Living For Today

Lately, I've been trying to live my life differently. 

It's so cliche to say, but life really is short. 

We don't know how long we have here 

and we don't know when those we love will leave us. 

I'm trying to enjoy the present, 

rather than dwelling on the past and worrying about the future. 

I'm trying to see the positive in every situation 

and appreciate all the blessings I have in my life, no matter how small.

I'm trying to trust in what God's plan is for my life, 

even if it doesn't always turn out exactly as I had hoped.

I'm trying to find the good things in every day, no matter how mundane.

I'm trying to remember that the current stresses in my life will eventually pass and they aren't permanent. 

I'm trying to explore new things and expand my horizons. 

I'm trying to nurture old friendships and grow new ones.

I heard a quote on the radio today. It went something like, "Instead of always trying to prove yourself, try to improve yourself."

What about you? What are you doing to try to improve yourself?

What I Wish I Knew Before I Was Married

John on our wedding day, September 7, 2012

When I walked down the aisle on my wedding day last September I had already lived with John for 4 1/2 years, been dating him for 5 years and known him for 7 years. 

I thought I knew everything there was to know about the man I was committing the rest of my life to.

I thought I knew every side of him and everything he had to offer me. 

But I was wrong.

In the first year of our marriage I have learned so much about John and he has shown me a side of him I've never even knew existed. 

I've always known John is caring, considerate, thoughtful and generous to a fault. But I never knew exactly how far it could go.

In our first year of marriage we have dealt with the joy of my first pregnancy, a devastating miscarriage, trying to conceive again, problems within our families, my parents splitting up, watching those we love dealing with cancer, addiction, depression, and every other kind of stress you can think of.

Through all of this my husband has remained a constant source of strength.

He almost always knows what to say to make me feel better (or at least calm me down).

He understands when it's the stress talking and not me.

He understands when I need to be held, when I need to be left alone and when I need to talk.

He is patient when I worry about the same things over and over.

He bases every decision upon what's best for us and our relationship.

He's constantly looking out for me and always gives me the best advice he can.

I wish I had known the first year of our marriage was going to be so rough for us emotionally and that John would be what got us through. Every day I feel more and more confident that we are meant to be together and can get through anything. (not that I didn't already know that though!)

I feel that if we can get through this first year of marriage and come out stronger, we can get through anything.

And more than anything, I feel so incredibly blessed to get to spend the rest of my life with John.

Fall 2007

Fall 2012

This past weekend John and I celebrated out first wedding anniversary with a quiet weekend away at the cabin at Lake Cushman. It was just us, the trees and peace and quiet... and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Loving Where I Live

 I absolutely love living out in Buckley.

 I have not once regretted moving to "the country."

I mean, look who my new neeeiiiighbors are. They just moved in May 31st. 

 

 

I love that since I moved here I am actually proud when I have beautiful things in my yard.

 

 

 

 

 

I love that my baby has a huge yard to play in and he is growing old in a place that makes him happy.

(Although he doesn't look it... he's camera shy)

Mid-Year Resolutions

Every January 1st people set goals for themselves for the coming year. Weight loss, breaking bad habits, creating new habits and on and on...

We jump into these goals head first with ambitions of becoming better. But, usually by the time February 1st rolls around those goals have long since vanished and the new habits have been abandoned.

I always see this at my gym. January brings droves of new people in and it's beyond packed. I have to wait to use my favorite weight machines. The cardio equipment has a waiting list. The front desk is swarming with trainers and hopeful new clients. But, always by March things seem to go back to normal and the numbers even out.

Why must we only set these big goals for ourselves at the beginning of the year? And why do so many people focus on weight or their looks as a goal? (not saying I'm not guilty of this too...) This year I've decided to set Mid-Year Resolutions for myself. Well... a bit more than mid year, but whatever. I want my Mid-Year Resolutions to focus on me becoming a more well-rounded, happy person, not just one who's skinnier. (although, this would be nice too.)

I don't want these goal to be reminiscent of the people at the gym and gone within weeks. I want these goals to stick... To become my lifestyle, not just a temporary phase. Here's to hoping.

Try something new at least once a week: 

Whether it be a new recipe, a new hobby or just a new beauty trick, I promise to try new things.

No matter how busy life gets, make time to read:

Reading is one of those things that always seems to relax me and give me an escape when life gets tough. I promise to make more time to read and explore new books, even if it's only half an hour a night sometimes.

Nurture the relationships in my life that are important:
Plain and simple. I promise to focus on those I love to know, need to know, want to know.

Kauai: Day Seven

As our last full day in Kauai, I woke up feeling a bit sad. Other than missing my dog, I was in no way homesick and willing to stay until the end of the month. We squeezed in every last minute of our day seeing as much as possible. We saw Historic Hanapepe, Waimea canyon, Salt Pond Beach, Glass Beach (filled with glass and black sand... too cool) and a wild baby pig joined us at dinner in Poipu! (at dinner, not for dinner... just to be clear!) 

Everything was absolutely breathtaking and I think this time I'll just do pics with no narration. Enjoy =)