Gratitude Journal // Eleven - One -Twenty Four

Gratitude Series: Sometimes, the bad days get the better of me. Other times, I get so caught up in my little world that I forget to give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. And sometimes you just need to write down the things you're grateful for to see all of your blessings. Though, I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes I take things for granted. I'm doing my best to be thankful for all of the good in my life. So, today, I’m choosing to give thanks for all of the things.

 

Cloudy days: We’ve had two days of cloudy skies this week. Then one morning we woke up to thunder and rain. And on another we had some drizzle for a few hours. I absolutely love when cold fronts blow in and I’m happy we’ve gotten some nice weather this week. It's much appreciated.

Dresses: They seem to be the only things that fit me. So, I’m grateful to have a lot of them in my closet right now. I was never a big fan of dresses before, but these days I’ll take anything comfortable and breathable.

Extended warranty: Recently, I had to take my vehicle to the shop due to an electrical issue. I know, I just got it. Thankfully, we purchased the extended warranty so we weren’t out a lot to get the issue fixed. After 6- days, she was finally ready to pick up. And let me just say, there’s something that feels so right about getting to drive your own vehicle again.

Chocolate cake: I NEED to cut back on my sugar intake, but it is so hard when all I crave is random food and chocolate. Recently, a co-worker made me German Chocolate Brownies, and a week later a lovely chocolate cake. Of course, I have shared with others. But in all honesty, if I had allowed myself, I could have eaten both of those all by myself.

Nature Sounds: So, my normal at the moment is getting awful, inconsistent sleep. And while I enjoy ASMR videos before bed, lately I’ve been more into Pink (or brown & green) Noise and Nature Sounds. I search on YouTube for one I like and flip my phone over on the window seal for the night. While I don’t stay asleep the entire night, these help me to get some short deep rest. And they help me to fall back asleep faster after I’ve woken up. It’s wreaked havoc on my “screentime” numbers, but sometimes you gotta go what you gotta do.

And that wraps up my gratitude post for this month. What are you grateful for today? This week? This month? What do you do to help bring some positivity back into your day if it's been a bad one? How do you make sure to stay grounded? How was your Halloween? Are you in an area that’s been getting cooler temps, or snow? Or are you like us in Texas and experiencing a lot of heat? Let me know below. Until the next post, I hope you have a wonderful night! Adios!

“Spend time with those who value you.” // Unknown 

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Gratitude Journal // Seven - Nine - Twenty Four

Gratitude Series: Sometimes, the bad days get the better of me. Other times, I get so caught up in my little world that I forget to give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. And sometimes you just need to write down the things you're grateful for to see all of your blessings. Though I admit that sometimes I take things for granted, I'm doing my best to be thankful for all of the good in my life. So, today, I’m choosing to give thanks for all of the things.

A Second Manager: I now have two “bosses” that I report to and serve as Executive Assistant to both. And one of those managers acknowledges hard work. He pays attention to his direct reports. And recently, when he notices people have come in early or worked through lunch he lets us go home early. He believes that if our work is being completed, and we are showing initiative then we should also be rewarded. This can mean getting to work from home, coming in later, or leaving early. All while still getting paid. So, yea, I’m grateful that he’s here. 

 

Random Rainstorms: Yesterday, we had some random rainstorms throughout the day. It was a day that started with sunshine, moved to cloudy, turned dark, and then poured. That cycle repeated two more times. The temperature dropped to the low 80’s and there was a cool breeze for the majority of the day. It was perfection. And at the end, we were gifted with a rainbow.

 

Early Morning Runs: I run 2-3 times a week right now. And most of those take place in the early morning. When I set out  for these runs the sky is painted in orange, pink, purple, and bright blue. And it just helps get my day started in a positive way. I get a few miles in, watch the sunrise, and feel better.

 

Fudge Rounds: Little Debbie Fudge Rounds have a death grip on me right now. I know, I know. They’re terrible for me. But when I get that chocolate craving that I just can’t shake, I end up reaching for one of these. Sometimes two. And they hit the spot every time.

 

The God Minute Podcast: Recently, I started experiencing more stress and mood swings in my day-to-day. So, a few weeks ago I decided that it was time to shift my focus. I needed to start my day with prayer, reflection, and some time to recharge my battery before heading out for the day. The God Minute podcast has been a great way for me to focus my energy on daily prayer, and it’s helped shift my mindset every morning. It's usually about 10- 15 minutes long, and for me it's like being able to attend a daily mass. 

And that wraps up my gratitude post for this month. What are you grateful for today? This week? This month? What do you do to help bring some positivity back into your day if it's been a bad one? How do you make sure to stay grounded? How has summer been going for you and your family? Are you in an area that’s been getting cooler temps or experiencing a lot of heat? Let me know below. Until the next post, I hope you have a wonderful night! Adios!

“He came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose.” // Matthew 9:25 

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Gratitude Journal // Five - Three - Twenty Four

Sometimes, the bad days get the better of me. Other times, I get so caught up in my little world that I forget to give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. And sometimes you just need to write down the things you're grateful for to see all of your blessings. Though I admit that sometimes I take things for granted, I'm doing my best to be thankful for all of the good in my life. So, today, I’m choosing to give thanks for all of the things.

Cloudy Skies: While I enjoy the sunshine, I’m more of a stormy weather kind of girl. I enjoy cloudy days and a cool breeze. I enjoy thunderstorms and the smell of rain. Our area gets a handful of rainstorms and cloudy weather each year, but we’re getting a lot more this Spring than we normally do. You know, April showers and all. It has been so pleasant and even more enjoyable.

 

Consistent Sleep: Lately I’ve been averaging about 7 hours and 21 minutes of sleep each night. At least, that’s according to my Apple watch. This is down from the six-month average, but it’s to be expected with this season of life. Still, there was a time when I only slept about 6 hours and those were rough times. So, I’m grateful for anything over 7 hours. The goal is to hit 8 hours again this summer. School is about to be out for summer meaning my schedule won't be so packed. But we'll see. 

 

My vehicle: Two years ago, I purchased a used Ford Edge. We needed some extra room that my Equinox was no longer providing, and it was just time. Unfortunately, the Edge was not the vehicle I wanted, but it’s the one I could afford. It was brown, instead of black as it had been advertised too. However, I was tired of looking and going back and forth so I just made the decision and got it. The price was decent and it had 3 out of the 4 features I was looking for. Since then, I have spent a lot of time talking down on it. It’s ugly. It had a good amount of miles on it already. And one of the doors started making this rattling sound right after the warranty went out. Because that’s how it works right? Still, I’m grateful for it. It’s a safe vehicle. Everything works on it. And it gets us where we need to go. So, I’m doing my best to look at the bright side of it all.

 

Answered Prayers: I have this long list of things I pray for. And then there are people I pray for too. And while I know that unanswered prayers are answers of their own, it’s pretty exciting when something you’ve taken to the Lord comes to fruition. Today, as I’m counting my blessings I want to give thanks for all of the prayers that have been answered. Those from the past, present, and future. I truly am grateful for all I’ve been given and all that I have not.

 

Good Health (for now): Recently, I was told I needed to press pause on running. And while there was a good reason for it, I felt so overwhelmed with anxiety because of it. A week and a half later I was given the green light to resume running and instantly felt much better. Had it not been for my good health, the outcome could have been very different. So, today, I’m giving thanks for my health. While I know things can drastically change from one day to the next, I’m doing well at the moment. I’m able to run. And my little scare turned out to be something minor.

And that wraps up my gratitude post for this month. What are you grateful for today? This week? This month? What do you do to help bring some positivity back into your day if it's been a bad one? How do you make sure to stay grounded? Are you ready for summer? Are your kids? Do you have any vacation or staycation plans? Let me know below. Until the next post, I hope everyone has a great weekend! Adios!

“Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” // Mother Teresa 

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Gratitude Journal // Three - One - Twenty Four

Gratitude Series: Sometimes, the bad days get the better of me. Other times, I get so caught up in my little world that I forget to give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. And sometimes you just need to write down the things you're grateful for to see all of your blessings. Though I admit that sometimes I find myself taking things for granted, I'm doing my best to be thankful for all of the good in my life. So, today, I’m choosing to give thanks for all of the things.

  

Lunch w/Friends: I’ve been making it a point to have lunch with work friends at least once a month. It’s a way to get out of the office, and just talk about how things are going on campus. It also gets me, a highly introverted person, out of my comfort zone. This year, I've wanted to put more time/effort into my friendships too. Scheduling a lunch once a month is a great way for us to come together and nurture those friendships. 

Running: I spent a good amount of January and February sick. Which meant I missed about 4 weeks of running. And nothing makes you more grateful to be able to run than NOT being able to run for a while. Today, I’m super grateful for my body’s ability to keep moving. To keep running. Not only does it help me physically, but also mentally.

Ice Cream: We disregarded our dietary restrictions a few times last month. Granted, we were upfront about when/why we would be disregarding it - birthdays and events with friends. One of my treats was a DQ Choco Brownie Blizzard, and it was amazing! My stomach hurt for several days afterward, but it was WORTH every bit of that pain.

My Planner: While I’m doing my best to approach life with the idea of simple/slow living, I love my planner. It’s not as jam-packed as it used to be, thankfully, but it holds the essentials and allows me to jot things down that need my attention. It also helps me refocus on prayer, and journal a bit at the beginning of every month. I only use it at work and make a note to not schedule things outside of working hours UNLESS absolutely necessary. Anyway, I have this planner, and it’s my third year with it. I love it.

My Home: I look at my house, and I see so many things wrong with it. The siding is terrible. The windows are old and single-pane, which means our electricity bill is never under $250/month (and that’s during the winter). There are so many nooks and cracks that let bugs in too. It’s small and we don’t have a lot of room. The interior needs a lot of work & could use some paint. We constantly have ONE issue after another (plumbing, water, things breaking, electrical issues, septic problems, etc). BUT it’s our home. It’s a roof over our heads. It’s the place where we can live with affordable rent - which is not an easy thing to find these days. It has running water, electricity, beds, and a place for our things. And I am so GRATEFUL to have it. While one day I hope to have something a bit more, our home is more than enough right now. And for that, I’m blessed.

And that wraps up my gratitude post for this month. What are you grateful for today? This week? This month? What do you do to help bring some positivity back into your day if it's been a bad one? How do you make sure to stay grounded? Will you be taking some time off during spring break? Any vacation or staycation plans? Let me know below. Until the next post, I hope everyone has a great weekend! Adios!

“Will you loosen your grip on all that was “supposed” to be and look at Me?” // Shalini Blubaugh

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Gratitude Journal // One - Five - Twenty Four

Gratitude Series: Sometimes, the bad days get the better of me. Other times, I get so caught up in my little world that I forget to give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. And sometimes you just need to write down the things you're grateful for to see all of your blessings. Though I admit that sometimes I find myself taking things for granted, I'm doing my best to be thankful for all of the good in my life. So, today, I’m choosing to give thanks for all of the things.

Boba Tea: A friend of mine made some homemade Boba tea, and it was delicious! I’ve always liked Boba, but don’t get to have it very often. And even less now with my dietary restrictions. However, now and then I get to have a treat. And Boba tea or coffee is at the top of my list.

Time off: During winter break, I had 10 days off from work (including weekends) and it was marvelous! My house was clean, laundry was done, I was able to fit in some naps, and we had several sleepovers. My heart was happy and full. My home felt cozy and clean, and I enjoyed it being tidy. I felt like I had TIME. Time to enjoy my home, time to get everything done, and time to rest. Truly, I feel blessed.

Waffles: During our Christmas break we were a bit lax with my dietary restrictions. I didn’t overdo it, because my body would definitely let me know that what I was consuming was probably not the best, but one of the things I enjoyed on Christmas day was WAFFLES. My husband made a full breakfast buffet, and it was all so delicious, but the waffles were just magical.

Medicine: Our entire household came down with a pretty bad cold & congestion starting on Tuesday. It has been rough, and I’m still not fully recovered yet. But I’m grateful for medicine and nasal sprays (that work for more than an hour) because they have gotten me through the days/nights. While it’s never fun being sick, I’ve been able to manage this go around. This means I’ve been able to stay on top of everything that needs to be done, care for my family, and continue to work.

Sleep: Thanks to the break, and oddly - being sick, I’ve been getting PLENTY of sleep. Whether it’s due to melatonin or my body just feeling tired, my bedtimes have been pretty early. I’ve also taken a little break from running due to all of the congestion so my afternoons have left me with a lot of downtime. The plan is to take it easy over the weekend, rest up, and then start everything fresh next week - hopefully feeling better.

And that wraps up my gratitude post for this month. What are you grateful for today? This week? This month? What do you do to help bring some positivity back into your day if it's been a bad one? How do you make sure to stay grounded? Do you have any fun things planned for January? Any goals or plans for the new year? Let me know below. Until the next post, I hope everyone has a charming weekend! Adios!

“My soul rests in God alone, from whom comes my salvation. God alone is my rock and salvation, my fortress; I shall never fall.” // Psalm 62:2-3 

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Gratitude Journal // Eleven - Three - Twenty Three

Gratitude Series: Sometimes, the bad days get the better of me. Other times, I get so caught up in my little world that I forget to give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. And sometimes you just need to write down the things you're grateful for to see all of your blessings. Though I admit that sometimes I find myself taking things for granted, I'm doing my best to be thankful for all of the good in my life. So, today, I’m choosing to give thanks for all of the things.

Freeze Warning: This week, we had a freeze warning. It lasted from Sunday to Wednesday morning. Temperatures dropped down to 30 degrees and we had rain all day Sunday. I never thought I would say that I enjoyed the freezing temps, but it was wonderful! We bundled up, made sure our heaters were in working order, moved plants, and got the animals prepped. I called it Texas’s “pre-game” before winter actually comes through. And now, I’m ready for it!

Chocolate Cake: On my birthday, I ate cake. It was amazing! It was everything that I had dreamed it would be and more. The aftermath wasn’t the greatest, but I will happily take that pain over and over again for some chocolate cake. It's safe to say that this is my weakness when it comes to junk food.

ASMR: I have been listening to ASMR for a long time now. I had experienced it since I was a child, but I learned of the actual term for it 10 years ago. That’s when I started to listen to/watch ASMR videos. It helped with my anxiety, served as a form of stress relief, and allowed me to fall asleep more quickly. I go through phases of which artists I watch, and I’ve currently been enjoying ASMR Twix and esteASMR - can you guess why?

Little Goats: I love my little goats. Donkey and Gus Gus are THE best! They are low maintenance and cause ZERO trouble. While I used to be a “dog person” many moons ago, after the last “puppy” I announced that we would not get another dog once ours all passed away. No worries, we still have a ways to go before that happens. Anyway, instead of a dog or cat I want one or two more goats. They’re just super easy to handle, very chill, and don’t require a lot of attention. And that’s all I want out of an animal these days.

Work Friends: At the beginning of October there was a “New Employee Reception” that I attended at our university. It was to welcome any new faculty/staff that had started within the past 9 months. While there were a few people I knew who attended, the majority were strangers to me. But I walked away from that event with two new acquaintances and future lunch plans. We’re hoping to set up regular lunches on campus to get to know each other better and to provide support for one another. They are both new to this area, new to Texas, and are in completely different career fields from me. However, just like me, they were seeking work friendships. So, I’m grateful for their willingness to get to know me. Here's hoping for the best! 

And that wraps up my gratitude post for this month. What are you grateful for today? This week? This month? What do you do to help bring some positivity back into your day if it's been a bad one? How do you make sure to stay grounded? Do you have any fun things planned for November? Thanksgiving? Do you live somewhere that sees the changing seasons or does it just go from one extreme to another? Let me know below. Until the next post, I hope everyone has a really lovely weekend! Adios!

“It’s okay if growth means slowing down this season.” // Dhiman 

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Gratitude Journal // Ten - Nine - Twenty Three

Gratitude Series: Sometimes, the bad days get the better of me. Other times, I get so caught up in my little world that I forget to give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. And sometimes you just need to write down the things you're grateful for to see all of your blessings. Though I admit that sometimes I find myself taking things for granted, I'm doing my best to be thankful for all of the good in my life. So, today, I’m choosing to give thanks for all of the things.

Fall: Temperatures have lowered. Mornings are crisp and cool. We’ve had some rain in our area, which was much needed. The leaves are turning orange, yellow, and brown. And the insects are slowly but surely, going away! Y’all, when I say the bugs were a nightmare this year…that’s an understatement. Anyway, where once I was all about summer, in my old age, Fall has quickly become my favorite season.

Better health: I have been asked to stick with my recent dietary changes for another 8 weeks - 16 weeks total. If you know how much I love chocolate, you know that was a brutal blow. But here we are, week 9. That said, I have lost weight, my brain fog is pretty much gone, and I’ve been waking up around 5 a.m. every morning like clockwork. I was able to reintroduce some dairy, though I’m sure that will be removed again as I’m almost positive that I am lactose intolerant. Still, I’m grateful for better health, and getting answers.

Sugar-Free Alternatives: If you are ever in need of some tasty sugar-free alternatives, check out Primal Kitchen. Their dressing/condiments/sauces have been life savers as I make better eating choices and work on my relationship with food. I love BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, and ketchup. I’ve tried a lot of different alternatives out there but they never really tasted quite right. Then I found PK, and so far, everything I have purchased from them is super close to the original stuff. They are a tad pricey, but it’s made me not miss the “real” stuff so much. A big THANK YOU goes out to the creators of their products because they do a good job.

Slow Days: I thought once I graduated I would have more of these. But when your daughter gets older and starts participating in more school functions - it’s not always the case. So, when we do get slow days, I try to revel in them. They’re probably the days I look forward to the most. They’re slow, late starts. Drinking my coffee smoothie on the back porch. Lounging in PJs all day. Being able to take naps if I want. And just taking the time to enjoy my home space.

My Family: I am blessed to have the family that I do. Sometimes they’re annoying. A little old-fashioned. We don’t always see eye-to-eye. BUT y’all, we love each other. We support each other. I know that I’m fortunate enough to have grown up with two parents who really cared about me and did the best that they could. It’s because of them that family has always been super important to me. And while I may have been difficult, hard to get along with, and damn set on carving my own path - not once did I ever feel like I wasn’t loved by my family. Like I wasn’t supported. I’m truly grateful to have the family that I do. And even more fortunate that Emery gets to experience it as well.

And that wraps up my gratitude post for this month. What are you grateful for today? This week? This month? What do you do to help bring some positivity back into your day if it's been a bad one? How do you make sure to stay grounded? What are your plans for October? Are you in a place that has already gotten snow this year? Let me know below. Until the next post, I hope everyone has a really lovely week! Adios!

“You are ultimately responsible for who you become and how happy you are.” // Rachel Hollis 

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Gratitude Journal // Nine - Four - Twenty Three

Gratitude Series: Sometimes, the bad days get the better of me. Other times, I get so caught up in my little world that I forget to give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. And sometimes you just need to write down the things you're grateful for in order to see all of your blessings. Though, I admit that sometimes I find myself taking things for granted, I'm doing my best to be thankful for all of the good in my life. So, today, I’m choosing to give thanks for all of the things.

My fiance: We bicker a lot. It often feels like we’re the old married couple that just has to find something to argue about. I complain about everything under the sun too. He gets annoyed with me for not keeping some of those complaints to myself. But then we laugh, or hug, and say, “I love you.” We move on. And that is truly a gift. I’m blessed to have a partner that stays. One that sees ALL of my faults and chooses to love me anyway.

Homemade Dressing: I’ve had to make some health changes - a post on that is coming soon. But one of the most “magical” things that has come out of it is a homemade dressing that I pour on everything. It consists of red wine vinegar, avocado & olive oil, salt, and lime juice (fresh is best, but do what you gotta). This goes on my salads, my veggie snacks, and my rice bowls. I’ve had to play around with the ratios - Corey prefers more oil while I prefer more vinegar. But the result is just *chef’s kiss*.

Seeeesters: If you’ve been here for a while you’ve probably heard me mention Kim and Olivia. Or as we call ourselves, Seeeesters. While they may not be my biological sisters they have been in my life for over 20 years. Kim is also my sister-in-law. Anyway, they have been with me through ALL of the ups and downs. Since we are all scattered, we keep in touch as best as we can. We’ve been learning more about our faith together, and do our best to visit as often as possible. However, life happens. Still, I’m so thankful to be able to walk through this life with them by my side.

My Job: Y’all, there was a moment when I wanted to return to my previous place of employment. I even reached out to my old boss, asking to be notified if any openings came up. At the time, I had been misled and I wasn’t comfortable with handling what was being asked - long term. The job was the issue, not the people. However, as I now know, God was just needing me to be patient. I was put in that original position to get the right person back in the office to help. And once I accomplished that, in April of this year, God opened a door for me. It was my dream job! And it’s come with so much grace, training, and healthy work friendships—the complete opposite of what I had before.

Cool Weather: I don’t know if you have heard but Texas has been hot this summer. Electricity bill being over $350 a month, type of hot. The trees lost their leaves back in June. Our yard is a field of yellow, crunchy, grass. The insects have been terrible. TERRIBLE. And there were times when we couldn’t take enough clothes off - out of respect for others obviously. So, last week, when we woke up TWICE to temps being in the 60’s we all rejoiced. There was a breeze and the air had a tinge of crispness. A brief reminder that fall was coming. Before too long Halloween will be here and then Christmas! While I’m not one to rush, I am excited about cooler weather.

And that wraps up my gratitude post. What are you grateful for today? This week? This month? What do you do to help bring some positivity back into your day if it's been a bad one? What are you excited for this month? How do you make sure to stay grounded? And how’s the beginning of fall going? Has the weather changed much where you are? Have the leaves started to fall from the trees? Let me know below. Until the next post, I hope everyone has had a happy and safe Labor Day weekend! Adios!

“He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot” // Micah 7:19 

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Gratitude Journal // Nine - Twenty Seven - Twenty One

Gratitude Series: Sometimes, I let the bad in my day get the better of me. Other times, I get so caught up in my own little world that I forget to give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. I find myself taking things for granted over and over again. So, today, I’m choosing to give thanks for all of the things.

• Instructors: Though my classes are no longer “HyFlex” the majority of the instructors have gone ahead with giving their students the option of attending via Zoom. While I do prefer to attend classes face-to-face, I spend about 30-40 minutes on a round-trip commute four days out of the week. So, being able to sit in on a class over Zoom has helped me stay within the 36-38 hour work window. And while that’s still a big pay cut each week that I’m taking because of classes, I know it could be a lot worse. So, I’m grateful to my instructors for doing this. 

• Lavender Lattes: I have been in love with these ever since my sister-in-law bought me one at Jo’s in Mount Pleasant. Sadly, no one close by made them. Then, my brother and sister-in-law moved and there was no more Jo’s close by when we went to visit. And well, that was a bummer. But, recently, TWO local coffee shops added it to their menus! Can you believe it? And while I normally opt for cold coffee all the way into November, these lattes are best served hot. So, every Friday morning I treat myself to a hot lavender latte and it’s just the best. Usually makes my day and it puts me in a good mood. If you ever get a chance to try one, do it!  

• River: Though we don’t get to see him all of the time, we do get to see him about 2-3x a month. And this little dude is just one of the cutest. He’s not always so sure about us at first, because again, we aren’t in his daily life. But he loves his big sister! Once he realizes who she is that’s who he wants to carry him around. And the love runs both ways for sure. Em is always excited when she gets to see him and she’s happy that they get to be in each other’s lives. Now, even though the visits are short, Em makes sure to get plenty of one on one time with him. She even volunteers to change a diaper and feed him. And then she jumps at the chance to get him dressed for the day, comb his hair, or play little games with him. After every visit she lets me know that she's happy we were able to see him. 

• ASMR: I’ve considered doing an entire post dedicated to ASMR, but I’m still on the fence. While it has gotten really popular, I’d like to think of myself as an OG ASMR listener. I discovered it back in 2014 when I read this article on Yahoo. So, we’re going on 8 years of listening. And back then there weren’t a lot of artists creating it. However, it has been such a gift to me. And to Emery too, as she started listening to it a few years ago as well. It’s gotten me through some sleepless nights, overwhelming times, study sessions, and it’s helped me focus at work. I’ve listened to it while going through my depression season, and it’s also been there during some anxiety attacks. It helps me so much, and I'm glad that I found it all those years ago. 

• Christina: One of my sisters-in-law. We’ve been spending a bit more time together recently; each of us is on our own health journey. And she’s always up for early morning weekend workouts. Walks in the park. Or down to accompany me on long drives with the kids. She’s a pretty great listener too. And when things were rocky with that side of the family after my divorce, she’s one of the ones who stuck with me. She never made me feel like I wasn’t family. She never had me questioning where we stood. And she always had my back. I’m thankful for her friendship. Always. 

And that wraps up my gratitude post for this month. What are you grateful for today? This week? This month? What do you do to help bring some positivity back into your day if it's been a bad one? How do you make sure to stay grounded? And how’s the beginning of fall going? Has the weather changed much where you are? Have the leaves started to fall from the trees? Let me know below. Until the next post, I hope everyone has a really lovely week! Adios!

“With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you.” // Jeremiah 31:3 

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Gratitude Journal // Seven - Thirty - Twenty One

Gratitude Series: Sometimes, I let the bad in my day get the better of me. Other times, I get so caught up in my own little world that I forget to give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. I find myself taking things for granted over and over again. So, today, I’m choosing to give thanks for all of the things.

• My Nephew: With his cute little voice and those little cheeks. “TIA!!” He calls me. We share a love of chocolate and I will gladly give him some when we see each other. You’re welcome, Kim. He’s constantly asking to see Em and honestly, he makes her feel like a big sister when he’s around - complete with the title. While she does have a half-brother, we don’t get to see him as often. So, her little cousin helps make her feel like she’s living up to that big sister role in some way.

• CHIPS: After years and years of paying for all of the medical and dental expenses for my daughter out of pocket, and taking on these huge ER bills from the few times we had to take her in, I made the decision to seek out assistance. Government assistance. Something I had always told myself that I would never do. Here in Texas when you don’t qualify for Children’s Medicaid then you have the option to try getting CHIPS. And well it’s no secret that my income, while a decent one for my job and this area, it doesn’t leave me with enough money to afford a family health insurance plan. Add school into the mix and well, my budget is pretty tight. The lowest we found at the time was $380/month with a very high deductible, and I'm sure it's gone up since then. So, I finally gave in and applied. And we barely made the cut. Now, this is not long-term assistance for us, and I don’t want it to be. But I am so grateful for it because we really needed it. And I know there's some judgment that gets thrown around about people who use government assistance, but let me just say this, “If you really need it. USE IT. That is what it’s there for and don’t let anyone make you feel less than just because of it.”

• Sweet Tea: My favorite “go-to” drink. One that I had to cut back on, significantly. Which makes me sad, but also, I get it. Texas tends to make their sweet tea - extra sweet. So, it wasn’t helping with my diet or the more recent lifestyle changes I’ve been in the process of making. But man, when I do go in for a full sweet tea rather than a water or half & half. Ooooh, it’s delicious! And if I could drink it forever, I would.

• Snow cones: One of the best things about summer. With the heat that we get and the humidity too. There are some days when it’s almost unbearable. The heat index gets well into the triple digits. And there’s nothing quite like treating yourself to a giant snow cone at the end of a really scorching day. I actually prefer it over ice cream. Personally, blue coconut is my favorite and I tend to stick with that. But occasionally I’ll branch out. Nothing too crazy though. While we’ve also cut back on these, mainly because we don’t have a stand right down the road, it’s definitely one of my favorite treats to get. And trust me when I say that I will definitely make that 15-minute drive back into town on those days when I’m really craving one.

• Trisha: She has been in our lives for over about a year and a half now. We started out with family sessions but at the beginning of summer, we incorporated couples sessions as well. And she’s just been wonderful! Emery really opens up to her, and Trisha has been a huge help when it comes to helping Emery work through her anxiety. As for the couple sessions, those are relatively new, but she does a great job in helping me see things from a different point of view. Sadly, we will only have her for one more session in two weeks. She recently accepted a job offer, one closer to home, and while we are so sad to see her go - we are also very happy for her! Emery shed plenty of tears at our last session, but because they’re just so fond of each other - Trisha offered to do once-a-month virtual check-ins with Emery at no cost to us. I mean, how amazing is that? I'm really thankful to God for putting her in our lives.

And that wraps up my gratitude post for this month. What are you grateful for today? This week? This month? What do you do to help bring some positivity back into your day if it's been a bad one? How do you make sure to stay grounded? And how’s the end of summer going? Any last-minute plans before the kids head back to school? Let me know below. Until the next post, I hope everyone has a really lovely weekend! Adios!

“We are what we believe we are.”  // C.S. Lewis 

❤

Gratitude Journal // Three - Nine - Twenty One

Gratitude Series: Sometimes, I let the bad in my day get the better of me. Other times, I get so caught up in my own little world that I forget to give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. I find myself taking things for granted over and over again. So, today, I’m choosing to give thanks for all of the things.

• Tax Return: Since I started school, finances have been really tight. Like, penny-pinching. As soon as I received my W-2 I was able to file my taxes right away. Then my return was deposited into my bank about two weeks later. And it arrived just in time. My car is needing new tires, windshield wipers, and a tune-up. Plus the check engine light kicked on due to a sensor so that will have to be fixed as well. Now with the extra money, I’ll be able to get all of this done!

• N & B: There are two people who have helped me with my math homework and study reviews. Without them, I wouldn’t be passing my math class right now. Seriously. So, I am really grateful that they take time out of their day or weekend to help me out. Whether it's going over my packets or having a FaceTime session. So, for them, I am grateful. 

• SmartHER News: It’s been about four months since I’ve navigated to “regular” news sites for information on anything. Obviously, there was the major news of Kanye and Kim getting a divorce so I did hit up Yahoo to read an article about it. I really wish I hadn’t, because I don’t really care about the Kardashian’s. However, I was kind of curious as to what the “final straw” was for those two crazy kids. Weird, I know. Anywho, on the occasion that I do decide to read up on what’s been going on in the world, Jenna at SmartHer News is actually really great! You can find her on YouTube, Instagram, and on her website. She stays current, and for the most part, she’s unbiased. I say most, because sometimes in political areas you can kind of make out what “side” she’s personally on, but she still gives you the facts. Anyway, she provides news in a very clear manner which is something that I really like. 

• Spring: Clear skies and warmer temperatures. That’s my jam. Give me mid 60’s to low 70’s any day and I am stoked! Being able to open the front door and raise the windows up to let the fresh air in is also something I look forward to in the Spring. As much as I enjoyed the cold, except for that one time, I think Spring is my favorite season. PLUS, Daylight Savings Time kicks in too! And oh how I love that extra bit of sunshine in the day. I feel a spring cleaning session coming on too. Yup. I’m ready for it. I’M HERE FOR IT. Let’s go mother nature.

• Nice Coworkers: Sometimes you just need people in the workplace who don’t completely suck. You know? Makes your day more enjoyable. Thankfully, I have some of those people. Now, if only I could convince my boss to switch over to a four-day workweek. That would be the cherry on top! But alas, if that's not going to happen, at least my coworkers don't make me feel all stabby. 

And that wraps up my gratitude post for this month. What are you grateful for today? This week? This month? What do you do to help bring some positivity back into your day if it's been a bad one? How do you make sure to stay grounded? And what are your plans for this Spring? Until the next post, I hope everyone has a really lovely week! Adios!

“Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” 

 // 1 John 3:18. 

 ❤

Gratitude Journal // Twelve - Seventeen - Twenty

Gratitude Series: Sometimes, I let the bad in my day get the better of me. Other times, I get so caught up in my own little world that I forget to give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. I find myself taking things for granted over and over again. And that’s just not how I want to be anymore. So, right now, I’m choosing to give thanks for all of the things. 

• Work Bonus: Since changing job titles, and I’m assuming COVID-related issues, this year my bonus was significantly less than what it had been last year. And yet, still more than what I thought it would be. So, I’m really grateful for it. It covered all of the Christmas presents I wanted to get my family, one of my bills, and left over a bit to put into savings. I’m blessed. 

• My Abuela: She calls about twice a week to check in on us. One of the drawbacks of not living three miles away from my family is that I don’t get to see them every day the way I used to. This means that my time with my Abuela is very limited. And I definitely need to make sure that I start putting in an effort to call and check on her too. 

• Hallmark Channel(s): Yes, their movies are cheesy. Yes, every character is OVERLY nice. Yes, they do recycle stories. Yes, it’s basically a lot of the same actors. But you know what? I love them. I love that they are family-friendly. I love that each story has a happy ending. And I love that the biggest dilemma usually revolves around something not so complicated. Where will they get the perfect Christmas tree for the town's light festival?? Then, for the Christmas movies, there’s also a lot of snow, beautiful homes, and plenty of coffee. These movies serve as my break from all of the other stuff going on in the real world and I love them. 

• K: My partner’s mom has been wonderful. She helps with picking the little up from school every day. Always has them outside exploring. She treats Em like her granddaughter and even asks to be invited when Em has a performance. She’s welcomed us into her home since day one and she’s always up for helping whenever she can. 

• Our fireplace: I’ve always wanted to have a fireplace. I’ve wanted to decorate a mantle. I’ve wanted to have a fire going while drinking hot chocolate, cozied up on the couch with my family. And this year, I’ve been able to do just that. Now, the fireplace is a pain in the rear in regards to upkeep - which now I know. But there’s something really peaceful about hearing the logs crackle when the house is quiet at night. I’m really enjoying it on those cold nights. 

And that wraps up my gratitude post for this month. What are you grateful for today? This week? This month? What do you do to help bring some positivity back into your day if it's been a bad one? How do you make sure to stay grounded? And how will you be celebrating this Christmas season? I know it's been a minute since I've posted anything. Life at the end of the year gets pretty busy though. I hope every one of you is doing well though. Until the next post, I hope you have a wonderful day! Bye! 

“To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors.” - Unknown 

❤

Gratitude Journal // Eleven - Ten - Twenty

Sometimes, I let the bad in my day get the better of me. Other times, I get so caught up in my own little world that I forget to give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. I find myself taking things for granted over and over again. And that’s just not how I want to be anymore. So, right now, I’m choosing to give thanks for all of the things. 

• Writing: My outlet. Whether I suck at it or not. I’m happy to have some kind of creative expression that I’m able to release. Either on here, for y’all to read, or in the stacks of journals on my shelves. Writing is one of the things that I constantly come back to, even when I have months or years of dry spells. And I’m thankful to have a way of getting all of that word vomit out.

• Scented Candles: I change our house scent by the season. And based on the room. I have no idea where I got this or why I even started it. Some people even think I’m a little crazy for it. But I love doing this! And I can spend hours in the candle & wax section. This time of year, all of the more earthy and warming scents are coming out and they're probably some of my favorites! 

• Almond Milk Creamer: Because intermittent fasting is hard. Because diets are hard. And a low sugar, low calorie, creamer helps. Especially on the two to three cup days. 

• Daily Devotionals: Every morning, as I’m getting my desk ready for the day, I usually listen to or read a daily devotional. I don’t always relate to them. Sometimes I get a little lost in what’s trying to be said. But, having these little reflections before starting my day has helped me to find a better headspace. Happier thoughts; lighter attitude. 

• Our Family Counselor: Trisha is wonderful! I can’t stress that enough. Whether we are having a light session or an intense one, she always pulls me aside at the end to tell me, “You’re doing a great job, Mom.” And sometimes, it’s nice to hear that said out loud. Because being everything to everyone else while also having to be an adult can be hard sometimes. And we all need a little squeeze or small hug to let us know that we aren’t completely messing things up. So, if someone hasn’t told you this lately: Hey! You’re doing a GREAT job! 

And that wraps up my gratitude post for this month. What are you grateful for today? This week? This month? What do you do to help bring some positivity back into your day if it's been a bad one? How do you make sure to stay grounded? And how will you be giving thanks this upcoming season? Until the next post, I hope everyone has a really lovely week! Adios! 

“I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28 

❤

Gratitude Journal // Ten - Sixteen - Twenty

Sometimes, I let the bad in my day get the better of me. Other times, I get so caught up in my own little world that I forget to give thanks for all of the blessings in my life. I find myself taking things for granted over and over again. And that’s just not how I want to be anymore. So, today, I’m choosing to give thanks for all of the things. 

• Morning coffee: Whether it’s hot or cold, I love coffee. I mean, really love coffee. There’s also something comforting about waking up and fixing our morning cups. Handing over his mug with a kiss and a, “Have a good day, babe!” But then, when I get that first sip, that’s when I feel like things are in order. Doesn't matter how chaotic or slow the day has started. It’s like those old Folgers commercials where everyone is smelling the coffee and smiling from ear to ear. Yea, that’s me. My day doesn’t officially start until I’ve had my cup.  

• My seeeester: Kim is a Godsend. We’re so different in pretty much ALL of the ways. But she’s someone I couldn’t imagine ever being without. She doesn’t always get me, but she kind of does at the same time. I really wish there was a better way of describing that. So, I guess, “Thanks for marrying someone so great, little brother!” She’s truly helped me in more ways than I can count. 

• Daily Mass: Whenever I have a day off during the week I usually attend daily mass in the mornings. And this is just a really great way to start my day. There’s something really wonderful about sitting in the pews at church and hearing the readings in person. And, to be honest, I usually feel “off” when I don’t get to go. 

• My bed: I like sleep. And this month we’ve spent a lot of nights out of town for weddings and family visits. Even this weekend, we’ll be out of town. And there are very few other things more satisfying than returning home and climbing into your own bed. The familiar sheets, pillows, and blankets. Oooh man. Yea, that’s the good stuff right there. 

• Ribeye Steak: Since being in a relationship I’ve had more ribeye steak in the past 10 months than I’ve had in my entire life. And I don’t hate it. Since my partner can cook - boy can he cook- I take full advantage of his skills. This means I’m usually spoiled with a ribeye meal once a week. *YUUUUMMMM* I really hope that this perk never goes away! 

And that wraps up my gratitude post for this month. What are you grateful for today? This week? This month? What do you do to help bring some positivity back into your day if it's been a bad one? How do you make sure to stay grounded? Until the next post, I hope everyone has a really lovely week! Adios! 

“You’re growing even when you’re not thinking about it”. - MHN 

❤

Gratitude Journal // Nine - Eight - Twenty

Sometimes, I let the bad in my day get the better of me. Other times, I get so caught up in my own little world that I forget to give thanks for all of the good in my life. I find myself taking things for granted over and over again. And that’s just not how I want to be anymore. So, I’ve decided to start this series called “Gratitude Journal”. The concept is pretty basic. Each month, I will come up with a list of five different things that I feel grateful for in my life. They can be anything and everything, in no particular order. There’s a possibility of repeats happening so I apologize in advance. I’ll end each post with a quote, affirmation, or bible verse at the end. The point of this series is to take a break from all of the noise and to look at all of the good that’s happening. I may elaborate a bit on each thing, but I’m not entirely sure yet. This is trial & error, y'all. I hope that in writing these lists out I’ll be able to focus more on the good in life. And maybe you’ll read something that you can relate to as well? Or you may just think I’m a weirdo. Who knows? Whatever the outcome, I’m hoping to keep these going for a long time. Here’s to the first entry! 

• My daughter: For her good health after we were informed that a classmate had tested positive for COVID-19. Her classmate is doing well. Also, for her laughter which I’ve been hearing more of lately.

• Day napping: This happened once last week, and it was glooooorious! One hour of uninterrupted sleep on my day off and I felt so great afterward. If you get a chance to do this, do it. Makes the day so much nicer. 

• Homemade fudge: My partner, who I realize I should probably start addressing by something else on here, surprised me with some homemade fudge from one of his favorite shop's several towns over.

• Planners: They keep me organized. And when the rest of my life feels very chaotic, I like having a marginal sense of structure. I’ve been using this brand which is awesome but I’m hoping to buy this one for next year.

• The smell of rain: It’s been hot this summer. I’m talking over a hundred degrees with a heat index of 110+ for several days in a row. Thankfully, some rain finally made its way to us. And we are getting a cold front this week! Can you say sweater weather?!

And that wraps up my first gratitude post. What are you grateful for today? This week? This month? What do you do to help bring some positivty back into your day if it's been a bad one? Until the next post, I hope everyone has a realy lovely, short, week! Adios! 

"When you pass through waters, I will be with you; through rivers, you shall not be swept away."

 - Isaiah 43:2

❤

It's Been A Start

Well, the start to this year has been less than stellar. We've had some family health issues come up. A few emergency room visits. We had some vacation plans for this summer, and then we had to cancel some of them. Now, I know the things I bitch and moan about are pretty small compared to a lot of people’s problems out there. I know that there are thousands of people out there facing harder situations. So, today I’m just going to be thankful. I’m going to breathe in and take stock in what I have.

First, I’m thankful for our health. The flu in our area has been brutal this year. I’m thankful for having a job that allows me to provide for my family. Thanks for keeping me around boss man. I’m thankful for “Fifty Shades Freed” because Jamie Dornan, duh. I started out as a fan of the books, and now watching the last installment I feel like we’ve come full circle. I’m thankful for Northland Cable. Without you I wouldn't have been able to binge watch Altered Carbon, or the first season of Parenthood, or Everwood. I’m thankful for HEB curbside pick up. Because of you I don’t have to interact with other humans as much any more and I get extra time at home. I’m thankful for my parents. They have been really awesome, and I feel like I don’t vocalize it as much as I should. I’m thankful for a daughter who was able to celebrate her 8th birthday. I’ll post about that later because it was a rather interesting one. I’m thankful that I was able to be here on this Earth to see her celebrate it. I'll always be grateful for this. I'm thankful for the help that we've received during some of the low times. We've been lucky enough to have some amazing people in our lives. I'm thankful for Daylight Savings Time finally kicking in. The extra hours of sunlight during my day make a huge difference in my productivity. I'm thankful for all of the expereinces i've had so far this year. They teach us lessons that make us who we are. 

Tomorrow I'm sure I'll go back to feeling all kinds of anxiety about what's going on in our lives. I'll return to the chores, and the lists. The regular routine of my everyday life. I'll complain about not having enough time to get everything done because I'm only human. But today. Today I'm sitting on my bed, listening to my daughter giggle as she watches TV, and I'm looking out the window as the sun sets with all of those beautiful colors. I'm sad, but happy. And I have so much to be thankful for that I don't want to waste a lot of energy on bad vibes. I don't want to allow the negative to overshadow all of the good. So, I'm thankful. Truly. For every day. For all of it. 

To That One Dude

Last weekend when my family was down for a visit, a friend of my brothers came to spend the day with them. I’m sure he thought it was going to be a “him & them” situation, but it quickly turned into a “him & all of us” situation. Now, I only see this guy maybe once a year. And we basically get along by insulting each other until one party is leaving, and then it’s a wave goodbye followed by “See you around asshole.” -- His words. And that’s just how we roll. This time around was no different. And I'm actually pretty proud of how creative we are getting at our insult delivery. However, I’ll give credit where credit is due. And today, since I know he’ll never read this, I just wanted to say thanks.

It’s no secret that family life has not always been smooth sailing for us. This is why I’m happy to have so many strong, positive, people in my daughter’s life for the times that we fall short. It’s also no secret that sometimes our daughter is interested in things that we either hate, don’t always have time for, or have no knowledge of whatsoever. This is why I’m really grateful to have help. When Emery started showing interest in archery I was clueless. If I’m being honest, I still am. When she wanted to try her hand at it I was able to turn to my brother & sister-in-law for help in teaching her. When she wanted to learn, and play soccer my dad was able to spend some time teaching her what he knew. Now, he even plays against her when he gets off from work. When she wants to get all arts, and crafty my mom steps up to the plate with countless projects they can create. She also has a whole section of their house dedicated to that space for her. So, I’m pretty lucky, I know.

Now, what some people don’t know is that the past few weeks have been a little rough for us. And this past weekend we were finally able to take a step back, and just take a break. Enjoy family time. On Sunday however, once the sun started to go down, we were all a bit preoccupied with getting our family members ready for the road trip back home. And this friend, who had already been entertaining my daughter’s demands for thumb wars, and piggy back rides earlier that day at the flea market, stepped up without complaint. Now, it could be that he tolerated it all pretty well since he doesn't have to deal with it on a daily basis. Or maybe that's why my grandmother kept telling my daughter to quit pestering him? For fear that it would scare him away?  But, he went on every bicycle race that he was challenged to. He played catch wearing a kid sized glove, and chased after baseballs that went over the road or across the field. He played soccer, and “you can’t catch me”. Over, and over again. I mean, I won’t lie, there were instances where even I was thinking “Okay, now this is just getting annoying.” But he went along with it. And my daughter thought he was just the coolest kid ever.

So, thanks, jerk face. Thanks for hanging out, and playing games with my seven-year-old. Thanks for not complaining when she got really annoying, and almost choked you out as you let her climb onto your shoulders for the third time in a row. Thanks for teaching her how to throw a baseball, and hold her glove so she wouldn’t get hit in the face. Though if you had let that happen, your torture would have been over much sooner...just saying. Thanks for keeping her entertained so my dad, and brother could work on the truck. And, thanks for playing some weird version of soccer/kickball with her while I was getting my last little bit of snuggle time in with my nephew. But mostly, thanks for just giving her some of your time. I’m sure it wasn’t how you had hoped your day would go, and I’m sure there were other things you would have rather been doing. But to her, it meant a lot that you paid attention. So…thank you.

Now, in the slight chance that you ever come across this post: This…changes nothing, and even though I appreciate your kindness to her you’re still kind of a dick. And the next time you over estimate my age by ten years, make fun of the gray hair coming in, point out a new forehead wrinkle, or critique my “elbow game” while eating pizza I will throat punch you. Comprendes? Okay, good.  

Hello :)

I've made it a rule to not post on weekends because that’s our family time. During the week I have a full-time job, go to college, attempt to keep my house in order, and try to find time to write. So weekends I dedicate myself completely to my family and friends. My “listen” posts are scheduled on Friday’s. Well, this morning I logged onto my dashboard because I realized that I only posted once last week and I believe you guys deserved a lot more than that. Unfortunately, a lot of things have been going on lately so May turned into a pretty busy month for us. But when I logged in my page view counter had skyrocketed! 

Now, I've stated before that this blog is for me. I don’t advertise or promote my blog like many of you. I wish I had the time to do so, but I just don’t. Nor do I feel like I have that kind of energy or dedication. I mean, I went a whole week without posting so what does that tell you? Anyway, those that find me usually do so by accident and I’m truly grateful for their support. So to go from 20 views a day, to 160...well, that grabbed my attention. So, instead of writing down my normal post, I felt like I should say hello!

So...hello!

I just wanted to welcome all of y’all to my little blog. I know many of you are probably coming over from Erica’s blog. A big THANK YOU goes out to her for giving me a shout out on her blog when she didn't have to. I've been following her blog for over a year now and she’s just down right awesome, isn't she? Had I known sooner that she had mentioned my blog I would have posted this yesterday. Instead, y’all got a half assed post put together by yours truly while suffering from a severe case of esophagitis. Sorry, about that! Lets hope that wasn't your forever first impression of me. :)

Anywho, for those of you that are visiting my name is Raquel. I’m a 25 year old mother and wife living in central Texas. We currently live in a small town where the cows outnumber the people. During the summer we get a kick out of the local volunteer fire department as they try to find there way around during drills. It's a lot funnier than it sounds, trust me. As proud as I am to have been born and raised in Texas I fell in love with Murrieta, California after living there for a year. I hope to one day make it back to the west coast. Family means everything to me, and they're also a pretty big reason why I found myself back in Texas. Now if that's not enough information for ya, or if you're just dying to know more about us feel free to click here.

This blog contains everything and nothing at all about us. I use it to write about my every day life which more often than not is pretty boring. That said, I put my heart out there. I’m pretty uncensored, and at times a little random. I write with myself and my daughter in mind so everything you read is 100% me; no sugarcoating. So to all of you that are coming through, thanks for checking us out! And for those that decide to follow along, thank you for your support! I’m really honored that you found my life interesting enough to want to read more.

And again, I just want to say THANK YOU, to the lovely Erica for her support. 

You're one awesome lady and such a great mom! 
You've definitely been an inspiration. 
I'm glad I came across your blog over a year ago!

Words

Last year I came across this blog that really made me happy. Her writing was simply amazing, her photography was beautiful, and her stories were so vivid. It’s as if you could sit back and see these events she talked about come to life as you read them. Truly amazing. She had such a way with words. I found myself wishing that I could be more like her. She was very free spirited, and filled with a lot of love. She was always so honest about her life, how she felt, her family, and what she did. She really made me feel like I needed to be more like that. Take things in stride; spend more time with my family. Enjoy just being. After reading a few of her posts I found myself wanting to go all the way back to the very beginning of her blog just to catch up on everything I had missed out on. And I did.

Six months ago, she quit writing. She had her reasons, which again she was honest about, and even though I understood them I still felt really sad. Here was this person, who through her blog had inspired me to take a step back and enjoy my life, and she was quitting. I’m sure she has no clue just how much she helped me out, but she really did. She talked about image, motherhood, and life in general. Her posts made me feel like I wasn’t completely alone. I wasn’t the only person feeling that way. Sometimes I miss how her words could make me feel a bit lighter after having a bad day.

Now, I’m not saying that I was obsessed (ok, maybe just little bit), or that I can’t live without that blog in my life. Obviously it’s just a blog. But have you ever found those writers who you wished you could just sit down and have a conversation with? How you know that if you ever met in person, you’d probably be friends with them? Well, that’s how I felt about this lovely writer. Last week, she posted an update and said goodbye again. And it made me happy. I was glad to know that this complete stranger was doing well, and that her family was happy and healthy. And I’ll gladly wait another 6 months to see if she’ll update us again. Because her stories are truly worth waiting for.

Aura,

Thank you so much for your words.

And for you guys out there reading this I've placed the link to Aura’s blog below in case you’d like to go check it out for yourselves! Today I have the day off and I'll be spending it in my garden. Hope everyone else is having a wonderful day!

:)

Happy Friday everyone! 

aura joon 

(click picture for source)

Back To Reality

I got my vacation. The only crappy part was having to come back. We weren’t really there to go check out neat places, so you won’t see any pictures of museums or an amusement park. We went to go see our family. To get away from Texas, and visit my husband’s hometown (my home away from home). I’m so thankful that we got the chance to see everyone, and I’m so heartbroken that we couldn’t stay longer forever.

To me, this place holds a special place in my heart. It was a major contributor in my growing up. In becoming independent and responsible (somewhat). And as much as I love Texas, I’ve always felt like one day, I’d go back and make my home there. And visiting only reassured that feeling. It felt so familiar and natural. And while we were there, I did miss my home and my family. But by home, I just mean our things. Our bed, our cars, and our things. I kept trying to imagine what it would be like if when we moved back. How much I’d miss my mom and dad. My brother, and my “sisters”. But, at the same time, I felt like I was at home. Not the place where I grew up, but the place where we were meant to start our lives. Separate from everyone else.

But, we aren’t rushing anything. We aren’t packing up and moving back, even though sometimes I wish we could. My husband and I agreed that I would finish school, we’d pay off our debt here, and build up our savings. In a year or two (maybe three), we’ll see where we’re at, and re-evaluate our situation. We both feel like this is the best way to go about this. So now, I’m just focused on school (which starts tomorrow).