A Good Book

After reading quite an inspiring book called, "Kisses from Katie", I cannot help feeling guilty. 

If you haven't read this book, I strongly encourage you to do so. It's about a young girl named Katie (one year older than myself) who goes to Uganda for a year after high school and stays to help take care of the children as well as start up a Nonprofit Organization called Amazima. Not only does she work hard in the community, but she adopts fourteen young girls in the first 2 years of being there.

The things she has gone through and the things she has seen not only make you realize your own selfishness and your own misgivings, but also what the world and society have come to today.

We see people spending 2.5 million dollars on 2 bedroom apartments. Some children are brought up to think that every family owns a plane. People are spending $2,000 for a bottle of champagne to impress their friends. That is what it has come to, a status war. Who makes more money? Who is wearing the most expensive brand? Who owns the $500+ clutch purse?  

This girl gets up every morning, cooks breakfast, lunch, and dinner for fourteen girls . They are lucky to have a house and a van to drive to church in. They praise God and thank Him for everything they have. Every time someone dies in Katie's arms, she thanks Jesus for making them present in her life and thank Him for taking away their suffering. She embraces every experience, every situation with open arms and faith that I have never even heard of expressed in such a young woman. She is a year older than I and has witnessed the worst conditions in this world and still praises God and thanks Him for her wonderful life. 

And still, I am moody because I want an iPhone. I get mad when my car's gas light comes on. I get annoyed when I have more invitations to address for the wedding. I used to spend money to look tan… Silly, isn't it? I mean, what an eye-opener. What a slap in the face! 

This book is truly humbling and if you get a chance to read it, I highly recommend it.

Visit Katie's blog here.

For All You Ladies Out There...

This is for all you ladies out there...

who picked a suitor that cannot dance... for the life of him. For my family, this is the norm. My father is a good dancer, but the daughters seem to pick non-dancers. And this is what I've learned:

You need to be at peace that he will always have two left feet. There is no changing him. If you believe there is a way to change him, I'd start the lessons at least two years before the wedding.

There is always hope for a successful first dance at your reception. It may be a comedic dance but that's in nowadays... so don't worry.

Dancing isn't everything... yes it is, but keep telling yourself it isn't so you don't get bummed out :P

And if you find a man who knows he is a "special" dancer and still tries dancing anyway, you are one lucky gal, like me ;)

Thank you to my sister, Katy, the instructor. The actual wedding dance should be really good :)

Dear Me

I have the weirdest moods when lying in bed trying to get to sleep. I'm sure I'm not the only one who stays awake because of worries or sudden genius ideas. Like, for instance, I have the most random ideas for funny comic strips. Recently, I had the idea to tape a huge piece of wall paper to the wall and create artwork using only crayons. Sometimes when I can't sleep, I'll stay up and memorize really hard rap verses... seriously, though. One day I'll write about it. First, however, I need to get this out.  These past couple weeks, I've been having really bad anxiety dreams... about high school. These dreams had to deal with the sports I played, basketball and soccer. In them, I would leave my "away" uniform at home, or I would grab the wrong jersey number, or I would leave my socks in my locker... etc. and I'd have mini-panic attacks. I'd also have dreams about missing a wide open shot, or miss a beautiful cross in front of the goal. These dreams have made me reminisce about high school and I can't help but go back and ask myself, if I had the chance, what would I do differently? Or, if I could go back and talk to my 17 year-old self, what would I say to me? For now, this is what I can gather: 

Dear 17 year-old Me,


    First of all, I congratulate you on being drug-free. Yes, curiosity was a constant presence in your high school career, but you kept your head. As for the parties... well, good job on being drug-free :)


    I know you hate school and I know you don't enjoy reading, but it would probably be best if you tried to like both. In a couple of years, it'll be a complete turn-around and you will actually have fun doing homework and studying. Laugh now, but deep down, you're a nerd. I'm very proud of you for signing up for Senior Grammar; that will definitely help you in college. When it comes to that 20 minute presentation, though, it may be best not to write your note cards the day of. You've always loved to procrastinate, but one of these days you are really going to regret it (hint: that 20 page paper coming up).


    As you continue to play your favorite sport (basketball), keep in mind that this is your last season playing with girls you've played with since 5th grade. No other basketball team you play on will even come close to the family that was formed these past several years. Yes, you will have the opportunity to play in college, but it won't be the same and you will be very disappointed when it doesn't work out.


    Now on to the other parts of high school. "Fitting in", as they say, is important to every high school student, I think. Honestly, you are too weird to fit in... you watch game tape for fun and analyze it. You have this weird obsession with socks. Don't even try. Yes, people can be cruel, but never stoop down to their level. They won't matter in a few years. In fact, they won't matter in a few months. Don't be afraid to stick up for other people, either. Yes, I know you don't like people that, even though they may be nice to you, are really mean to others; so next time you see them treat someone with disrespect, for goodness sake, woman, say something. Why bother trying to fit in? You'll be in a totally different state in a few months. Even if you don't go to college outside of the state, everyone will still move on. I can also tell you that the people you will encounter in the next year will be some of the best and funnest people you'll ever get the chance of knowing.


    When it comes to guys... you have the next twenty years to deal with them and their issues and your issues and all of the baggage that comes with relationships. Don't waste your time when you know no-one there is right for you. I know it gets hard when you see your friends falling in love and all of that, but don't get discouraged. You'll have other opportunities to learn those lessons in the coming years. For now, just try and focus on being you. 


    You might ask, who am I? That's another area that is extremely important, especially in high school. Your faith. You might not know or understand a lot about yourself, but you should always know that if you stay close to God and stay true to the Catholic faith (your faith), you won't need to rely on an answer to that particular question. I will tell you that there will be times when this will be the hardest thing ever (the first couple years of college, especially), but you will also experience amazing grace and I cannot even tell you how great of a feeling that is. Keep strong and you'll be fine.


These are just some ideas that I would share if I had the opportunity to approach my 17 year-old self. 
And as I close this up, I'd like to add a few tips:


1. Orange hair doesn't suit you. 
2. If you are going to dye your hair, get a professional to do it
3. Instead of going for a second cartilage piercing (one that will, again, end up being wrenched out of your ear from a soccer ball to the head), get a nose ring... only if you're feeling REALLY rebellious, though.
4. If, at any point, you want to throw a party at your house... DON'T.
5. Preseason is going to kill you, I'd start running... now.
6. Don't wear make-up, your face is too young and healthy for that icky stuff.
7. You should probably check out the academics side to the school you choose before committing. Yes, sports are important, but you are going to die the first semester.
8. Homesickness cannot be solved with psychotherapy... it's a slow process; hang in there.
9. Procrastination in college= a countless number of all-nighters (not occasional-napping-allnighters, no, the real kind!)
10. Finally, you are not too cool for school. Get over yourself and do some work. 

:)

A Daily Smile

Today, I had the honor of helping out my mother with her faith formation students at the church down in town. One of the teachers called in sick, so my mother wrote me in as a substitute for a kindergarten class after mass.  I had substituted for her before and immediately knew that these kids would be a handful. 

I was not wrong. They were a handful... in a good way, though. Today we talked about the meaning of Lent and how we go about showing our love for God by our actions. 

Me: "Lexi, how will you show God that you love him? What good deed will you do when you get home today?"

Lexi: "I am going to eat Cheesecake!"

Me: "Okay... but how is that a good deed?"

Lexi: "I'm helping my brothers and sisters eat the cheesecake!"

Man, these kids are smart...

After talking about Jesus spending 40 days and 40 nights in the desert, I talk about how he gave up food and how maybe we can give something up that we think we may need (like toys, dessert, candy, etc.).

Me: "How else can we show our love for God?"

Elizabeth: "...by making him sandwiches!"

After talking about giving things up for Lent, we talked about maybe adding some things that we can do these 40 days that make us better people (prayer, helping your mom with the dishes, cleaning your room, etc.)

Me: "What do you think you will add to show God you love him?"

Lexi: "Eat cheesecake!"

...I really came through with that lesson!

On an unrelated note, I think this is pretty cool. Many people do not believe that there are enough good, Catholic, singles out there. This woman has made it a point to keep the hope alive. Great idea and great message :)

Also, this blog always brings smiles. A young family filled with happiness and desire for God's love. I hope to, one day, be as devoted to my future husband and family as this young momma is. 

Cheers! 

A Daily Smile

Today, I was walking (and running!) in the Garden of the Gods with my iPod strapped to my arm. As I was walking along, I saw this family with (what looked like) a small, 4 year old boy. I do my best to give children room when walking by me because most of the time they seem terrified. So as I approached, I changed direction a bit so that I was on the far right of the walkway. This boy saw me and he skipped right to the middle of walk and started waving at me. Now, when people start waving at me, I don't wave back (at first) because I hate that feeling when you wave back and you realize that they were not waving at you to begin with... and then you look like a dweeb. So I wait a second and I see that his eyes are on me and I wave back. He continues to wave with a huge smile on his face and, oh my goodness, that smile melted my heart. I start laughing and I waved some more and said, "Hi" as he walked by. This little boy changed the whole tone of my day. To that little boy, I want to say thank you for warming my heart and I hope that your adventure in the Garden was as wonderful as mine was, because of you. :)

The Pictures!

This past weekend, My parents and I visited family in Texas. It was a great trip and a busy one, at that. I was able to see some of my friends. I went to the school where I student taught this past fall and it was so great seeing and catching-up with the ladies there, as well as the kids! I just wish I could have been there longer to visit. Then, it was off to see two of my bridesmaids to try on dresses.  That was an adventure, but I think we have all agreed on the perfect dress for them. There was so much to do this trip. What was so great about it, however, was getting to spend as much of it with Paul as possible. My parents, Paul, and I sat down and cleared up things about the wedding preparation and we even wrote up to-do lists. I was amazed at how much we accomplished in just three days. I was also set on taking pictures for the save-the-date cards and I wanted them done a certain way.  This is how I wanted them...

 

...and I am happy with the end result :)

...and we went to Braum's every day to celebrate ;)

Who Knew?

You know how girls start their wedding planning books when they are, like, ten? They know the colors, the flowers, what kind of dress they want for the bridesmaids, and even who their groom is going to be. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but I really believe this to be true. I also picture those books to look like the one Tula has in My Big Fat Greek Wedding (yes, another reference; and if you haven't seen this movie, it's hilarious.)

 To me, all of these wedding details weren't really important about a month ago. To me, the wedding was a day where the second most important man in my life (the first being my dad... duh) and I were starting the rest of our lives together. We'd exchange vows, have a party, and then proceed to forever. Well, if you've ever planned a wedding, you must be in hysterics.

 I've changed my mind at least five times about the colors for the wedding.  I finally decided (two weeks ago) on a nice, pool, blue for the bridesmaids... I changed my mind this past Saturday to pink.  Flowers are a whole different story. Who knew there could be so many choices as well as limits at the same time?! Who knew that only a specific flower goes with a specific color or season?! Who knew that you should get your hair and makeup done at least once before the wedding day just to make sure you are set on a style?! Really?!! 

Yes, I'm a girl and girls should know this. However, I'm a different type of girl. I'm the girl who wears shorts under dresses (even long, bridesmaids dresses I wear to sisters' weddings). I'm the girl who will always choose sneakers over the cute open-toed heels that can make anyone's feet look immaculate. I don't know the first thing about decorating. My fashion sense could not be more jaded so I thank God everyday for my older sister who is my size and who keeps a fair amount of clothes in her closet when she goes away. 

So with this girl and with such a predicament, comes a mother who has helped planned three weddings for her first three daughters. With this particular daughter, she will probably do more helping than any of the other weddings. And with this daughter, she will, hopefully, be able to help her with other new experiences in her life :)

And so I say this with great humility: I have no idea how I would get through this without my mother and the support of my father. I am extremely lucky and so happy that I have their help and love throughout this journey.

Today, we made a lot of progress. We have a wonderful pianist for a beautiful singer for the mass, we have a great idea for wedding favors as well as bridesmaids dresses, AND we even have the save-the-date cards designed. Tomorrow shall be another adventure, I'm sure. I came across this today. Pretty great idea for a Valentine present if you ask me ;)

Here is a sneak-peek of the engagement pictures that were taken this past weekend...