What I Want My Blog To Be

I have been thinking a lot lately about what I want my blog to be.  What I want to write about.  Who I want to write to.  And what maybe I should not share.  
I am an open book.  Which is why I have a blog.  I love sharing what goes on in my life with others.  This includes the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I want you to know the real me when you read what I write.  
Unfortunately this is not always received well by others.  Not everyone agrees with my approach.  Not everyone is as open as me or wants me to be as open as I am (especially when I am open about them, which I can understand).  So do I keep writing my way or take everyone into consideration? I'm not all too sure about this.
As I have been thinking about this for a couple of weeks, I have also been thinking about what kind of blog I want to have.  I'm not a fashion, food, or mom blogger.  I am in grad school, work 49067508 jobs, and I love Jesus.  
I think I may have come up with a list of what I want my blog to incorporate.
1. I want you to know what goes on in my heart, not just what I am up to everyday. 2. I want to share my faith with you.  I want you to know I love Jesus and the amazing things he does for me. 3. And lastly I want you to know that you can come to me with anything and there will be no judgement.  I will love on you and be there for you the best way I can.  When I love, I love fiercly!
I think those three points sum it all up pretty nicely.  So from now on when you stop by, those are going to be the foundation of every post.  Now I will still be my crazy stupid self, but when you come to meet me this is what you will get!

I Didn't Even Give Them A Chance

This picture has absolutely nothing to do with this post.  I just wanted to show off the cuteness that is Brutus and his cuddling.  He is the best cuddle bunny ever:)
If you remember this post or this post I talked about how I didn't think I was connecting or would connect with the people in grad school.  I did not "click" with them right away, more because of me than them.  And I almost gave up.
But I was SO wrong about them.  Guys they are amazing people that I am so thankful I get to spend time with.  We have really bonded as a group and I love that.  We have trust with each other and know we can share our lives with the group and no be judged.
Everyone is so welcoming and kind.  We laugh SO hard together all the time.  We have fun and we are enjoying getting to know each other even more.  
I am glad I have started letting my guard down around theses people.  I feel like they are getting to see the real me/ I am finding the real me again.  I cannot wait to see what God has in store for each of us as individuals as well as the group!

A pretty awesome day

On Friday and today I subbed/am subbing for a PE teacher at an elementary school. I went on Friday with expectations of a long day outside with kids. Plus afterwards I had to head straight to my job at the gym until 9 that night. I was just praying it would go by quickly.

And then I got to the school and met everyone. And felt more loved and welcomed than I had in a long time. The teachers and staff at Lincoln Avenue Academy were beyond amazing to me! They all greeted me with a smile on their face and actually engaged me in conversation. 

Guys I had the best day. And I'm willing to bet I am having another amazing day today as well. I have been able to meet and give out my information for subbing to so many teachers. I will gladly welcome any job at the school. 

Then when I got to work at 3, I was praying for a quick easy shift. And that is what I got. It flew by and was good. I'm always thankful for those kind of nights at the gym. I didn't have a whole lot to do that night which was nice.  

Needless to say I started my weekend off right, even if I worked for 14 hours straight. 

True Life: My Hair Grows

A little while ago my Lauren started a series about how we bloggers are in real life.  It's called #truelife blogger.  And today I have some true life coming for you.

So this is how I show you my hair looks.  Always cute and put together.  It is almost always pinned back in some way (I hate hair in my eyes).

Well it does not always look that way.  In fact most mornings it takes a little work to get it cute.  Or maybe a lot of work...

This is no joke how my hair looks most mornings.  Sometimes it is a lot worse.  I get rats nests in my hair ALL THE TIME.  I swear my hair grows at night.

Most of the time I shower and wash it to tame it down before I go somewhere.  But if you ever see me with my hair up? That means I couldn't control it and didn't want to wash it.

Hope you all still love me with my crazy hair and all!

My Apartment: The After

Three weeks after moving in and sharing with you all the before pictures of my apartment, I am FINALLY ready to show you all the after pictures.  Now please keep in mind that it's always going to be a work in progress.  But here is what I have for now and I am very happy with it:)
Why don't we start with the kitchen.  I still love the size of my kitchen.  I just feel like it still needs some color in it.  Compared to my living and dining rooms it is REALLY white.

And then we have my dining room.  Yes I am missing a chair for my table.  It is in my bedroom being used as a desk chair currently.  I am looking to add a bookshelf in the corner near the window.  Other than that I love this room!

The living room is by far my most favorite room in the whole place.  I look at it now that it is more put together and I just fall in love.  I want to sit in there all day every day. PS mad props to my mom for recovering all of my couch cushions!

Also the wall with quotes on it is going to grow.  I just have to find some more prints that I am in love with.  For now this whole wall is done in thanks to Lauren.  All printables were made by her:) 

Here is a good view of the openness of the place.  I love how open everything is and how I can watch tv while I cook.  Oh and please excuse the trash by the door.  I was cleaning and getting everything put together yesterday when I took these pictures.

And then we have the bathroom aka Brutus's room.  He stays in here at night and when I am not home.  So you will find his food, bed, and litter box in here.  This is the one room I am not crazy about.  I just don't know what I want to do to change it.

My bedroom/office.  Again this room is not completely done.  I feel like it is a little bear and I need to add to it.  But I want to love it before I put it in there.  And your not seeing my amazingly huge closet because it is amazingly messy.  

Oh and excuse this mess at the desk.  I am in the process of writing a lovely paper.  

Well there she is friends.  I love it and cannot wait to keep making it my own place and a home.  

Life is Overwhelming

Lately I have been so overwhelmed with life.  I don't even know which way is up. Which has a lot to do with my lack of posting on here.  I have half written post so many times.  But never finish them.  Blogging is my last priority right now.  At the end of the day the last thing I want to do is sit down and write anything.  
So much has happened within in the 4 weeks.  I mean seriously my life has completely changed so quickly that I just don't hardly recognize myself anymore.  I can't find my true self and that is scary and not fun.  I need to slow down and find her again.  What has me going to crazy you ask?
I started 2 new jobs. I started grad school. I moved into a new apartment. I adopted a kitten.
Seriously what was I thinking doing all of these major life changes all at one time?  Its overwhelming and I am struggling.  I don't feel like I am giving any aspect of my life the amount of time it really needs to prosper.  My focus isn't 100% on grad school or work.  Two VERY important things.
I know I will get better at all of this.  I know I will be able to balance everything soon.  I am working hard on finding my routine.  I need some monotony in my life right now.  If I find that then I know I will find me again.
So friends bear with me while I go through this transition.  I have faith I will come out on the other side so much stronger and so much better.  I have amazing people in my life right now and with them I know I will look back on this and laugh:)

Some Questions for Moi

The other day Samantha from Life Style Love nominated me for the Liebster award.  And while I have been nominated for this before, I always find the questions to be fun so I thought I would answer them. Plus easy blog post!

1. What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?

Go potty.  I always have to pee right when I wake up. 

2. What is your favorite part about the fall season?

Wearing scarves!! Seriously nothing makes an outfit better than a scarf.  I actually hate that I cannot wear them in the summer.

3. If you're feeling lazy or don't have anything planned, what is your go-to meal for dinner?

Mac n Cheese all the way.  It never fails to make me happy:)

4. Where is one place in the world you want to visit in your lifetime?

Greece.  I find it to be stunningly beautiful and I want to go so bad.  

source

5. What would your "perfect" day look like?

Sleep in till I am fully rested.

Coffee and reading blogs.

Curling up with a good beach and the sun at the beach.

Wine and great food to end the night.

Very simple but very me!

6. Sweet or salty? (Which is your weakness?)

Sweet all day every day.  Ice cream is my weakness.

7. What does your normal Saturday outfit look like?

Right now I work Saturdays so I have on yoga pants and a work shirt.  And thats pretty much what I wear when I am not at work and have no where to be.

8. What is your favorite accessory?

Hair bows/headbands.  I love them and they make me feel extra girly:)

9. What book, if any, are you currently reading?

The Husband Secret by Liane Moriarty

10. How long have you been blogging OR why did you start?

I have been blogging for two years.  I started the blog while I was in college so that my family and friends back home could keep track of my life:)