San Antonio!

 I was so excited as soon as I stepped off that airplane. I couldn't get to my luggage fast enough. Seeing my brother and sister in law was just what this girl needed. We started our first night at the The Taste of the Northside, one of the many events for Fiesta. 

 Meghan and I did some shopping while Daniel worked then on Friday we went to the Battle of the Flowers parade. It is one of the largest parades in the country. 

 On Saturday we went to see the Alamo

 and were super tourists on the River Walk boat tour. 

 I found this awesome hospital on the river walk... I think I could definitely see myself working here ;)

 Casa Rio was delish, but I didn't have bad meal while I was there. 

 Sunday Funday's always include brunch, and I give Feast two thumbs up. 

 The Other Woman is a must see and a dinner and a movie in one is so cool. We need places like this in Alabama ASAP. 

 

 And of course, I had to bring a little Texas to my new home coming soon! 

I can't wait to see these two again! 

Today is the day

My mom said to set a date. Set a date to say today is the day. Today is the day that you won't look back. Everyone deserves time to grieve and be bitter and cry. Some a little longer than others, but if we make a habit out of it then we are just letting something control us that we have no control over. Now what good comes from that? Absolutely nothing. We have no control. We gave it all to God. He closed this door we thought we would have opened for forever because He has something grander in mind. I might still be impatiently waiting, but I'm sure the wait will be worth it. Is it fair, probably not. But life's not fair and that's a whole other blog entry in general. So today is my day. After today, I'm to leave my past exactly where it belongs and I'm to wake up every single day with a better mindset than the day before. Hard? Well that's an understatement. But if I keep living this woe is me life, then I'm giving all the power to someone who doesn't deserve it. Today I'm taking everything I have left and I'm leaving on a jet plane. I'm saying so long to that chapter and I'm starting a new one. Today I get to see my brother and sister in law and spend the next five days with my best friends in Texas. Of course I'll be back, but not back where everything went so wrong. I'll be back and then I'll be closing on my very own home and I'll get to start a new chapter... a chapter with blank pages with a fresh new book smell, that's a smell to love. Or maybe it's the smell of a brand new home. Either way, today is the day to never look back, because it only brings me down. Today is for me and I couldn't be more excited to see where it takes me. So long Alabama. I'll see ya soon.

Weekend Snaps

After work Friday, I grabbed dinner and drinks with one of the best. Seriously, you can never go wrong with some mexican food. 

 I haven't spent this much time at the baseball park in years. It was nice to do a little reminiscing. I watched my nephew on Saturday  

 and Sunday headed to Tuscaloosa to cheer for the competition. 

 I don't mind cheering for Auburn when this guy is playing. War Eagle is still a little tough so we just stick to War Connor. 

Hope everyone had a great weekend. This week starts my super SUPER busy two weeks and I am so looking forward to it. Texas and a closing coming up! 

That's how the saying goes

When one door closes, another one opens.

That's how the saying goes anyways. What happens when we lose the key...when the plans change, because they do without fair warning, where do even look to find it? We pray and we ask, we might even scream. Why in the world would You close that door? Because He knew I never would. I need an answer for everything. It's how I learn. It's how I move on, how I become a better nurse... It's just what I need. The fear of the unknown is a real thing. Especially for this girl. I'm a literal person. That grey area people tend to live in isn't for me. My brain rarely shuts off and too much could be left for confusion. That's a definite fault. I have those too. So when one door closes another door will open. It's only a matter of when and if you have enough faith to trust in His timing. See, a few days ago I asked...I said, God why would you close that door? Simple as that. My answer wasn't something I had been looking for. I decided to pursue it because I knew if that was a new door opening then I wouldn't turn my back on what God was trying to show me. Not this time. I have so many times before, maybe a lot of us have. Throughout this whole house buying thing, I've asked God if this is the path He was leading me down. I know that if it wasn't He would stop it at any point because there would be something so much better. Why I can't trust in His timing for other things, I'm not so sure...but I am learning. Right now, a new door has opened and I'm anxious and I'm excited to see where it might lead me. The hardest part in all of this is trusting Him everyday, not just on the good ones. Like I said, I have faults and I'm by no means perfect. Everyday is an inner struggle searching for those answers. But each day that I give it to God, I'm reminded that life will go on & I better be ready.

Because facebook says so...

Today is "National Siblings Day." I'm not sure where they come up with these things but some are pretty fun to play along with. I love my brothers and sisters and couldn't be more thankful for them. Good days and bad, they are pushing me right along. I wouldn't have made this far without them. 

New day. New do.

My sister in law's sweet sister gave me a new do. Seriously, I lost inches and I feel like a new lady. I love the whole ombré look but I've been terrified to try it, so Ariel went with a toned down version to ease me into it. It's hard to tell from pictures but I think it turned out great. If you're in the area, check her out. It's amazing what a new haircut can do for a girl. 

New day. New do. New me.

Before & After. 

Letting it go.

God teaches us to give Him our burdens. We are told to let go and let God. I think it's easier said than done. We are also taught our whole lives to fight for what we believe in, stand up for what we feel in our heart to be the truth. This is where it gets tricky. Do we fight, or do we let it go? If we do let it go, how in the world do we even do that? That is something that I have been struggling with lately. Letting it go... not fighting and giving it all to God. Fighting for what you love when you're the only one fighting is a tough battle, a battle that will most likely not end in your favor. Maybe it doesn't end the way we have it planned because it's not in God's plans. His plans are far greater, although my patience level tends to steer towards doing it all myself. I've been following along with another blogger in her "I'm ok, 30 days to becoming content where you are." She has some wonderful advice and lots of scriptures that have helped in these trying times. 

She writes, "The truth is majority of the time we just want God to magically fix everything without having to endure the refining process... But, where is His glory revealed in that? First of all, we’re not worthy of that and second, I take comfort in knowing He disciplines those He loves. In the discipline we find ourselves curled up at His feet, feeding on His every truth."

Especially here lately I feel that I have had no answers and it's a constant battle that I'm not so sure I can withstand. God sees it totally different. One of my best friends sent me a quote, "When you are down to nothing, God is up to something." Everyday I cling to those words. Everyday I pray that today will be a new day for me to find comfort in His plans, because mine are no good anyways. I'm not alone in my fight because today I will give it to God to fight it for me.

Click on the link below to follow along with her. You won't be disappointed. 

"Here's the truth about big life changes..."

I'm a quotes kinda girl. One liners to live by. (Or sometimes more than one) Most of the time it's way easier said than done and being on the receiving end is for the birds. However, when times hit the hardest your troops really do rally with you. I couldn't be more grateful for mine and all the nonsense they've put up with. Each day I find myself with another word of encouragement and although I wish it were different, it really does help. I keep saying through all of this that it's just not fair. But life isn't fair, and it never will be. I really do have so much to look forward to and I try daily to remember that. If anyone needs a good quote for the day maybe one of these will do. They've either been sent to me or I've found them on Pinterest. I would take total claim but I can't. Happy Friday world.

I'm on my way

I am fairly certain hopping on a plane to Texas to visit my brother and sister in law isn't my smartest financial move the week before closing, but somethings are just needed. I CAN NOT WAIT. 20 days and counting.