Merry Christmas + Happy New Year//What I've been up too.

Hello friends + other bloggers who stumble upon my page of the internet: 

I didn't mean to take a break off the blog - it just got SO crazy for me in November with being out of town for Thanksgiving with my inlaws, then my husband's grandma passed unexpectedly, and then Christmas happened (my favorite day).. But now I am on vacation + approaching my workiversary (#4) at my company so I have time to breathe & reminisce.

Thought I'd say HELLO! & share a little bit of the past 6 weeks what #therobinson household has been doing. :)

From top to bottom - Dec 2nd - we saw the Candelight Processional @ Epcot with Neil Patrick Harris. He is fantastic :)

Before this happened - on my roadtrip to the Midwest for Turkey Day - we stopped by my old childhood home in Tennessee. Actually made me tear up after 17 years since we moved + all the memories that flooded in. I got to introduce my husband to a small part of my childhood. :)

Below, a selfie with my mom + sistas before Christmas shopping. Love this picture of us! <3

Below this, posing with my mom before my work Christmas party @ Universal Citywalk!

Lastly, Christmas has always been my favorite day to celebrate. This year marked our 6th Christmas together & regardless I love getting to do life with this guy - sharing moments and adventures :) This was us at my parents on Christmas in front of the tree. :)

  

 

Without further ado -- Merry Christmas + Happy New Year!
                                              Are you excited as me for what 2015 brings? I've started making some plans:

- Getting back into church

-Disney passes renewed//Working hard on the weight loss train!

- Feb 2015 - My niece arrives!! 

-February 14th - been training for my second 5K with my parents :) 

-March 15 - Celebrating my best half's birthday <3

This is just a snapshot of my year. What about you? I hope that this New Year brings you opportunities to do something great - whether its a promotion or a chance to do something great/different. :)  2015 is the year when I start a new era - I turn 30 in October! Been working hard + picking up the pace to lose weight/be proud of the moments to come in this year until my big celebration.

One of the big ways I started doing that is by babysitting to pay down student loans. I am going to continue this process to help make small dents. I am praying for opportunities to find more families or positions to give me a boost.

I hope you enjoy these next few last moments of 2014. :) I am definitely going to refocus attention back on here.  :)

Why it's important to go off the grid. #dearladies

Happy Monday, friends. Today I am sharing another post in my #dearladies series which happens EVERY single Monday for the sole purpose of not letting the joy of Monday shake us, as well as inspiring + encouraging women.

Maybe you can empathize or possibly relate with me on this one. Social media is a powerful tool for businesses and for you + me in our everyday lives. It captures our weekends, memories we don't want to forget and well our blogs (if you so happen to have one.)  But sometimes it gets to be too much to keep up with. It is constant. It is always refreshed and sometimes you go on there for a few minutes but before you know it - you get distracted. You could end up spending hours or all day on the social media sites. Don't you miss the 90's when we didn't have this much technology that sometimes clogs up our lives too much?

When did you first get into social media? Did you get into it because you had heard about it from a friend?  I heard about Facebook when I was attending college locally. I would see other students log in, and due to my non existent car situation (I rode the bus everywhere), I would people watch and see these people's lives become consumed by a website. (Please note: This was my first impression of this website - in 2006.)

I don't want to come off seeming that technology hasn't changed my life for the better. When I moved around a bunch, I didn't have any way to keep in touch with friends/family other than traditional snail mail. Which when you're seven - you're not exactly breaking bank at all to pay for postage or know where your friends live - in the 90's. When I was older, it enabled me a way to look for jobs after high school/college/grad school, to find my first apartment and eventually to meet my husband.

But when does it become too much? The answer to that is up to you, my friend. For me personally, I have a personal preference of when I go on certain sites. I use some to post my blog links. I use one for pictures. I use this site for my blogs. I check email. But I've dialed my use of technology back. I refuse to let it consume my life. I changed the setting on my phone to where I don't want notification of when I get messages/anything on my sites so that I feel like my phone is blowing up constantly or my life is interrupted by non essential things. I also don't use it if I am at date night or with family.

So I've come to the realization or the epiphany that while there are some pretty cool items out there - I am perfectly okay with going off the grid mostly (internet/techy speaking). There are days when I keep my phone on vibrate in my room and I don't bother with it. I will listen to my Pandora and just start writing or watch Netflix but there is just so much more to life than watching social media like a hawk.


Spend time with family/friends. Go to a coffee shop, the beach, theme park, etc. Scrapbook. This weekend I went off the grid completely. I literally deep cleaned my kitchen for 3 hours. Pulling our pans/pots and the like out of cabinets, cleaning the cabinets & sanitizing while finally organizing everything. I slept better and I couldn't care less what was happening on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or anything because my kitchen looked great and that was the big important part to me.

How has technology changed your life? Do you have days or time blocked out to go off the grid? Thanks for stopping by. Hope your Monday is going well. :) ~ Jessica

Best Therapy is Free.

Hooray for the weekend, y'all. I found out today the million dollar answer that my sis in law will be having a baby girl in February. Her brother is adorbs and I know this one will be spoiled by me - gladly & loudly :)

I really really enjoy Saturdays that involve all of the following: sampling delish foods @ Sam's Club, Starbucks/Target combination to redeem my free birthday concoction of my choosing. I also indulged slightly for one of their not so healthy chocolate chip cookies. But the most therapeutic part of my day? Cleaning. The type of cleaning that never appealed to me until now. I took all of my pans, dishes, pots, out of every nook/cranny in my kitchen. I proceeded to wipe down the entire space with my handy disinfectant wipes and then proceed to put the pans/pots/jazz in its rightful places. But the beauty of this cleaning spree is that it allowed me organize. It allowed me to escape and put my focus into finding the right fit for my pots/pans. Best 3 hours of my weekend!

After the hubs & I finished our hard work, he surprised me by treating us to ChickFilA for dinner. We don't usually get to treat ourselves here but because it's THAT delectable and crave worthy - I got to experience their chicken noodle soup & lemonade again. After I had surgery in February, that soup was golden for me. I love it. & I got their 2015 cowlendar. $7! It's a fun way to support the company (that I used to work for) and the delish food... Hooray for 2015 :)

The best part about my Sunday thus far besides this gorgeous weather in FL - is that I put my crockpot to work this morning. One of my all time fave recipe that I found online is Spicy Garlic Lime Chicken. I've never made it in a crockpot before but so far - my kitchen smells incredibly good. I didn't have all the spices needed but combining cayenne, pepper, garlic and thyme + chicken + crockpot for 8 hours = DELISH. :) Thank God for Sam's Club prices on chicken. Dinner is done and this means more time for family, Once Upon A Time and working on my book while watching Gilmore Girls too. :) Happy wife,  happy life indeed.

Thanks for stopping by. Tomorrow is my 4th post in my #dearladies series mean to inspire and encourage everyone that stops by blog. One day - maybe it will be a viral linkup - but for now - its just my voice and I trying to change the mindset for a good week on a Monday. No case of the Mondays for this one! :) Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Xo. ~ Jessica

TGIF - Oh hey, Friday! :)

Happy Friday! Today I am already smiling because these pictures are relevant already  :) I am linking up with some fantastic ladies today to celebrate my week.

                 

1) I celebrated my birthday two weeks ago but I didn't get to celebrate with everyone - so this week the wonderful ladies that I worked with everyday for 3 years + I had Tijuana Flats together. I was promoted a year ago so I miss seeing them and talking to them and the fun on the team. Definitely going to enjoy this new tradition here and there with some good friends.

2) Today is Friday and I've already gotten some of my housework done that usually consumes my weekend. These items on my weekend to do list will be replaced but this means I will be sleeping better and more time with my mister. Hooray!

3) We picked up our car on Tuesday morning since our car accident last week & it looks incredible. Our bumper was replaced and our front lights. Feel like I am driving a brand new car. :)

4) I got back to working out this week, tomorrow will be my third day. Been back to keeping myself accountable with my food diary app, MyFitnessPal & challenging myself to drink mostly water + eating way less sugar.

5) I've already completed my Christmas shopping for my family - thanks to incredible sales. The bags starting appearing at my front door and I love taking all of the items out, and getting super excited. All of these items are taking up residence in my closet for another month but I love what I found for my whole family. I used Ebates to get cash back on all of my purchases and will be getting money back in a few weeks.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy yourself in all that you do. I hope you will stop by on Monday for another post from my #dearladies series for inspiration & encouragement.

Why society's input doesn't matter. #dearladies

Hello, thanks for stopping by. Today is Monday so this means - another post in the #dearladies series - which every post on Mondays are for inspiring & encouraging every woman who reads my blog.

Everyday upon waking up - us ladies are bombarded with WHAT society demands us to be - from the brands of makeup/clothes, the type of car we drive, what we eat, who our friends are and how it is implied we have ZERO imput or freedom to be ourselves.

To which I say, LIARS! I also say (from a mountain): NO! 

The beautiful part of living in America period equals FREEDOM for individuality. Another part is that what society wants - no one really cares. Society wants -- no one really cares what they think. Sometimes it's implied we do in TV shows, news, magazines to be 'politically correct' but not really.

    

The truth is, as long as we're adults, we go to work & pay our bills so that we're the BEST responsible version of ourselves, it really doesn't matter if you rock 3 hair colors or combat boots with shorts. (I'd recommend not wearing to most interviews - but my two cents here).

Each of us living in a country where freedom is promised is allowed to express our individuality!

Plus, as Christian women - we have free will and opportunity to be ourselves because when God created EACH of us - He knit us together individually within our mothers. He created us in His image. 

Whether or not you're religious - know that God made us individually. We each have our talents, skills and qualities that make us "US." He didn't make and create us with a 'one size fits all approach." He created each of us with an open invitation to know and appreciate what makes us special. Sooo if you are like me and you fit into the following categories:

You love Target/Starbucks especially when they're combined simultaneously.

Really appreciate Netflix.

Slightly sarcastic at all times.

Love to coupon.

Could live at Target 365. 

But hey if you don't - more power to you! 

Remember: Everyone tries be like everyone else. Don't fall short and be in that crowd. Be you and no one else, they're all taken. And know that you're ABSOLUTELY beautiful and whenever society tries to give their unsolicited opinion, try these 3 ideas:

1. Laugh loudly! (if in public - you may get a few crazy looks but I say, go for it. I do it often!
2. I'm a Hilary Duff fan so why not do a crazy dance! haha (Video here)
3. Keep on being YOU! Find a way to appreciate this truth. Shop online. Take time to indulge yourself. 

Regardless what makes you shine and sparkle -- point blank: Whether or not you fit into society's standards, society doesn't apply to yours. In any way shape or form. This topic will be included heavier in my book that I am writing but I wanted to share what was on my heart now about this topic. :)

Thanks for stopping by. Tomorrow is a prime vital date in the history of my husband & I. Tomorrow I'll be reminscing from 5 years ago and why this date is forever etched into my mind/heart <3

~ Jessica

Oh, Hey Friday! {Weekend Edition!}

Happy Friday, y'all!

Today I am joining up with September Farm + The Farmer's Wife for another 'Oh Hey, Friday!' {Weekend Edition!}

It's Friday and honestly what's been going through my mind is this lyric from N*Sync! "Just got paid & it's Friday night." You know the teen in you is singing these lyrics loud & proud, ladies :) 

Okay. First I want to celebrate + share the top 5 moments of my (long) week:

1.  I just finished my Christmas shopping for my family tonight with the exception of a Starbucks gift card that is yet to be ordered. Not going to lie - I did sneak in a few items for myself including this gem because I heart Disney!

2. All of my Christmas shopping + online shopping lately has gone through Ebates first. They give you cash back on your purchases and after x amt - you get a nice, fat check! That kind of helps soften the blow! 

3. As I am sure you read yesterday + today, I am too blessed to be stressed from the result of my car accident on Wednesday - car is already in the shop + I have fallen in love with my rental. My car will get fixed and hopefully less idiots will be out driving while I am trying to get to work. Ahh, probably not but I can hope, right? 

4. I didn't have the chance to get Starbucks on my birthday like usual but thanks to my mom + Target coupons + having the day off to take care of my car situation - I treated myself to a Salted Caramel Mocha and it made me pretty happy. I think the whole time Chris was watching the clock but I was happy to get a Starbucks/Target trip today. 

5. Tomorrow night after work I get to celebrate some of the birthday swag I got & cash in on my free Coldstone ice cream with my best friend! Hooray for girl time + Birthday cake ice cream :) #bestiedates 

All in all - it's Friday//Payday. The weekend is here - date night tomorrow with Chris + relaxing at home//wife duties. 

Thanks for stopping by. I'll see you Monday for my next #dearladies post to encourage & inspire :)  Xo ~ Jessica

Why I'm THANKFUL for Grace.

Hooray, the weekend has almost returned & with a payday attached. Best kind in my opinion. :)

Monday I posted about how us ladies need not to forget that even in the worst circumstances that we're in that God has not brought us so far to feel that we've been forgotten. If you're just joining us, I hope you will check THIS post out! Often, He reminds me of what's important by using life examples and I shouldn't have been surprised after yesterday that I do feel encouraged and not stressed. He took care of all the details and made it seamless.


Yesterday, en-route to work, Chris + I were running late when our car was backed into by an individual who then sped off and when I had to track him down, claimed he didn't know he hit us. This story later changed when he felt that we should've been at fault. {Sadly, sir - that's NOT how common sense works.} We were blessed with a great police officer who sorted through all the frustration and details to give us what we needed to start the fun claims process. We went on our way and went to work which proved to be hard to focus on anything else.

But behind the scenes, God was working on OUR behalf. By the end of the day, our inspection for car repairs was made and today I took the last of my vacation days to ensure that my car was taken care of, my family & I were taken care of in terms of a rental and that we got all of the questions answered so this was a seamless process. Afterwards, I treated myself to Starbucks/Target & caught up on my shows.

So, its hard to feel stressed about the entire situation because through all of it - I see HIS fingerprints stringing together all the details, putting the most graceful, right people to work on our behalf to ensure we were taken care of. All in all, He blessed us with immense GRACE so that while we were shaken up, He took the details and we were blessed with the work on our behalf. While the car is being worked on this weekend, we were not stranded or feel like we had no direction. He has provided ALL of our needs for us and we're being taken care of on His radar.

Thank you as always for stopping by my blog. I hope your week has gone beautifully. Tomorrow I'll be linking up with Farmer's Wife + September Farm for another  edition of 'Oh hey, Friday' to celebrate our top 5 of the week. Hope you'll join us & meet new friends :) xO. - Jessica

Dear Ladies.. We're still on His radar!

Happy Monday, y'all. I had a relatively awesome weekend. I rang in my 29th birthday on Friday which was incredible! My best friend at work surprised me and decked out my desk, which made my birthday even better!

 

Yes - that is a Minion cake that I ordered for myself. I'm a big kid at heart :)

So - today is my 2nd post in my new weekly Monday series to encourage/inspire every woman who reads my blog. 

Today - I want to remind each of you ladies that He has not forgotten us - 

                                                                                               we are definitely on His radar at every moment of every single day.

When I was a senior in high school, this song by Mary Mary was ingrained into our memory. It was to be the song played and sung by the ladies in our class. Before that moment of graduation while we were in California on our senior class trip,it was decided we ALL needed to sing it every chance we got. At the time it was simply an annoying song with a good message that I didn't really read into the message intentionally until years after. Honestly though, its an easy concept to believe in - doesn't cost you your money, or give you a headache for a sketchy gimmick.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

       It's a promise that God made thousands of years ago and is still standing STRONG behind it TODAY with each one of us.

 Take a moment and reflect on your circumstances:

                   ~ Are you working at a job that doesn't pay you well?

                   ~Are you stuck in a relationship that you're just 'going through the motions' and unhappy?

                   ~Are you frustrated constantly by how your life is going or how it didn't turn out like you'd hoped?

Well to all of you that may find yourself feeling like you're stuck -- STOP!! 

STOP letting things out of your control hold you down. Satan often disguises himself as a sheep in wolves clothing. His main excitement is that his sole purpose is that he comes to steal, kill and destroy! {John 10:10}.

How does this impact you and your life?? 

Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. He doesn't want any part of you to be happy. He wants you to feel like you have no control of your future. But you do! You have a future to be excited for, and to make plans for. 

Despite where you find yourself or maybe your in a less than ideal stretch of circumstances = God has NOT left you behind! You're still very much on His radar and He is still actively making plans on your behalf to bring you blessings, bring you joy and keep you on cloud nine. He is absolutely crazy about each of us! 

So, please be encouraged to keep your head high. We're in our different journeys but we're still destined for greatness. Despite the worst day or the sunniest outlook we may have, He has not left you behind or brought you THIS far to give up on you! 

Thanks for stopping by! Hopefully next week I'll be able to introduce a new weekly series to see how it takes off to evolve into something great. Still working out a few details, hope your week starts off beautifully :) Xo. - Jess

                                                                                                                                                                        

From 28 to 29 years young//Pre-Birthday Interview.

Happy Thursday! I know I am WAY more excited to wake up tomorrow because it's my BIRTHDAY & it landed on Friday this year. :) Quite a bonus if you ask me!

Today - I am sharing another #tbt from birthday pasts. 

                                     

Hooray! Tomorrow's my Birthday, and the last one of my twenties. When I was growing up, my mom always 'interviewed' me at the beginning/end of a school year to remember my favorites at each time. I really miss it! I've decided each October 2nd, I am going to interview myself from the past year while getting ready to ring in the next. Think of it as the excitment (on my part) for Macy's Thanksgiving Parade + Scandal + Parenthood on the same day with a trip to Target/Starbucks SIMULTANEOUSLY.

My 28th Year Interview:

What are my top 3 favorite shows this year?

1. Scandal.

2. Parenthood

3. Bones

What is my favorite place to shop? (Top 3)

1. Target

2. Amazon.com

3. Kohl's. 

What are my top 5 favorite Disney attractions?

1. Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom)

2. Haunted Mansion (Magic Kingdom)

3. Big Thunder Mountain (Magic Kingdom)

4. People Mover (Magic Kingdom)

5. Spaceship Earth (Epcot)

Top 5 Moments: 

1) Celebrating my 28th on a Disney Cruise. 

2) Paying off all UNSUB student loans. 

3) Celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary! {celebrate HERE!!}

4) Disney Annual Passholders!

5) First work promotion (ever).

Top 5 Goals for #29th year:

1) Mostly kick sweet tooth to curb.

2) Finish writing book/publish with Amazon.

3) Get in the fittest, healthiest version of myself.

4) Do more of what makes me HAPPY.

5) Be intentional & consistent in everything. :) 

Favorite memories to come in 2014/2015?

~ Cruising again w/Disney.

~ becoming a Aunt again!

~Hopefully starting our family *fingers crossed*

~ Published Author title.
~ Paying down more of student loans.
~ Keeping my blog consistent//learning how to design my blog.

What I've learned from my husband/marriage?

I can't imagine my life/future without him. We make success look easy but we both make sacrifices daily that have positive long term benefits for later. Hard to believe we've been together for 5+ years already. Seems like 5 min ago, we met online & Got led us together. There is simply no me without him!

Overall, I am thrilled to celebrate #29 (at midnight!)

& with family tomorrow night with some fun plans up my sleeves.

Thanks for stopping by. Tomorrow I'll be posting my Top 5 Birthday related gems on the Happy Birthday version of Oh Hey, Friday linkup! See you tomorrow :) xo. 

Twenty Nine Candles//Bucket Lists

Hooray, its my favorite month: October :) Well for obvious reasons, with my birthday on FRIDAY!!

         















Besides celebrating this week, this weekend and heck the entire month -  I am celebrating a lot more than when my
parents graciously brought me into the world. This year is a milestone - its the last birthday of my twenties.  Looking             back, I started this decade of birthdays with people who turned out to not be real, genuine friends. Since then, I made a       pact with myself that I only celebrate with people that are edifying and building me up.


This week at work, for the first time I've worked here - I invited all my work friends to do lunch @ Tijuana Flats with me. Not many showed up but when I returned after a not so pleasant day, my former team I miss working with had surprised  me with a signed card from the team w/chocolate. Literally welled up with tears and excited to celebrate with them soon!

    

To really appreciate the year ahead of me. I've decided and created a growing Bucket List. Everyone has them - namely things they want to do before they die. That isn't as thrilling to me personally because I like to make the most of every day/month/year that God blesses me with with a hint of realistic planning.

 If any of readers/friends think of anything they'd like to add comment below. I would LOVE to make this next year - the  most EPIC year of my life. & so far, I think I am on a good start:

My TWENTY NINTH #BucketList#

   1) Finish writing the book I started over 5+ years ago to publish as an ebook with Amazon. 

   2) For EVERY trip I take, send a postcard to myself to scrapbook later to relive memories later.

   3) Take days off the grid at least twice every month. 

   4) Indulge here & there for more last minute getaways with Chris. <3

   5) Get in the most absolute fit, healthy version of myself. 

   6)  Learn how to be crafty: sewing, crocheting, knitting, practicing making crazy, awesome cakes.

   7) Incorporate our love of Disney into our home even more. (Lotsa shoppin' @ Disney!)

   8) Sacrificing more to pay down my student loans (working part time, etc).

   9) Learn what my style is, how to apply makeup, etc. {I cared way too much about candy & junk as a teen rather than making myself look good!}

  10) Re-discover my love for my crock pot.  Use my KitchenAid & Pampered Chef tools to create incredible food. 

Thanks for stopping by. Thursday, I'll be sharing my verses that I am picking out for the year ahead. :) See you then!

Dear Ladies, WE are good enough!

Happy Saturday! Honestly, I have been thinking about this post for months on end. I've been hearing a lot and reading alot of news where it feels like it keeps circling back to women questioning their worth whether its in a relationship, lack of self confidence, or both. To that I say, I've been in your shoes.

Let's take a beautiful walk down memory lane, shall we?

Long ago, when I was a teen, I was in the same boat as these women. Even on my best days, I didn't feel confident. I knew that being raised in the church and by my awesome family, that I was loved and capable of anything I set my mind too. It's a tad bit different when you don't believe that yourself. I used to memorize scripture passages for the sole purpose of encouragement. To this day, that comes in handy on a bad day. But I could quote those passages with my eyes closed & in my sleep. But did they encourage me deep down and make me feel like I was Miss Confident? Not all the time.

I realize that every lady is different. Everyone has had different circumstances in their lives, they've made the choices that has shaped and transformed them into who they are TODAY. I get it, I do because again, I am in the same boat and can relate. Every choice, thought, smile/frown, what I say has a positive or negative reaction that will have a long term effect on my life whether or not I recognize it.

But we as women need to stop either playing the victim card or trying to hide from being the confident, charming, awesome, talented women we are every second of the day. Regardless if we're not living up to our true potential or we're in the process of doing so, we have to stop letting other people dictate our joy and living our lives.

I know its easier said than done to stick up a few quotes and instantly force people to believe in themselves but at the same time, I love finding quotes to inspire & encourage. This is my mantra in life & it is the sole purpose of the book I've been writing to publish women at any stage of their lives.

So, ladies. Regardless if you're single, dating, been married for twenty years - each one of is incredibly awesome in our own distinctive way. Take time to know yourself and read up on what God thinks of you because regardless of what others see, He created you + looks at your heart, not on the materialistic things everyone else does. Be positive.. and like my dad told me growing up, 'Dream Big :)' You are meant for greatness even if you don't see it.

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend. Time to spend time with my favorite at my home away from home.. :) **

                         

                          

              

Without my FAMILY, I wouldn't be ME.

Hello friends. Happy first day of the best time of year: FALL! Those who know me hear this phrase essentially everyday from September til December. Since I live in Central Florida where FALL weather sadly is non-existent - I live vicariously through my friends instagram/facebook/pictures where they get to enjoy the leaves changing, the cooler weather, etc.
I am originally from up North and I always loved the beginning of fall - sunsets were prettier, leaves changed colors, and well because my birthday is in the fall. ;) So those who get to enjoy FALL for what it really is outside FL - ENJOY IT. :)

I discovered the TimeHop App on accident earlier this year and I am so glad I found it. It reminds me of moments that I have almost forgotten and most, if not all, put a smile on my face and give me goosebumps. Something along these lines.

Today, this picture was waiting for me inside the app. & it definitely gave me a smile/goosebump combo right away.

This picture (taken by my Mom) is in the fall of 2009. This particular year was blessed heavily in my family for a plethora of reasons:
1) March 2009 - My Papa (Dad's Dad) passed away unexpectedly. It was a dark time for me but while I miss him daily - he is in eternity, waiting for everyone and I can't wait to see him again.

2) May 2009 - I graduated college. While we were in the heat of the recession, I didn't land a job or face any prospects. Good thing God is at the helm of my plans and steers me in the direction He wants for me which was coming weeks later by introducing the love of my life.

3) July 2009 - I met my now husband, Chris online and we fell in love. He was moving back west at the end of the summer. When he did and I had to say goodbye, a part of my heart got on that plane.

4) October 2009 - I moved halfway across the country to Kansas to be with the man I loved. This was the first time in my entire life I took such a risk but when you know that you're supposed to be with them -- you just kind of make some decisions and take some risks on the fly. We have a love story that will be one to tell the grandkids.

THIS PHOTO was taken in the summer of 2009, maybe early fall 2009. 

 I had lost weight - a good amount. I felt really good. I was getting ready to start another chapter and this picture reminds me who has my back, who I have in my corner. My family has always been special and very close knit to me. Especially extended family. No matter what chapter I am beginning, am in the middle of or just ended, I can always rest assured knowing my family is in my corner and has helped transform me into who I am today. Each of them have special roles individually but when we're all together - you can't put a price on that. The love we have for each other and love we share as a family is an unbreakable bond. Without them, my extended family & in-laws - I wouldn't be who I am today. I wouldn't be growing or know what its like to be strong/resilient in tough times. I wouldn't know how to love, or know what love is without the Godly examples I grew up with my great grandparents, my grandparents or my parents. I wouldn't understand what the big life lessons are and why its important to beat to the drum of your own beat. These beautiful people are my family and I couldn't be happier or feel more complete. :)

Why Frozen's 'Let It Go' & Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' is Greater than or Equal to my Past.

Hey friends. Bet you weren't thinking that could even be an analogy or a math problem. I've been thinking lately how much I love both of these songs and why combined they don't just appeal to kids. If you think about the lyrics and while they're fun to belt out too -- they can be applied to your life!

 

I am a Taylor Swift + Frozen fan. That may make me totally unpopular but I really refuse to care. 

How do these songs relate to my life in any way? 

1) Both of these songs provide fresh perspective when I think about my past: relationships gone wrong with guys and friends, my not so pleasant experience in middle or high school. My teen years. There are many experiences I am not fond of and don't remember fondly but these songs literally help me remember to 'Let it Go because ALL of that is in my PAST.' No longer important to my life.

2) Keeps me focused on ME & my goals. These songs help me remember that taking a glimpse into my past even in the smallest window - is pointless and does absolutely nothing to edify me. Satan tries to use it as a foothold in my life because I was skinnier in that time period. This is why I enjoy creating scrapbooks with my mom & printing out canvasses of those real happy moments. It's my way of remembering my past but only the highlights and focusing on these.

3) Puts a smile on my face. Like I said - I am a Taylor Swift fan + a Frozen fan. I am already saving up and counting down to buy Taylor's new album. Hooray for Target exclusives. 

4) Reminds me of where I come from but not where I am staying at. These songs keep me motivated and encouraged that regardless of what happened years ago do not matter. Parts of my past did help mold me into who I am today, specifically some individuals more than others. But those times taught me who I am and what is important to me in the long term. All those years that I hated myself and I hated being bullied -- only made me stronger. Music became my alliance against them. Jesus helped me forgive, let it go and move on. {Not all of my past is negative or bad - but there are bigger chunks that I wish I could've avoided}.*

Regardless of what is in your past, I hope these songs can inspire and encourage you in some way as well. While they were meant for kids initially - I love finding music that I can enjoy and apply it to my life. So I wish to thank Taylor Swift + the songwriters of 'Frozen' who changed my life & put a smile on my face. I wish I could meet all of them, its on my bucket list. <3

Thanks for stopping by. ~ Jessica

Oh hey, Friday!

Hello again! Thank God for Friday linkups, eh? Today I wanted to share my 5 best parts of this week with y'all. I greatly enjoyed having a short week and kind of wish that was a regular occurrence!  I have a somewhat busy weekend planned, lots of sleep and fierce cleaning.

Here is the highlights of my week to share with you.

1) Monday was incredible to be paid to enjoy a day off with my family, enjoying burgers and an afternoon to relax without anything work related. Snagged a picture with my mama - who made her incredible blueberry pie! My barre workouts are kicking me into better shape already - I look better in this picture than I have previously.

2) When I was a little girl - I did ballet/tap & jazz. It was the best, actually the ABSOLUTE best part of my childhood. I found THIS YouTube channel from JessicaSmithTV ( JessicaSmithTV - Kickboxing + Ballet workout! )who has a ton of FREE workouts like HIIT, Kickboxing, Ballet/barre, Kickboxing + Ballet (insane workout), toning & the list continues. She also has a ton of prenatal/postnatal workouts. Been using her videos for a week and I absolutely LOVE them - already noticing a difference.

3) I worked last Saturday which counted as Overtime pay and got to start my workday off with Dunkin Donut's sweet tea. Best part of my really long day + Mellow Mushroom pizza.

4) This is a last week #tbt by now but last week I paid off one of my student loans in full!!  I am really excited to get that oh so ecstatic letter from Sallie Mae congratulating me. Hooray. It feels incredible to be one step closer to being done with student loan repayment. 

5) This goes hand in hand with #4 - but I've started applying to babysitting gigs and part time jobs so as to help me make extra larger loan payments when I can - it will take a while but thank God - He lined up one tomorrow night. This could lead to future babysitting gigs and future families to help me get closer. 

All in all - its FRIDAY! I am excited for my weekend of sleeping in and cleaning house pretty fiercely. :) 

Thanks for stopping by! 

//Currently.Lately.Soon//

//Currently//

Tonight I decided that I was going to stop making excuses and work out. Part of my childhood that I miss dearly was taking ballet/tap & jazz classes along with gymnastics. I miss my ballerina days, putting on my tutu, tights, and losing myself in song while dancing my heart out. Tonight I found a YouTube channel that I love on Barre workouts. I will feel this tomorrow but I can't wait to do it again!

I scored a free photo book with Shutterfly and while I love scrapbooking - I can't seem to find time to do that with my mom so I am digitally remembering our Disney cruise in March this way. This way by our next one, I will be all caught up to scrapbook that one.

Photographs & collage frames are incredulously becoming part of my life. I have a growing wish list on Amazon for ones that I want to add to my hallway.

Baking is my life. In the past ten days - I've added quite a few tools to my collection. & that wish list is also growing. YAY.

Our next vacation isn't for a few months but I am pretty much already kind of adding to our existing plans. Planning gets me excited.

I've a lot of sweet tea tonight and I am totes okay with this fact.

//Lately//

I haven't really worked out. I kept making excuses but as of tonight - I am stopping that trend and getting back on the right track. I have a lot of big events coming up.. like my birthday, being an aunt again, and the holidays. I want to go shopping again and feel good.

I've been really stressed at work, its been really busy and overwhelming. I kept telling myself that I wanted to have an outlet or three to take my mind off it. I think these outlets are: baking, making collages, and working out.

I really enjoy cleaning. I am like a fierce cleaner lately - its therapeutic.

I did a little early Christmas shopping - took advantage of pretty freaking sweet sale and scored somethin for me too that was unexpected.

//Soon//

This week I have an endocrinologist appointment and I am pretty sure it may not go in my favor. Thankfully Carlos is all about self improvement and making strides.

I get to pay off one of my loans entirely this week. Take that loan debt!

All my fall shows come back on in a month: Parenthood, Scandal, Bob's Burgers, Bones, Blacklist & that beautiful list goes on..

I am going to start the Squat September challenge paired with Barre + Frisky Fall Challenge with Tone It Up.  I'd like to have nice birthday pictures, fall pictures and later - Christmas pictures that look dazzling after all my hard work!

Fall goodness is arriving soon -- cooler weather, the holidays, my birthday.. all the beautiful joyness!

//etc//

I am really excited about what is going on now, to come and possibly in the next five minutes. I've been working on a post that may not happen til Thursday but its in the sake of encouraging and inspiring.

As always, thanks for stopping by! Thank God tomorrow is Wednesday :)

//August Weekend Update//

I didn't expect to take a month hiatus from blogging because its my creative outlet but after I returned from vacation - it just kind of happened. I was wrestling internally if it was something I wanted to keep doing or if I wanted to pull the plug - and here I am. I think if I stopped - it wouldn't be permanent because I enjoy it. I may never have a huge audience but if I impact the life of one person for the better - I am happy. 

So. lately on my mind - I've been bitten or re-bitten by my true passion. When my mom graduated with her Master's last month - I baked her a graduation cake to celebrate with family. I realized that is my biggest passion in life besides scrapbooking, if I could open my own bakery - and get my book published through Amazon - than I will feel accomplished. For now - my kitchen is my "bakery" but I will never stop finding more kitchen tools to get my hands on for practice. 

Here is what I've been up to this month in no particular order. :) 

I bought this set of 3 mini springform pans from Target and I love it. I am planning on using them in a few weeks when I get my ladies together for some cheesecake. Then to celebrate my Dad/SIL's birthdays I am making us all individual cakes with these. I like to partake in the calories and my dad doesn't. 

I also have my eyes on a few more baking tools - new pans, cookie cutters - this excites me. :) 

This summer I really wanted to work on my house on the inside - which we have. I always seem to catch the sales at Target when I want something and I came across these collage frames that just look fantastic. I basically fell in love with them - I bought a second last weekend and am planning how to use it. The first captured our adventures so well - make them look really snazzy. 

I am a Taylor Swift fan. If you see me on the way to work - I am usually belting out one of her songs in the car with a big smile on my face. I was pretty psyched last week when she announced her new album and I absolutely love her new single 'Shake It Off' .. Probably because I relate to the underlining message - forget the haters & enjoy who you are! That's me everyday. :) I am in the process of pre-ordering the deluxe version at Target! 

Yesterday I spent the day at my parents house. It was nice to relax while simultaneously being welcomed. I helped my mom organize and clean out the office. I helped my nephew read his book about trucks. I watched HGTV with my favorite pup. My mom and i made plans for my birthday. My sister welcomed me with a big hug when I arrived. I haven't seen them in a while so it was nice to have a fun day with them while helping them. 

Last weekend my fam and I celebrated my mom's new Master's degree. I made a cake and we celebrated the graduate. Before my sistas and I were cheesin together. We love to have our own Photoshoots. 

My birthday is in a little over a month away and I am excited. It's my last birthday in my twenties. It's going to be a great year for many reasons:

1) Sometime in the year I am going to hit my weight loss goal.

2. I will hit 4 years at my job.

3. I will celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary.

4. I will celebrate being an aunt for the second time!

5. I will be going on another Disney cruise. 

Thanks for stopping by. Glad to be back on my blog. 

~ jessica