dreams

It's been raining all week.

This is a good thing. I love to see how green, and vibrant the earth looks after a good rain.

But, I'm a Florida girl at heart, and after days of gloomy skies...I need to see, and feel the sun, because I tend to feel a little mellow...sad.

Today the gloom won me over. So, I decided to immerse myself in one of my fav's...Beth Moore. I was needing a little "pick me up" for my soul, and the weather just wasn't allowing a triple venti Caramel Macchiato today.

“God surpasses our dreams when we reach past our personal plans and agenda to grab the hand of Christ and walk the path He chose for us. He is obligated to keep us dissatisfied until we come to Him, and His plan for complete satisfaction.”  ― Beth Moore, Breaking Free
 
Love her!
 
This really got me thinking...My Jesus knows my heart, my dreams, and my desires. He promises us that in His Word (Jeremiah 29:11) Now, that also means that my dreams don't always line up with His, and that's ok.
 
No really it is.
 
It's OK!
 
I keep telling myself this because I'm wrestling with God right now. I want my way. I have dreams that I want Him to meet, and like a child, I kick and scream when He chooses to stay quiet. Which He is right now.
 
“If Jesus gives us a task ,or assigns us to a difficult season, every ounce of our experience is meant for our instruction and completion if only we'll let Him finish the work. I fear, however, that we are so attention-deficit that we settle for bearable when beauty is just around the corner.” 
 
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Friends, I'm pondering this truth today. My prayer is that this rain today, and tomorrow, and Saturday (gah...) will truly wash, and purify my soul, and that I will feel a renewed spirit when the sun begins to shine.

Beauty is just around the corner...

xo,
K

five guys, filet mignon, and frustration

This weekend was just superb...really...well, almost all of it...

Beautiful day Saturday, and finished it off by taking our sweet adopted family of blondes to tour the Aviation Hangar at the Sheriff's Office. The little girls are always curious to see where Nick spends some of his time :) Pilot Kevin looked just like Maverick on Top Gun (minus the aviators). When I told him this, he blushed. Precious!

I know what your thinking. Why are we so cute?

Sunday, while I was grocery shopping at Publix, I stumbled upon two gorgeous filets that were just screaming my name. We never buy filets. Ever. That kind of moo-la just isn't in the Dittman grocery fund, but tonight was special, and I thought Nick deserved a super delish dinner since he's been working like a crazy man. So, in the cart they went, and I said to myself. "Serious wife points are in my future."

Later that evening, I was in my element, friends. My kitchen makes me happy, and I feel most alive when I'm sauteing, sipping on a glass of red, and smooth jazz is playing in the back ground. I was super psyched to welcome my man home to a beautiful dinner made with major TLC. On the menu: filet of beef with a butter/garlic reduction, roasted red potato's, fresh broccoli, and bread, with strawbery shortcake for dessert :) I know, I'm kinda fabulous.

Since he had worked hard all day, and didn't stop for breakfast, or lunch, he and the boys picked up Five Guys on the way home.

Five Guys!

He had a burger (and a good one I might add) but really?? Five Guys! When I had prepared a beautiful, and perfect dinner??

He sat with me while I ate, feeling badly of coarse, but my appetite had vanished. What girl wants to eat a fabulous dinner alone? He did slice off a tiny piece of steak, and eat a few potato's, but truly just wasn't hungry.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm, I wonder whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?

So, hurt, and annoyed I retreated to our bedroom to sulk. After all, I had the right to be.

It was about this time that I felt the Lord tug on my heart. I pushed Him away. "Not now, God. I kinda just want to be pissed. Later?" I felt Him again. This time I decided to be quiet, and still. In that moment, I was gently reminded of my own human nature. Yeah, I had a right to be annoyed, but I had to let it go. If this had happened 5 years earlier, you would have heard a very different story from this girl. I would have went off on Nick Dittman, and end up falling asleep angry.

Over time, and through the many high's and low's of life that we've experienced together, we have grown, and matured a lot. Hallelu! Life is too short to fight the little things. In the end, I know his heart, and he knows mine. So yes, have your moment, throw a fit, and get it out of your system, but in the end...kiss and make up because it's really not that big of a dealio. So, instead of going to bed mad, I silently thanked my God for a husband that works hard to provide for our family, no matter what.

And made sure to remind him that he had "the best leftovers of all time" in the fridge...wink wink :)

Happy Monday, friends!
Love to you,
K

monday blue's

Today is Monday.

Ew. I don't even like the word.

So like most working 9-5 people...I'm just not feeling it...plus, I have a 3 hour math class right after work on Monday and Wednesday. Catch my drift?

So, to add fuel to my already moody Monday self...one of my MALE coworkers decided to tell me that my super cute outfit (emphasis mine) reminded him of something. In my head, I'm thinking, "What could it be?" I mean I know I'm lookin' summer fresh sporting my dark denim wash skirt, lime stripes and coral polish. After a few minutes, my smile quickly faded when he proceded to show me the image on his phone.

In other words...I look like a can of Barbasol.

And with that, I say peace OUT to this day!

Mad love,
The Barb Babe

happy birthday, lex

Alexa Rae came into the world on May, 2, 1990. From the moment she was born, she was a character.

She had a pink spot on her forehead that turned fluorescent when she cried, or got really mad. This made me laugh, which made her even more mad.

She loved to tell stories with such enthusiasm...even when she was just learning to talk. My favorite home video is after one of her first trips to the beach. She was running in circles with her crazy blonde hair plastered to her sweaty pink forehead wearing her lavender carebear night gown, and trying her best to tell us all about the sand, and the waves, and how the salt water burned her eyes. You can't understand a word she's saying, and you hear my Dad in the back ground saying, "Tell me all about it A-Rae."

My Mom use to worry that she would have hideous hair when she was older because she could never seem to fix it right. She called it Barbie hair.

She believed anything I told her.

Once, I had a bad dream, and told her that a monster was hiding under our bunk bed, and he would eat her if she didn't climb up to the top bunk, and sleep with me. She did.

Alexa see's good in everyone. No matter who, she will find a good quality...even if it's hidden.

She has the unique ability to read people. This still amazes me, and humbles me.

She taught me how to tie a scarf, and when I need more eye make-up, or better accessories to really make a statement with an outfit.

She is giving.

She can't cook to save her life, and set off her smoke alarm the first week in her new apartment making fish sticks. Love her.

She is cultured.

She is gracious, kind, and exemplifies compassion, and mercy.

Today she turns 22.

I love you dearly, Alexa Rae. Thank you for being you, and being my friend, and being born, and being lovely, and just having really pretty hair. I hope your day is filled with all things beautiful.

Always,
Your Sista

6 years

6 years ago, on April 29, 2006 I was smooshed in the tiny bridal room at University Church of God in Tampa, FL with photographers, my sweet bridesmaids, my Mama, and a cloud of hairspray, and perfume. I was literally sweating off all my pretty makeup because I was so stinkin' nervous, and trying to quickly swig down a can of Sprite since I couldn't bring myself to eat anything...
Then the wedding coordinator told me... "It's time."

I quietly slipped out of the room trying hard not to step on my huge white cinderella gown...what was I thinking??? My eyes met my Dad's, and I choked back tears.
I heard Canon in D begin to play, looped my arm through my Dad's, and took a deep breath as I began the walk toward my very present future.

Dear Nick,

Six years ago, we anxiously stood in front of our friends and family, and pledged our lives to one another.

"For better or worse. For richer, for poorer. In sickness, and in health. In good times, and in bad. Forever."

Little did we know that those were not just pretty little words to be said. They are a promise. A vow. A covenant. I think we have truly lived out every one of those words since that beautiful day, and look at how far we have come! Who would have thought that the boy I met in highschool at 15 years old, who called me "Kiddo" annoyed the mess out of me, and who was readily available to fix my leaking toilet at midnight when my parents were out of town would be the one I spent the rest of my life with. Man, God certainly had a plan for us!

 I want to thank you for loving, accepting, and just getting me. We've seen eachother at our best, and not so great moments, and I wouldn't change a thing about our life, because it's made us who we are, and what we are today. Happy 6 years to my best friend, my partner, and my soul mate. I love you more than you know, and can't wait to see what unfolds in the upcoming chapters.

In HIS Grip,
Kris

back to reality

We're baaaaack! Relaxed, refreshed, and a little less white from a few days away from civilization. I think people need more of this. Just peace and serenity, with no connection to the outside world. Time to reflect, and just be.

No cars. No actual road's. No street lights. Just sand, golfcarts, hammocks, kayaks, pretty water, dolphins, manatees, sting rays, crazy jumping fish, and beautiful sunshine. This was our first vacation together...just us...ever, and it was perfect!
We had healthy honest to goodness talks, and not just the proverbial everyday mumbo jumbo. Our dreams, personality traits, and goals for our future. The good stuff :) We both gave a little...I went night fishing with him, and he layed on the beach with me. Love it!

We spent our days doing whatever we wanted, and it was simplicity at it's best! Here's a glimpse of the goodies:

This was "our street."

This is our little island casa.

Coconut trees ev-er-y where!

Cowboy wasn't a fan of the boat, as in he almost had a mini-heart attack in the process. Perhaps next time will be better?

However, he is such a sun baby...just like his mama :)

Dinner at Rum Bay.

Incredible sunsets every night. So blessed!

Nick had a super successful fishing trip! Fish tonight!

My cup runneth over.

Happy day back to work bloggsters :) Make it a good one!

Mucho love!
K

a little r & r

Just a little note to say we are checking out of reality for the rest of the week.

Holla!

The next few days will be filled with a boat, sun, sand, a precious little house on a island, bathing suit's (or not) just kidding :) and simplicity.

The hubs headed down early to scope things out.

He also caught dinner. Love him.

I'll be back on Monday feeling refreshed, sporting a fabulous tan, and hopefully have pics to share!

Have a blessed week, friends!

xo!
Castaway