Present Makes Perfect

{This "inspirational thought catalog" was given to me as a parting gift from 

ServiceMaster by a very sweet lady who loves office supplies as much as I do. 

It will always be on my desk, no matter where my desk is.}

Lately, I've been feeling like I'm burning the candle at both ends. Between my full-time job as Assistant Editor for MBQ and a Contributing Editor for MM, I've taken on freelance opportunities for the WMU, still doing social media here and there (not a full campaign but something) for Cordova Vision Center, and most recently, sharing Nerium as a side business (a very lucrative one at that! shameless plug that I just got promoted to a Director after only 40 days!). 

All of this still falls under the category of work, too. Then there's my family, my boyfriend, my friends, my social life, and of course, my relationship and walk with the Lord which I've actively been trying to strengthen through reading I Am A Church Member and consistently tithing for the first time in my life. OH, and being a Tone It Up gal, I've newly started making nearly all my own meals (for 5 small meals a day.. hello food-prep time) and working out more consistently. 

By the end of day, and especially the week, I tend to be an exhausted mess. I'm not a perfectionist by any means, but I do have a certain sense of "if I'm going to do it, I'm not going to do it halfway." This leads to the original sentiment of burning the candle at both ends. I've always been ambitious and anyone who knows me, knows that the best way to get me to succeed is to tell me I can't do something. Then my inner diva puffs up and says yells "watch me!"(very much a la Lorrie Morgan).

This morning I was chatting with JT about future opportunities and goals he has, and specific ones I have for my future. Then we always start talking about our future and dreams, hopes, and wants (anything is fair game from ideal houses and neighborhoods to jobs to church life and "extras" such as boats, cars, etc). This morning in particular, we both said wait a second. It's great that we're both so very motivated both individually and together, but we need to take a time out and start recognizing how great our current stage of life is.

This sounds cliche, but we both have very charmed lives and often take them for granted. I get the opportunity to live at home with my parents, something I cherish. I made my mom breakfast this morning before her big meeting because I wanted to, and was able to. Things like that are a rarity and won't always be possible in every stage of my life. I have a fabulous relationship with my sister that has grown tremendously (unfortunately due to JT working 24-hour Sunday shifts) and I tend to spend the whole day Sunday with her. I carpool with my dad to work out in the morning, and I even have a business with my mom now too (shout out Nerium). 

JT has the opportunity to work for Stryker, and pick up shifts at Jason's Deli making bank in tips and working overtime hours, possibly shadow career mentors, and network. He also bowls with friends weekly, comes to some of my Nerium meetings and helps me, makes time for date nights, visits with Granny and Dee before his morning work outs due to his schedule and is the godfather to a precious baby boy. 

Most of these things wouldn't be possible if we had gotten what we originally wanted. If I made more money, I might not live at home and spend the time growing these relationships. If JT worked normal hours, he wouldn't have time to network or make extra money on the side just because he can. 

We made the decision to keep each other accountable to enjoying the present and not always wishing it away for the next stage of life. Because both of us will tell you, the here and now is pretty darn great. Exhaustion and all. (Ironically, Emily Maynard wrote about the same topic today too. God works in mysterious ways, I tell you.)

Happy (flashback) Friday/Valentine's Day!

Today has already brought on so many happy emotions and it's not even noon. I'm a huge fan of holidays in general, but this one is exceptionally lovely. 

{Meemaw and me in my favorite spot}

For starters, I went to the gym with my dad and used my early Valentine's present from JT again, and yep, I still love it. So the endorphins weren't a bad way to get things going. I got the sweetest card from my mama along with some valentines happys, and watched my dad sneak to the garage and get mama's present out of his toolbox (how stinking cute?!). 

While I was getting ready, I thought about my sister, and how very different this Valentine's is from last year. Then, she had just gone through her second miscarriage and was feeling particularly blue, as anyone would imagine. I purchased this happy (she's the one with the ring and pale nail polish, I'm the one with the lipstick-stained mug and dark nails--it really couldn't be more fitting for us) for her as a reminder that we'd always have each other and that I was (and am) so thankful for our bond as sisters. This year, she's mere weeks away from giving birth to her first bebe. God is good, and I can't help but smile when I think of how far we've all come since last year.

{at Mary Jane's wedding in what she called her "wedding dress" 

since she wore it to all her kid's weddings}

Next came the group text from my mama to my aunt, cousin, emily and me saying how this day is always kind of bittersweet because it's filled with so much love, but is a vivid reminder of my wonderful Meemaw who would've been 88-years-old tomorrow. It's beyond crazy that she's been gone over a decade. In some ways it's easier, but in other ways the void is still very apparent. We've chosen to dwell on the positive: her life, her love, and her powerful legacy of strong women in our family. Today, I'm wearing two rings that were passed down to me; subtle things like that always make me feel closer to her. 

{Left: JT's tiger ring, and my Meemaw's band-Ashleigh has the other :) // Right: Purple was her favorite color as amethyst was her birthstone, and she collected tons of amethyst jewelry.}

To top it off, JT sweetly agreed to go visit my Papaw with me tonight for Valentine's. I've got a good one, and today I'm especially thankful for his kindness and strong family values. 

So however you spend your day, I hope it's filled with crazy, stupid amounts of love. God is great, God is good, and God is full of love for you and me. 

November Challenge

I know I'm a little (5 days) late, but better late than never, right? I want to try the "Give thanks for something every day in November" thing I keep seeing on facebook and instagram; so, this is my catch up day. I think you can handle my first 5 things in one post (if not, read it in sections). Here we go...

1) My Parents

 

They're relationship, love for our entire family, willingness and readiness to do whatever, whenever for both Emily and me for our entire lives has meant more to me than either of them probably knows. For over 30 years they've been right there beside each other, through good and bad, raised two kids, and held our family together. Emily and I can only hope to be half the parents y'all have been for us; I know because we talk about it often. And because I don't say it enough, I'm thankful for you both.

2) Good Ole Samford U

 

This one comes right after my parents because without them I wouldn't have been able to attend this wonderful establishment I now call my Alma Mater. I know I'm biased, but I really do think it's the best of both worlds: small school, big city. You feel like you know everyone (both good and annoying) but you have tons of stuff to do too. I'm particularly thankful For my major, my teachers, and my ADPi sistas. Most of all, though, I'm thankful for Samford because it connected me with the best friends I could've ever asked for...

3) My TNB's

 

Oh c'mon you knew it was coming... If I had a dollar for every time I've mentioned these lovely ladies I'd definitely be making some serious cash from this blog. But I just can't help myself. You might think you have the best friends ever....buuuttt you could be wrong (and by "could" I mean "are" because mine are the best. hands down.). Phil. 1:3 will always make me think of these gals, "I thank my God every time I remember you."

4) My Church: Trinity Baptist

 

I love it. Seriously, every sermon teaches me something new and always has a point that directly corresponds with something I've been dealing with the previous week. I love the people, my pastor, the music, the teachings, and did I mention the people..? If you ever want to visit, please please please don't hesitate to ask me. I'd love for you to join with me. 

5) My Job 

 

I'm not naive enough to think that it's normal to A) get a job using your major/college degree B) get a job you like, much less love or C) get to work with people who constantly better you and help you grow in your craft and skill. Sorry to be annoying, but I happen to have all three. For that, I'm extremely blessed and eternally appreciative and thankful. Again, I think I take it for granted sometimes, but I want to say it more often: I'm super thankful for my job.

There you have it; now we're both caught up. What are you thankful for? It's the perfect month to remember and it really helps to stop and think about just how much we have to be thankful for.