Happy, Happy, Happy

Yes, my title is a reference to Duck Dynasty. I do love that show.

This week I have been overly happy for some reason. Which has been a very good thing! I love feeling at peace with myself and with what I can't change.

I have tried really hard the last couple weeks to be outwardly happy. Just a happier person in general. I read that happiness is contagious and I am really tried to embrace that and help the people around me feel good by knowing me. I know that sometimes when you try to force happiness it doesn't come; so I haven't put a lot of pressure on myself. I have just tried to adjust my attitude to make life seem a little brighter.

And it has totally worked!

Here are some of the things I have done to help myself achieve more peace (because I love making lists):

- I have tried to spend at least 30 minutes every night just doing what Jocelyn wants to do. I never ignore J, but there are things at night that have to get done after work. Laundry, cooking, catching up on Instagram... you know, the important things. But I realized that the most important thing is raising my daughter so I have tried to be more active in what she's learning and discovering in life. I have also tried to include her in my laundry ventures and cooking dinner. Makes for a much slower process but I think ultimately in the end it will be very rewarding.

- I have decided that my happiness doesn't depend on if other people are happy. For example, RJ. He may be having a bad day but that doesn't mean that my day has to be bad. At first I felt a little selfish but it has made a world of difference and usually helps RJ's mood get better sooner. So the saying "misery loves company" is not allowed in our house.

- I have tried to envelope myself in the Christmas season. I'm trying to make smaller things a big deal, like Thanksgiving and Christmas and trying to celebrate little things that makes life more fun.

- I have had such a sense of gratitude lately. For a whole slew of things... that I have such a fun little family, that I have a car, that I can buy groceries. I think the cold weather has made me realize how much I have and how often I forget to remember to be thankful for all of those things.

- I have tried to surround myself with happy people and good attitudes. I love my coworkers and they are a good example to be happy no matter what and be chill about things that aren't important or that won't change. I spend a lot of time in my little office with my coworkers, they are great at listening to me vent but also having a good perspective on life. I am grateful for them. Plus there are a lot of laughs and that makes every work day better.

All in all, I think I'm just feeling okay with myself. I've come to terms with the things that can't change, but I'm also trying to better myself a little more everyday. I overthink just about every single thing in my life, so it's been nice to sit back and take life day by day and not try to look at the whole picture at once. Life is fluid and with every choice it changes, so I've tried to make the decisions that are the best for me and then be confident in what I choose. And then the days I choose to eat french fries for all three meals... I forgive myself for those days too.

Life is good; and meant to be lived in happiness.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Continue

Saying Goodbye

We didn't end up making it to California.

Instead we get to say one of the hardest goodbyes to an amazing person.

RJ's grandpa passed away yesterday leaving everyone behind a bit sad. I'm so thankful that now he is with his sweet wife, but the finality of death is never easy.

I didn't know him extremely well, but he always had a warm smile and a joke to tell even if it was just to make himself laugh. Which is my kind of person... I frequently laugh at my own jokes.

RJ lived with his grandpa for a lot of years and helped mold RJ into the person he is today. One part of his obituary stands out that shows just how much RJ is like him.

It says, "Lothar had a big heart and was never too busy to serve his fellow man. He practiced the gospel of Jesus Christ in his treatment of others and in all his actions."

RJ isn't a very religious or spiritual person but he is still a very kind and compassionate person when it comes to serving others. He'll come to a person's aid without any question or second thought. He's very giving and has such a huge heart for someone in need. Only 1 of the 5,975,311 reasons I love him.

So although we didn't make it to vacation, I feel like we get much more. We are going to be surrounded by family that we don't see often enough and we're going to be reminded of how much we love RJ's grandpa and why he was such a monumental person on this earth. 

Plus funeral potatoes... I love funeral potatoes. :)

Continue

Hello October

So.... It's been a while. A long while. Whoops.

So I'm just going to jump right in and tell you what I've been thinking lately.

We'll start with the most adorable part of my life.

J. Jaybird. Chunker Pants. Jocelyn.

She's 9 months now. I am very conflicted with this fact. I miss her little baby-ness, but on the other hand I just want her to get a move on and grow up so that we can do awesome things together. So, like I said, very conflicted.

She is into everything at the moment. If you turn around for even one second all the contents of her diaper bag are strewn throughout the house and she'll have ripped the backs off at least 2 picture frames. I love how curious she is and how much she wants to figure out how things work.


I've also been going strong at school. I am so motivated right now to get my degree and learn as much as possible. I am excited for the possibilities after I graduate and I am loving my job right now. It does cut into Jocelyn and I's cuddling time but I figure in the long run, she probably won't mind.

We're all going on a much needed vacation to San Diego this weekend and I'm so excited to spend 10 hours each way in the car talking RJ's ear off. You see, the problem with always being busy is you don't get enough time with your significant other. So I daresay he'll be pretending to sleep after a few hours just so I quit talking. :)

Hopefully I'll be able to update with pictures once we get back!

Until then....

Continue

Sundays

I love Sundays. Every Sunday RJ and I eat breakfast together while J whines for crumbs of what we are eating.

Yesterday we did a lot of yard work and J went swimming in a tupperware... because we're classy like that.

We took 6 month pictures of Jocelyn. I can't believe it's been 6 months since I was waddling around doing squats hoping she would decide to come out.

These two did some cuddling yesterday. 

J has come to expect her food and she expects it now. She opens her mouth as wide as it can go hoping the food will get there faster. Cutest thing ever. 

And last week I went on a date with this guy. Doesn't get better than that.

Continue

A Day for Fathers

I had a wonderful Father's Day yesterday. We started the weekend off at the Deters Family Reunion where we played on a gigantic Slip & Slide and got to hang out with my entire family. Yesterday my dad gave a beautiful talk in church. It was a great weekend and it reminds me how lucky I am to have an amazing dad.

My dad has always been there for me. I can never remember a time that my dad has let me down. He is so much fun to be around but he's always willing to give you advice when you ask for it. He never pushes or tells you what to do but he teaches you in such a loving way that you just want to make him proud and follow his advice.

My dad is was the best "Stage Dad" there is. He was always hooping and hollering at basketball games and always willing to put in an extra Bobby Pin for me at dance competitions. He would let you cry when you didn't do so well and always congratulate me on a job well done.

My dad is what I always envisioned finding in a husband of my own. He embodies caring and love but is also so much fun to be around. 

 

One of many of my favorite memories with my dad was turning on Green Day's "Time of Your Life" and dancing around his bedroom one night talking about the future and how you should always enjoy every moment of your life. You should cherish the good memories and learn from the bad. 

Growing up, I never thought I would meet a guy that was as cool and loving as my dad. But luckily, I did. 

RJ is such an amazing dad to Jocelyn. She lights up when he talks and is always smiles the biggest when he is down on the ground giving her all his attention. It wasn't easy for RJ to be out of work at the beginning of this year but he took such great care of J that there is such a bond between them that I think is going to last a lifetime. 

RJ wants only the very best for Jocelyn and constantly asks how he could love something so much. 

 

I can't imagine my life without RJ nor do I ever want to. 

Happy First Father's Day. 

 

Continue