TGBTB Vacations!

Today I am letting the video speak for itself.  Because as I sit here (the night before) writing this I just can't write anything more.  It was a rough day with a stupid stupid paper.  So have fun watching and leave some love…I need it!

Am I Where I Thought I'd Be?

First and for most I must wish my best friend a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And she just so happens to be one of the hosts of this linkup!

Lauren, Lo, BFFL, I love you more than you know! I am so so so grateful for your friendship and do not know what I would do without you.  You have been one huge blessing in my life and I just know I could not get through this life without you! Thank you so much for you friendship! I hope you have the best day ever today!! (I couldn't just choose one picture so I chose all of them)

Now everyone make sure to go say Happy Birthday to her!

Growing up we all had dreams of what we thought we would be when we grew up.  From the five year old answers of a princess (still working on that one) and a mommy (not working on that one) up to the other answers of doctor, lawyer, teacher etc. there has always been something I have wanted to be.  I knew I would go to college and get an education, I just never knew where I would end up.

Years ago before I started college, I had decided that I wanted to be a teacher.  I have a love for children like no other and this was going to be the perfect job for me.  And then I went to college.  And I started taking Education classes.  And then I found out that I had a strong hatred for lesson planning. I just didn't like it.

But I did find what I did love learning about.  I fell in love with Psychology and Counseling.  It just clicked with me.  I would be able to work with people hands on and I was completely fascinated by everything I was learning.  And that was when I decided what I was going to be when I grew up: A Counselor/Psychologist (I do want to get my Ph.D. in Psychology eventually)

I never in ten million years thought about doing this when I was a kid.  I probably never had a clue what a Psycholgist was and what it meant to be one.  I mean really how many kids do you meet that want to be a Psychologist!?

Even though this wasn't my dream as a kid, I know I am in the right place doing what I am meant to do.  I am really intrested in seeing who is doing what they thought they wanted to do when they were  a kid.  I mean one day I will be a princess...but that is still a childhood dream!

I Will Do This!

Two summers ago I started a Goals list.  I even made a page for it that your can see at the top of my page.  Unfortunately I have not been the best at keeping it update.  And of course everyone has been talking about goals since it is the new year and everything.  Well when I went to go update my page I saw how old it was!  I am not even working on like any of those goals at all!
So I am now going to start a new goals page.  These will be my 2014 Goals.  And hopefully I will update throughout the year.  And I will be changing out that page with my new goals and updates!
So here is what I hope to accomplish in 2014:
1. Put 10% of each paycheck into my Savings. I am really bad about saving.  I always have been.  But knowing that life is going to only get busier and that I will not working as much makes me want to save.  I have done a really good job the last 6 months at saving and I want to keep it up!
2.  Go Back to Charleston I left my heart in Charleston and want to go back now! Maybe a girls trip with all my Milli girls?!
3.  Focus on my Health I was thinking about putting a number of pounds on this one, but I fear I won't be able to achieve it and then I will be disappointed.  So focus on health and see where that takes me!
4.  Really get involved in Church My life is crazy busy and I have put this on the back burner.  This year I will make Church a priority!
5. Meet a blog friend in person Rissa and I were talking about this the other night.  And we are totes going to make this happen!
6. Visit Tennessee and New Hampshire twice at least before the year is up I need to see my girls.  I miss them like crazy and crave time with them!  The first trip to Tennessee is planned for March 1!!
7.  Finish decorating my apartment When I first moved in I decorated all the time.  And then life got busy and I stopped.  Currently I hate how my bathroom looks and want to update it.  My kitchen just needs a few things to make it less white and more homey.  And I never finished decorating my bedroom.
8. Find a Practicum and Internship site This has got to be my biggest life stressor right now.  A month into the semester and I do not have a practicum.  And that practicum site could lead to an internship site.  Major prayers need for this one!
9. Go visit my sister at least one weekend before she comes home from Law School. I have a very busy schedule and so does she, but this is something I want to make happen.  When I was at Milligan I visited her a couple times.  And now I want to go back up there!
10. Quit one of my jobs By the end of this year I hope to not be working 3 jobs.  I need to be right now and that is ok, but I would love to not be worried all the time about where I need to be and what I need to be doing and how I am going to cram it all into one day!
11. Do 10 Random Acts of Kindness Last year this was on Amy from Sweet Home Santa Barbara's list of goals and I loved it!  She has really inspired me to do this more!
12.  Spend more time in the Word Last September or so I bought a devotional to do.  And I did for about 4 days.  And then I let life get in my way and stopped.  Devotionals are the best way to get me in the Word.  And I really want to be doing one everyday!
13.  Stop procrastinating work as much I am really bad about putting off homework till Sundays.  And then Sundays and the beginning of every week are stressful.  I hope to get better about doing one assignment a night.
14.  Put my phone away more I hate that I am always reaching for my phone when I am with my family and friends.  I hope to work on this and just leave it alone!
14 Goals for 2014! Here goes nothing!!

Am I Too Honest?!

So I have a problem. And I'm not sure if it is a good problem or or bad problem.  But I have found through the years that most people find me to be very honest. Almost maybe too honest. I am just not a fan of sugar coating things. I tell you like it is. Whether you like it or not.

The other night I was in class when one of my classmates made the comment "man you are really honest". And well yes I have to agree. I don't mind being honest, in fact I love it. Most probably think I'm being sarcastic, but usually there is some truth to what I say. 

After my classmate made the comment, I got to thinking....am I too honest for my own good? Here are some recent situations where I look back and think...should I have really said that?!

1. Straight up told my professor I forgot to get someone to check my work. And then a couple minutes later told him I really didn't spend a lot of time on my homework (I did ask if I could redo it...jokingly of course)

2. We were talking about what we would do with our clients if for some reason we were incapacitated and could not see them. One girl said she believed she was easily replaceable. My reply? "Dude I'm not replaceable at all!"

3. One of my classes takes a look at a lot of stats that have to do with research. I told my professor that everything she taught went in one ear and out the other. (To give me some credit any type of math is really hard for me. And I try but I really don't get it. I told her all of this too)

4. I will tell you if you piss me off. I told a coworker recently she was never allowed to speak for me again. Screw me over once and your done. 

5. I was getting my nails done the other night and the lady told me she wasn't really suppose to do a gel mani.  She had done my pedicure and then took me over to get my nails done.  When she started working I asked her "Should you really be doing this? I'm not paying if you mess up." (Fortunately that was complete sarcasm and she was on the same page as me.  She laughed and took a jab back at me!)

These are only a few instances when I think back on it and wonder if I really should have said what I did.  But can I be honest with you all? I love the shock value I get when I tell you the truth.  People are always stunned when I say the first thing that comes to mind.  And I love doing that.

But then when I really think about it I get sad.  Why can't more people be more honest? Why do we have to say things "politically correct"? Why are we always so afraid to offend someone with our honest opinions.  Stupid society.

Juts know if you ever need the truth I will give it to you.  And it will always (ok mostly) come from love.  There is nothing malicious about me (ok most of the time) and I would hope you would come to appreciate the fact that I tell you like it is.  If not sucks to be you.

It's Ok to Be Single

Ashley from Overcome The Lie contacted me about being part of the blog tour she is doing. I could not believe she wanted my little blog to participate! I am so excited to be part of the tour and getting to meet so many new people. So to all of you who may be stopping by from the tour: welcome! I hope you enjoy what you read and stay and follow along!

Overcome The Lie is a "social media movement + we exist to empower a generation of women to overcome the lie because Jesus overcame the grave.  We want to encourage women, giving them the resources + opportunity to walk free of the lies, using the authority that Jesus hands them." I love everything what Ashely and her movement stand for. Showing others how Jesus forgives and what we can overcome because of him? What could be better?!

Ashley has given me complete freedom to write about anything on my heart. I prayed a lot about what I wanted to share. I wanted it to be not only something that Jesus has shown me in my life, but also something that could be tangible in other women's lives. And just as He always does, Jesus provided the perfect topic for me to write about. 

If you have been around here then you may have already read my post about my sister setting me up. Oh how fun that one was...not! Even before that lovely evening, I had decided I was going to write about being single and how it was the right thing for my life right now. And then that night happened and I just KNEW I had to share my heart. 

I have had like half a boy friend in my twenty two years. Yes half of one. I say that because it was long distance and we talked for like 9 months then went on one date and I was done. So does that even count as a boyfriend? Also he was the only guy I have ever kissed. That all happened two years ago. 

Since then I have been single. Very single. There have been times when all of my friends had boyfriends and I wished for one. I wanted someone to spend my Friday nights with, someone I could talk to, someone who wanted to be around me. But that has not happened.

Society tells us that we are nothing without a boyfriend. We need that person to define who we are. I mean how many times are you asked "do you have a boyfriend?" I swear everytime I see an old family friend or meet someone they ask me that. And honestly it's getting old. What does is matter if I am dating anyone or not? That has nothing to do with who I am.

Jesus calls us to have one person we have our identity in. And that is Him and Him alone. He is the only man I want to define me. I desire to be the person He has called me to be, not what the world may think I should be.

And if thag means I need to be single right now in order to be the person he wants me to be, then ok.  I can live with that.  I have come to terms with the fact that I am single.  I have accepted it and even embraced it.  Yes there are still times when I desire to have someone in my life.  But I know I am following the path God has given me.

For all you out there who are single and wondering when in the world you will ever find the man for you, I encourage you to take a look at your life and see if that is what you really need to be focusing on.  For all you know God has a plan for you to be single for now too.  There is still hope out there for me to find someone, but for now I am happy and single.  And I hope you all will be too!!

It's Intangible!

For this weeks The Girl Between The Lines post we are to talk about what tangible item we have that is intangible to us. Again another thinker! Hayley and Lauren what is up with you making me have to think?! No me gusta!!!

After lots of thought I finally figured out what item I wanted to talk about. Currently my most intangible tangible (mouthful much?!) item is the ring my best friend got me. I hold on strong to items sent to me by friends. Especially when the reason they got it for me is so sweet and meaningful. 

I had been planning a whole post on what this ring said and what better time to share it than now?! The inside of my ring says "I refuse to sink". Unfortunately I don't remember it, but Lauren says I said this to her once (that doesn't surprise me). The fact that she remember that and got me the ring to represent that means the world to me.

We have never really done gifts before. We just weren't those friends. We didn't need to get each other gifts. But after being separated by several states for the first time in 4 years, I just wanted to get her something for Christmas. And she wanted to get me something in return. She could not have done better!

"I refuse to sink" Those words say so much. Lauren and I have had a crazy friendship to say the least. I'm not really going to go into that because most of it is not my stuff to share. Just know this girl showed me what it meant to be a true friend. I have failed her more times than not, but she took me back. She loves me none the less. And for that I am thankful. 

But in life and in our friendship, I refuse to sink. I refuse to let life take me under. I refuse to let anything hold me down. I will persevere and I will make it work. And all of that applies to my friendship with Lauren. She is one of my best friends and I do not know what I would do without her. 

My Blog Bestie

Last Tuesday Rissa and I FINALLY met….well over video!  I was so excited to finally talk more face to face with her! We have been blog besties and have been texting all the time for a while now.  It was about time we finally met and talked!
Rissa had the great idea of each month setting goals and holding each other accountable for those goals each month.  I just loved this because I know if I have someone to report back to I will accomplish something!
Well you see we started talking and couldn't stop and then never talked about our goals.  Oops.  I guess this means we will have to talk again? Don't mind if we do!
I absolutely loved talking to her.  It was like we had been friends for much longer than we have.  And who would have guessed that we met online and actually have never met.  We had this joke going with her husband about each of us being creepy old men.  Surprise we are not!!
Rissa I know you are going to read this and I hope you know how much I loved talking to you and hope we will be doing it again soon! You are just the sweetest….and please stay out of car accidents!!

Girls Trip: Charleston

Two weeks ago (I know bad blogger for not talking about this sooner!) my mom, Mattie, and I took a girls trip!  We headed up to Charleston, where none of us had ever been, and then worked out way down to Savannah, where only Mattie had ever been.  It was a glorious week filled with food, drinks, laughter, and love.

One of the best parts of the trip was the amazing food we had! Blossom was the first restaurant we went to when we got to Charleston.  We walked all around that first day and I just had fun taking lots and lots of pictures.  Including rooftop pictures! To say we were all in goofy moods is an understatement.

That first night we went to an interactive theater.  Mom got a starring role and had a blast!  She perfected the accent and had so much fun with it!

Our second day there was absolutely freezing.  Everything we tried to do was not available due to weather.  I begged and begged to go to the aquarium.  Mom and Mattie thought it would be stupid.  And they will even admit to you themselves that they were wrong.  We had an absolute blast there! We were probs bigger kids than the little kids there! We even got right on in there with the monkeys!

On our third day we went to see many of the historical sites in Charleston.  We visited the Provost and the Slave Museum.  We also went to the USS Yorktown and did all of the tours there.  We each even got to fly a plane….or at least act like it!

I was so OBSESSED with all of the homes in Charleston.  I just loved every single one of them and would kill to live there.  I am pretty sure I took more pictures of the houses than of the three of us humans there!

We did so much more than I can even write about or remember.  I left my heart in Charleston and would go back tomorrow if given the offer.  I absolutely had the best time there…even if it was 18 degrees most of the time!

If you have any questions about where to go and what to do just ask! I didn't go into detail here but have many suggestions if your planning a trip!

Sometimes and Always

Sometimes...Brutus chooses the worst times to want to cuddle

Always...I stop what I am doing and cuddle with him

Sometimes...I want cook all night long

Always... I hate the clean up (this would be the number one reason I want a man, so he can clean for me)

Sometimes...I come to work at the gym and the whole place has changed within even a day. 

Always... I fake it till I make it. And look like an idiot along the way not knowing where anything is. And I have been here for 6 months...

Sometimes... I get blown away by a gift someone gives me

Always...it's because of the sentimentality behind it and reason they got me what they did. 

Like this ring from my best friend. I once said "I refuse to sink" she remembered and got me this ring as a reminder. I wear it everyday now!

Live 6:10

Oh friends have I got something amazing for you all! I am so so so excited to be sharing with y'all all about Live 6:10. I met Amanda here in blog land and just love everything about her. She is absolutely the cutest thing ever. And her heart for The Lord is amazing. She has a great story and y'all should really go get to know her.

Back in July Amanda went to Guatemala on a missions trip. While there she visited a local dump where people live. And that is where she left her heart. She met the sweetest little girl, Myrna, who has inspired her amazing venture into a non-profit. 

Live 6:10 is that non profit. She makes it all work and supported by the paper beads she makes into bracelets and necklaces. When I first saw what she was doing I knew I had to get my hands on some!  

I waited and waited for her to open her etsy shop and finally she did! And you can bet I placed my order ASAP!! Here is what I got:

I absolutely LOVE my beads. I love mint and and grey and they are absolutely perfect! I like a long necklace and this one was the perfect length. Here is what I wore it with the other night. Gives you a better idea of how long it is!

Today is your lucky day friends! I know you all are just dying to get some beads of your own. Sweet sweet Amanda had offered a discount for my readers!! Use the code BLOGLOVE20 and you will receive 20% off your purchase.  This is only good through January 20th so you best head over there now!

Thank you so ugh Amanda for my beautiful beads! Send love and prayers your way as you work so hard to make your dreams come true!

Most Valuable Advice

Well thank you Lauren and Haley for giving us the most difficult prompt!  Ugh this one for some reason has been hard for me.  It took me a long time to finally come up with the best advice I have been given.  But I did.  And here it is:

"Pray about it."

This one little piece of advice I learned the most from Those Girls, you know my besties in college.  I have no clue which one started it, but whenever we would have to make a decision we would always say "just pray about it" or "let me pray about that one".  All in good humor.

My family even makes fun of me because I will say "let me pray about it" to everything.  What would you like to eat? Let me pray about it.  Where do you want to go today? Let me pray about it.  Are you going to do the dishes? Gotta pray about that one too!

As funny as we used it, that really has been something I have been implementing into my life.  I really did learn from those girls to pray about things.  Pray about everything.  And every time I have diligently prayed about something, I have always received and answer from God.  It may not have been the one I wanted it to be, but I did get an answer.

I have seen wonderful things happen through prayer.  It's how I got through a psycho crazy sophomore year that had more problems than you even want to know.  It's how I made i through my summer as the Girls Camp Director at The Vineyard.  It's how I made my decision on where to go to Grad School.  God led me straight to Southeastern University.  The power of prayer is amazing friends.

So if your reading this and thinking you need to pray more but also question "Does it even really matter?"  The answer is YES YES YES!! I have been in your shoes.  I have tried to do it on my own before and it doesn't work.  Give it a shot.  Pray.  What's the worst that could happen?  Whatever your answer, I promise prayer is worth a shot!

That One Time My Sister Set Me Up...

January 1, 2014.  A night I will not be forgetting anytime soon.  And no you should not be getting your hopes up that I am about to tell you all about how I met a wonderful man and we are now dating and happy happy happy.  Because that would be a lie.  A big lie.  Instead I will not be forgetting that night for a very long time because of embarrassment.  Horrible embarrassment!

You see Mattie, my wonderful sister wanted to go out that night.  It was the night before her 24th birthday and she wanted to start celebrating.  She begged and begged and begged me to go out with her.  I really didn't want to go.  It's not my scene and I knew I was not going to have fun.  But I didn't want her to go by herself, and I didn't want her driving.  So I went.

I should have known something was up when her tactic to convince me to go out was "You never know you might meet a boy!!"  We headed out to meet up with her best friend and his roommate whom neither of us had ever met before.  We got there, sat down, ordered drinks and it took off from there.

After being there for about 20-30 minutes I get a text from my sister "Hey do you think the roommate's cute?"  Thinking she was asking for herself and not wanting to make her feel bad I responded with "Yeah. Kinda."  Let it be known I was not attracted to him AT ALL! So not my type it's incredible.  Pretty much the exact opposite of what I like. 32 and divorced was the first sign it would never work.

Mattie had alternative plans.  She had her plan and put it into action.  She was setting me up.  So when I said he was "kinda cute" she took it as it meant I was interested in him.  She then drilled him with questions.  Which further got me thinking she was the one interested.  Next thing I know she keeps throwing my name into every sentence and "finding" things we had in common.  

"You like Auburn? So does Mosby!" (most weren't true) "You have a dog? She has a cat?" "Your divorced? So is Mosby!"

That last statement lead into this great story.  "Mosby married a guy from South Africa.  His name was Pablo and he spoke like 5 different languages.  But he would refuse to speak to Mosby in English.  That mixed with the fact that he would never put out made her leave him."  Yup she told him I was married and divorced.  Fortunately he was smart enough to catch on to the fact that it was a lie.

Then since marriage had come up, Mattie decided this guy and I (I think his name was Rob? That shows you how much I was interested) should get married.  And it should be on the beach since that is what I have always wanted.  And in bikini's!!!! Man she is a good wedding planner.

All night long she would not stop commenting on how perfect we were for each other.  I know I was greatly embarrassed and didn't know what to do and I am sure this guy was too.  I did my best to get away at the end of the night without and awkward goodbye.  But he then asked for my number.  I didn't know what to do so I gave it to him.  And he texted me that night and then never again.  Thank God!!

Oh and they made us take a picture together.  This is my "I'm pissed bitch face but I will fake smiling so you will get off my back." Also I only posted the picture so you will all know who not to ever set me up with.

From now on I refuse to ever be set up.  Especially by my sister.  Never ever again!  Have you ever been set up and it been horrible?  Please tell me all about it!!

I'm BACK!

Hello my favorite people! Have you missed me?  Anyone? No?  Well I have missed you!  I have missed this little space of mine and have been dying to get back on here.  At the same time I am so grateful I took the last month to really just live my life!  I needed that break and time to refresh!

Here is what I look like in case you forgot:)

I was so stressed back in December with everything going on.  I had finals, it was the Holidays, and I was working like crazy.  And I felt like I had nothing to write about.  It was a struggle to come up with 3 posts a week.  And none of it really had any heart behind it.

And now?  Stilled stressed but I have so many ideas to write about.  It's funny how when you go out to live life and not worry about how to put it on the blog really changes things.  

I really don't have a lot to update on. I was just living life.  But here is a little of what you have to look forward to seeing on the blog:

My sister set me up

Mamerz, Mattie, and I traveled to Charleston and Savannah for a girls trip

I finally got my hands on some gorgeous beads from Live 6:10

I will be joining a blog tour for Overcome The Lie

Just a little taste.  And I am hoping more inspiration will be coming!  I am so happy to be back and cannot wait to write my heart out.  Oh how I have missed doing that!