Before we got engaged, all I could think about how I was missing that diamond sparkler on my left hand.
engaged.
Then, I thought about how I was missing my fiance way too much and wanted to live with him and not drive over an hour.
said goodbye to long distance.
After that, it was all about planning the best wedding and going on the best honeymoon to Hawaii. All I wanted.
married.
Hawaiian honeymoon.
After that, I wanted a new place where I had a washer/dryer, larger space and felt more like a home. Maybe an actual house.
just moved.
Why does something always have to be missing? Why do we always look for that one thing that can be different? Why can't we just focus on what we have and say, Damn, this is pretty darn great.
I would be the biggest hypocrite if I said I have gotten better with this because I haven't. Ask me what I'm missing right now and I would tell you a house, new car, new boobs.
Ask me this a month ago, I was missing a washer/dryer and an air conditioner that worked in the place we lived in. I now have both of those things and can still focus on what else I am missing.
Women tend to compare, compare, compare and make themselves feel like they are always missing out on something. Or something is always missing from their life. We have a really hard time just realizing what we have right at this instant is what we missed before. These are the things we wanted just a few months ago so why can't we just be content with that for a moment? And maybe men, too but women are definitely the worst sex with this.
Instead, something new keeps replacing that "missing" feeling. How can we feel whole as a person if constantly feel like something is missing from our lives. Why do I always have to find something that can be better or something is wrong?
I have the best husband. I have the kitty I wanted for years. I can do my laundry while also having a 30 second dance party. Yet, there is a part of me that keeps saying yea, it's great. But something is missing.
What I am given right now, is perfect for where I am supposed to be right now. We couldn't handle a house right now but we were given a new place, with more room and less cost to us a month.
In reality, nothing is missing from my life. We have everything we need at this moment. I have to remember that God gives me what I can handle. He thinks right now, this is what we need and can handle. I am not missing anything. All I need I have with me.
When I have these moments of well I want this or I am missing this, I need to sit and reflect on these opportunities I am given right now. These opportunities are meant to help me grown, help us grow as a married couple.
We are figuring out how to be a "we" and how to work together. We are learning how to handle our finances to ensure our future and our kids future is secure.
Right now, I am given the opportunity to realize my passion before we settle down and start a family. We are given the opportunity to observe our friends who have houses and learn from them. I am given the opportunity to go on spontaneous trips with my husband and enjoy our time together in a small place.
Let's all stop comparing and thinking of what we are missing. Let's all remember we are given opportunities to grow and we are exactly where we are supposed to be.
Got that, Krista?
Do you find yourself constantly missing something and wishing you had something else in your life?
Why Does There Always Have to be Something Missing?
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Your wedding day. You worked so hard to get to that day looking your best. You munched on salads, tried crazy diets and avoided sweets for months to drop those pounds. Maybe even a slight stomach flu to help you drop those last 5 pounds.
After all of that, you looked amazing. The dress fit flawlessly and you pranced and danced all night, glowing in your new marriage and hot body. Because you are supposed to drop weight to be beautiful, hot on your wedding day, right? But after the wedding, after the pounds make their way back, comes a new body image struggle.
First, the honeymoon comes and all you want to do is eat carbs, french fries and all the fruity drinks. Your honeymoon is a celebration, a different universe where calories and pounds don't count. You worked hard for this body and a few days of bad eating habits won't change that.
Until the scale alarms you that you added those last 5 pounds back on when you return. You gasp. You cringe. Then remember, Mr. Stomach Flu helped you get there. In your eyes, it's a basic zero out. Still the same weight and you feel great. There is no way you can lose that amazing body that made you feel so amazing on your wedding day. But just in case, you go on a 3 day juice cleanse just to be sure.
Flash forward 4 months. Before you know it, you are up a good 6-10 pounds and that dress barely zips past your waist. You aren't quite sure if you want to try to make it fit by not eating or grab the nearest plate of brownies. And yes, I've tried mine on multiple times this past year to judge my weight gain. It was a good time to do a 7 day diet to lose a few pounds again.
The year anniversary rolled around. It was a tough pill to swallow that just a year later I had packed on a few extra pounds that were not welcome and not sitting well on my barely 5 foot frame. It made me feel gross, not pretty and beautiful. I felt gross for letting myself get to this place.
These are the pounds I see when I pull at my love handles. Pounds I see when I look at my floppy stomach. Pounds I see when I pour my now plumper booty into my jeans.
This past year, I have agonized over my weight. My new frame that I am fitting into as a new wife. I have tried new diets, tried new pills and just plain tried to kick these pounds away. All I could think about was how unhealthy I had become and what kind of wife that made me all because I had gained a few pounds in the wrong places. I didn't feel like my pretty wedding day wife self. And looking at these pictures, that's all I wanted back.
Wait just a minute.
Who gave these few extra pounds the power to make me feel not hot or pretty? Who gave these extra pounds the power to make me feel think I wasn't that happy wife from a year ago?
Instead, these pounds are because I cooked homemade meals for my husband most nights the past year. And the nights I didn't cook we ordered in and watched our favorite shows over some laughs. These pounds are because we spent less time exercising and more time enjoying each other. These pounds are the signs of a good first year of marriage where we enjoyed nights out with friends, yogurt dates and lots of sushi.
After you struggle for a year trying so hard to look your best on your wedding day, it can be hard to look back a year later and see the pounds have come back. Especially, when most of the time it was more crazy diets, crazy workouts instead of a healthy lifestyle. You feel like you failed yourself, your new husband and the future. It seems like an uphill battle from here on out.
Instead of looking back a year ago at your supposed "hot" self with the whittled waist and barely there love handles, look at yourself this year. After a year of marriage and how you sacrificed a few pounds for a happy, comforting first year of marriage. A marriage you had to nurture in the first year and that meant with date nights and skipped gym appointments. And for the record, I am sure your new husband still thinks you are beautiful even if all you see are flaws.
Look at those few extra pounds from the past year as a sign of a healthy start to what will be a wonderfully fulfilling marriage. And enjoy all the margaritas and sushi that you want.
Linking up with Juliette from The Other Juliette and Amber from Mr. Thomas and Me for body talk.
After all of that, you looked amazing. The dress fit flawlessly and you pranced and danced all night, glowing in your new marriage and hot body. Because you are supposed to drop weight to be beautiful, hot on your wedding day, right? But after the wedding, after the pounds make their way back, comes a new body image struggle.
First, the honeymoon comes and all you want to do is eat carbs, french fries and all the fruity drinks. Your honeymoon is a celebration, a different universe where calories and pounds don't count. You worked hard for this body and a few days of bad eating habits won't change that.
Until the scale alarms you that you added those last 5 pounds back on when you return. You gasp. You cringe. Then remember, Mr. Stomach Flu helped you get there. In your eyes, it's a basic zero out. Still the same weight and you feel great. There is no way you can lose that amazing body that made you feel so amazing on your wedding day. But just in case, you go on a 3 day juice cleanse just to be sure.
Flash forward 4 months. Before you know it, you are up a good 6-10 pounds and that dress barely zips past your waist. You aren't quite sure if you want to try to make it fit by not eating or grab the nearest plate of brownies. And yes, I've tried mine on multiple times this past year to judge my weight gain. It was a good time to do a 7 day diet to lose a few pounds again.
The year anniversary rolled around. It was a tough pill to swallow that just a year later I had packed on a few extra pounds that were not welcome and not sitting well on my barely 5 foot frame. It made me feel gross, not pretty and beautiful. I felt gross for letting myself get to this place.
These are the pounds I see when I pull at my love handles. Pounds I see when I look at my floppy stomach. Pounds I see when I pour my now plumper booty into my jeans.
This past year, I have agonized over my weight. My new frame that I am fitting into as a new wife. I have tried new diets, tried new pills and just plain tried to kick these pounds away. All I could think about was how unhealthy I had become and what kind of wife that made me all because I had gained a few pounds in the wrong places. I didn't feel like my pretty wedding day wife self. And looking at these pictures, that's all I wanted back.
Wait just a minute.
Who gave these few extra pounds the power to make me feel not hot or pretty? Who gave these extra pounds the power to make me feel think I wasn't that happy wife from a year ago?
Instead, these pounds are because I cooked homemade meals for my husband most nights the past year. And the nights I didn't cook we ordered in and watched our favorite shows over some laughs. These pounds are because we spent less time exercising and more time enjoying each other. These pounds are the signs of a good first year of marriage where we enjoyed nights out with friends, yogurt dates and lots of sushi.
After you struggle for a year trying so hard to look your best on your wedding day, it can be hard to look back a year later and see the pounds have come back. Especially, when most of the time it was more crazy diets, crazy workouts instead of a healthy lifestyle. You feel like you failed yourself, your new husband and the future. It seems like an uphill battle from here on out.
Instead of looking back a year ago at your supposed "hot" self with the whittled waist and barely there love handles, look at yourself this year. After a year of marriage and how you sacrificed a few pounds for a happy, comforting first year of marriage. A marriage you had to nurture in the first year and that meant with date nights and skipped gym appointments. And for the record, I am sure your new husband still thinks you are beautiful even if all you see are flaws.
Look at those few extra pounds from the past year as a sign of a healthy start to what will be a wonderfully fulfilling marriage. And enjoy all the margaritas and sushi that you want.
Linking up with Juliette from The Other Juliette and Amber from Mr. Thomas and Me for body talk.
Friday, July 18, 2014
First Friday to link-up with September Farm and The Farmer's Wife for oh hey Friday!
Life Choices. They are hard. And stressful. Knowing if you are making the right decision for you and your family is a huge weight to have. Just waiting on some good news in the coming week, fingers crossed!
Lily. What a joy. What a crazy kitty. What a way to assure us we might not be able to handle a child anytime soon. Especially when you have us up every hour, every single night. These bags under eye bags are not cute on anyone and I love sleep. And you busting up your chin caused me slight panic.
Bachelor in Paradise. With Clare. Why did I just find out about this today? August 4th, people. The train wrecks will begin.
Blogmopolitan Quiz. Thank you Erin at Two Thirds Hazel for yet another great Blogmopolitan Quiz.
Christmas in July Giveaway. Enter today to win amazing prizes from myself and other great bloggers.
This post couldn't have come later on a Friday night. Thank you if you are actually reading. And I hope you have the greatest weekend!
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Have you ever thought about everything that gets you through your day? The things you want in your corner when you are capsized on a beach?
It might also come in handy to have these items prepared for a potential zombie apocalypse. Or is just me and the fact my husband watches a lot of The Walking Dead.
It was really hard trying to find just 5 things I could take with me. And it definitely doesn't count any living creatures because you know the husband and Lily would be the tippy top of that list.
But let's let my material self get on with it.
It might also come in handy to have these items prepared for a potential zombie apocalypse. Or is just me and the fact my husband watches a lot of The Walking Dead.
It was really hard trying to find just 5 things I could take with me. And it definitely doesn't count any living creatures because you know the husband and Lily would be the tippy top of that list.
But let's let my material self get on with it.
1. iPhone Hands down, my whole life is on here. I can manage my blog, social media, take notes, tell the time. Do it all with this piece of device. Not sure if it truly counts because if it is a stranded island I won't be able to charge it. But I need this little device in my hand. If even for comfort. 2.Bobby Pins Bangs up and out of my face are necessary some days. Read, the days when you are all ahhh hair!! Plus, they make a cute accessory for shorter hair. 3.Snacks Can be any variation. If you know me, you know I always have a snack available in my purse, at home, on the go. I'm a snacker Don't stand in the way of me and my snacks, people. 4.Morning coffee You do not want to see me without my morning coffee. You even might mistake me for a zombie before I have had mine. Must have to function on even a normal basis 5.Mary Kay Mascara This has become one of my absolute beauty favorites. Just throwing on a bit of mascara even without other makeup, makes me a little bit more voom. And like I can take on any zombies that approach me.
What would be in your personal survival kit?
This post was inspired by Man Crates. They are company that ships awesome gifts for men in custom wooden crates!
MAN CRATES MANIFESTO
We say 'no' to ugly neckties, cologne samplers and executive trinkets. We don't save wrapping paper, we don't do ribbons.
We ship bragworthy gifts for guys. Gifts that you can't wait to arrive because you know the recipient will love opening them.
Gifts that people gather round at the office, people following the sounds of wood being torn from wood by the included, laser-engraved crowbar.
We are Man Crates, and we deliver awesome gifts for men.
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Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Hosted by Lauren Paints | a beautiful life
It's that time of year again,
let's celebrate Christmas in July with a giveaway hop full of prizes!
As you may or may not know, I LOVE LOVE LOVE me some Christmas. It could be Christmas the majority of the year and I would still love it. Christmas music and Christmas movies year round are the norm around this household. And I couldn't be more excited to patricpate for Christmas in July.
I've teamed up with a great group of bloggers to bring you some great giveaways.
What can you win from me?
I have quite a few Thirty-One items that have definitely come in handy. They are great for on the go and organziation within the home. These two items are newer items that I myself can't wait to add to my collection. They are available in more prints than you see here too!
Be sure to enter to win the grand prize,
Lauren Paints | a beautiful life is giving away
$150 Amazon Gift Card to ONE lucky reader!
$150 to spend on whatever you please...
the possibilities are endless!
the possibilities are endless!
Don't forget to enter to win all of the other great giveaways below:
Sunday, July 13, 2014
It's no secret I love on me some weekends off. Only because I do not have the luxury of one every week. So rude, right? Well, this weekend I had myself a nice 3 day weekend.
Friday had to offer up some of my skills, got all dressed looking professional. Got in a Burlington Coat Factory run after, complete with a Diet Coke. Somehow I made it out of there under $30.
Friday Night I got to enjoy a rare night out with my best friend. We always do double dates, group events but never just us girls where we can gab and gossip. We indulged in some sangrias and appetizers.
Sunday we went couch shopping. Or couch sitting and convincing Brian we also need a bed to go along with the couch. It all makes sense to me though.
Our living room has limited space so finding one that wouldn't overwhelm our living room was definitely a challenge. The ones that did fit were not the comfiest of couches. And I am not one of those that want it to look pretty over comfort. We love our comfy couch feeling.
I am sad to see the weekend go. Hope you all enjoyed your weekend!
Friday had to offer up some of my skills, got all dressed looking professional. Got in a Burlington Coat Factory run after, complete with a Diet Coke. Somehow I made it out of there under $30.
Enjoying my Diet Coke |
Friday Night out with the best friend |
Saturday we headed out to PA to celebrate a 50th birthday for a hilarious family friend. It was a nice little road trip with sister and husband. It was a shame we couldn't stay out longer. But a couch had to be purchased.
Saturday road trip selfie |
Happy 50th! |
Grass Sitting. A good pastime of mine. |
Sunday we went couch shopping. Or couch sitting and convincing Brian we also need a bed to go along with the couch. It all makes sense to me though.
It's always a good time for Panera |
I am sad to see the weekend go. Hope you all enjoyed your weekend!
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Today, was one of those no good, bad days. Work has been stressing me out for months. And today it was proved just how I can't even do normal things right. But that's another topic for another day..
Back to today. The start of my day, at 8:06, turned into a very bad day. Not a horrible, worst kind of day but bad. I called my husband to discuss and grabbed myself a caramel latte. Because that's what makes me feel better. The more sugar the better.
On my lunch, I took a nice trip to Panera to grab a bite to eat and a smoothie. "Power" smoothie to get me through the rest of the day without walking out. The nice, older man who made my smoothie, really reminded me today about the good in bad days and the power of one small act of kindness.
Back to today. The start of my day, at 8:06, turned into a very bad day. Not a horrible, worst kind of day but bad. I called my husband to discuss and grabbed myself a caramel latte. Because that's what makes me feel better. The more sugar the better.
On my lunch, I took a nice trip to Panera to grab a bite to eat and a smoothie. "Power" smoothie to get me through the rest of the day without walking out. The nice, older man who made my smoothie, really reminded me today about the good in bad days and the power of one small act of kindness.
He chose to give me 1 1/2 smoothies because he didn't want to waste it. "One for now, one for later," he said.
That man had a huge smile on his face even though he was at work. A huge smile that made me want to smile that huge back. And he chose to give me a little extra that I didn't pay just to be kind and not waste it. Such a simple act of kindness to turn my day around.
But the great thing? This man didn't know me. He didn't know I was having such a bad day. He didn't know all I wanted to do was cry at that very moment. His act of kindness was genuine.
That man had a huge smile on his face even though he was at work. A huge smile that made me want to smile that huge back. And he chose to give me a little extra that I didn't pay just to be kind and not waste it. Such a simple act of kindness to turn my day around.
But the great thing? This man didn't know me. He didn't know I was having such a bad day. He didn't know all I wanted to do was cry at that very moment. His act of kindness was genuine.
It might have been just a little extra smoothie but it meant so much more. In one way or another, it was exactly what I needed.
Tomorrow, I will return that act of kindness to someone else. I will continue to smile at strangers and be kind because you never know who might need it the most.
Tomorrow, I will return that act of kindness to someone else. I will continue to smile at strangers and be kind because you never know who might need it the most.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Hear that?
That's the sound of crickets. And what you have all been hearing this past week. I hope you're still here and ready for me to be back. But I will give you a glimpse of what I have been up to this past week and a half. Then maybe you might just forgive me.
So does my crazy busy, hectic, unpacking week make up for the fact I have been MIA? I really, really hope so because I have some fun things coming up. And one might just benefit you in a BIG way.
That's the sound of crickets. And what you have all been hearing this past week. I hope you're still here and ready for me to be back. But I will give you a glimpse of what I have been up to this past week and a half. Then maybe you might just forgive me.
On the grind, selling my skills |
My loves. |
Helping with the mess of a bedroom |
Our current state of a dining room |
Thursday night date night in |
America. |
We spent a 4th of July together! Miracles. |
Fireworks. Of, course |
So does my crazy busy, hectic, unpacking week make up for the fact I have been MIA? I really, really hope so because I have some fun things coming up. And one might just benefit you in a BIG way.