Wednesday Words

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."

- Norman Vincent Peale

(Our Christmas tree this year, freshly put up and decorated, which is why there weren't presents!)

Christmas in Hawaii is strange.  The only time I'm reminded that we're nearing the holiday is when we go out to stores that yell at us to buy things.  Otherwise it just feels...well, not like Christmas!  Although it's not like we ever got snow or anything in Alabama, haha.  But it at least got cold there...although I'm not complaining about the weather here at all since it feels so amazing.  I'm loving the cool evening breezes, they make me want some hot cocoa!  =)

I miss a lot of the traditions we'd do each year back home, like visiting Bellingrath Gardens, having big family get-togethers and parties, and just spending time together.  I'm really, really hoping we'll be able to get back to Alabama either next Christmas or the one after it.  Guess we'll just have to pray and wait and see!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  =)

Wednesday Words

"And so we make that choice every day, every fight, every disappointment, to keep our promise to be loyal and forgiving, to be a couple that lasts. We remember those words we exchanged, clutching each other's hands, in front of God and family and friends. A wedding is not a theatrical performance: it's the real thing, an adult decision that is supposed to determine the direction and integrity of the rest of our lives."

- Iris Krasnow ('I Do' Means 'I Will," Not 'I May'")

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After coming across this article via a blogger on my Google Reader, this quote caught my eye.  I love Iris's take on vows, especially in a world filled with sham marriages and fake commitments.  These are definitely worthy words to live by.

Wednesday Words

Since today is Pearl Harbor Day, I feel that as a resident of Hawaii, it is only appropriate to use perhaps one of the most famous quotes in history for today's Wednesday Words.

“Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan… No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people will through their righteous might win through to absolute victory… With confidence in our armed forces-with the unbounded determination of our people-we will gain the inevitable triumph-so help us God. I, therefore, ask that the Congress declare that since the dastardly and unprovoked attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.”

- President Franklin D. Roosevelt 

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It's a bizarre thing to realize that nearly every day you drive by one of the most historically significant sites in our country.  It's also incredibly humbling.  I'm looking forward to my and Mr. L's first time visiting the Arizona Memorial, which we originally wanted to do today, but the crowds and traffic have kept us at bay.  Perhaps we'll try later in the week...we'll see.

For now, keep the memories of that day close to your heart, and thank a veteran (especially a WWII vet, if you know one) for their service and sacrifice.  Let us never forget the actions that occurred 70 years ago today.

Wednesday Words

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face."

- Ben Williams

A couple of days ago, Mr. L and I got a very special delivery -- our puppy Liam flew across the world to join us in Hawaii!  We're so thrilled to have him back, even if he's constantly barking at the neighbor dogs =)

(The company we hired to help get him here even provided him with a real flower lei!)

Welcome home, Liam!

Wednesday Words

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

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As we embark on another holiday season, I hope that everyone has a safe, happy, and blessed Thanksgiving.  And if you decide to brave the crowds on Black Friday, good luck!  =)

Wednesday Words

I apologize for this post being late -- darn you Time Warner for not giving us Internet yet!

“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” 

- Jack Kerouac

(Picture is my own)

I feel like this quote describes military life so well since there is so much travel in such a short timespan. Here's to hoping we get done unpacking our "battered suitcases" rather quickly this go around!

Wednesday Words

"Hawaii is paradise born of fire."

- Rand McNally

Wednesday Words

"A journey is like a marriage.  The certain way to be wrong is to think you can control it."

- John Steinbeck

I'm really inspired by this quote today, so here's hoping I keep these words close by when things inevitably don't go our way in the next few weeks while we get settled in Hawaii!

Wednesday Words

"Forget the fear, it's just a crutch

That tries to hold you back and turn your dreams to dust.

All you need to do is trust..."

- "Unbreakable" by Fireflight

(Pretty much how I'm feeling right this second!)

I can't believe it's already time for my last Wednesday Words post before we leave!  I picked this lyric from the band Fireflight, a really awesome Christian rock band.  The words just stuck out to me so plainly the first time I heard the song, and it's so appropriate for our situation.  All we can do now is not worry and be scared and just trust that we're in God's hands.  =)

Wednesday Words

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

- Albert Camus

Today was the first day of a cold front moving through our area, so Mr. L and I were lucky enough to get a sampler of autumn weather before we leave...and now I realize how much I'm absolutely going to miss this season =(  See you in three years cute sweaters, boots, and other cozy clothing!

http://sidneyjamesnewsworthy.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Words

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"Love is like a friendship caught on fire: In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable."
- Bruce Lee

Wednesday Words

"Never quit.  It is the easiest cop-out in the world.  Set a goal and don't quit until you attain it.  When you do attain it, set another goal, and don't quit until you reach it.  Never quit."

-Coach Bear Bryant

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Ahh, my first football quote of the year, and it just happens to fall in the week before my first in-person football game of the year ;)  Roll Tide!

Wednesday Words

"Don't be afraid if things seem difficult in the beginning. That's only the initial impression. The important thing is not to retreat; you have to master yourself."

- Olga Korbut

 (Diamond Head Crater, Oahu, Hawaii)

I think I'm only beginning to realize that Mr. L and I are moving to Hawaii in ONE month (eek!!), and I don't believe it'll fully hit me until we actually step on our first plane and leave the airport for good.  It'll definitely be a super emotional day for me (can you say Ugly Cry?!) that on some levels I'm dreading, and on other levels I'm looking forward to.

Regardless of that particular day though, I'm really hoping that we will take the next month and savor our extra unimpeded time with friends and family, and that we'll treasure the memories we're going to make (and have made, especially in the past week!) with everyone.  Here's to hoping that time doesn't fly by too quickly in October!

Wednesday Words

Apparently I'm all about love quotes lately!  Here's another, and I suppose it's inspired by the fact that I get to see Mr. L today!  =)

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“He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you.” 

- Bob Marley

Wednesday Words

Today's quote is one of my favorites about love...hope you enjoy =)

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"Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion. That is just being “in love” which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love, have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two."

- Louis de Bernières, from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Wednesday Words

"I am only one, but I still am one.  I cannot do everything, but I can still do something.  And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something I can do."

-Helen Keller

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Sometimes I get bogged down and discouraged when I think about all of the problems in our world that we will not solve in this lifetime.  It's frustrating, but it helps hearing quotes like this.  Everyone really is able to do some little thing, and if everyone pitched in with their one little thing, we'd be that much closer to solving the crises happening in our world today.

Wednesday Words

"For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go.  I travel for travel's sake.  The great affair is to move."

-Robert Louis Stevenson

(Hello, Baltimore!)

I'm leaving tomorrow to go see Mr. L!  I'm absolutely thrilled to be able to visit him not once, but TWICE up in Baltimore!  Wish me luck on the journey up there -- Atlanta airport, here I come, ugh!

Wednesday Words

"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

- J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, spoken by the character Albus Dumbledore

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Since I've been voraciously reading the Harry Potter series for the first time ever (I know, my shameful little secret!), I figured a quote from the series would be good to do!  =)

Wednesday Words

"The more people I meet the more I like my dog."

-Unknown

I love this pup.
That is all.

Wednesday Words

"The brave die never, though they sleep in dust:

Their courage nerves a thousand living men." 

- Minot J. Savage

Although I've already posted this on Facebook, I felt it warranted more attention.  God bless our troops and watch over them as they fight for our country, and please comfort the families who have lost loved ones in the attack on August 6th as well as any others who have lost someone.