For us, it's been a year of boundaries, overcoming disappointments, hard conversations, self-care, fresh goals, and simple things.

Although it's ending well, I feel I wasted a lot of time investing in relationships (with people and things) that are now over.

I gave up a lot of "me" time because I felt obligated to give so much to so many.

That's been my downfall... and after 34 years I think I've finally realized that you can't force a sense of belonging. You can't magically create a group of loyal friends and family. It has to come naturally.

While you will have to have your own place on the giving end of these connections, don't sacrifice taking care of yourself and reaching your goals.

You can't.

I'm the total opposite of a Debbie Downer, but I've learned I have to be realistic.

Most people don't care as much as you hope they do. That doesn't mean some don't or that they don't at all... but you have to be the one that makes the necessary moves for you and yours. 

That's the secret to a magical, blissful, peaceful life.

Love hard. Be kind. Give grace.

But have limits and know when enough is enough.

I'm so grateful that God heard our prayers and allowed things to become evident for us... freeing us up and protecting our hearts when we couldn't do it ourselves. Although it stings in the moment, it goes away much quicker than a multi-year burn.

It's true that you never stop learning, growing, maturing, etc. Life is a crazy beautiful thing if you let it be.

Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day. Find it. Focus on it.

Smile!

Theme for next year- "2023 will be about me!"

📸@samanthadawsonphotography

He's wanted an Irish Setter all his life, and I was so thrilled to find our forever pup this December! This man, @mytattedtake deserves every good thing available, y'all. I promise. 

If you can't tell, Aaron was in heaven from the moment he got out of the vehicle.

Feeling a little emotional today thinking of my marriage to this guy! Just overwhelmed with gratefulness that I get to share my life with him.

I don’t like to give credit to hard situations and tough times, so I rarely talk about them... but, nonetheless, we’ve faced our share of them. Life hasn’t always been fair. People haven’t always been kind.

We still have questions without answers, confusion about patterns we see, and hearts full of dreams still not fulfilled.

But!!! We have each other. We have a strong faith. We have God on our side. We have the most incredible friends! There’s a long list of things we’ve overcome, learned, and changed.

And... we have FUN!

I’m just feeling the gratitude today a little more than usual, so I wanted to give a shoutout to the love and joy of my life!

2020 has slowed the fun down just a bit, but we’ve made it work! And there’s a lot more to come! Can’t wait to see the rest of our life unfold

See this adorable little creature in my arms? She’s not a therapy dog, but she might as well be! She provides me so much joy, I can’t even describe it.

Especially on those days I’m confused or searching... waiting or fighting stress and anxiety... She can sense it. I just know it.

While I most definitely hold her tight during those moments... and share with her my thoughts, I’ve learned it really helps to find a human to talk to, too.

Faith is a huge part of my life. Actually, it IS my life. I talk to Jesus like all. the. time. And while I truly believe that provides me more peace than anything else ever could, finding a safe place to share fears, hurts, frustrations, etc. is crucial.

It is MORE than okay to ask for help. I have an amazing husband, great parents, some incredible friends, and I still see a counselor. Why? Because there’s literally no preconceived opinions or ideas... it’s a place I can go and freely be ME.

If you need a place like that, friends, find it. There is zero shame in it and 100% healing.

I’m not sure why so many of us feel like mental health isn’t a real thing... but it is. And it’s not just for a few... Just like we all take care of our physical health- our emotional health should be checked out, too.

It took me a LONG time to understand that, but once I finally did, I noticed more confidence, happiness, and less offense taken.

I’m grateful people in my life were open with their experiences and shared them. That’s what led me to look into it for myself. I can only hope that my sharing could potentially do that for someone else.

You’re loved, yo!!!! And freakin’ awesome. Just fyi.