Day 11

Day 11- Another picture of you with your friends

These are my friends Jen, Jen, and Sasha. I met them in Maine while my husband was stationed there. I met them when I took a job at the American Red Cross. When we first got to Maine I hated it. I came from Philadelphia. Maine was so "country" Nothing was open past 9, there was so much open space, no tall buildings. Long story short, 4 years later I left Maine kicking and screaming. In the four years I lived there these 3 girls were my family. They shared my smiles, my tears, my disappointments, they were with me for my first pregnancy, and were my strength. These girls became my sisters. Each one of these girls is unique and special. 


Jen (M) is the tomboy of our group. She loves sports, video games, "boy" movies. She would constantly call me asking for fashion advice claiming to be missing the part of the brain that could put an outfit together! She is always honest about her feelings, that's part of her charm. There is a long running joke that is probably a little inappropriate now that she's married that she was my husbands girlfriend. She would come over to hang out with me and end up talking to him about movies, video games and all kinds of stuff. 


Jen (O) is gentle, kind, caring. She's been through alot but no matter what she always has a smile on her face. And not in that annoying "i know you're faking how you feel" kind of way. In that "yeah, things might suck but I"m happy to be alive" way.  There is no way anyone could possibly dislike Jen. "That would be like someone hating thumper, no one hates thumper." Jen has demonstrated to me how love unconditionally and to truly be compassionate. She has a true love for life and I wish I could be a quarter of the woman she is. 


Sasha is the strongest woman I've ever met. She overcame so much. She worked full time while putting herself through nursing school. She's sweet, gorgeous, and very blunt. Sometimes she is a little inappropriate but it adds to her charm. She wouldn't be Sasha without the inappropriatness. And noone else could get away with it but her. She is the most generous person I know. She forever has my back. She is quick to admit when she's wrong (which she rarely is) If you are lucky enough to be able to call her your friend you are truly blessed. 


Whenever I go back to Maine we all get together and have dinner and watch movies. Usually something girly! I left a piece of my heart in Maine with each of these girls. And everytime I go back to visit I cry when I leave. 


These are the girls I referred to in a previous post. They humble me in ways I can't fully explain, they call me on my bullshit, and show me the meaning of love. 

Day 10

Day 10- Songs you listen to when you're happy, sad, bored, hyper, and mad.

I can't limit these feelings to one specific song, but there is a pattern though of what I listen to when.

Happy-  Anything, and I mean ANYTHING by Dave Matthews Band

Sad- "Somewhere over the Rainbow"- the Glee version

Bored- Usually soundtracks

Hyper- My workout playlist. Lots of disturbed, linkin park, lady gaga, act

Mad- System of a Down, or anything loud and angry.

Day 9

Day 9- Something you're proud of in the past few days.

Let's see. I think the thing I'm most proud of is that I've been very good at communicating lately. A huge fault of mine is that I push my feelings away until they become too overwhelming and I explode. It's not pretty. The people closest to me get the brunt of it. I'd say in the last month I've been really good about being really honest about how I'm feeling. If I'm mad, I say I'm mad, if I'm frustrated and overwhelmed I say it. If I'm feeling crazy for no apparent reason I say that too. Maybe the feeling is there for no specific reason but it doesn't make it any less valid. It's ok to be mad, or sad, or frustrated, or crazy. The key is how you deal with those feelings.

I've learned that you can't truly deal with how you're feeling (good or bad) unless you truly feel it. The way you do that is to own your feelings. You can't fully own your feelings if you're pushing them away. Pushing feelings away is saying you're not important enough to deal with what's going on inside you. I can tell you YOU are and I am.

I had a pretty life changing revelation about a month ago. If you know me well you know I'm most known for being happy, funny, and "always smiling." I think that I spent so long not communicating or sharing my feelings because I was afraid that if I'm not happy, funny, or smiling then people wouldn't like me. THAT IS WRONG. Actually, that's not wrong, but if it's right then I don't need those people in my life anyway. If people can't handle me when I'm down then they don't deserve me when I'm up. It's as simple as that.

So right now, Matts sleeping (as he should be cause he's on night shift), I'm trying to write and my house is in complete chaos. The boys are being really needy, asking me for stuff every two seconds that they are more then capable of getting themselves, the dogs are barking and being annoying, and I am frustrated! And you know what, it's ok. It's my own fault for trying to write now, instead of when the boys were napping but that doesn't change the fact that I'm frustrated. And it's ok.

Have an amazing Sunday! Thanks for popping into my little corner of the world. :)

Day 8

Day 8- Short term goals for this month and why.

Kind of a boring blog post and it's a day late. (sorry)

Goal 1: Get my front and backyard in order.
Why: So it looks pretty and I have a nice place to relax while the weather is nice

Goal 2: Lose weight
Why: Duh

Goal 3: Find new bedding
Why: I want something new, I'm bored with what I have. My bedroom is painted tiffany box blue with black and white accents. Ideas?

Goal 4: Get my Easter/spring decorations up.
Why: My Valentines wreath is looking a little sad on the front door.

Goal 5: Clean out the boys dressers and closet.
Why: I have to box up their clothes that don't fit anymore and figure out what they need for spring/summer.

Day 7

Day 7- A picture of someone or something that has the biggest impact on you.

As many of you know these are my boys, Ethan and Mason. (how cute are they?) Without a doubt these two have had the biggest impact on every aspect of my life.

My whole life changed when these two blessed me with their existence. My life became 100% about them and not me. Typing that makes me sound bitter, but I'm not. Don't get me wrong, motherhood is the hardest thing I've ever done. When you work outside the home it's black and white. There are performance reviews and such to constantly give you feedback about how you're doing. There is no such thing in my line of work. I get paid in hugs and kisses which is worth more then any paycheck. There are no sick days, and no paid vacation. It's hard but totally worth it.

For every positive there is a negative. I heard a quote the other day that sums it up perfectly "being a SAHM is the only time you will ever experience heaven and hell at the same time." On any given day one of my gorgeous boys will run up to me and give me a hug, or say "I love you" then moments later will be caught trying to paint the dog or something like that.

I am not exaggerating when I say that every single area of my life has changed since I had kids. If someone made me mad BC (before children) I'd tell them where to go and how to get there. Now I worry about being a good example and use my reaction as a lesson in positive conflict resolution. There are about a million different examples I could give you.

Being a mom has taught me patience, humility, compassion, and how to be an excellent multitasker. I learned to never EVER judge another mom because we've all had "those days." I learned that I'm a million times stronger then I ever thought I was BC.

I'm so blessed to be able to do this job. I embrace the struggles because I know that the way I deal with them is teaching my children invaluable lessons about life and love. It's an honor and a privilege to be able watch these adorable little boys grow up into strong, confident men.

Day 6

Day 6- My favorite superhero and why.

Your favorite superhero and why:


I don't really have one. I will take this opportunity to quote one of my favorite shows. "Wonderwoman! I love her, I love that even her accessories had super powers!" If I had to pick a superhero it would have to be the one with the "magical" accessories! 


For a more philosophical reason. I AM wonderwoman. I spend my whole day wondering. I wonder if what I do is enough, I wonder how I'm going to stretch our income further, I wonder if I'm a good mother, a good wife, a good friend, and most of all I wonder when I will stop wondering and just know? 


One day will be able to say "I am enough, i am a great mother/wife/friend." 

One day I won't wonder... But I'll still be a wonderful woman!

Day 5

Day 5- A picture of a place you've been.

This is General Cepeda, Mexico. 

     When I was in college I went on a mission trip there. I spent 2 weeks building houses, cleaning the town, and having an amazing time.There were about 60 of us from my school and one day we had some free time and some kids from the town took us to play on these amazing slides! We had so much fun that day! 

     The people there we so inspiring. Their house were falling apart, and they had nothing. You never once heard them complain. They were the most grateful, appreciative people ever. It made me really take a look at my life and realize I am truly blessed. I have a solid home, plenty of food to eat, clothes, and a ton of little luxuries I don't need. The people I met in Mexico had none of that, but you know what... they were just as happy as I am with all my stuff, maybe happier. The difference between them and me... their gratitude never fades. I can take a lesson from them. If I can have a quarter of their faith and gratitude I would be an amazing person.

Day 4

Day 4- A habit you wish you didn't have.

Let's see... I would have to say that my absolute worst habit is that I push people away.

I have some amazing friends that I'm very close to and I can tell anything to. I know that good or bad they will always have my best interests at heart and will tell me the truth even if I don't want to hear it. They call me on my bullshit and humble me in ways I can't even explain. They share in my joys and are my strength in my trials. EVERYONE should have people like this in their life. I'm thankful that I have it.

In the last few years I've noticed a pattern. I meet really great people, become really good friends then as soon as something happens and I have a moment where I'm vulnerable I push them away. I HATE that I do this. I don't even really know why I do it? It's like I get embarrassed or something. It's not fair that I do this. I'm know that I'm hurting myself by doing this but I'm also hurting the person who's helping me.

This horrible habit is something that I'm working on. Life should always be an exercise in constant self improvement. This area of my life is definitely something I'd like to improve.

Happy Monday, thanks for reading :)

Day 3

Day 3- A picture with you and your friends.

This is a picture of me with the girls from my stroller aerobics class. This was the day I ran my first 5k. These girls and so many others encouraged me and helped me get ready to run this race. In the first picture we started as a group. We got together before the race for a big hands in. I was the last one from our group to finish the race. All the girls waited for me right before the finish line to encourage me the last .2 miles.  Diana, the girl on the far right in the last picture jumped right in next to me and got me across the finish line.

These girls are not my very best friends. I haven't known them very long. I don't even know them very well but what I can say is these girls are amazing. They are encouraging and supportive. Some of the girls in the picture I AM very close with. I've shared some of my favorite times in Virginia Beach with them.

I"m so glad to have met these girls. They are all amazing women.

Day 2

Day 2- The meaning behind your blog name:

"One Sweet World"
"Nine planets round the sun
Only one does the sun embrace
Upon this watered one
So much we take for granted
So let us sleep outside tonight
Lay down in our mother's arms
For here we can rest safely
If green should slip to grey
But our hearts still bloody be
And if mountains crumble away
And the river dry Would it stop the stepping feet
Take all that we can get
When it's done
Nobody left to bury here
Nobody left to dig the holes
And here we can rest safely
One sweet world
Around a star is spinning
One sweet world
And in her breath I'm swimming
And here we will rest in peace" 

Anyone who knows me knows I'm totally obsessed with The Dave Matthews Band. Usually I base my love of songs on the lyrics. In my humble opinion lyrics are the most important aspect to a song. This song is one of my exceptions. The lyrics to this song (printed above) are not stellar. Definitely not one of Dave's best by any means. This song for me is more about the way I feel when I listen to it. I get lost in the music when I listen to this song. It puts a smile on my face no matter what else is going on in my life. When things are rough, when life gets crazy and a little too much to take I listen to this song and everything gets put into perspective.

I was torn when I was naming my blog though. Another song that inspired the name is of this song is "Life is Sweet" by Natalie Merchant. The song is pretty long so I won't post all the lyrics just my most favorite part:

"For they told you life is hard 
Misery from the start,
It's dull, it's slow, it's painful
But I tell you life is sweet
In spite of the misery
There's so much more, be grateful
So, who will you believe
Who will you listen to
Who will it be
'Cause it's high time that you decide
It's time to make up your own
Your own state of mind
Oh they told you life is long
Be thankful when it's done
Don't ask for more, be grateful
But I tell you life is short
Be thankful because
Before you know it
It will be over" 

How true is that? Things get crazy sometimes. There are struggles, stresses, and annoyances. People will treat you bad and sometimes life will not be fair. Everyday, every single day we have a choice. Do we let the craziness get the best of us or do we push on and know that no matter what is going on there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for? 

These songs are a reminder for me. I get very overwhelmed sometimes and I forget to look for the little joys. In a world so crazy it's easy to give up. It's easy to throw up our hands and say " everything's messed up anyway, what's the point?" I named my blog "One Sweet World" because even in the midst of the craziness I want to always remember the we certainly live in "one sweet world." I never want to forget that life, in general is sweet but my life is GREAT! 

Have a really great day! See you tomorrow! 

Day 1

I found this challenge, 30 days of blogging. I've been experiencing a bit of writers block lately and I was thinking that this 30 day challenge might get the creative juices flowing. I have challenged myself that with this blogging challenge I will not hold back. I will be brutally honest so if that's not something you're comfortable with please don't read it. I am very open to feedback. Any and all feedback is appreciated. All I humbly ask is if you have something negative to say please say it with love and respect. So, here it goes...

Day 1: 15 Interesting Facts About Yourself:

1- I speak fluently in movie quotes
2- I could drink a cup of espresso at 1145pm and still be asleep by 12am but if I don't have AT LEAST 2 cups of morning coffee I cannot function for the rest of the day.
3- I love rainy days. I could totally live somewhere like Seattle. I love the overcast, rainy weather.
4- A beach in summer used to be my version of Heaven but it's recently changed to a cozy living room, fire in the fireplace, a cup of coffee, and a snowstorm raging outside.
5- I HATE any version of a pepper.
6- I'm outgoing but painfully insecure. I'll go out, meet new people, have a great time, then go home and obsess over the stupidest stuff.
7- I hate to talk on the phone but will text all day long.
8- My favorite genre of books is nonfiction.
9- I really dislike overhead lighting.
10- I really like to fall asleep watching TV
11- I really really really really really wish I had a nice singing voice. I really don't though :(
12- My eyes are very sensitive to sunlight. Sometimes even when it's overcast I have to wear sunglasses.
13- I used to have my eyebrow pierced but I let it close up, I've been contemplating getting it redone.
14- When I'm in a bad mood I take it out on the people I feel most comfortable with. For this I'm sorry. I'm apologizing because it WILL happen again. I wish I didn't do this.
15- I've never seen or read any of the Harry Potter movies or books.

See you tomorrow! I hope you enjoyed reading.