Life, Love, and everything in between!

Tonight I just felt like posting a few photos that I've taken recently. I've got a new camera that I inherited from my parents. It's a fancy Nikon camera with all kinds of features and gadgets. I love it. I have been working at learning how to use it because I would actually like to start my own photography business some day. We'll see if that ever happens. Either way, I'm learning a lot and getting some really great pictures in the mean time. So here are some of my favorite things and some of the pictures I've taken lately. Some I've edited and some I haven't.

My beautiful boy.

Talent playing outside.

Redick wishing I would quit bothering him!

Riley, ignoring me...typical behavior of the men in my house.

Talent decided he needed to lay down with the puppies. It didn't last long but it sure was adorable!

I sure love the cute things that this boy does!

Hiatus

So this week I decided to go on a bit of a Facebook hiatus. I've been seeing so much drama and controversy on there and to be honest it makes me sick. I've kept my mouth shut as long as I can. If I offend people in this post please know it isn't intentional.

First off, let me start by saying this. I am a Christian. I believe that there is a God. I believe Jesus died for my sins and he is coming back some day for me. I believe in Heaven and Hell. How you live decides which one you live in for eternity. I also believe that it isn't my place to judge others. It is God's place. Those that are living in a way that isn't what the Bible says is right will have to answer for their sins just like I will have to answer for mine. We all sin. No one is perfect.

All of that being said, you should also know that I have gay friends. Married gay friends. I don't judge how they live because it isn't my place. I may not agree with their lifestyle choices but I love them anyway. How they choose to live doesn't directly affect me. They don't kiss in front of me or flaunt their relationships. They don't judge me or my heterosexual relationship. And I don't flaunt my relationship in front of them. They've never been hurtful to me because I'm a Christian. They are sweet people. I love them dearly and I believe that's what the God I believe in would want me to do.

This last week I've seen some of the most negative crap on Facebook about Chick Fil A. People are boycotting because they are a Christian based company that doesn't support gay marriage. Well, that is their right. They aren't saying they are going to treat the gay people badly or be mean to them. Last I checked they said they were treating them with the same respect as they would give anyone else. Yet they are being called intolerant, ignorant, and gay bashers. Well, I have yet to see Chick Fil A post anything calling the LGBT community ignorant or anything hateful. Yet I've seen both "Christians" and gays calling each other the most horrible things. All because they don't like the stance the other has taken.

Both sides want to preach tolerance and yet both sides are being equally intolerant. I think it is very sad. I understand the frustrations that the LGBT community must feel towards Christians at times. Some of the things I read in the news about how people are treated makes me ashamed of the people calling themselves Christians. But some of the things I've heard first hand and read this week wouldn't make me proud to be gay either.

I think instead of pointing fingers and name calling everyone should take a step back and treat everyone with the respect they would want to be treated with. You don't have to agree with gay marriage. You don't have to support it. But you shouldn't be hateful to those that do. And you shouldn't be mean or hateful to the men and women that are gay or lesbian and long for the same "status" as a traditional married couple. They are people too. Whether you believe the same you are each entitled to your opinion. Agree to disagree. Be nice. There is no need for all of this hatefulness. I am a believer in traditional marriage. But, I'm not out there condemning people for the way they choose to live. The last time I checked my name was Denisa, not God. I pray for those that I love even if they don't believe the same as I do. I think that's what God would want anyway.

I don't know if I will delete my Facebook account or not. Right now I'm leaning towards it very heavily. Lately it has just added more drama to my world than anything. It isn't worth it.

If I've offended anyone in this post I really do apologize. It isn't my intent. I hate that people are calling each other such awful names. I hate that people are just being so mean to each other. I didn't write this to hurt feelings. I wrote it because I'm so sick of people acting like they have the right to judge each other. They don't. In my opinion there is one judge. We aren't him. Stop judging, pointing fingers, and name calling. Start showing the love of God to one another. You never know who is watching and what kind of an impact your actions may have on someone's life.

Thoughts.

So I'm taking a pass this week on the photo challenge because we've had family here all week. I've baked and taxied people around. I haven't had much time for picture taking. Today I just want to take a minute and write out thoughts I have in my head.

I've been going through some changes the last year or so with friendships. Some have changed so much that they are hardly recognizable. Others have gotten weaker, some have faded, some have stayed as strong as ever, and others are stronger than I ever imagined possible. this week my best friend, Shawna, and I were discussing how it has been a year since we last saw each other. I've blogged about her before. She's my "Bride Wars" BFF. She and I have gone through a lot of changes in our lives in the last year. We both had babies. We both have new schedules. We are just now getting back to where we talk on the phone again. It's been tough. We've missed our friendship. We miss our time together. We wanted to get together this summer but we both know it just isn't possible. She has three sweet babies and this stupid Oklahoma heat is just too much to travel in with them. Her husband worries about car trouble since they live an hour or two away. I understand. It's still so very hard. I haven't even met her newest little one, Kaitlyn. Makes me so sad but I know eventually we will figure out a way to make time for each other again. I'm just afraid it will be right around time Talent starts preschool and then I will be the one who can't travel. At times I feel like this relationship is slipping away. It's one of the most important relationships to me and so I keep working at it. But there are days when it feels like the tighter I hold on the more that sand slips through my fingers. I don't say any of this to make Shawna feel bad or make anyone feel sorry for me. It's just how I feel. I'm a big girl and can handle this. It's just sometimes it is a little hard on my heart. This week it's heavy on my mind. Plans have fallen through yet again and even though I completely understand, part of me wishes I could numb myself to it. Having a best friend that lives far away is hard. You have to work at the relationship. Both of you have to make an effort to call, email, whatever it takes. There are times like this when you really hate those people who have their best friend right next door or in the same town and don't even realize what a great thing they have going. Shawna and I can't just hang out at each others houses whenever. We don't see each other much. We can't share clothes, purses, jewelry....you know the typical stuff you would share with a BFF. It's hard. I miss her today. I've been missing her for a while.

I have other relationships. Other friendships that I cherish and am glad I have. Ones that are here. Ones that are closer to home. Within driving distance. It just isn't the same. Don't get me wrong. The two other friends I consider my bff's in my hometown, I love them very much. I wouldn't want them to read this and think they aren't any good. They are. But right now I'm missing her. It's been too long. My heart feels like its missing a little piece of itself because that piece is in Edmond. Pray that we are able to find a way to get together soon or you will be reading more sappy crap like this from both our blogs I'm afraid. Shawna, I miss ya. Hope you know how much. Love you my sweet Emma girl!

Week 15/52

This week my mission is to post pictures of nature. I live in the country. We have cows, dogs, and tons of critters. I Have said before that I grew up in "the city" and country life is an adjustment. But to be real, I love that at night I can actually hear the crickets and the coyotes. I live to see the stars. I love being reminded of the beauty and wonder that God created for us. And even though I hate all the critters and bugs that we didn't seem to have in "the city", I wouldn't trade country life for anything. So here are some of the pics I have on my phone of the cows and whatever else I think is beautiful in nature. I am even including one or two from our Yellowstone trip. And just as a reminder, look around you. There is something beautiful to be seen no matter where you are. God created something wonderful for us and I think often times we get so caught us in the hustle and bustle of life that we forget to appreciate the things he created. So what beautiful things are surrounding you today?

14/52

This week's theme is round. Well I could post so many things for round. But I decided to post a picture of Talent playing at the water table we just bought him. He love is and it makes me happy to watch him play and be so happy! So here is my round item this week! Enjoy the cuteness!