Thoughts for today...

Phew...it has been almost a YEAR since I last blogged!  I knew it had been a while, but really had no idea that I had completely fallen off the face of blogger!

So much has happened, and I have written so many posts in my head during the last several months, and here's hoping I can stick to blogging and updating the family and friends that might still read this!

Instead of a "What I have been up too" post, I am just going to jump into what I have on my mind right now!

For so long I have prayed and asked God to not feel so lonely and isolated, to bring people into my life that would serve as family since ours is so far away.  I didn't really have any close friends here in the desert for a LOOONG time.  And slowly over the 4 years we have been here, God has placed some amazing people in my life!

I feel I have such a full heart from the friendships that have come my way, and many of them in just the last few months.  However, I feel inundated lately with lots of doubt and unhappiness.

I was listening to KLOVE the other day, and they were interviewing an artist who had recently gotten married.  He was discussing the best marriage advice her received and it was

"don't write a story where there isn't one"

Mind blown

Like seriously, how had I never heard this before....in so few words that make total and complete sense.

I know that this was a huge area in our marriage in the earlier years, and is still something I struggle with occasionally.  However now, I am struggling with it in friendships that are newer, and maybe not so new...

So I am working on this....because I know there is so much good from these people, and so much that I can learn.  I don't want to ruin it with negative thoughts and doubt.


And to leave you with my new favorite family photo!  Here is our TWO year old!  Seriously, where does the time go!

Weeds

This week we got a letter in our mail from our home owner's association.  I have pretty much been banking on getting this letter for several weeks, because well we have a slight serious weed problem in our front and back yard.  They just don't pull themselves....I don't get it, and while I can't keep any other plant alive, those weeds grow fruitfully and abundantly!

Well initially I was pretty annoyed....well let's be honest I am still a little perturbed, but then I got to thinking.....

Scary huh....

I started to think how I have been feeling like my life was a little out of sorts and out of control.  This is all my doing and nothing catastrophic or terrible has happened (thank you God).  I find myself most days feeling pretty blah and unmotivated and since decreasing my work hours even more it has gotten much worse.  I am so overwhelmed with everything that should be getting done, that I find myself shutting down and not doing anything.

I know that more than anything it is because I have lost focus on my faith.  It isn't my center, and I don't make time for the Word by studying it daily and with intention.  I know that just setting aside some time (even if it is only 15 minutes) would really help me get control and refresh my day!

I then started equating all of this to the "weeds" growing literally and figuratively in my life.  Had I spent a little bit of time pulling and more importantly trying to prevent them from growing, I wouldn't have needed the stern reminder that they were out of control.

Well needless to say, the hubs and I spent several hours literally pulling weeds out of the front yard and spraying to prevent them.  And I am working to daily spend time with God studying the word and working to prevent the weeds of doubt and fear and crazy from wreaking havoc in my life.

So if you still read this, please don't hesitate to encourage me!  How do you all study and read through the Bible?  This is an area that I have struggled with all my life.  I think about where to start or how to really focus on what I am reading and then I get into the cycle "oh it is such a big endeavor,"get overwhelmed and then just stop trying.

So let's all go start pulling our spiritual weeds!

Well and maybe I should go and pull those physical weeds as well?  

Show Us Your Life-Singles edition

I am linking up with another Kelly today for SUYL-Singles addition.

I have a very special and incredible friend that I can't say enough good things about, and although she may not be entirely thrilled that I am writing a blog on just her, she is definitely deserving of a little bit of a spotlight....and without further ado.....

Meet Brynn

Isn't she purty!!!

But wait!  It gets better!

She is not only beautiful person on the outside, but more importantly on the inside!

Originally a Texas girl, she is a dear friend of mine all the way out here in Tucson, AZ.  Thank goodness for all these Texas folks!  We have got to stick together!

The most important thing I can tell you about her is that she is a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, and truly loves the Lord!

She is a role model to me in her faith and I know that more than anything she is looking for that in a guy!

She is 28 (with a birthday next month) working in children's ministry.  She has such a heart for little ones and they just love her!  When she isn't doing that she is taking pictures.  She is our family's photographer (and she is growing her own photography business as well, so if you are in Tucson and need a photographer let me know!  I have a great recommendation!!).  

She is so full of life and love!  She is loving daughter and sister, loyal friend, and an all around fabulous person!  Her smile will brighten even the darkest day (I personally think her smile is as bright as the Tucson sun).

So if you know a guy friend (or you are by chance a guy looking for someone more than a friend) please send me an email at kelleyandrhett@gmail.com and I will forward it on to Brynn!

Stream of Consciousness

• Why do infant/toddler shoes have to be so darn cute and expensive!  I'm having a difficult time justifying $35+ on shoes that Annie will only wear for a very short while!  Where do you guys get shoes for your little ones?

• I'm kind of addicted to Instagram.....follow me at underthetucsonsun....original I know!

• My sister-in-law Melissa, who is awesome btw(what can I say I have pretty awesome family all around), started a blog and it is pretty much amazing!  You should read it, like right now!  http://lovingthisjoy.com, seriously, nothing else I will write about will be better than her blog, so go!

• I am now a stay at home mom....I like it, most days, but i lack a lot of motivation and have found that i am watching too much tv and on facebook too much.

• I am debating going on a facebook break....i think missing out on updates about my family is my only hold out.

• Annie is on a nap strike....i don't get her....and she's a little weird, wellllll a lot weird!  I don't know where she gets it ;)

• In other Annie news, we have a walker!  I decided that she officially graduated to this stage on her 14 month birthday, a little late yes, but all in her own timing!

• This week has been a little lame...1st I tried to cut my finger off, then we had a snake in our garage, and then I got a letter from our HOA because someone hasn't been pulling the weeds in the front yard (or the back for that matter).  Annie needs to get on that!

• For like the 1,000,000 time, I have missed blogging, and am really going to try and stay on top of it!

Yes ma'am

I changed my blog design!  I loved my last one, but it was just a little too cluttered, and I felt like it was time for a change!

Oh and who made this? That would be ME.  I won't lie....I am feeling a little like a blog designing rockstar!  I don't plan on making it a habit, but I am pretty pleased with the results!

So here's to a renewed attempt at blog, with a fresh new look!