sweet and simple

This morning I woke up to a nice chilly October morning. I stayed in bed for about 2 hours and even ate my breakfast in bed. What a great morning!! I actually had time to enjoy all of those little sweet and simple things. Hence, a list of the sweet and simple that I love:

• Sweatshirts!!!
• Watching Friday Night Lights (currently on season 3!)
• Hot Chocolate
• Snuggling
• Being in love (he leaves Afghanistan this month!)
• Skype dates
• Football season
• Leaves changing colors
• Roxie :)
• Cool weather
• Songs that make you smile
• Sugar cookies
• Reading
• Yummy smelling candles
• Homecoming week at WFR
• Deep Conditioning for my hair (FABULOUS!)
• Great chats with friends
• Stars shining on a clear night

Trust the Plan.

Recently I have been thinking a lot. Sometimes its about things I have said (like did I say something wrong...), how I feel about situations, and what is going to happen next. Now, before I go any further - let me warn you that my thoughts have been known to be somewhat exhausting. Often my thought topics or questions don't have an answer, or if they do there are too many answers! Basically its a fancy way for saying 'sometimes I just don't get life!'
When I get to the point where I have either stressed myself out or worried myself to death I usually stop and realize...I can't control this, so why am I thinking so much about it?! The point of this whole blog is to say - you aren't supposed to control everything! There is a plan for all of us and we just have to learn to trust that plan sometimes. There will be moments when we don't understand why something is happening to us or what we did to deserve this...but we just have to trust the plan!!
I know it's easier said than done. However, if we learn to trust it, then we can sit back and focus on the things that we can control! I was laughing with a friend of mine saying, "You know, when you think about it we can't really control that much in our lives...basically the only thing we can control is how we react to and deal with the things we can't control!" So...trust the plan! :)

Facebook: Friend or Enemy?

Ok, I am going out on a limb here..totally understanding that this might vex some people off. But, I am starting to question the use of facebook these days. I sometimes think that it is being used more for drama than for it's original purpose - to keep in touch with friends/family.
I myself have been included in facebook drama before - I'm not gonna lie- and I have quickly realized how stupid it is. I have also known friends to get so fed up with the improper use of facebook, along with the addiction, and have stopped using facebook all together. I have seriously thought about taking a big break from facebook for these reasons as well.
I mean is facebook our friend or our enemy? Is it making our lives better by enhancing communication or are we turning into gossip obsessed people? My verdict is still out...

Falling in love!

Happy first day of Fall!!!!
I do believe that Fall has become my favorite season. It is so beautiful to see the leaves falling and feel the cooler weather. Of course I am a person that walks out of my way to step on a leaf and hear it crunch :) Fall brings along the excitement of football season. It is the only season where there is that fun loving competition between friends, families are divided by rivalries, and team spirit rises to an extreme. Then, naturally, the Fall wouldn't be Fall without the NC State Fair. Where else would people gather together to cheer on the tractor pull and pig races??!?! Finally, the Fall ushers in the holiday season....and who doesn't love that?
This year I am particularly excited for the holiday season. For some reason when I think about what is ahead of me it almost seems like a dream- to perfect to be true. I am excited, nervous, and maybe a little worried that my dream will be just that- a dream. However, I am trying very hard to stay in the present and enjoy my season!

Quote of the day: "Character is who you are when no one else is watching"

I Can Cry If I Want To!!

I have gotten in the bad habit of trying to be strong ALL of the time. I guess recently, in doing so, some things have built up inside of me. I have pushed down some things about work and some things about my personal life. Also, not to mention just taking on every day life is challenging in itself (which we can all admit has its ugly days!). Well, today I finally reached my breaking point! It just so happened to come at 7:13 am - only about 30 minutes before my first class of 30 teenagers arrived in my classroom. Yikes!! I'm not going to lie....I cried, and cried hard! Thankfully one of my favorite coworkers listened, let me get it out, and then gave me a big hug along with encouraging words. Yes, I was somewhat embarrassed by my actions, however, I noticed that I felt a lot better. That just proves that sometimes you just HAVE to let out a good cry! Nothing is wrong with that AND you feel a heck of a lot better when you have gotten it out of your system! :) So, never be afraid to say, "I am having a bad day and I can cry if I want to!!"

Days Go By...

Not too long ago I complained that the months leading up to December were going to go by so slow.... boy was I wrong! So far September has gone by extremely fast. It has also been packed with excitement, not only for myself but for others close to me as well.
I am going to be an aunt!!! My brother and his wife are pregnant with their first baby. I have friends that are still just getting started in their marriages. One friend is even experiencing motherhood for the first time...and I love seeing what a great one she is! Other friends are exploring the world (with me living vicariously through them of course!). My little sister is turning 15 and getting her permit. Last but not least, I am experiencing the greatest love story! :)
I love to see the exciting adventures that we all have a head of us. There are so many different roads laid out. Of course all of them will be challenging and maybe a little scary at times. However, for the most part it just looks like the best times of our lives! :) I can't wait to see how everything turns out!
"It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right. I hope you have the time of your life!"

"Wake Me Up When September Ends"

In the great words of Green Day, 'Wake me up when September ends."

I just bought mine and Ryan's plane tickets to go to Utah for Christmas and New Years. There will be so many exciting things happening in December. I cant wait!!! Now, since I can't snap my fingers and make time go faster, I am just going to have to try to be patient. :)

Until December I will just enjoy the small things. This weekend Rika and I spent our time at the baseball field, cheering for the Durham Bulls. I wish I could say that we acted like sensible adults, but that would be a lie. Instead we had a great time being nothing but silly! :)