An ode to a dead blog...and also some thoughts on love.

My blog is so cute...
It has so much potential...

...and it's incredibly deserted.

How sad! I am quite possibly the world's worst blogger! Who leaves their blog alone for months at a time? No good, my friends. No good.

I feel that there's so much to say, but there's no possible way to say it all in a mere blog post. Christmas even happened. I'm so sorry. All I can say is that I promise to be better! Or at least try to be better. I would love to see this blog actually go places in 2014 (however, I think that I would get much more traffic if I were a fashionista blogger...).

So here's to the rest of this year and the looming summer that's trying to break through the clouds (come ON!). 

A little something that's been on my heart lately: God's been convicting me in the area of love. I don't mean the fireworks kind of love that Chad and I have (wink wink). I mean loving His people. I've been praying a lot about loving people and seeing them through His eyes. We've all got a story. We've all got our issues. We've all got something. To be completely vulnerable and honest, I struggle with this. I jump to cynical/skeptical conclusions about people. I get annoyed with little things and then have a hard time being around certain people. But Jesus does not teach this. He teaches us to love. Like really love. 1 John 4:7 says, "beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." He's the one who sat at the table with the tax collectors and whores (gasp!). He's the one who gives water to the thirsty and food to the hungry. And we are called to do the same. I've been striving to always give people the benefit of the doubt. To always love. To always speak with kind words and choose peace and harmony.

Harmony.
That's a good word. That is my prayer. For harmony, love, and peaceful things. I know it maybe sounds a bit unrealistic or fantastical...but it's my prayer. I want to love. to really love.

Romans 12:16

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Working for the Weekend

I get up early during the week. By early, I mean early. Like, my alarm goes of at 5:40 each and every morning. And it's wrong. So, so wrong. I strongly believe that no one should have to rise before the sun does. Especially during the winter. Cold, dark, sleepy mornings are the hardest! By nature, I'm a late sleeper (as most are), so when I chose a career like teaching I must not have thought very carefully about the early mornings. In fact, I was probably thinking about the sleep-in days that I'd earn during the 2.5 glorious months of summer. Ahh, yes. How glorious they are. It almost makes me want to fashion a paper chain representing the next 8 months until summer. And that's where the problem is.

I find myself counting down the days to every weekend, every day off, every break- not because I don't like my job, but because I value my sleep so dearly. Just like the famed song says, "everybody's working for the weekend." That's totally me. But I don't like it. I realized yesterday that so many weekdays of mine are wasted because I'm just going through the motions...until the weekend comes. Life's too short for that, if you ask me. Granted, sometimes I'm just so danged exhausted at the end of the day...but I do get out of work by 3pm on most days, which leaves a whole afternoon and evening for me to do great things. Often, I go home, lay on the couch for a bit whilst watching a few episodes of Friends, run to the gym, make dinner, watch more TV, and go to bed. That's nearly 7 hours of time that I could have spent building relationships, reading more, writing more music (for real, I need to get back into the swing of that), hanging out with my family, hanging out with Jesus (hello!), etc. etc. etc....enter guilty conscience. I'm wasting my weekdays...all because I'm looking forward to the weekend. Of course, that's not to say I don't do anything while at work all day! :) But really, I'm sick of wasting my afternoons and evenings.

As a "big picture" type of personality, I'm always looking ahead to the future. And that's not always a good idea. I need to be present... each and every moment of each and every day. No more counting down till Saturday. No more counting the weeks till my next break. I'm going to be intentional about today and everything that this day has to offer. Because before we know it, these days will be gone. I don't want to miss out on all that life has for me.

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow,

 for tomorrow will worry about itself. 

Each day has enough trouble of its own. 

Matthew 6:34 NIV

Glamorous!

If you know me, you know I love my beauty products. I become a kid in a candy store in places like Ulta and Sephora. I just can't get enough nail polish, eye shadows, lip gloss, etc etc etc! It's a beautiful obsession (quite literally), but can make my bank account very angry. Imagine my surprise and delight when I found out about Birchbox, a monthly subscription service that delivers sample-sized beauty products to my door in a pretty box with pink tissue paper. When I discovered Birchbox a little over a year ago, I decided that $10 a month for some new products would curb my appetite for Ulta and Sephora and save me some serious cash. I promptly signed up. After a short stint on their waiting list, I received my first box in the mail...and it was glorious. I got a beautiful full-sized lipgloss in a shade I loved, a cute bronzer called "Hot Mama," and a couple other exciting samples (but ones that aren't exciting enough for me to remember right now). I was pretty happy with the box, until I went online to try and order the lip gloss and saw that it was $28.00. Now, if it were an amazing foundation or something that I needed for my skin, $28 wouldn't seem so bad. But lip gloss? For $28? No thanks. I know that Birchbox is very clear about the fact that their products are "upscale," but I still had hope. So I waited. I got my next few boxes and started getting weird items. By weird I mean orange lipsticks, tiny bottles of nail polish that dried out quickly, a pen (yes, a pen), and post cards. Post cards. I held out for my Birchboxes, believing that things would get better and still getting excited every time the box came in the mail. Unfortunately, things didn't get better, and I ended up with a big bin full of too-tiny, overpriced beauty products and random weird things. So I decided to cancel. It was hard, I'll admit. But worth it.

Then, something incredible happened. My friend Jenna posted some pictures on Instagram of her Ipsy Glam Bags. I saw brands that I loved. I saw products that were full-sized and in gorgeous colors. I saw a real bag that came in your package every month. And I saw the price tag. $10 a month. The same price as my Birchbox, but full of all amazing items? I had to have it! I sent Jenna a message and she sent me her own Ipsy link, so I could sign up through her and she'd get a kickback. I went on the website and signed up as fast as I could. One of the main differences I noticed right away was the quiz that Ipsy has you take to determine the products they'll send you. They asked me specific questions about my beauty routine and my type of skin and hair, colors that I like, and brands that I like to use. I already felt more confident about my new subscription. I was waitlisted, which is normal, but couldn't wait for my new bag! A few days ago, I received confirmation that it was shipped. Yes! I checked my mailbox religiously as soon as I got home, and yesterday it was there! A shiny, hot pink package with my name on it. I could hardly wait to rip into that thing. And when I did, I was more pleased than I ever imagined I'd be!

I got some incredible products! A Bare Escentuals lip gloss in a color that I love, a gorgeous full-sized Zoya nail polish (that my husband says is too "Vikings"...go Pack go), some delicious-smelling and super soft strawberry hand cream, a volumizing hair gel (which we all know I need desperately!), and a nice moisturizer. And here's the best part of all: it's all affordable, quality product that I'd actually consider purchasing, from brands that I love! I can't wait for more Ipsy Glam Bags! I feel more beautiful already. :)

If you're interested in signing up for Ipsy (and obviously I'd recommend it), would you please sign up through this link? Sign up for Ipsy!  I'll get an extra item in my bag if I refer people. You'll get your own referral link once you sign up! 

Woo! Happy beauty-ness!

xoxo,

Angie

On Turning Thirty

On September 14th, my sweet husband turned 30 years old. Thirty! This feels surreal, as I distinctly remember being little and watching the episode of Full House where Danny Tanner turned 30 and thinking "whoa. that's old." Now I'm living it. How. Did. This. Happen?

Packers tickets at Lambeau AND dinner at Oceanaire? I'd say 30 is treating my love quite well, so far.

Chad's about 7 months older than me, so I've still got a little bit of time to soak up my twenties. I always joke about how he's so much older than me, because he was born in an entirely different year. As I'm nearing this dreaded change of decade, I can't help but think about what "high school Angie" would have to say about the place of life I'm in. I'm sure she'd start by making a snotty comment about how my Coach handbag collection has seriously dwindled, of course, but I think she'd probably be pretty surprised above all else. She thought I would certainly have been married for many years and would have completed any pregnancies I was going to have by the time I was 29. Little did she know, I wouldn't get married until 28 and would only be thinking about starting a family sometime soon at the dreaded old age of 29. If only I could see the look on her face now! Side note: both of my sisters got married young and had babies young. It's the right thing for a good Christian girl to do...right? Maybe not for everyone... Side side note: the tense confusion in this paragraph is on purpose. This girl knows how to use verbs properly.

I had a total meltdown at 25. 25 seems so young to have had such a meltdown, but here's the thing: I was unemployed, single, and living with my mom & dad. Things were bleak at my turn of a quarter-century. In true Myers-Briggs fashion, my intuitive side (and Satan) told me that I was far past my prime and I should just give up any hope of a husband and children because my fountain of youth had dried up and all was downhill from that point. Interesting chain of thoughts, I know. However, it's where I was. But what I realized that year would change everything.

You see, there's beauty in growing older. With each wrinkle and grey hair, we grow wiser. As every year passes, I learn more and more about this magnificent journey we call life, and aging becomes less and less scary. 26 was easy. 27 was easier. 28 was awesome (I was planning a wedding, hello). 29 saw the middle of my first year of marriage to my very best friend. Because of these last few years, I honestly can't wait to see what 30 brings. While it seems normal to be all up in arms about turning 30, I find myself excited. I find myself looking at all the possibilities that 30 holds and that makes me so hopeful and ready to take on life. I can't say I'll feel the same at 70, but for now I'm holding fast to the motto that "30 is the new 20." :)

If you're in a place where you just don't want to get older- know that God has plans that you can't even fathom for the next year to come. If that's not exciting, I don't know what is!

xo,
Angie

PS. If I write a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad blog on April 19, 2014 (the big 3-0), I fully give each and every reader the authority to throw this blog entry right back into my face. :)

Trouble in Paradise

Chad and I are in trouble. Big trouble. Super-sized trouble, in fact. In the past year, we've thoroughly enjoyed being married. Marital bliss is incredible and is simply something that cannot be explained. It's something that is represented by gourmet dinners, dinner parties with friends, family-size desserts made for just two people, "love" being shown by a fro-yo date (my fav), appetizers and fun snacks... and the list goes on.

My friends, I must share this devastating news with you: we're fat.

Here's the thing. After I got married, I had a kitchen full of new appliances, cute dishes, and gourmet cookbooks. And I love to cook. How could I leave my cute pink Kitchen Aid mixer to just collect dust? It needed to fulfill its destiny by being used to blend all sorts of delectable goodies. To top it off, my sweet husband told me that when I cooked, he'd do the dishes and clean up because I had just slaved over the hot stove (or crock pot). Yep. You heard that right. I got to cook all of this deliciousness and not clean up a single thing. Life has been beautiful. But now my clothes are tight or they just plain don't fit. Chad, of course, has gotten a little bit of pudge, but all his clothes fit him the same way and no one can tell (men! so frustrating!).

So now is the time... Operation: Get Skinny! began nearly four weeks ago and is in full swing. We took a trip to Chicago at the beginning of August for our one year anniversary and allowed ourselves to eat anything and everything our little hearts desired. Giordano's pizza complete with the signature bubblegum cheese. Sprinkles Cupcakes (I'll have two, please). Chick-fil-a, extra pickles and with an extra side of Chick-fil-a Sauce. And the Italian food that my Sicilian self was begging for. It was almost as if we were eating our last meal. In a way, we were. You see, we had made a pact that when we returned from our little vacay that things were seriously going to change. Boy, have they!

A little bit of background knowledge- about 3.5 years ago, I lost 50 lbs doing the Body For Life diet/exercise program. It's an intense, 12 week program of eating a whole lot of protein and veggies and working out 6 days a week. And it works.

So, I pulled my dusty Body For Life book off of our bookshelf and cracked it open. We've been working our butts off for nearly four weeks and things are starting to pay off! The employees at LA Fitness have gotten used to seeing us come through the doors each and every day, I've gotten used to grocery shopping more often (healthy food goes bad much more quickly...), and some of my clothes are certainly starting to feel a little looser. We still have about 8 weeks left of this particular program, but I'm hoping to continue for quite a bit longer. It feels good to be making good choices and working out each day. It's still hard when my colleagues bring in huge pans of tasty bars, brownies, and cakes (my serious weakness), but I feel empowered and a bit stronger each and every time I resist them. We're on our way, folks! I'll update you as we move forward. We can do this!

xo,
Angie

PS! I can NOT believe I forgot to mention the absolute very best part about Body For Life... FREE DAY! Every Sunday, we don't work out and we eat as we please! This has absolutely been my saving grace during this time. If I want Chipotle, I wait till Sunday. We planned our State Fair trip for a Sunday, because you better believe I wasn't going to pass up jalapeño cheese on a stick or Sweet Martha's Cookies! Punch Pizza? Sunday! Not only does this free day keep you sane, it also tricks your body out of getting used to operating on such a low number of calories. It's really the way to do it! :)

PPS! Seriously, how many different foods did I mention in this post? Addict!

Almond Joy Cupcakes

Okay, so I know my blog isn't a typical "foodie" blog like many people have, but for those of you who know me, you probably know that I love to cook. And that I especially love to bake. And that I even more especially love sweets and candy. So here's a recipe for something easy and incredible (not that I can eat it right now...but more about our new "lifestyle" later...).

Almond Joys have always been my absolute favorite candy bar. My name is Angela Joy, so it must have been meant to be (Angela Joy, Almond Joy...what's the difference?). While my lovely husband can not stand coconut, I love it dearly and always try to sneak it in when I'm cooking. He says it's the texture. I say he's crazy! These cupcakes were definitely not a sneaky-coconut type of creation. They are FULL of coconut and FULL of deliciousness! And easy-peasy! Chad wouldn't even try one. I'm sad for all the spectacularity he's missing out on. I made them for a church staff/elder meeting last weekend; they were an experiment that turned out to be pretty tasty!

Start out by making chocolate cupcakes with your favorite box mix. I used a classic milk chocolate box...but I bet the butter recipe chocolate would be even better! Once the cupcakes are cooled, top them with chocolate frosting that has a bit of coconut extract (to taste), OR if you want it to be even easier, you can use this! Top that with shredded coconut and a single almond. I mean, where can you go wrong? Chocolate & coconut? Yes please! Enjoy!

The finished product!

One year of marital bliss!

One whole year. It is so crazy how time flies the way it does. I always pray for awareness of little things because life is so fleeting. One year ago at this time, I made a commitment that I had dreamt of making my entire life, to a man who continues to surprise me each and every single day. Each day, our love grows stronger than the day before. I honestly never knew I could love like this and I continue to thank God for blessing me with such an incredible husband and fruitful marriage. Chad and I were both 28 at the time of our wedding, which is pretty ancient for marriage in the Christian world. But wow. How glad I am that I waited to make this commitment to the one true person who God has created for me to be married to. And the ride is just beginning!

I was just re-reading my journal entry from August 2, 2012. At one point, I wrote of our wedding day: "I pray that in the midst of the party and the swiftness of the day that we would take time to rest in You and all that You've done to bring us to this day." The funny thing about this prayer is that it has turned into one not only for my wedding day, but for our entire marriage. Our marriage does feel like a party (most of the time). Days do seem to fly by and we often times have to be very intentional about resting in Him on the regular. I pray that we are aware of all that He's doing and has done and that we never take for granted this marriage that He's blessed us with. So many people told us that the first year of marriage is the hardest. We were both sort of expecting lots of challenges and growing pains. I'd totally be lying if I acted like it didn't take time for us to get used to each other (never in my life have I so much as had to share a bathroom with a boy). In fact, many of our days are filled with learning and compromising. But as Chad and I have reflected on our first year, we've both been like, "if that was hard and it will only get better from here, then bring it on!" Our first year has been one full of joy, grace, growing, and, most importantly, love. I can't wait for more of this!

A year goes by so quickly, but it's so strange- I feel like I can't remember what my life was like without Chad as my husband. And I don't ever want to. As Sara Groves sang, "life with you is half as hard and twice as good." This lyric describes my feelings exactly. My life has been so enriched and enhanced by my marriage. Here's to many, many more years as Mrs. King- the best title I've ever had. 

xoxo,

Angie