What I Wore Sunday #4

  

 Happy 4th Sunday of Advent, ya'll!

I have had an amazing several days off and I am so glad that Patrick is currently out of school. Life get's so busy and it has been wonderful to just kick back, neglect the dishes and relax :)

We are about to head to his parents house for Christmas. Unfortunately, I have to work at the hospital on Christmas day so I will go to Christmas Eve Mass with the fam and then drive back to KC that night. I'm not exactly excited about it but I think I am finally at peace with it. Christmas in my family has always been full of traditions and I have been feeling like I will be missing out. I know that I am needed at the hospital though and part of me is really happy that I will be there to tell my patients Merry Christmas.

Now for What I Wore Sunday:

The Deets:
Plaid top: Target last year
Tank: Gap a million years ago
Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT thrifted
Tights: Walmart
Boots: Macy's 2 years ago
Necklace: Walmart
Earrings: Francesca's a million years ago (can't see them very well)

*Check out that Liturgically Correct nail polish! Purple, baby!

Rosalyn wanted her picture taken by the tree, too!

For more awesome Sunday outfits check out Fine Purple and Linen!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, YA'LL!!!!!!!

  

7 Quick Takes #1

My very first linkup with the Conversion Diary! Here goes nothin':

1. I have been so lazy. I have a week off of work and I don't know what to do with myself. I made Christmas cookies, cleaned a little, still neglecting laundry though. I would be so bored but I am really happy to share some down time with Patrick since he is not in school until January!

2. Last night I watched A Christmas Carol. It's the Disney one with Jim Carey. I knew the story and everything obviously but I have to say that was pretty scary for a Disney movie. I kinda that they would change it up and make it a little more kid friendly. I have to admit... I jumped a few times.

3. We had our first snow fall yesterday! I have mixed feelings about snow. My initial thoughts are always that of a child and then my grown up in me realizes that I may actually have to get out of my house and drive in that mess! Snow is just so pretty though... how can you not love it at least a little bit!

4. I love Christmas lights. That is all.

5. I have been pretty bummed recently about having to work at the hospital on Christmas Day but while I'm still not pumped about it... I'm content. I think this is a sign that I'm getting older. Working on Christmas isn't the end of the world for me anymore.

6. 6 days until I get to see my family in TX!

My big brother, Nathan, and me!

7. I go the best surprise ever last night. My mom called me and we talked for a minute and then she said  that someone wanted to say hi. I hear a guys voice say, "Aloha!" And I was so confused. I was trying to think of college kids that were probably home for break but the voice didn't sound like any of the ones that would be hanging out at my mom's house. It sounded like my brother but that didn't make sense since he lived a million miles away in Hawaii.... but he did say Aloha. I said, "Who is this???" "Nathan!" My heart is so happy. The entire family will be home once Patrick and I get there in a few days!

Happy Friday, ya'll!

A Little Music Throwback for Ya...

So, I only have one Christmas CD and I can't seem to find a radio station that consistently plays Christmas music. And I'm sorry, Karen, but I can't listen to you all day back to back. But I really do love the Carpenters... go ahead, judge me!

I started looking through my plethora of CDs. Yeah.... not through my ipod/iphone.... my CD case. And I came across this song which blew my mind in high school and guess what... it still does. 

Chills... every. time.

"And what was said to the rose to make it unfold was said to me here in my chest so be quiet now and rest."

Whoa.

Anybody else feeling the same way? I have pondered on this specific line of the song many times. I can envision my heart opening up, or unfolding, blossoming at the name of Jesus. I have felt that. When your heart skips a beat and the realization that God is here. I can't say I feel Him here all the time, even though I believe He is. But when I feel Him here... my heart flutters a little. 

Beautiful.

What I Wore Sunday #3

This weekend was super busy. Patrick had Board Prep all weekend but we still managed to have a nice dinner party with our two closest friends, Katie and Steven, go to the Gorman Family Christmas Party, and relax just a little.

As I mentioned last week... Pink Candle Sunday is my fav! So I dressed along with the pink theme:

The Deets:

Dress: Brand unknown (thrifted)

Belt: Brand unknown (also thrifted)

Tights: Target

Boots: Shoe Carnival (clearance) 

Earrings: Target... hidden behind my hair which is SIX INCHES SHORTER!!!!!!!! 

To see what everyone else wore to Mass, head on over to Fine Linen and Purple!

And here are a few more pics from the relaxing part of my weekend :)

Rosalyn with her candy cane dog treat

She wouldn't let me take it out of her mouth for the photo ha

Love this little pup :)

Lots of love ya'll!

-Hil

Little Souls

My heart is broken. How could anyone intentionally hurt a child?

My mind isn't even able to fathom what has happened today. I just have flashes of thoughts that may or may not be coherent as I try to type it out. So bare with me...

Children are amazing. Without them the human race would die out. The bond of love between mother and children, father and child, or really anyone and child is unique. They are the imagine of love. Children love and believe and wonder without having to mull over in their heads about the ways of the world. They should never have to worry. They should just be kids. They should run around, make believe, make friends and enjoy the simplicity of life as they know it.

So how can a young man walk into an Elementary school and shoot 20 kids along with several adults? How could someone be so sick? I can't even wrap my head around this. My initial thought was, "Why would anyone want to bring children into such a cruel world?" Seriously. Why? But having children is what life is all about. And by that I mean, family is what life is all about. How could I NOT bring a child into this world? I'm confused by this. Can you tell?

I think as a young woman in her twenties this is especially disheartening. I think it's normal to hope and wonder if you will be a good mother one day but with the horrendous things you see on TV we are confronted with even more fears. Can we shield them from the negative images on television? Can we protect them from growing up and loosing their innocence too quickly? Are they safe in their schools? On their playgrounds?

It is terrifying.

I think that one day when I have a child (or an army of them!) that my job as a mother will become clear. I will love them more than a person as ever loved another. I will look to Mother Mary who was so perfect in her love for her Son. I will teach them about God and spend time with them knowing that every moment is precious. I will teach them about love and how to see the good in people even if they are hurting.

I have so much to learn. Today just really got me thinking.

Today, like everyone else in the nation, I am praying for the families of the victims of the shooting in Connecticut. I pray for the children that will remember this horrifying day for the rest of their lives. I pray for the community. And I pray for the shooter's family, that others will not judge them for the sins their son/brother committed.

And in the words of Megyn Kelly of FOX News, "Pray for the little souls, the little angels."

What I Wore Sunday #2

I kinda wish I had a picture of what I wore to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception... but it completely slipped my mind! So here is is!

I need to quit taking pics with my phone... they never turn out well.

I felt like the shoes deserved their own photo :)

Details:
Pink top: Ann Taylor LOFT (like 5 years ago)
Cardigan: Express (probably about 4 years ago)
Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Tights: Target
Fabulous shoes: Target (Clearance!)

Looking back I kinda wish I would have saved this outfit for NEXT week which when I was little I called "Pink Candle Sunday." I was one of four kids so we each got to light an advent candle and I always lit the pink one! I'll have to come up with something pink for next week I guess haha.

For more awesome outfits by people with much more style than me, head on over to Fine Linen and Purple!

Immaculate Conception

Tonight, Patrick and I headed over to Holy Trinity Catholic Church to celebrate the the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Yeah, it's a holy day of obligation (or holy day of opportunity, as some call it), and some people think it's a hassle... blah, blah blah. But it happens to be a favorite of mine. And only partly because I get to sing all the "Mary songs."

I literally got goose bumps as the lector read the readings and I followed along in the book. The first readings was the story of how Adam and Eve failed. That story has always felt so eerie to me. I think of  how it would feel to be them. They were the only two humans ever created and God was basically their only family. There was no one else. They didn't just disappoint their father when they disobeyed and ate the apple... They disappointed THE Father. Their mistake changed EVERYTHING. That's pretty heavy stuff when you think about it. And then it made me take a quick look at myself. Shoot! I mess up all the time and its usually more serious than eating something I shouldn't!

Then came the Gospel. It was the story of the Angel Gabriel. Now, but yourself in Mary's sandals. You are roughly 14 years old, betrothed, a virgin... and an angel shows up and tells you you're gonna be preggers with God's kid. The angel even helps you out a names God's son for you. The story is mind blowing even if you DON'T put yourself in her sandals. Can you imagine? Here I am in my twenties, married without kids and I would still be like... yeah, that can't be right.

Mary was made perfect though (hence her nickname, The Immaculate Conception). God planned for her to carry Jesus before she was even born. SHE WAS CONCEIVED WITHOUT ORIGINAL SIN! That alone just blows my mind! She was the most perfect person that has ever lived. She was conceived inside the womb of a saint (Saint Anne (which kinda makes me wonder who Saint Anne's parents were... does anybody know?))... and she miraculously conceives Jesus through the Holy spirit....

And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God...
for nothing will be impossible for God."

*Goosebumps*

And her simple, obedient, perfect and holy response...

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.

*Goosebumps again*

It almost brings tears to my eyes. This is what it is all about. I'm not gonna sit here and say we should fire Santa and Rudolph and the elves and toss out our Christmas Trees, but I do think it is time for me to refocus. Honestly, Jesus (and Mary and Joseph) IS the reason for the season... as cliche as it may sound to some :)

Christmas Decorations!!!!

I love days off. I especially love days off in December because I am getting so into the Christmas Spirit.

I admit it... I'm kind of a Christmas nut. Try not to be too jealous of my plethora of Christmas decor :)

My mini Christmas Village and awesome Christmas frame of the hubby and on the shelf below.

Adorable angels from Mom :)

Nativity Statue with my Yankee Balsam and Cedar candle

Merry Christmas sign and my Poinsettia plant from Katie and her husband Steven

Ugly Apartment blinds adorned with garland wrapped in lights

Im obsessed with this reindeer! Patricks grandma got them at a garage sale or something. Love 'em!

Yep.. that's a bagpipin' Nutcracker. 

My Christmas puzzle that I can't figure out how to rotate.

Patrick's Christmas puzzle that I also can't rotate.
(Mine is better!)

Willow Tree Nativity. Simple and Beautiful. Thanks, Mom!

End table number 1

End table number 2

Above the Kitchen sink... ignore the dirty dishes :)

Above the window that is above the kitchen sink...

I wouldn't let Patrick have a real Leg Lamp but he settled for the Leg Night Light lol

                                              AND.... DRUM ROLL, PLEASE!!!!!

Our Lovely Christmas Tree!

That's a lot of Christmas in a few hundred square feet, folks! Because I'm crazy... And I love Christmas! For more awesome Christmas decor visit Katie at NFPandME and check out her Christmas Decor Link Up!

What I Wore Sunday... as promised

Like I shared earlier this week, I have finally jumped on the WIWS bandwagon!  Today I worked a 12.5 hour shift and it was probably one of the best shifts I have worked in a long time. AND I got to receive Communion! Thank the Lord for Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion that come with extra hosts!

Check out my sweet get-up:

Sorry I suck at taking mirror pictures!

Red Cherokee top and black Cherokee pants which can be found at your local scrub store, And a lovely White Stag Brand black long sleeved shirt I picked up at Walmart. A Littman stethoscope....And you can't see them but I'm rockin' Asics tennis shoes.

Other than receiving Communion, the best part of my day was helping my co-workers. That may sound lame to some people but I have been blessed with some pretty amazing people in my life. My job is stressful. And when things dont' go well for me, I have a unit full of other nurses that will drop whatever they are doing to help me. I am one of the newer nurses on the floor even though I have been there for a year and a half so they are always looking out for me. I was happy that today I was able to return the favor!

Next Sunday... I get to go to MASS!

For more What I Wore Sunday posts from other bloggers check out Fine Linen and Purple.

Much love ya'll!