A weekend of rest

Blog, man, how I have missed it. I have so many things to write about and so many drafts I haven't published. But I am staying busy, enjoying life. Literarily. It is amazing to look where I was a year ago, two years ago...  I realized I did not even blog in April, but I assure you things were going on. I will try to catch up.

But, here is where I spent last weekend.

Peaceful. Yes. Restful. Yes

My beautiful friend, EB opened her Aunt's home to a small group of our girls. We had an amazing time. We all get so busy with the day-to-day things in our lives, that we forget to stop and enjoy hanging out with each other completely, without distractions. In today's world of multi-tasking, we forget what it is like to just sit around and have old-fashion conversation.

Friends, that is what happened last weekend. It was an amazing thing. The conversations which were had I wish were recorded. Hysterical moments and real moments. Moments of struggle, pure joy, silly questions and updates on everyone's life.

I am so blessed with a group of girls who I walk in life with. I have learned so much from each one of the girls, and could go on and on. We gathered around our amazing breakfast spread and discussed how we wanted to make sure this happened yearly. The connection we all have and the memories made just make my heart so happy. So much re-energizing was had and we came home refreshed and ready to tackle the next week.

Seriously, I could go on and on. But I'll let these pictures do the talking, because they are "totes" adorable.

5K Conquered

As you know, I have been training for a 5K. I officially ran/walked the Color Run the end of March. Now, this 5K is marketed as the "happiest 5K on the planet". I think it should also be called the messiest.

But none the less, it was a blast. 10,000 of our closet friends gathered in Piedmont Park to start the race in white t-shirts and we were greeted at the end in one big mess of color. Everyone we covered from head to toe. I highly encourage you to participate if the race comes near your area, oh and it is so fun to do in a group!!

three of my favorite ladies 

bright and early with Mr. H 

a picture captures it all 

Just another moment, enjoying life.

Me Time + November

Me Time, oh how I love it.

I love being busy. I love being around people. I love a good schedule.

All these qualities are great, however, they lead me to always wanting to be on the go. When I have a few hours to myself, I honestly do not know what to do with myself. I feel like I am missing something.

Last month I hit my wall. I was overwhelmed with looking at my work calendar and personal calendar that I did not even know where to start. I felt like every minute of my day was planned. I had something every night after work. Sadly, I was scheduling dinner dates with friends for two weeks out, really??

I decided then and there something had to give. I can not keep going on like this. I need to plan "me time". But what was going to give? After looking over my calendar I realized, I honestly could not give up anything. My nights were filled with things important to me, that I knew if I cut out I would be turning away from something that blessed me.

So after realizing that I could not change my week schedules, I decided that this month would be rest time. No plans, no agenda, just whatever. It will be glorious.

I realized how much my body needed re-energizing.


I am learning how to be spontaneous. Bold step, I know. I like to be a woman with a mission, a plan, an agenda. My friends joke that I do not know what the word means, but I have decided I am going to figure it out this month. 


It is sad that it takes me hitting my wall to realize that I have to stop. That I cannot go on. But, that is life. 


I have committed to focusing on myself. 


I. Can. Do. This. 

One Year!

I have had this blog written for months, but never got around to posting... better late than never. 

They always say the first year is the hardest. The first year is when you are getting your feet wet and trying to stay above water. The first year is when you are labeled “the new girl” or the one that looks confused in a crowd of people. Ah, the first year.

I remember my first day. I made sure I got up extra early to be ready and out the door. Of course, you can’t be late on your first day! I sat in my car waiting for the clock to hit a little before 8:30am so I could walk in right on the minute. I’m telling you I was WAY early. I walked in the office to find new faces and new surroundings. I quickly heard, “oh you must be the new girl.” Well of course I am, doesn’t my freshly pressed suit, laptop bag and matching Vera Bradly lunchbox just scream, “I’m new?” Of course it did.

I remember going home that night and wrapping my mind around the day I had just experienced. It was a mixed feeling. I had just completed day 1 of my job and I knew that this wasn’t an internship, it was real life.  You know the real life you have dreamed about for years and all you can think about in college is the job after you graduate. I was living this. I was in that moment.

Right after I graduated from college I was searching. I was searching for a job in a place I could make my home. I was searching for a church family. I was searching for people my age to build me up and encourage me. I was searching hard. 

If someone would have told me when I moved about the year ahead of me, I probably would have laughed at them. What a fun crazy year it has been. It has been a roller-coaster, but the best roller-coaster of life.

Blessed to know these ladies 

The group celebrating April birthdays

Red Team domination in Field Day

Amazing group of Ladies 

Blessed to know these ladies 

On the go!

Where did April go?

I feel like I blinked and May appeared.  April could win the award for busiest month of my life in a long time.   If my head wouldn’t have been attached, I probably would still be looking for it.  By Thursday of every week, I could not tell you what I did on Monday… other than go. go. go!

I have always been a fast paced person… cannot sit still. I have never been one to love a certain TV show or be someone that could just do nothing. I always have to have my hands in something or a project going on.  Since I have been on my own and didn’t have anything to do, I will clean. Yes, mom you heard me. I feel like I am always washing clothes or cleaning. I mean my apartment isn’t that big… and I’m just one person. But some how I have managed to have more trash and more clothes to wash than anyone I know.

But seriously… April was at rocket speed.  Let me just give you a glimpse.

Birthday. Braves Game. Family Weekend. Sister’s Birthday. Alumni Weekend. Birthday Parties. Game Night. Good Friday Service. Easter Dinner for 15. Cookout. Gwinnett Braves Tailgate. Lunch Dates. Dinner Dates.  Work.

I am tried typing it out.

But, I can’t help but think where I was 1 year ago. Getting ready for one of the days you have always dreamed about.  Finishing up a sprint to the finish line…my mind was on all things Centennial, thesis and applying for jobs.  I laugh when I think about what I was able to accomplish on the little amount of sleep I had.  Oh little did I know.

April showers have taught me a lot. I used to hate alone time, now dream of time to just spend in quiet. I used to hate not being around technology, now can do without. I used to hate not having something to do, now long for a free weekend.  I used to hate to clean, now I find it relaxing.

I found an email I sent to a college friend around this time last year. I was down and upset about not having my dream job to step into the day after graduation.  In my mind, I wanted to graduate, move and start my job in the same weekend. I wanted no down time. Yeah, I was crazy.  But instead of that happening, God blessed me with much needed months at home in a slow-pace town to just renew my energy. I had no clue how much damage “going-going-going” did to my body.

Until I was taken out of that “going” state-of-mind, I would have never thought any different about April.  

Now, do not get me wrong. I love hospitality and socializing. It is my middle name. Building a community is so important to me and friendships are not going to grow unless you spend time hanging out.  And April we did just that. Absolutely wonderful.

When I started this blog, I wasn’t really sure how often I would post or what exactly I would write about. I have started many post and then stopped myself. But, I feel like May is going to be a month of renewing energy and I can not wait.

But, don’t worry friends. I’ll still plan small-scale events for us J

One Year Older...

Yeap, that is right, I turned one year older.

I have to say, Tuesday was a WONDERFUL day. I have never been one to go all out for my birthday or celebrate in a big way, but lately my past 4 birthdays have been pretty lame. Other than a meal out with my family or close friends, it just hasn't been anything exciting. That is partly because my birthday falls in April, which happens to be the busiest month.

But, this year, rings in a big year. A year of a new journey.

A couple of weeks leading up to my birthday, I was a little upset because once again my birthday was landing on a week that was extremely busy. Majority of my small group girls were going to be out of town and I honestly did not know what I would plan for the actual day. I kept getting the question, "So, what are you doing for your birthday?" And I had nothing.

The night before my birthday, I was feeling pretty good about the plans I had for the next day...birthday surprise from my mentor and lunch with a co-worker.  I had spent some time journaling and being in awe of where God has me right now. Here I was celebrating my birthday in a new town with amazing new friends. But little did I know how this was going to be one of the best birthday's yet.

I started the morning with a community leadership meeting and was full of ideas and excitement about jumping on board with this organization. After leaving there and returning to work, I found my office completely decked out in birthday gear. I was completely surprised. Followed by a sushi lunch and some treats, I was good to go. Now, Melissa had given me instructions that I could not head to her place until 6:30pm. I thought nothing of it other than it would give us time to not have to rush after work. Well, about 6pm I received a text that said, "Stay in your apartment until you hear a knock. No peeking." Now all of a sudden, I got super nervous. I had no idea who/what was going to appear.

Right at 6:30, there was a loud bang on my door and I open it to find a sweet college friend who had driven up to surprise me. Completely shocked. We screamed for a bit then jumped in the car to head down to Buckhead. The night was full of a yummy dinner, cupcakes (seriously, look at the icing... and yes I turned 3 again) and girl time. It was wonderful.

Now, on the way down to Buckhead, I received a phone call. The number was one I did not recognized and I was not going to answer. Annie insisted that we answer the call. I thought this may have to do with my birthday surprise. But, as I answered, I hear a HAPPY BIRTHDAY and realize that it was my amazing friends from Haiti. I was in complete shock. I have been so fortunate to have formed an amazing community here and majority of them are currently serving on a mission trip. They passed the phone around and all wished me Happy Birthday. I never expected that nor do I even remember what we said other than screaming and being in complete shock. I can not even begin to tell you what a blessing these friends have been. Love all the time we get to hangout and grow.

I can say, my birthday was full of love. This year I will be celebrating my birthday a couple of times. My family will be gathering this weekend, followed by celebrations in my new community when everyone returns and then again when my college friend comes to town. I feel so blessed to be able to celebrate with old and new friends.

As the night was ending, I was so overwhelmed with the love I had received that night. I sat down in my apartment and thought back on how I got to where I am today. Completely blessed to have found the community and support on this new journey. Our God is amazing.

So this birthday on this new journey, has been one to remember.