i like tennis. ginni and i decided to start taking lessons (from Coach Rog) and... well, we probably need to tell him we have decided that he is going to give us lessons, but back to the and, and.... i decided you can tell a lot about people while watching them play tennis unless they are really good, like on a semi-pro level.
this week, spring break '08... i, along with several other friends, played tennis and i came to this realization (refer above) which was great because it was just a confirmation that my friends are cool despite the ridiculous, non-sense tennis tourney. this realization came to my just now actually... since i did come to this realization you can assume that none of us are ready to escalate to the tennis skirts or white shorts. i'll take this opportunity to give a shout-out to my Co-Champion teammate, Nick Clark, Nick the Slick, Nicky Tricky or simply Bub will do! Love you Bubba'!
It was all really funny.
Rox who played with Zach didn't seem very competitive, but that didn't mean she didn't put forth 110%... she laughed at herself and encouraged others... wasn't the best trash talker which just means she's nicer than the rest of us...
zach her teammate wore a bandanna around his head, talked trash, but lost... so, so so...
brad was completely chilled out on the court, not too competitive maybe because he knew nick and i were among the competition (no hope for anyone :) he just played it cool, hit the first serves with everything he had and that didn't work out for him but consistent none the less. soooo brad.
nick talked trash, played like he was best buds with Novak Djokovic, and probably would have played the best out of 23 if he lost the first round. did i mention he ripped off his shirts in the finals?? soooo nick.
mom played injured- talked a little trash, also encouraged, was a great fan, and played consistent. she's like that in life.
ginni and charlie started strong. although quiet at times, after ginni missed a few strategically hit to her backhand, charlie got all frustrated which is how nick and i strategically planned to win. it worked. 4-0.... they are cute... on another note- ginni and i were excited to have our husbands join in on all the lake fun.
where was clay? he stayed back at the house and chilled out on this one. his tennis talent is really too much for the rest of us to handle.
Shout out to all the participants in the tennis tournament over Spring Break '08.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD.
Hebrews 13:5-6
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"
Ecclesiastes 5:10
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity.
Proverbs 11:16
A gracious woman attains honor, And ruthless men attain riches.
Deuteronomy 31:6:
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you He will not fail you or forsake you."
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
This last verse is perfect to end on. I'll never forget my dad teaching a Sunday School lesson to us and him talking about this passage. When he did the lesson he also challenged us to memorize this verse and practice it. My husband also loves this verse and asked me to make it in a frame to keep in his office.
Think of Excellence in God's terms and Paul's and certainly not in the World's.
Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD.
Hebrews 13:5-6
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"
Ecclesiastes 5:10
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity.
Proverbs 11:16
A gracious woman attains honor, And ruthless men attain riches.
Deuteronomy 31:6:
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you He will not fail you or forsake you."
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
This last verse is perfect to end on. I'll never forget my dad teaching a Sunday School lesson to us and him talking about this passage. When he did the lesson he also challenged us to memorize this verse and practice it. My husband also loves this verse and asked me to make it in a frame to keep in his office.
Think of Excellence in God's terms and Paul's and certainly not in the World's.
Friday, March 7, 2008
lean
baby, lean on me...
i'll be strong and tall and protect your fall
so baby lean on me...
my face is free to kiss and adore your lips
baby lean on me.
you mean more to me than a house and key
and its only you that i can see
don't you wanna be? baby...
lean on me.
i love you more at night
then i wake up and find you're a one of kind
and then i love you more
only i can see you're meant for me
baby, lean on me.
NAT
i'll be strong and tall and protect your fall
so baby lean on me...
my face is free to kiss and adore your lips
baby lean on me.
you mean more to me than a house and key
and its only you that i can see
don't you wanna be? baby...
lean on me.
i love you more at night
then i wake up and find you're a one of kind
and then i love you more
only i can see you're meant for me
baby, lean on me.
NAT
Monday, March 3, 2008
Is God Crazy?
We may tend to think so at times, but only as an initial response. At one time or another we will realize God isn't crazy, He is genius.
They say the first year of a marriage is the hardest and then again they say it is the easiest... well which one is it?
My first year of marriage (well first nine months) has been wonderful… Much more than I even thought it could be... and for me personally, marriage was already on a pretty high pedestal. The first few months were odd... I mean... a boy did move into my house. Although he is a man- when you live with them the boyish things do start to show. Through the boyish things and the manly ones, we have had a blast together and after the six-month mark everything got exponentially better. My life with Clay has been an entertaining dream and I truly look forward to the next day while I am smiling through the current one.
With that said, I would make the assumption the first year is the easiest.
Yet through the first year we have been through a lot... job change due to companies going bankrupt (which means work with no pay), pregnancies that weren't meant to be (I do believe even as early as we did loose the baby, my little one is in Heaven), and jobs again being terminated by men (actually a man who is a liar) who are described with words that I won't be using in my blog.
With that said, the hardest may win. With a refutation to that, our “tougher” times have made us closer, trust and love each other more, and overall improved our relationship and dependence on each other. So maybe it goes back to the first year being the easiest.
Hehe.. I could probably have this same conversation with every year…
With all these thoughts… this leaves me with the initial response God is crazy, yet due to my faith I will be glad to state He isn't crazy and His genius plan will make sense at some point down the road or just may not even matter down the road (the narrow, narrow road)…
Lovin’ life still…
Mrs. Natalie Swartz :)
A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich shall not go unpunished.
Proverbs 28:20
They say the first year of a marriage is the hardest and then again they say it is the easiest... well which one is it?
My first year of marriage (well first nine months) has been wonderful… Much more than I even thought it could be... and for me personally, marriage was already on a pretty high pedestal. The first few months were odd... I mean... a boy did move into my house. Although he is a man- when you live with them the boyish things do start to show. Through the boyish things and the manly ones, we have had a blast together and after the six-month mark everything got exponentially better. My life with Clay has been an entertaining dream and I truly look forward to the next day while I am smiling through the current one.
With that said, I would make the assumption the first year is the easiest.
Yet through the first year we have been through a lot... job change due to companies going bankrupt (which means work with no pay), pregnancies that weren't meant to be (I do believe even as early as we did loose the baby, my little one is in Heaven), and jobs again being terminated by men (actually a man who is a liar) who are described with words that I won't be using in my blog.
With that said, the hardest may win. With a refutation to that, our “tougher” times have made us closer, trust and love each other more, and overall improved our relationship and dependence on each other. So maybe it goes back to the first year being the easiest.
Hehe.. I could probably have this same conversation with every year…
With all these thoughts… this leaves me with the initial response God is crazy, yet due to my faith I will be glad to state He isn't crazy and His genius plan will make sense at some point down the road or just may not even matter down the road (the narrow, narrow road)…
Lovin’ life still…
Mrs. Natalie Swartz :)
A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich shall not go unpunished.
Proverbs 28:20
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Like Mother, Like Daughter...
Unfortunately it is official. I have become like my mother... the bad and the good. I had a breakdown moment with her Sunday that she enjoyed very much.
With my husband being away on a fun camping trip I decided not to spend Sunday cleaning and doing laundry. I went over to mom's to chill by the pool knowing I had made a better decision of what to do with my day. Cleaning... Sun bathing??? Hmmmm....
I showed up and headed straight to the pool when my mother was already out there with the same idea. I was glad to have company and a little tickled to think we both choose to enjoy the sun that day. We enjoyed a good drink (her 1 diet coke a day and my fabulous crystal light) and really didn't have a concern in the world until I looked down and noticed we were wearing the same toenail polish... I thought oh my goodness. I looked at her puzzled, thinking I can't believe we picked the same color at which I then realized we were both wearing the same designer glasses, which we both knew we good and well bought at Marshalls or maybe TJ Maxx. After that I was thinking... I am becoming like my mom...it's literally showing... then I just screamed as we were both laying there oiled up in our one pieces. Yes... I have been persuaded by the one piece. I love them. They are great. You can bounce around at the beach (which in a one piece your feet are the only thing bouncing), wakeboarding it much safer, and I think a blonde looks classy in a black one piece. YET it was too much to take knowing I was now older and like my mother.
She laughed and loves catching me being like her! I guess it is a good thing to be like mom, except I didn't get stuck with brown hair- I'm a blessed Blonde!
With my husband being away on a fun camping trip I decided not to spend Sunday cleaning and doing laundry. I went over to mom's to chill by the pool knowing I had made a better decision of what to do with my day. Cleaning... Sun bathing??? Hmmmm....
I showed up and headed straight to the pool when my mother was already out there with the same idea. I was glad to have company and a little tickled to think we both choose to enjoy the sun that day. We enjoyed a good drink (her 1 diet coke a day and my fabulous crystal light) and really didn't have a concern in the world until I looked down and noticed we were wearing the same toenail polish... I thought oh my goodness. I looked at her puzzled, thinking I can't believe we picked the same color at which I then realized we were both wearing the same designer glasses, which we both knew we good and well bought at Marshalls or maybe TJ Maxx. After that I was thinking... I am becoming like my mom...it's literally showing... then I just screamed as we were both laying there oiled up in our one pieces. Yes... I have been persuaded by the one piece. I love them. They are great. You can bounce around at the beach (which in a one piece your feet are the only thing bouncing), wakeboarding it much safer, and I think a blonde looks classy in a black one piece. YET it was too much to take knowing I was now older and like my mother.
She laughed and loves catching me being like her! I guess it is a good thing to be like mom, except I didn't get stuck with brown hair- I'm a blessed Blonde!
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