25 Things- Birthday Post

Since it is my birthday, I guess I am allowed to post twice in a day right?

25 years..Is it sad that I can already feel it? I see the lines that will turn to wrinkles in a few years. It takes me a lot longer to get off the floor. Thank goodness I have made it a commitment to live a healthy lifestyle and workout the way that I do. I would hate to see me at 30 if I didn't.

Age talk aside, I started really thinking about what I have experienced and learned in 25 years. We all have trials and situations that seem unfair. Things we wish we hadn't done. Things we are turning around and doing differently "from this moment on".

We will have regrets. There is no way around it. We are humans. We sin. But God is love. That means He forgives. He knows we will mess up. I want to look back on my life and know I did whatever I could to glorify His name, though. I want to hear, "Well done" on that day. There are so many things I need to improve on...kindness, my critical mouth, forgiving heart...the list never ends. But my heart is His, He has it for the taking.  I want Him to mold me this year more than ever. I want to be teachable and able to submit to God completely. I want Him to hold the reigns.

I want to celebrate my life with Jesus by writing out 25 things I have learned in my life. Most I need to work on tremendously, but I'm praying that I have a good 60+ years to improve.

So here it is.

25 Things Im Thankful that I've Learned:

1. God is my strength, my light, and my rock.

2. Worry does nothing but cause trouble.

3. Be honest when speaking. Don't sugar coat but also make sure to be tactful.

4. Friendships need effort. And we need friendships. Don't wait for them to come to you.

5. Take in your surroundings. Enjoy where you live.

6. Trial builds character.

7. Deep breaths ease whatever end of the world situations you are in.

8. Texting is not a way to deal with confrontation. Call them. Go see them.

9. Tones make or break a conversation...or a relationship.

10. Though I lack a relationship with my earthly father, my Heavenly Father fills that void. He never forsakes me. He is always there with me.

11. It's ok to rely on my husband.

12. Being vulnerable builds intimacy.

13. The Love and Respect cycle goes past marraige. It's about loving the unlovable.

14. No family is normal. But we all have "our normal".

15. Sometimes to make a friend, you just have to ask. Remember kindergarten?

16. Being away from your spouse will hurt, but you keep living. You live out God's will no matter if you are together or apart. They don't want you to be miserable without them.

17. Marriage makes it hard to stay skinny.

18. There is a bigger world than you see in your hometown.

19. Don't do something that you don't want people to find out about. Whoo, it makes life way less stressful.

20. Selfies are weird.

21. Find a way to love the differences in other people. People think you are weird ,too.

22. Stand for what you believe. Don't be mean and overbearing. But stand for it.

23. Complaining causes a bitter heart.

24. Spending time with God in the morning humbles and prepares me for what life is about to throw at me.

25. Treat the people that love YOU the most with kind words and actions.

I can think of 10 billion other things that God has taught me. He is still teaching me everyday. I hope you will sit today and make a list in your head of all you are thankful for..family, friends, trials, and blessings. I am so thankful for another year. My first married birthday....it's just the beginning, isn't it?

Have a sweet day!

Victoria

Thursday Ramblings

Good morning!

I've gotten my morning workout in and I am ready to take on the day. Fortunately, today is a slow one. I guess compared to my last 2 weeks. I've got a couple of Etsy orders to fill and then I get to organize my guest bedroom/ storage room for moving day. If you come visit, be prepared to sleep with cardboard boxes full of anything you can image.

September 18th. That's the day they will pack our house and take it to California. My things will be in California. 2,000 miles away. Is this real life?

We are almost to the top of the roller coaster. I can hear the ticking that comes before it rolls over that first big drop. Everything is moving so slowly, yet I am inching back into my seat trying to drag it out as much as I can because it is moving too fast.

Organzing. Packing. Road trips to see my husband for a day. Family time. Friend time. Searching the internet for the best plan tickets. What a whirlwind I am heading into. It's the calm before the storm right now. But through that storm, there will be praise. Thankfulness that I get to see family and friends. Joyfulness that I'll get to see the leaves change one more time before I move to a place where palm trees are the main source of shade. My heart will be so full because I will get to worship at our home church.

Our last "real" weekend here is going to be fun. Nick's uncle gave us 2 night stay at a bed and breakfast at Grayton Beach for a wedding present. You can check out Hibiscus Coffee and Guesthouse here! I am so excited to pretend we are on vacation for a couple of days. I plan on being on the beach as much as possible and visiting the cute surrounding towns. Rosie will be staying at her best friend Jessie's house. I am sure those two will have a ball and I am so thankful for Lauren and Andrew being so kind for keeping her.

I'm going to cut it short and tackle that crazy closet that I have been keeping out of sight, out of mind. I hope your Thursday is great! Just think, tomorrow is Friday!

P.S. Praying for all my teacher friends who are starting school today! I have quite a few who are first year teachers and I know those kiddos will be blessed by them this year! It's a scary day for teachers and students! I hope it goes smoothly and with only happy faces!

Victoria

our first little reunion!

Hey y'all!

I don't mean to keep posting so late in the day....but that's just what happens sometimes! Do you remember when I talked about my first military wife goodbye? (You can read it here)...Well, last night we had our first reunion! Haha! Ok, that sounds silly, but when you immediately click with girlfriends, there is nothing sweeter! I am so happy that Lauren didn't move away or I might have gone crazy! She has been SUCH a blessing to me this whole time in Destin! When ya click, ya click!

The Hulls were back in Destin for a mini family vaca...might I add, they were just blessed with a new baby girl! So I got to see little Camylle and baby Molly! That couple makes some pretty babies! Anyways, we met up for dinner at the Back Porch in Destin and went outside to the beach afterwards for some pictures. It was so good to get us 3 girls back together! I wish we could end up together again, but at least we have cameras and facebook!

I so wish I could upload the video of Camylle that I took! But sometimes the computer and me just don't work well together. Learning here..

I had the best time with my friends! I can't wait to see them again!

Victoria

Tuesday Randomness turned Deep Thoughts

Hello Lovelies!

Hope your Tuesday is going well! I'm waiting for Nick to get home so we can go get some business stuff done. Once a month the military gives them a "training Tuesday" to get things done like doctor's visits, errands that need to be done..that type of fun stuff. We have to do some things for the "BIG move" as I like to call it. I mean California is another country to this Miss'ippi gal. Had to type it like that since I am still the most southern sounding lady around here!

I decided to throw on a dress since I really never get out of my yoga pants anymore. I'm sure Nick will be wondering what's going on and checking to see the date to make sure it's not our anniversary(Just kidding, babe!). But really, I need to doll up more. It's funny how quickly we get comfortable after we get married. I was talking to a newlywed yesterday and it was so refreshing to hear how intentional they were going to be as they started their lives together. It made me realize that I have probably been slacking a little on the intentional side. Oh that word. It's one thing that I feel really keeps a marriage going. To out serve one another is our goal and in our prayers.

Ok, Ok...Stopping before I sit in front of this screen typing away the afternoon. Lots of little things to do. First thing....vacuum. Nick usually comments on the days that I vacuum so that's always a little motivation to do it more often during the week. I love when he walks in a compliments the house! #lifeofahousewife.. Was that weird? Probably, but oh well!

Hope your Tuesday flies by and you get a nice long break for the 4th! We have a 4 day weekend that will be filled with activities, I'm sure. You can't live at the beach and stay in the house for the 4th of July! Have a great day!

Victoria

spaghetti and waffles plus a few letters!

Happy Friday! My legs are aching from my workout classes this morning! I was joined by a sweet friend here. It was so nice to know a face in the gym! We had fun but we will probably be texting each other about how sore we are in the morning!

 My computer has been fussy this week and I just haven't had the patience to deal with it until now. On Tuesday, Rosie baby had her "no future babies" surgery. It hasn't affected her at all. She is jumping and playing just as much as she always has. She would have made some pretty puppies, but with all the moving that we will do, it just didn't seem practical to breed her. Plus I would have kept them all!!

I figured I would  link up with Ashley with Friday's Letters since I'm feeling a little empty on words this week. My mind is just feeling a little blank. A lot of small things are happening around me and sometimes I need to process it through my complicated brain before I put it on paper. Oh the joys of a woman's mind. We are spaghetti right? Men are waffles? That's what Nick insists on telling me all the time at least.

Dear Friday, Thank you for getting here so soon. You are the most exciting day of the week. I can't wait to get you started, because that means it is closer and closer until Nicholas gets home. And then we will most likely sit on the couch all night. Marriage makes the little things really exciting. Dear Tropical Storm, I'm not nervous, just a little annoyed. Saturdays in Florida are for playing in the sun. That's the plan, don't mess it up. Dear Rosie,  You have been a trooper this week. You've only cried a couple of times. I milked the fact you needed to heal on Wednesday and decided we needed to be very lazy since you "didn't feel good". You're still the cutest dog I know, shaved belly and all. Dear God, You are BLESSING this bible study. It is the most amazing thing to watch a group of strangers come together and share their heart. Thank you for adding new ladies to our group each week. I love our little melting pot. Dear Nick, 8 months of marriage today. How time flies. You are so good to me. I can't even describe it. I am so thankful for your heart, your patience, your leadership, and just you. I love spending my life with you.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting this little place of randomness. I hope you have a great week!

P.S.- My Netflix watchers! What is your favorite tv series that we can get started.We just finished an awesome crime/suspense series and I am being so critical of every other show on Netflix now.

Victoria

joyful time

Hey Ladies!

Just wanted to check in and say hello! Today, my husband has the afternoon off of training! I was so so excited when he walked through the door about 30 minutes ago. The rest of the day is looking like Netflix and junk food(for him!!). We are also going to pick up my ring that I got soldered together! I am so excited to see it all shiny and ONE ring!

God has been doing some sweet things in my life the past week! New friends, new experiences. I am just joyful today. Joyful because I know God is steady. His love is unconditional. In this crazy life that we all have, its so nice to know that God never changes. Also, I just want to say that I have met the most amazing friends while down here. I love how friendships have bloomed and they are centered around Christ. This is a big answered prayer. Something I am continually praying for as we think about what is ahead.

I hope you have had a great week so far! I will be back soon! Now, to spend the weekDAY with my husband! Yippee!

Victoria

letters

Happy Friday Ladies!

I just got done with my "Buns and Abs" class at Blue Water Fitness. I am so happy that I found this gym! It's two miles away so I get to ride my beach cruiser there and back on days I'm feeling extra peppy. I love living somewhere that I can ride to the gym or grocery store if I need just an item or two. Rosie loves riding in the basket, but since she has grown into a little teen pup, I'm going to search for a bigger front basket. Below is Rosie on her first bike ride when she was a baby!

Today, I'm linking up with Ashley for Friday's Letteres

 

Dear Blogger Friends, Thank you for this great experience! I am so happy that I have started blogging! I've met some sweet girls already and really enjoy reading other girls stories. This is going to be so neat to look back on, especially when we decide to start a little family of three.

Dear Farmers Market, I can't wait to see what goods you have tomorrow! I don't think I'll be able to drag Nick along that early, but I don't mind. Rosie can tag along, like always! Something about fresh produce coming from the market makes it extra healthy to me. The prices are what I'm curious about :)

Dear Weekend Getaway- All we have to do is figure out when we are going to go! We need a weekend by ourselves outside of our normal setting. It's going to be somewhere in Florida. I have my heart set on a certain place, but I won't let it out just in case we decide on something else. It's Florida though, it will be beautiful and fun where ever we end up.

Dear emotional state of mind- Where did you come from? I don't like you and you are making me think that I'm a crazy person. Let go of those emotions and hang on to God. He's my Rock and my stability. (I'm really not crazy ya'll..Though I think that was considered talking to myself?)

Dear Lunch Date- I can't wait to spend some time with a sweet friend here and eat some yummy food! I'm so glad to have met a "local". Our friendship has grown so quickly over the last few months and I'm already sad about saying goodbye in September! So happy to get to hang out with our guys this summer, Audrey!

Thank you for reading this sometime boring blog. I can't wait to see where it takes me and who is allows me to meet! Hope your Friday is just sunny and wonderful! Have a happy weekend!

Victoria

just another night

It's almost Friday! Time for a weekend with my husband. Beach, maybe? If I havent reminded ya'll enough...We live in Destin. And the weather has been awesome! I'm ready for the "local tan". Not the "vacationer burn". I'm getting there!

I wanted you to get a little peek at a week night with the Bobos. I talk about all the big events of our life but sometimes its nice to see the real, everyday stuff. During the week, you wouldn't know we live where you vacation. It's real life. Marriage is definitely real life. And we love it. I love sitting down for dinner and holding hands as Nick says the blessing. I love sitting at the dinner table talking (sometimes just being silent) for 20 minutes after we have eaten. The dishes definitely wait. We don't go by a schedule or really plan anything at all for the week. We just live. I'm enjoying the "just the two of us" season. I have loved learning about my husband. He's pretty ok : )

Most days I'm home when Nick gets home. The pups normally are taking a nap after wrestling all day. Seriously, all day. "Just be still!", can be heard at least 5 times a day at our house.

Yesterday, I finally took my weekly (sometimes bi weekly if I'm good!) trip to the commissary for groceries . I really do save a lot by going there. Military bases still intimidate me a little, but I'm braver every time I leave! I called my friend, Lauren, and we headed that way! 

I picked up some things so I can make a few different dishes than our normal chicken breast or taco salad. You can only eat so much lettuce! Last night I made Skinny Enchiladas as I chatted away with Heather, one of my great friends from Headlines (the salon I worked at in MS). They were EXCELLENT! Nick said he wanted them once a week.

After dinner ( and sitting for 20 minutes), we finally make the move for the dishes. Nick is so sweet and always offers to do dishes. Most days I let him, but lately I've really enjoyed standing at the sink and hand washing my dishes. It's one of the things I feel like is my job as a stay at home wife, so I really have been trying to do these mundane things joyfully. I just have a quick prayer time and maybe hum whatever song is in my head. It is strange, but it has turned into one of the sweetest times of the day for me. 

Last night, I found Nick filling up a chocolate bunny with milk. He's going to be a fun dad. 

 

Normally we have play time with the crazies before we sit down for the night.

 

 Prayer time together is so special. It's such an easy thing to push aside . Right now we are doing "A Year with Jesus". It goes verse by verse through Matthew and John. We both miss the way our church back in MS goes through the Bible verse by verse so we were excited to find this! I personally don't like to read The Message as my main bible, but I think it can be used supplementary to our ESV.

 

That's about how our evenings go. Almost 6 months. It's gone too fast already. I hope the next year slows down a bit, not quite prepared for that season of our life yet. God is working so much in my life though. I know He is getting me ready for whatever comes our way.

Sorry so long, but have a great rest of this Thursday. It's almost Friday!

Victoria