♫ Stay Out of Your Way

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”— Ralph Waldo Emerson

My heart hurts.

It's been a day of conflict. And what hurts the most, is that not a single bit of it was with me. I just had to sit and watch the pain happen. I was sitting at work today, getting dizzy, watching two friends destroy each other with venomous thoughts.

As if watching a movie, I chose to rewind. I thought back on the last few months, and how much I've shed tears for broken friends, lost sleep over torn family, and emailed until my fingers were exhausted - resolving or creating conflict.

It's not one person that's always involved. It's every single person that I know...hurting. I hear a lot of excuses. I give a lot of excuses. ...

She's selfish. He's always been mean, I've just run out of patience. Money is too tight to fix things. She won't learn from her mistakes. I'm facing a life-change, and can't deal with it. It's his fault. It's his job. My kids are naughty. She's gotten so self, and boy, absorbed. She always has an excuse. He loves somebody else more than me. He won't leave his dream for mine. She's quick to judge, but refuses to see herself truly. He's clingy. My job is too hard.

It's ironic how when we're absolutely unhappy, we immediately turn to blame somebody else, isn't it? We never find ourselves to blame for our own unhappiness, but we're quick to boast how we found our destiny. Our love. Our joy. All the good.

"For every second that we are angry, we lose a second of happiness."
"Bitterness is a symptom of emotional failure."
"In life, don't always wait for someone to come along and fix whats wrong. Sometimes, you just have to be your own hero/"

To find happiness and balance, we've got to find it in ourselves, by ourselves, accepting full responsibility for our choices, emotions, and actions. To find your place in this world, you've got to pick your path all on your own. To find a sense of belonging, listen to your heart. Your heart.

To find your way, you've got to get out of your way.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♥I am woman.

I'm the woman that has all the other women wrapped up into one:

The business woman with her goals screwed on straight. Who isn't intimidated by outside forces beyond her control. The woman who grabs life by the you-know-whats and doesn't let go until she gets what she wants. <-- I'm 2% her.

I want to be the homemaker that takes pride in her clean living-room and doesn't mind wearing those new heels while vacuuming the halls. The woman that sees the feminist and pities her for her lack of domestic desire. Her entire world is her family and she lives to feed and dress them well. <--- I'm 10% her.

That 50's housewife gets old. Fast. I want to have the fire, the passion, to burn my bra and proudly walk the streets with squared shoulders and an "I can do anything you can do." attitude. Her strength is envious; her independence is unmatched. <--- I am 8% her.

Then there's Mother Theresa (minus the celibacy). Her focus, her journey, her end result is Christ and reaching out to those who need His love most. The desperate, destitute, and dreary world sees this light shining from her because her source is the Light. Sacrifice and toil are her closest companions. Her ministry is her life is her ministry. <--- I want to be 30% her.

What about the princess? The one who squeals at dirt and dreams of being swept away by a destined knight on a white horse. She replaces every damsel in distress (even the Disney ones) with herself as she imagines being needed and desired enough to be pursued in the right way. <--- I'm 20% her.

I want to be my mother. I want her strengths and her achievements. Her knowledge and her talent are surely to be mine, right? They're in my blood. She is an example unto herself of a woman that I strive to be. She is a real woman with weaknesses that she has to fight against and goals that seems daunting to her at times. Yet she still climbs toward them. She cares for her children and prays for her friends. She has a listening ear and an a compassion that warms the soul. <--- I am 15% her.

Wonder Woman, by my definition, has a week-long meal planned out. Her children's faces are never crusty or dirt-smeared. Her house has an air that draws company and keeps them. Her husband adores her cooking and her friends call to ask for her opinion of household decor. She seems like the 50's housewife... but in all actuality, she's just totally creative and has time to be so. <-- I'm 5% her.

This free spirit doesn't care if her kid's face is dirty, bare feet help him feel the earth, artistic character is developed best in chaos. Every day is an adventure and every discovery is a lesson learned- be it messy or on the edge of danger. Her kisses are untapped and her understanding transcends culture or social skill. She employs abandon and encourages running free. <--- I am 10% her.

“Women are strange and incomprehensible, a device invented by Providence to keep the wit of man well sharpened by constant employment” -Arnold Bennett

“Oh, woman, woman! When to ill thy mind is bent, all Hell contains no fouler fiend” -Homer

“I will never be the woman with the perfect hair, who can wear white and not spill on it.” -Sex and the City quote

“How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being.” -Oscar Wilde

“You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her”

♥h.o.p.e.

"Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself... 'How did I get through all of that?'" -Unknown.

If anyone had ever predicted this past year to me, in detail, I would have screamed and kicked and cried. I would have thrown a very toddler-like fit at the change that would encroach upon my change-hating self. I would have cursed the day that said transition began to take place and I definitely would have resisted every step. Had the prediction come with, "It will be worth it. And here's why," I would have simply replied, "Bring it on." Wanna know why? Because God is faithful. He gives and He takes away. And what He replaces with what He takes away... man, it's so much more than "worth it". Having what I have now, what I will soon have, what I know He will eventually give me has made every tear, ever groan and every *head desk* completely and undeniably worth.it. And this thought is what will carry me through all of life's changes that I may not necessarily welcome with open arms.

“Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up.” –Anne Lamott

"You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You." Isaiah 26:3

More and more I realize that I love written words- because they allow me more time to really think about how I feel and put those feelings into physical imagery. So many times, my brain is working so quickly that when I talk I stutter, skip over entire words in the telling of a story, forget what I mean to say, get distracted or just plain interrupted. But when I write, I get to see the words flow from my mind/heart onto paper or screen. I get to think of what I want as I communicate it. No embarrassing slip ups, no misunderstanding (minus tone which I know can be an issue) and no worry of saying something I didn't mean to say. I'm able to choose phrases and lingo that matches precisely my mood, my intentions or my feelings. I cannot learn too many words and I cannot write too many thoughts. And as they leak onto "paper" I am always grateful for the comfort and accomplishment they bring.

“Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings tunes without words and never stops at all.” Emily Dickinson

I'm so thankful; for best friends and accomplices in shopping shenanigans. I'm thankful for being on the receiving end of blessing, though I am fully aware that I am undeserving of good things and amazing people. I'm thankful for friends and family that will stand with me through thick and thin; for a son who makes me smile every day; for the ability to laugh so readily; for being surrounded by people with colorful and rich personalities; for the irreplaceable ones; for the loyal and optimistic ones.

“Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.” –Vaclav Havel

Newest little lesson: validation. Reminder: validation cannot come from people. Note to self: your validation comes from Christ alone. And if you seek validation from fellow, imperfect humans, you will be disappointed in them and in yourself all at the same time. When Christ validates you, He does so from a place of holiness and perfection. Because He is perfect and calls you perfect, your validation will be untouchable and everlasting and not based your mostly messy life punctuated by good deeds.

“Hope is the feeling that the feeling you have isn’t permanent.” –Jean Karr

I miss the days of cassette tapes with their love-music mixes and disposable cameras with their physically printed memories. There's something about holding a thing of sentimental value in your hands as opposed to being displayed on a glowing screen. I will always own journals and books. I will always have authorial collections in stacks upon stacks- taking up their reserved spaces on my shelves. I will always own CDs and listen to them until they wear out. Because they just seem so much more real when I can hold them in my hands.

Lately? Lately my cheeks have this little ache... I smile constantly. Some change is good.

♥Happy Birthday Beautiful Nomz!

Ever have that friend that is just so right for you? The one you love closer than a sibling; who can compare quite closely to a giant piece of chocolate cake; who gets you without even trying? I haz one. Well, I haz more than one. But, today this post is about one in particular. You know of her- she's said co-blogger and "all around goddess of paperclips".

Today, our beautiful and talented Naomi is 27. I KNOW, RIGHT?! While it does sound old, let me assure you that she is not bound by her numerical identity. See why:

She gets quite the thrill at splashing through mud puddles:

She LOVES a good jumping picture:

Her laughter is a catalyst for giggles uncontrolled:

Her dancing skillz are not to be compared:

So, even though Nomz is one year older, I'm pretty sure she's not worried about growing old- or about growing up, for that matter. Because what is age? It's just a number. A silly little number that has no influence whatsoever over our dreams, our hopes or our friends.

Here's a toast to you, my fabulous inspirer of words, I hope this is your best birthday yet! ♥

"Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."

-Robert Heinlein

"The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age." -Lucille Ball

"Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing." -G. M. Trevelyan

♫ Random Monday:: 10/18/10

Oh my, on a Monday and everything!

*Random Monday, it's been entirely too long since we had a chat, let's!

*My most recent endeavor? Young Farmers. It's sort of an adult version of FFA, something I always wanted to get involved in but wasn't allowed the chance. I am using my Social Marketing skills to get more involvement in the Front Range chapter, hope to get involved at a national level, and am determined to figure out why Wyoming disbanded. Al, you and I have quite the project ahead of us. Like my new page! Front Range Young Farmers

*That new endeavor makes me the admin of FOUR Facebook pages. Connected? You could say that. FYI...I'm going to start charging for my brilliance.

*I don't normally blog on a Sunday, but my heart sort of spilled all over the place yesterday, and made quite the mess: A Rainy October

*My Ashley and I are going to start a drive-thru pizza place, because people around here have yet to create such a thing. I was thinking about naming it "There". You know, so you can say: "Want to go to There for pizza?", and when people respond with "Their pizza, is it good?", you can respond with "Eeeediot. THERE pizza, not THEIR pizza, didn't you learn anything in fourth grade?"

*I happen to be very much in love, thank you very much. Brandon continues to amaze. <3

*I am starrrrving, and my kids ate all the yogurt. Sigh.

*Speaking of them! They have recently grown about four feet, aged quicker than bananas, and are the thing in this world that I am most proud of.

*Tomorrow is the birthday of a girl that I went from loving dearly, to missing sorely, to mourning, to realizing that sometimes life just sends people in different directions, and it's probably for a reason. I continue to love what we had, and wish her the best. Happy Birthday, Kara. 10 years ago this month, we've been friends!

*I was always worried that uploading too many pictures to Facebook would overwhelm people. I changed my mind and upload almost daily. Don't whine either, it's not like I force you to browse them!

*Sometimes, I could torture a certain ex-somebody with little regret. The lies are stacking against his favor. BUT I have to remember that no matter how much I want to be, I can't be in control...nor should I be. God's got this, I'll trust that, and let life catch up to him...at least until he actually hurts the little hearts involved.

*Anybody dressing up for Halloween?

*"When you no longer need to prove anything to anyone and can simply be yourself with no apologies - you have arrived."

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ A Rainy October

Here's the thing...

In Sazaran's most recent blog, she said this about me, and it really couldn't be more true: "Nomz may seem like she’s fallen off the face of the planet. But, I can tell you that that isn’t the case. In fact, I believe she’s familiarizing herself with this planet in a whole new way. Let’s cheer her on in making the right choices, trusting more than she has before and seeing things in a new light. Because, after all, she happens to life; life doesn’t happen to her."

October has been bittersweet, and I won't mind so much if the door does indeed hit it in the ass on its way out. I'm an extremely independent girl, completely dependent and leaning hard on the people that count in my life...and it makes my insides hurt.

I'm learning the hard way, that when you take the chance of flying, you'll probably ruffle some feathers. I followed my heart, I'm learning to stand on my own two feet and rebuild, and I'm learning the hard truth that not everybody is going to like it.

I defeated a zipline in the dark last night with my favorites last night, and I'm off to conquer the rest of the world with them by my side! My support system, like that 30 foot high cable, is constant. It's safe. It's trustworthy. It's faithful. I'm latching on and enjoying this ride! (It wasn't just who was present last night...if you're in "my village", you know exactly who you are. I love you so hard.)

You see...It's not who stood by and watched you fall, it's not who looked at your decisions disapprovingly, its not who talked about your mistakes. It's the people that stayed by your side through all of those things unfailingly, that really matter the most.

I am indeed seeing the this world in a whole new light. I am getting so familiar with this change that I'm calling it "home". I am falling in love. I am happening to life.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

Pretty!

♫ RAWR...just kidding.

I'll be honest, I logged in to vent too. I have had angst, and grumps, and rawrfaces on for about three days now. I wanted to tell the world how much it's pissed me off lately (Mostly, I blame the fact that I'm female, and it's that stupid "time" that I can complain about BEING female). And then...THEN I realized how hypocritical that would be of me. Yes, we're all entitled to bad days. Bad months. Bad years. Your problems may be minimal compared to the rest of the world's, but that doesn't mean they're not huge to you. Have a bad day. Get mad. Pout. Cry. Do it.

Then...realize that everybody throws fits. You're not the first to let the pettiness of the world get to you. The biggest thing to remember though, is that you can only control your own problems and emotions. If you're mad at life because of how another person made you feel, you need to get over it. You need to forgive, forget, rinse, and repeat...and move on. You cant change how they made you feel. You can't control whether they'll do it again or not. You can only control you.



I got this on Monday; hafta gotta share it:

"Don't listen to those who say, 'You're taking too big a chance.' Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor, and it would surely be rubbed out by today. Most important, don't listen when the little voice of fear inside you rears its ugly head and says. 'They're all smarter than you out there. They're more talented, they're taller, blonder, prettier, luckier, and they have connections. I firmly believe that if you follow a path that interests you, not to the exclusion of love, sensitivity, and cooperation with others, but with the strength of conviction that you can move others by your own efforts, and do not make success or failure the criteria by which you live, the chances are you'll be a person worthy of your own respects."

Love yourself, trust yourself, respect yourself, and leave the rest to God. Forget what everybody else thinks.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday: 9/20/10

Rolz and my new puppy, Nova! We call them, "Rollanova"

*One more week of commuting. Just one. It's bittersweet. But lawdy am I ready to not be making that long commute anymore.

*I found my girls a preschool! Screeeeeeeeeeee! Bless you, little church preschool, for being the most time-sensible, curriculum desired, safest place I've found yet.

*I got glasses! I've got 20-25 vision, but two astigmatisms. Which is fancy for "you can't drive, operate machinery, or even a computer, without wearing a cute accessory."

*Thanks to Christie (don't worry when you don't recognize her name, most of you don't know her...your loss, really), my girls will soon be doing three flavors of dance classes, AND having recitals. *prepares to cry*

*This weekend had the perfect balance of reality, romance, and go-time. I got swept off my feet, swung around a dance floor, time alone to think hard on some things, and epic sleep-in time, and bonus shopping time with one of my best girls. The things that can be accomplished in one weekend!

*Have you heard the latest Octomom drama?! After showing a co-worker (Octomom), he said "she's gotta looked like a popped balloon, right?" Ew.

*I'm job hunting. Officially. Know somebody hiring in the area I've moved to? Let me know! (Creepy blog stalkers, I'm SO glad you find our blog interesting, we hope to continue entertaining you, but I'm not going to tell you where I live. Sorry.)

*Ever notice how when you're reading a really good book, the chapter ends on such a cliff hanger that you're dying to keep reading? Ever notice that life is the same way? Weiiiiird, huh?

*Speaking of that, how the HECK are they going to make the seventh book in the Harry Potter series TWO movies? I'm going to die of anticipation, that's how. Along with the other 7 million addicts. They'll torture us with three hours of The Titanic, but Harry Potter? No...you get to pay double the money for that feature. Jerks.

*Autumn does indeed bring cooler weather, but with it comes good tv! I'm right back to addicted to Sons of Anarchy, and have huge plans to disappear entirely in to Grey's Anatomy Thursday!

*It's weird how I just started a blog with nothing to say, and here I am writing your eyes off.

*I am absolutely in love with this:



*If you can handle Jewel's voice, listen to these lyrics.



Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday: 8-30-10

*One of my favorite quotes (thank you Reese, for giving it to me, so easily forgotten.

Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of all those things...and still be calm in your heart.

*Everybody has problems. Every couple has problems. Admitting them is the first step...and seems to be the most difficult. Here, I'll be the first. Brandon and I fought over light-bulbs yesterday. Yeah, beat that.

*"Notice “what’s right” rather than “what’s wrong” and instantly experience more peace and love."

Two of my favorite tweets from this week:

*I am making the choice, every day before I get started, to chose "Zen!" for breakfast. It's in the grocery aisle, next to your other choices: "Flip the eff out" and "Angst!"

*You can't have Tools in your life without also having a Toolshed to make them all feel like they belong. Yeah, like THAT guy.

*There is a chance that my girls will be in dance lessons soon...with another Adorable. It's true, and hip-hop might even be involved. Ooooooh yeahhhhh.

*I'm so tired of laziness. Instead of pouting that somebody isn't coming to you, that everything is going wrong, or that you're not getting enough attention...be bold. The only way to find your place in the world is to break out from everybody else. Be proactive. Buy yourself new internal batteries. Your lack of energy makes me more sad than my kids' dying toys.

*It's ok to be so happy for me that you want to come sit under my shade tree. I'll share!

*DOOOODS, our Facebook page is SO close to 300 friends! Tell your friends about us! Daily Offensive

*I really want your bras. Please? Give Nomz Your Bras

*Sing along!



Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Somewhere in the middle...

For my favorites...

Looking around, it actually hurts to see some of the misery going on in the world. From the guy on the corner, to the hurting friend, to the defeated leaders. I see people stuck between who they were, and who they are going. I see people in the middle of where they want to be, and who they're going to be.

Feeling trapped in the "right now" is the worst feeling in the world when it's not a comfortable place to be.

Feeling stuck in a situation, ready to run but afraid to quit, is terrifying.

Wanting something so bad, and finding it just out of reach is frustrating.

Trying to decide if a goodbye, or forgiveness is the better option.

Fixing a broken relationship, or realizing it was never a relationship to begin with and no longer worth the effort, is painful.

Feeling like a mom, a wife, a homemaker, a housewife, and never a person...is exhausting.

Having an insane amount of debt, and no money to dig your way out of it is the definition of insomnia.

Facing at night your worst fears, anxiety's, and all the things you push off just to focus on the day, is excruciating.

It makes you wonder, doesn't it, if you're in those places because you're afraid to risk something?

It makes you question if you've got what it takes to move forward, instead instead of staying still.

It makes you curious if there really is something else out there.

Remember:

You're not alone. You're not the first person to go through this.

Hurt people hurt people. Loved people love people. Love people. When you're hurting, love anyway.

"Your biggest break can come from never quitting. Being at the right place at the right time can only happen when you keep moving toward the next opportunity."

Also, never ever be afraid to say yes to yourself. Say Yes To Yourself.

"Giving yourself over like this is probably one of the most challenging things you can do in your life. And it’s also one of the most important decisions you can make.

When you move in the direction of complete commitment to your path, you simultaneously move in the direction of radical honesty with yourself. And that means becoming honest with yourself about what you really do want. You say Yes to the real power that you have inside of you."

Zealous Living

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. The end result of a relentless pursuit and a transformed heart is a life of zealous for the advancement for God. He created me to accomplish. He created me to reach."

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday 5-17-10

*I'm grumpy today. I have no logical rhyme or reason, I'm just grumpy. I blame a weekend full of fun in epic proportions. I haz a funn hangoverz.

*A post-serious conversation has me spinning. But thoughtful. And empowered.

*Don't ever learn to lean too hard on somebody. Everybody has a weakness, a point in their life where it gets hard to stand. A point where they fall. If you're leaning all the time, you're going to fall with them instead of being able to help them up.

*I realize more and more that as much as I whined about my parents growing up, I could have had it far worse. Plus, they taught me manners. And punctuality. And to not let my foods touch. Or feet to touch me. And that duct tape has many purposes. Not everybody can say that.

*Go see Iron Man 2 in theaters and let me know what you think? Me...I thought it was a little on the long side, and not nearly action-packed. The boys, of course, loved it.

*Once a decision is made up in my head, I have a heckova time waiting until it gets here.



Thanks, Ashley!

*I'm starting running again this week. And thanking my lucky stars that it's with a nurse, officially. Because she can save my life when I die. Unless she dies first. Out of shape rocks.

*Lazy people bug me.

*Lazy people that think they're not lazy bug me even more.

*I love Mexican food, especially if accompanied by the sound of encouragement and love.

*I love these lyrics!



"Cause I need more time
Just a few more months and well be fine
So say whats on your mind
Cause I cant figure out just whats inside
So say alright
Cause I know we can make it if we try
Cause I need more time
Just a few more months and well be fine

We're off to new lands
So hold on to my hands
Its gonna be alright
Its a whole lot brighter
So stand by the fire
Its gonna be alright
Yeah, the road gets harder
But its not much farther
Its gonna be alright
You know that it aint easy
Please believe me
Its gonna be alright"

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫When we let our light shine...

A favorite quote, and something I continue to forget to live by.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves,"who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. Its not just in some of us; its in all of us. When we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others.

♫ Random Monday 5-10-10

That up there? My bug proving that Spring does exist, if you drive a little further to find it.



And that? My sweet girl doing sand angels.

It scares me a bit when it hits this time of day and I'm like ah crap, it's Random Monday and I haven't even started it!

*There is this quote that's been sticking out in my head lately: Don't make somebody a priority if they choose to make you an option. While this quote is usually pictured with some poor girl that just got her heart broken in to millions of pieces, I am pretty sure we can apply that to almost every relationship and friendship in our lives.

*Happy "Like" Day to my sister and her boy...it's been a year today since I dragged her down to Colorado to meet the infamous Mark. Well, technically a year since their first date....after they tried to pretend they didn't like each other.

*I got paid one of the highest compliments in my life today: "But YOU and you alone embody the core ethics of Christianity, and leave the judgment/politics/hate of other views out. If more Christians were like you, I’d totally join that club."

*SSSSSSSSSSsssssssssssssscccccccccccreeeeeeeeeeeee! That is all. For now. And no, mom, I'm not pregnant. Or engaged.

*I have this ridiculous obsession with looking through pictures of people's tattoo's. It's completely fascinating to me what people choose to put on their bodies, forever. I can't wait to add to my own personal collection too...I can tell you that pages like this leave me inspired to get insanely creative: Yes I have a tattoo. Yes, I know it's forever

*I'm not so impressed with people these days. Just in general. And then I've got this other set of people that have raised the bar, and set the standard, for the type of people I want in my life, and around my girls. Thank goodness for opposites to teach us how to appreciate everything, eh?

*I actually had this song happen to me this weekend! It wasn't Miranda Lambert, and she didn't sing...but she did live in the house I was in, wanted a tour to take a memory with her, and left. She was the sweetest girl...and highly impressed with the blue that had taken over the walls since she had last been there.



Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday 4-26-10

I'm not sure how it's Monday, but it feels like a Thursday, and lawdy do I wish it was.

I don't think anybody is too new around here, but in case you are, I spill every random thing in my head every Monday. I'm sort of a clutter-phobe and tend to clean everybody's piles if I run out of my own, this is just a way of doing that with my mind. Your mind is next.

*After a roller-coaster of a weekend, I've seem to come out unscathed, clean...surprisingly, and feeling all overwhelmed with the taste of the future. Not in a bad way, just saying. It's like garlic...thought it's amazing, it can be overwhelming. See?

*Letting a tough situation just sit and pretend it's not there, is like watching a massive hole of standing water. It eventually grows things that are not welcome, smells worse than when it started, and gets cloudy and hard to understand. In a tough spot? Start getting rid of it by moving it.

*Got an awesome significant other? Make sure your family stays first, or that awesome 'other' won't be so awesome in the family's eyes.

*I have a ridiculous amount of cool friends.

*A friend of mine posted the following this week on Facebook, and I liked enough that I stole it. There are enough "quotes" in it, that instead of adding more, I'm making the font slant. Consider it quoted.

Instead of liking "How about we stop blaming NoBama for everything Bush did?" I think I'll like "How about we start holding NoBama accountable for all the crap he is doing?" And "CNN/MSNBC..the media arm of the Democratic Party."

-Confession: I hate politics.

*My boyfriend are in the midst of an epic argument. Not the bad kind, but the kind that I want to win, and I'm losing. So, I need your help. It goes something like this:

-Brandon: There is not a recognizable female voice out there that is equally appealing, as there are male voices. Example: Gerard Butler, Sean Connery, Sam Elliot.

-Me: There is too! There's...

--That's where it ends, and that's where I need your help.

*Because it's my job, I actually twitch when people do Facebook wrong. For real. If you're on there to shout about your personal problems, bicker with family, or gossip, please leave. You're giving it a bad rap.

*I came across this song today, and I love, love it.
Black Stone Cherry: Sunrise



*There is a new status update this week that people are copying and pasting:

People need to understand that children with special needs don't have an illness, so there is no cure and it's not contagious. They only want what we all want, to be accepted. Most of you probably won't copy and paste this. Will you do it and leave it on your status for at least an hour? It's Special Education week, and this is in honor of all the kids who need a little extra help and understanding.

Once again, Facebook won't donate anything to them because we post this, but raising awareness is a great start. Post that in your status, if you feel the need. Do more, if you can. ♥

I posted a blog about Special Needs Kids already: Special Needs Kids

We're (We, being the Young Farmers group of Front Range, Colorado) also having this awesome ATV competition to benefit Special Olympics in Erie, CO this coming Sunday. If you're interested, check it out here: ATV Competition

* "Holding to anger is like holding a hot coal with the intent to throw it. You are the one that tends to gets burned" I'm trying really hard to just let go of that coal...we'll see.

*My loves:



Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Hi God...

I'm here again.
In this place where I forget that the noise around me seems to require more attention than Your truth.
I forget so easily to be grateful for what you've given us.

The only way I can find peace in my life, is to stop fighting it.
The only way to see a good change in people, is to let change happen in me.
I need to stop judging and criticizing, and remember that that's your job.
I'm easily dizzied and frustrated with people's actions around me, and forget that I only have complete control over mine.
I've got to stop forgetting that it's easier to gripe, than it is to be thankful and open minded. Don't let this laziness continue.
It's hard to forgive others faults, and harder to forgive my own.
Help me accept the things I cannot change, and the courage to change the things I can.
Before correcting others actions, help me better mine.
Let me be the best parent I can be, instead of reproving others.
Help me remember that it's not the end that is important, but the entire journey.
Remind me that I cannot be in complete control; nor can I fix every person that comes my way.

Ah, one last thing. Please help me get over this flu. It's been like 15 years, and I seem to have forgotten the art of throwing up. ;)

Give me patience. Give me peace.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday 4-19-10

We aren't forgetting about our blog. Actually, we're just showing off our slacking abilities this month. Aren't you proud?!

Random Monday!

*I can't wait for summertime. Which, thanks to a friendly reminder, is officially the theme of this blog.

*List of things on my summer to-do list:

-margarita's
-concerts
-a fantastic get away with my daddy
-a vacation with Brandon, something we're making a tradition. OMG GUYS MY FIRST TRADITION!
-ride in a big red truck, thanks to the power of bribery. ;)
-Horses. Somehow, some way, horses will come back in to my life this summer.
-the epic battle of yay kindergarten or nay kindergarten
-the best looking Nomz yet. True story, I'm gonna look amazing by summer.
-high hopes for at least one random road trip with a certain soul charger.


*Notice Sazaran's absence? She hates you.

*Not really. She's actually slaving at being amazing at something, something that you should all fan immediately: Sarah Michal

*It really bugs me when people gossip. Officially. Like, it's ok to talk to your close friends about random things about other people, but to talk to somebody else's friends about them? Not so much. People find out that way, and people get hurt that way.

*It bugs me that at the age of 26, I still have no clue what I want to do with myself. In a way, I hope I never completely figure it out.

*I'm working on trying not to focus on the doom, gloom, and negative things that are trying to rain right now, and refocusing on the people that matter most, the relationships that are actually healthy, and the friends that are true. I am surrounded by the most amazing group of friends, mama's, family, guy, and blog readers that a girl could ever ask for...something that will make even the worst storm; survivable.

*I do love pizza. All the time. It's totally my kryptonite.

*A funny song, that we all sing sometimes. Admit it:



A few of my favorite lyrics from it:

I haven't been to church since I don't remember when
Things were going great til they fell apart again
So I listened to the preacher as he told me what to do
He said you can't go hatin' others who have done wrong to you
Sometimes we get angry but we must not condemn
Let the good Lord do his job, you just pray for them

I pray your brakes go out runnin' down a hill
I pray a flower pot falls from a window sill
And knocks you in the head like I'd like to
I pray your birthday comes and nobody calls
I pray you're flyin' high when your engine stalls
I pray all your dreams never come true
Just know wherever you are, honey, I pray for you

***fine print: I wouldn't actually wish any of this on anybody for REAL.

*On that note...



Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Sometimes, quotes say it best.

There are days, that quotes are how I make it through. There are days, that no matter how well I can write, quotes say it better. And there are more days that I am grateful for the people that pass them on to me, than for the words themselves. ♥

"Sometimes if you want to see a change for the better, you have to take things into your own hands."

"We all lose friends.. we lose them in death, to distance and over time. But even though they may be lost, hope is not. The key is to keep them in your heart, and when the time is right, you can pick up the friendship right where you left off. Even the lost find their way home when you leave the light on." - Amy Marie Walz

“Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.” – William James

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” – Seneca

“It’s weird, you know the end of something great is coming, but you want to hold on, just one more second, just so it can hurt a little more.” Unknown

"A true friend advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues a friend unchangeably."

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday 4-12-10

Let it begin, let it begin!.

Have you ever seen Bolt? Brandon bought it for my girls last year and we've watched it so many times I've got every one of those cute little hamster lines memorized. On to the randomness...

*Do we run our life, or does it run us?

*It occurred to me this weekend that I'm in a relationship with amazing communication. It's one of those things that you don't appreciate, until you need it. #2 on the list of Why We Rock, is our ability to compromise. Coming from two of the most hard headed people on the planet, that's sort of a big deal.

*It's funny the order that your brain recognizes things. Example:
-Oh hey there's a convertible. Weird that there is a black sheet behind it.
-Oh HEY, a REAL fan!
-OHMYGOSH WE CAN GET OUR PICTURES TAKEN IN THE CONVERTIBLE WITH OUR HAIR BLOWING.

*I'm not sure that I'll ever get chikin'd out. spelling error intentional

*My girls continue to amaze me. Kyanne went from playful to completely observant overnight. That whole "Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression." thing? Officially applies to four year old's. Probably all year old's, but especially them. Leyna is the most insightful three year old I've ever met. The other day she told me "Mamma, because I live with you, I'm going to be like you." ... That, and "I'm so proud of you for spending money on me, mamma!"

*My friend Amberlee is in the process of making the CUTEST BABY EVER, next to mine, of course. And it's her birthday tomorrow. Happy Birthday Beautiful MAMMA!

*I'm going to try and get better at old fashioned mail. Check your mailboxes soon. It's a goal, for 2010. The internet has officially made our friendship efforts lazy. or at least mine. I'm sorry!

*I managed to light a stove on fire this weekend. For the first time ever. And my brain went in to immediate panic-mode. The dog hid, Leyna got really excited and my brain went from:

-PANIC!, because there is a 3 foot flame and a kid in the same room!

to

-Step 1: Turn Stove Off. Step 2: Don't use water just in case. Step 3: Remove pot. Step 4: Blow on it. Step 5: Pat yourself on the back for a short-lived panic.

*I love when businesses get on Facebook AND do it right. Two examples of awesome businesses that are doing it right that I've interacted with this week:

Tokyo Joes and Eat This Not That.

Keyword: interacted. When you post on their wall, a real live person actually responds. Plus, every post they make is actually valuable as a consumer. It's my job, people, bare with my Facebook rants. Dad? Maybe this Thursday? ;)

*I think there are three kinds of people: People that love change, people that hate change, and people that are not good at change but pretend to be.

*I'm naturally horrible before 10am. Every morning.

Picture time!

Things to notice about this old family picture:
-I had BLOND hair.
-My sister had LONG hair. And baggy clothes.
-My brother actually fit on our laps.
-My dad could actually sport the mustache. At least until Super Troopers came out and ruined that look for every single cop out there.
-My mom is buff.



Quote: Love is...

"Love does not envy or boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails"

I heard this at a wedding this weekend, and the pastor (Who made me almost giggle uncontrollably due to his Princess Bride voice), made the whole audience put their own name where Love goes. And it's amazing how much that quote changes, and makes you self reflect. Try it!

Nomz does not envy or boat. Nomz is not proud. Nomz is not rude, self seeking, or easily angered. Nomz keeps no record of wrongs. Nomz does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. Nomz always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Nomz never fails.

How can you expect somebody else, or your love, to do ANY of those things, if you can't seek them in yourself first?

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Every day may not be good, BUT...

I woke up and it was sooooo one of those days. I tweeted something along the lines of "I think my patience forgot to get out of bed with me this morning."

After texting a few friends, logging in to Facebook, and emailing a few more, I found I wasn't alone. A lot of people are feeling snarked at, grumpy, impatient, irritated, or behind on their work today.

I've got news for you. It's Friday. All the feelings listed above? Are actually illegal on Friday's. I checked. It's written in the book of "Rules about Days of the Week. For real."

An amazing friend of mine sent me this link, to deflate my irritation and turn my day around: 10 ways to let go and overcome a bad mood. Please read this article. And here I am, uplifting myself.

The Small Things...that I would have missed, had I stayed in a bad mood:

*The opportunity to call a friend for lunch, buy one of her treasures posted on a recent blog (go look!), eat chikin, and get some sunshine.

MY new treasure:



*Watch my youngest twirl and twirl and twirl to my new favorite song, and tell me "Mamma, this is why I want to wear a dress!". Only a few people got that video, but this IS the song she did it to:



*Get completely challenged at work, and actually get enthused to get a good run at a new goal!

*I would have missed the chance to laugh at my parents...sitting at the table, both on Facebook, talking about Facebook, and arguing....about Facebook. Funny, how Facebook is viewed so differently by every single person on it. It's like...our own little room. Don't you dare mess it up, get it dirty, or do it wrong in my room.

*...the smell of horse poop. <---not completely enjoyable but a smell that you actually miss it when you're not around it daily.

So, day, all in all you weren't nearly as bad as you tried to convince me that you were. Nice try. And please feel free to never try that again.

"Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.” ~Unknown"

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Special Needs Kids

You know, all these opportunities to blog this have come and gone, and my lazy self hasn’t gotten around to it. It’s time, because there is actually a holiday for it today…that most people aren’t even aware of.

Today, April 2nd 2010, is World Autism Awareness Day.

The status going around Facebook is: “You don't know you are missing a big part of the world around you, until you know and love someone with Autism or Aspergers.”

Side note: I do love Facebook for raising awareness on things that people are passionate about, or that the world needs to take a step back and think about.

Growing up, I was raised in a home that didn’t allow us to view “mentally handicapped” people any different than anybody else. My mom has always played an active role in the community with special needs kids, tutoring in resource rooms, and having a bigger heart than most by loving on them and giving them more attention than most. In junior high school when a close friend encouraged me to get active in the Special Olympics program, my parents fully encouraged it. Making sure I had rides, money, and anything else I needed to participate.

That quote that’s going around Facebook today, couldn’t be more true. Until you’ve known somebody with Autism, Aspergers, or any other diagnosed mental or physical handicap, you’ve been blind. While a lot of the world sees them as retarded, or find them intrusive, intimidating, scary, or different…those that know them best know that they see the world in a way that we wish we could. They see the world with eyes that most children do…they never lose that magic that growing up puts on a “normal” person. They’re magical, they’re usually more intelligent than the average person, and though their communication skills might differ from yours entirely, being near them for a small amount of time can teach you more in mere minutes than you’ve learned over a lifetime.

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." <- - - that’s how they live EVERY DAY!

It is World Autism Awareness Day. But every day really should be. Get active in their community. Find ways to spend time with the Special Olympics in your community. And please, please teach your children how great they are, not how different they are. Expose them to them, don’t shelter them from them. Love on the parents that get to be challenged with a Special Needs child. That…is raising awareness. And it doesn’t cost you a dime.

Quotes to get you thinking:

"You've developed the strength of a draft horse while holding onto the delicacy of a daffodil ... you are the mother, advocate and protector of a child with a disability."

"Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same."

"If you've told a child a thousand times and he still does not understand, then it is not the child who is the slow learner."

Yours Truly,
Nomz

**The picture at the top is actual silverware built for children with special needs. If you're interested, please see this link: Special Needs Cutlery