Living in the present

I'm a worrier.

As in, it's almost a hobby.

If I can't fix it, I worry because at least I feel like I'm doing something.

Don't worry (ha!) - I realize this is the stupidest thing ever.

Lately, I've been trying to make a concerted to quit worrying about the future and live in the present.

When we were given the opportunity to move back home, I automatically worried about what bad thing was going to happen (i.e. our friend Adam moved to his hometown and his mom got cancer). I realize this is ridiculous. And so instead of worrying about what could happen, I've decided to start enjoying the now...enjoying the time I get to spend with my family and friends...the time Drew gets to play baseball with my brother and dad...the time Drew and I get to just be married and kidless...enjoying our new jobs...not worrying about something changing or going wrong but just enjoying it...because no matter what happens, life is too short to not enjoy it/embrace it/love it.

So today, I challenge you to embrace life. love it. cherish the present. laugh because you can. take time to enjoy the little things. live in the present.

it's working out quite nicely for me. and when you're busy enjoying life; you're too busy to worry about it.

Recap

Hi Blog World,
Sorry I've been MIA....I feel like so much is going on, it's exhausting to even think about recapping/blogging so when I sit down to do it, I easily get distracted some other fun thing on the internet.

I started my job last Tuesday & I'm loving it so far. It just so happens to be for a product I'm obsessed with, so that helps. Plus my boss is really nice which makes every job better.

We've been busy trying to settle into our new routine/jobs but we're both really liking it so far.

I do feel stupid at least once a day though...starting a new job is hard...especially because I had been at my old job almost 3 years and it was like 2nd nature to me.

I love being "home".

For example, Friday night Drew & I went out to eat and had just ordered our beers and one of my best friends poked me on the shoulder & they happened to be eating there too so we went over and ate with them. This was also good because Drew likes her hubby. Good ole small town :)

Other than that, I'm just plain tired. Learning new stuff everyday is exhausting! But fun!

Hope you guys had a great weekend!

Guess what...

We woke up to....

SNOW!

 Isn't my parents backyard so pretty??

 Love this pic...she has a little snow on her face lol

So pretty.

I especially love it because I have no where to be/nothing to do today.

Which is good, because I heard the roads are baaad.

Happy Monday to ya!

Unemployment

So far, my week(ish) of unemployment has been splendid.

Yes, I moved to Arkansas and now use the word splendid. There's a London in Arkansas in case you didn't know.

Okay...focus, Alicia.

I have worked out (OWWW! out-of-shape) and stayed in my pajamas most days. I've slept 10-11 hours every night. We looked at houses. And I've eaten too much.

It's been fabulous.

This will all come to an end on Tuesday and I am quite sad that pajamas are not appropriate work attire.

Oh well, I guess there's bigger fish to fry....(This seems like an appropriate Arkansas saying, right?)

P.S. We're supposed to get snow tonight....crossing fingers!

Why?

This weekend, I've really struggled with the fact that Josh Powell took his kids lives and yet, my friend & her husband (who would have been great parents) lost their newborn baby on the exact same day.

It's just not fair.

And believe me, I know life is not fair but still.

Why does God allow awful parents to have children yet so many wonderful people I know struggle with infertility or have lost children (not at their own hand)?

I know God has a plan but sometimes I really struggle to have insight into it/understand why....

And that's where faith & prayer come in.

So tonight, I'm praying for all those who have lost their children or struggle with infertility. While we may not understand it, I trust that God does have a plan. Even if it doesn't make sense to us.

Life is too short

All my excitement about moving was put to a screeching halt when I got a text from my friend Baylie, saying our friend Amanda's baby didn't make it.

That was Sunday night towards the very end of the Super Bowl.

We had actually planned to have Girls Night on Monday night since Eleanor wasn't supposed to make her appearance until Wednesday but Amanda's water broke on Saturday night and she was born on Sunday night.

I just got home from the funeral and I will tell you there is nothing more sad than someone having the bury their child - especially when their child's casket is smaller than a cooler.

This is the 2nd person from my old job that has had to bury their baby in about 8 months. You can read about Miller here.

I'm absolutely devastated for them. You go to the hospital expecting to bring home your baby and leave with the biggest heart break you can experience.

I know they would appreciate your prayers.

L to R: Rachel, Amanda, Me, Meredith

Rach is also pregnant now.

They were about 2 months apart.

Blessed

I have been a total blog failure BUT it's for good reason....
Drew got a new job.
Then I got a new job.
We packed up & moved in two weeks.

Holla. I need a nap :)

We are now back "home" (for me) and are excited to start this new chapter.

I never thought there would be an opportunity for us to move back because Drew's job is very specialized and the people who work in his industry stay here (which means there are no new openings) but God had a different plan & opened up some doors.

3 weeks ago yesterday, I told my job that Drew got a new job & we'd be moving...I also started applying for jobs. By last Monday (2 Mondays after I started applying) I had had 3 interviews with 3 different companies and on Tuesday, the company I really wanted to work for offered me a job. God definitely continued to open doors. I was so humbled/excited about the fact He allowed me to have interviews so quickly and that the company I really wanted to work for offered.

Drew starts tomorrow. I start a week from today.

I'm feeling super blessed right about now. God has opened every door that we needed opened.

Sorry for the blog fail but this will be an exciting new chapter to blog about!