Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
R-E-S-P-E-C-T... Find out what it means to me!
Respect -To take notice of; to regard with special attention; to regard as worthy of special consideration; hence, to care for; to heed.
I've been noticing an alarming trend these days. Wives are not respecting their husbands. Why is that? Do we feel as women that we have to prove ourselves as rulers and decision makers of the home? Do we have sense of pride that we are the glue that keeps a household running and that are husbands are nothing but dumb creatures that just bring home the money? Or is it that you feel like your Husband's actions do not deserve respect?
That may sound harsh... but that is exactly what the families in our country are saying with their actions.
Sadly, I have had a couple of friends that will talk down to their husbands behind their back and even to their face whether they "deserve" it or not. Completely emasculating their spouse to make them feel like they are not good for anything but to do what they are asked to do.
Respect.
Wives - Do you respect your spouse? Do you respect him as the leader of your household? And do not get me wrong.. this has nothing to do with who is in control or not. I really feel that when God brings two people together in marriage that you become one in the flesh. That you equally share the responsibilities in your marriage. God very clearly states that Wives should submit to their Husband and that Husbands should love and lift their wife up in adoration. Equal in their respect and love for each other. (Colossians 3:18-19) (Genesis 2:24)
But in this post I want to ask all you women out there and see if you really respect your Husband. Let's just focus on that. I can't control how much Andrew respects me but I can love and respect him and pray that he will treat me as God intended him to treat me. I have found that my attitude toward Andrew will often directly impact his attitude toward me. Even if your Husband does not act in a way that deserves respect and love, it is our job as the wives God created us to respect and love them none the less. I'm sure that there are woman out there that find it a daily battle to respect their Husband for the way that they act. Whether your Husband is a believer or an unbeliever it can be just as difficult to treat them with respect. It's a whole lot easier to respect and love someone that deserves it and is pleasant to be around. Can I get an AMEN?
Here is a personal example of my sometimes lack of respect for my Husband in our marriage...
I have always had a strong-willed personality. Sometimes I tend to try and stand on my own in our marriage. I have even tried to pull the whole.. "I am ALWAYS right attitude..." in our little tiffs at home. You know, I don't like when he does that to me so why should I think that he likes it when I do it to him? It doesn't work.. it just makes the other person bitter and more convinced that you are wrong.
The other day, Andrew asked me to PLEASE do something.. something little. I told him I would get to it and then proceeded to go on with my plan for the day. When he got home from work, I had not done what he had asked me to do. I noticed that he noticed but he didn't say anything. In my mind what he was asking me to do was not that important and really insignificant. But in his mind, it was important and the fact that I ignored him and went on with my plan was very disrespectful. A few weeks went by and it happened again. I was super busy with lots of things (as new moms are) and I ignored him again... in my mind putting off this small task for a later date.
Eventually, it got to him. He made a comment that hurt my feelings about it and he asked me why I was offended. I simply replied, "Well...Why are YOU mad at ME?" He told me that he felt I was being disrespectful. WHAT?? I cook and I clean.. I take care of Selah, work, yada, yada, yada, yada. "But Terra, you couldn't stop and take the time to do that simple thing that I asked you to do." Total dagger to the heart. I had disrespected him. I had put myself over him in which caused a level of distrust in our marriage and I had done it on-purpose.
From that day on, I try and respect Andrew how I would want him to respect me. I am SO not perfect and battle the feeling to do what I want first. Having a meek and mild - always willing to do what you ask- attitude does not come naturally to me.
There are several TV shows on right now that have very strong-willed wives that make their husbands look like idiots. It's sad to me. Often, when a Husband is respected and loved he then respects and loves his wife 10 times more. I have seen it time and time again. I have some good friends, Chris and Dawn, that absolutely love and adore each other. Dawn's goal in life is to respect, love and serve her husband. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard Chris get all mushy gushy over Dawn. He is crazy about her. She makes him feel like a man. And I have also seen a Wife love and respect her Husband without fail and he still treats her like scum. She will one day be rewarded by God and that Husband will suffer consequences for how he treated his wife.
God designed marriage to be this way... For Wives and Husbands to respect each other. And when it is done effectivly, Men and Women find themselves in happy and blessed marriages.
Whatever your situation, respect your Husband. God will not look past your efforts even if your Husband may. Obedience will always result in reward.
I think you're awesome!
I've been noticing an alarming trend these days. Wives are not respecting their husbands. Why is that? Do we feel as women that we have to prove ourselves as rulers and decision makers of the home? Do we have sense of pride that we are the glue that keeps a household running and that are husbands are nothing but dumb creatures that just bring home the money? Or is it that you feel like your Husband's actions do not deserve respect?
That may sound harsh... but that is exactly what the families in our country are saying with their actions.
Sadly, I have had a couple of friends that will talk down to their husbands behind their back and even to their face whether they "deserve" it or not. Completely emasculating their spouse to make them feel like they are not good for anything but to do what they are asked to do.
Respect.
Wives - Do you respect your spouse? Do you respect him as the leader of your household? And do not get me wrong.. this has nothing to do with who is in control or not. I really feel that when God brings two people together in marriage that you become one in the flesh. That you equally share the responsibilities in your marriage. God very clearly states that Wives should submit to their Husband and that Husbands should love and lift their wife up in adoration. Equal in their respect and love for each other. (Colossians 3:18-19) (Genesis 2:24)
But in this post I want to ask all you women out there and see if you really respect your Husband. Let's just focus on that. I can't control how much Andrew respects me but I can love and respect him and pray that he will treat me as God intended him to treat me. I have found that my attitude toward Andrew will often directly impact his attitude toward me. Even if your Husband does not act in a way that deserves respect and love, it is our job as the wives God created us to respect and love them none the less. I'm sure that there are woman out there that find it a daily battle to respect their Husband for the way that they act. Whether your Husband is a believer or an unbeliever it can be just as difficult to treat them with respect. It's a whole lot easier to respect and love someone that deserves it and is pleasant to be around. Can I get an AMEN?
Here is a personal example of my sometimes lack of respect for my Husband in our marriage...
I have always had a strong-willed personality. Sometimes I tend to try and stand on my own in our marriage. I have even tried to pull the whole.. "I am ALWAYS right attitude..." in our little tiffs at home. You know, I don't like when he does that to me so why should I think that he likes it when I do it to him? It doesn't work.. it just makes the other person bitter and more convinced that you are wrong.
The other day, Andrew asked me to PLEASE do something.. something little. I told him I would get to it and then proceeded to go on with my plan for the day. When he got home from work, I had not done what he had asked me to do. I noticed that he noticed but he didn't say anything. In my mind what he was asking me to do was not that important and really insignificant. But in his mind, it was important and the fact that I ignored him and went on with my plan was very disrespectful. A few weeks went by and it happened again. I was super busy with lots of things (as new moms are) and I ignored him again... in my mind putting off this small task for a later date.
Eventually, it got to him. He made a comment that hurt my feelings about it and he asked me why I was offended. I simply replied, "Well...Why are YOU mad at ME?" He told me that he felt I was being disrespectful. WHAT?? I cook and I clean.. I take care of Selah, work, yada, yada, yada, yada. "But Terra, you couldn't stop and take the time to do that simple thing that I asked you to do." Total dagger to the heart. I had disrespected him. I had put myself over him in which caused a level of distrust in our marriage and I had done it on-purpose.
From that day on, I try and respect Andrew how I would want him to respect me. I am SO not perfect and battle the feeling to do what I want first. Having a meek and mild - always willing to do what you ask- attitude does not come naturally to me.
There are several TV shows on right now that have very strong-willed wives that make their husbands look like idiots. It's sad to me. Often, when a Husband is respected and loved he then respects and loves his wife 10 times more. I have seen it time and time again. I have some good friends, Chris and Dawn, that absolutely love and adore each other. Dawn's goal in life is to respect, love and serve her husband. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard Chris get all mushy gushy over Dawn. He is crazy about her. She makes him feel like a man. And I have also seen a Wife love and respect her Husband without fail and he still treats her like scum. She will one day be rewarded by God and that Husband will suffer consequences for how he treated his wife.
God designed marriage to be this way... For Wives and Husbands to respect each other. And when it is done effectivly, Men and Women find themselves in happy and blessed marriages.
Proverbs 12:4 - "A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones."
1 Peter 3:1 - "Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives"
Whatever your situation, respect your Husband. God will not look past your efforts even if your Husband may. Obedience will always result in reward.
I think you're awesome!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Vintage Friday Photo Shoot - TAKEN BY TERRA
Click here to check out my latest Vintage Friday Photo Shoot! How are you liking my vintage look?? I need some feedback here, people!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Clean your plate syndrome...
Sooo... I may be a little bit of an hypochondriac. One time I diagnosed myself with lyme disease. True story. Andrew just rolled his eyes and asked if he could get remarried after I died. God knew I needed that man :)
But I can say that I really have this next thing.. the "Clean your plate syndrome".
Y'all... I am down to the last few baby weight lbs that will not seem to depart from me even though I have asked them to leave in Jesus' name!
I have a problem. And don't let me believe that I am the ONLY ONE out there that struggles with this. When we go to a resturant and order a plate of food, without realizing it.. I EAT EVERYTHING IN SITE! I guess it is a little bit of a self control issue.. ok may a big one.
I get to talking and enjoying myself and the next thing you know I am picking up the plate to lick the crumbs off. Ok, not really... But you better believe that I finish the food on my plate. I have a hard time leaving food untouched if I have paid money for it. Heaven forbid that I get a doggy bag.
Before I got married I didn't really have this problem. I would eat a little here and a little there and manage my weight pretty well. But when I married Andrew it was a different story. I began to cook several meals a day for us both and then formed some bad habits.. like.. getting the same portion size as him or rewarding ourselves every day with dessert for numerous reasons. Andrew and I can find any and every excuse to "reward" ourselves with food. It is really hilarious. One time we got milk shakes from Steak and Shake because we were celebrating the fact that I had only gained 10 lbs in my entire pregnancy. OMGoodness! HAHA! I think I gained another 10 lbs just from that milk shake.
The point is... it's time to eat smaller. Eat to live, not live to eat.
Stay fit and healthy all my fellow hypocondriac's out there!
But I can say that I really have this next thing.. the "Clean your plate syndrome".
Y'all... I am down to the last few baby weight lbs that will not seem to depart from me even though I have asked them to leave in Jesus' name!
I have a problem. And don't let me believe that I am the ONLY ONE out there that struggles with this. When we go to a resturant and order a plate of food, without realizing it.. I EAT EVERYTHING IN SITE! I guess it is a little bit of a self control issue.. ok may a big one.
I get to talking and enjoying myself and the next thing you know I am picking up the plate to lick the crumbs off. Ok, not really... But you better believe that I finish the food on my plate. I have a hard time leaving food untouched if I have paid money for it. Heaven forbid that I get a doggy bag.
Before I got married I didn't really have this problem. I would eat a little here and a little there and manage my weight pretty well. But when I married Andrew it was a different story. I began to cook several meals a day for us both and then formed some bad habits.. like.. getting the same portion size as him or rewarding ourselves every day with dessert for numerous reasons. Andrew and I can find any and every excuse to "reward" ourselves with food. It is really hilarious. One time we got milk shakes from Steak and Shake because we were celebrating the fact that I had only gained 10 lbs in my entire pregnancy. OMGoodness! HAHA! I think I gained another 10 lbs just from that milk shake.
The point is... it's time to eat smaller. Eat to live, not live to eat.
Stay fit and healthy all my fellow hypocondriac's out there!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
My Little Garden
Last year for Mother's Day, Andrew bought me a Tomato Tower from Ace Hardware. IT'S AWESOME! We live in a little town home and there is no where to have a garden. Sooo... Andrew bought me this amazing little garden center for my back porch. It has five places to hang vine plants (tomatoes, bell peppers, and jalapeno peppers) from the bottom of the planter and then herbs, flowers, and other veggies up on top (leopard's bane perennial, sweet basil, and cilantro). In honor of this week containing several days with temperatures over 80 degrees I decided it was time to start my little garden. My family was in last week which was amazing. It sure is quiet around here. So I needed something to keep Selah and I occupied :)
Tomato, Bell Pepper, & Jalapeno Pepper Plants
This is the view from my back porch... April showers bring May flowers :)
I hope you're having a fabulous week :)
Monday, March 21, 2011
5 Months Old!
Oh my. My Selah Grace is 5 months old already!! Can you believe it?
We have started some solid foods like rice cereal and she has successfully learned how to roll from her tummy to her back and vice versa. She can almost sit up on her own and she is giggling up a storm ALL of the time. She is such a happy baby. We are completely enjoying her. My Mom and Brother came to our house to spend spring break with us. We did art projects and my Mom got to play dress-up with Selah everyday. I think she enjoyed herself.
To see more pictures of Selah like the one above then click HERE.
Have a blessed day :)
Have a blessed day :)
EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA!
Go to my website to see my latest photography sale, My EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA! Hope to hearing from you soon :)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Editing Process - TAKEN BY TERRA
Click HERE to see a little sneaky peek at a simple version of the before and after my editing process! Enjoy :)
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Spring Cleaning
I am in a spring cleaning mood this week. I have a running log in my mind of each place in my tiny house that I want to clean this weekend. I have seen lots of people out and about buying seeds to start their gardens, mulch to give their flower beds a fresh feel, and all of the trees in our area are starting to bloom! So exciting!
Andrew would disagree though.. his allergies are going nuts!
This time of the year also brings on the need to Spring Clean my heart as well. To eat healthier, exercise, and get back in the swing of spending time with God each day.
I hope this passage of scripture encourages you as much as it has encouraged me today...
Andrew would disagree though.. his allergies are going nuts!
This time of the year also brings on the need to Spring Clean my heart as well. To eat healthier, exercise, and get back in the swing of spending time with God each day.
I hope this passage of scripture encourages you as much as it has encouraged me today...
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your
unfailing love; according to your great
compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart,
O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:1-10
Happy Cleaning!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Baby Showers
The past month has been full of baby showers! First came one of my co-workers, Amanda, who gave birth via c-section to her beautiful daughter Amaya Renee. Then our dear friend Hannah had her twin boys, Jack and Finn, when she was only 30 weeks pregnant. And I'm happy to report that the boys are doing fantastic. I went and saw them last night and it blessed my heart. They are soo tiny!
Then Marisa had her second child, Thomas George. He's pretty tiny too and the most laid back baby I have ever met!
THEN... Brittany is about to give birth to Harper! And can I just say that I am beyond thrilled that Harper will be joining us soon :)
Here are some pictures of the festivities:
Then Marisa had her second child, Thomas George. He's pretty tiny too and the most laid back baby I have ever met!
THEN... Brittany is about to give birth to Harper! And can I just say that I am beyond thrilled that Harper will be joining us soon :)
Here are some pictures of the festivities:
Friday, March 4, 2011
Audrey Franklin - SNEAK PEEK!
Won't you do me a favor and bop on over to my photography blog (CLICK HERE) to see my latest photography session? Thanks!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
It's Tough Being a Woman!
Today, I just needed to type out what was on my mind. My heart is hurting for our world.
Here in America, we have become very selfish human beings. It's got to be all about me or it can't be about anyone. The American dream is not just about becoming successful anymore... it has become more than that.
There are parents out there that are feeling the pressure to make sure their children are the best at everything! Putting their children in a million different sports by the time they are four years old and dishing out severe emotional whiplash when those children fail at anything whether in school or extra-curricular activities. And don't get me wrong.. I am all about teaching your children how to be smart and driven individuals. But there is definitely a fine line there that is often blurred in our culture. And it is not only the children in our society that are thrown these expectations. It is often the adults that feel the effects of this movement as well. There are those parents that live vicariously through the success of their child or they ditch their child and live out their own dreams.
Toddlers and Tiaras. Meet Mackenzie...
There is this new idea that mothers need to define themselves and that by doing that, leaving your husband and children to make that happen is acceptable.
A Today Show Special
WRONG! That is a lie that Satan has thrown at mothers across America. Believe me.. You can be a mom and a wife and still be YOU! The problem is that women and men alike are defining themselves by what they do and how successful they are at that one thing instead of defining themselves as child of God first and foremost. Our priorities have gotten all out of whack.
When I was in college I saw this all the time. Being a commercial music major in a very successful fine arts program you are taught how to make yourself marketable. It's all about being the best and always striving to become better and better and better. There is a difference between always learning new things and striving to become perfect. I saw young girls destroy themselves after a performance at school when they didn't do it perfectly. Accepting ourselves for who we are as women in this society is a challenge. And becoming a wife and a mom does not mean that your life is over. When I married Andrew and especially when I became pregnant with our first baby, a lot of people that I knew looked at me and would say, "well, I just really wish you would have done this and this and this before all of this happened." Well, gee... thanks. So basically, what you are telling me is that because now that I am a wife and a mom my life has officially ended? That because I didn't reach my ultimate potential before I got married and had kids that means I will never reach it? That's a pretty sad way to look at how God created our world.
Being a wife and a mom is hard work! The one thing that will make it harder is by letting that take precedence over your relationship with God. It can become very overwhelming taking care of every one and every thing when no one is pouring anything into you.
Husbands, love your wives more than you love yourselves! Tell them how great of a job they are doing. Surprise them often. Help them live out their dreams. Two people can really make accomplishing dreams a whole lot easier than one person.
Ladies, wake up with purpose! Wake up knowing that God is going to show you something remarkable before your head hits the pillow again. Spend time with him first thing in the morning searching for his purpose for you.
If you are looking for some guidance in how to find that purpose in your life I recommend the biblestudy "Esther, It's Tough Being a Woman" by Beth Moore.
Esther, It's Tough Being a Woman from LifeWay Media on Vimeo.
Stay strong all you Moms out there! I'm praying for you!
Here in America, we have become very selfish human beings. It's got to be all about me or it can't be about anyone. The American dream is not just about becoming successful anymore... it has become more than that.
There are parents out there that are feeling the pressure to make sure their children are the best at everything! Putting their children in a million different sports by the time they are four years old and dishing out severe emotional whiplash when those children fail at anything whether in school or extra-curricular activities. And don't get me wrong.. I am all about teaching your children how to be smart and driven individuals. But there is definitely a fine line there that is often blurred in our culture. And it is not only the children in our society that are thrown these expectations. It is often the adults that feel the effects of this movement as well. There are those parents that live vicariously through the success of their child or they ditch their child and live out their own dreams.
Toddlers and Tiaras. Meet Mackenzie...
There is this new idea that mothers need to define themselves and that by doing that, leaving your husband and children to make that happen is acceptable.
A Today Show Special
WRONG! That is a lie that Satan has thrown at mothers across America. Believe me.. You can be a mom and a wife and still be YOU! The problem is that women and men alike are defining themselves by what they do and how successful they are at that one thing instead of defining themselves as child of God first and foremost. Our priorities have gotten all out of whack.
When I was in college I saw this all the time. Being a commercial music major in a very successful fine arts program you are taught how to make yourself marketable. It's all about being the best and always striving to become better and better and better. There is a difference between always learning new things and striving to become perfect. I saw young girls destroy themselves after a performance at school when they didn't do it perfectly. Accepting ourselves for who we are as women in this society is a challenge. And becoming a wife and a mom does not mean that your life is over. When I married Andrew and especially when I became pregnant with our first baby, a lot of people that I knew looked at me and would say, "well, I just really wish you would have done this and this and this before all of this happened." Well, gee... thanks. So basically, what you are telling me is that because now that I am a wife and a mom my life has officially ended? That because I didn't reach my ultimate potential before I got married and had kids that means I will never reach it? That's a pretty sad way to look at how God created our world.
Being a wife and a mom is hard work! The one thing that will make it harder is by letting that take precedence over your relationship with God. It can become very overwhelming taking care of every one and every thing when no one is pouring anything into you.
Husbands, love your wives more than you love yourselves! Tell them how great of a job they are doing. Surprise them often. Help them live out their dreams. Two people can really make accomplishing dreams a whole lot easier than one person.
Ladies, wake up with purpose! Wake up knowing that God is going to show you something remarkable before your head hits the pillow again. Spend time with him first thing in the morning searching for his purpose for you.
If you are looking for some guidance in how to find that purpose in your life I recommend the biblestudy "Esther, It's Tough Being a Woman" by Beth Moore.
Esther, It's Tough Being a Woman from LifeWay Media on Vimeo.
Stay strong all you Moms out there! I'm praying for you!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
My day.
Here's a little glimpse of what my day looked like..
Somebody is fighting sleep today...
Look at those eyelashes!! She got those from me :)
Ginger is fighting sleep too. And look at that HONKER! She didn't get that from me... :)
Ummm.. it's a little difficult to touch up your nails when you have a almost five month old. This may take me all day. But it will get done!
The name is my favorite part about the nail polish. Muchi Muchi
It's 6:21 and I already feel like going to bed.
Good night y'all.
While talking on the phone with Andrew this morning, he mentioned that Genesis Diamonds in Nashville now carries the Tacori brand. He told me that we should get all dressed up and go get my ring cleaned. You know.. we don't want any one at Genesis Diamonds thinking we are rednecks or anything... :)
It's 6:21 and I already feel like going to bed.
Good night y'all.
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