so serious.

Justin and I have a tendency to take life a little too seriously sometimes. We often catch ourselves stressed and intense about whatever it is life throws at us. We're always trying to prepare so that our plans are carried out in the most efficient and cost effective way possible. We blame this [sometimes] paralyzing habit on being "firstborns." Apparently, "firstborns" are known to be overly responsible making sure every decision is well thought out and reasoned.

I mean let's be honest, somethings really are meant to be taken seriously and often being responsible works out in our favor, but other times there is just no need for such seriousness. Sometimes we need to be more present. More in the moment. More stop-and-smell-the-flowers. More light-hearted. More focused on what we have instead of what we don't have.

Because what we have...it's beautiful.

they made me who I am.

they get me. the real me.

this day. my heart was full.

together. forever. and loving it.

God knows how to end a day.

sisters. we share a history together that no one can replace.

new sisters. couldn't have asked for better ones.

new family. my heart overflows.

this place. this view. refresh.

mine.

heaven on earth.

Today I am grateful for the moments. The moments that remind me to live a little less carefully and a little more freely.

rainy day

When I woke up this morning I felt like had barely slept last night. I had a hard time falling asleep even though I haven't been feeling well and the loud, howling wind from our middle-of-the-night-rain-storm didn't help the cause. I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed this morning not ready or wanting to face another day. Trying to sleep as long as I possibly could, I was left rushed to get out of the house (and even had to do my make-up when I arrived at work). I wore my rain boots to endure the massive rain puddles covering all the sidewalks in Ann Arbor, but then forgot to grab my heels to change into at work. Ugh. The sky is grey and everything is brown. It's one of those days when I'd rather be snuggled up under my covers watching a sappy, romantic movie. But I can't. I have to be at work...in my big, frumpy rain boots.

I know this little blog of mine is supposed to reflect fun, happy, feel-good things and moments. But today just isn't a feel-good day. But as I pout my way through this day, forcing fake smiles when I have to, I am reminded that we are allowed to have bad days too. We don't have to feel full of gratefulness and smiles all the time. We are loved even in our blahness. And it doesn't have to say anything about you if you don't feel like being happy today.

With that being said, as I reflect on the past twenty-four hours of my life, I'm noticing that there is still much to be grateful for: the extra warmth in the air that is unusual for late-november, Justin making dinner for us last night (and cleaning up!) while he let me rest on the couch and watch Sex and the City knowing I wasn't feeling well, the quick cuddle on the couch with Justin before he headed back to school to study last night, the homemade soup from my mother-in-law that made packing lunches quick and easy, the late bus that spared me having to walk to the further-away-bus-stop, a warm cozy bed (that even though makes it hard to get up in the morning I'm glad to have), a chance to read my new favorite blog, and a few extra hours in the car tonight with J (even though it means driving to GR for a funeral visitation).

So that's all. Today I'm grateful that sometimes it's ok to not feel grateful and that God still provides little joys to get us through the blahness that life sometimes throws at us.

detour

My bus had to take a detour this morning. Detours have been an ongoing frustration over the past few months as construction has taken over our roads, but this morning was different. As we turned the corner and came closer to the "Road Closed Follow Detour" sign, I was instantly discouraged and let it fuel my anger towards Monday morning -- the end of another weekend and the beginning of the long wait until the next one. But then, to my surprise, the detour route ended up being an even better route for me than the usual one. It took me to the bus stop that is almost directly in front of my building rather than the stop that adds a five minute walk to my morning commute.

My anger immediately dissipated and I even felt a little silly for having been so riled up in the first place. Then it occurred to me that this instance was the perfect picture of how God has such a great plan for me even when I think I know the best way. It reminded me that even though I usually think the regular route is best, that sometimes the "detour" is even better.

I am grateful today that even though I often get frustrated that my life isn't taking the route I had envisioned, that God will take me right to the front door instead.

pretty

Today's thought is a simple one. This morning as I headed off to work and kissed my sleepy Justin good-bye, he opened his eyes and said "You look really pretty today." My heart melted a little bit and began to grow with gratefulness as I realized that he says this same thing to me almost every morning when I say good-bye or evening when we greet each other as I arrive home from work. My favorite part is that he really means it each time. It's like every time he says it is the first time he's noticing how pretty I am -- and I don't mean that he forgets he already told me, or is just saying it because he knows I'll like the comment -- I mean that he has lovingly taken time to notice me every day. It makes me feel cherished and beautiful.

Today I am grateful for a husband who tells me I'm pretty.

the last swim

I have my own little tradition (which I stole from my Dad) of going for "one last swim" in Lake Huron whenever my vacation in Oliphant is coming to an end. This is no simple feat since arriving to water deep enough to swim in requires about a ten minute walk out into the bay from our own little tiki hut beach spot.

A week ago today I was splashing through the clear, blue water of Lake Huron for this very tradition.

Justin and I were able to spend a week in Oliphant together for what we fondly called "jk vacay." I was so very grateful to be able to spend the extended time there with him to be able to show him around the place that has found such a special place in my heart.

Oliphant is ever changing yet somehow always the same. There is the same pine tree smell driving down the windy roads to the cottage that to this day always makes a smile spread across my lips. There are the same gorgeous sunsets that make the sky glow with orange, purple and red and that seem to be shockingly beautiful time and time again. There are the same sounds of the gravel road under the car tires as you drive slowly down Queen Street to your family cottage. There are the same family traditions that are practiced and remembered from generation to generation.

Over the years there have been relocations to different cottages, new faces as families grow, missing faces as loved ones pass away, and new places to check out as new restaurants, shops, and roads are built. Each change melts into the rest of the memories and feels like it was just always that way.

I love this place. It is my "heaven on earth." It is full of family memories, comfortable routines, Bruce Peninsula adventures, late night bonfires, tiki hut dance parties, lazy mornings, brilliant sunsets, silly happy hours, lots of laughter, carefree summers, yummy Cosmic french fries, tumbling Sauble waves, sandy bottom lakes, refreshing swims, sunny days, starlit nights, delicious whitefish meals, booming thunderstorms, and refreshing vacation memories.

Today I am forever grateful for Oliphant.

the little flower dress

This past weekend I was in Chicago for Meredith's (my sister-in-law) bridal shower. At Meredith's apartment on Saturday morning we were getting ready for the bridal shower with her roommates. Meredith and her roommate, Amanda (Meredith's maid of honor), were dressed in cute little dresses to which my immediate reaction was "I wanna cute little dress too!" Amanda was immediately willing to share one of her dresses with me. As we searched through her closet to find a dress, she pulled out a cute little flower dress and said "Actually, if this one fits you, you can just have it!" It fit! And now I have a "new" cute little dress with flowers on it. The reason this small little act of Amanda's generosity makes me so grateful is because I have literally been wanting a dress just like this one for the past year, but I've avoided buying one in order to save my money instead. When I got home I hung the dress in my closet and smiled. In fact, every time I walk by the closet I smile because I feel blessed. It makes me feel like God knew just what I wanted and even though it's just a silly little dress, it somehow makes me feel very known and loved by God -- it's like an extra little treat from Him just to say "I love you." Today I am grateful for the little flower dress.

bike rides and patio gardens

On Sunday evening, after a weekend in Chicago, Justin and decided we needed a little exercise and a healthy dinner. The two of us hopped on our bikes (both of which Justin fixed up himself this summer for us to enjoy rides together) and headed north to Plymouth road for a trip to the grocery store. The 3.4 mile ride (round-trip) was really refreshing. Justin and I have discovered that we really enjoy biking together. I like that it's a fun way to exercise and spend time together while enjoying a route to whatever our destination may be that gives a new view of our current residence, Ann Arbor. There are so many things that I don't pay as much attention to while driving the same exact route -- the beautiful flowers and landscaping along the roadside, the smell of cut grass and growing plants, the little quirks in the sidewalks, and the other people enjoying their own bike ride or stroll.

When we arrived back at our apartment, we made a delicious dinner together which put our patio garden to good use. We harvested some lettuce and arugula from our newly planted garden and mixed those with some fresh veggies from our bike trip to the grocery store. The salad was undeniably delicious (we each had two big helpings) and I must admit that I feel quite proud of, what I like to call, "our very urban experience."

Today I am grateful for bike rides and patio gardens.

the apartment pool

Today I am grateful for our apartment pool. It's a great little spot behind our building, tucked away next to the Huron River. It's surrounded by vibrant flowers and the view across the river is of the beautiful arboretum. On the hot and sunny nights, I've made it part of my weekly routine to sit out by the pool right after work until the sun goes down behind the trees. I like it because the sun isn't too strong since it's the end of the day and it's a nice way to wind down after work before enjoying dinner with Justin. It makes me feel like I'm on vacation and gives me time to read the latest book I'm into. Yesterday, my friend Rachel joined me. I enjoyed her company while catching a few of the 6pm rays of sunshine. Sigh. I love summer.