Sunday, January 31, 2010

wrinkles


...dismiss whatever insults your own soul,
and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency
not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face
and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body...
- Walt Whitman


Such a true argument for why plastic surgery is completely unnecessary. I have always welcomed scars eagerly, battle wounds to be proud of. I look forward to having "laugh lines" and wrinkles around my smile. I look forward to ever increasing the number of furrow wrinkles on my forehead from many an intense, intentional conversation. I cannot wait for the wrinkles to deepen in the corners of my eyes from the facial explosions that my life will bring.
I cannot wait to grow in love, grow my family, responsibilities. I cannot wait to grow my faith & my trust.
I cannot wait to grow old and live.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

If you ever

find yourself lacking in the energy/motivation department whilst running in the middle of the afternoon you must and I repeat, MUST click your i-pod on over to one of these two songs: "Come Up Here", "Beyond the Window"

(Please ignore the cheesiness of the video)
I promise there is nothing that could stop you from "keepin' on" once you hear one or both of these songs.
:)

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Is it weird?

That I miss going to a big ol' co-ed gym? I miss being on a treadmill amongst a variety of worker-outers and running my little heart out. When I was a member of a big gym (even when I went to the gym at school) I always felt a little push from those around me (imaginary encouragement/challenge if you will) to keep going, to push the pace, to run harder, faster, longer. Wow I sound like a dork, but seriously. I ran my best when I have others around/with me; it is a HUGE encouragement just to know that someone else is there. I'm realizing this mentality reflects rather heavily in most every aspect of my life. It is funny though that having just gotten married this is the first time in my life I feel like I am truly having to learn to be comfortable, to embrace and love "ME" time.
We're having breakfast for dinner tonight. I was so hungry I just devoured a waffle and a half & a boiled egg!
Yummy

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Friday, January 15, 2010

on the topic of running

Running. let's see. Here's me in high school doing the two things I loved the most
(Soccer) & this (Cross Country)
Exercise in general has always been an incredible, necessary force in my life. It has always been my escape, my ultimate adrenaline rush, and, at a time, even the source of my sickness. We've had quite the love/hate relationship, BUT, i do believe it is an essential and fantastic method of relaxation. Weird way to put it, I know...but I have always had the dream of running, running far, running to win, again. It is something I can always do (Lord willing). I do not need a team to run (unlike my beloved soccer). I just need to keep my body healthy and that is just what I intend to do.
1) Sleep more
2) Eat more balanced, body-minded meals
3) A well rounded work out routine (maybe this or this perhaps? or BOTH)
Anyhow, I am at a time and place in my life where I can do this. I can! I can make a plan or set a goal and STICK TO IT.
Meaning I have a few which I will divulge as I actually schedule my plans of attack. :)
Stay tuned!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

honey lately

I've been really into reading blogs, specifically two (or three) types.
1) Blogs on incredible faithfilled, inspiring families
2) Fitness/nutrition blogs (also inspiring)
3) As always, those I know and love

Typically, I go in and out of my interest with blogs but lately, specifically since I have gotten married and attempted to uncover new, married interests (especially cooking, children, faith, & fitness), I have been devouring others words as if it were going out of style. I am enamoured with the joys of others lives and the unique ways each person has of expressing said excitement. I have been struggling with motivating myself. Really struggling. I have been extremely tired as of late.
The "first year" of marriage thus far has been nothing short of lovely for The Fish Guy & I. We've had our little bumps (which mostly include me realizing I am not so much a pet lover & me also realizing I have a very hard time sleeping with someone else in a full-sized bed) but we have had a multitude of lovely discoveries (my love of cooking, his love of cleaning ;), our love of each other :) :)
Life is very full but at the same time very much in the "waiting period"...I am ready for something big to happen. I know this is nothing you can wait for and so I search for inspiration in all sorts of places (the Bible, music, blogs, etc.). The word of the moment is "CHANGE" and I have never been one to take it very well, at all. Thank the Lord for giving me such a strong and diligent encourager to walk with through it all.

I'm off to run (no seriously) & determine the next plan of attack.
always love,
Lauren

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Hiatus

I took a rather extreme hiatus from blogging, swapped to wordpress for awhile, and now I'm back here. I figured this is where I keep up with all the blogs I read so I mine as well have mine here. Well everyone, if anyone, reads this knows that some pretty important things happened in the past year namely this


Oh and this too,

you could say it's probably been the most eventful year thus far. :)
The Fish Guy and I are loving the married life in our little one bedroom apartment with the only "shocking" newlywed discoveries being that I LOVE to cook (and I mean love) & that I am not so good with living in close quarters with dogs (specifically 80+ pound ones). Otherwise, we have been amazing, blessed, and excited at the joy of getting to spend every day with our best friend. (each other, just in case that was confusing)
I would like to start out the new year with a little something I've done before but that could always use another looking at (and is also thoroughly enjoying to any and all music lovers). Something my sister posted and has got my mind churning all day that it would be nice to engage in once I got home today.
Here goes...(ps. I know it's silly, goofy, and time consuming but it's fun so I'm doin' it pffft)

1. Put Your Itunes on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write that song name down no matter how silly it makes you look

IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” you say
“Oh come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant." - (which translates to YES, emphatically.)
"Oh Come All Ye Faithful" - Bing Crosby

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
“Cause I've been trying to find my way, I haven't got a clue. Tell me should I stay here or do I need to move? Give me a revelation, I've got nothing without You."
"Revelation" - Third Day

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
“We're off to new lands, so hold on to my hands; It's gonna be alright. It's a whole lot brighter, so stand by the fire; It's gonna be alright."
"More Time" - Needtobreathe

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
“My silent warrior just behind the wall, catching me when I fall."
"Bullets Over My Head" - One Tree HIll

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
“The sky could be blue, I don't mind. Without You it's a waste of time." (my own twist on an otherwise wistful song)
"Strawberry Swing" - Coldplay

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
“I'll be the rainbow when the sun is gone, wrap you in my colors and keep your warm. That's how strong my love is, darling."
"That's How Strong My Love Is" - Otis Redding

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
“Crash & burn, when will I learn?"
"Crash & Burn" - Blues Traveler

WHAT DO YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT?
“So speak kind to a stranger, cause' you never know. It just might be an angel come knockin' at your door. And I'm waiting on an angel and I know it won't be long. To find myself a resting place in my angel's arms."
"Waiting on an Angel" - Ben Harper

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
“I start to miss you, baby, sometimes." (I do, when we're not together, tis true)
"Summer in the City" - Regina Spektor

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
“With every thought our journey begins again and we go chasing the endless spots of creation that hold me for hours."
"Imagination" - Motorcycle

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
“so I went to see the doctor and he said..." (aka a doctor..more specifically physical therapist, just sayin')
"Too Much Food" - Jason Mraz

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
“So easily forgotten, are the most important things; is that I love you, I do and I want to spend my days and nights walking through this crazy world with you, that's right baby."
"Life is Beautiful" - Keb Mo'

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
"I'll be seeing you in every lovely summer's day; In every thing that's light and gay. I'll always think of you that way." (I actually did want this song played there back when we first started planning, so wonderfully adoring)
"I'll Be Seeing You" - Billie Holiday

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
"Glory and honor wisdom and power. Grace and fury splendor and might. O you are splendor and might. Matchless beauty endless light." (wow, they are going to be ROCKING out at my funeral)
"God Almighty, None Compare" - David Crowder Band

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
“All for everything until it comes to the cross, a fear of faith becomes their cage. They're getting used to; feeling weightless, breathing fakeness, dreaming faithless."
"Wake Up" - Larue

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
“I love you always forever. Near and far, closer together. Everywhere I will be with you."
"I love you always forever" - Donna Lewis

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
“Heavy Weight Wrestler..Gymnastics Super Fit"
"Bucky Done Gun" - M.I.A.