Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Joys...& "Joys" of Owning a Pet

This Tuesday the topic is pets. My house has many animals: dogs, cats, horses, chickens, turkeys, a pig, and usually some sort of reptile (little brothers and their lizards...), and have had several others in the past, but I don't have experience with all of them, so I will mention the ones I know well. Of course anybody who has ever owned one, knows there are literal "joys" and sarcastic "joys" to having them...so I will write 5 things that are truly enjoyable about owning pets, and 5 things that are..well not so enjoyable about owning pets :) Be sure to read BecKyle's list too!

First I will go with my sarcastic (if you will) 5.

1. Hair. Everywhere.
I have yet to posses a pet that does not shed all over the place. Yes of course they exist because God created things differently...but hair all over the place is definitely a "joy". Speaking of having animal hair all over, reminds me of horses. If you ride, than you know that after a day full of work with horses, when you get into the shower you smell like a wet horse. I remember taking extra long showers because I couldn't seem to stop smelling like that, and actually get clean.

2. Scents are contagious.
After doing activities with your pet, you have a 99% chance of smelling like them. Which probably attests to #1.

My baby horse "Denim" was sniffing me,
because I smelled like her

3. Tails are of the devil
Just to clarify, I do not actually have the impression that my pets tail is demon possessed...it can just seem that way sometimes. Our labs have tails with a mind of their own. We joke about our black lab named Moses, calling him the "black tornado", because when he comes in the house from the pen, it's just a black blur...and you'd bet you're going to be caught with the tail. This also happens when you're just innocently sitting in the saddle on a horse, and all of a sudden you get whipped with that darned tail. Ouch. Like I said before, tails are of the devil.

4. Bathing
I really hate bathing animals. I don't have a very broad range of experience in this area, but any animal I have ever bathed was basically like torture. What a "joy".

5. Stop licking me. No, really.
I don't get why some animals feel the need to lick constantly. I mean if your dog runs up to me, jumps up on my legs and licks me..I'm not going to care, no harm done. But when a dog constantly slathers me in saliva..that's when it gets yucky. (Yes, dogs of the Widener household, I'm talking about you)

BUUUUUT as in most situations (my favorite being the Gospel ) the bad does not outweigh the good. I'm not a huge animal person, but I do enjoy owning pets and will probably have pets my entire life (Lord willing). Here's the positive 5.

1. Cuddle Buddy!
Laying across a bareback horse, or snuggling a dog on the couch, you can't deny that pets can be awesome cuddle buddies..and who doesn't want one of those?

Our dog "Dally"..in her more innocent days

2. Stress Release
Have you ever gotten on a horse and just ran? Of course if that's something you're comfortable with, there's not much else on your mind. Now granted, if you aren't comfortable with riding on the back of a running horse, there's several other things going through your mind, and usually frantically (believe me, I know). But my point is, animals can be huge stress relievers.

A younger version of myself, on my favorite horse "Zoom"

3. Responsibility
I know firsthand how much pets can help someone learn responsibility. When you have to learning what it means to take care of something that is living, a pet is a great way to start.

My guinea pig "Nibbler" was probably the first to
teach me responsiblity

4. Love
A good pet (and most of them) will seriously love you, no matter what you do. I mean if you left a human in a kennel all day while you were gone, made them control their bladder and even wait for food until you got back...they'd be out for blood. But pets (and the best example for this one is dogs) are just the opposite.

My sister Grace and I on "Reno", both the horse and the
sister taught me much about love

5. Fun!
I am a fairly competitive person, and I know I am not the only one. But whether it be competing and performing with your animal, or simply taking a walk and running around outside...they're just plain fun. And you can't argue with that.

If you look closely at how Mr. Zoom was standing, you'll see that
 he posed for the camera...like the champ that he was.

Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Reasons Why Christians Are Jesus Freaks

In my Youth Group we call ourselves the "E-Freaks", and that's all because of this Jesus guy. :) He makes us (and other Christians) get so excited and fired up that we can certainly seem "freaky" at times. People even go to their death for Him. Ever wondered why? What's the deal with us? (and more importantly) What's the deal with Him? Well that's what I am here to tell you. BecKyle wrote a list of ten reasons as well, be sure to check it out! 

1. Close your eyes and think of the worst thing you can imagine. Got that image? Now multiply it by a billion, to the point of something incomprehensible. That's where we are all doomed to go, and it's called "Hell". There's also this other place. Close your eyes again and picture the best thing you could ever dream of. Now add in wonders you've never seen before, and things you cannot comprehend. It's called "Heaven". These places are very real, and should be taken very seriously. So for someone (which is all of us, Romans 3:23) who is headed to Hell, to be so undeservedly and wonderfully saved from that, would be pretty awesome right?!? Let me tell you, it is!  That is the Number One reason, that all other reasons revolve around, to why we are Jesus Freaks. (for more information on that topic, click here or here) 

2. He makes it simple. Romans 10:9 "Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" He knew that he was coming to an Earth full of D.R.F.S.S.S. (Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Stupid Sinners...emphasis on the stupid for this one) and being as kind and loving as He is...he made it simple! We don't have to work our tails off, be eloquent, or even intelligent! 

3. No condemnation. Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." You mean that I"m forgiven, completely?!? It's all washed away just like that? Yes, yes I do. Does that not get you even a little bit excited? Cause it does for me!  

4. As a result of the above processes, He changes people. Just look at Paul for example. You know that guy who wrote most of the New Testament? Yeah he persecuted Christians. He would sit awake at night thinking of ways to kill them. Does that sound like the Paul who wrote all of those books? Well it is, and that's all thanks to God's merciful grace, and ability to transform lives. I know this first hand. Jesus has changed me, and to all of us that he has changed..it's exciting!

5. He brings rest. Nothing, and that really means nothing, is more peaceful than Jesus. To rest in Him is an indescribably large blessing, I can hardly explain it. Things of the world don't matter to someone who is firmly rooted in the Gospel truth, because their hope is in Jesus. 

6. Everything we understand has a fixed beginning and a fixed end. Us humans have always been stuck in time, we cannot fully grasp the concept of infinity. But to know Jesus is everlasting... wow. His kingdom will never pass away, He isn't going to fade or perish...and all who believe in Him get to be a part of that! If you are saved, you get the amazing privilege of being with Him forever, and that forever has no end! What an abstract, yet amazing thought. 

7.We all probably know someone who is searching. The kind of searching that entails looking for satisfaction...whether that be in food, money, alcohol, drugs, bodily pleasures, etc. . Seeking satisfaction in worldly things simply ends in more searching. There is no way to find complete satisfaction than in Jesus Christ. It is just relaxing to finally have found what you were looking for all along. And one who has experienced that satisfaction can tell you, it's incredible.

8. Perfection is unattainable to humans. The law shows us that. If you've ever committed just one little sin, you are stained and fall short of the glory of God. But Jesus was perfect. The only human to ever be, because while he was 100% God, he was also 100% man. He was tempted just the same as you and I, yet He never once gave in to that. He was and is perfect. That perfection means things such as his inability to fail. He keeps all his promises, and fulfills His word. 

9. His love is so great, that we cannot fully understand it. But we can take it as example and try to emulate it. His great love is a huuuuuuge reason why I am a Jesus Freak. 

10. Everything points back to Him! The whole of existence has something to do with Jesus. There's a joke about "the Sunday School answer", it's just when little kids will assume "Jesus!" is the answer to every question that you ask...but in a way it's even more funny, because He kind of is. It's really all about Jesus. 

Also here's your awesome song for the day :) 

Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Favorite Spring Outifts

This week our theme is "favorite spring outfits". Buuut I'm going to throw it for a loop and go a bit of a different route. My outfits are rarely the same, I mix and match. The trick to having a diverse closet that multiplies itself, is essential pieces that do just that. So instead of ten outfits, I am going to list ten variables that make up my favorite parts of a spring closet. Check out BecKyle's List as well (you won't regret it, she's basically amazing at this kind of thing).

1. Jean Jacket
Ok so maybe this is cheating a little, because I will wear a jean jacket like all year long if I can, but that's just another part of having a closet that is "bigger on the inside" :)

Full or half length, sleeves rolled up or down, dark or light wash...I.love.jean.jackets.

2. Bubbly Jewelry
I would wear a whole rainbow of necklaces like this, they just shout Spring to me.

Or ones like this...

3. White Sundress
White sundresses are the bomb. Being classic and timeless, they are definitely essential for a spring closet to me. Sweet and Simple.

4. Cowboy Boots
I have few dresses in my closet that I won't put a pair of cowboy boots with. I don't have a pair like this, but upon finding this picture I had to share.

5. Lightly Colored Cardigans
I'm not a huge fan of pastels, they have to be certain shades...but a pastel cardigan with the right outfit is definitely a spring must.

6. Sandals
Sandals can be worn with almost anything in a spring and summer wardrobe, plus who doesn't love a great pair of sandals :)

7. Floral, floral, floral
My favorite place to buy clothes (Plato's Closet) had a pop-up shop this month dedicated to "flirty and floral" pieces. It was heavenly. Surprisingly my mother and I exercised self control and didn't over-do it. I'm pretty picky with what floral print I like..and I love dresses like this. Floral is just wonderful.

8. Headbands!
I don't often resort to accessories on my head, but I love headbands.

9. Capris
I don't quite know why I love Capris so much, buuuuut I really do. Usually I roll up a pair of jeans I already have and voila! Don't have to buy a whole other pair of pants. When looking for a image of capris, I stumbled across this lovely outfit.

10 Flats
Shoes, shoes, and more shoes! Since I only have 10 to list, I'll include TOMS in this category.

And now talking about how to diversify closets makes me want to elaborate more...So I will soon write a post about frugally filling your closet. And don't forget to check out BecKyle's list! :)

How to Get Out of a Funk

Lately I've been in a funk. Even with writing in this very blog. Things have started to feel mundane, as if just talking about the contents of the week-and sometimes even day to come is exhausting. Even with unpredictable events and random-filled days, I just seemed to need a breather, or some sort of refresher. We've always had "mental health" days at my house...which basically means sometimes you just need to stay in your pajamas and do nothing, as opposed to leaving for school or whatever else the day consists of. Buuuut since we are now homeschoolers and keep my nieces and nephew during the day, many of the dynamics have changed. We rarely have that opportunity, and it seems when we do, there are other things needing to be done. So how does one get over a feeling of pure exhaustion, almost to the extent of apathy, and just a downright funk?

I was convinced that I needed summer. I mean just the thought of that beautiful season makes me excited! Sun and water and shorts and flip flops. Just my cup of tea... and not to mention camp! So I figured that to solve this I would just need to get some sunshine and a change of scenery. While that could have probably helped, that wouldn't have solved anything. The answer was staring me in the face...and the way to it is sitting next to me at this current moment.

The solution to my issue was one thing, and one thing only...The Gospel!

I don't mean to say that I had not heard it before. And I don't mean to sound like I'm giving the "Sunday school answer" of "Jesus!". What I mean to say is, I needed (and constantly need) is to be reminded of what I live to do. I need to be continually treating the Gospel as it is of first importance, like it says in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures" I had lost sight of that, and that is a dangerous thing to loose sight of.

There's a book called A Gospel Primer written by Milton Vincent. I am going to refrain from going into detail about it right now, because I would get too far off topic... but long story short, it is a short book, of about 100 pages (don't be deceived, it is so rich and will lead you to much prayer and Bible time, that it is definitely not a quick read) that describes why you should rehearse the Gospel to yourself daily. Definitely worth a read. I actively spend time in this book almost every day. For more information on it Here's a link to a post of BecKyle's on the same topic. If in doubt, just buy it, you won't regret the decision one bit.

In reminding me of what I live to do, it also made me think of this quote (which is in the front of the book, but not from the author himself). It says "If there's anything in life we should be passionate about, it's the gospel. And I don't mean passionate only about sharing it with others. I mean passionate about thinking about it, dwelling on it, rejoicing in it, allowing it to color the way we look at the world. Only one thing can be of first importance to each of us. And the gospel ought to be." C.J. Mahaney, from The Cross Centered Life. Being in a "funk" if you will, was because I was not living with a Gospel-minded attitude. I had become so busy and distracted that even while I kept up daily devotions, it wasn't what I needed to be focused on. I needed to be firmly planted in the truth that the Gospel brings, and practicing it in a disciplined manner, lest I forget that again.

Knowing me, it'll happen and I will find myself in another funk again, but that's the beauty of God's patience! He so graciously granted me the understanding to escape that (much alike many things he undeservedly grants to me) and now I  have a deeper understanding and remembrance of why I should be revolving my entire life around the Gospel. It's almost like He orchestrated this for a purpose...funny. (Just as a side note, He did :) )

Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: "Pinterest Pins"

Ah, Pinterest. The single most time consuming activity ever...or at least close. You can find everything on Pinterest, from how to plan a wedding for your dog, to how to cook a coconut. I'm not even kidding. Yet I love it, along with thousands upon thousands of others. It's delightfully random, creative, silly, and very motivating. Most who leave Pinterest (including this gal) leave with the intention of sewing enough fun projects for an army, painting 30 things, and cooking for days with all the new ideas gained...sometimes those don't get accomplished (okay, most of the time) but hey, its all in good fun :) So here are my top ten Pinterest Pins (believe me when I tell you this took faaaaaaar too long for me to decide on, what with all the distractions the website brings). And don't forget to read BecKyle's List as well!

1. Iced coffee cubes!

My madre and I are always drinking iced coffee in the summertime, and this is essential! Freeze the bottom of your coffee pot or cold remains of your last cup..and have cubes that won't water down your coffee! Here's the link

2. Home Theater Seating

When I first saw this pin, I had decided it was going to happen. I love this idea! Doesn't have to be a huge room, and would be super inexpensive! If you can sew, that decreases the price even more, pluuuuuus it looks super cozy! Marathons and movie nights would be that much more enjoyable! Perfect for a family room or den in the basement. Here's the link

3. From the Inside Out

This is from a song called "From the Inside Out" It is amazing. I've known it for a decent amount of time, but it still catches me and fills me with gratitude.

4.Colorful Nails

There are a billion and two different nail ideas on Pinterest, but this is one of the few I have actually tried, and succeeded at! Super simple, with just your own nail polish and water! Here's the link

5.100 Ways to Avoid T.V.

There's nothing wrong with T.V., in limited amounts. This pin is awesome with preventing excessive watching! Bunches of ideas for simple fun, that doesn't include a screen.

6.Funfetti Puppy Chow

Most. addicting. snack. ever. Here's the link

7. Clean Shoes! 

I don't generally have smelly feet..but something about my TOMS brings about a stench. This site not only shows a safe and gentle way to wash them..but even has a shoe powder recipe so you don't have to wear socks inside them to prevent the smell! Awesome shoe powder by the way, mine smells like eucalyptus :) Here's the link

8. Gentleman Ninjas

I believe it to be true :)

9. Wall Decor

This photo inspired a large part of how my room is decorated, I love it! Here's the link

10. Love is shaped like

I.love.this. Wonderful reminder. Here's the link

Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Funniest Movies!

I am a movie lover, and as hard as it was to condense it, and feel content with my choices... here are ten movies I deem as funniest! Don't forget to read BecKyle's list as well! :)



1. "The Princess Bride"
"Inconceivable!"

2."Despicable Me"
I'm not usually the kind of person who will want to watch things repetitively, like at all. But when this movie became a favorite in my household, and the kids would beg to watch it constantly, I didn't actually have a problem with it. This will always be a favorite of mine.

3. "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"
Am I the only one who wonders about the whole "Windex" thing? :)

4."Monster-in-Law"
This movie just doesn't stop being hilarious, literally it doesn't stop..and your cheeks will feel pain.

5."Three Amigos"
"Mmmmmmy little Buttercup, has the sweeeeetest smiiiiiile" I am laughing already

6."Megamind"
"Minion! You were right! And I was...less right!"

7. "Napoleon Dynamite"
"Your mom goes to college". If any movie can make my brother and I laugh like 3 year old girls, it's this one.

8. "Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog"
Is this classified as a movie? Eh I don't care, it's a comedic masterpiece.

9."Ramona and Beezus"
I grew up reading these books, and several others by the same author. This movie reminds me of that, plus it is absolutely adorable. So funny.

10." Billy Madison"
While this movie has it's inappropriate moments...nobody can deny that it is hilarious.

(Bonus) 11. "The Goldbergs"
This one isn't actually a movie, it's a T.V. series..but it is my family's most recent source of belly aches and cheek pains. It is downright hilarious.