First Days

First days are rough.

It doesn't matter how exciting, how much anticipation has been building, how great or how sad the event, the first day is always rough in some way, shape, or form.

Today is my "first day" back in the office following kids camp and vacation. Next week is our church family camping trip, so there's prep for that as well. Plus that to-do list from before I left, this week's reoccurring meetings and tasks, Fall Studies and House Parties to get my brain wrapped around, follow-up from baptisms, new believers and discipleship stuff, building information, and oh - that layer of dust on my shelves that needs my attention.

First days are rough.

So as I sit at my desk and look at the piles, old and new; look at the projects, old and new; look at the tasks, old and new... I decide.

I decide to step away from the desk and sit on the couch.
I decide to crank up the cello solo station on Accu Radio.
I decide to focus on God and pray so the rest of my day can be focused.
I decide to make a new list. Who cares if they're old tasks, it's a new page.
I decide that rough is simply not the right answer.

Anticipation, encouragement that so much is going on, so many lives are being touched and changed, and I get a front-row seat to watch. And I remember that sometimes, I even to be a character in the actual event, and play a role in the stories.

And I sigh.
And I thank God.
And I breathe deep.
And I get to work.

Why, Thank You Mickey!

Thanks for that great reminder, Mickey! You're right, my birthday is getting close.

14 shopping days left!!!!!

20 shopping days left!

Okay people, there's only 20 shopping days left until my BIRTHDAY! :o) I'll be 28, in case you were wondering or didn't bother looking at my Facebook profile. You only have three weeks left!

Oh, and if you really love me, and my husband - our 7th anniversary is two days later. ;o) Did I mention that my love languages are gifts and words of affirmation? And I feel like words of affirmation (like well-written greeting cards) are gifts to my heart... so guess which one's the primarily language?

Here's what you can get me:

• Crate & Barrel has this cute sugar/creamer set where the creamer looks like a little milk carton. I know, random, but I saw it and I likey.
• Douvet set (including the actual douvet blanket)
  
• Hammock for my backyard
  
• Hammock stand
• Books
• Strawberries
• Plane Tickets to the East Coast for sometime this fall after we have our kids
• A vehicle large enough to hold said children
• I'm addicted to Burt's Bees lip balm - either the peppermint oil or the pomegranate oil one, in stick form so my fingernail doesn't get all gross
• Speaking of nails - mani/pedi
• A MASSAGE!!!!
• Charms about my husband (hint, hint, Benjamin)
• Red Envelope has this Year of Seeds thing that is just stinkin' adorable
• An oval domed "shadow box" type frame for me to finally do that art project with my wedding flowers
• Chimes for our back porch - but only ones with really deep, rich tones
  
• creative/modern/classic bookends
• An herb garden of my very own
• ice cream maker
• wok
• an immersion blender
• golf lessons
• purses (must be approved by either Barbie P or Joslyn H)
• Bath & Body Stuff in wild honeysuckle
• Alaskan Cruise
• Lenses for my camera - I have a Canon Rebel XTi, I need a good portrait lens, and a good zoom
  
• Flash for my camera
  
  

Okay, well that should at least get you started, right?