I'm Thankful For...

• This day the Lord has made. Let's all rejoice and be glad in it. 
• My family. 
• My friends.
• The possible thunder storms headed this way. 
• My co-worker Stephanie for getting me this awesome bracelet.

• Coffee. Always thankful for coffee.
• The ability to run again. After nearly a month break, I'm back in the saddle so to speak. It's nice to be running again, although I can tell I lost some of my fitness I had built up from April's 10K. 
• The new John Mayer album "Born and Raised." I love it more than words can say. Country twangs and all. 
• Aloe Vera. First sunburn of the summer has been pretty rough. Aloe has been my friend.
• Getting to meet a whole lot of new people. All this stuff with Asher has allowed me to meet and interact with a ton of people, and I love it. My blue-orange self loves talking and interacting. Plus it's all for a sweet little girl. I'll take it. 
• Boulevard Bread's double chocolate vegan cookie. If you haven't had one, go get one. It will change your life. (I've had two this week...don't judge.)

What are you thankful for today?

A Big Important Day

Happy Birthday to my blog!

It's two years old today.

Can you believe I started writing this blog two years ago? It's crazy how time flies. Because it's my blog's birthday, I thought it would be a good idea to take a little stroll down memory lane and see what I thought was so important that I couldn't not share it even though it probably wasn't that big of a deal was worth sharing with you the past two years on this day.

The First One was the first one I ever wrote. Clearly I was a confused, stressed neurotic college kid trying to figure out how to act like an adult. It makes me laugh because stress is what fueled that first post. I needed an outlet. While I still use the blog as an outlet for my stress, it's evolved into something more.

In 2011, I had a bad day. When I read it now, it all sounds so trivial, but back then it was like the end of the world. Notice that it was published on the 19th instead of the 18th since the Internet was down at work on my blog's first birthday.

But here's the thing.

Look how beautiful it all is. I have written somewhat regularly for two years. I have documented my life for two years. Good and bad. School stress. New adventures. Moving twice. Running. Running a 5K and a 10K. A year and a half of graduate school. Reflecting on relationships. Friendship break-ups. Friends' birthdays and weddings. It's all right here in one place.

It's almost like you and I get to watch me grow up as I write it. It's crazy how I've changed. What was important to me in 2010 may be different in 2011 and 2012. It's really cool to me to see how I've evolved as a person.

I've changed. I've grown up. I'm a strong, independent woman. I have some of the best friends any person could ever have. I have a job that allows me to support myself comfortably. I've almost completed the two hardest years of school that I will ever complete in my life. I try new things and take risks, even though I don't know what will happen. And I've realized I really can't please everyone all the time, and that's ok. I've finally got it together, and I'm proud of the person I've become.

I see big things happening in 2012. I don't really know why I think that, but I love that I think that. And I can't wait to share it all with you. So get your party pants on because when I said this is going to be good, I've got a feeling I'm going to be right.

So here's to another year of writing, storytelling, music loving, school finishing, party going and celebrating this beautiful life God has given me. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE IT ALL WITH YOU!

Now everybody go outside and scream just because you can. (I would, but I still don't have a voice. #day5)

Blessed Beyond Belief

After publishing yesterday's post, I was a bit nervous. I never really know how people are going to take what I choose to write about, and yesterday's post was not easy for me.

I want to thank you for your unyeilding support. I received numerous texts, phone calls, tweets and Facebook messages about yesterday's post.

To share something so personal and close to my heart, I am so overwhelmed and humbled by your kind words. I truly am at a loss for words. Nothing I could ever say would explain how thankful and blessed I am to know such wonderful people.

When I started this blog almost two years ago, I didn't really know where I would take it. I mean it basically started as an outlet for my school stress. But then, over time, it has become this beautiful place where I get to write about things that are important to me, or silly to me, or whatever. And you guys keep coming back to read it time and time again.

As I type this with tears streaming down my face, I don't understand why you as a reader would keep coming back to read my endless rants about grad school and boys who broke my heart and first kisses of the New Year.

Thank you. So much. So so so much. I'm honored and humbled that you would take time to read about my life.

Thank you for enduring the rants about homework and stupid teachers and thesis work. Thank you for not judging me for making "poor decisions" when I drink too many Play-de-doos. Thank you for commenting when you feel moved by what I've written. Thank you for considering my point of view.

But most of all, thank you for listening to me and caring enough to read it again and again.

I am moved by your willingness to accept me as I am. And I am forever grateful for the opportunities and blunders I experience on a daily basis because I get to share them with you.

Happy Friday! Be lovin you.