If you can dream it, you can do it

"We have more to learn from animals than animals have to learn from us."
                                                    -Anthony Williams

Animals are my favorite. Well, mainly dogs. There is something about these four legged friends that have captured every inch of my heart since I was a little girl. Especially boston terriers.. (I can never leave that out). I had dreams of becoming a Veterinarian when I was younger and that didn't happen. After years of experience, both being an uncertified Vet Assistant in Lexington, volunteering, and kennel work at a few Veterinary hospitals, I truly feel that it isn't settling to become a Veterinary Technician. It's a dream come true. I mean, after all, I can easily admit I don't think I have what it takes to make it into Vet school. Actually, I know I don't. I am okay with that! On the other hand, I even doubted myself in the past to think that one day I would be able to earn an Associates Degree through Veterinary Technology. Now, it's time. After two kids and over three years of being a stay at home mom, it's time. It's now or never. And I am SO EXCITED. I am also sad. I will miss being able to spend almost ALL my time with these kiddos. I am scared. So scared. I am scared to fail. I've attempted 2 tech colleges a few times and have walked away with 2 classes I actually passed. Ironically, I am thankful to admit it is because I wasn't really even trying...
I withdrew a few classes here and there. So now, more than ever, I will TRY MY DAMNDEST. I mean it this time, and I am so happy that I finally have a grip on how important it is to have a college education. Not just an education, but a career you LOVE.

"The most wonderful thing in the world is somebody who knows who they are, and knows what they were created to do." -Bishop Jakes

"Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present, and I have the power to make it so." -Author unknown
This brings me to the fact that in SC, the only two Technical Colleges that offer this degree are in Charleston, SC and Greenville, SC. We are hoping and praying to make it to Charleston, hopefully before this July. The sooner the better, actually. It's an adventure. A huge step out of our comfort zone. We don't want to settle for Lexington, and especially Aiken. Aiken is a nice place to be to see family and friends, but other than that. It's a hole. IT SUCKS YOU INNN! And I think we've had enough. We want more. We want different. We want....new. I can't believe we are actually doing it. Yes, it's still in SC. But it's about 160 minutes away from our family. And we have a lotttt of family, together at least. So this is pretty huge for us. I am proud of the courage we have. I am ready for the change. Once again, I am SO EXCITED! Jonathan has an interview with a pretty huge company next week. SO fingers crossed and loads of prayers will be said.

Hurricane Hallie

If there is an object that has space inside to stuff stuff, you're gonna use it. A hat, a sock, a pillow case, any type of bag. You like to find every tiny little object possible and stuff it inside. It's rather entertaining at times watching you. You love pockets, too. 

You are my love child. Just full of loving ways. You can't go 10 minutes without telling someone you love them. When you meet someone for the first time, you are shy. But when you warm up to them (at your own, sloooooooooow pace), you are so sweet and loving. 

Your personality is so strong! When you want something, you are quick to make it known. With your serious facial expressions to the tone you use, you really can capture anyone's full attention. You're dramatic. You get this from me. Hey, at least I can admit it! 

Just the other day, I went to get a cup of coffee and when you asked me what I was doing and I told you. You quickly chimed back and told me I didn't need anymore. "You've had enough mama"!

Yesterday. You were talking on your play phone. You were "at work". I asked who you were talking to and you stopped in your tracks to correct yourself and remind me that "I cannot have my phone at work, it's against the rules". What a smart kid you are. 

2 years of marriage and lots of random stuff...

How long will I love you? As long as the stars are above you. And longer if I may...

Jonathan and I celebrated 2 years of marriage yesterday. There were times in our marriage that I was sure it wasn't going to work. Times I wanted to throw in the towel. Today, I have learned that you have two major choices in a marriage. To give in or give up. By giving in, you give it effort. A lot of effort. I have learned to wake up every day and count my blessings, twice. After that, I ask God to lead me through my day. I pray for the guidance to help me do everything in my power to be selfless in my marriage, and to be kind and patient with Jonathan. Of course I pray for much more in other areas of my life. But, I will say...when my spouse is happy, and I feel that I can take credit for that, I am happy. Everything else seems to flow nicely. Here's a list of 10 things I have learned that are so important in the last two years of marriage.

Before I start, I feel the need to admit I have typed all of this with one hand because I don't want to put my coffee down. Hi, my name is Kayla, and I am addicted to coffee...

1. Be the first to apologize.
2. Have grace. Tons of it. About 3 cups a day.
3. LISTEN! Twice as much as you talk.
4. Give credit and take blame.
5. It's more important to be kind than it is to be right.
6. Giving up is not an option. Mean your vows.
7. Date your spouse. Once a week.
8. Verbally express your love, not through text or social media. But face to face.
9. The grass isn't greener on the other side. It's green where you water it.
10. Put the phone away and be there. Be there, always.

Maybe, just maybe...the better comes after the worse. That's the case with my marriage, at least...it gets better every day, regardless of the hardships that come our way. We get through them, and for that. I am proud.

Jonathan,
Thank you. Thank you for being my light in a very dark place. For loving me when I am sure I am not very lovable. For being there, always. Through sickness and health. When things aren't that fun. You are the realist who anchors my dreaming. Thanks for being a good time when I need it most. For listening when I need to be heard. For being my shoulder to cry on. But most of all, thank you for loving me, unconditionally.

On another note, Jon said mama today! TWICE!!! He saw me and mumbled it. Then, I walked away and he cried, "maamaaa"! My heart left my body and ran behind me to pick him up and jump up and down all over the kitchen. I was so happy. Mama is his first word.

I planned to upload some pics from this week when we soaked up some sunshine. Here they are!

Randoms...
Hallie pronounces ranch, wrench
Jon currently loves jumping up and down, he does his own little jig
Hallie loves cooking, pretend and real
Jon is becoming more verbal day by day

Sunshine.

The weather has been perfect for about 3 days now. We have fully embraced it, too. I love living right behind the park, it takes us 10 minutes, if that, to walk there. Hallie loves being outside. She is satisfied playing in the dirt, swinging, blowing bubbles, and exploring. I love that about her. Jon is pleased as well. Being so young, of course he doesn't do much. But, you can see the expression of change in his face. Fresh air is always good. But give us the sun, prefect temp, and a day outside is the BEST medicine. My mood always goes with the weather. If it's raining or cloudy, we are more than likely cooped up inside. Hallie loves playing in the rain though. She could splash in puddles all day. Maybe it's because she loved getting dirty. Or because she finds the sunshine in the darkest days. Either way, I am so blessed. To have two easily satisfied kids. Thank you, Jesus, for these babes. Their my faveeee.

Me Time.

Since I have become a mama of two, I take me time to a whole different level. It isn't about partying with "friends" or going out and spending money I don't have. It's about silence. What? What is silence. I don't get that around here. Usually if one is crying, the other is screaming. Hallie is a go getter. From sun up till sun down, these kids (especially Hallie) wear me slap out! Don't get me wrong, I love being a mom. And two is always better than one. More kisses. More snuggles. More hugs. More "I love you's". More irreplaceable milestones. I am grateful. Overjoyed. But...I spend 95% of my time talking to a 5 month old and 3 year old. I rarely, VERY RARELY, get time away. This is by choice for the most part. But time alone is nice. Talking to other adults without the kiddos around is nice. I really need to make new friends. As much as I hate to admit it, it needs to happen. I need to make mommy friends. The kind of mommy friends who I can relate to, at least. For right now, my alone time usually consists of devotion in the morning, baths at night, church on Sunday, and....oh wait, that's it. I really need to get out and be sociable with other adults other than my husband. It's so hard to get wrapped up in life though. The laundry and dishes never end. But without dirty laundry, we couldn't have clean clothes. And without dirty dishes, we wouldn't have food on the table. So even when I get tired of doing chores over and over again, I quickly remind myself of how much we have. And how little we don't have. We are blessed. I love my family. I'll get my me time. In 20 something years from now. But for now, I'll keep doing what I do. Because being a mama to my little ones is what I'm best at.

On another note. Today was beautiful. We soaked up some sunshine, and it was priceless. Posting pics tomorrow. ☺️

Sick Daze

Happy Sunday from our family to yours. Sunday is my favorite day of the week. I find it most humbling. Good for the soul. Today, the whole house has a cold. We're all snotty, coughing, groggy, just all around blah! We discovered we could watch church live online so we wouldn't miss week 2 of "Transformed: How God Changes Us" at Cedar Creek Church Banksmill Campus. One of my new year goals (I call them goals instead of resolutions) was to go to church every Sunday in the year 2015. Today was the first Sunday I missed actually being in church but I am happy to say I didn't miss the sermon! Jonathan and myself sat down and listened the whole way through! And we learned a lot.

I took notes and here are a few that really hit home:
1. The biggest barrier to being transformed is unwillingness to confess your sin.
I have learned lately that I do not confess sin nearly as much as I should. I need to do this every day before going to bed. Because we all know, no matter how perfect we try to be, every day is filled with sin. But He forgives, and change occurs when you confess and try to do better.
John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
2. Selfishness is at the core of all sin.
I am selfish. 50% of the time. I say 50% because I spend most of my time making others happy. Making sure my husband is satisfied, making sure my kids are happy, being a good friend, daughter, it goes on and on. But the other 50% goes to me. I hate to admit it. But it is something I struggle with. Most of the time I think about what I am going to get from something. Not what I can put into it.  When I am mad at someone, I tend to focus on what they are doing to hurt me or make me mad. Not what I am doing to hurt them or what I could be doing to improve the situation. This needs major work, so it is something I am currently working very hard at. 
3. Let every moment of every day be an expression of worship.
EVERY MOMENT. In the moment, when I am mad, and I let a fire spark in my soul, and anger takes over, I am not living in expression of worship. As cliché as it sounds, I need to be constantly asking myself, "What would Jesus do?"

1 Corinthians 13:5
Paul says that love "is not irritable." Sometimes we are irritated or angered by others, and we don't know why. Those who are easily irritated need to remember that perfection exists only in God. We are going to our first session of FPU (Financial Peace University) today. I can't wait to share what I learn. I am so ecstatic for my family to get out of debt and be comfortable financially. 

This little guy learned how to sit on his own yesterday. He's getting pretty good at it!