Weekend Happenings

From the top: The EPIC (3) cheese Grilled Cheese that the Hubs made us for lunch, finally checking out what all the talk was about (McClane Stadium @ Baylor), taking advantage of the 70 degree January weather (Thank-you Texas), found love on the Walking Bridge, the difference between Him and Me, more cheezin at the Park, getting tired of taking pictures after Church, and finishing it all off with some homemade Stir-Fry.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend because mine was Incredible!!! Just give me a sunny day and I can do anything!

#MakeItHappen

I meant to do this sooner, but because of the goals I've sent it has already been a busy year for me! I
don't like resolutions. They are so finite and often single-minded that it is so easy to break them in a such a short amount of time. Instead, I prefer to set goals for myself because they allow you some wiggle room to be human and make mistakes. They are organic and allow for tweaking when you need to make adjustments. It is also encouraging that there is no real end to my goals; they are areas in my life that I want to improve and that can continue on for years to come. I have deemed 2015 the year of the 'S': Spirituality, Safety, and Success. I have also another 's' in there that has to do with my marriage relationship, but I'll let you guess what that word is because I don't want creepies coming here by mistake :)

Spirituality: I chose this goal because you can never be too close to God. Since becoming a full-fledged adult, I have let my faith waiver significantly due to anxiety and lack of effort. I've determined to study and reflect on my Bible every day and already it feels so good. I've been participating in the Good Morning Girls study and I love it. It's a chapter a day and I use the SOAK method to pick out the hidden pearls written there for me. I can already feel a change in myself and I can't wait to keep learning.

Safety: This has been a struggle for me since getting married. When I was young and my parents provided for me, I always felt safe and never questioned a thing. Becoming a grown-up and taking care of yourself changes your perspective. You realize there are these horrible life-suckers called bills and you owe everyone but yourself. It's scary finding a place to live and hoping that no crazy people live beside you and then your car keeps finding parts to break. I thought I was worried kid but I never truly knew worry until the last few years. My husband takes good care of us, but we have our struggles. It is my goal this year to let a lot of worry go and trust. Thankfully, my spiritual goal is already helping this.

Success: The last couple of years I have felt stuck. I'm not growing or learning and I have been lazy and comfortable doing nothing. This year, I have determined to succeed, or rather start planning to succeed. I realize that success isn't an overnight occurrence so as a goal it makes sense because it may not be this year that anything major happens but I at least have a framework and an end goal in sight. I am taking my first class for my Masters in Reading and I am reading a spectacular book by Lara Casey called Make It Happen: Surrender Your Fear, Take the Leap, Live on Purpose. I want to speak more on this book later because I'm only in chapter 3 and it's already changing my life. This book is mind-blowing.

Sssshhh: The last category is a strengthener for my marriage. I was dealt an unexpected blow and it made me realize that although we spend a lot of time together, we are severely lacking in true intimate time. I honestly feel that this is crucial for every Godly marriage and we could feel the lack of bond between us. We've made a lot of headway already and we have an action plan that makes my heart glad. Today we spent time together in our reading nook, sitting in our recliner together reading comic book and let me tell, it was like magic. The sun was shining in, the windows were open and letting in the sound of birds, and we were huddled together in a chair made for one. I just sat there and smiled like a goob the whole time.....I think it's what life is supposed to feel like.

I can tell it's going to be a big year for us and I am overjoyed. I've felt so stagnant for a long while and for the first time, I'm excited again. I can't wait to see what's next and I'm not afraid. If anyone stumbles across this blog post out there, I would love to hear what goals you've set for yourself in the new year and I wish you the best!

On Having Children(Someday)

I know I haven't taken the time to list them here yet, but one of my 2015 goals is to be more Spiritual. As a child of God, I haven't spent enough time in His word and that makes me feel ashamed. I have to determined to carve out some time in the mornings to spend reflecting on a chapter, a passage, or evn just a verse. Because having children is on my mind lately, I've chosen Psalm 127:3-5 which says:

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Growing up watching my mom take care of children, I knew I wanted to be just like her. Loving, kind, and warm all describe how she made and still makes me feel. Having kids was always a given for me. That is, until I actually grew up and knew what it was like to take care of yourself. Sometimes I wonder if we are responsible enough to raise a child; we both still feel so very young and we enjoy having time to ourselves to be selfish and do whatever we want to do. Many of our friends are having children and the older I get, the more pressure I feel to not 'run out of time.' Insert slightly inappropriate quote from my favorite show ever, New Girl:

What if all that's left are the weird eggs and the evil eggs? I can feel them, they're turning. They watched their brothers and sisters die and now they want to be birthed. I need to be fertilized!

Kidding aside, the Bible says that children are a true blessing and reward to those that have them. My biggest fear is that we will get pregnant and not have the means to take care of him or her. My mom has always told me that 'if people waited until they could afford children, no one would ever have them.' I hear that and I believe that, but anyone who knows me well knows that I am a worrier and a planner. If I don't have an exact plan for taking care of my child, my world will come to end(at least it will feel like it). Babies aren't like super expensive shoes that you can regret and take back to the store for a refund, they are with you forever. And while I would like the company now and then, it scares me to think that I will hold another person's life in my hands. I will shape them, mold them, and hopefully help them become something great. This must be what God feels like every time He creates, nervously waiting for the outcome even though He already knows.

I don't think I will ever get over my fear of having children; I know my mother still worries every day despite the fact that we are all grown-ups now. Fear comes with the territory. But with the fear, comes the joy. The last sentence of the passage says 'He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.' I don't know about you, but to me that verse is describing a Proud Father. He has beautiful, loving, obedient children that he is blessed to brag about in front of everyone, even people he may not like as much. Children are a glory to their parents and though I am afraid, it is the fear that will help me to try my very best to raise them well. Hopefully, one day soon, I will be making some blessings of my own! (And yes, that precious little person down there is me!)

Christmas Wishes

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone! We are wishing you all the best and many blessings in the year to come!

An Unceremonious Christmas Tree Lighting

It only took 22 days into the Holiday season, but we finally put up our little Christmas Tree. I don't know about anyone else, but to me it feels like the Holiday season is going by faster than usual. I love Christmas, but for some reason I feel like I can barely catch my breath this year; we're not even halfway done shopping for gifts and Christmas is less than a week away!

This has been a great December so far and will continue to be the busiest one yet: my best friend had her baby shower for baby #1, we traveling to Oklahoma to see my Dad's family, and right after Christmas, my college roommate is getting married! We are definitely in that stage of life where everything is on the upward slope; life is really just beginning and I can't wait to see what happens in 2015!

Our Christmas Card 2014

Photos Taken by my sweet sister Kelsie @ The Candid Photobooth

We've done yet another DIY Christmas card this year and I am so proud of how it came out! Kelsie is a budding photographer on the side and we love getting our pictures taken(yes, we're attention-hogging theatre kids) so another Holiday shoot was a must. She did a beautiful job with our photos two years ago so now that we are back all living in Texas it was super easy. I love the light airy quality of her editing style and I added in a few Christma-y touches of my own with Picmonkey and ipiccy.com. I can't wait to print these and get them sent out to our family and friends!


Happy Holidays!

Taking Stock: 10/10/14

Now that we've more or less established ourselves in our new home of Waco, TX, I thought it was about time to Take Stock again.

Making : Picture frames to decorate our bedroom and the hubs is going to make my dream table this weekend (See it here)

Cooking : Tonight we will be dining on this lovely dish--Pesto Chicken!!!!
Drinking : Water. From the Bubba Jug. 
Reading : Insurgent and Blood of Olympus--I'm a sucker for YA books
Wanting : To figure out my calling; I don't know quite where I belong in the working world and I'm losing heart...
Looking: At the pile of packages in our mail room that need to be sorted soon
Playing: Solitaire like nobodies business. I've become suddenly and overwhelmingly addicted....I even play it with real cards!
Wasting: Talent. I know I'm meant for so much more I just need to focus and let God lead me.
Sewing: Belt loops back onto my husband's jeans...he wears those pants out!
Wishing: I could go back to the last two weekends my whole family spent together at the Zoo and State Fair--we haven't had outings like that basically since we all left for college/marriage/etc and it was kind like being a kid again. I cherished it.
Enjoying: The sound of birds singing in the courtyard outside of my office
Waiting: For 1pm so I can get off of work and go home! Happy Friday!
Liking: My new favorite snack: Plain greek yogurt, a little honey, and mix in some sunflower kernels. Healthy and delicious!
Wondering: If husband made it to work ok....we are having some car issues that need to be addressed.
Loving: My husband--I don't know what it is, but lately I can't get enough of him! I always love him, but I go through these random periods of time where I simply adore him and everything he does.
Hoping: That we can start a family soon. My best friend is pregnant with her first child and we always wanted to have kids together so I'm hoping we sort our lives out and be blessed with little ones too.
Marveling: At the peace God can bring if you let Him. It's a daily power struggle for me and I'm having to learn how to let go.
Needing: More encouragement. My heart and mind are a little bit lost at the moment and I could use a few good pep talks.
Smelling: The quietness of the Lobby where my desk is located. You know how people have distinctive smells? Well, it's just me today and although I love my perfume, it smells a little lonely in here....
Wearing: My Baylor t-shirt for Spirit Day. At my old office we never got to wear jeans, here it's every Friday! Huzzah!!!
Following: New people on Instagram. I haven't had mine for very long so it's fun to find new people. You can find me at thesetwohearts411  :)
Noticing: My silly handwriting on the announcement board...I swear I write like a 7th grader...
Knowing: "Is half the battle!" Sometimes not knowing feels so much better...
Thinking: About all of the life decisions I need to make. You're mid-twenties are so full of possibility and I just hope I open the right doors.
Feeling: Anxious about our future; student loans are really weighing heavy on me right now. 
Bookmarking: All of these...
Opening: The new books that the hubs surprised me with last night!
Giggling: This. Just this whole thing. Watch it. 

I am one blessed girl. :)

The Parents are Coming!

Yes my friends it's true! As I type, my sweet parents are driving up I-30 headed this way from Texas! I don't know if you can tell, but I adore my parents--yes, we've had our squabbles in the past(still do) but I wouldn't trade them for any other parents in the whole world. My daddy worked/works so hard to provide for his family--even now he works as a full-time firefighter and owns a boot repair shop to help us all pay for and pay off college. I know he misses having lots of time off but my dad has never shied away from work. I admire him so much for all that he's done for us and although he doesn't say much, I know he loves us more than anything.

My Momma--she is my other best friend. There is no one in this world quite like her. She is funny, warm, loving, super creative. She's incredible. Growing up a lot of kids do stupid things and swear they will never tell their momma. I can't tell you how many times I said the same thing but you know what, I always told her. You just can't lie to that face--it's too sweet and kind. Don't let it fool you though--she is a tough Momma too. She didn't let us get away with anything and everything. My mom always got compliments about how well-behaved we were. She taught us how to act like a lady in public and let loose at home! I know I can always turn to her whenever I'm in trouble and I am so blessed that God put her and my dad into my life!

Dueling Toothbrushes

There's an unspoken war when the paste is running low.
Who will give in and toss it, Heaven only knows.
"Not I' says Wife pinching from the top.
"Nor I" declares Husband, squeezing one last drop.
Until one day, Wife settles the score.
Out it goes and the war is no more.

Happy Easter 2014!

"Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again!"

It has been a such a beautiful weekend--Saturday we were fortunate to spend some time with Kristofor and Lauryn at the Loveless Cafe, did a little shopping at Opry Mills, and had a nice little Easter dinner with Kelsie. The Lord is so good to me!

*In case you're interested, my pink dress is from Cato's and the creamy dress is from Ross.

Happy Three Year's!

I just want to say Happy Three-Year Anniversary to the man who drives me crazy and loves me more than I deserve. I love you handsome and I couldn't do it without you!

So Much on My Mind

My worrying heart is plaguing me. I feel as though I'm spiraling down deep chasm of fear, doubt, and regret. I hesitate to write about it here because most blogs are filled with the happy times: pictures of trips, new recipes, and good news. However, there is the other side of the coin; life gives us ups and downs and they are real, and honest, and should be shared because everything is not sunshine and rainbows.

I suppose in the grand scheme of things, my worries are small--but they are important to me and I'm praying that writing them down will help me see that it's only a list. A list to be checked off one-by-one and I will be fine.

Our future is so uncertain at this point. Anyone who really knows me well can tell you that having no concrete plan is akin to an unexpected tornado in my mind. There are a couple of things we do know: May 31st we get in the car and drive to Texas. June 6th we head to Virginia for camp. Once we get from camp, the plans are up in the air. No permanent dwelling and no tangible jobs. 

Thankfully, I have very loving and supportive parents because we'll be staying with them until we can get on our feet again. Joshua wants to take the Fire Fighter exam when it rolls around again but we don't even know when that will be or how many spots will be open in the department. My most current plans are to apply to Grad school and get back started on my Master's in Reading. I'm terrified that no one will hire me for this year though because it's been so long since I've taught and that was just student teaching. I probably wouldn't hire me either but maybe with this Master's I'll have a better chance. In the mean time, I guess I'll substitute teach to get me back in the classroom and also in with a few districts for when I finish my degree. 

In the mean time, we have a lot of packing to do and we have a lot of plans to make for camp. Each evening I start off with the best intentions to get things done, but I find that I just sit on the couch and watch too much television or spend too long on pinterest with pins that will likely never happen. My existence is so unfulfilled that the exciting parts just can't keep up with the lows. 

We need a new start for sure, but getting there is the most terrifying experience. I am praying daily for sanity, clarity, and direction. My trust in God's plan waivers constantly and I need to have faith that the other side is better....

Funny Things My Husband Says...

As I'm getting in the car after work:

Him: I hit myself in the head today.

Me: Why?!

Him: I was practicing karate.

In bed:

Me: I'm talking away thinking he's awake, when in fact, he isn't.

Him: I'm your man!

Me: Are you awake?

Him: ......

Also, check out these photos from Kris and Lauryn's wedding. We're really gettin' down!

"Time to Go"

Last night I received some sad news about my families' dog. Our sweet Milliegirl's kidney's were failing and there was nothing else the vet could do to help her. My parents had to make the decision to let sweet Millie go where all dog's go when they pass.

We can't say that we were surprised; ever since Maxx went she just hasn't been the same and he was second pal to go ahead of her. Before Maxx, we had another dachshund named Goliath. He had cancer when Millie was very young and he had to be put down when I was in college. Before he died, she was very high-strung and hyper playful. After Goliath passed, she became very calm and motherly towards Maxx. After we found out he had inoperable tumors and had to go, she just kind of shut down. She couldn't run like she used to and her hips would give out a lot because her legs couldn't hold up her body. At the end, she wouldn't come out of her kennel and that's when we found out her kidney's were failing.

It's all so heartbreaking. I remember when we first got our dogs and they were so crazy and all over the place that I wished we didn't have them. I wanted it to be quiet and I was tired of pouring water and food in their bowls. And fighting for a spot on the couch.

But now it's just so hard to imagine coming home to my parents house and there won't be any wagging tails waiting for me. No more Milliemoo thinking she's a lapdog and taking up half the chair. I wish I knew what I could give to see her running across the front yard again--full speed, knocking Maxx over in the leaves.

She was my favorite; kindred spirits we were. Sweet when it counts with something of a mean streak. I'll miss you Moomoo and I hope you're waiting for me in Heaven!