"Couple's Retreat" Review

So, in an attempt to enjoy a Sunday evening snuggled on the couch, Justin and I went to "Red Box" to rent Avatar last night. Unfortunately, Red Box doesn't have it yet, but they did finally have Couple's Retreat (the one with Vince Vaughn) so we were excited to see the comedy. If you haven't already watched this, here is the basic synopsis:

There are 4 couples who are all best friends. Jason and Cynthia (struggling with fertility and trying to convice the other 3 couples to go on this vacation with them), Joey and Lucy (Lucy is played by Kristen Davis--they are high school sweethearts who are now waiting until their daughter graduates to get a divorce--never communicate and both are thinking of having an affair), Charles (I think, his name has escaped me) and Jenifer, who have already divorced, so he is having a fling with 20 year old Trudy, and then Dave (Vince) and his wife Ronnie (the only happily married couple with 2 adorable boys). Any who, the whole premise is they go to the couple's resort to try and "fix" Jason and Cynthia's problems, everyone else just wants to go for fun and help get the group rate. While there, they endure terrible therapy sessions and ridiculous "couple building" times. Though the movie is very scattered at times, it was hilarious and actually had some AMAZINGLY GREAT moments in it!

There there was never any mention of God at any time, Vince's character and his wife are completely devoted to one another. When his other guy friends are struggling with thoughts of having an affair, he stands up to them and doesn't even want to hear about it. Jason even questions Joey with "How would you feel if Lucy cheated on you?" Wow, the Golden Rule is mentioned, rather than the usual, "Do what you want, when you want it and forget about your wife."

Vince also challenges his friends with this thought (after they end up on the single's side of the island where there are a lot of 1/2 naked bodies and jello shots) "You can live this life of being alone, of being staying drunk and crazy, or you can choose marriage. You can't have both." He then shows his committment to his wife by saying he does choose marriage and family and he goes to find his wife. They end up sitting by a waterfall, discussing their committment to one another and their families and how important this is to them. By the end of the movie, all 4 couples are back together and working things out.

Again, though there is no scriptural basis in this movie what so ever, I was relieved, almost excited, that a secular production company would come out finally with a movie that promotes marriage and family and portrays families who want to work through their problems, whether it be infertility, adultery, or just going through a "wild spell". Though I do believe that Christ alone can be the center of one's marriage, this movie shows that all families will have difficulty and running away from the problem is not the answer and there is hope.

Easter Pics

In downtown...
The Delliner kids

On Easter morning...

We had a great visit with the Dellingers over Easter. Take note to new pics on the blog from Easter too!

Springing Up...

These are some of my favorite blooms this time of year and they're all in my own yard! Tulips, a Japanese Magnolia tree, and azaleas!

Spring time is officially here. Though our cars, porches and sidewalks are colored with yellow from the pollen, there is a reason why spring represents life. There are new trees, flowers and plants coming up every day. There are new bugs and animals buzzing and sneaking around, ready for a new year. There is so much LIFE! And, when we can't take the pollen any more, there will be rain, rain to wash it all away. We may seem remnants of yellow here and there, but without pollen, we could not have these plants. We must live with it at times to experience the beauty of spring.

As we just celebrated a wonderful Easter with the Dellingers (pictures are to come), I was reminded of the new life that I am given through Christ and the washing away of my sins. What an amazing gift! In Luke 24, we can read the story about the Jesus' resurrection. As the women went to lay spices on Jesus' body, they were frightened by 2 angels saying, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!" Then, they remembered what He had said.

That's right, my Savior is not in a grave, he's not an idol I can see, he is alive and active in me! He is the risen Lord, mighty and powerful, who has saved me from my sin. I am nothing without Him. I fail every day. saying things I shouldn't, doing things I shouldn't, but God's grace has covered me. Like the new flowers coming up, I am a new creature in Christ. Like the pollen that stains our yards, it can and will be washed away. Praise the Lord.

By My Everything...

It's amazing how God speaks right to our hearts, how He calls us to Him, how He gives us exactly what we needs. During our worship service yesterday, we sang a song I had not heard in a while, but it was exactly what I needed to say to my Savior.

God is my dreaming, God in my watching, God in my waiting, God in my hurting, God in my healing. By my everything!

I need Him to be my everything. In a time when I see so much new life, I am so excited for my friends who are experiencing this special blessing, but I can't help but feel a tug at my heart and anxiously await when that time comes for me. It's a daily process, but how wonderful it is to sit in the palm of my Creator's hand!

Spring Break 2010

A sunset at Ocean Isle

My view while walking around UNCW's campus.

One of the wonderful things about being a teacher is you have a students' schedule. I honestly think I appreciate spring break more now than I ever did in school. We ended our school week with a fun time at Special Olympics Bowling Practice and a pizza party and then the break officially began! I stayed in Auburn the first weekend of spring break to spend time with Justin and Mason and get some things done around the house. We enjoyed going to Keisel, snuggling while watching movies, and watching baskbetball. (Justin had to stay in Auburn to get work done and it was my first time ever being away from Mason for more than a few days. :()

After lots of errands and cleaning on Monday, I left early on Tuesday to head to NC. I bought a box of doughnuts from D2 for the fam to enjoy. I spent the next few days shopping with Mom and catching up on my Law and Order SVU and CSI:NY shows with Mom, Dad, and Zach. Good times of relaxation! On Thursday I headed east to Wilmington and spent the evening with Jill and the Alberts. Man, do I miss that boy! It was so great to see them all!

On Friday Jill and I enjoyed the beautiful weather at the loop! Then, my girls weekend began with eating at 2 Guys Grill on Friday night and catching up! It was so great to see Nat, Martha and Boof (we missed you Candice!). The weather was perfect and we enjoyed laying out on Saturday, shopping at the Outlets, and eating yummy crabcakes for dinner. Such a great time!

There is a reason why the Lord said to take time and be still and rest. This past week was a wonderful time with family and friends who are greatly missed. Only 44 more days of school!

What would you do with a million dollars?

This was a prompt I gave my students this morning and here are some responses that I got:

1. I would buy me a new basketball.
2. I would buy a house and a car. 1 day I well get marred and have a fammy and I will need a house.
3. I would buy a movie theater in my house so if I got a date.
4. I will have a four wheeler with rims on it.
And my absolute favorite:
**I would buy a stretch limo with a handicap capibility so my friend in a wheel chair can come and chill out whenever he wanted.

There are rewards to this job! :)

Happy Birthday Momma!

Today, March 3rd, is my wonderful Momma's birthday, so I wanted to just give her a shout out. My Mom and I have always had a special closeness and I have always considered her one of my best friends. This is something I hope to have with my own little girl one day. My Mom never missed a game, a piano recital, a Christmas or school play, or an award's day. But, besides her unwavering support and encouragement, her love and patience has what has been the most important things. There were definitely times when I was a mouthy middle school, an unruly teen-ager, and a defiant college student, trying to figure out myself and learn who I really was. Through it all though, my Mom stood by me, corrected me when I was wrong, and loved me regardless. She has held my hand when I was scared, prayed for me when I was confused, and loved me unconditionally. When I couldn't call to say the difficult words, she called for me. When I'm mad, she sits and listens while I vent. And, most importantly, she gets me, most of the time, and when she doesn't, she doesn't care, because I'm still her little girl. All of this is to say, I would not be who I am today without the unwavering support, prayers, and love of my wonderful Mom.

I love you! Happy Birthday!