A Time For Everything

I have never been a bible thumping, pew preaching, holy rolling catholic but I do have faith and believe that sometimes finding comfort or an answer comes from looking towards that faith.  I find myself recalling Sunday morning sermons and the words that my ears absorbed from years of sitting in the front pew at mass.  All those years ago when I first heard readings and gospels, I didn't immediately grasp the understanding of those words.  As I pass through life and encounter different situations, I suddenly have moments where I finally understand them.  This is one of those small verses from the Bible that has clicked and made sense lately.

peace & love

bj

Ecclesiastes 3:1-7

New International Version (NIV)

A Time for Everything

3 There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

²     a time to be born and a time to die,

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

³     a time to kill and a time to heal,

    a time to tear down and a time to build,

⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

⁵     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

⁶     a time to search and a time to give up,

    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

⁷     a time to tear and a time to mend,

    a time to be silent and a time to speak,

A Reason

Here is another one of my favorite quotes that has helped me through out the years in trying to understand why certain people come and go in my life.  Sometimes, I really don't know which category someone falls into but I always try to remember that their presence in my life was/is meaningful.  Perhaps, they were placed along my path to teach me something, make me happy, love me, hate me, build me up or tear me down.  I may not ever know why some people exist(ed) in my life and that is OK.  I do not need to know their purpose for being there.  I just know that each experience and encounter I have along the way has helped me see who I truly am or who I am meant to be.  Having a life full of oh wells is a hell of alot better than a life full of what ifs and I will always welcome an opportunity to take a risk in allowing someone to walk into my life for good, bad or both.

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

— Unknown

peace & love

bj

Do It Anyway

I love inspirational quotes, poems and sayings.  Sometimes all you need is to read one and have it change your whole day.  Having a new perspective on the way you view life and your experiences allows you to be at peace in your heart with what you have lived.  No matter how much you think you screw up, life goes on.  Everything changes.  Learn to make yourself happy first and foremost. 

Here is one of my all time favorite quotes that I need to remember and read more often.

Mother Teresa wrote this poem – Do It Anyway

People are often unreasonable,

illogical 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 false friends and true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,

people may cheat you;

Be honest anyway.

What you spend years building,

someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,

they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,

people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,

and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,

it is between you and God;

It was never between you and them anyway.

peace & love

bj

My Christmas Wish List

A Christmas post...already?  You are probably thinking, "But it is only October, Brittany!"  I know but it is never too early to start compiling a "if I only had a shit-ton of money and could request materialistic and completely ridiculously frivolous things" list.  Now that is a mouth full.

Some people got it easy and don't ever have to have a wish list because they have exorbitant amounts of money and can just buy whatever the hell they want while the rest of us are stuck here in dreamland.  I don't mind dreamland though, people tend to be nicer there.  Plus, can you imagine getting everything you want?  I think it would take the surprise and appreciation out of getting a gift but that's just me.

Just because I don't have nice things doesn't mean I have bad taste.  It just means that I'm realistic and responsible with the money that I do have.  I believe the correct way to phrase this is: I live within my means.  Surprisingly a lot of people don't get that concept.  Oh well, better them than me.  I don't have credit card debt or loans because of my feeling of wanting things to conform and fit into what society's general consensus thinks I should own or look like.  Maybe that is one of the reasons why America is in the crapper right now with our national debt.  As for my two cents on the presidential election coming up, it doesn't matter who wins because we are still going to be struggling for sometime  Rant ended, for now.  But seriously, I think I'm right.

Enough with the political baloney and sarcastic sentences.  I am here to make requests so that maybe someone will like me enough to buy me some stuff!  Whoop, whoop. 

My Ridiculous Christmas Wish List
(rich people start share your wealth already)

#1: My crème de la crème would be a Nikon D700 body

#2: All the essential lenses & accessories for my new Nikon D700 of course

#3: 2013 Chevy Camaro

#4: Apple iMac desktop computer to do all of my photography editing on

#5: A getaway cabin like this

#6: To be a stay at home mom and do what I love

#7: A closet full of a modern, chic & lush clothes, shoe & accessories

#8: A rustic barn (sounds weird but it is a PERFECT photography backdrop or place to host events)

#9: Smart phone (seriously...I should have one already)

#10: Photography studio

In all seriousness though, I could go my entire life without getting/buying any of those things and be completely happy.  It doesn't matter what you own.  Your happiness comes from things like your family & friends.  So, surround yourself with good people and your happiness should follow.  Then if you do have money, buy shit because that is always fun.

P.S. Sorry Mom for using curse words.  I love you!

peace & love

bj

Crockpot Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Fall is like a reminder that we should all start pulling out our crockpots so we can make those hearty & toasty warm dishes that make are families happy and their tummies full!  I am a self-proclaimed crockpot lover because of the ease that comes through cooking with one.  Who has that much spare time these days?  I know I don't.  That is the beauty of cooking crockpot recipes.  Give yourself an extra 10 - 15 mins in the morning before rushing out the door and you can be enjoying a delicious meal within minutes of returning home from a hard day's work.  Plus, most of the recipes I have for my crockpot are SO SIMPLE!  You really have to work hard to screw them up.

As I was rummaging through my "junk/everything" drawer  last night I came across my Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup crockpot recipe.  I thought of how yummy it was last winter when I made it and decided it was time to pull out my trusty ole' crockpot to make it again.  I made sure I had all the essential ingredients.  Score, I did!  So I made up my mind that I was going to get up a little early to throw it together. 

As I sit here writing this, I know I will arrive home to a lovely smelling kitchen and 20 minutes of final preparation to pure appetite bliss. Without further ado, here is the recipe.

CREAMY CHICKEN WILD RICE SOUP

• 1 lb. chicken (I use slender cut boneless chicken breast tenders cut into 1 inch pieces)
• 1/2 cup wild rice (uncooked)
• 2 can (10 3/4 oz.) cream of potato condensed soup
• 1 can (14 oz.) chicken broth
• 2 cups frozen sliced carrots
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cracked pepper
• 1 cup half-and-half

Place chicken in 4 quart crockpot.  Mix in wild rice, onions, celery, soup, broth, carrots and seasonings.

Cover & cook on low heat setting for 8 hours

Stir in half-and-half, Increase heat setting to High. (if it seems too thick, add more chicken broth)

Cover & cook for 20 minutes.

Serve & Enjoy!

peace & love

bj

(raw ingredients freshly put into crockpot)

(raw ingredients all mixed together and ready for their 8 hour journey)

(finished product)



Black Forest Cake

There is this cake recipe that my mother would make when I was a child and it is one of my favorite indulgences to this day!  I didn't realize how incrediably easy it is to make until my mother passed her recipe onto me.  Now, I am doing the same for you. 

BLACK FOREST CAKE
(non-layered version)

Preheat oven @ 350 degrees
Grease & lightly flour pan (you can use a 9x13 or round pan)

• 1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix
• 1 can (21 oz.) Cherry Pie Filling
• 2 Eggs
• 1 -2 tablespoons Vanilla Extract

Mix all ingredients together in medium mixing bowl 
(Do not use electric blender, hand mix only)
*Notation: mixture will only be about 1/2 inch thick once you put it in the pan so don't worry if it looks thin.  The batter will rise like normal.  It is also going to be very dense and solid*

Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes

FROSTING

• 1 cup Sugar
• 5 tablespoons Softened Butter
• 1/3 cup Milk
• 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Mix sugar, butter & milk in small or medium sauce pan
Bring to a boil
Remove from heat and add 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Stir until chocolate has melted completely into mixture

Dizzle over baked Black Forest Cake batter that has cooled
Decorate with cherries, whip cream and chocalote shavings to your heart's desire!

ENJOY!

peace & love

bj

1 Year Down, A Lifetime To Go

It has been one year to the day since Brant & I got married.  It is hard to believe that a year has past already but I am so excited to see what the future years hold for us.

Reminiscing is fun and it is hard not to do on a day like today.  As I think back on our wedding day, I have many fond memories.  I will apologize up front for being overly loving in what follows this sentence but sometimes it is OK to be annoyingly in love!

an·ni·ver·sa·ry

/ˌænəˈvɜrsəri/ Show Spelled [an-uh-vur-suh-ree] Show IPA noun, plural an·ni·ver·sa·ries, adjective

noun

1. the yearly recurrence of the date of a past event: the tenth anniversary of their marriage.

2. the celebration or commemoration of such a date.

3. wedding anniversary.

I see anniversaries much like the second definition from the list above: the celebration or commemoration of such a date!  It isn't just looking back at us and our wedding.  I like to remember everything that day held.  It is about the people who attended, the weather, the food, the ceremony and most importantly: the feelings we felt & shared.

• The best part of the entire day may be a detail that many of you didn't know about.  We are both from Catholic upbringings and wanted to be united as man & wife in the eyes of the catholic church.  We also understood that a full catholic ceremony would be long to endure for guests!  After many conversations with our priest and family we were able to plan a wedding day that would be most enjoyable and meaningful to everyone.  We held a private ceremony in the side chapel of St. Bridget's Catholic Church at 9 am on the 15th of October.  We had a full rite of matrimony in front of God, our priest, our parents, witnesses and our son.  I didn't have a stitch of makeup on.  My hair was pulled back into a pony tail and I had on a UWRF Track t-shirt.  I was standing in front of a wonderful man who had always accepted every piece of me.  He had never judged me for the paths I had already walked in life.  He simply took me for who I was & am.  That is the best feeling in the world.  I have never had to pretend to be better than I was because being me was more than good enough.
• My favorite part of our Kilkarney ceremony was when our officiant was announcing us as Mr. & Mrs. Brant Johnson.  "You can now make it Facebook official!"
• October 15th, 2011 was a beautiful and sunny 59 degrees with a hefty winds blowing.  Many of our guest needed to wear their jackets but the short 15 minutes ceremony proved to be worth it.  We had so many compliments about how touching & personal our entire ceremony was and several people commented that our ceremony was the most enjoyable they had attended because it was filled with so much love and laughter.
• Arriving to the reception hall at 6 am the morning of our wedding to decorate was hectic, overwhelming and exciting all in one bunch.  The best part was walking in and discovering a vase of one dozen red roses and a note from Brant.
• The special touch added within our ceremony was by far the Hand Blessing.  We joined hands before exchanging rings while Nate recited the following:
  -These are the hands of your best friend. They are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.
  -These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.
  -These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.
  -These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief wracks your mind.
  -These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
  -May these hands always reach out with love, tenderness and respect.
  -May these hands continue to build a loving relationship that lasts a lifetime
• A couple of months before our wedding, one of my best friends asked me if we would mind sharing a part of our wedding reception so he could propose to his girlfriend, who just happened to be one of my bridesmaid and best friends.  I was thrilled in being able to share in their joy and happiness.  She had NO clue it was coming and that was the best part.  We all watched from the balcony as they "went for a walk".  Perfection at it's best!
• How about ALL of those handmade details?  Wow, so much of my free time in the year leading up to our wedding was spent handcrafting every single detail from the bouquets to the centerpieces.  I wouldn't change a thing.  The details all came together to create a modern country chic fall environment that was everything that I had imagined.  The caramel apples, hot apple cider, homemade pumkin spice cupcakes with buttercream frosting and a candy buffet added hints of my favorite fall things.  I had help from family and friends in perfecting all the projects and I appreciated their lending hands very much.
• Having our family and friends travel from near and very far to share in our wedding day meant so much.  I couldn't believe how packed it was.  All the seats were filled and people were standing on the balcony overlooking our outdoor ceremony & personally written vows.
• The only 2 times I broke down and cried involved my dad.  What can I say, I am a daddy's girl!  He came through the doors to see me for the first time in my wedding dress and had a glistening tear in his eye marked the first time I shed tears that day.  I knew in that moment how happy and proud of me he was.  The second time I teared up was during our father/daughter dance.  A very special moment I will hold in my heart forever.
• All the kissing & hugs from everyone!  I enjoyed kissing Brant as my husband for the first time the most but man did we get showered with all sorts of affection that day!

I know I am totally missing so many more grand memories but these are ones that really stick out in my mind.  Thank you to my husband for everything this past year.  We are stronger together than we could ever be apart.  You have held up to your end of the bargain and have loved me through everything that has come our way.  I hope to only be the same for you that you are to me!

Words can be a great way to describe the events that transpired on our wedding day but photos can offer up so much more sometimes.  Here is a collection of my favorite wedding day photos that captured all of the detail and feelings.  Thanks again to Jen Meneghin Photography for capturing such wonderful photos that tell the story of the day we became husband and wife!

peace & love

bj

Creative Outlet

Having a creative outlet or forum is pretty important to me.  I have always loved being creative in one way or another.  Discovering that photography and writing are the most rewarding creative outlets has been awesome.  I love the fact that I can change some body's mood by the post that I write or the photographs that I take.  These creative outlets are "feel good" ways for me to express my individuality.  It is the part of me that is a "people pleaser" that looks to find ways to make others happy by something that I can do.

Writing has proven to be a way for me to be brave, straight forward, honest and blunt with my opinions.  I have received a couple of personal emails from followers thanking me for putting myself out there.  They praised my ability to connect with readers and show them you don't have to be perfect to be happy.  How cool is that?  The fact that some people have felt that way because of me is so rewarding & encourages me to continue writing from the heart. Being myself and having others accept that is one of the best feelings.

Photography has been a way for me to continue learning.  I love finding out new things.  The sense of accomplishment that I get from mastering something new in photography is overwhelming.  It makes me feel smart, important and empowered.  Being able to use the self-taught knowledge in photography to provide portraits for clients tops the cake.

Obviously, you can read all of the post that I've written for My Wonderfully Imperfect Life blog in the achieve folders at the bottom of the page.  If you would like to view the work that I've done in photography, I invite you to visit my website: www.brittanyjohnsonphotography.com

Lastly, if you truly like or enjoy something that I've written or photographed...let me know!  I would love to hear your thoughts, opinions & suggestions.

peace & love

bj

What A Ride

When my best friend got married this past summer I heard a quote for the very first time in my life that has resonated with me and pops into my head often.  I found it to be fitting for my view of life.  The older I get, the more I see how things make sense and the deeper meanings behind them.  Life is one large over arching lesson and what you take from it is the beauty within your journey.

This morning was one of those mornings that this quote came back to me and made me smile because its words ring true.  Lately, I haven't been feeling quite my best and in those moments I wonder why am I going through this.  I remind myself to stop and look at it as a test of strength, courage and faith.  I am being challenged to see how much I can mentally and physically handle.  I will not feel sorry for myself.  I will not give up.  I will look things straight in the eye and say, "Bring it on; I got this!"  Everything we encounter is all a part of the ride. 

Learn to be thankful, humble and soak up every second you have because tomorrow is not guaranteed.  Wallowing is self pity, becoming depressed and purposely being hurtful will not get you anywhere and doesn't add value to your life.  These are just a couple of examples of lessons I've learned in my twenty-some odd years.

I hope you can read this and find the same appreciate for it as I have.  Thank you Karen for sharing this and providing me another great insight as to how to look at this life that I've been given and finding the blessings stitched throughout!

Life is not a journey to the grave
With the intention of
Arriving safely in a pretty
And well preserved body,
But rather to skid in broadside,
Thoroughly used up,
Totally worn out,
And loudly proclaiming,
WOW!!!! What a ride!

peace & love

bj

Failed Attempts

Our life's journey is made up of the many experiences that we have along the way.  We obviously enjoy the positive and happy experiences the most but a lot of times the failed attempts we encounter are the ones that shape us into who we are. 

Without challenge, there is no progress. 

I am thankful for the many failed attempts that I have had through my life.  In that moment of failure you cannot truly see the lesson hidden within.  I guess that is the beauty in getting older, you are able to reflect upon those situations and find that so called "silver lining".  Failed attempts at things force us to grow and change.  Ultimately, it is up to us to decide in which way we grow and change.  I for one, have always chosen to build upon those failed attempts to create a smarter, wiser and better me.

Here are some of the failed attempts I've encountered.  Some are serious and others, not so much.  I have allowed these experiences to mold me into who I am today and I am grateful for them!

- I was obsessed with trying to fly as a child.  I don't know what it was about it and why I wanted to so badly but my imagination would run wild with ideas of how I could fly.  I got this grand idea that if I jumped off of one of the calf barns while holding onto a garbage bag that I would be able to fly for a bit.  Dumb idea, right?  Nope, not to my nine year old mind!  Needless to say, it hurt a lot when I slammed into the ground.  Sad part of my story: I tried more than once.  Persistence must have been breed into me!  Lesson I learned: I can't fly.

- Learning how to ride a bike was a pretty big deal and I thought I was awesome once I learned.  I must have been about seven years old when I got the challenge from my big brother to play chicken.  I wasn't an expert bike rider and I've never been one to back down from a dare so I agreed.  There we were, riding directly towards each other and neither of us willing to give in.  Well, I ended up flying through my big handlebars and crashing onto the gravel driveway and rolling into the ditch.  The scraps stung badly and lesson learned: don't challenge my big brother or agree to stupid dares!

- Growing up on a farm meant learning how to drive a tractor.  Pretty sweet huh?  Not if you almost knock a grain bin over onto yourself or almost roll the tractor over in the ditch.  This was a serious lesson learned from a failed attempt at driving a tractor.  I wasn't paying full attention to what I was doing and damn near killed myself twice.  Dad didn't let me drive another tractor for a long, long time and I was OK with that. 

- My brother Jason is 2 years older than me and was often my partner in crime while growing up.  We would dare each other to ride the calves while doing chores.  I would repeatedly get the wind knocked out of me from getting bucked off.  I'm lucky I never broke a bone or sprained an ankle.  Lesson I took from it: don't do stupid things that could result in physical harm.

- Girls, do you remember the very first time you ever shaved your legs?  Oh my gosh.  This was an experience that I will never forget.  I was terrified of doing it but already had friends that were shaving so I knew it was time.  By the end, I had like 30 pieces of toilet paper stuck on cut spots and thought to myself that I didn't care if I ever did it again.  What did I learn, nothing really.  I still cut my damn legs, ugh!

- Prom is a huge deal and Senior prom is a pivotal moment in high school.  I wasn't the most popular girl and didn't have a boyfriend so I was fearful of going to prom dateless.  I had hoped that someone would just ask me but as prom got closer, I realized that just wasn't going to happen.  I had a major crush on one of my friends and fellow classmate.  I worked up the courage to call him and ask him to prom.  He had a date already.  Failure and letdown was felt hard that night but the lesson I took from it was to not be afraid of rejection or failure.  You never know what you are capable of unless you try!

- This is a good one.  I made the varsity cross country team as a little 7th grader.  I was at my first race and didn't know what to expect.  I was nervous, excited, anxious and had no clue of the time frame of a meet schedule.  I was waiting in line to use the bathroom when last call to check in was announced.  I had an "oh crap" moment.  What do I do?  I left the bathroom line and got on the start line instead.  There was no way I was going to miss my first ever varsity race.  That decision resulted in me peeing my pants during the race.  Gross, I know.  Hard to relive it but I gained a big lesson from that experience.  I never go into anything with out knowing an overview of the schedule and I always make sure I go pee first!

- Seven is my number... for car accidents I've been in.  Some were my fault, others were not and there was one freak incident too.  Most important lesson I took from these: there is NOTHING that is worth getting hurt in a car accident for.  I am OK with being 2 or 3 minutes behind because I still have my life.

- 2004 Senior track season was a heart breaker.  I missed going to state in the long jump by less than a 1/4 of an inch.  I was new to the 300 hurdles but had a shot at making it to state in that too.  I was leading all the way to 100 meters left when I got to a hurdle that someone had set to the wrong height.  My trail leg caught and I fell.  It was evaluated and the committee granted me another chance to run it, by myself, after I finished anchoring the 4x400 and had a PR for my split.  I ran the 300 hurdles again but I didn't improve due to exhaustion.  Lesson learned: NEVER EVER GIVE UP! 

- Lastly, I could not do this post without sharing my first drinking experience.  I was 17 years old when I drank for the first time.  I thought I was a rock start that Saturday night.  What I didn't realize; church was at 8 AM the next morning.  I'm catholic so we do a lot of stand, sit, kneel, stand, sit, repeat.  This continual motion was no good for me and my first ever hangover.  We were halfway through service when God's mighty hand struck me.  I knew I was going to puke.  I excused myself and once I hit the back of the church I think I ran the fastest 400 meters ever and then proceeded to throw up all over the church's bathroom.  I certainly felt like I was going to hell after doing that.  It was not a proud or shinning moment in my life.  Lesson learned: hangovers and church to not mix.

I know I'm not perfect and I never have been.  I have had to learn things the hard way but I can tell you that I am all the more wiser for having gone through them!

peace & love

bj

When You're Feeling Down

Lately I have been having a lot of fairly large "life decisions" weighing on my mind.  I've been wondering which decision is right and which is wrong, trying not to upset one person or another and being way too concerned about minimal things in life.  I have been feeling nervous, scared & anxious.  Trust me, I don't like feeling like that.  It isn't healthy to do that to yourself.  I am sure that some of you can relate.  I tend to over analyze and I blame that on my type A personality.

Many of us get caught up in things like our career, physical appearance, who our friends are and how nice of a house we have.  It is easy to lose sight of the most important things.  Every once in a while I will get the swift kick in the rear that I need to remind me that I need to stop worrying so much, let go and let it fall where it may. 

I am going to enjoy all the snuggles, smiles & kisses my son gives me.  I won't take for granted the love my husband holds for me in his heart.  I want to always makes sure I take the time to have conversations with my family.  It is important for me to tell everyone who I care deeply about that I love them.  I am going to smile big, laugh till it hurts, love with everything I have, treasure every second of everyday and I won't sweat the small stuff anymore!

One of my friends that knew I have been having a hard time lately shared the following story with me.  It was just the thing I needed to read to make me smile, appreciate all that I have and get me back to what matters most.

peace & love

bj

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’

The professor then produced two beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things—your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else—the small stuff.

‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18 . There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first—the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented. The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’ The beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of beers with a friend.

You Named Your Child What?

When it comes to naming another human being, it can prove to be a difficult task.  I remember being pregnant and reading tons of baby name books, name searching on the Internet & asking friends their opinions.  First lesson learned: never ask family or friends for their opinion because you might not like what they have to say!  I was shocked at how forward people were with their responses to some of the baby names I had picked.  It almost ruins your own opinion of the name and causes you to shy away from it for fear of being ridiculed by everyone around you.  I really wanted a unique or less traditional name for my son.  I don't find anything wrong with common names but for myself, I just felt like I wanted my son to have a name that no other child in his class would have.  It gets confusing when there are 3 kids with the same name in one class room!  After lots of searching and a time span 8 months & 30 days I finally decided on a name for my son.  On April 28th, 2009 I named my first born: Cruz Carter

I love unique names as much as the next person but there is a fine line between unique and down right ridiculous!  Check out this list of names I've come across that people actually named their child.  Some of these will leave you saying, you named your child WHAT?!?!

Seven Sirius
Fifi Trixibelle
Peaches Honeyblossom
Little Pixie
Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily
Moxie CrimeFighter
Poppy Honey
Daisy Boo
Racer Maximilliano
Rebel Antonio
Audio Science
Oranjello and Lemonjello (twin boys)
Peanut Kai
Muffin Zappa
Bluebell Madonna
Jermajesty
Moon Unit
Pilot Inspektor
Sage Moonblood
Memphis Eve
Mayflower
Elleighette
Braxlee
Adorabelle
Providence
Sketch

This is just a short list of a very long one that could be displayed.  May you never find yourself to be one of "those" people whom name their child something absolutely ridiculous!

peace & love

bj

Shit My Kid Says...Part Deuce

I did a post roughly 6 months ago about the shit my kid says and I feel that it is time to do another.  It is amazing how much our children's vocabulary expands in a mere couple of months and their ability to construct full sentences explodes.  I have to chuckle to myself when I hear my son playing in his room.  I am also dumbfounded at some of the things he says directly to me and my husband.  Somethings are funny, some are innocent and some are darn right shocking!  Here is another collection of ridiculously crazy & cute things my babe says:

- Come look Mom!  I took a hundred poops!
- That was a bad choice Mom.
- You and Daddy are being rude to me.  (this is whenever we discipline him)
- Mommy, your hair is beautiful.
- You can't say that.  Its naughty.  Go to time out.
- I pulled my pants down and showed Leah my underwear at school today and she was happy.  My response: "Did you only show her your underwear or did you show her your wiener too?"  Cruz: "Hahaha, oh Mom.  I didn't show her my wiener, that would just be weird."  (WOW, that conversation blew my mind!)
- I pooped my pants, change me.  (pre-potty trained days)
- I want to go to Disney World right now to see Dan & Brittni!
- You legs are poky Mom.  (note to self, shave legs more often)
- Can I put your hair in a pony tail?
- Is your wiener bleeding?  (after sneaking in on me in the bathroom while changing my tampon...I lock the door now!)
- I'm going to marry my Mommy.  (Cruz's response to his teacher's question)
- If I become a runner like them and win, will you be so proud of me?  (while watching Olympic Track & Field...my heart melted!)
- Mommy, leave.  (choosing to play with my beautiful girlfriends over me, bummer)
- I like to poop it, poop it.  (Cruz's version of Madagascar's: I like to move it, move it song)
- Mommy, you be nice and happy to Daddy.
- Daddy, you kiss Mommy.
- I lost.  (Cruz's response after he broke our 5 day old  iPad and I asked him why he threw his monster truck at it...we are working on his sportsmanship!)
- Me: "Cruz, would you like a kitty or puppy for a pet?"  Cruz: " Panda Bear."
- Daddy, it's frickin' cold outside.
- Is there a baby in there?  (Cruz commenting on my full tummy after a potluck, thanks buddy)
- Is this cool or weird? (Cruz's common question to lots of things)
- The carrots in my mouth are icky because they are mushy and crunchy carrots taste yummy (all done in a singing voice)
- But I can't go to bed yet, the sun is still out.  (well played my smart little one)
- I don't have a big wiener like Daddy has because I'm too little. 
- Me: "What do you want to talk about?" Cruz: "Horse's poop."
- Why do we poop?
- Why don't you have a wiener?
- Stay careful Mom!
- I'm really getting older.

There will be so many more things my little Cruz will say that proves to be nothing short of entertaining through the years to come...can't wait!

xoxo

bj