The Blindside

Okay - so I guess I am just a movie review blogger now but I had to take a short minute to write about such a wonderful movie. And wonderful it was...when I heard all the talk about Sandra Bullock being nominated for awards...I was like yeah yeah...whatever - but I can tell you my friends, she does a superb job! What a great, feel-good movie...it wasn't too sad (although my heart tugged at the thought that this was based on a true story and what that meant in relation to where this boy came from) and it definitely had great moments where I truly found myself belly laughing. On so many occasions, I was thinking...that is exactly how I would have handled that if it were I in this mom's position...the funny thing is that after the movie, Dave said that he thought of me in a lot of her actions...I won't ponder on that for too long :o) I just identified so much with this strong woman who refused to idly sit by when it came to making sure her kids needs were met. The parallels did not just stop with myself...my husband also related so much with Tim McGraw's character which when watching the movie and the "football" game, it was like someone was acting out our lives. We laughed for a long, long time after the movie just about that one scene...because I can tell you...there are many times where I wished I had certain resources available to me as she did in this scene (how is that for vague so as to not ruin it for you :o) ...and many times my husband would like to do nothing more than to put a harness on my sometimes too emotion-driven actions. So so fun!! If you have not seen it, please take your family - I promise it to be one of the best movies you have seen in a good long while. (disclaimer: there is one 3 letter curse word that is used...but momma Touhy is very quick to correct the behavior :o)

New Moon :o)

Okay...so yes I am a Twilighter...I cannot believe the angst that comes up with people when you say that outloud...its like what is the big deal about liking these books and movies. There are some really strong opinions out there and I find it funny how most of it comes from people who have never read the books.

I will admit, my whole reasoning for starting the books was due to the fact that I have a teenage daughter who wanted to read them. I knew they were about vampires and all the little warnings went off in my head that these books would probably not be good for her. So to prove the point that they were bad to read, I decided to read some of Twilight to have first hand knowledge of why she shouldn't be allowed to read them...and guess what...yep you guessed it! I loved them.

I know young teenage love with a little far fetched imagination thrown is not everyones idea of an interesting read; however, for me it was in many ways a step back into my younger years and remembering those all too precious feelings of being young and in what I considered love. Sometimes I think that is what appeals to all the moms out there that have becomes fans. As for my daughter, there are far worse influences than vampires that drink animal blood (unless your PETA feelers run deep) and who make it a point to WAIT for marriage to have sex. I love that my daughter was able to read this fantasy and get a break from the everyday WHY WAIT message. And even though there are definitely things in the book that I don't advocate...fully knowing many could point out all the points they disagree with...I certainly was surprised by the overall content and even the author's approach concerning God.

So with all that being said...the greatest part of these books have been being able to share them with my daughter. They have created a language between us that has allowed us to talk about things far more important than the Twilight series as they have become a doorway in so many ways that has broached some of those hard issues. Which believe me...when you have teenagers, you understand the importance of being able to open up those lines of communication...for that I will be forever grateful knowing we have been able to share this common ground.

The only drawback at this point is that my daughter really believes that she should grow up and marry Taylor Lautner which is understandable since I was suppose to grow up and marry Rick Springfield...but in the end...she will find that perfect special someone just as I did and in the meantime get to experience what being young and having those sweet teenage crushes is all about!

Time flies by...

So I haven't blogged in so long because I have been working bunches of hours and somehow I just can't motivate myself to write after work when I feel like I have been hit by a bus. This is my first day of vacation and really it isn't going to be a full blown vacation because I am doing some contract labor which isn't much fun but it is good money so praises for that.

God always provides and it is awesome to be able to sit back and watch Him work. I am a doer and a control freak of the highest order...it is very difficult to let go and just trust. I think sometimes God says okay here is the test...and I have the greatest expectations for how you will not only pass it but be so much better because of it. But so often I see myself getting caught up in the 'why do you let these things happen God' and miss all the little things along the way. The way He provides the help so that we can not only endure the test but become the man or woman He knows we can be. I always have this joke that I don't need anymore character...I have plenty...but the truth is...that can never be the case and I am glad He knows that and isn't satisfied with just letting us settle to be any less than our full potential. Of course that is so much easier to say when you aren't hurting or in the darkness and not knowing when the light is going to break through...I know that feeling well my friend and it is not an easy road. Nor do I guess it was easy to hang on a cross and suffer for sins that were not His to bear. I am so unworthy and yet so expectant of the things I think are important at any given moment. PLEASE!! open my eyes Father that I may not toil on this earth for things that are meaningless and that will one day rot and be of no use. I just want to see the things that matter the most through this haze of worldly junk. Man - will I ever get it...my intentions are good but my spirit is sometimes so weak!!!

Okay so this has went to kinda heavy real fast but my heart aches right now and I just wish sometimes that I was stronger than I pretend to be! Don't we all do that? Pretend that we are strong and that we have it all under control...because there is a illusion of peace when we think we have control of what is happening around us...but the truth is...it's just that...an illusion. I work so hard at letting go and having peace that comes from a Father that cares about nothing outside of my salvation...and while 98% of the time, it works...there are days that I try to grab hold of the control again...and it is on those days that my heart feels lined by that all to familiar ache and I find that I am reminding myself again that all those things that I allow to control my happiness simply do not matter! I am telling myself that today and I pray that all of my dear friends and family know I pray that for you too because I know we all carry that burden and it is much too heavy a responsibility. I am so blessed by the friends and family I have and thank God every day for you!!!