Straight from the Diary Itself

October 11th, 2007

Wow girls...
It's been five years since the last time we wrote in this book. I can't believe how much life has changed since then. You two are happily married, and I'm on my way (?!?!) Maggie is still with Brandon ("I want Brandon to be the one I marry"~Maggie....how funny), and Rach, look at where we've been and how thankful for where we are today.

It is funny to see how we used to talk. We thought we were so mature then, but how much more we are now. Reading all of our sayings and inside jokes makes me smile, but some of them I can't remember what the "joke" was! Which that makes me kind of sad. We still hold true to being lifelong friends...this journal is truly amazing when you think of it. It documents so much of us and is testimony to God's work in ALL of our lives and our friendship. It reminds me of all our amazing moments and memories.

It's funny how life changes, because it was different then. We had stresses, but overall life was more simple. I'm interested to see what's in store for our lives...life was good then, now, and will be in the future but in all completely different ways.

But, despite life changing, there are a few things that remain the same...you two are two of those things. Not many people have a Maggie and Rachel in their lives. Thank you for all of the yesterdays, todays, and for the tomorrows...thank you for remaining the same.

♥I love you two♥

Love always,
Hannah Joyce

Happy 22nd Birthday, Beautiful Maggie!!!

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Ahhh...does a heart good. :)

 

It's Friday!!

and I'm leaving tomorrow for Mexico folks! For ONE WHOLE WEEK!!

This is pretty much how I feel right about now...

I'll try to bring some sunshine back with me! :)

BFFs

Do I not have the best friends in the entire world?  Gosh.

Between these two posts (one & two), all the other kind things they've said to me in my life, things they do for me all the time, ways these ladies have loved me and times we've shared, a girl could have no better friends. I know you probably don't care but I just have to shout from the rooftops how special Hannah and Maggie are to me.

I could talk for hours about how they've changed my life, which I'm sure you will hear as the posts go by, but for now, I mainly wanted them to know that their kind words mean a lot to me.  And if you think we talk about each other too much, then you have probably never laughed so hard you peed your pants, talked on the phone for 5 hours straight, rapped to Ja Rule in your bedroom, sobbed on your friend's shoulder over a boy, saw rings exchanged and bellies grow through the long and beautiful years of a best friendship.  I mean that's what life's about, right?

A little encouragement can mean so much in a world where girls compare and rip each other to pieces.  I still vividly remember the early stages of our friendship and totally not even believing how sweet my new friends were to me. I was used to the roller coaster ride of High School friendships and didn't know what to do when my friends loved me no matter what.  I look back at our year book entries to one another:

Excerpts from Hannah in 2001:
This year has been an awesome experience because it was with you.  I don't know what I would do without you Rach! You brighten up all my days and mend my heart when it's broken.  You are always willing to listen to me and are the best friend anyone could ever wish to have.  I am so lucky God brought you into my life.  He has something special planned for us... and I believe it's a forever lasting friendship.  I am always here for you, heck I would come over in the middle of the night if you needed me, just to be with you.  

Excerpts From Maggie in 2002:
My beautiful Angel. Oh Man- what to say?  I don't think you realize how much you've helped me grow this past year.  I look back and wonder how I ever made it through this crazy world without my Crazie Rachie;) You have always been ready for me to lay my problems on you.  You single-handedly have given me advice that I couldn't possibly thank you enough for. You, me, Han and Jesus are going to touch the world. I could fill up this whole yearbook with reasons why I love Rachel.Lauren.Larrison.  

I remember being so moved by those loving words. I share these today, not for my benefit but because I want you to see how beautiful my friends are.  Their hearts are some of the most wonderful in this whole world.  And I thank God for them and the way they have changed and loved me.

There truly are very few things in this life more wonderful than a special friendship. And I can say firsthand, when you find a friend this special, you just CAN'T let them go.  I love you, Hannah and Maggie. Forever.

juicy news

today is a special day for our very own wonder woman, rachel.

many of you may or may not know, that a few months back, rachel launched her own business via the world wide web. she created a website titled Des Moines Wedding Savvy as a resource for brides planning their wedding in the Des Moines area. as her site clearly states, DMWS is "Des Moines' most comprehensive vendor listing." a one stop shop, if you will, for brides (and grooms) to search for anything wedding related.

as a bride herself (almost five years ago?!), she found herself searching all over the map for the perfect vendors. finally, in early 2009, while helping our good friend plan her wedding, the idea of Des Moines Wedding Savvy was born. shortly after, rachel's son Judah was born:) so DMWS was put on the back burner for while, so rachel could find her footing as a mama.

but between feedings, diaper changes and nap times, the wheels in her brain were spinning. and if you know rachel, you know that she is one determined lady. the idea of Des Moines Wedding Savvy was not swallowed up by cloth diapers or spit up. in october of 2010, DMWS came into existence. since then, rachel has clocked in many hours researching, blogging and meeting with vendors. through the power of the internet, many local business owners have heard about rachel and her site, thus making today newsworthy!

Juice, a Des Moines Register affiliate, will be featuring Des Moines Wedding Savvy in their annual wedding guide and will be out on news stands today! rachel has worked her little buns off for opportunities such as this and definitely deserves to be recognized! not only does she blog for Des Moines Wedding Savvy and The Wonder Woman Diaries, but she also keeps up with her personal family blog too. not to mention all the other normal wife and mom duties. talk about wonder woman:)

so even if you have already walked down the aisle and aren't in need of any bridal information, still check out www.desmoinesweddingsavvy.com and you can marvel at all of rachel's hard work. and maybe pass the word along to a bride that you know:)

go here to view the Juice article. scroll down to see rach's gorgeous mug:)

Shoosh!

How about a trip down memory lane?!

The three of us and the others in our group of friends in high school were infamous for making up words or using strange words (usually some part of an inside joke of ours). Our weird language provided a lot of joy and laughter throughout the years, but there is one word that sticks out above all the rest. Shoosh.

What in the world is shoosh, you ask? Well....let me start from the beginning. One of our friends in high school had the cutest little sister who we got a kick out of talking to. We bonded with her through her cute way of saying things, such as calling a "spoon" a "poon". At one point she was trying to say "shoes" and "shoosh" came out. After we finally figured out what she was referring to we laughed so hard and I am pretty sure right then and there declared that she was a shoosh. It was such a catchy word. So, ultimately a baby or a child is a shoosh (the epitome of shoosh actually), but anything "cute" or "little" may be declared one as well.

Take a look at some prime examples of shoosh!

Oliver (or Ollie...my nephew)

Peyton (Maggie's princess)

Sullivan (or Sully....my nephew)

Annalee (one of our good friends, Shawne's, sweet baby girl)

Judah (Rachel's lil' prince)

Hurley (our puppy)

aww...was he ever this little?!

Although we don't say it as much now as we did it will forever be a part of our vocabulary. We introduced it to many people we've encountered throughout the years and it's even traveled with us and become a word our friends from around the world use! In fact, a dear friend of mine from the Domincan Republic wrote me a letter several years after we met and used shoosh in it. Another friend I went on a mission trip with wrote to me when we parted ways and said "remember that there will always be an Asian shoosh praying for you". How precious that word has evolved, simply because it has become a term of endearment for us! I'm pretty sure our husbands have been called a shoosh their fair share of times :)

So, now if you ever hear us use this word you'll know what we're talking about. And take it as a compliment if we're referring to you when we use it!

I'm out, shooshstas!

P.S. Do you have any unique words in your vocabulary?

Why ONE New Year's resolution is all I need...

A few months ago, I checked out the book The Power of Simple Prayer by Joyce Meyer from the library. At that time, I was feeling a tug to be a woman who prayed more and I wanted to find a book that could help me in this area of my faith. Sadly, the renew option on my account reached its limit and I had to return it today BUT I loved it so much I bought one to keep:)

This book is full of so.much.good info on prayer.

As soon as I started reading Simple Prayer, I realized it was JUST what I needed. Every chapter is full of awesome encouragement-- it's hard NOT to pray after you read this book. I'd never realized all the lies I was believing about prayer; like that you don't have to sit for 3 hours everyday in solitary confinement praying to be good enough for God (not that I literally thought this, but you get what I mean). You don't have to talk in fancy language, have all your "stuff" together before you pray or tip-toe around what you REALLY want to talk to God about.

Back cover

This book changed my life and my perspective on prayer. It got me wanting to pray all the time for everyone. And it got me really close to my friend, the Post It Note:

See, I told you I loved this book. I don't think I've EVER even come CLOSE to that many notes in a book. :)

God has impacted my prayer life in a big way. I have been challenged to take my prayers to the next level-- to be bold and to pray often throughout my day and to shift the focus of my prayers from myself to others. Prayer is not about a boring doldrum of half-hearted requests of God. It's about a vibrant, active & exciting conversation with a loving Father. I have more joy and peace when I pray and it sets the tone for my entire day. Plus, God hears my prayers and has done, and will continue to do, amazing things with them.

John 16:23-24 

In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

I've always believed in prayer, I've seen it do amazing things in my life. But I'm truly sad to say that despite these amazing outcomes, I still wasn’t putting enough of my heart into prayer. So many times, I would feel at a dead end, or lost about what to do and prayer was my last resort. Why am I like that when I know the incredible weapon we have in prayer? Now, I understand more than ever the impact even one prayer can make. No other force in the universe is more powerful than God and we can access all his power when we simply pray. It's an incredible feeling.

So, all of this reading and growing was happening around the end of the year when everyone starts thinking about their New Year's resolutions. I could name many resolutions for 2011 about being more patient, finding more time to enjoy myself and living healthier this year but those things wouldn't even come close to what God would have for these areas of my life without prayer. All the times I think to myself, "I wish there was something I could do to help that person", or "how am I going to get out of this mess", or "God, what are you asking me to do here?!" can be answered if I would simply pray. 

Like I said, I've loved and believed in prayer and have seen it change me, do beautiful things in my life and help the live's of those around me.  Now though, I understand it in a whole new way.  I am excited to see how God "meets me" this year and how He chooses to use my prayers for His glory.  I am so thankful He is a God that loves us no matter what and waits expectantly to listen to our prayers.

honor, courage and commitment

one area of my life that i feel could reach others is that fact that i am a military wife! well, not technically...more like a military girlfriend-turned-wife..but who's counting? my husband is no longer active or overseas, but once a Marine, always a Marine...am i right?

i can relate to those thousands and thousands of wives out there, who have no idea when or IF they will ever see their man again. they keep their cell phone glued to their hand at all times of the day and night, anxiously waiting for a call that typically only lasts a few minutes, but gives them the strength to keep functioning the rest of the week. and then, being reunited after a year, they remain strong, continuing to pick up the pieces of a man that may look the same, but has seen and heard and experienced an incredible amount of pain. something inside of him is different. he flinches at certain noises. he has a hard time with war scenes. his dreams are filled with images of war, that he has to re-live every night as he sleeps. he is forever changed. those wives will never fully understand, but they are left with the most important jobs. listening. loving. supporting.

i can relate to those wives...i am one of those wives.

while much of this blog will be about daily life news, (kids, homes, friendships..) sometimes my life involves post traumatic stress disorder, shrapnel wounds or unhealthy ways of dealing with stress. thankfully, brandon and i have a wonderful support system with our friends and family, and ultimately rely on God with any struggles we come across. my hope for this blog is that i could speak to many women who may find themselves in similar circumstances.

and can i just say what an honor it is to boast that MY husband fought for our freedom? i am proud to say that he's mine...war wounds and all:)

hope this post wasn't too much of a downer, but more like a peek into my life.
thanks for listening...