Schtuff twin girls say, volume 8

A few special guests this time around...enjoy! (Warning: a minor and censored expletive below)

Holly: (to her computer) Why do you suck so much?

Kelly: Sis, did you just pour your water into the cat's bowl?
Holly: So? He likes it.
Kelly: Of course he does. He's a cat (I continue to ramble for a bit)
Holly: Kelly, your pizza isn't spinning.

Holly: What do you think cats pray for?
Kelly: Wiley probably prays for more food.

Kelly: Oh, you mean the 456? Don't they just throw up when they don't get their way?

Holly: How was your pumpkin spice latte? Hope it sucked.

Kelly: (while having girl's night). Can someone capable of adulting open the wine please?

Holly: by the way I'm texting boy right now. 

Kelly: (impersonating general Strax) BOY!!!!!

(Holly proceeds to bust out laughing)

(Kelly was explaining cat scratch fever)
Holly: Isn't there something like that that you can get from dogs?
Kelly: Rabies

Holly: I'm about to turn my computer on. Say a prayer for me.

Kelly: (talking to the parents). Yeah...we had to fire the maid. 
Dad: B****....(we lost it)  

 Kelly: I'm not irate. I promise (I wasn't.)
Dad: (in faux angry voice) WHAT DO YOU MEAN????!!!!!  

Bonus from church choir:
Holly: Alan (our church choir director), you were a music major. Didn't you have to learn how to play the piano?
Alan: Get out! (Followed by a series of laughter and defenses from other music majors and 'there's no way you could learn every instrument in 4 years.' And all were kidding.)
Alan: I was a music major. Don't you know how to play the BASSOON??? (more laughter)

Kelly: Look at this pile of nothing I have to do today.

Kelly: (enters the room with a pudding cup) It's the rise of the Pudding Brains!
(Holly dies laughing)

For God, in God's place with God's people: A night of worship with Rend Collective and Chris Tomlin

Kelly: Sunday night Holly and I trekked an hour and a half to Newport to partake in a concert night that will be hard to top. I had been awake since 6 that morning and didn't go to bed until almost midnight; I was at work all day prior to the concert, and the latter part of the day was not one of the greatest. I was on edge, with the weight of not only patient safety but staff safety as well as a patient became belligerent, hostile and very threatening. I was very concerned for the safety of the entire unit, and it was very emotionally draining; constantly being on pins and needles and tip toeing around controversial questions, such as what to do and how do we keep everyone safe. I spent half of my required off the clock break in the supervisor's office tackling a game plan. In the end all was well, but some of us were a little more relieved to clock out at the end of that day. And each time I kept trying to leave, I kept getting interrupted, which only added to my frustration, since I was trying to leave at a timely manner to go to the concert. On the way home, I just prayed that even though my thoughts and attitudes had not reflected one of a follower of Jesus, I just prayed that God would tune my heart and mind into one that was wide open and ready for a night of worship.

If someone ever tells you that God answers prayer, believe them. He really does.

For the entire 2 hour concert, most of it didn't even feel like a concert. It felt like being in church. One of the things Chris Tomlin said really just resonated with me for the rest of the night: how great was it to sing about God, in God's house in the presence of God's people? There was so much love, passion and energy in that stadium last night. There's nothing like truly getting lost in the presence of God; where minutes pass by and you don't even realize it because you are just so encapsulated by Him. I had several of those moments there, and I have to be honest, that's something that hasn't happened in a long time. Suddenly, the fears and troubles of the day were just lifted away, and I didn't think about them for the rest of the night. I really listened to the words of those songs that I have known for years, and I felt them, believed them, and felt them. I don't know what's going on in your all's life; I know some things. But I would encourage each and every one of you to take a moment for yourself to just be in God's presence. If that means locking every door and getting into some Scripture, or rolling down every window in your car and singing P&W music at the top of your lungs, or if it just means sitting quietly with nothing around you for a few minutes every morning. It's something I'm going to try and be a bit more intentional about. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.

Holly: Never mind the fact that we had a three hour round trip and that I had to be at work at 8am on a Monday morning, there was ABSOLUTELY no stopping us in going to this concert. We sort of went on a whim, but if you're a fan of Chris Tomlin and his music, you know that it's going to be an awesome, God-honoring show.  And it was.  It really was.

I have to echo Kelly's comment: it was church, church with 10,000 of my brothers and sisters in Christ, and it was awesome, you guys.  Just awesome. The last time we saw Chris Tomlin was ICHTHUS back in 2006, if my memory serves me correctly, so it'd been a while. Man, he knows how to rock out for God's glory- high energy, passionate, so full of the Spirit that it was contagious! He played all of my favorites, and it was so powerful to hear every single person in the audience sing along too.  Rend Collective was a perfect opening band! They are such a blast! I'm also obsessed with one of the songs they performed, and I think it's threatening to drive Kelly crazy :)

One of the reasons I love Christian concerts is not only the fact that they don't feel like concerts, but you leave feeling so much more encouraged and rejuvenated than before you came. I don't want to say I've been in a  "rut" lately spiritually, but I do feel my quiet time is not necessarily quiet because it's sometimes hard for me to shut my mind off.  I really needed that concert, because I was able to just let go and freely worship, my mind attuned entirely to Him! It reminded me that I can get there, and that I will get there.  I'm working on it, and in the meantime I'm thankful that God doesn't just leave us to our best guesses. I'm thankful that God speaks to us in many ways...for me, especially through music!

All things Halloween!

Holly and Kelly: Happy Halloween! If you are going out with your family/children trick or treating, please be safe and enjoy yourselves! Our parents are going to the block party back home...which will be interesting to hear about. Anyway, we had some fun this year. Yesterday, both of us had to work and we were allowed to dress up. It was a lot of fun; Holly went as the 12th Doctor and I went as a Hobbit. Also....me and a co worker had some fun with fake mustaches.

The Doctor will see you now. 

Took this when I got home. Furry Wiley too :)

This is probably why we're both still on the market :P

So like I said, we had a lot of fun yesterday. Today being the actual day, as per usual, we helped at an event at church called Hallelujah Harvest. It involves a lot of children packed into the fellowship hall at church with games, some food and a ridiculous amount of candy. It's amusing that a couple of weeks before the event everyone's always like "we need candy!" Yet there's always an abundance and we always have a ton left over, so we took some for us; that miniature hoard is now sitting at the kitchen table. And now Wiley is watching all the children around our neighborhood go trick or treating; we forgot :( Every year at Hallelujah Harvest, sis and I do a duo costume...makes sense, huh? A few years ago we did Holmes and Watson, and last year we did the 10th Doctor and Rose Tyler. Well, this year we were struggling to come up with something to do. Finally, at like 10:00 at night I was like "Holly, we should just dress up as each other." So she wore a set of my scrubs and I wore one of her Grow App shirts and threw one of her scarves on and we were opposite twins for Halloween. Now tell me, aren't I a clever girl? 

Honestly, we're not really into Halloween that much. We went to a Halloween party one year and had lots of fun, but we've never hosted one. It's just fun for us to dress up, be silly and get lots of candy. So in other words, we just act like big kids....which is what we do anyway. So there you have it. Have a good one, you all and remember to have fun and act like your kids too. 

Who knew twins were reversible? 

You're the Inspiration!

Holly: No, we're not about to break out into song here...although who doesn't love Chicago? Anyway, a little off topic here. Happy October, everyone! Is it just me or is 2015 flying right by? It seems like just yesterday we were all digging ourselves out of substantial amounts of white stuff, and now it seems like a distant memory, one I'm sure many of us wouldn't mind forgetting.

Life is pretty swell for us lately. It definitely hasn't come without its share of bumps, but that's another set of stories for another day :) Part of the swellness of life for us is our work, and that's where my story begins...

Today I attended a workshop that catered to, admittedly, mostly Berea faculty, but there were Development staff present, as well as myself and one of my bosses. The topic, along with many other sub-topics, was philanthropic fundraising: identifying donors, relating to donors on a personal level, some strategies, etc etc etc. I won't bore y'all, but one of the "kickers" was sharing stories that inspire. I was seated next to a current Berea professor and we both marveled at the fact that Berea draws in a crowd that has some pretty incredible stories. This professor was telling about a current student of his: how she'd come from a poor family in Alabama, how she'd had numerous travel and internship opportunities, how she was doing "exceptional work" (his words), and that she was working multiple jobs even as a student. And, he concluded, "she's still not done yet." I was immediately struck by something, and I verbalized it almost immediately, "I love this story," I said, "I mean, I could be here all day going on about the professors that inspired me, but it's so cool- the professors are inspired by the students too." He agreed, but then commented that he didn't think that he made an impact on his students- it was the joy of seeing his students thrive and realize their potential that made the difference.

But that's where I [mentally] disagree. If you don't think you've made an impact, or been at least some degree of inspiration, that is not true. For me, anyway. Even with the classes that I absolutely HATED (and there were a few), I still learned something. I was still challenged in some way, be it through an assignment, or even a way of thinking. And with those professors that immediately stick out in my mind having been the most influential to me, both personally and professionally...I could fill volumes. There is something to be said about attending a college in which the opportunity to build a relationship with a professor, both in and out of class, is not only more than just an idea; it's a living, tangible, meaningful reality. From way too many after-class conversations about EVERYTHING, to just learning how to deal with people when they weren't at their best, I graduated from Berea College with more than just a Bachelor's degree.

Kelly: I was sitting in the chair of my department's office, crying. Graduation was 3 months away, and I was dead set in my head that I was going to fail the program in my last semester. I was pouring my heart out, verbalizing feelings of "feeling picked on," like a failure and feeling like I was miles behind my 12 classmates. After I got it all out, she first said that I was past the point of failing. The second thing she said to me I still remember to this day.

"You can do this, and you're going to do this."

So I did. I made it through, graduated, and passed the boards the first time around. I feel like I owe part of my career and the nurse that I am to Berea College. They pushed me and all of us not because they didn't care, but because they did care. I feel like at any other college they would just be like "well too bad" while still taking my money. Now that I'm a working nurse, I find myself hoping that I say or do something to inspire my patients. But 9 times out of 10, it's them who are inspiring me. I have learned so much from these people, because that's who they are before patients, they are people. Just recently, I was thinking about my time at Berea, which is something that I still do from time to time. One professor came to mind, and ironically it wasn't one I had for one of my nursing classes. I took this class with this specific professor on the recommendation of Holly and also, quite frankly, I just needed the filler so the college wouldn't get mad at me and drop me to only part-time status. It turned out to be one of the most challenging, yet fulfilling courses in my time. Completely disregard the fact the professor had bipolar disorder and....yeah.....part of my career goes there too. That class and the teaching and the all of it also spear-headed me to being where I am.

The point I'm trying to make through all of this is that you never know whose lives you are changing, and whose changing your lives. Think of those in your life that have inspired you. Is there a possibility that you've inspired them as well? My answer is probably.

All for God's glory

Kelly: A friend of ours shared this article on her Facebook, and Holly mentioned that we should share it on here. So that's exactly what I'm doing!

I used to write a lot of poetry as a kid and draw. I had such a creative imagination (still do!) and have always loved music. Music, I've heard, is something to be felt, not heard. I could not agree more with that statement. So below is the article; give it a read. It's really good stuff!

Why Christians should paint, compose music, etc...

Enjoy!

What (another) beautiful wedding!

Holly and Kelly: This past weekend was a dear friend's wedding! The three of us have been friends for about 11 years (and counting). We met when we were freshmen in high school; she's a year older than us. Right before Christmas, she asked us if we would be bridesmaids in her wedding, so of course we jumped on the opportunity! The kicker? The last time (other than this weekend) that we all saw each other was 4 years ago.

Yup. You read that right. If THAT doesn't stand the test of true friendship, I don't know what does!

The wedding was yesterday, and we couldn't have asked for a greater day weather wise. It was cool, sunny and breezy. Since it was in September, we were a bit worried about how the weather was going to cooperate, but it was perfect! I (Kelly) was worried about how much stress was going to be involved in being a bridesmaid and of course with nuptial drama (which there was very little), but it was actually one of the most low stress and low key weddings we've ever been to. Never mind the fact that the both of us were in the wedding too! There weren't a lot of people at the ceremony, too. It was outside on some guy's farm that he owned and uses for weddings and other things (it's called the Willow Tree in Tipp City, Ohio. Give the pics a look!)

Overall it was a really awesome weekend! It was great to reconnect with old friends and meet some new ones along the way. We adore her now hubs and could not have asked for a better fit! We'll put some pictures up and possibly share some more stories as they come up along the way! As our mom would say, it was a 10+ weekend!!!!!

:) 

To have or not to have (kiddos/wee ones)

Kelly: DISCLAIMER: WE LOVE OUR MOM FRIENDS AND YOUR CHILDREN! THIS POST HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH "MOM BASHING," OR BRATTY KIDS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. ANYTHING SHARED IN THIS POST IS PURELY OUR OWN THOUGHTS, FEELINGS AND CONVERSATIONS THAT THE TWO OF US HAD. SO MOMS AND OUR MOM FRIENDS, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, BECAUSE YOU'RE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB!!!!! OK???? OK!!!

I am 25 years old. I am a nurse. I love my family, friends, my job and doing what I do. I hope one day that God will give me "the one," and that I will get married and live happily ever after (that's a good one) with my future husband. I pray that I will find a Godly man who loves God first, supports me in whatever I decide and remembers daily the promise he made to me and before God. If/when I meet "the one," this truth I am about to reveal may be a deal breaker, and I've come to terms with that.

I don't want children.

I have absolutely nothing against my mom friends or moms in general, like mentioned in the above disclaimer. Now before you try to say "oh but when you meet the one you'll change your mind," or "when the time is right you'll want them."  I will say thank you and smile. But I'm not going to change my mind; I'm just being honest. And this isn't something that I've thought overnight, no. This has been my way of thinking for years now. Quite a few years. I've honestly just never seen myself becoming a mother. I've never had that desire. Please don't be sad on my behalf, please. I really do like kids. I've enjoyed watching the kids grow up at my church and become mature and responsible young men and women. I enjoyed babysitting in high school (and still do!). I enjoy some of my mom friends sharing their funny stories on Facebook about their kid stories. There are a lot of reasons why I don't want children, and that right now is not the point of this post. Why am I sharing this? What's the point of this? I don't know; this is something that's been weighing on my heart to share for a while now. I honestly don't know why now. But now you know.

And yes, maybe one day I will change my mind. I've always been open to that possibility. And if I do change my mind, I hope to be as great of a mom as my mom is.

Holly: First off, I would like to echo Kelly's statement, and that is do not be sad for her.  There is SO MUCH more to life than having children (Although kids are great and I'm sure they bring fulfillment and joy and all kinds of other stuff to your life) I wouldn't know because we do not have any.

I don't share the same side as Kelly, in the sense that I honestly don't know whether or not I want children. My mind changes often, and it flip flops so much because although I am completely and totally amazed and in awe at the concept of being pregnant and all that comes during and after, it's the after that is just a mind-boggling amount of responsibility that, quite frankly, scares me. There is no room for selfishness. You have to invest hours and hours and hours of time, love, nurturing and sleepless nights with absolutely no idea of the outcome (All you can do is the aforementioned and pray that your child doesn't turn into a total monster).

I hope to be married someday, and when I think about my life with my future husband, I picture us traveling together, sharing life together, doing all the crazy stuff I do with Kelly, together! I love the idea of sharing my life with my "soulmate" and the one that God has intended for me to be with, rather than sharing my life with my "soulmate" and one or two mini "us"es. I guess the bottom line is that I won't be devastated if my husband and I don't have children. But if we do, well then...adventure is out there! :)

There's a whole lot more to our kid conversations, and perhaps we will share those at another time.  Regardless of whether you are a mom or not, let's focus on what is the "right now" in our lives, instead of "what could be" or what someone else has.  You'll find you're a lot more blessed than you think!