I don't have much of anything to say today, but I still wanted to post something. I mean, obviously I didn't post over the weekend, so the whole 31 days thing is kind of shot at this point. Anyway. Coming home from my OB appointment yesterday, I was listening to a local Christian radio station. I recently found it (yeah, after 6 months!), so I've been listening when I'm in the car lately. I kinda missed Christian radio! A song that I've heard probably a gazillion times came on and really just spoke to me. Here are some of the lyrics:
It's your life
What you gonna do?
The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
Your heart beats for
It's an open door
It's your life*
It hit me because it's so true, especially in today's world. What with social media, there are "eyes" on me at all times. Here on my blog, FB, Twitter, IG...everywhere, people are watching. No, they're probably not watching and waiting for me to screw up or something, but they do see how I live my life. It's probably obvious to anyone who visits any of my social media sites that I'm a Christian. That I'm a conservative. That my husband is in the military. That I'm a mother. On and on and on. People see how I react to certain situations: loss, deployment, and day-to-day junk. How I respond to whatever situation I'm in is a direct reflection of who I am, and Whose I am. Every choice I make is a reflection of my heart. Every. Single. One. The same is true for everyone, as well. Our choices - how we spend time and money - reflect who we are. I hope my choices reflect me and my heart well. I know I've made some not-so-great ones in the past. And I know that I'll probably make some not-so-great ones in the future, too. But the important thing is that I continue to make choices that aren't in my nature - my selfish, sinful, human nature - so that I can reflect more of God and less of me. That, my friends, is quite the challenge.
*Song title is It's Your Life, by Fancesca Battistelli. You can click here to hear the whole song, and you should! It's a really great one. :) Also, I'm just sharing because I like the song, not because anyone asked me to share. Yay, disclaimers. =P
I heard this song - Strong Enough by Matthew West - on the radio on my way back from my entirely-too-long doctor's appointments today and it just seemed fitting. The lyrics start out with:
"You must
You must think I'm strong
To give me what I'm going through."
Um, hi. ::waves:: I'm about to go through something probably more difficult than I ever imagined. And while it will be totally worth it, it is definitely going to be hard. I'm pretty nervous about being induced, being in labor, delivering and, well, becoming a mommy in general. This song pretty much screams the attitude I have/need to have. And I may or may not be requesting my hubby download it to play in the delivery room. ;-) What really speaks to me is the chorus:
"I know I'm not strong enough
to be everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not strong enough
Hands of Mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough
For both of us"
Great, right? Well, listen to the song and be prepared to be even more moved. =)
Love! Even if you're not going through something difficult (or about to), this song is awesome. I mean, you really just can't go wrong with Matthew West.
P.S. If you're interested in guest blogging for me next week, let me know! I'm gonna have my hands full!
Hey y'all! This week's link-up with Goodnight Moon once again comes at a fabulous time. You see, I attended the world's most boring and ridiculous Brigade meeting tonight and I don't even remember what I had planned to write about!! Thanks a lot, Army. =P That and when I came home from the meeting I decided to bake cookies because there was a chocolate emergency! And then I did boring stuff like the dishes and laundry. Yuck. Now I have to catch up on all the shows on my DVR! Such a tough life I live. ;-) Anywho...
The song I'm choosing this week is one that Joe and I have loved for years. Yes, years. It came out in 2004, but apparently we still enjoyed it a few years later. =P We'd been dating for...I don't know, several months and Joe made me a CD. I didn't have an iPod then (sad days, I tell ya) so I was stuck with CDs. =P I want to say he made it for me (along with a super sweet little scrapbook) for my 21st birthday. Anyway, this was one of the songs on it.
Fast forward to us living in GA last year. It was around 2000 and I was taking him back to the barracks for the night. He started singing the lyrics to the song while I was putting my shoes and jacket on. So, of course I joined in...and a whole lot louder too. Then, he accused me of singing the wrong words to the song!!! What?! Cue "argument" about the correct lyrics. =P Lucky for us, he had put the lyrics to the song on my iPod a while back. As we're arguing ourselves out to the car, he gets it set to play while we drive.
Would you like to know who won the argument? I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count. ;-) That's right. I, Sarah, won the argument of the lyrics!!! =P Ooooh, I gave him such a hard time about it. Mr. Smarty Pants. Haha. =)
Now that you've enjoyed that fun little story, here's the song. =) Ah, memories.
Ok, maybe it's not a cure but it definitely helps.
I've had a serious case of the blahs tonight. I don't know why... I've sort of being feeling that way a lot lately. Joe and I have been...discussing {yeah let's go with that} something that both of us are equally passionate about. Unfortunately, we're both passionate about the opposite side. It's not every day that we disagree so whole-heartedly. We're a lot alike so we don't really disagree too much. Anyway, I'm sure that's what's really effecting my state of mind.
As I was going through my memory bank of songs tonight, I really wanted to pick one that lifts my spirits and makes me feel like I can conquer the world. This is one we sing at church, and it always leaves me feeling hopeful and powerful. =) My favorite lines of the song are this:
"And if our God is for us then who could ever stop us?!
And if our God is for us then what could stand against?!"
Oh yeah, sing that several times and see if it doesn't pump you up!!!
I think I may have to listen to it again before I feel sufficiently excited. =) Or maybe I'll just stare at pictures of my niece and nephew(s).
No denying they're siblings!! Although I think the new little mister is going to have much crazier hair than his sister or mom. Haha. =) I can't wait to meet the newest little one!! I also can't wait for them to pick out a name! This auntie is going crazy!
Oh, and make sure you go check out the rest of the songs linked up with Goodnight Moon. Hope you're having a good week!
Do you ever let the "little things" get to you? You know, like you're already having a rough day, can't seem to get things together and now you can't freakin' find your keys/phone/wallet/purse/insert item here?! Or you're running behind and you get behind Grandma Moses driving 25 in a 35.
I let those kinds of things get to me all the time. Recently, I let our little *ahem* discussion about getting a new couch really get to me. It was a little ridiculous, if we're being honest. I had to stop and remind myself that it's just a couch;it will be there tomorrow and it's not the end of the world if I can't go and get it right away.
I love this song for that very reason. She talks about all the stuff that goes on in our lives that drives us absolutely nuts. But she also mentions....
"In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff
That gets under my skin
But I've gotta trust
You know exactly what You're doing
Might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff you use
To break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I've got a new appreciation
It's not the end of the world"
Powerful and insightful, yes? Really makes you think... That, yeah, God really does use all of the "little things" to teach us and grow us.
Plus, it's a really fun song. =) I get the urge to dance every time I hear it. I guess I should let you listen to it too, huh? Playlist.com failed me today, so you get a good 'ole fashioned YouTube video. Aren't you excited?! ;-)
Hope you enjoyed my song choice this week! Head over to Goodnight Moon to hear more songs and to link up your own {if it suits your fancy}.
Now, I leave you with my newest little ruffle creation. =) I'm a little proud of myself.
But now the question is, can I wear this without looking like a 12 year old?! Help?
After the afternoon I had, I'm kind of thankful for something else to focus on. Nothing like good 'ole fashioned computer deaths to make your day wonderful, right?! {Not my computer - thank God - but the museum's. Reason number 9,987 I own a Mac.}
So, today's song is another one from the Joe & Sarah archives. ;-) Joe used to write down lyrics to songs and give them to me. Oddly enough, we both are lyric lovers. Me the history major and he the music major. Interesting, no? To make it even better, the lyrics are still pretty relatable to our current situation: deployment.
"And I have to speculate that God himself
Did make us into corresponding shapes like
Puzzle pieces from the clay
True, it may seem like a stretch, but
Its thoughts like this that catch my troubled
Head when you're away when I am missing you to death
When you are out there on the road for
Several weeks of shows and when you scan
The radio, I hope this song will guide you home"
Perfect, right? The best songs are the ones that stick around for a while and relate to whatever situation. Then it was sweet and cute...now, it's part of our history but still fits with who we are. =) And I don't think you can really go wrong with Postal Service. They're not exactly a popular band, but I love them. Even better, Joe won't listen to Owl City because they're a "Postal Service rip off." =P Haha!
Rainy Day circa 2006
Now, pick out your favorite song this week and go link up with Goodnight Moon!
That's what's in store for you today!! This is a song that's sort of been stuck in my head all week. The lyrics sort of mean something different, but for me they translate into what's going on with me right now. It's called "Jealous of the Moon." I had let Jasper out the other night and - shocker - I saw the moon. And I just realized that the moon gets to see Joe and I, but we don't get to see each other... So I'm jealous of the moon. Make sense? Good!
There's also a little history that goes along with this song. A lot of the songs I post do, but this one more than others. Allow me to share it with you as you listen. =)
Boy meets girl at an on-campus Christian ministry. Boy and girl chat and flirt frequently. One night, the BCM (the aforementioned on-campus ministry) hosts a type of open mic night, which they nicknamed "coffeehouse." Boy decides to sing a Nickel Creek song accompanied by a violinist. Girl learns that boy also plays the violin. After Boy's song, Girl was pretty impressed. Girl mentioned to Boy that she really liked Nickel Creek. Girl had only really heard one song...and she did like it, so...that means she liked Nickel Creek, right? Right. Boy asks Girl if she's heard their new CD. Well...Girl, in fact, had not. Boy says that he'll let her borrow his CD and will bring it next week. Girl was pretty pleased with herself. ;-) Sure enough, the next week Boy brought his CD. Girl listened to it a lot over the next week or two. Jealous of the Moon quickly became one of her favorite songs. Girl specifically remembers putting it on her computer so she could listen to it anytime, even after she gave Boy his CD back. Now, though, Girl can't really remember if she ever gave that CD back. Even if she did, it wouldn't matter because 4.5 years later, "what's yours is mine." =)
This week, I have been inspired by some Elton John songs thanks to American Idol. I big, pink, puffy heart American Idol. Lucky for me I get to watch it without the hubby whining and complaining about it. =P One of the few perks of deployment. I digress. I also love me some Elton John. Maybe it's in my blood or maybe it's just because I grew up with my mom listening to it. She big, pink, puffy hearts him, as does my uncle. My mom has pretty much been in heaven what with Stevie Wonder performing last week and this week being all about some Elton. Haha. =)
Anyway, I chose two of my favorite Elton John songs to link up with Goodnight Moon for her What's YOUR Song? linky party. Take it away, Sir Elton! ;-)
I love that they showed Haley working on "Bennie and the Jets," and the producer told the pianist to really bang the piano. =) Believe or not, my uncle plays the piano exactly like that. He's freakin' amazing. Even if I am being biased, it's really the truth. Every time he goes to visit my mom, they end up singing/playing the piano. That poor piano (now at my Nana's) pretty much gets beat to death every time he visits. =P And, yeah, he totally played at my wedding. And every time I hear that song, I think of the movie 27 Dresses, where they're up on the bar singing it. =) It also reminds me of Joe, because he likes it so much.
Then there's "Your Song." I think it reminds me of Joe too. He wrote me a song when we were dating. I have the lyrics, but I don't think I really want to share. Not that I couldn't, but... It's just something sweet and private. Maybe one day. =) He also wrote me a song on the piano...but I'm pretty sure he's forgotten it by now. Maybe that's why I think of him when I hear Your Song.
That's right. Tonight, (or today, rather, since it'll be tomorrow by the time most of you read this) y'all get to get a little bit of a glimpse at me. I guess you do every day, but...
I'm linking up a couple of my favorite Rascal Flatts songs today with Goodnight Moon. You see, Rascal Flatts is my absolute favorite country band. Be still, my heart! ;-) I grew up listening to country music. Seriously. Y'all, the first song that I remember being my "favorite" is Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks. I think I was 10. =P And don't worry, the beer and the whiskey parts were changed to something like Coke and Dr. Pepper. Haha! I was also forced to listen to my mom's 80s music, so don't worry. I'm a well-rounded country girl. ;-) I love all music, but there's just something about country music.
These songs are deployment/feelin' kinda down songs. So without further ado, here are 2 [of many] of my favorite Rascal Flatts songs. Enjoy!
Don't forget to head over to Goodnight Moon to link up and listen to other songs!!
And just because I died laughing at this earlier, here's a picture of my super-cute, crazy puppy.
For the record, this crazy pup did that all by himself! He had pulled his "binkie" (I blame Joe for getting me to call it that. *sigh*) up on the couch, trying to get me to play with it. Next thing I know he's got it on his head and is staring at me like I had something to do with it! Crazy dog. Definitely gave me a good laugh, though!
No song in particular struck my fancy this week, so I decided to share one my hubby suggested this morning while we were chatting (first time in 4 days, woohoo!). He's always finding new music and I really never heard of this group before today. Don't let the title fool you, it's not really a Christian song. =) I had to give you the warning hubby gave me. Also, the chorus might make you tear up. Don't say I didn't warn you!!
Let me know what you think, too. I'll be sure to pass the info along to Joe. =)
Don't forget to go over and link up your favorite song with Goodnight Moon!
I'm sort of cheating because I've got two songs that have captured me this week. Way back in July when the bestie came to visit, I borrowed some music from her computer. (I even have my own playlist on her Mac!) I've been listening to MercyMe a lot in the past few days. Then today, I heard a song by the lovely Casting Crowns on the radio. It just reminded me of who God is and why I've been being...well, the way I've been. If you read my "I hit a wall" post from yesterday, this will make sense to you.
Anyway, here are the songs. I hope they speak to you as much as they do to me.
Also, head over to Goodnight Moon and link up YOUR song if it tickles your fancy. =)
Today was a pretty good day. I got a 4 a.m. wake up call text from my husband!! {I'm afraid to see our next bill...} He texted me to tell me that he was online and wanted to Skype. So - of course - I ran into the living room, opened my laptop and signed on. =) Within seconds, I saw his face and heard his voice!! *Heaven* Skype is God's gift to military wives, I'm telling you! We only got to talk for about 10 minutes because of the crappy connection. In hopes that he could reconnect to the internet, I took my laptop to bed with me. =) I left it open for a while, just in case he did get back on. No such luck, though. After an hour, I closed it and went to sleep. It kind of made me sad, but I was happy to have seen him and heard his voice. Definitely puts my mind at ease.
The news on Papa is basically that there is no news. The doctors are taking the weekend off, so they sent him home. On one hand, I'm seriously irritated. On the other, he must be doing well enough for them not to keep him in the hospital. He's going back next Friday for whatever procedure they're going to do. As usual, I don't have all the details. Since he's going home, I sat down this afternoon and made him a get well card. I've got time and I've got the materials, so why not? Plus, I'm sure he'll love it. The front says, "You're What?!" Then on the inside, it says:
Papa,
You better get better soon! If you don’t, I’m gonna have to give you some medicine. It looks like this:
[insert picture of Rocky Road ice cream here - our favorite kind] I hear it works wonders! ;-)
Here’s a little bit of wisdom for you:
You have a cough? Go home tonight, eat a whole box of Ex-Lax - tomorrow you'll be afraid to cough. -- Pearl Williams
Ok, so maybe it’s more funny than wise... ;-)
Love you, Papa! Get better, ASAP! =)
I think he'll like it, don't you?
I made my annual monthly trip to the commissary. Ick. It's not that I hate the commissary. I actually love it...if only for the amount of money it saves me. What I don't like are the crowds. I swear, there are always a bazillion people there. Not only that, if I do happen to go on a particularly busy day - like today - there are always those people. You know who I'm talking about. The ones who stand in the middle of the aisle. Just chillin'. The ones who bring their entire family and chat in the middle of the aisle. The ones who just look like they're wandering around, walking soooo slowly. The ones who leave their cart in the middle of a busy aisle with someone behind them trying to get by. The old ladies who walk like they're trying to avoid a crack in the ground and give you the stare-down when you don't move for them. OH! And then there are non-English speaking people. This is one of my BIG pet peeves. You live in the US - learn the freakin' language!!! You don't visit France and expect them to speak YOUR language do you?! So then why do you LIVE in the US and NOT speak English?! GRRRR. That's my beef with the commissary. Not the actual commissary, but the people who frequent it.
I also managed to sweep the living room today. I'm a little embarrassed now at how dirty it was. Especially since I've had a couple people over this week. Yikes. I just really haven't felt like cleaning. But, I'm slowly making progress and moving things that Joe left in the floor or on the end table.
I went to the movies again tonight, with Mrs. C and the usual gang. =) We went to see Knight and Day since she hasn't seen Twilight or New Moon yet. Honestly, I'm kind of glad we didn't go see Eclipse. The lines when we came out of the theater were insane! No way I'm gonna be waiting in that line! Anyway. We saw Knight and Day. It was cute...a little bit of action, a little bit of humor. It was a light hearted movie. It wasn't bad, but I'm not sure it was worth $10. Thank goodness I snuck my Twizzlers and water in my purse! ;-)
On my way to the movies, it was sort of raining. Just enough to where a rainbow appeared. It was the best one I've seen since we've been here. I saw the whole thing! I just had to stop and take a picture. {I couldn't get a picture of the whole thing since I was in the car, but it was there, I promise!}
I've come to the conclusion that God sent me here so that I'd see the rainbows. The rainbow is a reminder of God's promises. Every time I see one, I'm automatically reminded of that. My favorite promise from God: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) I'm alone right now - my husband is in a foreign country, serving and protecting our country. I miss him, and sometimes it really sucks. But, ya know what? I've got God. He's always here; he's always with me. And He's promised to never leave me! This is what lead me to get the cross tattoo on my wrist. It's my reminder...and apparently, so are the rainbows. =) I love it.
On my way home tonight, I heard some great songs on the radio! I think I'm going to start making cd's to put in my car since Joe took the iPod with him. Loser. =P Here are just a few of the ones I'm thinking of downloading.
"Safe" - Phil Wickam
"So Long Self" - MercyMe (GREAT video!)
"Can Anybody Hear Me?" - Meredith Andrews
"Before the Morning" - Josh Wilson
{I love me some acoustic guitar!}
And finally, "Always" - Building 429
Hope you enjoy these songs as much as I do!! They really speak to my heart. For a long time now, God has used music to speak to me - lyrics in particular. This is why I try to listen to Christian radio in the car. Music impacts me deeply, and my attitudes and moods usually reflect what I'm listening to. As my high school choir director used to say, "Garbage in, garbage out." That's exactly how I feel.
Hope y'all have a good Independence Weekend! I hope that as you celebrate with fireworks, family, food and music, you remember how we got here and the sacrifices that have been made along the way. =)
