Holiday Perfection

This post is written for the person who has visions of holiday perfection :) That person is also me-

Every year; during the fall season leading to Thanksgiving and Christmas, I have visions of what the holidays are SUPPOSED to look like. In my mind, a big family gets together- at a perfectly decorated home where the table is magazine perfect with the Christmas tree ready on Thanksgiving morning while you cook and watch Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. HA! Well, I can tell you now that this is not how it really is. Not during my childhood at least.

As an adult, I have spent most of these years half with family and half with friends. I would rush out of my house to get to my best friends house for a holiday. They were just as dysfunctional, if not more than my family! I don't really know why I was in such a rush to get there, it was definitely not from Norman Rockwell.
The past two years, things have changed, and my holidays are now spent with my family. Last year, I went to Williamsburg VA for Thanksgiving with my aunt and uncle. Even though I loved the trip- it didn't feel "right".

This year- I am going to do my best to start my own traditions. I go to a wonderful new church where I feel that I am welcomed with open arms, and love it. So many familiar faces are there and it feels like home. This Thanksgiving Eve, I will be attending my church's Thanksgiving Service and Pie Social.
I am also hosting Thanksgiving at my house this year. I have a small family, so I have to make the best of it! I am cooking myself (except the turkey, gross) and have it all planned out- and yes, I am putting my tree up the day before and watching the Thanksgiving Parade while I cook :)

Princess Pizzazz

Yesterday, I went to my friend Kathleen's for her daughters 5th birthday party. She did such a wonderful job with the decorations and I just had to take pictures and share! The theme was Ariel, but with a princess twist.

The party was set up outside, which was a great idea since there were some messy activities :)

Pink lemonade filled little teacups :)

Nail painting, glitter tattoos, and hair pieces were a hit!

The girls loved decorating their own cupcakes. I put all the sprinkles and icing in cupcake liners, so it was easy access for little hands, and everyone could have their own set of goodies!

Sugar overload!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Trust His Promise

God has been speaking to me lately. It's like He has tapped me on the shoulder and has said, "see, I told you everything was going to be ok". Eight months ago, you couldn't have told me that. I was in a very sad place, where I felt like everything was just going down hill. I went through something that I knew would happen one day. I just felt it. This day finally came, and it made me sick. Literally.

I never realized how much I needed this change. And looking back I still think at times "what if i did it differently?" Would I be in a different place in my life? Probably. But I cannot go back. I cannot change the decision I made to keep saying no, and that no had a huge impact on my life. An impact that changed my life as I knew it.
God and very close friends were the only ones I could lean on at that point. I cried, I cried a lot. Everyday for weeks, and I knew I needed these cries to cope. God knew my needs, and I believe in my heart that this was His plan all along. It taught me that I have strength I never knew I had. All types of heartache is real, and boy does it hurt. I am still reminded, without fault of anybody. I was reminded everywhere I went- the store, radio, pictures, facebook, friends, the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, It's hard to stay away from.

Here we are almost a year later, and I am at a much happier place. I have spent time with new and old friends, and I find the joys that God shows me everyday. Now I am at the point where I look back and feel sad for people, I feel sad that peoples hearts are so cruel. I feel sad that people don't know what friendship is really about. I feel sad that I was lied to for so long. I feel sad for them. I pray for them. I pray for them everyday, that they would find the peace and joy in life that God brings. Without Him, we are nothing.
One of my church friends just wrote a book called "Being OK With Where You Are". It's is a book written for someone like me. I am not always ok with where I am. But I know God has a purpose that He will fill when the time is right. And I thank Him for this sweet promise- I thank Him for pulling me through.

Live Like No One Else

This summer I have been busy reading up on Dave Ramsey principles. I have heard of his plans before, but I really opened my eyes when my friend Ryan introduced me to it after completing Financial Peace University at our church. We sat down at her kitchen table one day and really studied it, and I came up with a plan and a BUDGET! This budget will completely be in place once I go back to teaching this fall. I am so very excited to begin this new way with money.
Basically his plan is this...Live Like No One Else, So You Can Live Like No One Else. Get it? It's easy...don't spend your money like the world teaches us, but use biblical principles and common sense when it comes to money. Create a budget, a budget that works, but is strict enough that you become debt-free. No credit, all cash. All the time.
This girl used to spend money like it was going out of style!

A lot of changes will be made, and I have already made some of these changes!
First off, NO MORE NAIL SALONS! I used to get mani/pedi's every other week. That is about $70/month. What?! Ridiculous! I went to Target and got some cutical cream, some tools, and I have enough nail polish already to start a store, so I am set!

Something I have really gotten better about is EATING OUT. There was a time where I ate out every day. Not now, even as I write this, it's Friday night and I just finished dinner...at home! You cannot eat out for less than $15 a person, and I got to the point where I really am not interested in just average restaurants. The food is really not that great.  If I do go, it is because I am being treated.

Next on the list is MEAL PLANNING! I used to go grocery shopping and buy things I really didn't need, now I use many coupons and look for sales. I am no longer brand loyal and buy things when they are on sale, and love store brands! I will say this though, I love Publix and Whole Foods. These are the two stores where I buy my groceries. So I have to be very mindful of how I buy, especially when I am at Whole Foods!

I will keep you updated as I go through this journey. I can't wait to Live Like No One Else!

Just Because

I don't know about you, but I love love love love getting mail. Not bills, not annoying pizza delivery ads, but mail from friends or family. Nowadays, we rely on e-vites, e-mails, E, E, E! Ugh, I just don't understand what happened to sending out a real invitation to a party, or a birthday card instead of a Facebook "Happy B-day". Don't get me wrong, I love getting all the Facebook birthday wishes, but there is just something a lot more special and thoughtful about a card in the mail. During Christmas, I send out cards, and LOVE getting cards during that season. I fill my kitchen walls with beautiful cards from family and friends. I want you to know that I appreciate them :)

So today I went to Papyrus, my new favorite store that opened here at Millenia. I picked up a little card for someone I know who is having a baby, and a card for a good friend that I thought she would love.

I know these will put a smile on their faces...Just Because.

Caleb Fund

Yesterday I joined my friend Candice and Caleb, along with his class of graduating pre-kindergarteners at Uno Pizzeria in Winter Garden. The kids had a lot of fun hanging out together and eating pizza! So many of the parents were saying how good Caleb looks, and he does- But he is still fighting everyday, even though you cannot see it. No, he does not look sick at this point, but he is.

     Right now at Uno, 20% of your bill will be donated to the Caleb Fund, a "dough raiser" (fundraiser) that Uno is doing to raise money for Caleb's treatment.
If you get a chance, and want to help out, print these tickets and pass them to your friends and family. You will need to present it when you get your bill. Thank you in advance for helping this strong little boy fight childhood cancer!

Summer Memories

SUMMER IS HERE! I cannot believe the school year is over and I am into my first week of summer break. Well, a break from classroom teaching that is! I still have a full time schedule with tutoring and behavior therapy clients, with a few hours here and there to see friends and relax!

Usually each summer I am nannying, and taking a few vacations. This year is a little different- no nannying and no trips! I just don't have the extra time this year because I have to work with my clients full time. I am used to getting paid through the summer from my teaching job, but the school I currently work at does not offer this unfortunately.
Because I am staying in Orlando this summer, I want to reminisce on past summer fun!

Summer 2011 I spent most of my time in this golf cart with an 8 year old boy driving me and his sister around the neighborhood. SCARY! We were either eating lunch at the clubhouse or swimming in the pool.

I also taught Vacation Bible School at Delaney Street Baptist Church that summer! it was fun to see some of my former students and their parents!

Summer 2010 was also my first trip to New York City! I was SOOOOO excited! My friend Anna lived in Jersey City and I went to visit her. We had such a great time and even stopped at Carlo's Bake Shop for some treats!

                             

I got to fly to Nashville right after my New York trip to visit my dad and my little brother and sister. We took a road trip to Atlanta to visit my aunt and uncle that year. Here is Michael and Cathryn in the pool at our Aunt's and Uncle's house in Atlanta.

 Summer 2012 I nannied for the Graham Family. Here is Ashley doing my nails for yet another NYC trip I was blessed to take last year!

Don't they look beautiful?? ;)

My aunt took me to NYC for a girls weekend last July. We had THE BEST TIME EVER! We stayed at the iconic Plaza Hotel and it was so beautiful. We saw Wicked on Broadway, ate at every restaurant possible, had high tea, and shopped till we dropped!

The Bathroom in our hotel room was spectacular. With real gold covering the walls, how can you not feel like you are in a fairytale?

                                                                  Happy Summer!