4/27/15
My Shea.
Most Mondays are the pits. But not this Monday... this Monday is incredibly special because it is one of my best friend's birthdays. Her name is Shea and she is probably exactly what you are imagining. She has shining, long blond hair, eyes as blue as the ocean, and a heart made of gold. She is truly as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside. She is someone who never asks for anything, but gives everything she has. She is hard working and dedicated. She is HILARIOUS with the best belly laugh I've ever heard. She gives Beyoncé competition with her sweet dance moves and booty bumps. She loves hard and lives well. I am so lucky to have her in my life.
We have gone to school together since 1st grade, but never were close until college... thanks to another true blessing in my life I call Leanne. Leanne and I went to visit Shea at school one random weekend in October and the rest is history. That weekend she opened up her home to me. I think we actually laughed the entire weekend... much like we do now-5 years later. Shea is someone that I would truly go to with my worst mistake because I know she would cry with me, hug me, and help me fix whatever I messed up. Shea is someone that I would call within moments of accomplishing a goal because I know she would celebrate with me and give me all the applause in the world. Shea is someone that I would leave my cat with for the weekend because I know she would give her as much love as I would. Shea is someone that wants to see her friends happy, loved, and fulfilled just as much as she wants those things for herself.
Today and everyday I am grateful for you.Shea is many, many wonderful things, but my favorite thing about her is that she is in my life. Shea, I am so very, very grateful for you- thank you for always supporting me, loving me, hugging me, dancing with me, making me laugh until I can't breathe, holding my hand while I dance with boys, sharing snack circles with me, letting me complain to you about my shitty days, caring about my family, and never giving up on me. Happy Birthday, Sheazy! I love you! #40daysofagratefulheart
XoXo,
- A Grateful Heart
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Treat YoSelf.
4/26/15
Ahhhh heated blankets, scented oils, kind hands... Can you say MASSAGE PLEASE? After a VERY long couple of weeks that seemed to last forever with not a single minute to stop and breathe... I decided to treat myself to something that I enjoy deeply and don't do enough. I LOVE a good massage... there is something about completely allowing yourself to relax. I am not good at turning off my brain that is usually filled with to-do lists, worry, and anxiety... but when I get massages, I seem to forget the outside world. Not only do I love massages because they feel amazing, but they are also great for your body! Can you say win-win?
I woke up and went to church, then made my way up North for some solo shopping, me time, and a scheduled massage. I have to say that as much as I enjoy all of the wonderful people in my life, sometimes it is so refreshing to be completely alone and on my own made up schedule.
On this particular Sunday I am grateful for being able to treat myself.
XoXo
- A Grateful Heart
Ahhhh heated blankets, scented oils, kind hands... Can you say MASSAGE PLEASE? After a VERY long couple of weeks that seemed to last forever with not a single minute to stop and breathe... I decided to treat myself to something that I enjoy deeply and don't do enough. I LOVE a good massage... there is something about completely allowing yourself to relax. I am not good at turning off my brain that is usually filled with to-do lists, worry, and anxiety... but when I get massages, I seem to forget the outside world. Not only do I love massages because they feel amazing, but they are also great for your body! Can you say win-win?
I woke up and went to church, then made my way up North for some solo shopping, me time, and a scheduled massage. I have to say that as much as I enjoy all of the wonderful people in my life, sometimes it is so refreshing to be completely alone and on my own made up schedule.
On this particular Sunday I am grateful for being able to treat myself.
XoXo
- A Grateful Heart
Too Cold for April.
4/25/15
I am a fifth grade teacher who is on the mission of raising a crazy amount of money to send selected students miles away to compete in an academic competition. In doing so, I have lost site of early nights in and Saturdays spent however I choose. We have been fundraising like crazy, for truly an amazing cause (however it can be exhausting).
On this particular Saturday it was rainy and FREEZING. Our fundraiser was right off of a busy road, however, we weren't getting a whole lot of attention. Cars would pass not knowing that delicious barbeque sandwiches were awaiting their arrival. Eager students were impatiently ready to take our customers orders. The rain was pouring down, leaving little hope left for a busy Saturday with lots of cash flowing. In hopes of drawing attention, myself and three other students made our way to the front yard... yes with the rain... yes with the cold. We held signs up and danced around to our own made up songs. We did high kicks and cartwheels, made raps and sang melodies that rhymed. We were freezing... we were wet.... but we were having fun! Even a few customers mentioned that they only came to support because of the attention that we drew. After hours and hours and hours of being out in the cold, I'm not sure I ever felt so grateful for hot tea, soft blankets, and a warm house to come home to.
I know that it was a day well spent because of the amazing students and trip that the day was supporting, but that doesn't mean that I had a positive mind set while standing wet and cold. But after I got home, changed clothes, cozied up under my favorite blankets, and drank my green tea, I reflected on all of the wonderful people I interacted with throughout the day. Finally being able to get warm gave me a sense of realization as well... How BLESSED I am to have a warm home that has heat and electricity. I am so, so blessed in so many ways. #40daysofagratefulheart
XoXo
- A Grateful Heart
I am a fifth grade teacher who is on the mission of raising a crazy amount of money to send selected students miles away to compete in an academic competition. In doing so, I have lost site of early nights in and Saturdays spent however I choose. We have been fundraising like crazy, for truly an amazing cause (however it can be exhausting).
On this particular Saturday it was rainy and FREEZING. Our fundraiser was right off of a busy road, however, we weren't getting a whole lot of attention. Cars would pass not knowing that delicious barbeque sandwiches were awaiting their arrival. Eager students were impatiently ready to take our customers orders. The rain was pouring down, leaving little hope left for a busy Saturday with lots of cash flowing. In hopes of drawing attention, myself and three other students made our way to the front yard... yes with the rain... yes with the cold. We held signs up and danced around to our own made up songs. We did high kicks and cartwheels, made raps and sang melodies that rhymed. We were freezing... we were wet.... but we were having fun! Even a few customers mentioned that they only came to support because of the attention that we drew. After hours and hours and hours of being out in the cold, I'm not sure I ever felt so grateful for hot tea, soft blankets, and a warm house to come home to.
I know that it was a day well spent because of the amazing students and trip that the day was supporting, but that doesn't mean that I had a positive mind set while standing wet and cold. But after I got home, changed clothes, cozied up under my favorite blankets, and drank my green tea, I reflected on all of the wonderful people I interacted with throughout the day. Finally being able to get warm gave me a sense of realization as well... How BLESSED I am to have a warm home that has heat and electricity. I am so, so blessed in so many ways. #40daysofagratefulheart
XoXo
- A Grateful Heart
Friday-Nights-In
4/24/15
Friday-Nights-In.
Ohhh how much I love Fridays! I love Fridays even more after 4:00 in the afternoon. As excited as I am for the weekend, there is a part of me that would much rather crawl into my bed than go home, shower, get ready, and go out until 2:00 A.M. I'm not sure if that makes me old... or wise... or maybe even both? Anyway, on this particular Friday I am ever so grateful for Friday-nights-in, sushi, and good roommates.
Sushi is a DELICIOUS treat to always be grateful for, but what's even better than good food? Good people. I am blessed to have two wonderful roommates. I am the youngest child in my family with 5 years between myself and my middle brother. My older brothers weren't around very much by the time I was a teenager and even more so when I was in high school because of our age gap and where they were in their own lives. So, for much of my teenage/ adult life I never had to share a bathroom and schedule times to take a shower. In college I had roommates, but nothing close to the ladies that I live with now.
I have learned that it is a truly amazing thing to have roommates. When I made the move to the South, I had absolutely no idea who the strangers were that I was moving in with. You truly don't really know someone until you live with them... see them bright eyed and bushy tailed at 6:00 am on a Monday morning, see them hung over and on their deathbed for the majority of the day following a night out of drinking, in which they tried to convince themselves that they were still 21 (me), see them vulnerable and crying because that have just had enough of adult life and all the heartbreak that comes along with it, see them yell about stupid boys who obviously don't know what they're missing. Living with someone brings a whole new closeness, dependability, a sense of family... even when your miles and miles away from your own.
So above all else, on this particular day... I am so very grateful for good roommates to come home to after a long day of feeling overworked and underappreciated. I am grateful for roommates who have truly and undoubtedly seen me at my worse and still love and accept me. I am grateful for roommates who tell me it's okay to make mistakes and hug me when I do. I am grateful for roommates that know they don't have to knock on my bedroom door. I am grateful for roommates that would offer me their last cold beer if they knew I needed it. I am grateful for roommates who have my back through anything and everything. I am grateful for roommates who truly make each day so much more fun, simply by being apart of it. I am grateful for roommates who have become my family away from family and my home away from home.
Cheers to you, ladies!
XoXo,
- A Grateful Heart
Friday-Nights-In.
Ohhh how much I love Fridays! I love Fridays even more after 4:00 in the afternoon. As excited as I am for the weekend, there is a part of me that would much rather crawl into my bed than go home, shower, get ready, and go out until 2:00 A.M. I'm not sure if that makes me old... or wise... or maybe even both? Anyway, on this particular Friday I am ever so grateful for Friday-nights-in, sushi, and good roommates.
Sushi is a DELICIOUS treat to always be grateful for, but what's even better than good food? Good people. I am blessed to have two wonderful roommates. I am the youngest child in my family with 5 years between myself and my middle brother. My older brothers weren't around very much by the time I was a teenager and even more so when I was in high school because of our age gap and where they were in their own lives. So, for much of my teenage/ adult life I never had to share a bathroom and schedule times to take a shower. In college I had roommates, but nothing close to the ladies that I live with now.
I have learned that it is a truly amazing thing to have roommates. When I made the move to the South, I had absolutely no idea who the strangers were that I was moving in with. You truly don't really know someone until you live with them... see them bright eyed and bushy tailed at 6:00 am on a Monday morning, see them hung over and on their deathbed for the majority of the day following a night out of drinking, in which they tried to convince themselves that they were still 21 (me), see them vulnerable and crying because that have just had enough of adult life and all the heartbreak that comes along with it, see them yell about stupid boys who obviously don't know what they're missing. Living with someone brings a whole new closeness, dependability, a sense of family... even when your miles and miles away from your own.
So above all else, on this particular day... I am so very grateful for good roommates to come home to after a long day of feeling overworked and underappreciated. I am grateful for roommates who have truly and undoubtedly seen me at my worse and still love and accept me. I am grateful for roommates who tell me it's okay to make mistakes and hug me when I do. I am grateful for roommates that know they don't have to knock on my bedroom door. I am grateful for roommates that would offer me their last cold beer if they knew I needed it. I am grateful for roommates who have my back through anything and everything. I am grateful for roommates who truly make each day so much more fun, simply by being apart of it. I am grateful for roommates who have become my family away from family and my home away from home.
Cheers to you, ladies!
XoXo,
- A Grateful Heart
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
The Origin.
4/23/15
As a 25 year old woman trying to find my way in the world in 2015, I have found myself doubtful, anxious, and defeated. Living in a world where people use their fingertips as their greatest weapon, swipe right and "fall in love", or hide behind their screen and instantly become whomever they choose... it can be daunting. My generation is not exactly what I would call logical. Many great things come with social media, however, the powerful act of comparing is more alive and well than ever. My generation, and yes I will speak for us all, depend and look to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to justify our thoughts and actions all depending on how many likes, retweets, or shares we may or may not receive. I will say that because of all of the social media available at my fingertips, it has become incredibly easy to compare my life to a complete stranger and instantly feel inadequate.
I am 25 years old. I am a completely single 25 year old. I am a 25 year old that worked her rear off in college and has a career, in which she works her rear off. I am a 25 year old that has found herself way too anxious, way too ungrateful, and truthfully- way too NOT myself this past year. Twenty five has become one of the most interesting years of my life. As a young adult, you go through life following a "timeline" of what you think you're supposed to do. Now, as we grow older and become wiser, we tend to change our timeline and find that our plans are not always THE plan. If you would have asked the 5th grade ME what I would be doing at 25, my answer would be simple... Married with four kids. Life has a funny way of working out and making you realize different lessons at the most random moments of your life.
Enter... the whole reason I am here. One day last week, while doing a writing lesson in my 5th grade classroom... I asked my students to respond to the following prompt: "What I wish my teacher knew about me..." I had seen this lesson on the internet, with really touching and enlightening responses. To be honest... I was nervous to see my students' responses. I work in a low income school and many of my student's do not have the best home life, as I realized more and more as I walked around the classroom. One response caught my eye... It was plain and it was simple.... and it was everything.
"What I wish my teacher knew about me... she is the best teacher I've ever had in elementary school." This touched my heart more than this student will ever know. While I reflected on my miserable days, my cranky attitudes, and my weekly breakdowns I allowed myself to have, I realized that I have SO much to be grateful for. It may not be in my face every single day because of the simple fact that I am not LOOKING for it. Which brings me to... #40daysofagratefulheart. I decided to use my Instagram as a bit of a diary for myself for the next 40 days. I have read on blogs and other forms of media that it takes 40 days to make or break a habit, whether this is true or not, is not the point. I have challenged myself to choose ONE thing from each day for the next 40 days to be grateful for. And I will say... it hasn't been much of a challenge for me. I am very, very blessed and it's an amazing thing to start realizing that.
Day 1....
Today I am grateful for young minded, 11 year old beings that believe in me more than I believe in myself. How can my heart not be full?
XoXo
-A Grateful Heart
As a 25 year old woman trying to find my way in the world in 2015, I have found myself doubtful, anxious, and defeated. Living in a world where people use their fingertips as their greatest weapon, swipe right and "fall in love", or hide behind their screen and instantly become whomever they choose... it can be daunting. My generation is not exactly what I would call logical. Many great things come with social media, however, the powerful act of comparing is more alive and well than ever. My generation, and yes I will speak for us all, depend and look to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to justify our thoughts and actions all depending on how many likes, retweets, or shares we may or may not receive. I will say that because of all of the social media available at my fingertips, it has become incredibly easy to compare my life to a complete stranger and instantly feel inadequate.
I am 25 years old. I am a completely single 25 year old. I am a 25 year old that worked her rear off in college and has a career, in which she works her rear off. I am a 25 year old that has found herself way too anxious, way too ungrateful, and truthfully- way too NOT myself this past year. Twenty five has become one of the most interesting years of my life. As a young adult, you go through life following a "timeline" of what you think you're supposed to do. Now, as we grow older and become wiser, we tend to change our timeline and find that our plans are not always THE plan. If you would have asked the 5th grade ME what I would be doing at 25, my answer would be simple... Married with four kids. Life has a funny way of working out and making you realize different lessons at the most random moments of your life.
Enter... the whole reason I am here. One day last week, while doing a writing lesson in my 5th grade classroom... I asked my students to respond to the following prompt: "What I wish my teacher knew about me..." I had seen this lesson on the internet, with really touching and enlightening responses. To be honest... I was nervous to see my students' responses. I work in a low income school and many of my student's do not have the best home life, as I realized more and more as I walked around the classroom. One response caught my eye... It was plain and it was simple.... and it was everything.
"What I wish my teacher knew about me... she is the best teacher I've ever had in elementary school." This touched my heart more than this student will ever know. While I reflected on my miserable days, my cranky attitudes, and my weekly breakdowns I allowed myself to have, I realized that I have SO much to be grateful for. It may not be in my face every single day because of the simple fact that I am not LOOKING for it. Which brings me to... #40daysofagratefulheart. I decided to use my Instagram as a bit of a diary for myself for the next 40 days. I have read on blogs and other forms of media that it takes 40 days to make or break a habit, whether this is true or not, is not the point. I have challenged myself to choose ONE thing from each day for the next 40 days to be grateful for. And I will say... it hasn't been much of a challenge for me. I am very, very blessed and it's an amazing thing to start realizing that.
Day 1....
Today I am grateful for young minded, 11 year old beings that believe in me more than I believe in myself. How can my heart not be full?
XoXo
-A Grateful Heart
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