{more}

I want to...

read {more}

sew {more}

learn {more}

dance {more}

grow {more}

love {more}

cook {more}

serve {more}

create {more}

run {more}

pray {more}

...and I want to start {today}.

Good times.

"Clap your hands, stomp your feet, good times, good times!"

This was the song and dance a sweet little 8 year old boy was doing when he walked in the door to get speech therapy today. His mom had to quiet him several times as his voice and movements escalated in the waiting room. "Clap your hands, stomp your feet, good times, good times!"

He is not my patient, so I don't know much about his condition or what he is being seen for. But I do know that I witnessed a child full of joy in the waiting room today. A child with a "disability." And it made me think. Maybe "disability" isn't the word we should use. If my attitude in life was to walk around clapping my hands, stopping my feet, grinning from ear to ear and singing, I certainly wouldn't call it a disability.

Don't get me wrong. I am sure he has and will continue to face his share of challenges in this life. Probably more than I could ever imagine. But if there is one thing I have discovered, it's all about your perspective. And if he can get up, facing his day, singing "Clap your hands, stomp your feet, good times, good times!" in spite of his "disability," I'd like to have a little more of his perspective on life.

So keep clapping, and keep stomping, and keep grinning, and keep singing, sweet boy, and keep teaching me lessons best taught by an 8 year old that this world so easily labels.

On fear.

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." -FDR

"The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?" -Psalm 27:1

"If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -Seneca

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand." -Isaiah 41:10

"When we fear things I think that we wish for them...every fear hides a wish." -David Mamet

"Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering." -Yoda

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4: 18

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship." -Romans 8:15

Something old, something new.

Within the past 5 months, 3 of my very best friends from OT school have gotten married. It has been so wonderful to be able to share this special time with them. First, Laurie (formerly Allen) and Josh tied the knot in Athens.

After they cut the cake, the DJ played "Ice Cream and Cake" and we got up and did the dance we learned at camp.

Next, Celia and Daryl got married in Bainbridge. An 8 hour drive, but it was worth it :) Celia asked me to make her veil for her, and I was so honored (and nervous!) to do this for her!

And finally, this weekend Laurie (formerly Blanchard) and Phillip got married in Augusta. I also had the honor of making Laurie's garters for her. She wanted them to be part Georgia and part golf, since Phillip is a huge fan of both.

One to throw and one to keep.

The bride and honorary bridesmaids....together again!

Thanks girls for letting me be a part of these special times! Love you all!

Christmas Come Early

Christmas seems to start earlier and earlier every year. I was in several department stores over this past weekend, and the stores were already playing Christmas music! And, stores begin to bring out their Christmas decorations even before Halloween! I know that I'm guilty of saying, "I can't believe they've already got their Christmas stuff out!" or "Why do they bring the Christmas decorations out so early? It's not even Halloween yet!" But, as I was walking through Barnes and Noble this weekend, listening to some Christmas tunes, I was struck with a thought. Why not celebrate Christmas early? What better cause for celebration than the birthday of Jesus?! We (I) should celebrate Jesus' birth and God's ultimate gift to us ALL year long, so if stores want to pull out Christmas trees and play Christmas songs before Halloween, I'm all for it! Of course, many public places want Christmas to be completely secular and take away any faith-based aspect of it, but we, children of the King, know that that's simply not possible. THE reason we celebrate Christmas is Christ. So, next time you see stores pulling out their Christmas decorations in October, or hear Christmas songs being played before you've carved your jack-0-lantern, let it be a reminder of why we celebrate Christmas, and be thankful for the most incredible Gift we could ever ask for!

Lessons Learned in Boston

Compiled by Mallory, Lindsay, and Erica

1. You are not cool unless you are wearing tall boots outside your jeans.

2. Dunkin' Donuts is to Boston as Starbucks is to NYC. There's one on every corner.

3. Mallory, Lindsay, and Erica walking down the streets of Boston = "Charlie's Angels" to the local homeless population. Or at least 2 of them. On the same day.

4. Paul Revere did not say, "The British are coming, the British are coming!" That makes no sense, according to the passionate historian at the Revere household. He said, "The Regulars are coming, the Regulars are coming!"

5. Churches feel the need to make political statements.

6. While staying on the 5th floor of the Holiday Inn Express, you may be forced to sleep with the window open and a fan propped in it, even though it's 40 degrees outside. But be careful, the fan could fall out the window into the alley below. Not that we (almost) found out the hard way.

7. While visiting Boston the last week in October, you may find yourself asking the question, "Is that a costume, or is that for real?"

8. People from Boston think we have an accent. We think they have an accent.

9. He might be lying in the hospital with amnesia, but more likely he's just not that into you. (Taken from He's Just Not That Into You: Your Daily Wake-Up Call. Only $1.01 at Urban Outfitters. We both got one.)

10. Never assume all statues are made of steel. Some are people spray painted gold.

11. Some waiters at seafood restaurants know that there is a God in heaven because lobsters that are the size of the table you are eating off of and that cost $200 do not happen by accident.

12. The Bruins do not play basketball. In fact, most cities only have 1 basketball team.

13. Never trust limo drivers at the airport, even when they tell you they are the same price as cabs. They lie.

14. Sometimes it's just too much trouble to open the door and walk 10 extra steps to the counter at McDonalds.

15. Umbrellas are useless during a monsoon.

16. Mike's Pastry is worth the wait.

17. Curtis....

(Okay, this has nothing to do with Boston, but it was the most quoted video of the trip. You should watch it.)

18. Three girls from Georgia visiting Boston are "real Southern belles" to a waiter from Boston.

Running around like a chicken with my head cut off.

Is what I feel like at work.

But, I am thankful for a job.