Looking Back {on 2012} Part I

For me 2012 was a year of personal growth. As the year began I found myself searching for meaning and purpose in my life. It was a year of challenges, but those challenges eventually turned into triumphs, and as the year came to a close I felt at peace. I had learned to seek happiness for myself, instead of waiting for it to find me. 

January

We celebrated the new year in Texarkana for Britt and Dustin's wedding weekend. It was such a memorable weekend and a wonderful start to 2012. 

At some point in January it became a reality that Brandon actually had to leave for three months, starting at the end of March. I began worrying about what this meant for me. I didn't have anything holding me back in Corpus, but I started to wonder if having a job would make the coming months easier. I looked into possibilities outside of child life, and I considered going into teaching. After weighing all my options I decided against it. I didn't want to jump into something just because I was scared of the challenge ahead. 

February 

I spent the month of February taking advantage of my time with Brandon, since I knew he would be leaving in a matter of weeks. Although we squeezed in as many date nights and fun outings as we could, it still felt like there was cloud of sadness hanging over us. Even though we tried not to think about it, we knew that we were quickly approaching the biggest challenge we had ever faced as a married couple. 

Towards the end of the month I made my first Austin trip of 2012. Shell and I experienced the Campus Candy Store for the first time and attended a Texas Country benefit concert that was close to my heart.

March

I realized I had spent so much time trying to figure out the next step in God's plan that I hadn't even noticed His presence in the present moment. I began to see Him working in my life in ways that I hadn't even considered. I learned to accept the stage I was in, and life seemed fun again. 

We spent a weekend in Yoakum before Brandon started his rig training, and at the end of the month we began our Dallas adventures. 

April

I did a lot of traveling in April. I was either in Yoakum with my parents, in Austin with Michelle, or in Dallas with Brandon. I had a lot of time to myself, which I spent running, reading, and just thinking about life. 

We also celebrated my PaPaw's 90th birthday, and we felt so blessed to have him in our lives. 

April was also the beginning of Courtney and Kyle's wedding festivities. My maid of honor duties included a day in College Station for Courtney's bridal portraits, a day I will never forget.

Stay tuned for parts two and three...

10 Week YOU Challenge: Week 7

I don't know what I'm going to do when this link-up is over!

Can we just start back at 10 and do it again??

{via}

This week we're talking about books.

I've never been a big reader, but there are a few books that have had an impact on my life.

Bible

I admit that I haven't spent nearly as much time reading the Bible as I should. But over the past month or so I've made it part of my daily routine. At a time in life when a few things seemed unclear I learned that picking up my Bible didn't give me all of the answers, but it did give me a sense of peace.

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

When I started running last year I knew I needed help getting motivated, so I bought Born to Run. This book completely changed my outlook on running. Before starting the C25k program I had never run more than a few laps around the grassy field at St. Joseph's School. Because of my inexperience I was questioning whether or not I'd even be able to run. Born to Run taught me that not only was I able to, but I was born to. This book really gave me the confidence I needed to not only start running, but to keep running and not look back.

See You at the Top by Zig Ziglar

I had a {competitive} cheer coach in high school who read an excerpt from See You at the Top before every practice. I loved this part of practice, and each week I looked forward to what Zig would teach me. I eventually borrowed the book from my coach and read the whole thing. It is the best motivational book I've ever read.

Welcome to my Kitchen by Grandma Wenzel

First of all, Grandma Wenzel is my friend Courtney's grandma, but our families are so close that I claim her as my grandma, too. Grandma Wenzel is an amazing cook and one of the most organized people I know. She put together a cookbook of all her recipes for her kids and grand kids. I remember seeing Courtney's copy and thinking 'Man, I wish I could have one.' ...Fast forward a few months to one of my bridal showers... I had been opening one preselected-registry-gift after another, saying my usual 'thank-yous', when I came across Grandma Wenzel's gift. It was her cookbook. My very own copy. My eyes immediately filled with tears as I leaned over and hugged her. She was sitting right beside me, right where my own MaMaw or Grandma would have been sitting had they been there. This moment was so special, one I will never forget. Since then I have made so many meals and deserts from her cookbook. Of course, they are always delicious!

"The Happiness Project"

I just finished reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, and I loved it! It's a #1 New York Times bestseller and is described as "An enlightening, laugh-aloud read." 

The book follows Gretchen's year-long journey to a happier self, which includes happiness research and her own monthly resolutions. Her resolutions include things like exercising better, showing proofs of love, asking for help, singing in the morning, keeping a food diary, showing up, taking time to be silly...

I could go on, but I want you to read it yourself! This book will keep you laughing as you start to examine your own life and discover ways that you, too, can be happier.

So either get out your Kindle, head to Barnes & Noble, or log into your Amazon account (like me) and get this book! You will be glad you did!

And who knows...maybe I'll start my own happiness project! ;)

Trying to Live in the "Here and Now"

The past few weeks have been tough. First of all, Brandon was in Oklahoma for two weeks. This was the first time he has been gone for more than a few days, and I was not looking forward to it. Thankfully I have some amazing people in my life who kept me busy. Michelle, her friend Alayna, and Alayna's sweet baby Noah came to visit during the first week. We did some Christmas shopping and had fun playing with Noah. He is such a sweet baby! This was Princess's first time to meet a baby, so it was fun to watch her reactions.

I went back to Yoakum with Michelle and Alayna, and spent the next week there. During that time I got to do more shopping in Austin with my mom and Michelle, and I finally got to see the cute bridal boutique where Michelle works. If you're shopping for a wedding dress, you should definitely look them up!!

This brings me to the tough part...being in Austin. I've only been to Austin a few times since we moved, and I can usually make the trip without becoming emotional/sentimental. Until I see the tower of Dell Children's. That's when I start reminiscing and thinking about all of the amazing people I encountered during my time there. I think about how hard I worked to go from a college volunteer, to a gift shop employee, then a practicum student and intern, and finally a child life specialist. I did so much learning and growing in that one place, and I still miss it like crazy.

Driving by Dell Children's reminded me how much I love being a child life specialist. I could go on and on about what we do and why I love doing it, but I won't. I just hope that I get to do it again someday. I've sent my resume to the children's hospital here in Corpus, but there are no positions available right now. So I'm playing the waiting game. And I don't like it.

I was talking with Brandon a few days ago about how much I miss my job. I told him that working as a child life specialist was what I was "supposed" to do. He said, "Who said that's what you're 'supposed' to do?" I said, "Well I did." He then reminded me that WE do not decide what we are supposed to do.

Once again, I was trying to take control of my life. And after realizing that, I am doing my best to live in the moment and enjoy where I am in life.

I found a book a few days ago that has been extremely helpful. And as I opened it to start reading I noticed that it came from my Aunt Verna. I'm assuming she gave it to my dad, who then gave it to me, and I was probably too busy at the time to read it.

The book is about living life in the present and taking time to notice God working in our lives each day. As I read it last night, I came across a quote that really stuck with me. This particular chapter was about the Spirit of God working in our lives. It said,

"Don't be afraid to let go of your need to control your own life. Let me fulfill the true desire of your heart."

Wow! That's exactly what I needed to hear. So thanks, B, for loving me and being patient with me. And thanks to Dad and Aunt Verna for placing this book in my life. I think I read it at just the right time :)