Rule #32...

I watched a movie called “Zombieland” the other night…it was gory, bloody and full of sarcasm (my native tongue). Okay so it’s not for everyone. But one of my favorite parts of the movie was the ongoing list of survival rules.
My favorite rule for surviving Zombieland?
Rule #32: “Enjoy the little things”

Let’s be honest, that’s a good rule for surviving life in general. And lately life has seemed so busy and stressful that I could use a few good “rules” to keep me in line.

So in the spirit of Surviving Zombieland Rule #32 I have composed a list of some “little things” that make my life enjoyable….

- Making my husband laugh

- Cloudy days

- Snuggling with the dogs

- “I just can’t put it down” books

- How good coffee makes me think of my mom

- A glass of wine at the end of a long day

- Christmas Everything

- Long card games with family

- Dancing around the house

- Finding songs to add to the soundtrack of my life

- Snapping goofy puppy pictures with my phone

- Saturday morning cartoons in bed

- Playing with my fancy camera

- Walking extra slowly down the coffee aisle of the grocery store

- Sleeping-in

- Stumbling upon good quotes

- Inside jokes with my sisters

- Getting mail

- Lazy football Sundays with AJ

- Photography blogs

- Slow Beatles songs and comfy Beatles shirts

- Praying in the shower

- Losing myself in a journal entry for hours

- Working in my sweatpants

It hit me while composing my list that it could truly go on for days…
So here’s your homework: Make a list of the “little things” you enjoy in YOUR life…it’s humbling to see how blessed you really are and we could all use a reminder once in awhile right?

P.S. Below are some of the other “Zombieland Rules” that I think are good “Life Rules”:

Cardio
Wear Seat Belts
Travel Light
Get a Kick Ass Partner
Shake it Off
Always carry a change of underwear
Opportunity Knocks
It’s a marathon, not a sprint, unless it’s a sprint, then sprint
Avoid Strip Clubs
When in doubt know your way out
A little sun screen never hurt anybody
Double-Knot your Shoes
The Buddy System
Check the back seat

Love,
Elyse

(Two of my favorite "little things" together...Cloudy Day and Fancy Camera)

Every Season...

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

~Nichole Nordeman - Every Season ~

Do you feel that?

It's Fall trying to creep in and smother this miserable Summer heat. I think God created Fall and Winter specifically for people who live in Phoenix. I imagine while he was planning he thought to himself "Yep, they'll need a break from this heat to keep their sanity..."

This year more than any other I've craved this change of season. I guess realistically I've just been craving change. I've always been one of those people that rearranges rooms when they are restless and cleans when they're angry...and lately the impulse has been to make things look rentable/buyable. Instead of decorating our house just for us I am in more of a "staging" mode trying to make the house look more appealing to others as well.

Don't get me wrong - I feel incredibly blessed to have this beautiful home to live in. But I do feel a slight tug in a different direction... like we're being called somewhere else.
I'll continue to pray about it because I know God will lead us where we belong next.

And while I wait for an answer I will enjoy watching not only another season change but also watching how our lives will change as well.

Love,
Elyse

True love stories never have endings...

Let me make this observation about weddings: The bride is ALWAYS nervous. This is my favorite part.
Why? Because these nerves will be written on her face all day: during hair, make-up, pictures, etc.
But if you watch closely that expression always changes when she rounds the corner towards her husband. Her expression becomes the perfect combination of calm and excitement.
I've been there...I went from a "Please God don't let me vomit on my pretty dress" expression to "Wow, how did I get so lucky?" as soon as I saw AJ waiting for me at the end of the aisle.

Sarah looked beautiful that day as she walked up to me and asked, "Were you nervous? Because I just asked a friend and she said she wasn't..."
I interrupted her, "YES. Trust me, I was a bucket of nerves and all kinds of nauseous before the wedding".
Looking back...this would have been a great time to impart some sage wisdom on how great marriage has been and how calm she will be soon...but alas...I went with brutal honesty (Work on that Elyse).

Sarah and Russ were married on a beautiful day in Colorado: the weather was perfect, they were surrounded by family and friends and they couldn't have looked happier...see for yourself...

Love,
Elyse