"Have Courage & Be Kind"

I know this is silly, but I can't stop thinking about this movie.
If you haven't been to see the new Cinderella yet, stop now and GO!

It is  phenomenal. 

Almost all little girls (teen girls, young adults, women, moms) love fairy tales. I was and still am no exception. I've seen them all & I've even dressed like them all. There's something so captivating about these stories.

Cinderella was one of my favorites. I've seen the original, I've seen Ever After (Drew Barrymore version) and now I've seen the new one. This new one really struck a chord with me & I think I've figured out why.

I would say their are spoilers ahead but...I feel like we all know the story...but still, it's spoiler(ish)!

I love so many things about this movie--so we will just start from the beginning and work our way through. Right before her mother died, she told young Ella to always "have courage & be kind". We quickly see her grow up and radiate that kindness to all she meets. As the story goes, Cinderella also loses her father and comes under the care of her "wicked stepmother" and two step sisters. She becomes a "servant girl" to them. Yet, as you'll see throughout the movie, she treats them with kindness and respect nonetheless.

I love when she first meets the Prince. She won't tell him exactly who she is & he doesn't reveal to her that he is the Prince. The moment he meets her, he's instantly taken with her. Her gentleness, sincerity, and kindness captivate him. From that moment on, she's all he can think about--to the point of asking his father to throw a ball for the whole kingdom--just so he can see her again.

We all know what happens next--"Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo"--We have ourselves a fairy godmother, a magical pumpkin carriage, mice that turn to horses, lizard footmen, a goose for a coachman, a beautiful gown, and glass slippers to top it all off. Purely magical (and also a really fun scene!) The ball is awesome and the Prince can do nothing but give his full attention to Cinderella and it's just great, so Disney.

The end is where it comes full circle and where I figured out why I love this movie so much.
The Prince goes to drastic measures to find this one, "commoner" that's captivated his heart. In the movie he literally goes to every. single. house in his kingdom. Then he finds her, locked in an attic, in filthy clothes, as a servant girl...definitely not the royalty everyone thought he deserved.
The dialogue here just had my heart racing. Sweet Cinderella tells him that she's no princess but that she will love him and hopes that he accepts her as she is--and HE DOES. I get chills thinking about it now. He says to her that he hopes she will accept him the way he is, humbling himself to this girl. They save one another in some sense--he saves her from her home and she saves him from marrying for duty rather than love.  As Ella walks out the door, she turns to this woman who has done nothing but belittle and use her, and says, "I forgive you" & that's it. What power in those three words. I know I would have more so wanted to gloat, brag, laugh in her face (just to name a few) before I would want to forgive her.

We have the perfect ending with this royal,  beautiful & joyous wedding..."and they lived happily ever after".

THAT is why I love this movie. This is another picture of the gospel.
There really is a Prince who loves us freely, for exactly who we are.
He invites us all, he wants us, he finds us, he forgive us, a bride & bridegroom.
Kindness. Courage. Love. Forgiveness. Grace. Rescue. Celebration. Joy.

It's why we love this story. It's something that we long for in the deepest parts of us & Praise Jesus, we have this in Him. 

Spicy Roasted Brussel Sprouts

These are too good not to share!

"Spicy Roasted Brussels Sprouts"

I followed this particular recipe here. 

What you need:

1 1/2 pounds of brussels sprouts

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 rice-wine vinegar (I used organic apple cider vinegar)

1/4 cup honey (I think next time I'll use 3 tbsp's)

2 tablespoons Sriracha, or more to taste

Kosher salt & black pepper to taste

What you do: 

Preheat the oven to 400

Cut the base of the brussels sprouts off

Then, cut the sprouts in half

Once cut, put them all in a ziplock bag

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, honey, and sriracha together

Pour the mixture in the ziplock bag over the sprouts. 

(On the original post is says to add the sprouts to the bowl of the mixture and toss until coated--to me, the ziplock is MUCH easier.)

Spread the brussels sprouts (and all the extra mixture) on a baking sheet

Roast the sprouts until they are crispy & a golden color on the inside--about 20-30 minutes. 

Serve immediately and be prepared for a quick addiction. 

What I'm Loving Right Now (3)

Maroon 5's newest song--"Sugar"

I am obsessed with this song. 

I REALLY did not like their last two songs, but they are staying on my good list solely because of this song. Not to mention, the video is so awesome. They actually went and crashed a few weddings and performed this song. Talk about the ultimate wedding gift! 

Spring break

I've enjoyed this warmer weather (definitely not all this rain though)--who's with me?
I've had a semi-busy spring break full of all kinds of little things that I've been needing to do/catch up on. Mom and I took a 3 day trip to Auburn to visit with some of the family. We ALWAYS have the best time in Auburn.

My newest book additions from Hasting's--thankfully we don't have one here in MS or I would be in deep trouble!
 I am looking forward to tonight--I have a whole lot of nothing planned for the end of my spring break week.


This handsome hubby of mine :)
The week of spring break marks our "engagementversary"--yep! Tomorrow it will have been 2 years since the man of my dreams asked me to marry him. Look at that handsome man! I am a lucky girl ;)

Shoutout to Patrick for taking this awesome picture (check out his outstanding work here)

I am drooling over some items at Anthropologie right now (online shopping is such a trap!)
and I'm finding myself on Etsy more than usual here lately as well. Looking never hurt anyone though,  right?! I did cave and get this journal from Anthropologie. My nerdy heart just had to have this gem.

Our Young Living Oil Kit
We caved and got ourselves some oils and a diffuser. I love putting the lemon in my water--the Citrus Fresh on my wrists--Thieves on my feet--and purification behind my ears. It's been fun and our house smells really good ;)

Weddings and Wedding showers
Tis the season! If you've ever been 25--or around there--(which you all have or will be) then you KNOW what I'm talking about.
Almost every weekend Jason & I are attending a wedding or a wedding related event.
It's such a fun season of life!

 The last weekend in February, we had Ian & Melissa's Couples Shower in Grand Bay, AL

 And the following weekend, I was in Amber & Evan's Wedding. It was a packed, busy, awesome weekend! Cheers to The Veeders!

 I love this picture, it makes me laugh.

 Beautiful, beautiful bride!

My job--I pray there's never a time that this isn't on my list of "what I'm loving right now"--
I know, I know, I'm on Spring Break and shouldn't be thinking about work--but I'm one of those.
I do love my kiddos and I have to share this funny story.
A few weeks ago I was working on a poster for my class and... I sneezed.
One of my boys jumps up, run's to his board all while yelling "Ohhhh noooo! Mrs. Ellis! Ohhhh noooo! Mrs. Ellis, you are being gross. How do you write that, how do you write "Mrs. Ellis was being gross?" If you know my assistant and our relationship, you know we like to laugh so of course, she obliged and wrote it all out for him so he could write me a note. Not only did he give me my note, he wanted a picture of it so he could print it out and have one for himself.
Never a dull moment y'all.

My "adult" coloring book
In all reality, they need more of these. This bad boy was only $7 at Barnes & Noble on clearance. I lucked up! Goodbye productive time (as if Candy Crush wasn't taking all of that already!)

Enjoy the weekend!