8 Years!

August 25th, 2001 -Mr. & Mrs. Magee


'To know someone is to watch and see the dance of their life...
To love someone is to teach another your dance and accept a lesson in return...
To marry is tell the world that this persons dance is the one you want to learn for all your life.'

One movie that has been 'our' movie is Notting Hill. I can't even count how many times we've watched it. There is one scene where Julia and Hugh are sitting in Hugh's living room and talking about a painting on his wall.

The painting is 'La Mariee' by Chagall. Julia says its how love should be, floating in a dark blue sky. Hugh says '...with a goat, playing a violin.' Julia answers, ' well, yes, happiness isn't happiness without a violin playing goat.' This scene is a picture to me of how our relationship is. His funny answers that bring me out of a melancholy state. My love of love that is always moved by something romantic or sentimental. I love our relationship for so many reasons. I can always, no matter what state I'm in, be completely myself. I am always challenged to be the best 'Me'. I have learned to love, really love, in the best and worst of times. I have gained a friend that is closer to me than any I have had in my entire life. A friend that knows me better than anyone. A friend that can know exactly what I'm thinking or feeling in a crowd of people and knows how to tell me without words that he knows and he loves me. 8 years seems like a long and short amount of time. Some days are long, others fly by. But I wouldn't change anything. Because, all that we've weathered, the violent storms and gentle breezes of this crazy whirlwind of life has taught us what it means to lean on each other, to be a companion, defender and friend. I love Mark now more than I ever have. And I don't think I'll ever stop being totally amazed that he married me!

I Love You Mark!

Change!

Hey Everyone....I just wanted to let you know that I deleted a few of my other blogs...too much work and not enough readers. I have compiled all of them into a new blog...so I only have 3 now...this one, my photography and the new one. Its going to be eco, beauty, fitness, cooking, home decor....all the things I love or am doing (fitness is not a love, but a must) and this one will be random in and outs of my days!
The new blog is not fully laid out yet, so check in a few days and we will be good to go!! :)

While I'm Waiting

THIS IS MY SONG LATELY---->

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Love...

Mark and I were listening to a new U2 song and there was this line...

'I want a love that is as hard as hate'

I am floored by that. What would the world look like, what would we look like if we loved as hard as people hated. I want to be like that....always! The last little while has been a journey (it seems I'm always on one) of forgiveness for me. Really forgiving, not just with my words, but with my heart. God has allowed me to experience hurt, like the real, gut-wrenching kind. And when I say allowed, its because I'm learning that in all these things, my Heavenly Fatheris committed to changing my heart. I wanted to pull the blankets over my head and cry the month away, but Love wouldn't let me. I am thankful that His love for me is harder than hate, because where would I be if He didn't love me enough to change me?

Laughter is GOOD medicine

Do you ever need a good laugh? Whats the thing that does it for you?
I needed one and I found it here...

www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com

Here I am, with tears streaming down my face (happy, hysterical tears) and so I thought I'd share some of my favorites. Whoever has the website puts little blurbs under each picture, which makes it 100 times funnier.

Yes, those are Kittens in their pockets. I think that they be Anitas neighbours...lol ;)


Words cannot even express how funny this is to me!! The poor dad!


Now, thats fear! haha!


I would never leave the house, if my family had hair like this...lol!

Trials

I was reading my friends status the other day on facebook and it said,

"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation
with the bricks that others throw at him"

It reminded me of this quote from Mother Teresa:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

James 1:2- "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." (The Message)

We are on a journey, constantly learning, usually through pain, how to become more like Jesus.
I don't want to be one who tries to get out of trials prematurely. I want to face them , head on, believing they are for my sake!

DOULA COURSE!!!!

Well, my incredible aunt, who is a doula & midwives assistant, has worked her magic and is hosting the doula course in PG, and I'm so excited! Usually its on the lower mainland or Victoria, so this is an incredible opportunity! It will be held in November, and my aunt said the best thing I could do would be to read this first:

No problem, its only 474 pages...eek! I need to kick into student mode!!

Retail Therapy

What better way to send the blues away than 'window shopping' online! The last couple days have been blue-sy, so tonight I 'shopped' around and this is the treasure I found:

Marc Jacobs Leather Tiered Hilary Satchel
on bluefly.com

but if I had that kind of money, I probably wouldn't be blue...lol!

This picture, in giant form, hangs above the fireplace in our home. I walk by it, on average, 25 times a day, but rarely do I read it. I see it, admire it, comment to myself how cool it is. But rarely do I really think about what it says. I originally bought it to go in Marks office, and it was there for a while, but when I needed to convert his office into a kids space, the picture came into the living room.
And so this morning, I walked by it twice and the third time stopped to really look. While I was there, I had a little conversation with God that went something like this:

Me: No such thing as small change thats for sure. What do you think my capacity is?
Him: I know the plans I have for you...
Me: Ya, but I'm not as strong as you think. I'm barely holding up under the weight.
Him: My yoke is easy and my burden is light. Learn from me.
Me: I am not wise enough, strong enough or brave enough.
Him: Thats exactly what I want.
Me: How could I be what you want?
Him: In your weakness, my strength is made perfect
Me: But there are so many things that I don't understand!
Him: Bring them to me!
Me: Why can't I have a baby? Why me!? Why do I have to be barren?
Him: So that the work of God may be displayed in your life. Think of Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth...
Me: You've chosen the wrong girl!
Him: I never choose the wrong girl!
Me: Ya, but...
Him: I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU...

This is often the conversation I have with God. I am always calling Him on His Word, challenging Him, questioning Him, which just reveals my insecurity. I am worried that I'll be passed over, forgotten, I'll get old and I'll be barren still. And then I hear those scriptures over and over...'and the Lord opened her womb....and Sarah laughed....he settles the barren woman as a happy mother of children....' He knows the plans, which means I don't. Thats what faith is. Trusting in what you can't see! I And so, when I see 'There is no such thing as small change, I'm reminded again and again, that there is SO MUCH MORE that he has in store for me. And the road is not easy, but He knows the plans...

Challenge Picture!

This is my picture I drew in Paint. The First is how I see myself now. The Second is how I see myself in 5 yrs. The first picture will be reincarnated in real form soon, as I will be a bridesmaid wearing a blue dress. Love the dress, just not the body! Sigh!

CHALLENGE!!

This is for EVERYONE! A fun little exercise! Get a piece of paper and a pencil (or use 'paint' on your computer if you don't have a scanner).
Now, draw 2 pictures or if you feel you can't, then find a picture that represents you. The first how you see yourself now...and the second how you see yourself in 5 yrs. You can make it as elaborate as you want or make stick men...the choice is yours! Its a good way to see what you are seeing!
Post it on your blogs and share with us!
My next post will be my pictures. :)

All things wedding...

...but not mine!
Carin's Wedding is quickly approaching! And I'm going to attempt to do my own hair...eek!
These are the hairstyles that I like....









I'm hoping its not too difficult!
And here is how I want to try and do my makeup...double eek (its all about saving money)!


And Lucky Me, I found the youtube tutorial (by her in fact) which is awesome
Click HERE for the video

One thing I really need to figure out is if I want to keep my hair dark or put highlights in!
Any Suggestions??

Sorry for the non-interesting post!

Eco, Organic, etc...

I have been informing myself about all things organic, eco-friendly, chemical free. I am far from knowing it all but I have found a few websites that I found very interesting. Whether you are single, married, or a mother (or father) of few or many children, the topic of living organically, eco friendly, or chemical free may have crossed your mind as well.
So, here is a few websites that can help you in your education:

Holistic Moms Network
Organic Pregnancy, Birth, and PostPartum
Organic Products
Organic Gardening
Eco Friendly Products

P.S. And coming soon...an organic farm near you! Thanks Anita! :)

Living *clean* is important...our bodies will thank us!

Here are some practical tips to help you get started:

• REMOVE toxins:
• • Avoid processed foods.
• • Buy organic when possible.
• • Buy eco-friendly cleaning products.
• • Remove one or more of the foods that cause food allergies, sensitivities and are mucus-forming, such as dairy, bread, pasta, sugar, white rice and red meat.
• • Remove the bad bacteria in your gut with plant and herbal antibacterials and use garlic, lemon, olive oil, oregano oil, thyme and cayenne pepper – all powerful natural antimicrobials.

• RESTORE what is lacking:
• • Consume nutrient-rich foods (vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes).
• • Use supplements to boost availability of your specific depletions (the B vitamins are commonly depleted).
• • Soak up some sun. Fifteen minutes of sun exposure a day will allow you to sustain better levels of vitamin D for bone strength and protection from cancer and depression.

Feel free to post links that you like in your comments and I will add them to my list!

Here it is...

Here is the Color Palette:



Here is the inspiration board I made:

10 yr. Rapidly Approaching

Well, as you know I mentioned awhile ago that Mark and I were going to go to the BVI for our 10 yr. Renewal Celebration. We've been doing a lot of thinking and discussion about the subject. We really want everyone close to us to be there and we REALLY don't want $$$ to be the reason anyone would not attend. This is all still in the works. I know it seems early, but by the beginning of 2010, I want to have all these kinks worked out so that we can start planning for real. Mark and I just sat down and I forced asked him to make some concrete decisions about color, theme, etc... which he did without screaming complaining...what a gem, eh? lol! So anyways, I am in the midst of making a inspiration board to share...its going to be so incredibly cool! I'll give you a hint...the theme is 'Earth'. Hopefully tomorrow I can post some sneak peeks!!

Drumroll Please.....

Head over here to have a exciting and long awaited surprise!!!!!!!

Dreamin.....

Mark and I were talking last about our dreams for a home and life someday. This is what we want (here's to really nice dreams..lol) SHARE YOURS!!

Our View:


Our Home:






Our Backyard: Garden and Orchard


Our Guest House:


My Recording & Art Studios:


Marks Office & Theater:


Our Pets:

CAMPING!!!!!!

Only 3 more sleeps until we go CAMPING for 3 nights! I am so excited!
These are some of the things we will experience (there are 2 that I am NOT thrilled about though):