Finding a home....

Yesterday we took the next step in house hunting and actually scheduled time to go tour a few houses. We had picked a few and our realtor had lined up some too. It's amazing how different things look in person - you see the angles and stuff they took photos at to make things look bigger or less of an issue, etc. You get to see stuff they don't include in the description like the stain on the carpet or the weird wallpaper in the kitchen. Honestly though of the four we toured I could have imagined us living in all four - for the right price! It was also interesting to see what you could get for one price and then 2 miles down the road get something just as nice or nicer for $20,000 less! We have been sticking within certain area because we wanted Gigi going to one of two schools in that area. So that has narrowed our choices some but to us that's very important.

We originally had thought we'd go with a small house but after talking with the bank and finding out our pre-qualifying amount we started looking into condo's as well. Personally I love the idea of a condo. I'm not quite ready to part with that community feel of an apartment so I've always loved the idea of a condo/townhouse. I'm not one of those girls who dreams of a huge house with a massive yard. After helping care for the house we're living in I can't wait to get away from that. I like someone else taking care of the grass and outside. And B and I like things fairly minimal and it's funny how much stuff you can acquire when you have more space to put it in. And not even stuff you really need! B and I have been going through the house deciding what we're going to get rid of before we move and I think we'll be moving with about 1/4 of what we currently have.

After looking around we realized that we couldn't get a house in the condition we really wanted in our price range. We didn't want a house in need of a lot of work and falling apart. We want something move in ready. So we switched and started focusing more on condos and townhouses. And for our price range we can get something nicer and more modern.

And yesterday we fell in love with a place - perfect for us and in a great price range for us as well. We are planning to put in an offer tomorrow hopefully. Fingers crossed that they'll accept and we'll both walk away with what we want - and that would be us with a key to the place! Lol! It's kinda funny to see places that are still currently lived in. To see they're style and the stuff they have and how they arrange things. The place we are looking at purchasing literally has enough stuff in it to fill three places that size! Not hoarders at all, it's all nice stuff but just way too much stuff for the space. We went to one place that had obviously housed smokers and I wrote it off pretty much immediately. Having a realtor there (who is also a friend) was so nice. He was honest with us and pointed out the pros and cons. Things I never would have thought to look at it or check. Or things that could possibly be used as leverage on negotiating the price, etc.

All in all a great day yesterday and we're praying we get this place! It's perfect for us!!! I'll keep you updated....don't want to share too many details and jinx it for us.

Hope-ness

Happiness. Isn't it what everyone hopes for, seeks, thinks about, tries to accomplish? But life seems intent on making us unhappy a lot of times. Not all the time. Don't think I'm some miserable person because I'm really not. But life has a way of throwing things at you that really put a damper on happiness sometimes. I guess the biggest thing is remembering that happiness is just an emotion, it's a state of mind as well. Happiness is joy, contentment, faith, trust, truth and love all rolled into one. That doesn't mean there aren't bad days and that you don't have moments where you can't stand it all but I think happiness is making sure that a larger percentage of the time you are focused on the good and not on the bad that may happen. Life is full of imperfections and if we wait for life to be perfect to enjoy it than it probably will never happen. Things happen, it's just part of it. How we react to those things is what determines our level of happiness.

I'll admit that sometimes I look at other people's lives and they look so much "better" - I look at their circumstances, the things or opportunities they've been given, all the things they get to do and it can start to affect my attitude towards my own life. And that's when I have to stop looking at them and go back to focusing on my life and the good in it. Because I have it SO much better than a lot of people. I recently watched two different videos online and they both had a very profound effect on me. You can go watch them HERE and HERE.  Both stories will make you ball your eyes out. But both stories made me realize just how freakin' blessed I am. I have a healthy, happy, well behaved daughter and I have a strong, smart, hard working husband who takes care of us both. No, life isn't perfect but life is good. These stories made me feel stupid for complaining about small things - how dare I forget how blessed I am and how well cared for I am just because something breaks down, or I have to deal with something unpleasant, or someone decides they don't like me.....these things shouldn't effect the fact that I have more than I need and I am loved beyond measure and my eternal future is secure in my Father.

Sure, new things and more things can be nice, it's enjoyable! But it's not what determines happiness day in and day out. If I never received another thing I could still say I was extremely blessed. I can complain about having a cold or a headache but then I read the news and see a young girl losing her extremities all because she went on vacation and contracted a flesh eating disease and then suddenly my "issues" don't seem important at all. I can get frustrated when Gianna won't stop running around and being loud but that mother whose child will never walk, or speak, or see would probably be thrilled to have my "problem". Or when I have an argument with my husband and I know that we'll work it out and make up in no time - I know there are hundreds of women who wish they had a good marriage and a loving husband to care for them and love them. The list could go on and on......ultimately I have every reason in the world to be happy! These are passing frustrations that need not be dwelt upon. Life passes far too quickly to focus on things so trivial.

Randomocity

1. Do you like blue cheese dressing?
No way! It is so nasty!

2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes?
Nope! Just the smell makes me want to puke.

3. Do you own a gun?
Lol! No, I don't.
4. What's your favorite drink at Starbucks or other specialty coffee shops?
Mocha with an extra shot of chocolate.

5. What do you think of hot dogs?
If I'm in the mood for one they are yummy - with ketchup and mustard. Otherwise I'm not a huge fan.
6. Favorite Christmas song?
"The Christmas Song"

7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Milk in my cereal!
8. Can you do pushups?
Absolutely! 

9. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
Not a big jewelry fan but probably my engagement ring. It's so pretty!

10. Favorite hobbies?
Reading, blogging, dancing (in private! Lol!), listening to music, playing the piano

11. Do you have ADD?
No, I can concentrate when I need to!

12. What's one trait that you hate about yourself?
I have very little patience.

13. Middle name?
Marie

14. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
I love this scene in Twilight, what is my daughter singing about? and I wonder if my hubby's out of the movie yet.....

15. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink.
Water, Crystal Light and Cherry Coke Zero

16. Current worry right now?
Finding a place to live in the next couple of weeks.

17. Current hate(s) right now?
How short my hair still is, the fact that we have mice again (gag, shudder, scream)

18. Favorite place to be?
Hanging out with my hubby.

19. How did you ring in the New Year?
I'm pretty sure I went to bed at like 11pm! Lol!

20. Like to Travel?
Love it, don't get to do it often enough but I enjoy it.

21. Who is the most honest person you know?
My hubby, I don't think he has the ability to lie! Lol!

22. Do you own slippers?
Yeah, but I only wear them in the winter when it's cold.

23. What color shirt are you wearing?
White with bright flowers 

24. Could you ever make it 39 days on the show Survivor?
I certainly hope I could, I'd like to think I would be able to.

25. What songs do you sing in the shower?
When I Look At You by Miley Cyrus!

26. Favorite girl names?
Poet, Light and Brave

27. Favorite boy names?
Rocker, Lachlan, Brave

28. What's in your pocket right now?
I don't have pockets right now!

29. Last thing that made you laugh?
My daughter, she's hilarious just like her daddy

30. Worst injury you've ever had?
I cut my arm open all the way to the bone, and I cut open my thumb really deep as a child.

31. Do you love where you live?
Nope, so happy to moving VERY soon!

32. How many TV's do you have in your house?
Just one in the living room.

33. Who is your loudest friend?
My hubby?!

34. Does someone have a crush on you?
Probably not, I'm an old married woman! Haha!

35. What is your favorite candy?
Peanut M&Ms and Twix

36. Favorite Sports Team?
Alabama Crimson Tide

37. What were you doing 12 AM last night?
Sleeping!

38. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up today?
Why can't my kiddo ever sleep in?! Lol!

39. What is your favorite Holiday?
Christmas

40. What are you plans for tomorrow?
Going to church and then grilling out if it's not raining too bad! Happy Mother's Day to me!

Currently

(Rocking our jean jackets last night! Her's is from a thrift store and I'll cry when she outgrows it. Mine is like 12 years old. No joke.

I've had it forever and it's still awesome and goes with everything!!!)

CURRENTLY I'M.....

Reading: Oh my, my list is SO long when it comes to books I want to read. Currently though I'm reading the fourth book in Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series, Lost Souls. I read the first three awhile back and then sorta forgot about going to the library and getting the next one. But the third book in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo was checked out so I went with this one. I want to finish TGWTDT series and I also really need to catch up on Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas series. I've read the first four books and he's put out three more and a fourth is on it's way! So LOTS of reading ahead of me! YAY!

Watching: Right now the only two shows we really keep up with are Restaurant Impossible and Touch. We are excited because this season on RI they redid a restaurant in Meridianville, AL which is where my parents live and they've actually been there to eat since it's been redone so I'm so stoked about seeing that one! Touch is good, not the best show ever but worth watching. A very interesting concept for sure. We also saw The Avengers the other night and you MUST go see it while it's in theaters. It's just one of those that needs to be seen on the big screen!

Thinking About: I feel like my mind is a whirl wind lately. Mainly trying to figure out everything that is supposed to happen next month. Luckily I have a husband who is much better and planning ahead than I am. Thank God or we'd be in a mess! Lol! My biggest thought process right now is trying to figure out what to get rid off. We will be moving into a smaller place (I mean, we currently live in a two story, five bedroom farm house!), which personally I'm happy about but that still means getting rid of a lot of "junk" and extra stuff. Not to mention we just want to change some thing once we move. Thinking about having a big yard sale soon at my sister's house - kill two birds with one stone so to speak. Get rid of stuff and make some money and the same time!

Anticipating: Finding a place live! We've found a few we like but for one reason or another they haven't worked out. We looked at a place yesterday that is PERFECT - it's cute, right across the street from the HUGE school Gigi would attend, it has a pool and the location just couldn't be better, and it has a red door. Come on! I'm trying so hard not to get my hopes up just yet but we are going to schedule a time to go check it out inside and see what we think and then go from there.

Listening to: Malt Shop Oldies! I love old music like that. It's so happy and simple and it just makes me feel good and makes me wanna dance. So I crank up the station on the TV especially in the mornings and it just sets a good tone for the day ahead.

Eating: I've been eating pretty well because a friend of mine and I are doing the myfitnesspal thing and trying to keep each other in check. But I've sorta been off the past day or two. Lately I've been eating cold cereal, leftover spaghetti and going out to eat! Lol! I had an A&W burger Thurs night before we went and saw the Avengers. Last night a steak at Outback which was perfection!

Working On: Being truly more confident in myself. I know that sounds so cliche' but it's true. I feel like I went through a period after doing Insanity the first time (early 2010) when I felt really great about myself and my confidence was way up. But it's slowly just fell over the past year or so again. And I'm really trying to focus on doing my best when it comes to working out and eating right. Not beating myself up when I don't, just getting back to it as soon as I can and working out harder. I've started trying to run a bit. I hate running but I know it can be really good for you and for now I have a large yard I can run for now. Hopefully after we move I'll have a sidewalk or pavement to run.

Wishing: That there weren't so many things that are still uncertain. I hate the unknown. I like being able to anticipate and plan ahead and not having anything definite is kinda hard. I don't feel motivated to pack up the house and stuff because I don't even know when or where we're going! I'm also wishing that Gigi would find her braveness, I feel like 5 has brought on this timidness that I wish weren't there. Although I know how she feels and I guess that's why it bothers me so much, I'm afraid she's going to miss out on things because she's not brave enough to try them. A lot like me.  Also wishing that I could get a job lined up soon, one that will work with my hours......lots of wishing going on! Just gotta make it all happen!

What are you "currently" doing? If you do this kind of post leave me a link

in my comment section! I'd love to read yours!

Pinning.

How many of you are on Pinterest? How many of you actually pin on Pinterest? I don't understand people who start a Pinterest account and then never pin anything or pin like two items then nothing. And honestly, I didn't get Pinterest at first. But I think I said that about Facebook and Twitter too but hello! I'm loving those now and I'm loving Pinterest too. If you are an avid pinner look me up on Pinterest. Here are a few things I've been pinning lately.....

Why oh why did I ever cut my hair? Seriously. If I ever threaten to cut my hair again before it's this long someone slap me!!!

I've recently been trying to get into running, at least a little bit. I don't think I'll ever be an avid runner but who knows. For now I'm just doing thirty minutes a couple of times a week, just running as much as I can in that time. 

Lately I've been really into the whole white, grey and yellow scheme for bedrooms. Light and airy. I'm ready to change things up once we move. I've always been into darker "earthy" tones but I'm over that now!

Love the beachy feel and the decorative wall!

My kiddo is developing a good sense of fashion - she'd love these cute outfits!

This gorgeous tattoo!!! It's so feminine and pretty. I love the pink and black.

I'm totally obsessed with Young The Giant especially their song Cough Syrup!

I'm still in love with The Hunger Games....

Indian food! It's so yummy! Especially Chicken Tika Masala and Naan bread. Oh Lord!

Colorful anklets and nails! So summery and fresh!

Summer chic.

Boho. I'm loving the whole maxi dress and skirt thing especially with a classic jean jacket.

So what have you been pinning lately?!

Inkling.

I never ever dreamed I'd actually get inked. Growing up tattoos were kinda put into the same group as heavy drinking, smoking, and drugs. You know, things you don't do. My father is a former drug addict, he was saved in his early twenties and has spent his life since then serving in the ministry. My mother was brought up in a very strict religious home and her parents were in the ministry (they actually ran the program for drug addicts that my dad went through to get clean. That's where he met my mom.). So I can understand that for both of them tattoos have a bad reputation. Back in "the day" (whatever that means!) tattoos were usually gotten by drug addicts and bikers. But things have changed and it seems like just about "everyone" has a tattoo of some sort. It's a way of expressing yourself and putting things in your memory forever. Things you don't want to forget or things that changed your life. 

I know that a lot of "Christians" have issues with tattoos. But generally I think it's the Christians who are still steeped in a religious spirit. I believe that there are things that God has set down pretty black and white in the Bible. There are things that are right and there are things that are wrong. But then there are things that I believe are simply up to your discretion and what you believe between you and God is right. For instance, there are Christians who believe women wearing pants is wrong. The Bible doesn't say that, it's simply what they believe honors God for them. I don't have a problem if you think certain things are wrong for you or your family but I do have a problem when people push those "beliefs" on others. Or they believe others are sinners or "bad people" because they don't believe the same way.

Most Christians who are against tattoos or body piercing use the scripture in 1 Cor. 6:19 that says "Do you not know that your bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." I don't see tattoos are desecrating your body or not honoring it. In my mind it's like decorating the temple. God had the people go all out when it came to decorating the temples - tapestries, gold, jewels, etc. And that's exactly how I feel when it comes to tattoos and piercings. I'm not a huge piercings fan but I do have my ears done twice and my nose. And I see nothing wrong with that and to be honest I'll have no problem with my daughter having piercings or even getting a tattoo. I'll be the first to sign the consent form and take her. My point is this, I think there are other things "poisoning" our bodies that God would have a much harder time with than tattoos or piercings like over eating, laziness, bitterness, and a judgmental spirit. To me those things are desecrating your body/temple FAR more than a little ink. Don't get me wrong, if you're getting nasty things tatted on your body God probably won't be pleased but not because you got inked but because you're celebrating something He has deemed wrong! Lol! 

Each of my tattoos has meaning behind it and these probably won't be my last. I like tattoos, I think they can be beautiful and a great expression of who you are. When I see someone with tattoos I like to look at them, I wonder what they mean to that person, the story behind them. Nothing makes me happier than when someone asks me about my tats and I can tell them the story behind them! Instead of judging you can get to know someone!

And yes, people say "what about when you're old...." and my reply is "Good grief, once you're old you pretty much don't care anymore!" Lol! I mean seriously, old people don't seem to really care much and most of the time they are so covered in clothing you'd never know they had them anyway. I'm not going to not do things now because I'll be old one day. How boring would life be then?!

This is my newest tattoo and I love it, as I do all my tats. You can read the story behind it HERE. But the short of it is everyone wants to know if someone really loves them. I've been privileged enough to know true love!

This is the best photo I could find of my owl. His name is Willard. Lol! Owl's represent wisdom and it's on my foot because I hope that in everything I do and everywhere I go I walk in wisdom.

This is the before and after of the heart on my left wrist. I originally had it done not long after mine and B's 2 year anniversary. I felt like the second year was the hardest for us and I wanted to remember and represent the love I felt had brought us through some seriously hard time. It was done badly by the artist and looked extremely faded right after it healed so I had it re designed and inked a few months ago and I love it now!

The star on my right foot was the first tattoo I got. I just got the star at the time and it done for my daughter. She was my little star and she had been the shining thing that had brought me through a rough year. I later had the "swirls" added right after I started working out and getting fit(ter). It represents being a woman, being feminine and a reminder to not forget myself.

I have the outline of a closed eye on my back shoulder. Funny enough this is my least favorite tattoo, it wasn't done well (research your artists, people, don't go cheap!!!) and I just don't love it. I don't hate it, and I don't really regret it - I just don't love it. And it's the one tattoo of mine that my hubby has told me several times he loves! Lol! I do plan to cover it at some point. I have a larger piece I want to get there and since it's so faded it will be easy to cover. But originally I got it as a reminder to walk by faith and not by sight. During that time I felt like I was blindly groping my way through life and I felt like one day God just stilled my heart and told me it wasn't about seeing, it was about believing and walking in faith, knowing that He would guide me and bring me through.

So put simply, don't judge people with tattoos - if you ask them there is probably a lot of meaning behind them. Putting them down is like putting down that person's history, love, memories & stories. And just because you don't find them beautiful doesn't mean someone else doesn't! I do plan to get more and I'm still begging my hubby to get some - I can't honestly say I think he'll ever actually do it but I can keep wishing, right?!!! I think well done tats on a fit, hot guy (like my hubs!) is totally hot!!!

.....changes, grows & adapts.

Love grows more tremendously full, swift, poignant, as the years multiply.

Love is like a friendship caught on fire: In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.

Love. It seems to easily defined yet at the same time so very difficult. Love is constantly growing and changing. Adapting. When you are in love with someone you want to please them, to make their life better, easier, more enjoyable. Sometimes that's harder than it seems. Human emotions get in the way, human error causes more issues than you planned on, etc. Even after almost 7 years of marriage, almost 8 years of being with my husband I'm still learning. Love is still growing, changing, adapting. It's crazy because I feel like I know him so well, but at the same time I feel like there is so much that's undiscovered. Different situations bring out different emotions and reactions and those lead to thoughts and opinions and new conversations and questions. As humans we are always changing. We aren't always the same person. Of course there is always the heart and core of who we are but as times change and life changes we change. Recently a family member mentioned something that I "liked" and I said "Oh I don't like that anymore...." and that said, "Well, you used too." And it made me realize how much we change even though we don't realize it. Things we used to like we no longer do, and things we never thought we'd like we're are suddenly into.  I tend to be a little bit inside the box. It's hard for me to break out and just try new things. If I tried it once and didn't like it I assume that I'll not like it forever. But things change even simple things. I used to hate white furniture, walls, etc. but suddenly I wanted to paint my entire house white and replace everything with white furniture, white floors, etc. I used to hate spinach, Red Bull and Cherry Coke. But that's changed.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. Love. I went to a wedding on Saturday. I love weddings. I love Love. I love celebrating it. Nothing makes me happier then seeing a young couple madly in love with each other. Hearing those sweet words they vow to. And yes, I know, divorce happens for good reasons and bad but I believe in love. True love. I think when you truly love someone (and know them before you make a huge commitment) you do anything to make it work. Doesn't mean you take abuse but that's where getting to know someone before you fall in love and marry them comes in. The wedding was beautiful, the vows were heartfelt and truthful - you know the moment the bride walks down the aisle? I like to see her but then I always turn and watch the groom. I love seeing that emotion on his face, you can almost feel his heart bursting with the love and pride he feels for the woman walking down the aisle. The groom at this wedding was so enamored with his bride. He didn't once take his eyes off her during the ceremony. He looked at her with such love and passion that it almost made my heart burst with happiness. Every girl deserves that and it makes my heart ache to watch girls settling for so much less. Watching them "put out" to try to keep guys around and keep their attention. One of the things that was said at this wedding was "Love is not an emotion. It can be emotional but love itself is not an emotion." And I feel like so many people base love on how they are feeling at the moment. The truth is there are times that B drives me nuts, and I drive him nuts. He annoys me, I annoy him, I think his point is stupid, he thinks mine is stupid, etc. Because we're human. But not once, since I met him, have I EVER though "I do not love this man anymore." Never. I love him and that will never change. Although how we love changes each and every day. It depends on what's going on around us. Our love has matured and changed. It's grown. 

Are there times I miss that giddiness of first being in love? Of course. Don't get me wrong, I still get butterflies when B kisses me, my heart still swells when he reaches over and holds my hands, I still look at him across a room and think "God, he's so handsome." but even those feelings have changed. They aren't gone, they've just changed. I know him well, I see him differently, I admire him in different ways now. I love how far we've come, I love that we love each other so deeply, I love that we are still learning. But I will admit that sometimes I wish we could go back to those first days of dating just for a day. To experience that nervous excitement all over again. 

Love changes, it grows, it adapts. True love doesn't go away. You have to choose to stop loving someone and I don't believe it actually ever really goes away. It can be buried and ignored but it's always there. Even if I had married someone else I don't think I would have ever stopped loving B, doesn't mean I would have acted on it, cheated on whoever I did marry or not love them as well but love can't just be shoved aside and expected to disappear. Love doesn't die, it doesn't leave. It changes, grows and adapts.