Weekend In 30 Seconds // 002

To My Big Brother And His Wife

Colby and I’s relationship had a rocky start. I was told a story a few months ago and apparently when I was a kid if someone asked me if had any siblings I would respond with that I had an older brother that hated me and I hated him too. This is obviously not true and never was. That being said I know the exact moment our relationship changed. I was 11 and Colby was 17. I stuck a note under his door that said “will you take me shopping for moms birthday? Check yes, no, or maybe” He put it back under mine with a check yes. When Colby went to college I slept in his favorite sweatshirt from high school for a year and half, because I just missed him so much. Colby has always encouraged me to be myself and supported me in every step of becoming the person I am today. There is a distinct moment I always go back to whenever I am second guessing myself. Of Colby and I standing in Urban Outfitters. Colby asked me if would wear a headband that was on sale. I told him I really like it but I would never wear it because people would think it’s weird. He simply responded who cares what anyone else thinks, to be myself. Colby is brilliant, stubborn, and he is my best friend. Thank you for always being a brother I could look up to. 

Three and half years ago I got a phone call from Colby. At the time it was kind of strange because we don’t talk on the phone often, but he had to tell me about the beautiful and wonderful girl he had just asked out on a date. After the phone call I walked into the kitchen where our parents where to casually inform them Colby had met the women he was going to marry. It wasn’t long after meeting Abbey that it was clear Colby had hit the jackpot with her. She loves every aspect of him (including the fore mentioned stubbornness) and has just as big of dreams for life as Colby. Abbey, not only do you inspire everyone with your confidence and vulnerability, you make us all laugh too. I think I speak for our entire family when I say we are so freaking excited to have you as our newest member. 

I wish you both the very best in life and marriage! I’m beyond lucky to call you guys my brother and sister. I can’t wait to stand next to you guys tomorrow when you say “I do.” I love you both so much.

Mental Health

Last night I had a beautiful, open, and honest conversation about mental illness with some of the most amazing women I've ever known. After having this conversation there were a few things I wanted to share. I should warn though I am in absolutely no way a mental health expert. But I do have some experience with dealing a mental health disorder everyday and I have talked to many others who also have experience with mental health disorders. 

1. People with mental health disorders don't want pity. Understanding? Yes. Empathy? Yes. Feeling sorry for me? No. Having a mental health disorder does not make you less of a person. No one wants pity because quite frankly it's demeaning. There is nothing to feel sorry about having a mental health disorder is a part of everyday life, part of who someone is, and more than likely they wouldn't be the person you love without it. 

2. Mental health disorders are not a competition there is no way to compare them. If someone is talking to you about mental health they want a conversation to express with someone who gets it not be put down by being told someone has it worse or there feelings aren't valid because they feel or express something differently. 

3. You can know what anxiety or depression feels like without having a mental health disorder. I believe that this is a wonderful thing because it allows those who don't experience the everyday struggles of mental health disorders to relate and empathize. This also allows who do experience the everyday struggles of mental health disorders to support those going though in a rough patch in a deeper way. 

4. No one can understand exactly how you how you feel, even someone who gone through something similar, because we experience things uniquely. This can be very lonely. 

5. Mental health disorders manifest in people differently. Just like how the feelings are different so are the symptoms. For me personally a lot of times my anxiety expresses itself as the inability to speak. Even to my best friends. Even to those I love with all my heart. Even when I know I'm in a judgement free zone. Even when my mind screaming so loud it echoes in my toes "Mary Kate say what you are thinking!"

As a ending side note anyone who suffers with mental health problems you are not alone, everything you feel is valid, taking care of yourself is the most important thing, and if you need someone to talk to my ears are always open.

My Goals For 2017

I am not sure whether "goals" is the best word. These are things I would like to do in the next year, but without the pressures that come with the word "goals." I have no intention of beating myself up if these things do not get accomplished in 2017, because prioritizes change over time and in six months these things may not be the things I want out of my life at this moment. I want to use these "goals" as a guideline of the direction I want to take my life over the next year. One of the ways I am plan to meet these "goals" over the next year is my new planner. If you know me or have been reading my blog for a while you know I love planners (other posts involving my love of planners here and here). Okay enough of about planners back to the things I want to accomplish, I want to choose one goal a month to really focus on. For January I am starting with "get on a routine." I hoping being on a routine will help me stay on track during school.

• Read 5 books in one month
• Workout
• Plan blogging 
• Explore religion 
• Take up knitting again 
• Learn to rock climb 
• Finish my journal
• Get on a routine
• More me dates 
• Volunteer consistently 
• 30 day self care challenge 
• Leave the country 
• Grow my blog x5
• Run another half marathon  
• Give my all in everything

Self Discovery and Other Voo-Doo Stuff Like Healing Crystal and Essential Oils

This summer I have been on a journey of self discovery. After being very sad for a while I knew I needed a change in my life. Honestly not just my life but myself. For me this started with accepting my feelings even the ones that I had hide so deep in myself I did not even know they were there, after I knew what I was feeling it was easier for me to deal with my struggles. It has opened my mind to looking into other alternative healing methods like healing crystals, essential oils, and mediation. While I do not believe my crystals are magic, my oils will cure cancer, and I can not completely clear my head during mediation (although that is super cool if you do believe those things) it has really helped me keep my head on straight and be more intentional with my time and energy.

I think that the internet should be for spreading joy and positivity so I do not like to normally take out all of my bad feeling on it, but I do think it is important to think about your negative feelings and thought in oder to help you find the root of the problem. I have been turning to my journal a lot recently to help me do this. Its been fun and scary to find out what I am truly feeling and thinking. I have using my journal to help me in my journey of self discovery. One thing I like to do is find prompts on Pinterest to guide me in this process. Some of my favorite links can be found here, here, and here. A few of my favorite prompts are "I feel like myself when.." "Things I value about myself are..." and "30 things that make me smile". As well as working through my feelings in my journal I also like to use to be grateful for all the wonderful things in my life and reflect on the positive things that happen to me. 

Thanks to my roommate I became obsessed with essential oils a few months ago. My favorites oils are sweet orange, peppermint, and my synergy blend called Happy. It is important to know how to use your oils before you buy them so that you know what you want out of your oils. If you are wanting to use them for aromatherapy then you will need a diffuser and oils, but if you want to use essential oils for topical use as well you need oils that can be used on the skin (it should say on the bottle if it does not say whether it is safe or not, do not put it on your skin) as well a carrier oils (such as coconut oil) because essential oils are so concentrated and can do serious harm to your body if not diffused properly. Also some oils can be consumed, but beginner should not attempt this without guidance (the Internet does not count), for an oil to be consumed it has to be a very hight grade and say that it is safe for consumption, I know that some Doterra oils are safe for consumption but not all. What I am saying is do your research before you try anything. My diffuser can be found here, and my oils can be found here and here. 

Lavender - Helps with anxiety , aids in sleep and has an overall calming effect

Peppermint - Relieves headaches and gives energy.

Sweet Orange - Helps detoxify the body, boosts immune system, and works as a antidepressant. 

There are a lot of articles on the internet about crystals and their healing powers, ranging everywhere from predicting the future to them be simply a placebo effect. While my personal opinions lean more toward the latter, a placebo effect is still an effect. The general idea behind healing crystals is that each stone has it’s own vibration, their vibrations interact with our own vibrations and causing changes in ourselves. I do totally think that is possible, but I have not done much research into the scientific reasoning behind it. The way I see it is because I know what each of my stones are supposed to help with I see results. This is because the stones help me aim my thoughts and action in the way of healing. Like I said this may be a total placebo effect, but I truly see results from using my crystals. As strange as this may sound sometime while I am  mediating with my crystals in my hands I feel the vibrations from the crystals. This may be a manifestation from my mind, but the idea still brings me peace of mind. I use my crystals in many different ways, including mediating with them, simply carrying them with me, or wearing them as jewelry. I care for my crystals by cleansing them after I buy them by letting them soak in water overnight. I also charge my crystals under the full moon each month and set them in the sun for the day once a month. Even if you don’t believe in these crazy healing powers of crystals, but still think they are cool crystals make beautiful home decor. Like I said before I am not 100% on board with all the healing powers that crystals are said to have (although it is awesome if you are!), I personally don’t think crystals are magic but they do make me happy. I have a list of all the crystals I own below and the healing properties. Just a forewarning I do not have pictures of all the crystals I owe because I bought more after I took the pictures for this post. 

Blue Lace Agate -Calms, aids in promoting communication especially when damaged from past rejections, and encourages trustworthiness. 

Rose Quartz - Known as the stone of unconditional love, good for peace, helming, and comfort. 

Sun Stone - Promotes leadership, inspires personal power, and encourages you to take care of yourself so that you can help others.

Lace Agate - Stimulates the mind, encourages optimism and happiness. 

Clear Quartz - Amplifies energy. 

Amazonite - Personal truth, calms the soul, encourages expression of one’s true self, and increases loving communication. 

Citrine - Comforting, helps promote creativity, and clear the mind. Good for new beginnings. 

Chrysocolla - Aids in communication and empowerment, helps with compassion and building character, and calms emotions. 

Pink Agate - Associated with the heart, stabilizes and balances emotional. 

Black Moon Stone - Helps bring to light parts of yourself you have left behind and has a quality of hopefulness. 

The Love Story of Meeting My Best Friend

I like to call this a love story because it's sort of weird and kind of magical how everything happened. To fully understand Gelica and I's friendship we have to start four and a half years ago on our first day of high school. We sat next to each other in English. She was intimidated by me because I had so many piercings (I only had three), I was intimidated by her because she seemed so confident. We sat near each other in class and talked about our love for art and New York. For the next four years we said hi to each other in passing but that is about it. Now fast forward to our senior prom, some how or another we ended up in the same prom group and in a certain state of mind after prom we agreed to get an apartment together since we were going to the same school. The following Monday in art class we confirmed we were actually going to get an apartment together, which is still crazy. We stilled didn't become friends, we would text about details while trying to find an apartment, and tried to get all of our most annoying habits out in the open before we moved in together. Then came August and we actually lived together, we were barely friends and hardly knew what to talk to each other about. On the first day of classes we had a little orientation meeting thing, we sat by each other but didn't really speak to each other. If that were to take place now, someone would have to beg us to shut up. After moving in we bonded over boys, tears, spilt Kool-Aid, tattoos, and having to grow up very quickly in our new apartment. Now this lady is my best friend I cant imagine a better roommate or friend. I love her for her do whatever you want attitude, for giving me encouragement even when I need a reality check, and doing the dishes even when it is my turn. She reminds me to be grateful on my worst days and always cleans up my spilt drinks when I am running late. She is the co author of all my texts and my shoulder to lead on. She understands me for me and doesn't expect me to be anyone else.

 

Seven Things Currently Inspiring Me

• Maci - As always. She is the light of my life. She makes me laugh and smile. She reminds me to focus of the little things like the warm sunlight or being able to make our walks extra long.

• My planner - Also as always. helps me keep excited about everything going and reliefs my anxiety because i know everything I have to get done. Keeps me on track with school and Maci's schedule along with all the things I am planning for summer, which leads me to the next thing that is inspiring me. 

• Summer is just a few weeks away! - Thank goodness. I need a break from school. Thinking about walks with Mae, traveling, my moms food, and the many adventures to come this summer is what is getting me through these next couple of weeks. 

• Outdoors - Its been warm recently which makes my heart sing. Seriously I have been eating dinner on my roof doing homework outside. Maci has gotten extra trips to the park and longer walks. 

• Pinerest - This one is tricky because when I look at all the beautiful photos on Pinerest it is easy to compare myself. Recently through I have found myself doing less comparing and more striving to live my best life from these pictures. You can find my Pinerest here. 

• Flowers - Even if they are dead. Seriously waking up and seeing flowers by my bed makes me so happy! It starts my day off right. 

• Fresh produce - I went to the farmers market for the first time in a while this weekend! It was so awesome, the prices are amazing and the taste is so much better than Walmart.
  
  

Things No One Tells You About Owning a Dog

As of this week I have officially been a dog owner for one year. I simultaneously feel like I brought Maci home yesterday and there was never a time before her being in my life. Being a dog mom has been one of the best experiences of my life (yes there is a magnet on my car that says "my child has four paws), but certainly not the easiest. The fact that I am a college student only makes things harder, Maci makes it all worth it though. She loves me unconditionally and  gives me support without ever knowing it. I have always had dogs growing but it is a totally different game when they are your own dog. I am so thankful for the attitude my parents taught me about having a pet, they are more than just pets they are family. So here are a few of the many things I have learned this past year of being a dog mom.

• How much money your actually going to spend. Vet visits, medicines, toys, treats, and food. It adds up very quickly. 

• The amount of love you feel every time you look at them. 

• How many times a day they make you smile. It’s countless.

• All of the things they are going to tear up. You think you are ready you really do, but you are never completely ready for all the destruction a puppy brings. Shoes, books, walls, floors, furniture, remotes, phone chargers, pens, literally you name they may chew it up. Here I would like to say thank you to my parents house for taking the worst of it.

• How overwhelmed you feel when you first bring them home. You are very excited but also so scared. You don’t know what you have gotten yourself into, all you know is theres no going back. They are in a new place and scared too. Give it time you are both still learning. 

• Half the time your boyfriend (or girlfriend) won’t know whether you are taking to them or the dog.

• Whenever you aren’t with them you are always, thinking, worrying, or wondering about them.

• 6 am wake up calls. Yeah, get used to them. When you gotta go you gotta go fast. 

• It’s okay to be upset with them when they do something wrong. Just remember they don’t speak english. Patiences will save you a lot of grief. 

• You say things like “no don’t eat that” or “thats not your poop” way too often.

• The only way your dog sees the world world outside your home is through you. Let them see as much of it as possible.

• Buy the puppy training! Yes it is expensive, but it is so worth it. You and your dog will grow closer together. Not to mention the things your dog will learn could be life saving.

• The size of your heart will grow exponentially.

Some Photos of Life That I Would Like to Remember

These are a few that have happened (relatively) recently that I would like to remember

For a week, A WHOLE WEEK, the wifi at my apartment has been gone. A place where two nineteen year old girls who are both college students and love Netflix live has not had internet for a week. Needless to say this week has been a struggle. But, there has been some upsides to not having internet, there are I promise. We have been playing Wii, listening to music, having real conversations, sitting on our roof, drinking tons of coffee, leaving the apartment to study, and hanging out in our Christmas pj's. By no means do I want to keep living without wifi, because I do not please bring back my Netflix and social media and my ability to do homework while laying in bed, but the world did not end without it. In fact it has been a nice break from constantly being on my phone or watching one too many episodes of NCIS (or maybe seven too many). Without the internet our apartment has been super clean this week.

I went to Disney there will be a post about this, I promise. Hopefully by next Christmas.

Maci has really picked up on her dental hygiene 

First week back at school grocery shopping. The second week was about 1/8 of this.

New coat, warm shoes, and a cute dog.

First real snow and my sweet girls.

My roommate painted the mural for me in our living room which is the coolest.

To Write Love on Her Arm

If you know and or follow me on Instagram then you will know about a month and a half ago I got my first tattoo.

LOVE. Love is my favorite word for many reasons. My favorite reason for love being my favorite word is it means something a little different every single time it is use. I love my mom. I love Will. I love blogging. I love Netflix. I love Maci. I love that one denim dress I wear three times a week. I don't love Maci the same way I love Will. That denim dress will eventually loose it's shape and I might not love it anymore. My love for my mom can't even be compared my love for blogging because the loves are too different.

Love is happiness, honesty, support, encouragement, caring, forgiveness, hope, selfless, patience, laughter, pain, respect.

The love my family has given is not able to fit into my description of love because it is too big, too deep. I am one of the few lucky people that has a family who is fully accepting, always encouraging, never holding a grudge. Thank you all for writing my tattoo.

I wanted to carry the lessons they have taught me and the compassion they have shown me. I wanted to carry their love with me always.

Although this is not the reason for my love tattoo there is this super cool organization you should defiantly check out that supports, brings awareness and hope to depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and addiction. Their website is here.

To My Brother and New Sister In-Law

To Kyle and Criston,

I could not have asked for a healthier, happier relationship to look up to growing up, so thank you. Thank you for rising my standards of what love looks like. And most importantly thanks for letting me third wheel on so many different occasions. 

I am crying as I write this because you both mean more to me than I could ever put into words.

Kyle, you have always taken care of me since day one. I was the little sister you always wanted, but you have been the big brother I have always needed. Mom always says the best gift she ever gave to us was each other, and she has never spoken truer words. You have been there to make sure I had someone to play with growing up (even if it was dolls), to make sure I had dinner when mom and dad had to work late, to making sure that I am transitioning into college happily. You have taught me how to stand up for what I believe in by doing it for me when I could not. You have supported me endlessly, even when you did not believe in what I was doing. I love that you are following your dreams. I love that you are not afraid to show your emotions fully. I love that you always put other people first. I am so happy that you found to Criston to love you as much as you deserve. 

Criston, I told Kyle a few years ago that if he did not marry you I was going to have to because I did not know what I would do without your sisterly advice. You have been the big sister I always wanted (I am glad we can make this official).You have helped me through silly heart breaks, knowing that I was going to be okay when I did not. You have been a role model to me ever since you came into Kyle’s life. Thank you for loving Kyle with all that you have in you. I know he can be stubborn, but always has everyones best interest at heart. If I could choose who I get to share my brother with it would be you without any hesitation. Marrying you is and always will be the best decision he ever made. You have changed my life for the better. You inspire everyone you meet with your contagious smile, loving humor, and beautiful spirit.

I am so happy to get to spend the rest of my life with you guys as a family, all of the many Christmases, Thanksgivings, and family trips. I was telling Criston while on her bachelorette weekend think it is so strange to think in ten years we will be playing with our kids on the beach together, but I couldn't be happier that my children will have such an amazing Aunt and Uncle. You guys are truly the best.  

Your wedding is going to be as beautiful as your love for each other.

I love you both so much!

Your little sister,

 Mary Kate

Ten Things I Believe

I believe I am strong in my own way.

I believe a smile can turn someones day around (including yours.)

I believe in being myself, even when I have nothing to say or I want to fit in.

I believe everyone is important.

I believe the world can be a better place with the choices we make everyday.

I believe love (of all kinds) can solve many problems. 

I believe that everyone should have equal rights despite race, gender, sexuality, or disabilities.

I believe in the end its all going to be okay, no matter how hard it is right now.

I believe it is okay to question yourself and others.

I believe you are in total control of your life regardless of others expectations of you. It’s your life, its your choice.

xoxo,

        MK

Some Things that Happened While I was on a Blogging Break

As you may have noticed I have been on a blogging break the past few weeks. With school started and what not, I needed a break. I needed to all of my priorities start before I got behind in school. So this is just a little recap of whats been happening the past month. Hopefully I will be able to get back to regularly blogging very soon!

My amazing roommate got this sweetie pie, Macabee. We are all very in love with him!

I realized after not blogging for a few weeks, just how much I love it

Real college has set in and this is what I eat...it's fine really

While exploring a local art museum I ran into this beauty, by Tom Burckhardt. There is so much detail in this exhibit it is actually a little ridiculous.

School has taken over my life. Also I decided that if Trump becomes president I am moving out of the country.

This sweet girl turned 10, I still can not believe it! 

I got my first tattoo!! You can read the meaning behind it on my Instagram

xoxo,

        MK

My List

I believe everyone has a list– a list of things they want to do in their lives. I also believe most people will not even do half of the things on their lists. So this is my (current) list. It will change with time, but the point is that I want to document all of these things as I do them as a way to help me keep a record of my goals in life. Life is about living...like really living.

Travel Aboard

Go on a Mission Trip 

Get a Tattoo

Go Backpacking

Make Money Blogging

Have 100 Followers

Get Married

Run Another Half Marathon

Go Scuba Diving

Go Rock Climbing

Go to Europe

Publish a Book

Sleep Under the Stars

Drive Coast to Coast

Go to a Murder Mystery Dinner

Start a Blog (February 2015, here) 

Pay a Strangers Bill

Take a Photo Every Day for a Year

Visit all 50 States

Get Fit, Stay Fit

Complete my Random Acts of Kindness List

Be a Vegan for Two Weeks 

Get 100,000 Page Views on my Blog

Dye my Hair Blonde

Be Brave ( here, here) 

Let go of a floating lantern

See the Northern Lights

Read 5 Books in One Month

Be a Mom

Have a Yes Day 

Adopt a Puppy (Maci, February 2015)

xoxo,
         MK

A Day in My Life

My life is changing quickly, maybe a little too quickly. As excited as I am for college and starting a new chapter in my life I am positive I will miss how my life is now. I cannot even believe I will not be living at home in two weeks! This is crazy. So as a way to remember this summer and see all the changes that are taking place in my life I decide to document my whole day in pictures. In a month or so I want to do this again to compare them. These photos aren't perfect but they really capture my day.

Maci bringing her bone outside, even through I told her to leave it at the door

Breakfast

Packing for nannying

Feeding Maci 

The boys were still asleep when I got there, no joke they walked down stairs like two seconds after I took this

Planning out my day

Coloring while the boys do homework. My favorite part of the day!

Luckily the boys like my favorite video game from childhood. 

At the pool with the kids

Leaving work for the last time

Sitting on the couch with my Mom after work

Getting ready, laughing with Haley and Ashley

Taking photos for the blog

Ashley playing in the grass while Haley helps me take pictures

Ashley riding in the cart

Taking Mae on a walk

At a family friends birthday party

Blogging before bed

xoxo,

         MK