Being Content

Content.  The one word that has popped into my head more times than I can count in the last few weeks.  I have had this overwhelming feeling of being content in where I am at and what I am doing with my life.  And friends I am not complaining.
In college it always seemed like I was looking forward to the next week, the next semester of classes, graduation, or moving on with life.  I never really had this feeling of being content with where I was and loving every minute of it.  I never thought I would find it here, in Florida, going to Grad School, and working multiple jobs.
But I have found it.  Whether it is on the boat with my parents soaking up the sun or having a fun relaxing dinner with a new friend.  I am content.  And this contentedness? It makes me happy.  I am happy to be content and to be loving where I am right now in this very moment.

In Psalm 16:8-11 it says "I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Take joy in the Lord and be content with Him.  He is the one who provides this and the one who is always there.  I find comfort and strength in knowing this is where God wants me to be and I know He has set forth this perfect path for me to follow.  And that feeling of being content? It reaffirms that I am following that perfect path. 

Little Habits

We all have some good and not so good habits in our lives.  And well I have noticed that I have quite a bit more bad ones than good ones.  Which probably isn't the best thing ever, so maybe I should work on some of them! Which I kinda am...
My biggest worst habit is....I bite my nails.

These are my baby nails that I just got done last weekend. Honestly I was SO embarrassed to get them done when they were this short. The only time I don't really bit my nails is when they are painted. And usually I paint them myself, wait till they grow out, and then get them done. Here's to another round of trying to stop biting!
Another bad habit...I let my apartment get way cluttered and then clean. 

This was just taken. Please ignore the droopy flowers that I just got as a gift today and left in my car in 80 degree heat for an hour and killed (i don't have a green thumb). I just leave EVERYTHING on my counters. And it drives me nuts. And then when I can't stand it any longer I clean it up. I know that whole out it away right away would be the right thing To do, but I don't do it. 
And then another habit...my TV is ALWAYS on
 Getting ready in the morning? TV is on. Cooking dinner? TV is on. Doing homework? TV is on. I like back ground noise and I like having something to pay attention to. I wish I wasn't as bad about this as I am. I could use less tv time but I just like it. 
My last bad habit that I really am working on is... I am always on my phone. 
Our generation is so bad about this. I can't even sit at a stop light without pulling out my phone. Sometimes I wonder what I did before smartphones at stoplights. I really have tried to out my phone down and enjoy the people around me. Even my nanny kid has said "Moby off your phone. Come play with me" to me more times then I would like to admit. I could defnitely do better and I hope to!

Grad School Gives Me Gray Hairs

As I was preparing to go to class tonight (Tuesday) I checked my face and hair in the mirror.  As I was deciding what to do with my hair I saw something shiny in it.  Now I have natural blondish light hairs every now and then.  Especially when I have been out in the sun(which I haven't been lately).  Those next to my super dark hair sometimes look gray/white.  But what I saw was NOT one of those blondish light hairs.
IT WAS A GRAY HAIR!!!!!!
Now friends I take after my mother in almost all looks.  I am her mini me.  Always have been.  So I was hoping and praying that I got the good gene from her and her Dad that basically is you get very little gray hair.  I mean my mom is 52 and does not dye her hair.  When my Grandpa died he was 87, yet had jet black hair that he had never dyed.

Now on my Dad's side of the family the women get grays hairs early.  This happened to both of my aunts.  This was the one Hardin gene I never ever wanted.  I have never dyed my hair and never want to.  I love my color and never want to mess with it. 
But I found one friends.  It was gray.  Very gray.  Could not be mistaken as any other color by gray.  Four days before I turn 23 and I have a gray hair!!!!! And I lame it on Grad School.
Why do I blame it on Grad School? Because Grad school is the most stressful and time consuming thing I have ever done.  Yes it can be very rewarding.  But right now I do not see that light at the end of the tunnel coming any time soon!  Finals week is this week which adds even more stress.  Therefore I got a gray hair!
even though they say never to pull them out, I did.  It had to go.  And I said a prayer for no more!  Hopefully I will be able to make it through the next year and not get a full head of gray hairs!

Easter Weekend

Oh Easter Weekend. I had been looking forward to you for a long long time. You came, you went. And now I want you back. I had a phenomenal weekend friends. I could not have asked for a better time...even if I did have to take an from 12-3 on Saturday!
One of my best friends from college came into town. I love Ashlee and I love spending time with her! It had been four years since she had been to Florida and it was about time for her to see my apartment and meet Brutus! I would never ask her drive through the night again (I don't know how she did that one!) but I would love it if I only to see her more often. 
We hung out on Friday shopping and then over to my parents that afternoon and night. My sister was in town with her best friend and their dogs. 2 cats, 4 dogs, and 9 humans make for a busy home!  We made (ok mom made) our homemade pizzas. Guys they are the best! I must share sometime soon!

We had tons of fun and lots of laughter. Ashlee may have even thought the dogs dried green beans were human food... I about died when she grabbed them to snack on! To her credit they make them for humans too!
Saturday we had a leisurely morning till I had to take my exam. Fortunately Katie was able to take Ashlee to do someone more shopping so that she wasn't bored and I could have some quiet. When I finally finished we went and got all our nails done! We finished just in time to head back to the parents for more food and family time. 

Mattie also made me a birthday cake so we got to do some early celebrating! She is amazing at cakes and will seriously make the Came Boss to out of business. I know she will be upset for me posting this picture since everyone will be calling her now for their own cake, but how can I not show off her skills?!

Sunday morning at church was the best. We got to wear our new Easter dresses and worship a risen king! I can not say good enough things about the sermon. So so so good! Loved seeing a packed church! After church we headed over to the parents again for brunch. So much yummy food!

Sunday afternoon, after visiting some more family, Ashlee and I needed to relax! So we did and then we decided to go see Divergent. Oh my friends how I love that movie!
I am so thankful to have had such a relaxing and fun weekend right before finals. Yes I was a. Little stressed. But it was so nice to have lots of family time and get to see my best friend! I could not have asked for a better Easter!

7 Days To Live

Yesterday in church the pastor gave a sermon on the last 7 days of Jesus' life with the application being "How would you live if you only had 7 days to live?" If you want to hear the sermon it should be online sometime this week here. 
This sermon really got me thinking about how I would spend my time if I knew I would only have 7 days to live.  If you listen to the sermon then you will know that Pastor Jay pointed out ways we should live that time as a Christian.  Much of what he had to say really shouldn't even be left to the last 7 days, but should be what we do on a regular basis. A lot of prayer, setting things right with God, forgiveness, and reaching out to others.
For myself I started thinking about what I would do in reality if I knew I only had 7 days to live.  Who would I want to spend my time with?  What would I want to do?  Are there any stones I have left unturn?
First and foremost I think I would want to make sure all plans for after I die are set.  I don't want others having to do that, so why not take care of it then?
Then I would want to be with my family.  I would want to be on the boat, in the sun, enjoying time with my family.  They are my whole world and the ones I know would need the most comfort.  Knowing I will be seeing them again in Heaven would definitely make it easier on me.

There are definitely some reconciliations I would need to make.  Ones that weigh heavily on me.  Ones that I should be taking care of even now when I have more than 7 days to live.  This is probably the number one thing I took away from the sermon.  Why wait when I have the time now to make amends?
Friends.  Oh my friends.  I would see them too.  I would find a place for us to all meet and pay for everyone to get there, that way no excuses could be made.  I want to see my girls and get in one last girls night to last till I see them again.

And then I would just relax.  I would reminisce and think about all the good times.  Lots of laughter and tears.  All with my favorite people.  I would live it up and not second guess or stop myself from doing anything.  I mean I only have 7 days and then I am in Heaven! What could be better?
If you knew you only had 7 days to live what would you do?

Birthday Wishes

In case you don't follow me on Twitter or Facebook please note that it is my Birthday Month!!!! 11 days friends and I will be 23! Another year older...another year wiser? Wiser probs not.  But definitely older.  And even though 23 really isn't that old...it is to me.
My mom was 23 when she got married.  And me? No where close to marriage at all.  Most 23 year olds have a legit job/career.  And me? Nope still in school working a couple part time jobs.  Some have kids at 23.  And me? Yeah right.  That aint happening anytime at all.  I don't know but 23 is the start of a lot in life.
So what do I want for the big 2-3?  Well let me tell you friends.

via

This recipe box from Heart and Home Collections.  I have been dying for a recipe box to fill.  Don't ask me why sense I really don't cook all that much right now.  But I want a place to write down all my family favorites.

via

This cross body bag also from Heart and Home Collections.  If you couldn't tell this is one of my favorite stores and would love anything from there.

via

This Fossil watch.  I need a good watch.  It doesn't even have to be Fossil to please me.  I just love the colors and look of this one.  

via

I am always wanting a new phone case.  And I am so IN LOVE with this one from Tory Burch.  Seriously in love with it.  

via

Loving this Alex and Ani bracelet.  Except I want it in silver to go with my other one that I have.  Thanks to my brothers girlfriend I have become obsessed with these bracelets!

Well friends I think that about covers it.  Oh and some quality time with all my loves.  And a spa day with my mom.  That is what I am asking for in real life from my parents.  Because honestly I don't need anything so why not have a day of relaxing with my mom?

I love love love birthdays, especially my own.  And so I cannot wait to celebrate.  In fact I think we might be doing some early celebrating with my sister this weekend since she will be in town!

Friday Letters

Dear Coffee, thanks so much for being there in the mornings. Don't know what I would do without you…oh yeah I do have headaches all day!

Dear Grad School, Can this semester be over already?  Two more weeks is two weeks too much.  And then only a week off for summer? What is this mess?! I don't think we can be friends anymore.
Dear Boys at my Practicum, Yes you caught me I am therapist.  I'm really not sure how your just now figuring this out 6 weeks later since all I ever talk about with you is feelings.  But now that it is out in the open…want to talk about your feelings for reals now?
Dear College Besties, I miss you.  Why do we all have to live in different states.  I have to say if it wasn't for technology I don't think I would have been able to move away from all of you.

Dear New Besties, Taco Bell should be a regular thing for us.  I mean we have talked about it for months now and last night was just the best and totally needed.
Dear Nanny Kids, Please behave today?  I have had a long week and really just want to be sitting on my couch or sleeping.  So lets play hide and seek….you hide I will seek….in a couple hours! (jk I would NEVER do this to my kids)

Things I Will Never Do

We all have that list of things we will never do. Things that are so far out of our comfort zone or things we just really really hate. For myself my list is mostly comprised of things I hate. And because I hate them I will never ever ever do them.

 I will never own a dog. 

For all you dog lovers out there please do not hate me. First off please know I am a cat person. I love my Brutus. And for two dogs are just SO much work. So I applaud all you dog people. I just don't like all the work that comes with them. So only if my future husband will take full responsibility for taking care of the dog, we won't have one. 

I will never sky dive

For one I hate flying so getting me even in the plane will be hard. And for two I hate heights. I have absolutely zero desire to ever do this. My brother and sister have done it before and I refused to go. Just can't do it. 

I will never live with friends again

I lived with my best friends in college. And well it was hard. Having a roommate in general is hard no matter if they are your friend or not. My next roommate will be my husband. And that's if he's lucky. 

This would be my first ever roommate...if you don't count my sister!

I will never have a desk job

I love working with people. Which is why I am in a helping profession. I just could not imagine having to sit behind a desk all day, staring at a computer, making phone calls, or just by myself. I want to work with people hands on and share with them my knowledge which in turn may or may not help them. Either way out me in front of people and I am happy!

I will never not be nervous meeting people for the first time

I get some pretty big anxiety when I am meeting someone new or in a group of unknown people. It can be overwhelming at times. But all if takes is a little warmth and caring from one person and I relax and open up a little. A good friend told me last week "well I know you don't do socialization". I laughed.  It's a little true. 

There are probably a billion more things I would never do, but these are just a few.  What are some things you would never do?

Big Home, Little Home

this was written about a week ago

Last Thursday my parents headed out for one of their many amazing trips. This time to Barcelona and Italy. And now that I live in town...this means I get to watch the house and the animals. Yay me. So I packed Brutus and I up and moved back into the house I grew up in.

And let's just say it's a big adjustment to me. 20 of my apartment could fit into their house (ok maybe only 10). But for reals it's a whole lot bigger. And a whole lot more work. And at night a whole lot creepier. 

My little home is just perfect for me. I like that it is small. It is the perfect size for one person. Everything is quickly accessible. It's warm and cozy and it has my bed. 

My parents house is just big. I grew up here, but I almost feel like a visitor. It's just not home home to me anymore. I mean yes it's home. But it's not where I live? I really don't know how to say that. It's just that I have created my own home for myself and Brutus. 

This past week has been an adventure to say the least. I wake up at 5:30 and feed the dog and cats. Then back to bed. Then up again to begin my day. I have to plan my day around taking the dog out. And just in general taking care of a much larger home. 

Needless to say I have come to appreciate my small little home. I love the size of it, big enough to have space but small enough to be cozy. I love that none of my furniture is new and that I redid most of it myself. I love that it is mine. All mine. 

It has always been in the back of my head when I might move out and have a larger place. And after being back at my parents for a week, I don't think I will be moving anytime soon. I have learned to love and appreciate my place and where I am at now. 

It always the little things that remind me what I need to be thankful for :)

April Goals Update

Being that it is the beginning of April, I figured it was time for a goals update. And if only I had the same good news to share about my goals this month as I did last month! Unfortunately I have not been as diligent as I would have liked to be!

1. Put 10% of each paycheck into my Savings. Instead of putting away 10% of each paycheck I changed this to reaching a certain number in my savings and staying there. I have reached that number!!!!! And now I just have to keep it there! I have kept up with this since last month and I am very proud of that!
2.  Go Back to Charleston Need to get to work on this one! Nothing has changed here :( 3.  Focus on my Health I have been working on eating healthy and I now wake up at 4:30 and workout with my mom. It's been the best thing ever to have such an amazing work out partner.  Unfortunately I have not kept up with this this month.  I got sick and really busy and let working out stop being a priority.  This month I WILL get back on track!

4.  Really get involved in Church I have made it a priority to be there. Now to get involved.  Nothing changed here either :(
5. Meet a blog friend in person Plans to meet Rissa in September maybe!
Still have plans for this one!
6. Visit Tennessee and New Hampshire twice at least before the year is up! I visited Tennessee March 1. And I have plans to go to New Hampshire at the end of the summer! This is still the same.  I also have one of my best friends coming down here to Florida for Spring Break which is going to be awesome!

7.  Finish decorating my apartment I have loved my newest additions to my apartment. I added some new prints to my walls. I love the prints and the frames!
Here is what it looked like before:

The first three prints are from Lauren's Blog
Here is way it looks like now:

The new Prints are from this shop.
I also found this tin bin that I absolutely LOVE. It is going a over my kitchen cabinets. I am working on decorating up there and as soon as it is done I will share a finished picture!

I have found a couple more pieces for over my cabinets. I plan on working on my bedroom this month!
8. Find a Practicum and Internship site I got a Practicum!!!! I need to tell yall more about my site. It's amazing. I am learning a lot and it has really opened my eyes to the world. I am now working on finding an internship! I wrote all about my site here.  And I am hopeful that I will be staying at Lighthouse for my internship! I get my first adult client next week!
9. Go visit my sister at least one weekend before she comes home from Law School. I need to make this happen soon! I am thinking this one is going to happen in the fall.  This spring just got a little too busy for me!
10. Quit one of my jobs Still praying and working on this I DID IT!! You read all about it here. 
11. Do 10 Random Acts of kindness I completed two already! I sent Lauren and her hubby a gift card to go on a date. Those two just moved and I knew life was crazy for them. I just wanted them to take some time for themselves:)  Also when I was in Tennessee I treated some friends to meals. It was my way of showing love to them:) I am officially awful and did not do a single one of these this month! I will catch up!
12.  Spend more time in the Word Still a work in progress. I was doing good and then I let life get in the way:( Still working on this one too….
13.  Stop procrastinating work as much I have now worked it into my schedule to get homework done during the week. This has been the best thing ever for me! And then I got bad about this again.  Not as bad as I was before, but I am not doing super great at staying ahead!
14.  Put my phone away more Nope. Didn't do it.  Worked a little on this one at dinners when out.  I could do some more work on it though!
Not as great of a month as I had last month, but I am progressing! I am really working on decorating and getting my life together.  The fact that I quit a job was kinda a huge deal for me so I think it makes up for some of the goals I didn't get to! Heres to hoping this month I will get back on top of things! 

If We Got Coffee...

I have seen this post and many others like it floating around many blogs. And I love it. So I'm writing my own version of it:) If we were to go get coffee…

We would most likely go to Starbucks. Here in L-town it's really that or Dunkin Donuts.

I would ask you how you were doing and to tell me about your life.  I would want to know all the good stuff that is going on.  Like how your job or school is going, if your dating anyone, and what you have been spending your time lately.

You would probs want to know the same about me.  And I would talk all about Grad school and how it is really tough right now but I know it will be worth it in the end.  More than likely I would bring up how exhausted I am and just want to slow down and sleep.  I would also want to tell you about my Internship opportunity and a little about the clients I have.

There would be all kinds of random stories to tell.  Those are my favorite.  I love the little detailed stories that no one else really talks about.  And hopefully there would be lots of laughter because thats my favorite thing ever.

Knowing my luck we would probably see someone I went to high school with but haven't seen in years.  And I would avoid and not talk to them.  But I would tell you all about them and how I knew them.

At some point in time we would start talking about Jesus.  And I would confess to you that I am still not doing so great at spending time in the word even though I really want to be doing that.  And I would ask you how your walk with Him is going.

A couple hours later we would decide it was time to go and get back to real life.  I would make you promise we do this again very soon.  Because getting coffee is one of my favorite things to do!