Tomorrow is a new day!

Whew!  There's a lot of things I could reflect on from the past week; mistakes that were made, guilt that I felt, the worry and uneasiness of others being upset with me.  I've made many mistakes on this journey.  I will admit to that.  But I can't spend my time worrying about them, trying to fix everything, and making everyone else happy.  I'm making changes to my life and learning as I go.  So today, instead of reflecting, I'm choosing to take the advice of one of my favorite poets instead:

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

This new week holds many wonderful opportunities!  And there is so much to be excited and happy about.  I am hopeful that all will go well and there will be great news to share by the middle of the week :)  Also, on Saturday, I will be attempting to walk in my first mini-marathon.  I am hopeful that I will make it to the end (without being picked up by the "you've run out of time" bus)!  I am so thankful for the support of my family and friends (thank you grandpa) as I continue to overcome fears and make dreams come true...

Eventually all the pieces fall into place....until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moment, and know that everything happens for a reason. ~Sarah Jessica Parker

It's been a great weekend spent with my family; having fun, laughing, and enjoying each other :)  It was great to see my parents last night too!  They were gone for a week, but it seemed like much longer.

As another work week quickly approaches, I needed to take some time to express some of my thoughts here.  I had a pretty good week last week.  It was busy at work and there were many changes in my room, but I managed to stay calm, flexible, and cheerful :) I was actually really proud of myself.  I think it must be the fact I am getting up and working out early.  It makes me feel good and helps me have a positive attitude starting off the day. 

And though the week went well, the weekend was fun, and I've felt really happy, I am still finding myself feeling a little bummed about a certain thing I have been praying a lot about. 

I have such a hard time trusting people.  I realize this is a flaw of mine and something I have dealt with since I can remember.  This flaw used to make me constantly worry what others were thinking about me, saying to others, or plotting behind my back and made me question whether or not I could fully trust them.  I have worked hard to let go of this and it has felt good not to have to worry about that aspect of it anymore.  However, I still seem to put trust in people, circumstances, etc. that I probably shouldn't and then struggle to trust the people, circumstances, etc. that I should. 

So, I have been praying.  That God will lead me in the right direction, help me make the right choice, let me see the lesson I should be learning, and allow me to trust in Him and the plan.

I am hopeful that it will work out, but I am also afraid, which is making me worried, anxious, and sick to my stomach.  I will continue to pray for peace and patience in the situation and for an answer to the problem, even if it's one I don't like.

I also have to remind myself that I am not the one in control.  And that everything will happen, just maybe not the way I had planned...

Something???...

A few weeks ago I purchased a CD (I know...I'm old-school) on a whim.  I had never heard any of the songs and really didn't know much about the artist, but loved some of the song titles so took a chance.  The first few times I listened to it, I wasn't really sure what I thought. 

AND THEN, I came across the song I shared the link for in my last post "lessons learned".  It really seemed to 'fit' exactly where I was last week and how I wanted to view the events that had and are taking place in my life.

The more I listen, the more I like it.  I don't believe I found this CD by accident.  Since this journey began, I have been motivated by music, depending on the circumstances taking place at a particular time.  And for several weeks beforehand, I had searched for the right song to motivate me to believe in myself, to believe that everything happens for a reason, to believe that change will happen and that something good is coming my way.

The following is a link to a song that just happened to come on (from the same CD) yesterday morning during my drive to work.  Again, perfectly fitting for this time in my life.  'Something' good is about to happen.  The question is, WHAT???...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGtN04X07lA

"Lessons Learned"

Thumbs down to the rain :(  My family keeps sending me pictures from the beach...looks so lovely there! 

Anyway, WOW!  What a week!  Chad and I started the workout program called INSANITY on Monday.  We've been getting up between 4:45 and 5 am every day to get it done before work.  It's been challenging and exhausting, but I'm already seeing some results!

Also, this week I interviewed for a new position at my school.  I knew it was a long shot, but I thought...what have I got to lose?  It can't hurt to try, right?  So, I prayed about it and ended up having an awesome interview!  I didn't get the job, but I know that God has a great plan for me and something bigger is going to come along when it's time.  When one door closes...another one opens.  Until then, I have to be patient, which is what He must be trying to teach me :)

So, after a LONG, HARD week, it was nice to get together with some friends last night.  We enjoyed dinner and drinks, had lots to talk about, and shared many laughs.  It was exactly what I needed!  Well that, and lots of sleep!

Today, Chad, Caylee, and I enjoyed some time together.  We did our workout (with Caylee, which was HILARIOUS!), grabbed some lunch, bought each of us a new pair of workout shoes (including Caylee, which is also HILARIOUS!), went to the pet store (yes, you heard me right), and ended our outing with some Orange Leaf...mmmmmmm!  Caylee was napping before we left the parking lot.

I am realizing I like to reflect on my week.  It gives me a chance to see how I've grown, who I've become, and what's important in the bigger picture.  I do have a purpose in this life, I don't have to care about what others think of me, and I should take steps out of my comfort zone every once in a while.  I am gaining new confidence in myself and discovering new things I like and enjoy doing daily.

I thank God for the "lessons learned" this week and hope He continues to lead me in the right direction...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IYpu91QwXU

Happy Easter!

So sad to see spring break coming to an end :(  I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Chad and Caylee.  Today was so much fun; waking up to see if the Easter bunny came, going on egg hunts, dancing at church with my sweet baby girl, and the message that we were able to get there, spending time with friends and family, and feeling so relaxed and overjoyed.

It's so true that daily we go through the motions of life, stick to what is expected of us, and try to do the right things...but almost always, something unexpected gets in our way on the journey.  It may be good, but we are too focused on what we believe to be right to realize the amazing thing that is happening in front of us.

It's in those moments we need to take a step back, put our trust in the Lord, and pray He will lead us in the right direction, help us make the right choices, and send us down the path to happiness.

He has taught me so much on this journey.  I thank Him for this beautiful day, for the happy times with my family, and for helping me tolerate the uncertainties that lie ahead...

I LOVE my house...

Today was a great day; started with coffee, played ALL day, and now some wine :)  I love days I get to spend at my house; no worries, enjoying the weather, and sharing precious time with my baby girl <3

I feel so happy, so refreshed, so relaxed.  Hoping the next few days don't go by too fast and that I'm able to enjoy each and every second feeling the way I do right now.

Today reminded me how much I LOVE being home and the happiness I feel when I'm here...:)

“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.” ~Epictetus

Ahhh, what a beautiful day :)  Feeling overjoyed that I DO NOT have to work tomorrow!!!  Instead, we are heading to Cincinnati and taking Caylee to the Newport Aquarium!  Definitely not the beach, but something fun to do as a family :)

I've been pretty proud of myself lately; made some new discoveries about me and things I enjoy, decided to let a few things (that I really didn't want to) go, and am preparing to introduce my new self to some people who haven't seen me in a while. 

Lots of good things are happening too; the prospects of a new job, the completion of the book, being able to enjoy time with family and good friends over spring break, and the quickly approaching summer break with many fun-filled days on the lake!

So many things to be thankful for and to smile about today :)  Hope you are smiling today too...