Meet the LaCount's. They are lovely

My sister got married.  I did my Matron of Honor speech.  And I don't think it sounded half bad....  phewwwww.  I actually didn't really read all of what I wrote, rather spoke from the heart.  (MY FAVORITE)  I am my truest self when I allow my heart to speak. If you remember from my previous post, I didn't know how to wrap up 26 years worth of memories/thoughts/feelings/advice/a couple wise cracks all in a 5 minute speech.  And though I have so much more I could've told her, as it turns out I didn't really need Rosetta Stone for the heart after all.

Here are some pictures of her day.  

I didn't quite realize how naturally Shanna would fall into the role of the Bride, nor did I expect her to be an absolute pro at it! Seriously, has she been reading the Knot??  She was a strong bride, a very smiley bride (that I did expect), she had no nerves (expected) and she winked a ton at Zach.  Her only complaint (which is the same as mine) it didn't last LONG ENOUGH!!! I could've partied til the cows came home

Zach and his fellas, all which were AMAZING, wore khaki suits, they looked dreamy. He too was cool as a cucumber, not surprising to me at all.  Though a few tears did sneak out during the ceremony.   His guys were such a blast!  I miss them already!!    I've never met a sweeter bunch of guys.    It was easy to see how much Zach is loved by his friends....and his family!!

 Shanna and  her girls wore mocha brown dresses adorned with TURQUOISE made by my cousin LaRae!  (So New Mexico of her).  She of course had some pretty swanky brown and turquoise Old Gringo boots on under that B-E-A-U-tiful dress, known as the mummy dress (cause it wraps you like a mummy).  

We got to see lots of friends and family, some that we don't get to see very often.  It meant the world to all of us that they took the time to come to one HOT Texas Wedding!!  

So they said I do, then off to pictures we went.  Sara & Rocky did a fabulous job. They have more personality I knew what to do with!  I found myself crackin up the entire time!  They were a TRUE joy to work with, not to mention their talent speaks for themselves.

So all and all, we made it! Whoop whoop!  And I was left dreaming.  Their wedding was magical in every sense of the word.  Infact, even as amazing as their pictures are, you can't feel the day quite like I remember it.  I'm dreaming of that feeling right now. It was lovely.

Rosetta Stone Language: the heart

My sister gets married in just a matter of days to her price charming Zach.  I can't believe it, even more so, I need to figure out how to solve the writers block I've gotten while working on my big matron of honor speech!  I'm so lost on what to tell her though!  HELP!

Sometimes my head and my heart speak different languages, and my hands, bless their heart can't interpret either one of them into tangible words.  Is there Rosetta Stone for the heart?  If so I need to buy it!

How do I tell her, that love is worth fighting for, that marriage is hard, but worth it!  How do I say that long after the newness of marriage is gone, and you heart stops beating like a drum everytime you see your spouse, that that means you've graduated to the new level of love!  All love shifts and changes all the time, I don't love my sister the same way that I loved her when I was four.... I love them deeper, I know her deeper!

My sister is a country girl who when she was 17 she went to live in Hawaii for the summer.  In some ways I feel like she left a piece of here heart there, by the ocean.  

When I think about her time there, I am reminded that like the ocean, life....and love, are too an ebb and flow. And that her relationship, much like the ocean, offers the opportunity for renewal.  But overtime the ocean weathers rocks and makes its own path, there is no holding back.  

My prayer for her is that she will dive on in!  Falling more and more in love each day!

Now back I go to my speech.....

We are moving in!

Finally, we are moving into our new casa.  We couldn't be prouder.  We've only been in for a couple of days, and its amazing how quickly or home has already transformed.  Yes, there is still much more to go. Hopefully, with a little time, I can check off my my long to-do list and transform this house into our home!

Permanence is such an unusual feeling for me.  I haven't had a permanent home since I graduated high school!  So trying to wrap my head around this HOME thing is more surreal than I imagined it would be.  Occasionally I find myself thinking, well, we won't be here long so maybe I'll just keep that in the box.  Then I shake my head and think wait a sec, this is my home.  MY HOME.

Is is weird that I've never lived in a house (other than my childhood home) that I could actually put paint on the wall!  I mean... any color, any shade, any style, whatever my little heart desires! Ohhh I'm so excited to throw up a new hue.  I've been blog stalking interior decorating blogs like crazy to help me figure out exactly what I want.  It seems sometimes that when the world is your playground (or the wall is your canvas) that its actually more difficult to decide what exactly belongs there!

 But day by day, we are getting there.  TEAM HILLMAN.

Pack your morning with power!

In 1902, a British philosopher, James Allen wrote a literary essay As the Man Thinketh, primarily based on the notion that man’s character is the sum of his thoughts. He believed that man’s ideas had ability to affect his circumstances. Allen’s essay presents readers the opportunity to change their circumstances if took hold of their considering in a positive manner.

The title itself, originates from a verse within the Bible from the Proverbs 23:7, that says “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” When his book was printed, it acquired nice consideration and acclaim. Even right this moment, his book has influenced many who search inspiration of their lives.

I'm not going to lie. I don't always do this. I wish I did, but sometimes my eyes love to stay closed following a long day or night. But on the balanced days *weeks*, you know the days you have absolute sense of direction, and you are planting your steps purposefully on the ground, on those days, I try to get up and pack my morning with a POWER PUNCH!

My goal is to do this daily! But as I teach myself to get into the routine, this is how I'm going to do it!

1) Get moving – get dressed, get shoes on, getting purposefully prepared for the day. Start walking with e-motion – *aka energy in motion* – get your body moving, & get your feelings moving.

2) Focus on the day. Prepare for the people I'm going to serve. I don't have to know their names, I just visualize their faces.

3) Start feeling and being GRATEFUL. Start with my family and close friends and build out from there. Here’s where I can really think about and dwell upon all the things you could be grateful for in my life – mean while, I thank God for them

4) Do this for 2-10 minutes

5) Do a breathing excercise where you stimulate your body’s metabolism. Simply breath in the pattern – inspiration (count 1) hold (count 4) expiration (count 2). Do this 10 times.

6) Think about those things you want in your life – visualise as you’re walking. Combining the movement with the visualisations stimulates the emotional energy and your overall energy. This is very effective.

(2-10 minutes again)

7) Exercise. You don't need a gym to sweat for 15 minutes, you just need to MOVE!!!! Wii, run, jog, swim, cycle whatever – just GO GO GO! And at the same time chant POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS to yourself – you’re saying them in a state of total conviction. Like- I'm getting stronger with every step *or stroke* or I'm choosing to be well!

Make that step towards health and wellness, & pack your morning with a little PUNCH!

Strength & Smiles,

Memorial Day

Today is a wonderful day. It's a day, that I never forget. And as I humbly sit and type about the unbelievable sacrifice that the military has made for....little ole me. A proud American. I am honored to call myself an American.

My Memorial Day weekend made me ask myself a question. With all the furniture sales, BBQ's, and lake time that people are enjoying this very minute, is anyone remembering WHY we are able to have this day?? Is anyone remembering WHY we get the day off?

It's because of them.

Isaiah’s Commission

¹ In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ² Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. ³ And they were calling to one another:“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;

the whole earth is full of his glory.”

⁴ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

⁵ “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”

⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

When I think of this verse, I think of them. Our brothers and sisters in the armed forces that risk their lives in the worst conditions while we BBQ with our friends. I think of their HUGE sacrifice. I think of their families that sacrifice time with their loved ones. I think those who won't be coming home as they made that ultimate sacrifice.

When I lived in Washington D.C., I went to a concert. To this day it is one of the most amazing concerts I've ever been to. I watch it every year on PBS. Here is a video of one of the performances, my only hope is that it stirs in you the same thing it stirs in me.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

In Memory of Aaron Austin- USMC

If the world only had more mothers....like mine

It would be a much better place to live.

Today is Mother's day. My Mother's day. My mom, is well the best mom that there ever was. I pray you feel yours is the best mom ever too. To understand such love from a mother is understanding the essence of the softest butterfly kisses, the sweetest I love you's, and complete tranquility through the touch a hug. Yes, Mom's are amazing. But mine is the best.

No matter how many times I write, "Mom, I can never thank you enough for all that you do" on a card, I still feel as though I can't thank her enough.

Lem'me tell ya about mine Mom. She's b-e-a-utiful, fabulously organized, and sweet as sugar! She is incredibly lovely even when she is constantly attacked by hair balls from 3 four-legged fur balls- but with of her Dyson she conquers them every time. She gave birth to two girls naturally like a CHAMPION. She has a magical ability to handle children... and children's parents. She works like a mad woman to make sure all is taken care of. And most importantly she makes you feel loved.

I love you mom.

Love today.

You should know

That without a doubt, right here and now, as you read these very words, amid your dancing manifestations, where thoughts become things, & love conquers all. Know one thing. Know that you are exactly where you are meant to be, doing exactly what you were meant to do.

No matter where you are, no matter how difficult things might appear to be, you are always being moved toward magnificence.

Always.

Have a Magnificent Cinco de Mayo.

And Love today