i feel like me again

"I am pressed but not crushed

Persecuted, not abandoned.

Knocked down but not destroyed.

I am blessed beyond the curse, for His promise has endured

And His joy's gonna be my strength.

Though sorrow may last through the night

Joy comes in the morning."

I don't know the name of this song, but its been in my head all day. I know that Jami Smith sings it. I first heard this song... probably 8 or 9 years ago when Chris and I were chaperones on our church's youth trip to SuperWow. Oh, yes. Anybody out there ever been to SuperWow? I went to this conference as a camper when I was a teenager. Then, when I grew up, my church decided that Chris and I were mature enough to accompany the youth group as responsible adults. I'm not sure what they were thinking!

We actually chaperoned several years. Jami Smith lead worship our first year. I loved her. Her music spoke to my soul. And it still does.

I've been in a rough place lately. Today, for the first time in several months, I feel like myself again. I guess I decided that this whole depression thing isn't all its cracked up to be. Or... maybe I started some medication a few weeks ago and its finally beginning to work. Either way, I'll take it.

I was driving into town with my family today and realized that I felt... good. I laughed a little. I love to laugh, and laughs have been rare lately. I even turned to Chris and said, "You know, I feel better today than I've felt in a long time". His response? "I can tell and I'm so glad. Welcome back".

It's good to be back. I'm so glad that "morning" is here... and the joy that comes along with it.

Arrrrrr!

The Hubs and I had a date with Shaun tonight. All four of us had planned a trip to the theater... because Pirates of the Caribbean 4 opened today. At the last minute, Jordan decided he'd rather spend the evening with his cousins and grandparents. So it was just the three of us. It was nice. It had been a while since we'd been anywhere with just Shaun. I think he loved the attention he got. We went to dinner, where he ordered off the adult menu. No more kiddie menus for him, since he's eleven now.

After we'd eaten, we met some friends at the theater. These friends of ours... they're special! They're fun and unique and quirky. And best of all, they love Jesus. What more could we ask for? When we first made plans to see this movie together, months ago, said friends told us that they were going to dress up as Pirates for the movie. I didn't really take them seriously. I should have known better!

When we entered the almost empty theater (way before the movie was scheduled to begin) we were greeted with

"Arrrrrr!"

and

"You scallywags!"

and the like by our friends in their pirate garb. What fun! Even though Chris and I were seriously underdressed. At least Shaun wore an eye patch!

The movie was great. It was my first 3D movie ever, and I was greatly impressed. Movies will never be the same for me again!

Here are some (really awful iPhone) pictures from our night. I really need to start bringing my "real" camera with me when we go out.

i improvised

I had plans to meet up with my in-laws (mother and sister) today for some belated Mother's Day mani-pedis. I was so excited. I love, love, LOVE getting my toes done. And ever since I stopped biting my fingernails last summer, I love getting manicures, too. In fact, I have to keep my nails painted so that I won't revert back to my old ways and begin biting them down to the quick again. Its true that old habits die hard.

I've been a nail biter since elementary school. When I was sick in the hospital last summer, I actually felt so bad that I couldn't even bite my nails. When I felt better, the first thing I noticed was that I had fingernails. My mom treated me to a mani-pedi when I came home, and the rest is history. I'm hooked.

I am not a fan of spending money on myself, but this is my gift to myself every so often. I don't get to go as often as I like, but I try to fit it in when I can. I even have a favorite polish. In case you're interested, its called "Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees". O P I makes it. Its great. I'm a huge fan of dark polish. I figure black goes with everything, right? But sometimes, black is too black. Even for me. And then I discovered "Suzi Skis". Its almost black, but not quite. A dark, charcoal gray. Delicious. I love it so much that I choose it every single time.

Anyway. We had planned to visit the nail salon today to celebrate Mother's Day. But, some unexpected and unavoidable events took place and we had to reschedule. I was bummed. I've been in a funk lately. And my feet needed some attention in a bad way.

So what did I do?

I improvised.

With my two boys in tow, I paid a visit to Ulta. I've never been before. And now I'm hooked on it, too. I could've looked around in there for hours had I not been crunched for time and been without a less-than-thrilled-to-be-in-a-"makeup"-store eleven year old. Yup. Shaun was not thrilled to be there. Jordan, on the other hand, didn't mind one bit. He loves to help me pick out nail polish and lipstick. We don't mind this habit of his, now that he's old enough to understand that makeup is for girls. He'll hand one to me and say, "This one will be so pretty for you, Mommy". And, usually, he's right. Jordan wants to be a rock star when he grows up, and I've even been known to allow him to pain his nails. Only black, of course. No pinks, reds, or purples. Because, "Those are for girls".

I'm weird like that, I guess.

Anyway. Since I didn't have much time and there was a lot of breakable stuff in Ulta, I asked the sales girl for O P I nail polish. She directed me to the back of the store, and there it was. A bottle of "Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees" of my very own. We left the store and went to pick Chris up from work. He really did not understand my excitement. But that's okay.

Later that night, I gave myself a pedicure. My toes look great. Almost black, but not quite. My favorite!