Please send money......

or time....
money or time - I'll take either today!  LOL

Peace out!
I'm outta here! (wink)

GoodNESS!!!!!!
who KNEW?!?!!!!!!
I'm all about doing a "budget" wedding - but GOSH stuff is EXPENSIVE!!!
we are still 8 weeks out and it just keeps adding up.
I had NOOOO idea!!!

The courthouse is looking more and more tempting!!!
(nahhhhhhhhhhhh)

here's the update
things are moving right along ..........
Got my dress on Saturday (which I can't POST because it's a SECRET!) and T is ALL ABOUT trying to get a glimpse of it... sheeeesh!
Bridesmaid dresses are almost all ordered....just one to go after today!
Got dresses for T's girls (hope they fit, they haven't tried them on yet)
Met with my my flower man!  Have some AWESOME ideas for centerpieces (crossing fingers that it works out!)
Meeting with photographer today after work!

Still need to finish putting together invitations, & get those mailed out.
Need a piano player....??  anyone?!
CORRECTION:  update to the UPDATE - we DON'T need a piano player...  we have a GUITAR player!  (Yay!)  Actually - we have TWO!  ;-)  *I think?*
Need "engagement" pictures (just a couple to use for the paper and the house of course!)

Need MONEY!  ha ha

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
got the church - check
got the reception hall - check..........

What. Am. I. Missing????????
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

OHHHHHHHHHHHH - what about a MINISTER to do the ceremony?!
yup - don't have one of those yet?
T offered to play both roles...... the groom AND the minister.
He even said he could even "RECORD" it so he could stand in the same place the entire time... and he'll just leave pauses in the tape for times we need to speak! 
LOL

ORRRRRRRRRR........
here's another idea..........
a few weeks ago - we met Billy Gibbons...... (ZZ Top)
word on the street is that he is ordained in 49 states?  wonder if KY is one of them?
REALLY?!!!

so I'm thinking - what if I let T ask BILLY GIBBONS to do the ceremony??????

What do you all think???!!

How do we look?????????????????????

and without further adieu.....

GUESS WHO'S GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anybody been wondering where I've been hiding???

under a rock?

at the funny farm?

in jail for killing my TEENAGE holy terror???

NOPE!

I've been getting engaged!!!!!!

yup!

That's right!

Preacher T proposed!

Anybody wanna know about it??????

huhhhhhh - huuuhhhhh.....any....one....??????

So here's how the story goes

{hope he doesn't kill me!}

Last Saturday I spent the day with my girls laying out in the baby pool

Yes.  That's right.  You read that right.  BABY pool...... yeah - you "might be a redneck" if..  ha ha.

It was HOT though.....  a girl's gotta do what a girls gotta do to get some TAN on!!!

Anyway - T had his daughter with him and when I talked to him - they were shopping.  Remember this was the Saturday before Father's Day so I assumed they were shopping for T's dad and for T ;-)

I had to work at the restaurant that night so I didn't really expect to get to see T that day.

But I was pleasantly surprised when I got a text from him telling me that he was coming downtown later.  Now - for the record - T NEVER goes out anywhere when his daughter is with him.  So while I was thrilled to get to see him later, I found it rather strange.

I worked all night that night - and later realized he had sent a text saying that he wanted to see me later, to "take a walk down memory lane"

Awwwwwwww.......

I couldn't wait to get off work to see him.

So when I FINALLY did......it was by then around midnight!

I sent T a text and told him I was finished  (at this point expecting to meet up with him outside work downtown somewhere)

But I got a reply back saying to meet him at church.  (ODD?)

but no big deal.....I thought it was rather sweet and expecting that he just wanted to sit around talking about the good times.  {{he's sweet like that.... but don't tell him I said that!}}

So I leave work and meet him at church (reminder:  this is his church... where he is the preacher.  And the church that he started 2 years ago...)

When I go in..... I won't go into all the details, but those of you who have been following around for a while - know that we've had some ups and downs lately.  He then spent a little time apologizing for any pain he had caused...

but here's the thing... Pain or Not - we came through STRONGER than ever and I'm lucky to have him.  I'm lucky to have him in my life!

So after we talked (or really I guess HE talked) he walked up and picked up his guitar.  and said "this song says it best"

And he played this.......

{and NO "you might be a redneck if" comments here.....   I LOVE THIS song.... and it's soooo my man!}

After he finished the song  (never looking at me during the song...  probably a good thing because by THIS point - I was a gushing crying mess!  which is why he couldn't look at me.  SOMEBODY had to hold it together here!)  ha ha
After he finished.... he walked over and picked me up from the chair and held me.  We just stood there.. holding on to one another and well... just crying....  (SOOOOOOOOO sweet!)
{he was a blubbering mess....hee hee.... bless his little heart!}
and then......
he told me he loved me and that's why he wanted me to know he didn't want to go through another day without me....
and he dropped down on one knee and got a ring out of his pocket.....
and asked me to marry him  =)

Of COURSE I said yes.
Right there in his arms... standing in the church - where we began another new journey together.... walking together hand in hand.....in God's will.  The entire journey  =)

So - I could not BE any happier.

And get this....... so cute.  He had left his little girl, who had spent the day with him shopping for my ring, and when he left her - he told her what he was going to do.  When he got back home that night, his little girl was waiting up to see what I said....  because she had asked him before he left what he would do if I said no.  He proceeded to tell her he would just have to punch me in the face!!  ha ha    I'm sure she was relieved to know he didn't have to do that!  LOL

Since that night - we have set the date, booked the church, booked the reception hall and are in the process of getting together the guest list.  (We've been busy little bees!)
I'll catch you up on wedding updates as they come along...

but for now - the most important thing is this....
in approximately 8 weeks, I will stand in front of God, family & friends and promise to love this man and EVERYTHING that comes with loving him, until the day I leave this earth.

It's hard to imagine that God will bless me any more than he already has......but I believe that he will.  I believe there are many many many MORE good things and blessings to come in our life that we will share together!

and I can't WAIT to see what's in store.....

{{stay tuned for Wedding updates....  August 21st is the BIG DAY!}}

Approval NOT needed.

I have learned something ELSE about myself.
...........
..........
........

wanna know?????

here's the secret..........

I don't take too kindly to your criticism!  HA!
or being told that I'm wrong
or that I believe wrong....
or that I'm doing it wrong....
There I said it.

And......now you know....

In the words of Eric Cartman "I do what I want!"
ha!
"ain't nobody gonna hold me down.... oh no......."

ok - but seriously......
I am always taken back when someone else voices their opinion... and it's oddly enought - ?different? than mine ;-)
REally?
well .......
sometimes.......
OK - most. of. the. time.  *wink wink*
I'm like........HUH?  Wait a minute... Let me explain this to you...ONE MORE TIME and then you'll get it through your thick stupid head understand.
and guess what....
they don't always "get it"
who knew?
still different
still don't agree.
hmphhhh

But - here's the thing - thank God that I have friends and family and people in my life that will tell me when I'm wrong.  (and occasionally maybe I am......but not often) LOL
Seriously.......
I'm not just talking politics and religion here people.
I"m talking about stupid every day life.  Things that you have "always done" or "done a certain way" - and you think your way is the best.

Sometimes - we need someone to show us a different way.  Sometimes we need those people to give us a different point of perspective.
Because every now and then.....we just might learn something  :)

{{And I'm VERY pretty stubborn hard headed people.}}

I am thankful for the people in my life that aren't afraid to tell me when I'm wrong.  I'm thankful for the people who give me a new and sometimes better perspective.  I'm thankful that when I make a change or decision that I can trust people to say "No TG - NOT a good idea"

God isn't your only voice of reason.
he sends you people.....your friends.... little angels.... blessings wrapped up just for you  ;-)

Pay attention to them.

Take off your blinders.

Edit or RE-edit some things in your life.
Make some changes.
Do something new.
Read something you wouldn't normally read.
Go a different direction.

Don't be so stubborn and hard headed that you miss the whole world going on around you... don't let it just pass you by.

Take criticism. (sometimes it's warranted)
Take advice.  (sometimes it's good)
Take a step down and STOP trying to do everything YOUR way ALWAYS.
{{Pointing at self.......}}

Hope everyone has a GREAT weekend....
do something you've never done before!  (like ask someone's opinion and REALLY take it to heart!)
AND if someone asks YOUR opinion - love them enough to give it to them.
And stand by it because you love them  :)

OR hey..........  GO skydiving!!!!!!!!!!!!  ha ha haaaaaaaaaa
it's AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!  (from MY perspective!)

PS - I promise not to edit your face if you tell me I'm wrong  {fingers crossed}  HA!

sometimes... life gets a bit complicated

I could give you a play by play of every minute... of every day... of my life... and if I did - you would be like "WHAT?!!!"  "How?!!"  "say that AGAIN!!!!"

So - even after what I'm about to tell you... don't worry.  I'm ok with life being complicated.  Wanna know why?  because complication is only in the eye of the beholder  ;-)
and my eye tries to avoid it!  ha ha

I believe in taking life ONE day at a time, one STEP at a time.
I believe in faith.
I believe in LOVE.
I believe in prayer.
I believe in a God that I KNOW takes care of me.
I believe that no matter how complicated and crazy my life might appear to others on the outside...
if you KNOW me....
You know that I don't get caught up in all the craziness.  (well ok - sometimes I do... but just for a minute! LOL)
I put my life in God's hands and when things happen - I just don't question anymore.....
I believe in GOD's PLAN - not my own!
(I recently wrote this "God's plan - not ur own!" on my dresser mirror and bathroom mirror - and my FIFTEEN YEAR OLD SON saw it and told me that he now prays for that every night.  THAT is what I believe in!)

oh SURE - I have some good ol' fashioned "men/life/job bashing" sessions with my girls....
it's what we do....
we're women for goodness sake  ;-)
it's how we release all the stress   (cuz the men sure don't understand - ha ha)

But - in reality - I KNOW that God has a plan and HIS timing is always the best.
he brings you people
he brings you turmoil
he brings you joy
..... he brings you LIFE.
all according to a plan that we couldn't comprehend if we knew the whole story.........

So - after saying all that
I want you all to know that T and I are working through things.
He has worked and continues to work on things in his life, while I continue to work on things in mine.
But at the same time, we are back on the same path and hopefully working together as a team this go 'round.

(and just to show you how EVERYTHING you do effects your children.... I had told Z about T and I breaking up....and when I told him we are working things out - he said "you wanna know how I knew you were gonna say that?  Cuz I've been praying for ya'll."  Prayer... and FAITH!!!!!  I mean HELLLLOOOO parents out there - how freaking AWESOME is it that my TEENAGE BOY said to me - "I've been praying for you all" and believed in it ....  not a PRICE in the world you could put on that!!!!!!!!!!)  just sayin..

I want to say a big huge THANK YOU for all the prayers......for all the thoughts.... for all the sweet sweet comments you have sent my way.

Life is good.
things seem to be falling into place.....
one day at a time  :)

Keep prayin for us as I continue to remember each of you in my prayers too  :)
specifically by name if I have told you I'm praying for you...
and otherwise, I pray for all my bloggy and FB buddies  :)

*another good quote from a sweet friend*

"if the mountain was smooth, we wouldn't be able to climb it"

Sooooo True!!!!!

MUCH LOVE
hope everyone is having a fantastic week!!!

~Motivational Monday~ calling all my prayer warriors!

Happy Monday to all....

I've thought and thought and thought about how to approach this topic without offending or violating anyone... so here goes - I'm gonna try my best.

Some of you read my blog on blogger... some of you are personal friends... some of you follow via Facebook.  Some of you have followed since.... well - the beginning of my blog.. Some have followed since the beginning of me and Preacher T's story... you read THIS (part 1) and THIS (part 2) and THIS (part 3)... (I could go on and on with the story..cuz I've done LOTS of reading.. and re-reading.. and re-reading tonight of the old blogs...but you know it all - and I'm driving myself CRAZY!!)

If you know me personally or have seen on facebook, you know T and I have broken up.  {Insert BIG HUGE pouty face!}  It wasn't an ugly thing, there was not a big fight or violation of trust or cheating or anything done wrong on either part.  The last thing I want is for this to come off angry or bitter... because I'm not.  Disappointed, hurt and sad.. of course, but not mad.

The thing is...T has some things that he's dealing with... and they are things best left to him to handle.  (and not my load to share) Trying to do that, find himself and get on a path where he knows God is leading is hard for anyone.

So - I'm back to HERE (the single girl again).  Just me.  Again on my own... me and my big ol' broken heart....

And I guess I'm ok with that.  As ok as I can be.

Taking life one day at a time... one step at a time... 

So I leave you with this......  PLEASE keep me in your prayers.  Starting over from being at a point where I thought God had it all worked out is hard.  Moving on and letting go of someone that I still love with all my heart - and sadly know he loves me just the same is even HARDER.  I know this is "motivational Monday" - but I guess today - I just need a little motivation sent back my way.....

I know God has a plan... and I know it's outta my hands.  Accepting that and facing each new day is harder some days than others.

Also - please keep T in your prayers too.  He needs them also.

I love you all... and you have no idea how much reading your blogs and the comments you leave and the support and prayers you send make my day... 

If I don't say it enough.....thank you to all my friends, all my loved ones, all my facebook followers and all my bloggy followers!  :-)

"To walk with Him on a path where we cannot see the end from the beginning requires total trust. He promises a light for our path, but that light does not shine past the current footprint."

I still believe and have faith that something BIG and GREAT will come from this all - I just don't know for who.. or WHAT it might be......   FAITH!  :-)

Some days are just harder than others...........

Have you ever met or do you know someone (or is it YOU) who is constantly bitter and angry and lashing out at life.  They feel like they are being punished for something or that God just doesn't care about them - or has passed them by? 
Or maybe its not even all the time....
maybe its just occasionally...
maybe its just a rut now and then...

but then I guess - don't we all have days like that?!!

Days when you feel like nothing is going right... and the direction that you were going suddenly gets halted by something out of your control... I know I have days like that....
But tonight - I was thinking about this.....

The thing is .... God deals you a hand full of blessings every day.
They don't have to be profound things.... just little things that we forget to count as blessings.  The sun is shining OR the rain watered your garden so you don't have to.  Your child tells you they love you.  Someone tells you they are proud of you.  You get to work on time because you hit every green light that morning.  You're a nickel short on your breakfast and the guy behind you gets it. 

What we DO with that hand is what he also gives us - called "free will"
{look again}
The sun is shining {WHY is it so HOT already?} OR the rain watered your garden so you don't have to {I hate rain, my hair is a mess!}. Your child tells you they love you {he MUST want something}. Someone tells you they are proud of you {that was just a stab because they think I'm a fake!}. You get to work on time because you hit every green light that morning {I hate my job!}. You're a dollar short on your groceries and the guy behind you gets it {When am I EVER going to get my finances straightened out?!}.


A funny thing happens as time passes... all those days you spent bitter and wondering what to do and how you got yourself into this mess... in time, you look back and realize - from the outside looking in, you were surrounded by blessings.  You were surrounded with life.  You were surrounded with love.  You were surrounded by people and circumstances that God gave you....You were surrounded with things that should have made you smile... things that should have made you happy.... things that you had been ASKING God for but were so caught up in the negatives and the what if's and the why's that you let those blessings pass right on by with never even a blink.
We get so caught up in trying to "HELP" God FIX our lives, that the life he has for us - just passes on by... and we never realize it till it's too late.

I could write on here for DAYS about the mistakes I've made and the crap I've been through and the things I have done that I would be embarrassed to even tell my dog!!!
OR
I could write on here for days about the blessings and life and love that I have realized far too late that has just passed me right on by....
OR
I can talk to you TODAY about all the good in my life... all the things that I AM blessed with... all the things that I know to be true and hold dear to my heart and treasure with everything I have.  and when I do THAT - all those bad things going on around me, just don't seem so important anymore.

FREE WILL
your choice......

I have been broken, I've been battered, I've been bruised, I've been let down, I've been disappointed, I've been laughed at, I've been called a liar, I've been told I could NEVER, I've loved and gotten nothing in return, I've given and asked for nothing, I've watched my heart shatter to a million pieces, I've been filled with hope and dreams and faith for someone - only to find out that person never believed from the beginning, I've believed in people who didn't believe in themselves, I've been here, I've laughed and I've cried, I've yelled and been yelled at.........
but through it all...........
I can look back and know this.....

that everything I have been through.....everything I have felt.... all the pain, all the heartache, all the let down - is NOTHING compared to what Jesus went through on this earth and it is NOTHING compared to what we put God through every day.
and yet.......
HE STILL LOVES US!
he still hands us blessings on a silver platter every day.
he still answers prayer....

Most days we are just too bitter and blind to catch it.

Open your eyes....look around.... look through all the bad things that are happening "to you" - and think - ARE they happening TO you or are you swimming around in that little hole you dug out for yourself.  Are there blessings right on the other side that you refuse to see?

Stand up

Look around

Open your heart

and know that a man loved you enough to give his life on a cross for your soul.
Is that not enough reason to smile and take everything that he sends your way?!  =)



I can't imagine or even PRETEND to imagine the pain of losing a child like that.
But the fact that this child's father looked around and found good from tragedy is ONLY something God can give you.  You just have to choose to believe in it.

Count your blessings.
Every day.

Another good quote:
"If the problems of today are fully yours to solve...you should worry. If they are God's to solve, you should relax."

I almost forgot it was "pour your heart out" day until after I had already POURED MINE OUT!
So I'm linking up with Shell.
Please feel free to pour yours too and run over to Shell's and catch up on some others' awesome posts!

~Post it Note Tuesday~

This is to all the girls....uh hem (WILLIE!) ...girls THINGS... I've loved before.....

Thanks Willie........

Welcome back to Post it Note Tuesday!!!!!!!!

As always......click {{here}} to make ur own posties

and click {{here}} to link up with Supah and play along!!!!!

Happy PINT!!!!!!!!

and here's to the things I USED to (and maybe still do) LOVE (a little!)

{{Spotted at recent Alan Jackson concert!!}}

OK - that's enough LOVE sharing today.......

too many flashbacks........

MAN I'm O.L.D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and LOVE every minute of it!   ha ha

Have a GREAT week and don't forget to link up at Supahs!!!

~ Motivational Monday ~

And now I would like to take you back to your regularly scheduled programming…..

Remember back when I did a motivational Monday every week?!  Where the crap did THAT go?!  {shrugs…}

Well….

I'm back now……..

Life took some crazy twists and turns… ups…downs…bends and breaks…. But here I am – still standing….and for THAT – I would like to share a little bit of motivation for this lovely sun-shiny Monday.

There are a lot of things changing in my life and a lot of big changes to come.  Things I have prayed about for a LONG time are coming to fruition and some things are not… or maybe – wait – maybe they are – just not in MY TIME or the way I THOUGHT they would come to fruition.

Truth be told…..nothing ever really happens the way I THINK it should.

WHY?

Because I become too focused on what I want, when I want it.  Rather than the big plan that God is working on every day.

And just when I think ….. ahhhhhh…… this must be God's plan……. Wow – where did this come from?  NOPE – pulled right out from under me too….

Expected the unexpected … or how about this – EXPECT nothing at all.

A friend of mine always says "expectations lead to disappointment" – so "expect" nothing.

Anypoo….

I have school starting soon.  (August)

I started a new job (on top of my current one)

BOTH jobs are "supposedly" staying in tact while I'm in school

(good-bye life…..what little I have!)

Zack will be a sophomore in school.

Zack will be 16 (and driving……..shudder) in less than a year…

And once school does start – who the heck knows (because school is FULL TIME) how I will continue to make enough money to pay my bills…….

Sooooooooo many things on the horizon… it kinda freaks me out when I think about it.  BUT at the same time…..I am sooooooo thankful.

I'm thankful for all I am being blessed with.

I'm thankful for my dreams finally coming true.  (if I don't flunk out! Ha)

I'm thankful for the great child I have at home, who is (so far) helping every step of the way.

I'm thankful that I am on a path that God paved for me…..when it was time.

No matter what else is going on….I know I am walking hand in hand with a God who is paving the way as I go.

I came across this quote today and I wanted to share it with everyone…..

"God knows what we need better than we do.  Sometimes he redirects our course, giving us a unique and unexpected treat – and meeting a need we didn't even know we had."

Most of the time, it's probably best that we DON'T know the entire plan ahead….. live in faith, not expecting anything, and trusting that what God has in store is bigger and better than you can ever imagine on your own.

Rather than getting overwhelmed – I vow to be overjoyed.

Period.

No questions asked.

My future is in the hands of someone who CAN'T screw it up…..and if he didn't think I could handle all that is coming my way – he wouldn't put it on me.

God has faith and trust in us too……

Don't let him down  ;-)

Happy Monday and I hope everyone has a fantabulous week!!!!!!!!

~t@Mi G~

Sent from my iPhone 

Back to school..Back to school..to prove to dad I'm not a fool..

It's FRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIDAY!!!!!!!
It's June 4th, 2010
ORIENTATION DAY!!!!!!!!!

For all you newbies to my blog - I've applied and been waiting to get into sonography (ultrasound) school.  I found out 2 weeks ago that I'm IN!!!

Today is orientation......

I'm sooooooooo EXCITED!!!!

EXCITED I got in....

EXCITED to finally have an answer and a direction

& EXCITED to get a schedule today to know what the next year has in store for me!!!

WOOO HOOOOOOOO!!

Anyway - I hope everyone has an AWESOME Friday
oh AND - because I got accepted into school - I get to mark another thing off my 35 things to do before I'm 35....
Stay tuned tomorrow - I will update my list.....I've been hard at work!!!!!!!!  HA HA

Love is a gift.....do you give & receive?

All of my life....just like every other ridiculously hopeless romantic girl out there......I have waited and searched and dreamed of falling in love....

You've thought about it......

you've played it out in your head....

you've dreamed about it......

you've watched ALL those movies and all those couples....

Harry and Sally (When Harry met Sally); Mandy Moore and Shane West (A Walk to Remember); Kat and Nick (The Wedding Date); Gray and Fritz (Catch and Release); Richard Gere and Debra Winger (Officer and a Gentleman).........

ok ok ok - you get the idea.... girls are now melting out of their chairs and the guys have excused themselves to the bathroom

Many times in life, I got lost on backwards paths and lost focus of what I was really searching for and almost settled for less...several times actually...
But in my heart, I always knew there were so many things that I was looking for.  And I refused to give up faith in that... (no matter HOW many times people told me I was stupid for believing in "fairy tales")
As the years passed, the list grew longer and longer and I began to realize, it was gonna take a very special man to fill that list.  I have since come to realize who I am, who I've become, what I need and what I will and won't give and take on.  Focus was slowly shifted and eventually I let go of that search.  I put my life and heart in God's hands - I let go - and ironically enough....THAT is when God stepped in.

I met a man that filled the bill.  He checked every box on the list.  And then, the more I got to know him, I realized he checked even more than I had on my list.  He checked more than I ever dreamed or ever thought I would want or ever find!!  And over time, I learned more about myself because of him.  He brought out things in me that I had buried, that I had forgotten and things that I had put on back burners because they just weren't important to me anymore.

He truly made me a better me.... but even more importantly, he gave me hope.  He gave me faith.  He made me strong again and he made me believe in life and love and ME again.  Not that I ever gave up on these things, but I think I had given up on them happening to me...

These things no one can ever take away from me again.

NO matter what happens to that man that walked into my life, whether he plays a role in my future, or whether he moves on to bigger and better things....
my life will forever be changed.  I have given and I have received.

So - sometimes, when I lay my head down and let myself be engulfed with where I am and how this all happened, I just can't breathe.  It's amazing.  The entire story... the story of where he has been, the story of where I have been and the most amazing thing is this:  how my life and his life ran almost parallel to each other in different worlds and eventually brought us together...when God was ready... when God knew WE were ready and probably at a time when He knew we NEEDED each other the most... 

Through each relationship in my past, through each mistake, each wrong turn, each heartbreak, each lesson learned, it brought me closer to a man that proved my expectations are NOT too high...  he proved to me that you can love and be loved.  It may not always be in the time or the capacity that you expect it to be, but love is real and it is all around us.......and it's a gift.

Sometimes, we get to keep that gift.  And sometimes, it is only yours for a short time and then you must give it away to someone or something else.....

I thank GOD that I have never settled for less than what he has in store for me  :)

So as I think back on some of those great love stories and the GREAT lines from those movies... I realize - each story is different.  Each is unique.  How they get to each other is special and you can never COPY someone else's fairy tale... you have your own...God is writing MY love story right now!  (and boy is it ever a novel! ha) 

When Harry Met Sally (1989)
 “I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich...I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes.”

A Walk to Remember (2002)
 “Maybe God has a bigger plan for me than I had for myself. Like this journey never ends. Like you were sent to me because I'm sick. To help me through all this. You're my angel.”

The Wedding Date (2004)
Close your eyes. Close your eyes. Close... your... eyes. You're safe. You can relax. I'm not going to kiss you. He's gonna be so sorry he lost you, so stop worrying. Forget the past. Forget the pain. And remember what an incredible woman you are.”

Catch and Release (2006)
“I left out the complicated stuff, like how it took losing you forever for me to truly find you. I told them I loved you and that's the truth.”

Notting Hill (1999)
“I'm also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.”

Love Actually (2003)
[in English] “It's my favorite time of day, driving you.”
[In Portuguese] “It's the saddest part of my day, leaving you.”
[Neither understands the other's language]

Pretty Woman (1990)
“So what happens after he climbs up and rescues her?
“She rescues him right back.”

The Notebook (2004)
“Yes... it wasn't over, it still isn't over.”

Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005)
"Helen, if I'm away from you for more than an hour, I can't stop thinking about you. I carry you in my spirit. I pray for you more than I pray for myself. I've got it so bad for you I'd... I'd go to the grocery store and buy your feminine products, I swear I would. "
AND
my ALL time FAVORITE (this movie has the BEST quotes!)
"I know you don't believe in fairy tales. But, if you did, I'd want to be your knight in shining armor. You've been through so much. I don't want to see you hurt anymore. Now I may not be able to give you all that your used to. But I do know I can love you past your pain. I don't want you to worry about anything. You just wake up in the morning, that's all you have to do and I'll take it from there. There's one condition. You have to be my wife. "



I read a blog today that I found from a quote put on someone's facebook.
The story is of a man who visits his wife in a nursing/retirement home every day.  The wife has Alzheimers and doesn't even remember who the man is.  When the man is questioned as to why he would still go since she doesn't know he's there anyway.... his reply is.... "I still know who she is."
Neverending, unconditional love.
True Love.
WOW!  Do you love like that?!

The quote from the story is this:

 "True love is neither physical, nor romantic. 

True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be"

I consider myself blessed because no matter what happens in the rest of my life, I can say I KNOW what true love feels like.  I know how to GIVE and I know how to RECEIVE.  And no matter what capacity the gift was exchanged... it is something that will leave footprints in my heart that can never be taken away....not just one....but LOTS! 

The Bicycle Ride

When I first met Christ

It seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride,

But it was a tandem bike,

And I noticed that Christ

Was in the back helping me pedal.

I don't know just when it was that

He suggested we change places,

But life has not been the same since.

When I had control, I knew the way,

It was rather boring, but predictable...

It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead,

He knew delightful long cuts,

Up mountains, and through rocky places,

At breakneck speeds,

It was all I could do to hang on!

Even though it looked like madness,

He said, "Pedal"

I worried and was anxious and asked,

"Where are you taking me?"

He laughed and didn't answer,

And I started to learn to trust.

I forgot my boring life

And entered into the adventure.

And when I'd say, "I'm scared,"

He'd lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed.

Gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy.

He said, "Give the gifts away;

They're extra baggage, too much weight."

So I did, I gave them to the people we met,

And I found that in giving I received,

And still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, In control of my life.

I thought He'd wreck it;

But He knows bike secrets,

Knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,

Knows how to jump to clear high rocks,

Knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up

and pedal in the strangest places,

And I'm beginning to enjoy the view

And the cool breeze on my face

With my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore,

He just smiles and says...

"Pedal."

~I'll See You in My Dreams~

I had a dream last night that I got to hold you one more time
I could feel the warmth of your body nestled against mine
I could smell that smell that can only be described as “you”
There was no time, no clock, and no end
There were no words, no laughing or crying
Just us…. Just me and you.

As I lay there smiling, freed from life and escaped from reality
My entire world seemed to be right again
But in my non-existent time, you slowly began to fade away
And even though I reached for you, I could not feel you anymore
I opened my eyes and I was surrounded by clocks and life and sadness
And you were there no more.

Your smell still lingered and I could still feel your warmth
So I closed my eyes and lay there in silence, but not alone
Thinking of… Just us God……it’s just me and you.

Now when I sleep, I’m surrounded by His warmth, His comfort, His presence
And there is never a timeline or clock or beginning or end in sight
Because with God, there is a plan bigger than me and all things are possible
And I know in time, I will see you again.

{{I would like to dedicate this to Daffy who recently lost her sister, and two others locally, whom I won't mention by name, who ALL continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.}}

Sorry I missed POST -IT Tuesday - had a pretty emotional crazy weekend in soooo many ways.....and needed a release.  I'm still linking you back if you wanna check out the posties as Supah's!!

AND - if you missed my emotional religious sermon last week - please go visit and leave some input.... very interested to see what others have to say!