One wild and precious life.

“No matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it.”- Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 

I'm going to be more proactive about counting my blessing.

Sometimes I forget just how blessed I am.

I think we can all forget, especially if we are busy counting other's blessings.

I used to have a journal where I kept a list of all of my blessing.

Reading through that journal makes me feel happiness and content.

I'm going to start a happiness/blessing journal again today.

We have only one wild and precious life...

I am choosing to make the best of every moment from this second out.

Like my momma always said, "Someone always has it worse than you."

So I'm not going to compete with who has it worse anymore. (I feel like that's what I've been doing)

I'm going to compete with myself to see how many blessing I can count each day.

You see, the prize from counting blessings is so much better.

Happiness.

 

 

 

 

The real stuff. (What you should read if you are feeling really REAL)

I have hope today. Hope that I will kick away the emotional funky blues that has been following me the past couple of days. The emotional rollercoaster that comes around once a month (you know the one) is messing with my self-concept. It sucks to put it bluntly. I have spent quit a few hours complaining to J about blah blah stuff. He shared some advice with me and I'm going to share it with you. "Amanda, all you ever see of everyone else's life is the good stuff. You see their blogs about happy times and vacations.  You don't see that they have fights with their loved ones, cry over silly things, and get bored just like you." J is pretty darn smart. He was also smart enough to take me out to dinner last night instead of having me attempt to cook under my emotional state. (usually resulting in burnt food)

I spent time at my cousin's townhome yesterday (we are next door neighbors) talking about our troubles and eating different flavors of chips. It helped a lot. Sea-Salted dark chocolate was also involved in this month's recovery process. Oh and let's not forget the very important J cuddles that restored my sense of happy. Today, I'm getting my nails done for good measure.

This post was mainly just to record the normal. My life isn't filled with fun filled adventures every. single. second. I have cry moments and sad days. My husband has to be patient with me....and sometimes I'm just a big baby. So if you ever have one of THOSE days, you can come here and read this post and feel all better. Because the sun doesn't always shine...we don't always capture the perfect pictures of our perfect family....and sometimes that new recipe from pinterest...sucks.

Valentines Smalentines

Our first Valentines day was pretty lo-key. We both spent the

majority of the day working, but we still found time

to celebrate love day. Josh leaves for work before me every morning.

So the night before V-day, I snuck muffins in his car and had

chocolate milk waiting for him in the fridge.

I thought I was pretty clever until I woke up to these beautiful flowers

and a love note from J.

He wins.

J is the only man who has ever given me flowers. I like that because

he is the only one who counts anyways. My flowers are still living and reside

in on our bedroom nightstand.

When J got home from work we decided to go out on the town.(After I gave him his present)

 I however had

an emotional breakdown about having nothing to wear. My wardrobe is going

through an updating period right now and I have given a lot of clothing away.

The closet emotional breakdown 2013 put us behind schedule.

Meaning that all restaurants were booked up and packed out.

I told J all I really wanted was a burger and fries.

He made my wishes come true with Five Guys.

It may not be the most romantic Valentines date spot, but that burger rocked my world.

We then decided to stop and rent a movie and get some candy.

I got a huge pack of sour straws and we rented Timothy Green.

Everyone told me that this movie would make me cry,

but no one told me that meant crying the entire movie.

I want to own this movie and watch it a million times.

Overall, our Valentine's day was a good representation of US.

We are pretty low-key and relaxed.

We enjoy the small things.

We love each other.

 

Hope everyone's V-day was just as sweet.

 

xoxo-

Amanda

 

 

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

J and I spent the weekend in Hattiesburg, MS cleaning up tornado damage.

It was hard to believe that a storm could do this much damage to a community.

There were trees down. Houses, churches, and neighborhoods destroyed.

I didn't mind all the hard work because I knew that in some way I was helping.

Helping to restore some sense of normal to my fellow brothers and sisters lifes.

 



I was the only girl in the group...and that came with a lot of challenges.

I have never considered myself "one of the guys."

All of that a side, I had a rewarding weekend filled with helping.

I also got a really good rib recipe from one of the locals.



I found a lot of love in unexpected places.

I also got to spend a lot of time with J.

I think service bonds a couple closer.

The entire time we were working I kept singing "Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad or made someone feel glad? If not I have

failed indeed."

For this weekend, I was happy that I could answer YES.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

 

J and I show each other that we love one another every single day. Valentines day is just an added day to scream I LOVE YOU a little louder. Thank you J for being the best husband I could ask for every day of the year. The flowers didn't hurt this morning though. ;)

 

xoxo,

A

Our cozy little reception

 

We had a cozy reception in my small hometown. It was a DIY wedding reception held in a tiny brick church. I felt so much love. We ate yummy food (yes, even us!), smashed cake in each other's faces, had a money dance (people pinned money on me in order to dance with me.), and laughed until we were on the floor. Literally. I think our reception was filled with the perfect amount of magic. I loved going back and reading love letters that everyone left us. Oh, and you see that high five between J and I. I waited my whole life for my wedding high five. But that's a story for another day. I love these memories.

 

xoxo,

A

Our lovely love story part 4

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

 

 

J left to serve his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

 in the Pocatello, Idaho mission.

 

He was the best missionary. We wrote a lot of letters over the two year period.

 

We talked about school, my hunt for a job, his mission, but mainly we just

wrote about all the things best friends talk about. J would draw me

pictures and I would send him inspirational quotes.

Over the two year span, J and I grew closer together even if we were miles a part.

 

After two years, J came home and we reunited at the same location that we had met for our first date. I was beyond nervous, but everything clicked right back into place.

We knew pretty quickly that we wanted to get married.

So just three months later on 11/11/11, J popped the question and I said you bet!

 

 

 

6 months later we got hitched. Our love story has only gotten better since.

What it's like to be married to J

Being married to J is such an adventure.

 

 Being married to J requires a lot of time outdoors. That's his favorite. I don't mind

because I'm pretty fond of mother nature too. We have a favorite park that's just a few

miles from our new home sweet home. J lives for Spring and Summer and I do too.

Being married to J means a lot of Laughter! Every. Single. Day. he makes me laugh

like a little kid. We are pretty much little kiddos in big people bodies. He also swears he hates Modern Family and claims he only watches it for me. He laughed through the entire episode last night.

You can't deny funny.

 Being married to J means a house filled with Texas A&M  and 49ers pride. We

watch every single game and yell at the TV. J also believes that all games

should be accompanied with football food. Speaking of food, J loves to

cook it and loves to eat it even more. I'm not going to lie...

J may be the best cook in our house.

 J works hard to play hard. Everyday we look forward to J getting off work so that we can Play!

Even if it's just a nice quiet evening at home...evenings with J are the best.

So here's to you J. The cabinet leaver opener with the biggest heart. My sparkling grape juice drinking partner and movie watching snuggle buddy. The one that chose to spend their eternity with me. You're the best husband I ever had.

 

xoxo,

A