More food for thought.......

I read the devotional for today and found myself thinking "this is me.....this is exactly me" and then it started to bother me. It's funny, especially with devotionals that are sent to us daily because sometimes we actually read them and then sometimes we don't, we pretend to pay attention and read it but we are really just skimming. I'm glad I read today's though, because sometimes for me it helps to know that I'm not the only one who has issues with relationships.

I have always been kind of loner, I've blogged about this before. But I find myself especially when it comes to other women in my life holding back and keeping myself guarded. I can't really put my finger on it except that like this devotional says I've gotten burned by one to many people at a young age and just decided that instead of allowing others to get to me I put a guard up and say "Not me, you can't hurt my feelings because you will never really know how I feel, I'll never share that" and just like today's devotional said we loose our ability to grow from true fellowship with other Christian women therefore hinder our growth spiritually.

I'm not great at apologizing, never have been. I can talk through problems and explain how I feel but the actual "I'm sorry" isn't something that comes out so easy. Although I had a situation recently where my feelings were hurt deeply by people I care about and funny thing is, however awkward it might be to apologize that's all I wanted to hear. I wanted responsibility to be taken, to say "I'm sorry for hurting you, for disappointing you" and while I know people don't always do that (like me) I think it's mainly because people, me included, would rather go on pretending it didn't happen than say I'm sorry.

As I look onto other situations in my life I find that I have let situations like this one break me and loose my faith and trust in people. Instead of talking through the hurt with the ones that hurt us we often just ignore it and go about our business. I am learning through growth and experience that situations aren't often as horrible as they seem and simply talking about feelings is okay, even if we don't get the exact response we want. But I do think God places situations in our lives to grow and hopefully be open to change and lessons. I have learned this lesson recently........

Not all people are who you think they are, some are better than we expect and some worse. Living a life full of forgiveness for YOURSELF not from others is really the way to grow in Christ. I can't let others people's actions hurt me and hinder me to put up a guard or shield that tells others, "she is to hard to be close too" I have to allow Christ to work through the ones that hurt me and not me work through them. That will never work, I just have to remember that the one and only person in my life who is consistent, loving, and always willing to listen is God. And through his grace I learn forgiveness and the ability to love others even when it doesn't feel like they love me.

Food for thought

Thought this was a GREAT devotional as I know I struggle with many friendships in my life. I just wanted to share, it's from Proverbs 31 Ministries:

Women: Friend or Foe?
28 Jul 2009Rachel Olsen"I'm a friend and companion of all who fear you, of those committed to living by your rules." Psalm 119:63 (MSG)Not long ago I would've told you that I don't much like women. I counted a few as friends, but the rest of the gender I dismissed categorically as too much trouble. Never a "tomboy" by any stretch of the imagination, I just found guys so much easier to deal with. They generally say what they mean, let you know where you stand, and never size you up to determine who has the better haircut.

I didn't want to distrust women, but the majority of females in my life at the time evoked that response. They were catty, competitive, and conniving. They gossiped, backstabbed and manipulated. I have to admit that I often responded in kind. Isn't it str ange how addictive relational drama can be?

I'm told you can put a frog in a pot of cold water on the stove and gradually turn up the heat, and it will stay in the pot until it reaches a fatal boil without attempting escape. Evidently the frog doesn't realize how unhealthy the situation is slowly becoming. I can't vouch for the accuracy of that fable - I'd never boil a frog! - but I've been in a few friendships that were like that. I stayed way too long in the pot before I realized this isn't healthy for me, and I got burned.

So what lead me to flip-flop my position on having girlfriends? First, I decided to follow Christ. This sparked many beneficial changes in my mind and spirit. Where I had been cynical and guarded, God's love penetrated and softened my heart. I learned the meaning of Proverbs 18:24, "There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother" (RSV). Christ was now my forever friend who could be trust ed completely.

I also made changes in my choice of girlfriends. With the help of the Holy Spirit and lessons on character from the book of Proverbs, I learned to recognize which people and relational patterns were unhealthy for me. I was ready to be rid of the drama! The Bible teaches, "He who walks with the wise grows wise" (Proverbs 13:20, NIV). I wanted to walk with wise women through life. Many of my current-at-the-time friendships ran their natural course and dissolved. A few transformed along with me. But a few I deliberately phased out because my own character wasn't strong enough yet to remain Christ-like in their company.

Meanwhile, I prayed for quality friendships with women of faith. God heard my prayers, just as the Bible promises He does. Fun-loving, God-loving, gracious women at my church sought me out and invited me out. And I made the choice to trust them and invest. I discovered how beneficial it is to surround yourself with women who inspire your walk with God.Over time, God birthed in me a huge love and great compassion for women. I began seeing them through His eyes and not just the lens of my own hurtful past. I realized that not all women are like those I had known. I also learned to forgive and pray for those who've hurt me.

Today I cherish my friendships with the women in my life.What about you? How are your friendships? Do you find yourself entangled in an unhealthy relationship? Are you in emotional hiding after being burned? Maybe you've written off the entire gender because of the trouble you've seen. Take that to God and ask Him to heal and bring restoration to your heart. Ask Him to send godly, wise women into your life. Then muster up the courage to respond and befriend them.Neither gender is categorically a foe – but I count myself happy to be sipping tea, playing Dominos, doing Bible study, shopping and sharing my dreams with sisters of the fairer sex. Won't you join us?

Dear Lord, I want to have good friends, and to be a good friend. Help me to develop godly friendships, in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Show us your Wedding Dress, even if it's a few days late

Over at Kelly's Korner she is now doing "Show us your Wedding Dress", so even though I'm late (they are usually posted on Fridays) I decided to share a few of my pictures from my wedding. I didn't get the digitals so I took pictures of my pictures like some of the others who participated. I had a video of the wedding too so I limited myself on how much money I spent with the photographer. But you should be able to see them, Enjoy!!

My Aunt Angie, she and my mom did SO much of the work for my wedding. This was the ONLY picture I got with her. I am so grateful she is so much a part of our lives, she not only brings humor to the family but is a great person to talk too. Lots of life lessons she has to share!

The Petty Family: (starting from the left, Melanie, Big Chris and Ethan; Brenna, CJ, Kristen, me, Dave, Sherry, Gordon, Jenn, and Bailey. Braiden just happens to be not seen because of the flash. Boo)

The Pecor Family: (from the left, my Dad, my mom, me, Dave, Leslie and Jenna)

The is probably Dave and I's most FAVORITE picture! You can't tell but we were coming right off the aisle into the sunset, our photographer didn't do anything to the picture. The sun just happened to be in the right spot!

I LOVE this picture too though. We were coming right into the reception and I hadn't seen what it looked like. I started crying right after this picture because my mom and all her friends did SUCH an amazing job! It was beautiful!!!

We had to get a picture with Leslie, me, Dave and CJ. Pretty cool, two sets of twins in the family! Although now days no really seems to think we look alike.

The BRIDAL party! Dave's favorite part of the wedding was the Chuck Taylor's all the boys wore. Dave loves Chucks, he wears them with EVERYTHING! So Dave wore white ones while the groomsmen and ushers wore brown. Even my dad and father in law wore them! It was very cool.

My girls, from the left it's Kristen, Amber, Leslie, Jenna, Emily, and Jennifer (or Sharghi as I like to call her). Every single one of these girls has been so great to me for all different reasons. I feel very fortunate to have such great friends in my life and even though we don't always get to hang out like the old days, each one holds a very special place in my heart.

Thanks for visiting! Hope you enjoyed seeing some pictures of our wedding!! You know, every couple fights, it's just part of life but sometimes when Dave and I are having a rough day or two I look at our wedding pictures or video and somehow it makes me feel better. Just to know that one day we vowed to work together and NEVER give up. Keep on livin as Dave likes to say. L-I-V-I-N!

I love surprises when I get home

Anyone out there have a lab? Goodness! I have blogged before about our dogs, they are both wonderful but geez! Today just about pushed me over the limit to banish our lab (C'mere is his name) outside for good!!

I came home, while on the phone with Jenna, to a very and I mean VERY fowl spell that hit me as soon as I walked in my house! Yuck!! So while I ventured in to see what had happened, I found C'mere in my favorite chair (he thinks it's his and it drives me nuts!) with his head already hanging low and giving me the sappy brown eyes. He had gotten into our kitchen trash can and pulled out almost everything! There was trash all over, that was the good part though. I went further down the hall and found a huge surprise all over my carpet. Evidently the trash he ate didn't set to well in his belly and came out all over my floor. I wasn't as mad as I usually am, probably because the smell was horrible and just wanted it cleaned up but man. One thing is for sure, I do not look forward to cleaning up poo with a kid if it smells anything like what I experienced today!

So my question, which is the point of this entire post, has two parts:

1. While I don't want C'mere to stay outside all the time, I need some pointers as to what to do to keep him off my furniture. Not that our furniture is super nice but he sheds pretty bad and it drives me crazy to have blonde dog hair on my furniture and clothes all time.

2. I'm not sure how to break him of the habit of getting into the trash. We don't have a cabinet tall enough to put our trash can in so unfortunately unless we want to take the trash out repeatedly by using a small trash can we have to keep the big trash can by our kitchen island. Any ideas???

Dave and I FINALLY compromised about leaving him outside during the day (only if it's not super hot) and let him come in when we are home. And that was a long time coming, Dave did not want to budge on that topic but we "talked" it out and decided it was for the best.........you know that whole talking thing DOES work sometimes ;)

Tuesday? Feels like a Monday!!

Do you have those days where you look back and say "man, I wish I would have handled that situation better?" Needless to say, I had an eventful morning. It took me quite a bit to get to work today and regardless of what actually happened, the real lesson in this morning was that sometimes life just happens to us and it's how we react that really matters. I, embarrassing enough, didn't handle the situation thrown at me very well. Shame on me. I felt this little voice in the back of my head telling me my reaction wasn't what it was suppose to be. And of course, I know who that voice was. God was telling me I should have used the situation and responded in a more positive manner. Lesson learned, and I for sure want to make sure in the future I remember that little voice and respond in a more loving and Christian like way.

On a more positive note, my day ended very well. I am in my new role as a CEL (Corporate Education Liaison) and got to spend some time today with a really nice lady who has been a CEL for a long period of time so I got some great ideas! It's so amazing to me to be in my new role. I have this great new opportunity to do really well at a job I think I have a knack for.

I'm kind of in a period of raising my self esteem again though. After being in a role that I think was a great learning opportunity but not something I was exactly excited to do I feel like my confidence level has dropped a bit. So I think it might take a while to build it back up to where I felt like I was when I was at Roadhouse. For some reason, I felt so comfortable like in my element at Roadhouse. And it's new at UOP. The culture almost feels the same though but in a different way. There is definitely more growth potential at UOP and has some really great people there.

I think it's going to be a long hard rode to get where I want but I'm looking forward to it!! So if anyone out there is interested in getting back into school let me know. I know a really good one ;)

Graduation Weekend

Today I officially graduated from the University of Phoenix.

It was held at the American Airlines center and I tell you one thing, what people did before access to the Internet on their phone isbeyond me!! Facebook, magazines, and games kept the family busy since there was almost 1, 000 people walking in the ceremony.

Yes, 1, 000; is that crazy or what!?! The ceremony was very nice and

I didn't trip walking across the stage so that was another plus!

We went out Saturday night with Leslie and her boyfriend, some friends and our new neighbor friends too! I am always very thankful for two people in my life, Amber and Mary. I have been friends with Mary since kinder garden and no matter what important event in my life is going on, she always makes it a point to come and celebrate. We don't see each other much so I always cherish that she shows up. Amber is another person who no matter what is always so happy for me when something good is going on in my life. And the two of them together is just hilarious!!

After graduation we went back over to my parents to eat some good food and spend some time celebrating!

Some pictures of today, enjoy!

My wonderful husband, I can't even put into words how wonderfully supportive and loving Dave has been. I am so thankful I get to share my life with someone like him. He is incredibly sweet, considerate, and loving. Thank you Dave for all your words of encouragement and for being such a great and positive person in my life. I love you more than you know and am astonished at how my love for you continues to grow with every day that passes.

I am the one right in front is this picture behind the blonde ;)

My mom and dad did such a good job planning it all and getting the food, Brian (Leslie's boyfriend) made ribs that were AWESOME along with probably the BEST potato salad ever. Gordon (my father in law), Corey (brother in law), Jenn and Bailey (sister in law and niece) and my aunt came too. It always feels so special to me when you have people around to celebrate and I feel so incredibly blessed I have such a great group of people to call my family. My mom and dad especially made this day great, thank you Mom and Dad
for encouraging me and being so supportive!

It's been a long weekend so I'm off to bed to try and catch some extra sleep for this week!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Little playdates

We had an eventful weekend at the Petty house! We got to keep my niece Brenna and it was lots of fun! Maybe minus the 6am wake up call, it was like clock work with that kid. And when she was up, she was ready to play! We had a playdate Saturday afternoon with Amber and Logan and the kids had such a great time!

Thank you Amber and Logan for letting us come play at your house!

We ended the date with dinner at our favorite steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse of course! By then the kids were great friends, boyfriend and girlfriend to be exact! Here is Amber, Brenna, and I (it was girls on one side, and stinky boys on the other!)

Brenna LOVED the recording machine. She sang and sang! This little contraption is super cool, you can sing and play the piano and record yourself. Logan was a pro! He knew all the ins and outs and was very nice to have share it!

After some swimming, Amber brought out the very cool little "cars" for the kids. I tell you what, Logan already knows how to drive, he is SO good at it. Just goes all around! I feel he might be a speeder like his Mommy when he gets old enough to drive!

Logan had this huge water slide, so much F-U-N! Brenna was a little shy when we first got there, Amber ended up going down the slide first so Brenna would and after that it was over, they went down that thing over and over again.

Are they not just super cute or what! And yes Brenna is tan! She gets that skin from her mother, Kristen has flawless skin; serioulsy.

Thank you for letting us come to play Logan! Brenna had a great time!!

It was nice for me too, I haven't seen Amber in forever so it was nice to be able to do something fun with the kids while still hanging out. The kids were pooped after we were done, Brenna fell asleep about 5 minutes into the ride home. We finished off the stay with breakfast this morning before Kristen and CJ came to get her. Later we are off to Dave's parents to celebrate his dad's birthday. I think a nap will be needed before that event!!!

Prayer for this week

This was the devotional for Sunday and I just now read it but I think it's so good. Simple but true. I challenge you to pray the simple prayer towards the bottom everyday this week before you start working............may see a difference for the next couple of days.

From the Purpose Driven Connection Daily Devotional:

The apostle Paul says, "Do all your work in love." He doesn't say some of your work, but all of your work. He also says "no matter . . . what I do, I'm bankrupt without love" (1 Corinthians 13:3 MSG).

The point is, any job can be turned into worship when it is built on the model of Christ's love; that love is expressed to co-workers, clients, and customers. Mother Teresa said, "It's not what you do so much that matters, but how much love you put into it."

Think about it like this. Two-thirds of the word career is "care": C-A-R-E. John Rushcan once said, "When love and skill come together, expect a masterpiece."

So, I want you to pray a prayer every day this week. When you get up to go work—whether it's at home or at school, in your backyard or at an office or wherever you work—I want you to pray, "Father, today I want to worship You through my work. I want to express my gifts, I want to do it as if I'm doing it for You, and I want to do it in love.""

So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him. This is the true worship that you should offer" (Romans 12:1 TEV).

I've been tagged!

Thanks Libby!! Let's see no children for me so confessions it is! :)

Five Random Facts about me:

1. I eat breakfast every morning because it's the most important meal of the day

2. I check the mail everyday, it drives me crazy not too.

3. I am addicted to being tan, drives me crazy not to have some color

4. One of the things I liked to do when I get bored is take our chuck wagon (like a golf cart on steroids) out for a little drive around the neighborhood

5. I still watch re-runs of 90210 almost daily, I can't help it I love that show

Six Things I wish I could do:

1. Win the lottery

2. Visit Germany

3. Have an endless amount of time to do all the things I want to do

4. Skydive, although this would never happen because I'm too scared to

5. Spend like a day or week in a different period of time, I would prefer like during the 1950's

6. Horseback ride without fear of being thrown off (I was when I was little, can't get over it)

Five Confessions:
1. I would still work as a Service Manager at Texas Roadhouse if the schedule fit my life style better
2. I actually do enjoy sitting in the deer stand with Dave hunting, now shooting isn't something I have grown fond of yet
3. I love my dogs but sometimes I wish they weren't so needing attention wise
4. I sometimes think the end of the world will happen in my life time
5. I don't ever want to visit Japan, China, or pretty much anywhere in Asia
Seven Favorite Movies of all time:
1. The Notebook
2. Walk the Line
3. Footloose
4. Sex and the City
5. P.S. I love you
6. Tommy Boy
7. Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion (sorry can't help it)
5 Favorite TV Shows:
1. Friends
2. The Office
3. Tori and Dean Home Sweet Hollywood
4. 90210
5. American Idol
Six Bands I want to see in concert:
1. Dave Matthews (I go every year and will continue for as long as he tours)
2. Faith Hill
3. Zack Brown Band
4. George Strait (I'm with you on this one Libby)
5. John Mayer
6. Rascal Flatts

Five Favorite Pics of the Year

Thanks for tagging me Libby!!!! Hope you all enjoyed it! :)

We're back and we survived!!

The past week has been amazing! Mexico was so great, very relaxing! And I must say the flight there and back were quite pleasant surprisingly. The entire week consisted basically of waking up, getting some breakfast and heading down to the pool for the day. I left the resort once, seriously. Dave went deep sea fishing and had fun despite him being sea sick the majority of the time. It's a pretty funny story so I'll leave it him to tell it,

it's always funnier when he does.

Here Dave is with the swordfish Dwayne caught and all the fish they caught:

This picture is for my Dad, he loves the Blues Brothers

Us on the first day in Mexico

In the lobby of our hotel

And the weekend before we left we had a breakfast to celebrate my Mom's retirement! It was yummy! We had a great time and great food!

And now it's back to work tomorrow........but there is good news!!! Before I left I found out I got promoted! I am now officially a Corporate Education Liaison for the University of Phoenix. It's definitely going to be challenging and hard but I'm very excited about it and hopefully I can work hard and do well. I feel very blessed and am looking forward to starting something new!

Home Sweet Home, feels good to be back in my own bed! But the best feeling is not having to worry about the water, I was so terrified of accidently drinking the water down there and getting sick, nothing yet but I'll keep you posted :)