The Butterfly Effect

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Currently Reading

Due to my complete fail in taking outfit pictures this week, I am going to share with you everything I am currently reading!

This is what is what's actively sitting on my night stand:

I'm one of those people who can read more than one thing at a time.

I know that this drives a lot of people nuts. My friends always comment

"How can you remember everything you've read in each book?"

I don't really know, but I do.

And if I do forget, I can quickly refresh a few pages and pick right back up where I left off.

That's just me, I guess.

First things first is my bible:

I have had this particular one since I was about 13. It's an old friend, and even though it's geared towards younger teens, I just can't seem to part with it.

It's sentimental to me.

The pages are falling apart and I think I've highlighted just about everything

and to be honest, that's just the way I like it.

Right now I am reading Romans 12.

I guess I read it a while ago and apparently I thought it was awesome then, too. I also seemed to like practicing drawing stars in the margins. ;)

This is the verse I currently am stuck on. I am re-reading it over and over to let it really sink in.

I'm really trying hard to just read one sentence of it at a time and really dig deeper into what each one means.

If you haven't read it, I really recommend that you do.

My next book is my "for fun" book.

I'm still reading 'The Paris Wife' by Paula Mclain.

I like it so far even though I am only on chapter 3.

It's set in Paris in the 1920's

i.e. the time period I would time travel to if I could.

So I looove that!

Plus, how could you not love a book about Hemmingway!?!?!

Oh, and I adore the opening quotes!

My next read is for school:

I am taking an Intro to philosophy course and was having a bit of trouble with the readings.

I found this book at a yard sale for $1, and picked it up out of curiosity.

It's helped a lot!

Mainly because there are hilarious illustrations that kinda set the scene better.

"WHAT THE HECK do you mean that a table isn't a table just because I can't understand Tableness! WHAT IS TABLENESS"

Oh, philosophy. I love you, but sometimes I just don't need to know "Why".

and Finally, the book that I am always referring to:

(Well, this and the bible, but they're kinda the same)

God's Promises' for Your Every Need

I love this book! I am constantly looking up things and finding new verses to memorize.

Basically it's a giant collection of bible verses that are arranged by certain topics.

For example, the one I am reading now

"What To Do When I'm feeling Worried:

again with the highlighting!

Right now, I am struggling with anxiety so this is what I am studying.

I am one of those people who have to be constantly reminded of God's word. I have verses everywhere! I like to write down the ones I find in this book and tape them on my mirror for a constant reminder. There are other topics like "What to do when I'm angry" or "What God says about Jealousy" etc.

and phew, that's it! If your interested in buying any of these, just look on amazon.

(Sorry, I'm too lazy to link them)

They have the best prices around!

What are you currently reading?

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Sunset on the lake!

So, if you read yesterday's post, then you are already aware of how my family spent friday evening.

We picked up a family pack of BBQ (from our favorite place: Dickeys) and headed out on the 5 minute drive to our local lake. Lake Grapevine to be exact.

We plopped down on a picnic table and passed around the goods family style.

It was so so good.

and the view was even better.

We all laughed too hard, ate too much and smiled till our mouths hurt!

We even did our own version of the 'Harlem Shake!'

Click here if you want to watch it!

I love my family.

but more importantly, I love being with my family.

They make me laugh. They care.

We truly love one another.

I cherish every moment we can all spend together.

Life is too short not to.

Looking at this sunset, I was so thankful and humbled at God's glory.

I kept thinking

"Man, I am so blessed."

Those Texas sunsets, cotton candy clouds, and fun family moments can really put things into perspective.

I love you guys.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Weekend Wrap-Up: Basset Hounds, Sunsets and Flowers Galore!

Man! This past weekend was one for the record books! It was one of those that was filled to the brim with activities, but was still fun and relaxing.

I may or may not have mentioned that my grandparents were in town from NW Georgia for 10 days. I always savor when they are here. They are still so fun to be around!

Like always, I always mope around for a few days after they leave. My heart literally hurts when they are gone! Add on the fact that school/work starts back up today, and you can guarantee that I am going to be self medicating with chocolate.

Friday began with this sweet face:

I know, I think I am getting the stink eye ;)

I babysat for the majority of the morning, then garage sale'd with my 'Nana' for the afternoon.

We didn't find much, but we still had fun spending time together.

Oh, I almost forgot! Since they were leaving sunday morning for a 14 hour drive back home, they wanted Charlotte, their/our 12 year old basset hound, to smell nice.

I say "ours" because she was my childhood dog growing up. She was my best friend and partner in crime! A few years ago, we moved and almost instantly started to notice that Char wasn't doing well. You see, we rescued her when she was a puppy and the vets had said she would only live 8 or 9 years. Needless to say, during this time, we figured she wasn't going to make it much longer. So when my grandparents moved into their retirement home with about 5 acres of woods, we knew she would be happier being able to roam the woods and just be free to do as she pleased. It was hard for me to choose to let her go, but I knew she would live a happier life with them.

I never ever regret that choice because here she is today at almost 13 years old:

She is so happy up there! {and I think she proved that vet wrong!} Plus, she absolutely adores my grandfather, she literally cries if he goes anywhere!

Anyway, (I feel like that was one huge back story) Friday, we took her up to our local dog wash and bathed her.

She had me cracking up the entire way. Look at those big ears flapping in the wind!

Friday night, my whole family went up to grapevine lake (which is only about 5 minutes away from our house) to eat bbq and watch the sunset.

We had a blast! Stay tuned this week for a more detailed post :)

Saturday:

Following with tradition, we all woke up early and hopped into the car for some early morning yard saleing! I am so excited that it's basically that season again!

After scouring the entire town, we headed back home with our wonderful finds and deals, and got ready to head out to the Dallas Arboretum to see the lovely Dallas Blooms.