who makes you come alive?  Thank them today (even if they don't understand a word you're saying).

Project 31: Day 4 Rescheduled

Why would I reschedule a day?  Well, Day 4 calls for me to post a picture of my favorite outfits.  Here is a list of why this is a dilemma:

1.  I just had a baby a few months ago, my favorite outfits fit but certainly not in the way they did before so I have to rethink this "favorite" stamp before placing it on any clothing lately.
2.  It's almost 9 PM and I haven't showered since last night.  There, I said it.  Don't judge.  I can promise you will too once you're a mom of a little one OR if you are already at this same place in life I am willing to bet that it may be even longer since your last shower.  :-)
3.  I have an interview later this week, so I will look decent that day...maybe not my favorite outfit, but I will look presentable.  (Oh, and no I'm not going back to work but I am excited about the prospect of spending a few hours a week working OUTSIDE of the house while Emory is with Phillip.  I started a tutoring position this morning and the interview is for an additional one!  Yay!!!  I get my educational fix, I get to help sweet kids, AND it gives me a reason to get dressed in the morning!  I did look decent today until the baby spit up all over me and the dogs tracked dirt in the house (ruined my pants by cleaning that up).  So no, you don't want to see me at the moment.)  Prayers are appreciated!  So far, I really like this gig.

Here's a picture from yesterday.  It's just me in my normal garb and my FAVORITE accessory.  ;-)

He is SO much cuter than any purse I could ever buy!