Yesterday, after work, I ventured to Barnes and Nobles to buy a book for Charmaine's baby shower. I first stopped by the coffee shop to purchase a skinny caramel macchiato while I talked to Aaron on the phone. After a nice conversation with him and my coffee in tow I moseyed back to the children's section. The back corner of the store is dedicated solely to children's literature. There is a little play area, a reading nook and an information desk in the center of the section. I first browsed through the Dr. Seuss books because he speaks from the heart, but I was unable to pick something so I headed to the area behind the information desk. Behind the desk is where the classics are stored. The books that were from my childhood era. I looked at The Lorax and then I found the winning book, The Giving Tree. While I was perusing the books, there was an older woman asking the woman at the desk to look up a book. She was quite demanding and a little confused. She was checking if the paperback book she was holding came in a hard cover option.
She said, "It is for a three year old and the paperback will not survive." I naturally smiled and shook my head because after working with children, I know that that is the truth. She then proceeded to say, "This young mother understands." Pointing at me.
OKAY! I know I look older... but I don't think I look like a mom! I was wearing jeans and a workout shirt with nikes. My hair was in a messy bun and I was sporting minimal makeup. I responded with a warm smile and a head nod. Then I returned to browsing The Giving Tree.
She immediately noticed what I was looking at and scurried over to me and gushed, "Is that The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstien?!"
"Yes it is."
"Oh my goodness! I love that story. How old is your little one?"
And then I was stuck. I either had to commit or admit that I didn't have a child and apologize for leading her on so I blurted, "Two! I had this book when I was a girl and I thought my little nugget would like it..."
"That is perfect! I have a three year old niece and this would be a great book for her!" She then immediately turned to the sales clerk serving her and said I will take this, holding up The Giving Tree. "Forget about the other book I requested." Turning back to me she said with a smile, "Thanks for your help! Good luck with your little one!"
At that moment I immediately turned around and headed straight for the register to checkout. I guess I am a mom now...
I kinda know what it feels like to be pregnant...
And I did have a mechanical baby for five days.
Me at the age that my supposed child would is.
From the ever so excited mother,
Alli
Saturday, July 28, 2012
"Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives."
1 Peter 2:11-12. The Message
There are two main points in this verse that really stand out to me:
1. This is a temporary world. This reenforces the idea of living this life for the Lord and pursuing his plans for you. We must desire the Lord's plans and crave his direction.
2. We must be lights/examples to others, in this world, by our actions. While Jesus on this earth, He showed others the Lord's love though stories, parables, and through his actions. It is our responsibility now to show others God's love through our own actions.
Today has been a wonderful day! Jesus granted me peace and allowed me to see some of my favorite people. I went into work at 9:30(a half hour later than normal!) and I was able to spend time with Jim and Emily. I will miss both of them so much next year so I try to cherish every moment I have with them before I leave for WWU. We worked on Crescent Bar things and laughed the whole time. I love the moments when I know that I am loved and that I am accepted when I am around them. Jim has made such a huge impact in my life and I love him like a father.
After work I went to the Nordstrom half yearly sale to buy a coral blouse with a lace back . It is beautiful! Then I went to Barnes and Nobles to buy a book to give the Charmaine and the Lil' Nugget for their baby shower. I wanted to choose something that I could relate to me and him. I chose The Giving Tree. I love how the tree is always there for the boy as he grows older. I will always be there for my nephew as he grows up. While I was at the book store my brother, Aaron, called me. He wanted a ride back home after he dropped his car off somewhere, so I happily accepted. I was overjoyed to have the opportunity to spend time with my brother. It is a rarity for it to be just me and him. Then later in the evening, we met up with his wife for sushi. I was so wonderful to catch up and hear what all is happening with them.
Here is a picture of Aaron, Charmaine, and I right after they started dating 2 years ago.
Thank you Lord for giving me the opportunity to spend time with the people that I deeply love today.
-All-i
The state of being obsessed with someone or something.
An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind.
The first step of overcoming an addiction is admitting that there is a problem. I have a problem. It totally encompasses my mind until I give in. I cannot just sit and watch T.V. or a movie with out having it. At work, the browser is ALWAYS open.
Damn you,
Fortunately, the obsession brings me joy and adorable ideas. My summer so far has been littered with cute crafts, attractive men and beauty ideas.
I have recreated this look on my hair:
I made some delicious delicacies:
Texas Style Salsa
Mini Pizzas
White Pizza Cheese Dip
I was able to revamp my resume.
This is the picture that inspired me.
I recreated this in my own way:
I have started to plan a baby shower:
This is the template for the table scape.
And I was able to gaze at this marvelous men:
I love me some Supernatural!
So over all this addiction is not to awful. I am proud to admit that I have a mild addiction. If you want to check out my Pinterest you can find me at http://pinterest.com/allirosenberger/.
Before I elaborate on those 5 things I feel as though I should catch you up on the past month and a half.
On June 2nd we celebrated my high school graduation with my family.
My family minus my lovely brother, Kit.
I was so excited that Aaron, Charmaine, and the little nugget could join!
I made little graduation cupcakes for the festivities.
Me with one of my creations.
Then, on June 3rd I ventures to Aaron and Charmaine's home for a baby gender revealing BBQ.
We wore the color that we thought the baby's gender would be.
As you can see, many members of the party were hoping for a little man.
Charmaine's had beautiful decorations.
This was the cake that held their child's "fate".
Whatever the filling color was, was the gender of the nugget.
Here is the sequence of the cake cutting. I love their expressions!
I cannot wait to meet the little man!
On June 8th I graduated from high school!
Here is the mandatory graduation picture:)
I got to sit in the front row because of my speech.
I was freaking out at this exact moment because seconds later I was speaking in front of 4,000 people.
Here I am at the podium sharing my words of wisdom;)
After the ceremony, I was able to take a few quick pictures with my family.
Big brother, Kit.
Unfortunately, I had a hard time keeping my eyes open.
And two of my favorite females, Becca and Charmaine.
The rest of the summer has gone by so quickly. I now have a job as a summer intern at MPC within their student ministries program. I house-sat for a month. A weekend was spent Lake Pearrygin. And here I am now, exhausted. Not physically exhausted but, mentally. This last month has been filled with fear and anxiety. I have been fixating my thoughts on the future. College is only two months away and I am not prepared. So this is where the 5 things fit in.
1. Everything happens for a reason
Next year will be difficult. I am fully prepared for it to suck. But, I have to remember that the Lord has a plan and he will direct me to where he needs me to be. I know that I will learn from every situation and it will all work out. I need to remember to be open minded and the Lord will show me his plan.
"You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail." Proverbs 19:21. In the end, I don't matter. The Lord will direct me and use me for his glory and purpose.
2. "In life, man cannot have everything..."
I strive to be the best in all I do and it has become very apparent to me this past year that you must make choices and you cannot obtain everything. I have realized that next year I will have to sacrifice some of my normal routine to be able to make it as a college student. It will be difficult, but many other things will come from it.
3. Worrying will never change the outcome
I saw this on Pinterest and it rang true to me. I expend WAY to much energy on worrying. I think I do it because it provides me with a sense of control, but it also is not healthy. I need to shell out energy on positive, healthy thoughts. "The hopes of the Godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing." Proverbs 10:28. I cannot expect and follow my own path. I must trust and follow the Lord.
4. I am my own person
This is a hard one for me to grasp. I am slowly beginning to phase into life on my own and it scares me. I am vey good at becoming what people think that I should be like. I morph into the person that each person senses acceptable to be around and it is exhausting. I need to understand that it is okay to disagree and disappoint people.
5. This is not my life... it is His
It has become very real to me this past month that my life doesn't actually belong to me anymore. When I asked Jesus into my heart 7 years ago I actually gave up my rights and handed my heart and soul over to him. I am now extremely aware that when we, as humans, make that conscious decision to follow the Lord, we must completely give up... and I mean completely. No longer is it what you want, it is what he wants and where he wants to use you. It is about the Lord and what he has planned. And trust me, what he has planned is far better than what we could ever dream of.
So that has been my life for the past 2 months.
I guess that I should let you know why I titled this post "Never Let Me Go". I have been addicted to Florence and the Machine lately and the song, "Never Let Me Go", really resonates with me and my relationship with the Lord.
