love times three..

Yesterday evening was like any other.

Cliff and I stayed inside due to a quick thunderstorm and enjoyed cooking dinner together. Around 8ish, we ventured over to his Dads house for them to watch the Colts vs. Redskins engage in Monday Night Football.

About 10:30 we scooted on back home, and after we took showers ended the night kicked back flipping through our five channels on t.v. while I attempted to study for the NCLEX in between commercial breaks.

In the midst of flipping back and forth between football recaps, we caught a glimpse of the Dr. Phil show.

Cliff paused for a moment as we watched the beginning of a new episode and introduction into a family.

Immediately, it caught my attention and I looked up from my never ending study guide to catch a peak.

The topic? Polygamy.

Here's the trailer that caught my attention.

Take a look..

That's right. There is such thing that exist.

This man has three wives.. and TWENTY-SIX children.

Here's some additional info to give you a better idea of how the relationships work:

To read/watch more on this episode, click here.

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My thoughts?

I'm a firm believer that "marriage" is between a man and a woman.

Yet, I just can't get over the fact that this man has THREE wives and TWENTY-SOMETHING children that live within ONE home.

Can you imagine the estrogen in this place??

They seem to get along extremely well despite the circumstances.

What are your thoughts on this? Interesting stuff!

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On another note, our AC decided to go out on us last night.

I normally don't complain about the heat, I'm definitely cold natured. So when I'm warm, I feel good!

Last night I got a little stuffy, glanced up at the ceiling to see the temperature of the room and saw 78. Gahh. It's normally 72.

Come to find out, either the module or the motor is acting up. Luckily, it's still under warranty.

Tonight we will be sleeping with box fans on high..

you don't realize how much you take advantage of the AC until you don't have it.

I read this status a minute ago on FB from a friend, it said "What if we woke up tomorrow with only the things that we thanked the Lord for yesterday?"

We better think twice every day to praise Him & be thankful for all that He has provided in our lives.

becoming a member.

these last four days have left me at a loss for words.

this past Sunday's service at church marked the first day of a 4-day revival.

first off, i should probably give you a little background..

cliff and i have been raised up in two different churches our entire lives.

"mine", so to speak, is a small, non-demoninational church.

whereas "his", is considered "The Baptist" church of our community.

their members probably quadruple the amount that we have at ours.

mine has never been overflowing with youth.

it's walls contain members my parents age or older, for the vast majority.

of course, this doesn't matter in the eyes of the Lord.

just as long as we are all there for one main purpose.. and that is to worship Him.

but to Cliff and I, we struggle there with people of "our" age.

there aren't many, if any at all, that are recently married.

in all essence, we long for a place to call "home".

a place to be involved.

a place to go and chat about certain issues with people who are going thru and experiencing the same things as us.

at the Baptist church, we've found that.

it's been a long time coming, but i've been struggling with the issue of "transferring" my membership to this partcular church.

it's not about them gaining "another" member.

it's not about them "winning me over".

it's not a game, per se, at all.

did you know that this actually crosses some folks minds?

we honestly like it here.

the Lord spoke to me over these last four days.

Monday night, again Tuesday night, and last night I made my way down to the altar to pray.

something I had never done before.

I've knelt at the altar to pray during Christmas communion each year and as I was saved during Christian camp.

But, walking to the altar, alone, was a big move for me.

The Lord was powerful. I found my heart beating harder with every word the guest Pastor would pour out.

this feeling I had never felt before.

it was so intense that I knew without a doubt that the Lord was speaking directly to me.

the Pastor nailed it when he asked the simple question, "are you a benchwarmer or a player on the field?"

it hit me. my stomach fell.

i am a benchwarmer.

i never before had gotten up off of my pew (aka "bench") unless it was to stand as a congregation to sing a song of praise.

last night and the two nights before, i was changed.

i was moved by the Lord's spirit.

my final decision was made Tuesday night after discussing things over with Cliff.

last night we made it to the chuch a few minutes early so we could meet with the Pastor before service started to discuss transfer of membership details.

and at the end of worship, cliff and i walked to the front of the church and stood with the Pastor as he announced our/my decision.

the entire church was so kind as to "welcome" me in with warm hugs as i stood at the back door as they each went to leave.

i am proud to say, i am revived.

what a glorious few days it has been!

camera phone randoms.

I don't know about you, but I take a picture of e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.

Literally.

I'm thankful my phone has a camera on it, although, despite the fact it has no flash and I can't take any at nighttime.. it still serves it purpose I suppose. Boo!

For the last two weeks, I haven't had my "big" (Nikon) camera to take any random photos. Between our last vaca to Sanibel and now, I've misplaced my camera charger. Somewhere. I have no idea where. I've turned my home upside down looking for it and we've even went to the extent of calling the owners of the condo we rented to see if it had been left in Sanibel. No luck.

As I was browsing through the 491 pictures on my phone, yes, you did just read that right. Four-hundred-and-ninety-one...on my PHONE... I thought they were rather hilarious. Completely random to say the least.

Here's a few.

[Cliff getting a haircut week before last. it was starting to look like he had a full blown mullet.]

[when I asked Cliff to bring me lunch to the store, this is what he brought.]

 

[Cliff's younger sister, Madison, is learning how to barrel race. We spent last Sunday at the arena watching her and the rest of the Georgia Wranglers in her division practice.]



[Puppy love! Not really. Dixie actually is holding Prince (the Yorkie) down so he can't get her bone.

This was priceless.]

[Darla was hongry!]

[Trying to find a dress for our rehearsal dinner. TJ Maxx dressing room with my sweet cousin!]



[our friends electrical  taped this to our door one weekend while we were away!

FYI: all of Cliff's friends call him 'Beaver']

[On the airplane heading to Cancun for our honeymoon!]

[First document I signed with my new name & information]

[Hippiebands for the 4th of July]

[an afternoon at the hunting club with the guys]

[new license & new last name ♥]

[I am SO wearing these this fall/winter. This picture was taken at the Atlanta Mart back in July]

[In order to take the NCLEX (state nursing boards), I had to get fingerprinted at the UPS Store. This was the note I found on the door after I traveled 35 minutes into town IN THE MIDDLE OF A THUNDERSTORM. I was not happy.]

[Fun collegiate-themed bathroom set I made for a customer!]

[First mouse in the house!] I was laying on the couch studying late one night as caught him out the corner of my eye. I laughed so hard at how cute he was, I waited till he came back out and snapped a few pictures to show to Cliff for proof.]

[This was the result of the Mr. leaving a blue pen in his pants pocket. Our entire load of laundry now has blue ink splatter! Thanks honey!]

[Taken at Jessica's wedding! It was beautiful!]

[I wrapped her HUGE gift in burlap. This was tricky, but turned out super cute!]

[I finally found a temporary home for our canvas print of an engagement favorite.]

[First afternoon of hunting this year!]

[My view from the stand.]

[My favorite dressy top]

[On the way to Jess & Aaron's wedding!]

[Our sweet cousin Bella wearing my sunglasses during Sunday lunch. She is precious!]

[Cousin Austin riding thru town in the back of my car holding the hatch down so these wooden boards wouldn't fall out!]

[Redneck dinner. Using coolers for seating? Yes. Our living room is a work in progess... still. It will see paint, new carpet, and a new panel board ONE DAY.]

[My nursing class awarded me this during our 'Senior Picnic'. So sweet!]

[A full afternoon of using up wedding gift cards & switching out duplicate items!]

[Beautiful pair of peacocks!]

[I.hate.roaches. I conquered my fear a few months back and picked these dead creatures up off the floor (with a piece of paper, that is) of the backroom at my store and flushed them down the toilet. This picture was sent to Cliff with a message that read: 'There can be no more of these things. You must spray your potion ASAP! EEEEEK!!'

[This was the night before we left for my Bachelorette Weekend. All of the girls came up to the store and helped me catch up on my orders!]

[Guest bathroom --- post make-over]



shine on.

I got my SHINE necklace in the mail last week.

Talk about excited?!

I haven't taken it off!

 (okk, exclusion- to bathe, that's it).

I love the length.

The meaning.

The antique flower & pearls.

It's perfect!

Help support Ashley & begin to inspire the world!

Follow her: Facebook -- Blog

You'll be glad you did!

Ashley was so kind to let me purchase 15 necklaces for my storefront!

Yaa-hooo!



I challenge you to Make a Change!

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world"

strong-willed.

independent.

determined.

firm.
confident.
assertive.

decisive.

---------

{yes, indeed. I'm a Leo.}

some good, some not so much.

these word are all adjectives that describe a big part of who I am.

did you know, these same exact adjectives also describe my husband?

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at times, we clash.

we clash because we are.just.alike.
we do have our differences, but both of our attitudes regarding life are described above.

--------

this can be a good thing.

yet, this can be a little tricky at times.

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sometimes we get along great.
other times, we challenge each other and bicker about pointless stuff.
-------
now, let's be honest for a moment. raise your hand if these have happened once or twice in your time between you and your significant other..
how many of us are so firm and decisive that we both believe our opinions are 'the best' and 'better than' one or the others and we stand tall to back our decision?
how many of us get so pushy to the point of pure aggravation with one another?
how many of us are so determined that both of our answers or opinions are correct that we often lose sight of reality and begin to make up every excuse in the book to back up our statement we felt so certain about to begin with?
{sigh} i think it happens to the best of us.
---------
while this doesn't happen often, it's something worth looking back on & remembering in the days to come.
i see us 40 years from now looking back and laughing at just how gung-ho we actually were.
wonder fills my mind when I think back on how we gained these said characteristics.
was is because cliff moved out at age 18 and moved off to college on his own?
he had to support himself, make decisions on his own, learn to cook & clean, and begin to pay his own bills.
was it because I decided at the age of 15 that I wanted to have a job so I could earn money to buy the 'wants' I had growing up as a teenager?
was it because good moral values were instilled in both of us to do and make the best of what we can be?
i'm not really certain as to why we are the way we are, but i am glad.
--------
i'm glad we are independent, determined, firm, confident, assertive, and decisive. 

{all photos via pinterest}

what are some adjectives that you and your significant other have in common?

dreamy.

I long for the day that our home is finally complete...
No more renovations.
No more grossly stained carpet with a hideous rug covering up the spots.
No more white patches on the walls.
No more windows without blinds and walls without pretty paint.

Until then, I will continue dreaming.

Here's a few LUSTS for this week..

{all via my new obsession, pinterest.}

{I'm totally digging the mustard yellow. I plan to make these rosette pillows!}

{love this vintage inspired bathroom, especially the tub}

Beautiful!

Ok, snapping back to reality now.

xoxo-