Currently // 007

Thinking - I am so damn lucky to be living this life of mine

Enjoying - All of the house plants I bought this week 

Wearing - My green sweater that is made from sustainable materials therefore it is like 10x’s cuter than it already is 

Needing - The weather to get warmer

Wanting -  It to be time to plant my garden

Listening - The rain outside and Eric playing with the dogs

Drinking - Dirt water a.k.a La Croix 

Reading - V for Vendetta, A Winkle in Time, Cartwheel

Trying - Pull myself out of the dark hole of anxiety that I have been living in the past few weeks

Orlando // 2017

Disney is my favorite place on earth. I turn into a six year old the second that Disney is brought up. This year for Christmas my family (minus Colby and Abbey ): ) went to Disney for Christmas. I literally love everything thing about Disney, waiting in lines with my family, running around the park to get to the next ride Leopard style, over priced park food, it’s just all so magical. The Leopards have a tenancy to love the slow educational rides just as much as the fast rides, here we come the The Land and The People Mover. Because we lived in Florida when I was born and had year long passes my family knows all the parks super well. We know all the short cuts and which rides are worth our time, aka the aforementioned Leopard style. Something I did this trip that I’ve never done before was buy pins, which was super fun. My mom bought Eric and I the cutest pin Mickey and Minnie kissing. This was Eric’s first trip to Disney and aahhhh it was the best! The only thing I love more than Disney is sharing Disney with the people I love. Eric was slightly terrified of the roller coasters, but rode them all anyway. I think my favorite moment from this trip was right after we got off Rockin Roller Coaster. Eric said “I kept my eyes open the whole time” right as we were walking around the corner to ride pictures and there Eric was with his eyes closed as tight as possible in our picture! We also visited Universal Studios which means one thing and one thing only, HARRY POTTER WORLD! Luckily I was able to bring my own rob, but I got my wand at Olivander’s, of course. To quote my brother, Kyle, “If your not a 25 year old man walking around Universal with a wand in your hand, are you really a man?”

Currently // 006

Enjoying - being at home. Vacation was fun but there is nothing like being at home with my babes and sleeping in my own bed. 

Wearing - comfy clothes that keep me as warm as possible. It’s been freezing lately. 

Needing - just a few more days on holiday. 

Wanting - to do well at work and in school the next semester. 

Listening - to Eric making ramen in the kitchen and the sounds the floor heater makes at night.

Reading - The Goldfinch I was total in love with this book, but the storyline didn't go the way I wanted it to so I haven't been reading as much. 

Trying - to go to sleep but not wanting to because I’m so inspired and I just want to be productive 

Planning - how I’m going balance work, school, and fur mamaing (yes I just made mama a verb) once the semester starts.

Thinking - how grateful I am for the life I have and the stage my life in at the moment.

Eating - cookie dough. I decided to no longer buy sweets from the store, if I want cookies or etc. I have to make them myself. My thought process was I would eat less sweets but I’m not so sure that’s going to be the case. I’m getting really good at making dough from scratch and can make 48 cookies at a time. Oops! 

Best Moments and Other Favorites of 2017

Favorite Posts

Eric's Birthday Weekend
Visiting My Brother
Summer Time
Lake Norman
Mental Health
Embracing Change
Boulder Bash
A Letter To My Big Brother And His Wife
The Fair

Favorite Moments

Watching Big Little Lies with Eric every Sunday night in the Spring
Getting Moose - I remember running outside while break at work to meet my little guy
Turning 21 - I certainly don’t remember all of this, but I had a great time
Making new friends
Getting to work in my future field
Seeing the Eclipse
Loving my guy for a whole year
Going to Disney (aka my favorite place on earth)
Watching my brother get married - There is something so special about watching the people I love so much say I do

Favorite Instagrams

Biggest Accomplishments

I LEARNED TO COOK MEAT - This is a big one for me I have always been terrified of raw meat. I barely eat meat so cooking it seemed planets away.

I got two jobs - One that taught me a lot and I made some wonderful friends through. The other taught me even more and is in the field I want to work in when I graduate.

Making more videos for the blog and just for myself (here)

A Kinda Snow Day

This was Moose's first "snow." It was more of icy rain than snow, but who cares we are going to count it. Eric and I went out bought the dogs little bears suits to keep them warm. Of course the first time we let them wear the suits outside they got soaking wet from the snow. But I mean thats life, life would not be nearly as sweet if things were perfect all the time. Something I have been thinking about a lot recently is how much I love my life. Even when I’m having my weekly (daily) break down and/or panic attack. I love the person I get to experience life with. I love that I am pretty much constantly running around like a chicken without a head. I love that I get to work with kids everyday. I do what I have always dreamed of doing (helping others) and I’m not even out of school yet. I love that school isn’t my top priority because I am aware there is so much more to life. I love that my days are filled with fur baby love. I love that my house is messing and my sink always has dishes in it. I love that I am broke and have to get creative with money (okay I kind of hate it but I appreciate it for what it is). I love that at the end of the day I know I am loved and I get to love so many awesome people. I am grateful for knowing life is never perfect, but always beautiful. One thing I would like to get into is documenting more of my everyday life. There are just so many wonderful things I don't want to forget about where I am in life right now. When I look back I want to see more than just the big adventures of my life, I want to remember the Harry Potter chess set my siblings gave me for my 21st birthday (featured in the video above), and the way Moose howls (its more like screaming) when I have been gone for more than a hour. Life is just too beautiful to not take notice of these things. As a start to documenting more Eric and I made a little video. I was just messing around with video apps on my phone while we were watching TV, so we decided to go for it. The house is a mess, we were both in our pjs but this is what our lazy nights in look like. Honestly it was so much fun not taking ourselves seriously and were just having fun with the camera. 

I love this picture because even though everything else is blurry Maci's face and tag are in focus

I swear to you guys that Moose sat at the window and watched it snow for over half a hour. It was so freaking cute. He was trying to figure out what was going on and why everything was white.

If you love beagles put your ears in the air

These bear suits are perfection 

Life Right Now // 02

Life right now is...

Getting super duper excited for the holidays 

Watching a Christmas movie every night 

Still potting training Moose

Always having dirty dishes in the sink

Being so busy that I don’t look at my phone all day

Trying new recipes and making our own with whatever we have in the pantry 

Pushing myself to new links and stepping outside my comfort zone 

Finally switch to a digital calendar 

Listening to The Little Book of Hygge again, because Hygge is my life vibes forever

Trying to learn Spanish 

Missing my moms cooking because I’ve literally never gone this long without it 

Wishing the sun stayed out a little longer so I could play ball with Maci when I get home from work 

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.