Circumstances

This may sound silly to many of you -- but I've recently added an item to my morning routine.  Never mind I'm still trying to train my body to wake each morning at 6am (or earlier)...unfortunately haven't had much success with that one yet.... Anyway, I digress...
Back to the somewhat silly part -- I started going thru a daily Joyce Meyer devotional on my Bible app.  It's been really encouraging.  So I was extremely pleased to read that she had launched her own iPhone app.
It was quickly downloaded on my phone & on my drive to work each morning for the past 2-3weeks I've been listening to her radio broadcasts.  I use the term "radio" loosely as they're more like 15min snippets of her events broken up in to 5 sections for the week.  A much better way to spend the drive in to the office.

This morning's section one part in particular jumped out at me....that we often times surrender to our circumstances & allow Satan to steal our joy, primarily because of pride or standing in a place of unforgiveness/un-resolved anger/an un-loving spirit. Let's talk about 2x4 to the face! Such a truthful statement -- spoken directly to my heart from the Lord.
My resolution: to surrender because Satan can't steal what isn't his to begin with.  Joyce's statement ultimately was that circumstances shouldn't steal our joy.  And thus - I have my first addition to my "dream" board at work.

I'm trying to think of other things to add, but it's hard to find things to add to a dream board...any one have any more suggestions??? 
Sidenote...absolutely adoring the beautiful weather here right now. And double bonus to life is that the 10-day forecast just boasts more & more sun! Summer is upon us here in the PNW thank goodness! 
<3

random

This past weekend was full of good friends, good conversation, and rest.
Talk about wonderful weekend!

Random thought -- I finally drug my butt back to the gym last night.  Let's just say I've been on a long hiatus from the gym.  And I've found that I go in swings, crazy intense amount of time spent at the gym to virtually none.  So I'm trying to find a good balance of my time and going to the gym.  Finding things that I enjoy and challenge me -- but don't cause me to loathe going. Last night's event: yoga.  Man, I haven't done yoga in FOREVER & I definitely wish I hadn't taken such a long break.  My legs were SHAKING nearly the entire class...and is it ever hard to hold 3 legged dog when your leg is shaking like a leaf!  All in all, I'm glad I went. I felt great after wards, felt calm & collected.  Woke up this morning feeling rested.

Tonight's agenda: walking with my running buddies.  I'm slowly finding things that are life giving rather than life taking/exhausting.  The goal is to be happy, healthy, & confident.  Definitely not looking to be a body builder or compete. I want to simply be happy in my own skin & most importantly be thankful that I have a working body to be able to do things!

 But the biggest highlight of our weekend......

Meet our new little nephew Kapono!! Such a sweet heart already.  Isaac's younger brother & his wife made their way in to the hospital early on Friday, and baby Kapono made his appearance late Friday night.  Isaac has lovingly nicknamed the kiddo "Jar Jar" in honor of Star Wars Appreciation Day (think "May the 4th/force be with you!").  Not sure my sister-in-law is totally on board with that, nor am I....but the brothers seem to think it's hilarious.  We've already got a trip in the works in mid-June to meet the little guy.  But we can already tell he's gonna be a heart breaker. 
This month is gonna be nutty -- so hopefully I can stay on top of my blogging, I've been slacking as of late...but it's worth it, so I'll do my best! :)
<3

 

VICTORY!

I can breathe easily now!  I took my real estate Broker's exam yesterday afternoon (after much anticipation/slight anxiety) and passed!!
Can't tell you how much of a relief that is -- and truthfully I have been delaying this moment for an extremely long time.  Mostly because I dread taking tests.  But with some preparation & lots of extra prayer from friends & family I passed!

ahhh.....breathing easy right now.... :)
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I have found the Holy Grail....

Not to burst any one's Biblical bubble -- but I don't mean the actual Holy Grail.  But my very own personal hair Holy Grail.

You are looking at the perfect specimen of a hair dumb girl.  My entire life has been spent finding 2-3 ways of doing my hair & sticking with it.  My sisters are so much older than me that we were always in two very different stages of life - so I never really had any girl/sister lessons on how to do different things with your hair.  You're also looking at a girl who doesn't even really know how to curl her own hair well...shocking, I know. Thankfully my hair doesn't hold curl that well any way, so it's not too catastrophic.
And to add insult to injury - one of my older cousins is a super fabulous stylist.  We're talking super wonderful/talented, does the hair for the Portland Trailblazer's wives, many of the TV anchors, politicians, etc.  So I finally went up to see her for my cut & color -- mind you, the last time I think she did my hair was when I was about 6 years old & she had recently graduated from Vidal Sassoon in the early 90's.  Let's just say there was a perm & tears involved (but this isn't the reason why I haven't been back to her).

I love my cousin - she, like I mentioned, is super fabulous.  To say I was nervous to see her would be a gross under statement.  And as I expected, she was none too happy with my routine.  She quickly suggested I ween myself off my straightener...remember, I find one technique that works & stick with it...and teach myself to blow dry my hair straight with the use of useful tools.  

Ok...I've gotten a bit off topic.  So let's get to the point.  I have spent the last week trying to get to know my new hair (not too different of a cut I've had previously but more on how I handle my hair).  In an attempt to give my hair a break, and start to let it repair a bit I have found a few products that I'm already deeply in love with.

Insert fashion/beauty/lifestyle inspiration ala Sydney at the daybook  & more specifically THIS post that led me to one of the best things I've ever encountered...i.e. my "Holy Grail" reference.

 Ladies & Gents - allow me to introduce you to Suave Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo (a chorus of angels are singing....can you hear them?!).  I've tried a number of dry shampoo options; all of which ultimately left my hair flat, greasy, and not "clean" feeling.  This baby however -- amazing! Let's just say it smells AWESOME, gave me great volume, and has yet to leave any kind of nasty, greasy residue - even at days end!
Hopefully having this as an option will further allow me to let my hair breathe from the flat iron without fear of having nasty "dirty" hair that really looks dirty. Double bonus of this glory product -- PRICE! I think it was like $2.48 at my local Target.  Hellllllo greatness!
And a follow up product also by the geniuses over at Suave:

 This lightweight hair spray.  For someone who doesn't/can't do much with a style most hairsprays are too heavy for me.  So this little gem has me doing a little happy dance.  It's an "ultra fine mist" and boy is it ever!  Double bonus: smells awesome! Triple bonus: ALSO only about $2.50!

I'm starting to get the groove of round brush/blow drying my hair (shocking, I know....) and these little tools are helping the cause.  
Random post from me I know -- but I just had to share! Happy Hair to you!
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Thankfulness

This morning honey Isaac & I made our way to a coffee shop near a local church to meet up with a group of other young marrieds.  It was so nice outside, so we all sat on the patio for our time together.  Let me just tell you -- I loved every minute of it.


Our entire married life (thus far) Isaac & I have talked many times over about wanting & needing to find a community of other young married couples to share life with.  We're both firm believers in the power of being in community.  Tried a few different options but nothing ever seemed to be quite right.  But this morning, this morning felt safe, comfortable, and welcoming.  We've hung out with this group on a couple of other occasions & I know some of the girls from previous small groups, or from high school.  It was so refreshing to sit with a group of married couples, some with kids & some without, and honestly share about our marriages & how we all want the Lord to guide, lead, protect & flourish in our marriages.  The sun & warmth definitely helped as well.


Thankfulness was the primary word on my heart during our time today.  Thankful for an opportunity to be meeting with such wonderful, kind hearted, & welcoming couples.  Thankful for a husband who wants to be a part of a group like this as much as I do.  And today most of all, thankful for some wonderful weather! 


Work this week is going to be challenging I can already tell.  So for now I'll sit in the quiet & enjoy this beautiful sunshine & warmth.
<3

Small Changes

Ever had one of those days where you just think to yourself...."this right here, this what I'm doing, just isn't working."  From the moment I woke up that's what was running thru my head -- in some form or fashion.


My daily devotional was focused on finding & living in your true identity, found in Christ.   On my drive to work, a dear friend called & I am so thankful for the blessing of true, honest friendship.  And my work day began with a true, much needed & over due mom/daughter hug.  


Let's just say I tried to be aware of myself, my choices, & what not.... But mostly what I tried to do was be aware that I don't want to fight against where I am presently just to fight.  Realizing how much energy is spent fighting or being "right."
There are better, more worthy things to be focusing on & putting my energy towards.
<3

I promise I'm not dead in a ditch.....

We spent a lovely week in Las Vegas at a nice, quiet "resort" just outside of the strip -- which was actually very nice.  We were a 10min drive to the heart of the action but were far enough away that we could escape for peace & quiet.  My mom & I tried not to work, but there was one morning when I worked the entire morning.  And though I'm not proud of my actions -- I had a bit of a melt down.  It was ugly.  It was not fun.  It was exhausting.  And it just bred feelings of embarrassment & annoyance with myself after the fact.  The realization I had shortly after my "melt down" was that I have incredibly gracious people around me.  Though most of the time I really do not deserve their grace & understanding.


Second realization of the week came when I got home.  Looking back at the week, my vacation, there were more times that I was stressed/focused on work.  I used to be able to disconnect and dis-engage easily.  And now it's as though I'm completely unable to let go.  I get stressed to the max over small, insignificant things.  And I HATE(D) how I feel.  So it quickly became decision time.  Do I sit in this insanity....doing the same thing over & over again, expecting a different result.  Or take a step for additional help & information.  So I've decided to looking in to meeting with a therapist/counselor -- I need different tools to process those stressful situations, to approach & handle those situations.  
Truth be told, there's still a little voice trying to pipe up that "only the weak go see people....only damaged people need to pay to talk to someone" It's an ugly, ugly voice.  A voice that I know will try to make its presence known the entire journey.  But I'm blessed with wonderful family & friends.  One who, when I finally told her my thoughts, immediately sent me a list of recommendations & told me she'd be checking in to see if/when I made the first contact.


It is scary to be sharing this -- but I know that's only my pride trying to take over.  I'm not perfect & should expect myself to be.  God is forever molding me, I am a work in progress.  And I'd rather look & ask for help instead of going to a dark place of despair. 
Sorry for the somber post after being gone for so long -- but it's worth it to me, to be authentic & honest.  Here we go...
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