The Thing About Plans.

I just had a mini epiphany or stroke of thoughtful genius. 


When things don't go the way people planned for or expected or hoped for or dreamed for... most likely they will resort to blaming something that they did. Whether it be not listening to God more closely or not tying your shoe correctly - humans have to put the blame on something. Otherwise, they're stuck with all this self pity and nowhere to disperse it. 


But what if...

What if...

What if...

What if a change in plans had nothing to do with whether or not you did this, or did that, or didn't do this, or didn't do that... what if it was God's plan for you? 

I just don't feel like we should blame ourselves or anything else when plans change or things don't go the way we expect them to. I try to take every situation and learn from it. 

Sometimes God wants us to change our paths. I thought I would become an operator of Chick-fil-A - I worked really hard and I prayed about it and I talked about it constantly. "The door" was shut in my face several times for me to ever even become a general manager... but I stayed on that path because I thought that was my plan. I wanted it to be my plan. It wasn't. I wrestled with this for a long time, but I came to terms with it because I don't want to live my life regretting that I didn't keep trying for something that wasn't meant for my life.

Even now when I think of moving to Raleigh, I pray that it's in God's plan for Dan and I's life together, but it's not a guarantee. And I'm okay with that. He will open doors for us if that's where we are supposed to live. I think planning and not being able to adjust when things change is a control issue for some people, but all we have is right now. Honestly, I can sit here and spew every single thing I want someday - the husband, the house, the kids, the great job - but we aren't guaranteed tomorrow. I hate to be this cliche on a public forum, but maybe we should all go with the flow a little bit more, loosen up the reigns, let life go the path it's destined to and understand that there is a plan for you - it just may have a few detours you didn't initially plan for. 

Trials produce perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope.

Banana Pancakes

The other day I told my mom that I can't wait to live with Dan so I never have to miss him.

She replied, "that is such a sweet thing to say". 
I am head over heels, over the moon, all the way to Pluto (even though that's not a planet anymore) and to-grandmother's-house-we-go in love with him. 

This song makes me daydream and get all giddy about living with Dan someday.

Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson

Can't you see that it's just raining
Ain't no need to go outside...
But baby, you hardly even notice
When I try to show you this
Song is meant to keep ya
From doing what you're supposed to
Like waking up too early
Maybe we can sleep in
I'll make you banana pancakes
Pretend like it's the weekend now

{Pin}

And we could pretend it all the time
Can't you see that it's just raining
Ain't no need to go outside

But just maybe, laka ukulele
Mommy made a baby
Really don't mind the practice
'cause you're my little lady
Lady lady love me
'cause I love to lay here lazy
We could close the curtains
Pretend like there's no world outside

{Pin}

And we could pretend it all the time
Can't you see that it's just raining
Ain't no need to go outside
Ain't no need ain't no need Mmmm MMmmm
Can't you see can't you see
Rain all day
And I don't mind.

The telephone is singing
Ringing it's too early
Don't pick it up
We don't need to we got everything
We need right here and everything we need is enough
Just so easy when the whole world fits inside of your arms
Don't really need to pay attention to the alarm

{Pin}

Wake up slow, yeah wake up slow
But baby, You hardly even notice
When I try to show you this
Song is meant to keep ya
From doing what your supposed to
Like waking up too early
Maybe we can sleep in
I'll make you banana pancakes
Pretend like it's the weekend now

And we could pretend it all the time
Can't you see that it's just raining
Ain't no need to go outside
Ain't no need, ain't no need
Rain all day and I really really really don't mind
Can't you see can't you see,
You gotta wake up slow

{Pin}

In other news, I broke out in hives after I got home from work yesterday. I lovelovelove working in HR, it's just a little chaotic lately. I started drawing again to combat the hives - more on that later! 


How do you combat your nerves? 

Minute to Win It: Christmas Style!

As promised, here's some crazy Christmas photos from the Minute to Win It themed party we had:

This one was called Christmas in the Balance. As you can see, Dan and I are not pictured... this is because he tipped over the whole thing before a picture could even be taken. 

Christmas Cup Stacker... The player had to stack 28 cups with one hand in 60 seconds! Not nearly as easy as it looks - Aunt Mindy couldn't follow the rules to save her life. I look very serious as the official timer.

This one was by far the most hilarious. Jingle in the Trunk. The only photos of Dan are completely blurry because he basically seized his way to 3rd place. I took first! :)

This one was called Holiday Kiss. It was great to see all the couples be so competitive! My mom had the death grip on my dad's arms to keep him close to her. They tied for first with my cousin and his fiance. 

Let me introduce you to Reindeer Nose Dive. Probably the most impossible and ridiculous game ever. Somehow my cousin won within the first couple of minutes by people were just piling on the Vaseline to try and get the pompom to catch. Needless to say, we cheated and stuck ours on.

This one was just your standard marshmallow toss! Each player had 60 seconds to lob the most marshmallows into this bucket that had a wreath attached to it. Once again, not nearly as easy as you'd think it would be!

I had such an awesome time putting together all of these games with my mom and watching everyone enjoy them. What are some of the Christmas games or traditions you have every year?

To Raleigh or not to Raleigh?

That is the question.


No, no, we're still planning on moving, don't panic! I'm just thinking of planning a summer trip to Raleigh in the beginning of August. Sure, we will probably suffocate from the impending heat, but I say LET'S DO IT! We had talked about traveling there briefly but dismissed the idea when I priced it out. However, thanks to TripAdvisor (my new best friend, sorry Pinterest) it seems that a Friday-Monday trip there may be a little more affordable than previously anticipated! Plus, I feel a little more comfortable now that I'm a working woman and not pulling in a solid 20 hours at an internship. 


Here's some places I want to see:

Raleigh's City Market: charming shops and restaurants. 

Lake Lynn Park: I love parks, and running shirtless men. (Kidding.. kidding.)

Raleigh's Farmer's Market: my, my, what nice gourds you have!

Raleigh's Museum of Art: I have a new found love of museums. I attribute this to Dan.

Umstead Park: Like I said, I love parks! I also really enjoy hiking. 

Here are some of the places I want to eat at:

The Pit: is a must eat. A. Dan and I love BBQ. B. Dan and I love Adam Richman of Man V. Food who has eaten there.

The Glenwood Grill: got great reviews on TripAdvisor and looks like a relaxing, nice place to eat.

Locopops: some cute little popsicle place. Perfect for an August day. 

18 Seaboard: look how yummy that looks!? Maybe this could be our celebratory dinner for finding the place we want to live. 

Have any fun summer trips you're thinking of taking!? There's nothing like traveling. 

2012.

Okay, so I've decided to list some of my goals for 2012, that way I can look back and see how well I did... or did not do!

My first goal would be to eat healthier and work out more regularly. I'd like to start eating more organic foods and more fruits & veggies. 

My next goal is to be more spontaneous. Now this would be a little extreme (although, I'd run away in a second to marry Dan in case you were wondering) but you get the point. I'd like to just start doing things without putting so much thought and planning into it. 

I took 2 drawing classes at our community college before transferring to Baldwin-Wallace and I really discovered my talent for charcoal drawing. I haven't done very much since because it is rather time consuming - I miss it a lot and my goal is to do some more drawings this year.

Probably one of my biggest goals this year is to move out of my parent's house. Although I'm relatively young, by the time I actually plan on moving (summer/fall) I'll be 22 and already working a full-time job for over a year. I'm just itching for independence and living on my own! 

Lastly, and I think most importantly, I want to be happy with who I am. I'm not perfect; I have a weird sense of humor, I don't always act my age, I dress like a slob most days, and I'm blatantly honest. The reality is that people are always going to talk, it's how you handle yourself that really matters. As long as I love myself, it shouldn't matter what anyone else says.

I hope you all have a blessed and prosperous 2012!