New York City is my favorite place. I try to visit every year and always discover new things that I have never done before. This year Ben and I decided to go for Christmas. We celebrated Thanksgiving there in 2016 and had such a wonderful holiday that we wanted to experience the city during the Christmas season this year. And we weren't alone! One of my favorite things about traveling is doing it with others. My brother Zach and his fiancée Drew joined us from Arkansas and my dear friend Natalie and her (new) husband Derek flew in from Houston. One of our favorite friends, Stephen, lives in Manhattan so it was a treat to see him too during our time there. If you have never visited NYC at Christmas time (or maybe you have, but like me you cannot possibly do all the things in one trip) here are some recommendations to try during your stay: Where to Stay: 1. Hotel Wolcott- Ben and I stayed in this charming, old hotel. Our room was a "French country" theme and it was precious. Each room is different at this hotel and the prices are very reasonable. Keep in mind that it is an older place, so if you are looking for "shiny and new" this is probably not the place for you. 2. Hotel Grand Union - This is where Natalie and Derek stayed. This hotel was also reasonably priced and was a step up in amenities from Hotel Wolcott. 3. Arlo Nomad NYC- This is a boutique hotel where Zach and Drew stayed. Their room was tiny, but had breathtaking views of the city. If you want to splurge on a hotel, this is a great place to do it! They have a rooftop bar, restaurant, and city views for days. I should also note that all three of these hotels are within a block or two of each other. So, they make great options for group trips and offer separate spaces while remaining close. Where to Eat: This is my absolute favorite thing to talk about. Food is my LOVE language! We all spent weeks researching some of the best and came up with a list of some must try eats in the city. These are in no particular order because I simply cannot pick favorites. 1. Cowgirl- Zach and Drew suggested this place for Brunch. It was amazing. A little taste of Tex-Mex in the middle of West Village. 2. Bubby's High Line- This is a must try! This was my second time to Bubby's and it did not disappoint. They do not take reservations so don't show up hangry, but the food is definitely worth the wait. 3. Bistro Le Steak- I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. We all spent Christmas Eve dinner here and it was fantastic. This steakhouse definitely has some old world charm and we were the only people under the age of 50 there. It is a must try in NYC if you are looking for a great steakhouse with amazing service. It made for a "feel good" kind of Christmas dinner. 4. Paesano's- This is an authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of Little Italy. Don't let the small size of the building keep you from staying. It is worth the wait and the food is so good. It may be a little cozy inside, but if you are visiting during Christmas time, you won't mind. 5. The Liberty- This restaurant was not far from Hotel Wolcott and was a welcome surprise to stumble on after a day of travel. Ben and I shared a few small plates and enjoyed watching It's a Wonderful Life on the screens throughout the restaurant. It had a very cool vibe and would be a perfect place to meet up with friends. 6. Sweet Corner Bakeshop- This sweet shop is a block away from Cowgirl. This is a great place to grab dessert after brunch. Hint: buy several cookies. 7. KoKu Ramen- If you like Ramen (or even if you don't), give this place a try. This small restaurant is super modern and has a variety of ramen dishes and appetizers. This made for a great lunch on a cold day. What to do: 1. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights- Get on the subway and ride over to Brooklyn and visit Dyker Heights. Every year they put on a ridiculous light display throughout the neighborhood. The streets will be filled with people taking selfies, but these lights are too crazy to miss! 2. Brooklyn Tabernacle- If you want to hear an amazing choir, visit the Brooklyn Tabernacle during the holiday season. They perform during their regular church services as well as special holiday concerts. 3. Ice Skating- If your heart is set on ice skating plan your whole trip around it. We had aspirations of gliding on the ice at Wollman Rink in Central Park only to find it booked up and sold out for days. The same was true of Bryant Park. So, we just had to watch others skate. Also, if you have dreams of taking selfies while you skate, think again. They do not allow cell phones or cameras on the ice. 4. Christmas Markets- Even if you don't like to shop (like me), stroll through some of these markets in the city. They are filled with local goods and are really fun to walk through. One of the largest is in Bryant Park, but there are others all over the city. 5. Museum of Natural History- This is an amazingly comprehensive museum. Ben and I spent several hours inside and did not get to even half of the exhibits. This is a great place to spend a rainy day or a great place to escape the cold weather. You'll likely learn a lot too! One of the best things about this museum is that anyone can experience this. The museum has a suggested price per ticket (which I suggest you pay if you can afford it) but for those who may want to experience this and cannot pay full price, you can pay any amount you wish. 6. Rockefeller Tree- Be prepared to brave a fierce crowd for your photo op, but this is a must see. The tree is beautiful! People are also nice enough to wait while you take your photo, before walking in front of you. 7. Christmas Mass- While I am not Catholic, I think there is something so charming about Christmas Mass. There are numerous cathedrals around the city that offer mass throughout Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. If you want to go to St. Patrick's for mass, know that several months in advance you will need to apply for their lottery. None of us received tickets via the lottery so we could not attend there. We did however enjoy mass at St. Ignatius of Loyola. For my non-Catholic friends, let me also explain what this means should you attend. I/We (I'm really not sure if these ideas were the groups', or just mine...) was/were under the impression that this thing would begin at 11:15pm and end gloriously at midnight with the birth of baby Jesus. Much to our surprise, we finally left that cathedral at 2:45am. This is not a drill. While I was not prepared to stay awake until 3am, I did enjoy the choir (who sounded like they could all perform at the Metropolitan Opera) and being blessed by the priest was special to me. I think I have met my mass quota for the year, but if I should decide to go again next year, I will definitely know what to expect. And those things wrap up my favorites from our trip! I would love to hear your favorite Christmas traditions or holiday destinations. We had such a great destination Christmas this year, that this just might become a tradition for us! We love traveling with family and friends, so if you want to join us on our next destination holiday, let us know. We'd love to have you. As always, thanks for reading. I enjoy sharing my life with you.
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Happy 30th Birthday to me! It is a bit surreal to follow up on my birthday post from last year. The time between year 29 and 30 passed so quickly. Ben kindly reminded me as I woke up yesterday morning that it would be my last day as a twenty-something. Wow. I just feel so fortunate to be here.
As I reflect on my twenties, I barely recognize the girl who started out this decade 10 years ago. And while I am on approximately the fifth version of myself, I find that every version has been essential for the next. This year has been a year of tremendous growth for me. I have come from my lowest point (physically) to being in possibly the best shape of my life (though trust me- there is still room to grow because apparently I have been playing Limbo over here. That bar was so low...). I have also worked diligently on my mental health this year and the fruits of that labor have been so tangible and rewarding. While every year that passes is bittersweet, I am always so thankful to celebrate another year. I am also so inspired by the groundwork that has been laid for what I anticipate to be my best decade yet. Cheers to 30 years! Last year, I created a 30 before 30 list that consisted of 30 things that I wanted to accomplish before turning 30 (which I guess is now). Here is the list and what I was able to accomplish this year. Disclaimer: I now see this list as being slightly ambitious. Also, some things on this list are not really measurable...so there's that. I tried my best! 1. Run a 5k- I did this- TWICE! I ran my first "unofficial" 5k in Mexico earlier this year. Although, I did get lost on the route (who does that?) so in theory I think it was more like 2.75 miles. However, earlier this summer I ran an "official" 5k in Charlotte. So, it's safe to say I completed this one. 2. Go to Europe- Check! Ben and I visited Paris for our 8th wedding anniversary this year. It was a wonderful experience and we are already looking forward to our next Europe trip. 3. Watch E.T.- Ben and I watched E.T. over Labor Day weekend last year. We had just moved into our new apartment in Dallas and it just seemed like the right time. 4. Read the entire Bible- Ok people. Show some grace. I made it to 1 Chronicles. Now, when I realized I was a bit behind, I tried to "speed read" for about a week. However, I don't know if you have ever read the Bible, but it is not an "easy read". So, instead of blazing through it, I have decided to take my time. I have a new goal of reading through the Bible by the end of this year. 5. Take a cooking class- I took two different cooking classes this year. I took one in Mexico and learned how to make a dish with chicken and peppers. I also took a crepe making class this year. Out of the two, the crepe class was definitely my favorite. I have put that recipe to use more than once! 6. Lose 40lbs.- CHECK! By my 29th birthday last year, I had lost approximately 30lbs. I wanted to continue my weight loss a bit more and I am happy to say that I surpassed this goal! I have now lost approximately 48lbs. I am back down to my high school bod and that has been too fun! 7. Learn Spanish- The only Spanish I practiced this year was during a week in Mexico earlier this year. Once again, I pledge to dust off my Rosetta Stone tapes this year... 8. Volunteer for a good cause- Last fall, Ben and I volunteered for an event benefitting Compassion International. We sponsor four kids from various countries and it is rewarding work. Check out their website for more info! www.compassion.com 9. Send a message in a bottle- I was so excited about this one, but unforeseen circumstances kept it from happening this year. Ben and I had a family beach vacation planned with his siblings, but we decided it would be best to postpone so that everyone can go in good health. So, my message in a bottle will have to wait a bit longer. 10. Pay it forward- This is always so fun! I love seeing creative ways that others "pay it forward". 11. Go to a drive-in movie- Ben and I checked this one off the list a couple of weeks ago. I have decided it is my favorite way to watch movies. There is even still powdered sugar in our car from the funnel cake. 12. Eat a macaroon- I have done this several times over the past year. To be honest, I don't really think I like macaroons. I would rather have a cupcake or a cookie. 13. Take a dance lesson- While not a traditional dance lesson, I took an aerial/acrobatic type fitness class recently. It definitely has some elements of dance, yoga, and gymnastics. If you have a studio near you, try it! 14. Begin an anti-aging regimen- I have given this one my best shot. I have purchased several skincare products over the past year to try. I am specifically using anti-aging moisturizer right now as well as toner and exfoliants. I have also become aware of the importance of facials for skin health and self-care. 15. Cook a new recipe each week- Well, this is a bit difficult to measure. I'm not sure that I can say that I literally cooked something brand new every week...but I have tried numerous new recipes over this year. Some weeks I can guarantee I tried more than one. So, in the spirit of giving an "A for effort", I am checking it off the list. 16. Take a self-defense class- Ben accompanied me to this class. He had to "attack me" and I had to practice my skills. Let's just say that I still need some practice and I'm glad that my running speed is improving. 17. Learn the art of hand lettering- Check! Loved practicing this new craft. I have practiced this skill through a workbook and I have spent the summer making some cards using the skills that I have learned. It is super fun and relaxing. 18. Acquire an Amish pen pal- Confession: I do not have an Amish pen pal. It's quite difficult to reach them actually... However, I have acquired three pen pals (that are not Amish) and they are in Georgia, Maine, and Canada. It has been so fun corresponding with them this year. I hope to eventually meet them in person. I still have a plan for the Amish pen pal thing, but it will have to be more strategic and take patience. 19. Learn how to change a tire- Honestly, the desire never struck me. This is why I have roadside assist. 20. Read 30 new books- Gasp! I know, I was a bit surprised too. I just counted up the number of books I read and it was 24. Let's not forget that I did read like 43 books of the Bible too, so that's probably what I was doing with my time instead of reading the other six books needed to complete this goal. 21. Go white water rafting- Charlotte has an amazing White Water Center. Earlier this summer we got to raft and it was incredible. I definitely have plans to do it again. 22. Print more photos- Big fail. High hopes. I'll do better next time. 23. Improve my baking skills- This has been a fun one to complete this year. Since starting my weight loss journey I have gotten creative on how to make desserts less fattening, while still tasting good. I have practiced on a number of cookies, oreo balls, cupcakes, cakes, and even breads. 24. Try a new food each month- This is another interesting one to measure. I don't have a list for every single month, but I did try lots of new foods this year. The list includes veal (Sorry Mary!), escargot, shawarma, falafel, curry, ramen noodles (seriously) and others that seem less important. 25. Study my family history- This is still a goal of mine, but I just haven't ordered my DNA kit yet. 26. Get my teeth whitened- I used a whitening kit last year that was given to me by my dentist, but I wouldn't say I had stellar results. I plan to try a new whitening brand soon. 27. Learn how to apply liquid eyeliner- Yas! I haven't mastered the "wings" yet, but I definitely have the basics down. 28. Complete a craft project each month- Well, this one was difficult to measure. I don't know that I completed a project every single month, but I have completed at least a dozen projects over the past year, so that counts for something. The projects have included hand lettering projects, making cards, painting pictures, and creating a terrarium. 29. Become a vegetarian for 30 days- So, I did not become a vegetarian for 30 days straight. However over the course of the past year, there have been at least 30 different days where I ate no meat. 30. Be present- This has been one of the most rewarding goals to accomplish. I have taken small steps toward being intentionally present in many situations and I am happy to say that I have developed some good habits through these practices. Overall, 20(ish) out of 30 is not so bad! It has been fun to achieve these goals over the past year. For those that I did not achieve, I plan to continue to work toward them in the future. I am so hopeful and encouraged as I look ahead to this new year. I feel that I am presenting my best self to this new decade and I feel so fortunate to enter this new chapter with confidence. I remain so grateful for Ben and his encouragement. I can also look around the entire country and find so many friends and family members that have been incredibly life giving and gracious to me during a multitude of seasons. Cheers to 30 years! I'm so glad to be here. It's been almost three weeks since we arrived home from Paris. The city was beautiful and we created so many new memories. It was the perfect way to wrap up year eight of our marriage. Ben has traveled the world by this point and I will probably never catch up with him on that front. Traveling to Paris was definitely not his first time leaving the continent, but it was mine. Traveling to Europe was a first for him though, so it was neat to experience this together. Here is a recap of some of the highlights of our trip in case you feel inspired to plan your own. We are usually not the type to use travel agencies- nothing wrong with them, we just usually book things ourselves- but for this particular trip it was super cost effective to go through a third party. We used Gate 1 Travel and had a good experience with them. They allow you to bundle your flights and hotel (which you get to choose all on your own) making it all more cost effective. You can also add transportation and guided tour options too. We specifically used them only for our airfare and hotel though. My only word of caution with using them (or a similar company) would be that if something about the trip goes wrong (i.e., cancelled flights) they don't have the best customer service and expect the customer to work out new airline arrangements with the airline company. Our initial flight to France did in fact get cancelled on the day we were scheduled to leave, but thankfully we were aware that Gate 1 would not likely do anything about it, so we went straight to the airline company and got a similar flight out the same day at no charge. One tip that I would recommend if you are not particularly excited about a long flight is to fly overnight. We left the U.S. during the evening, so we were able to sleep on the entire flight. Once we arrived in Paris the next morning, we were ready to go and enjoy the day. We did the same thing on the return flight. We flew out during the evening from Paris and slept the whole flight. We arrived back to Charlotte in the middle of the night, but thanks to jet lag we had no trouble sleeping some more. We stayed at the Hotel George Astotel in Paris and we loved our stay there. Ben and I walk EVERYWHERE when we are in a new city and the location of this hotel was perfect for that. We were between a 30-60 minute walk from all of the main attractions. Our hotel also was not in a super touristy area so it was very quiet in the evenings and had lots of local restaurants and shops nearby. The hotel was super cute and eclectic and I would definitely recommend it for future stays. It also goes without saying that every morning when Ben opened the windows to our hotel room I burst into song..."Bonjour, good day. How is your family? Bonjour, good day! How is your wife?...There goes the baker with his tray, like always. The same old bread and rolls to sell. Every morning just the same, since the morning that we came..." Who can name that tune? It is from my favorite Disney classic and I pretty much did it justice every morning. One thing to note about our hotel: it is part of a larger hotel alliance in the city. This meant that every afternoon we could enjoy free pastries, coffee, music, and cocktails at any of their sister properties in the city. These afternoon snacks proved to be a nice break from all of our exploring. Of course Paris has so much to offer in terms of history, but we also enjoyed some super low key moments while we were there as well. Here are some things I recommend you add to your Paris Bucket List if you haven't already: 1. Notre Dame- this was easily my favorite place we visited on our trip. I recommend that you visit the inside of the cathedral as well as purchase inexpensive tickets to walk up to the very top. Tip: The line to enter the cathedral will look daunting. However, it moves quickly so just do it. Also, if you are wanting to walk up to the top of the cathedral, reserve your spot online (you don't pay until you enter) because the spots will fill up quickly. There are approximately 387 steps to the top and it is worth every step. The only negative is all of the wire at the top that obstructs some of the views. But, I get why it's there. Some people are just too extra. 2. The Palace of Versailles- While this isn't in Paris, it is just a short train ride away. Ben and I loved taking the train to Versailles. It was a great way to see what France looked like outside of Paris. Our train ride was maybe half an hour and it was very enjoyable. Versailles is a quaint town with lots of very cute restaurants and shops. We enjoyed walking around and taking in the scenery. Our main reason for visiting though was to go to the palace. Now, let me start by saying that I am very glad we went. The palace was super grand and gaudy and ridiculous in so many ways. It was also chock-full of history, which we love. Like all of the main attractions, we were prepared to wait in a line. However, no one quite prepared us for this line. We purchased our tickets earlier in the morning during breakfast so that we did not have to wait to purchase them at the palace. This was helpful because it saved some time. However, everyone and their mother who was in France that day also had the same idea so we waited...in a line...of hundreds of people...for almost three hours. This is the truth. Tip: You could save some time by bringing your lunch and eating while you wait. We legit saw a family with a bucket of KFC eating while they waited in the line. Who the heck eats KFC in France? Those people. Also, bring water, sunscreen, and a hat as there are ZERO trees where you will be standing for three hours. Maybe also go first thing in the morning versus mid-day and that will probably save you some time too. Overall we are super glad that we made this part of our trip. 3. Eiffel Tower- duh. It was super neat to see the Eiffel Tower in person. There is a restaurant on a lower portion of the tower that you could try. We didn't, but you could. You can also go to the top of the tower. Tip: If this is something you want to do, book tickets a few weeks in advance. We did not realize we needed to do this and there were no tickets available during our trip. 4. Sacré-Cœur Basilica- this was another favorite that Ben and I accidentally stumbled upon. This Roman Catholic Church is situated on the highest point in the city which means that the walk there can be brutal, but the views are to die for. If you are unable to walk, you can of course take a cab, but I highly recommend walking if you are able. The neighborhood that leads to the church is so precious and all things French. Make sure to visit inside of the church as well. 5. The Louvre- we did not actually visit the inside of the Louvre. Lots of people did and we have heard great things about it, but it just wasn't something we were super interested in. We did go see it though and we are so glad we did! Tip: Many people recommend purchasing tickets in advance if you do decide to go inside. And like everything else, be prepared to wait in a line. 6. Explore the Hidden Passageways of Paris- we only explored one of these hidden gems, but it was so fun! The hidden passageways are basically covered alleys that hold shops and restaurants. In the particular passageway that we explored we stumbled upon an art store, antique store, and even a spa. Literally 30 minutes before we found this spa I made the comment "Man, my feet hurt. I would love a foot rub." all while Ben was saying, "I could really use a power nap." Lo and behold we stumble upon this hidden passageway that contained a spa that offered...wait for it...POWER NAPS AND FOOT RUBS. No way. So, I got a 3o minute foot rub, while Ben slept in one of the private nap rooms. I can't make this up. It was too fun! If you research the passageways online, you will find all sorts of information about each specific one and where they are located around the city. 7. Visit the Montmartre Neighborhood- this neighborhood was easily our favorite in all of Paris. It is so charming, quaint, full of local eats, and provides a good workout. The Montmartre neighborhood is what you will walk through if you choose to visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. It is also home to the Wall of Love which is a beautiful wall full of the phrase "I love you" in 250 languages. I definitely recommend exploring this neighborhood and grabbing a bite (or two) as well! 8. Champs-Élysées Avenue and the Arc de Triomphe- This avenue is full of luxury cafes and shops that will leave every shop-a-holic in heaven. Ben and I aren't ones to go shopping, but this avenue boasts tons of people watching opportunities as well. Champs-Élysées Avenue also holds the famous Arc de Triomphe and is where the Tour de France concludes each year. It is a must while in Paris! 9. Colored Doors- Paris is known for it's beautiful colored doors all around the city. I recommend that you have a photoshoot with everyone of those bad boys that you pass. I loved them all and Ben played the part of the patient photographer. To be clear, I only had photoshoots with my favorites. I demonstrated immense self-control and passed by tons of them with only a glance. 10. Smoke a cigarette- smoking my first (and last) cigarette in Paris was just as fun as I hoped it would be. To make it a bit more memorable, I decided I wanted to bum a cigarette off of a beautiful French man and smoke it at a café; Because buying a pack of cigarettes and smoking one by myself would just be too boring. So Ben, being the team player that he is, was all for this. He helped me practice my French on the plane. Bless him. Then, he helped me scout out the perfect guy. We happened to be walking along the Seine River when BINGO! A beautiful man who was sitting alone pulls out a cigarette and starts smoking. Ben and I both knew this was my moment. So, I made Ben go hide around the corner (because I CANNOT have people watch me do something when I feel nervous) and I approached the man. We had a moment. He was beautiful and I'd like to think he thought I was beautiful too...although this cannot be confirmed because there was a language barrier. I smiled and said "Bonjour, une cigarette s'il vous plait? He kindly handed me a cigarette and his lighter to which I then remembered that I did not know how to light a cigarette. So, I turned away from him and pretended to light the cigarette handed his lighter back to him, and walked away. VICTORY! It ended up being a good thing that I did not know how to light it because it took us a while to get to a café and that was the end goal in the first place. Ben ended up lighting the cigarette later that afternoon and we shared that nasty thing like two giddy teenagers. Me being the main one who was giddy, and him laughing at my antics. To wrap up this recap, what kind of person would I be if I didn't tell you about our favorite food spots? Here are our top three favorites that we definitely recommend if you visit the city: 1. Le Relais de l'Entrecote- this restaurant only has one thing on the menu- Steak and Frites! It is our absolute favorite French meal. There are several locations around Paris, so I definitely recommend trying one (or two) of them out. The meal begins with a yummy salad, then steak and frites. They also have some dessert options as well. The best thing about his restaurant is that they have expanded outside of France, so you can actually eat at this restaurant in NYC! We have eaten at the one there as well and both were so enjoyable. Be prepared to wait in line, but it is worth it! 2. Ristorante Al Caratello- this quaint Italian restaurant is located in the heart of Montmartre. The food was some of the best we have ever eaten! We both got pasta dishes and ate every single bite. The portion sizes are very large at this restaurant, but after all the walking we had done earlier in the day, we were prepared for a major carb load. I highly recommend this restaurant if you are wanting to veer from the traditional French cuisine and want more of a local joint. 3. Holy Belly- this is the perfect brunch spot in Paris. I read countless blogs online that recommended this place and it did not disappoint. Be prepared to wait in a line, but it moves quickly. I got their breakfast staple called the Savoury Stack and Ben upgraded his to The Champ. These plates definitely left us full until dinner! Spending our 8th wedding anniversary in Paris was such a celebration for us! We are so thankful to have another year under our belt and we are better because of it. Dreams don't work unless we do, and I'm so thankful that Ben and I keep sharing our visions and working towards our goals. Being married to him is a dream come true.
As always, thanks for reading. I hope this inspires you to live the life you've always dreamed. When Ben and I began our travel journey two years ago, I vaguely remember thinking that throughout this process it would be easy to determine where we wanted to “settle”. Wow. I was so wrong. If anything, living in multiple cities and multiple states has made us love everywhere. We truly want seven houses in seven cities and we want to float between them whenever our hearts desire. Our country is incredibly diverse and beautiful. I feel so fortunate to live here. New England was a dream that became a reality for us. Spending the fall of 2016 there was unlike anything I had ever experienced. All the post cards in the world could not prepare me for the scenic beauty there. I honestly believe that Heaven looks like New England in the fall. With all its’ beauty though, I knew that it could not be a permanent place for us.
Those are pretty much the only reasons that I could not live there. Other than those two things, I’m smitten! Moving back to Arkansas for a time was bittersweet for me during our travels. I have so many memories there, but I also don’t fit into the same space that I did when I left in 2014. If Arkansas is a square, I’m a circle. Nothing wrong with either shape. They are just different. Arkansas will always be the home of my childhood and young adult years, but for many reasons too numerous to name (and to complicated to explain) I don’t foresee an address there again. Never say never; so, I won’t. Washington state, specifically Seattle, was another place that blew my mind. I had honestly never been to the Pacific Northwest or given it much thought. I never knew I loved the outdoors, specifically mountains and hiking, until I lived in Washington. Living here was a game changer for me. I was blown away by the trees that towered taller than I had ever seen; By the lakes and coast lines, and mountains at every turn. The thing that is so desirable about Seattle is that it is an amazing city that offers every amenity expected, yet it is also possible to drive half an hour outside of the city and experience some of God’s most beautiful creations. While I love Washington, during our time there I knew I couldn’t live there permanently.
This leads us to Texas. I have a deep love for Texas. It has been the catalyst for so much growth in my adult life. It has been a springboard for new ideas, dreams, and friendships. Texas is so dear to me. Houston was (and still is) the biggest city on the planet to me. I can confidently navigate traffic anywhere else in the country now thanks to all of those driving lessons from less than happy campers on 290. It really is true. Everything is bigger in Texas. Dallas has also been a good place of respite for us after a busy year of travel. It has been so convenient to be close to family and friends, and it feels so similar to Houston. But, if I’m honest, it no longer feels like home. Similar to Arkansas, I am no longer the same shape as Texas. I have discovered things about myself on this journey, and values that I want to incorporate into my life, that Texas doesn’t hold. I’m sorry Texas. It’s not you, it’s me.
So, where are we headed next? If you have ever heard the song “Wagon Wheel” you may have an idea. …”Heading down south to the land of the pines I'm thumbing my way into North Carolina…” Specifically, Charlotte. The Queen City, as it is nicknamed, has been on our radar since our Southern Charm road trip last fall. Ben and I visited Charlotte and fell in love. It holds the charm of New England, along with some history too, but it also holds some southern values that I appreciate. It is the perfect blend of New England meets the South. Ahhhhh. Originally Ben and I were considering a move there later this year and planned to spend the summer in Texas. However, many of you know that Ben’s brother is battling leukemia right now, so we thought it would be best to get out to North Carolina a bit sooner to offer help to his family if they need it during this season. I’m very grateful that before this season began, Charlotte was put into our hearts. In a crazy turn of events (which I will call “I’m type A and this is just how I do life”) we already had an apartment picked out in Charlotte from our visit back in February. When we decided to pull the trigger on this move, I called the complex and they had the exact townhome available we were hoping for with the exact move in date we need. So, once Memorial Day rolls around this year, we will trade our Texas plates for North Carolina. Here are a few things that I am excited about experiencing in this part of the country:
While I am so excited about this journey, I am also nervous because no matter how many times I move it is always hard to trade something familiar for something unfamiliar. It is hard for me to leave family and friends behind and know that I will be farther from them than I already am now. However, it has been a while (years for some) since we have shared the same cities with our closest friends and those friendships are still going strong. We communicate with friends and family regularly, vacation together, and prioritize those relationships. So, I am confident that those in our inner circle will remain right there. Some things that I have begun to pray over during this season include:
As I mentioned earlier we will be living in a two-bedroom townhome. Meaning, please come visit. We love hosting others and we are so grateful to the friends and family who have visited us throughout our travels. We seriously welcome any of you to stay with us, ski with us, hike with us, beach with us, eat all the food with us. North Carolina makes for a great get away, and it will be even cheaper if your room is “free ninety free”. I am convinced that life is lived better in community. I am continuously grateful for the community that Ben and I share around us, and I look forward to creating community in our new city.
I am excited and hopeful about this new season. I am gearing up for a fun summer full of travel and new experiences. I am also looking forward to experiencing a beautiful fall on the East Coast and being close enough to Tuscaloosa, AL to sneak in some weekend getaways to watch the Crimson Tide cream the rest of the SEC this football season. And we all know that for me, the ski slopes cannot open soon enough. I remain grateful to God for these seasons of life and I hope to live them well. As always, thank you for reading about our journey. Happy one-year fitness-versary to me! Whoa, what a year it has been! I look like a new person. I feel like a new person. It has been a re-birthing, of sorts. If someone told me a year ago that I would be down over 40lbs and smaller than I was when I got married, I would not have believed them. I work hard to be disciplined in lots of areas, but physical fitness has never been one of them. It has always been my biggest vice. This year, I achieved just as many (if not more!) mental milestones than I did physical ones. There are no words to truly explain how victorious I feel. This journey has been so empowering to me. Let me be clear: Becoming disciplined in the area of physical fitness has never been about a number on a scale for me. It has never been about a size. It has never been about cultural standards. Becoming disciplined in this area has always been about balance and being a good steward of my resources, in this case, my body. For much of my life I have not been a good steward in this area. While I was never an overweight kid or teenager, I did not have healthy eating habits, which over time turned into an unhealthy relationship with food as an adult. Balance is a word that Ben and I strive to live by. Moderation is always key. For me, becoming disciplined in this area was crucial to live in a more balanced way. So, what prompted this change? A year ago, I was in my sister’s wedding. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful couple but on the inside, I was struggling. How I felt about myself on the inside did not match how I looked on the outside. How I wanted to feel about myself seemed out of reach. I am a very structured person who works best when I have a plan; when I feel in control. Nothing feels more out of control than mindlessly eating whatever you wish day in and day out. Not only did I feel out of control, but I felt sluggish, lazy, and uncomfortable in my clothes that kept getting tighter. Now, I am not one to practice negative self-talk. It is never helpful. I actively practice positive self-talk and I have loved myself at every weight throughout my twenties. However, it was during this time that I came to realize that things were way out of balance for me. So, how did I make a true lifestyle change? At the time of my sister’s wedding, I was working a travel contract in Arkansas. I made up my mind that once I returned to Arkansas, I would buy a FitBit. I had never in my life counted calories, learned about macros, exercised regularly, or knew what a normal resting heart rate was. Thinking about this now is insane to me, because it seems so simple. So obvious. But, everyone’s journey is different. I started out simple. My goal was to burn more calories than I ate. At the end of the day, the same math used for balancing a checkbook is the same math used for balancing caloric intake. This is key: I did not ever “go on a diet”, complete a diet plan (i.e., keto, whole 30, south beach etc), take a weight loss supplement, or take any appetite suppressants during this entire journey. I literally began counting what was going in my mouth and watching how many calories I burned each day. If I ate a cupcake at 8pm and didn’t have the calories for it, I got off the couch and went for a jog until I had burned the number of calories in that cupcake. Simple as that. Now, I am not knocking anyone who uses supplements or diet plans. For me though, that would not have been sustainable. I love food too much, especially carbs. So, I chose to make sustainable changes for myself that would allow me to lose weight and keep it off. Regarding exercise: I am not one for really strenuous exercise, so I knew that I didn’t want to start with an exercise plan that I wasn’t likely to maintain after weight loss. I also didn’t want to hate my life during this process. So, I set out with a goal of walking three miles per day. I did this everyday for three weeks. Then, I was walking so fast that it became easier to jog. Thus birthed the realization that despite many failed attempts, I actually could run. Let me make this clear: I have not turned into a fitness junky. I do not have a gym membership, I still do not like CrossFit, I do not run every day. But, I do make it a point to walk my dogs for several miles every day when the weather is nice. When the weather is bad, I make sure I get on the treadmill. On days that I do neither, I do not get to eat a cupcake or french fries. It’s all about balance. I have also gotten more creative in my fitness. I learned while living in Washington that I love to hike, so when I can get to a trail I use that as my exercise for the day. Doing things that I really enjoy has helped make this a true lifestyle change. Trust me, I still love a good night of Chinese take out and Lifetime movies. However, now I make sure that I have exercised earlier in the day and I don’t allow that one night to become a whole week of poor choices. Failing to plan is planning to fail. As long as there is a plan, success can be achieved. I want to take this time to give the BIGGEST SHOUTOUT to Ben Cottrell. He has been such a good friend to me during this journey. Throughout our entire marriage he has always been gently nudging me toward more balance in this way. There were many times I tried to make changes, times I was preoccupied with other things, and times when I flat out didn’t care. Through it all, he has always spoken empowering and positive messages into my life and given so much grace. He has never once demanded change, insulted me, or pushed me past my limits. He has been incredibly life giving to me. So, what have I gained besides weight loss throughout this journey? So much. Things that I didn’t even know would change, have. Here’s a list of some of the changes I have experienced over the past 365 days: · Heart rate- when I began this journey, my average resting heart rate was 72. My resting heart rate now averages around 60. · Loss of inches- I have lost overall 23 inches from my body since starting this journey. · Gained control- throughout this journey I have achieved an empowering sense of control that comes from making good choices and living a balanced lifestyle. · Blood Pressure- my blood pressure was always good, averaging 112/70. It now averages 90/60. · Fitness Gains- prior to this journey, I had never been able to run a mile without stopping. I can now run up to four miles straight, though I don’t do it often. · Confidence: achieving balance in this area of my life has brought about an immense amount of confidence. Mainly confidence in myself that I can set goals and achieve them. · New Wardrobe- this has actually been annoying to me. I do not like to shop. Also, working from home and wearing yoga pants everyday has kept me from shopping. So, currently I’m rotating the same few outfits until I find the desire to brave the mall. I literally have zero summer clothes, so this needs to happen sooner rather than later. At this point in my journey, “the house is not on fire”. So, I have been more lenient with myself over the past two months and basically have operated in a maintenance mode. I would like to lose 5-10 more pounds and I started working toward that goal last week. I have learned so much about being intentional during this journey. I have also learned how to experience so much freedom in an area that used to make me feel enslaved. I’m convinced that true freedom in any area of our lives lies within the balance of boundaries and discipline. If you find yourself looking for more balance in this way but are not sure where to begin, I would love to be a resource for you. One of my favorite things about life is digging in deep with others. I welcome any questions about my journey or about creating more life balance, in general. I had very minimal knowledge when I started this journey and I am so grateful for those who patiently answered my questions and gave me invaluable information. Here are some additional resources to help you get started if you are looking to begin a similar journey on your own:
This is the link to FitBit’s website. Here you will find information about all the different types of watches and how they can help you be successful. I do not think that anyone has to have this or something similar to be successful but for me, it was essential to my success. There are a million other types of watches out there that can also do the trick. I have been very happy with my FitBit ( I have the Charge 2), but Ben swears that a Garmin is better. Whatevs. https://www.fitbit.com/store?msclkid=7a3ec59e9dbb1d60e2b89f2698e6847b&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=US%20%7C%20Fitbit%20%7C%20Brand%20Search%20%7C%20Core%20%7C%20Exact&utm_term=fitbit&utm_content=Core_Exact&gclid=CPD_iP-miNoCFaOrZQod6VgOcA&gclsrc=ds&dclid=CPeljf-miNoCFbjH4wcdndgFOw This is the link to Stronger U Nutrition’s website. Stronger U is an excellent resource for those wanting a more structured eating plan. I highly recommend it if you have some extra cash to throw at it. Ben and I completed one 12 week session with Stronger U and it was a wonderful learning experience for us. Stronger U does not provide diet plans, but gives you loads of information on how to create a sustainable lifestyle change that will meet your specific goals. Ben is working toward another session in the future, so if you sign up list his name as your referral. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram to see lots of progress pictures from their clients. https://strongeru.com/ If Stronger U is not in your budget, but you would like to learn more about macros (proteins, carbs, fats) and get a general idea of what macros you should be eating to hit your goals, check out the website below. They offer a free macro calculator and will send you a macro estimate straight to your email inbox. It’s a great starting place for those who are just starting this journey. https://www.iifym.com/ Thank you all so much for reading and thank you to everyone who has shared a part in my fitness journey. It truly takes a village, and I would love to be part of yours. Happy New Year, friends! If you are anything like me, you always embrace the new year as a time to recharge and regain focus on the things you value most. I hope over the past few weeks that you have had time to wind down and reflect on 2017, and to look ahead in anticipation to 2018. I am not a big "new year's resolution" person, but that does not mean that I do not set goals. The main reason I don't really jump on the resolution band wagon is because it just seems like the thing to do. Everyone sets resolutions, many unattainable, and many people derail after the first month. Now, if you are a resolution setter do not think I am hating on you. If you set your resolutions and that puts your year on track, more power to you! I simply like to go against the grain a bit :) Each year, sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Ben and I set our goals for the upcoming year. We set family goals, as well as individual goals. We have a meeting (an actual, legit, call to order meeting complete with a PowerPoint Presentation) about our financial goals, personal goals, travel goals, and future goals. Basically all the goals. Since becoming debt free in 2015 (whoop whoop!) we have always set a goal to save for a house. We don't plan to buy one anytime soon, but it just seems like a responsible thing to do. However, without fail we always spend half of it on travel instead. And I'm not even sure we are sorry about it. This year was no different. While we will still put away money for a future home, we haven't quite learned how to curb the travel bug yet...and we may never figure this out! I'm not sure we want to anyway. Side note about goals: SET THEM. Then, tell someone about them. Accountability is a huge factor in achieving goals. By sharing your goals with someone you create accountability, as well as create a space for someone to celebrate your successes with you. Also, make them realistic. I used to be a terrible goal setter in my early adult years. It can be defeating to not succeed at goals, so don't be afraid to start small. I love setting goals, and hearing the goals that other people have. If you want to share your goals with me, I would LOVE it! I mean, I set goals for how many books I plan to read each year. And how much time I want to be in front of a screen each week. And how many steps to walk each day. You get it. No goal is too small for me. Because 2018 is the year that I turn 30, I have been working through my "30 Before 30" list (which is basically a list of 30 goals to complete before my next birthday- goals much?). It is going pretty well. I'm trying my best to complete all 30, although I'm learning it was quite an ambitious list in some ways. I will share in August how many I end up completing :) One value that has been an over-arching goal that Ben and I have shared is "creating a life that we don't have to vacation from". Keeping that in mind, we have quite the travel itinerary set up for the next few months (so much for extra house savings- Ha!) After being in Arkansas during the Christmas holiday, we have recently enjoyed a couple of very quiet weeks here at our apartment in Dallas. However, those days are numbered. Here is a glimpse of our travel plans over the next two months: 1. Spa Weekend in Hot Springs- this will be with my Mom and sisters (It was our Christmas present to our Mom this year). Ben will head to Chicago for a conference too! 2. Family Feud Auditions! Whaaaaa?!? My sister, Kristen, submitted our family to their open auditions which are headed to Little Rock soon, and she received an email this week that we were selected to try out for the show. Maybe this will be our claim to fame?! 3. In February, Ben and I are headed back to one of our favorite cities, Seattle! Ben is going to be working in his corporate office, collaborating with his colleagues, and I am going to provide tele-therapy from the hotel. The most exciting part is the company wide ski day where Ben and I will join all of his co-workers for a day of fun on the slopes in beautiful Washington State. 4. We will also be headed out to North Carolina again, soon.. Ben is working toward a free diving certification with his brother, Seth, so the boys are hitting the Carolina coast for a weekend of free diving in the open water. I will be checking out the beach scene and good food. We plan to explore a bit of North Carolina (maybe get in a ski day) and, Tennessee before we head back toward Texas. 5. Then, we are headed to Cancun to visit our first all- inclusive resort. I earned this trip through the travel therapy company I worked with last year, and I am thrilled that Ben can join too! I think after the Cancun trip, we will take a break...for a few weeks anyway :) We are hoping to get out to California at some point, but not sure if it will happen this year. I would love to hear your favorite destinations and trips, too. We are always looking for new adventures to experience. I hope your 2018 is off to the year you imagined. Whether it be adventurous, calm, healthy, productive, or whatever other word may be resonating with you- I hope it's that. One thing I love about the world is that we are all going somewhere, but we may be going very different places. We are all in different chapters, on different pages, but all aiming to move in the same direction- forward. I hope that whatever chapter you find yourself in, you will be able to be fully present. If you are in a chapter that you do not like, I hope that you can be proactive about creating effective change and leaning on others to give you strength. If you find yourself in a chapter beyond your control, I hope that you can rest in the bigger plan. If you find yourself in your favorite chapter yet, I hope you remain grateful for this time. As always, thank you for reading. May all of your hopes and dreams come true. XoXo, Sunni Fall. My favorite season. Although, let's be honest, this one is underwhelming compared to last year when Ben and I were in New England. I fear that we have peaked with our ultimate fall experience and every one that follows will be sorta lame in comparison. Oh well! Our winters are much more bearable, so I guess it evens out. Since my last blog post, lots of things have happened so quickly at times and in other instances, gone SO slow. Lots of life change has been happening, but honestly that's not new for us. After vacationing in Vegas to celebrate Kristen at the Mrs. America pageant, and the end of summer, we loaded up our SUV and landed in Dallas, TX. Now, Ben and I have a great love for Texas. It is the first state we flocked to when we first left "home". We still have lots of friends in Houston and share some favorite places there as well. We were excited to move to Dallas because we felt it would be similar enough to all of the things we love about Houston, but much closer to family, making trips home easier. Here is something Ben and I didn't expect... To think it looks kind of brown and flat and ugly. I'm sorry Dallas. I'm sorry Texas. We really wanted to fall in love with you. I blame it on Seattle, with it's mountain views and towering trees. Shame on Washington State for having the most beautiful hikes and unexpected skyline. I guess while there are things that are my absolute favorite about the south, there are things that I have equally grown to love about other places we have lived. So, the short version of all of my feelings is....Dallas is just another stepping stone and I am ok with that! I have an enormous Texas bucket list and I am thrilled to have the next year to experience all of the things Texas has to offer. During our year in Dallas, Ben will continue to work remotely as an engineer and travel as much as his heart desires. He LOVES business travel and I love to guiltlessly binge watch my DVR'd Lifetime Movies, so clearly this is a suitable arrangement for all involved. When we arrived to Dallas at the end of August, I had a job lined up with a local school district. Being the planner that I am, I interviewed for the job and accepted a position back in June while I was still in Seattle. Things were lining up nicely. Key word = were. Over the past 14 months I have had six jobs. That is a LOT of mental energy learning a new job every couple of months. But, I love traveling and I love contract work as it allows me to gain so many different experiences. This contract however, was the first one that I have ever quit. I interviewed for and accepted a certain position, only to show up to my first day on the job and be placed in a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT position. When I inquired about my original position, I was informed it was still available, however I was not going to be able to work in that position because they needed me more in the current one. Hmm...nope! So, I gave my two weeks notice like any responsible person would and I have been so happy ever since. I wish the story continued with "because we are so rich I now sit at home and watch HGTV all day..." but that simply isn't true. So, I did the next best thing: I signed on with a tele-therapy company as an independent contractor and I now provide speech therapy to students online through a video chat platform. My students live in California, so my day starts around 10:30am and ends around 5pm. Yay for getting in a morning workout and working in my yoga pants! I have been working in this new position for about a month now and I really enjoy it! I have also picked up a few adult home health patients on the side, because we all know that's my favorite. So, long story short: I am loving my new position...and working from home with Ben each day isn't bad either ;) Ben and I have the idea that if we work hard, we can play hard, so we have quite the travel agenda lined up for this next year. We just got back from NYC (our FAVE!) where we celebrated our sweet friend, Elyse's 30th birthday. It was Sean and Elyse's first trip, so we were so glad they asked us to join. We spent four full days in the city, and let me tell you, we packed it in! I need a vacation from my vacation. Ha! We had the best time exploring the city and trying so many new things. We are so thankful for them and their friendship and we are already planning our next adventure. In a few short weeks, Ben and I will venture out on what I'm calling our "Southern Charm" road trip. Ben will be completing a free diving class with his brother, Seth in Wilmington, NC, so we decided to just make a whole event out of it. We will be hitting up parts of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Our trip will end with us heading back to Arkansas for Thanksgiving. I'm excited to spend some time in some charming southern towns and share new experiences together. Sadie and Ava will get to join too! I remain constantly grateful to Jesus for his grace and for the ability to live our lives the way we do. We are thankful that God has been so faithful to our dreams. <3 Sunni
Happy Birthday to me! Today marks the beginning of my last year as a "twenty-something". While 30 isn't old, I feel like I am approaching a new decade much faster than I anticipated. As I reflect over so many good things that have happened over the past year, I want to also look ahead and be intentional about how I spend my final year in my twenties. So, to celebrate this occasion, I have compiled a list of 30 things to do before I turn 30. 1. Run a 5k- As many of you may know, I have been on a weight loss journey over the past few months. During this time, I picked up running. I find it only fitting that I run a 5k to celebrate year 29. 2. Go to Europe- This trip has been on the bucket list for a while now. Ben and I are planning a trip for next summer. 3. Watch E.T.- I feel like I should have already done this by now. I'm not a big movie watcher, so it makes sense that I haven't seen it. However, I still feel like I am behind on this one. 4. Read the entire Bible- I have attempted this one a handful of times, but have not been successful. I feel pretty good about Genesis. I have started it many times, then somewhere in chapter twenty-something, I'd fall off course. Cheers to attempting to make it all the way through Revelation. Whew! 5. Take a cooking class- I have wanted to do this for some time now and this year seems like the perfect year to give it a try! 6. Lose 40lbs.- My relationship with food and a healthy lifestyle has been one of the biggest struggles for discipline that I have faced. I am pleased to report that I have lost 25lbs over the last few months and I feel better than ever. I plan to keep on marching ahead and knock these last 15lbs out. 7. Learn Spanish- I have been looking at the Rosetta Stone software on my bedside table for almost two years now. It's time to get going and learn a new language. 8. Volunteer for a good cause- I'm hoping to find a local cause near and dear to my heart and pour into an organization. I look forward to being able to give of my time and resources to meet the needs of others. 9. Send a message in a bottle- I can't wait to see where it ends up! 10. Pay it forward- In a time when extra kindness is rarely showed, I think this is a fitting way to celebrate year 29. 11. Go to a drive-in movie- Ben and I have come so close to this several times. This is the perfect year to mark it off of the bucket list. 12. Eat a macaroon- I have never eaten a macaroon. I'm not sure why, but I think this is as good of a year as any to change that. 13. Take a dance lesson- Ben and I have talked about taking a dance class together for a while. It's time to bite the bullet and go for it! 14. Begin an anti-aging regimen- Wrinkles are coming so I must prepare. Don't worry Kristen, you will have and R+F order from me soon! 15. Cook a new recipe each week- The number of meals I pin on Pinterest is insane and I have only tried a handful of them. This year, I plan to pick a new recipe to try each week. I hope by the end of the year that I will have lots of new recipes in my repertoire. 16. Take a self-defense class- It is important for me to be able to defend myself in a situation, if ever needed. Therefore, I think this one should be added to the list. 17. Learn the art of hand lettering- I became interested in calligraphy earlier this year and would really like to expand my abilities to other modern forms of hand lettering. 18. Acquire an Amish pen pal- This one has been a goal of mine for almost a decade. I am fascinated by the Amish way of life and would love a pen pal to correspond with. From my research, these can be quite difficult to come by. However, I have a few options that I plan to try. Wish me luck! 19. Learn how to change a tire- In the age of road side assistance, I still believe this is an important skill to have. 20. Read 30 new books- This one probably comes as no surprise. Reading is my favorite, so I don't think this will be too hard to achieve. 21. Go white water rafting- Ben was able to experience a rafting trip several weeks ago and had a blast. I'd love to give it a shot too! 22. Print more photos- In the age of social media and selfies, I have found that I no longer print many photos. My goal over this year is to print more photos and create photo albums so our grandkids will at least know what we looked like :) 23. Improve my baking skills- I love to bake, but have been out of practice for a while, so it will be fun to start baking again. 24. Try a new food each month- I tend to gravitate toward "American" food. This goal is in an effort to help me step outside of my comfort zone. This could get pretty fun! 25. Study my family history- I have been excited about getting started on studying my family history. I plan to complete DNA testing and begin compiling my family tree. Here's to dark secrets and weird family names! 26. Get my teeth whitened- I have had a million things done to my teeth, it seems. But, I have never had them whitened. Let's change that this year! 27. Learn how to apply liquid eyeliner- I think this is mandatory for being an adult. How I have made it this far in life without this skill is baffling. 28. Complete a craft project each month- Much like my recipe boards on Pinterest, I also have loads of arts and crafts projects saved so that I can attempt them "one day". Well, that day is now. 29. Become a vegetarian for 30 days- This is so near to my heart. While I am not a strict vegetarian, I do practice being one on a regular basis. I do not believe that killing animals (humanely) is wrong. However, if it were up to me, we would all be eating salads. While I do eat many more vegetarian meals than not, I want to become a total vegetarian for at least a month to see how it goes. Who knows, this could be the start of something good! #animallivesmatter 30. Be present- I find myself more and more unable to attend to a single task. I attribute that to the many inputs which take our time and attention (cell phone, t.v., games, etc.) Over the course of this year, I plan to be very intentional with how I spend my time. I am going to spend time with people face to face, opt outside and get some fresh air, and focus more on activities that engage my mind.. Gone are the days of aimlessly scrolling though Facebook and Instagram.. I cannot wait to look back over this coming year and see all of the things that I will have accomplished. Actually, yes I can. I am happy to be a twenty-something for a bit longer. Thanks for sharing in my journey, Sunni And just like that, Seattle is a wrap! It feels like we just arrived yesterday. The summer went by so quickly. I guess they always do, though.
This has been my first summer spent outside of the South and boy was it different. Throughout my time in Seattle, I learned a few things about myself. 1. AC is a non-negotiable in my life. I need it to survive. I like the circulation of air. I like my room to be cold when I sleep. May we never part ways again. 2. If I'm honest, I kind of missed the hot weather and humidity of the South. I know this is bizarre, but im chalking it up to nostalgia. 3. I have always enjoyed thunderstorms. I didn't realize how much I depend on the summer rain showers in the South in order to create the best lazy days. I have not experienced a decent rain shower since April. I'm counting on mother nature to give me a good one soon :) 4. The views here in Seattle are beautiful, but they come at a price. HILLS! I am surprisingly content with the relative flatness in the South. 5. I learned this back in Boston, but it still rings true. I love Tex-mex. And no one does Tex-mex like the South. To summarize my feelings: After living on both coasts, the South is still my favorite. Sometimes you have to try new things to come back and appreciate what you had. This past year has been an absolute whirlwind. We have learned so much and grown even more. Ben is thriving in his career and I am enjoying the versatility of contract work. Ben has been given the opportunity to travel at least 50% of the time, both nationally and internationally. This has created some crazy moments in the midst of my travel career too. So, in order to create some more stability in our lives, I plan to take longer contracts versus 13 week assignments. Next on our list is Dallas, TX.. To say we are excited would be an understatement. I will be working a local school contract in the city and Ben will continue in his remote position. He has numerous clients and lots of work in TX right now, so it makes sense for us to be there. Dallas has also always been on our radar as a "permanent" stop for us, so this will be a great time to check it out. Because I will be working for a school, we are considering another travel assignment next summer. But, we may just plan a few trips and travel on our own instead. Needless to say after a year of sleeping in a dozen different beds, and sitting on someone else's couch, we are excited to have our own place for a while. We are now en route to Arkansas where we will spend a couple of days before flying out to Las Vegas with family to support Kristen in the Mrs. America pageant. It is also a great perk that our trip falls on my birthday week, so there will be lots of celebrating! After Vegas, we plan to load up our belongings in Arkansas and head to Dallas for Labor Day weekend before my new contract starts. I am so looking forward to being in Texas again. It may just be my favorite. <3 Sunni Greetings from the beautiful Pacific Northwest (PNW)! Wow. I feel like I say this every time. But, really. I am BLOWN AWAY by the beauty that is Washington state! Never in my life have I seen such a variable landscape. I am seriously holding my breath that I don't have a wreck every time I drive because I get so distracted by the trees, and mountains, and water, and city views. What a perfect summer it has been.
A few things about our summer: 1. This is the first summer in my entire life where I have worn a sweater in July. It just doesn't get that hot here. This week the lows have been in the 50s with highs reaching 75 degrees. There is no humidity and my face is not melting off. This has never happened before. 2. This is the first summer in my entire life with out good ole' AC. That's right, no air conditioner. We do have a ceiling fan though and we have almost become immune to the city sounds with our windows raised each night. Almost. *City sounds = sirens, early morning garbage truck, random people laughing at 2am on a Tuesday morning because they obviously don't work day jobs...etc. 3. I have never walked so many hills. They are everywhere. We walk them all day long. This is especially difficult after leg day. 4. Central Standard Time Zone is my favorite time zone. In the past year alone I have lived in three out of four time zones and can now make this statement. The sun rises before 5am during this time of year. It sets around 10pm. My body is finally get used to this. Eye masks are also necessary to survive. 5.. We are here at the PERFECT time of year. It has only rained twice. I quickly learned that I blew my cover and was exposed as a "tourist" when I used my umbrella on a rainy day. These people don't use umbrellas. They just walk and get wet. My Job: WOW! I have been so fortunate to work for the home health company that I do. This contract has been my favorite yet! Everyone has been so kind and my patients are just precious. I have a very large coverage area that I am responsible for both in the city and outside of Seattle. This has given me such amazing opportunities to see not only Seattle, but tons of surrounding neighborhoods and towns. I will truly miss this job when I leave. I only have 4.5 weeks left. Ben's company is based out of Seattle so he has been able to work from his corporate office all summer. This has been a really cool opportunity for him because it has given him invaluable time to work with and get to know his co-workers and management team. He has also been traveling a LOT this summer. He is home this week and next week.. This is the longest we have been together since leaving Arkansas. He has traveled to Phoenix, Dallas, Kansas City, Fort Worth, Salt Lake City, Singapore, and San Antonio over the past eight weeks. Whew! It will be good to have him here in Seattle for another week until he heads to Puerto Rico. Since moving to Seattle, we have gotten to experience so many fun things in the city! We live in a precious studio just a mile from Pike Place Market. It is in the perfect location and we have enjoyed all of the extra exercise by walking everywhere. Here are some of the things we have checked off of our bucket list since arriving to the PNW: 1. Seattle Mariner's Game- I was secretly cheering for the KC Royals 2. Hiked a couple of beautiful trails- one which felt like Mount Everest 3. Visited Pike Place Market- like a million times by now 4. Visited Vancouver, B.C., Canada- 7th wedding anniversary trip was a dream 5. Visited the Museum of Pop Culture- we figured out that we don't know much about "pop culture"... 6. Bike riding at Alki Beach Park- Beautiful views for daysssssss 7. Visited the Original Starbucks- we don't drink coffee, so by visited I mean "walked by" 8. Ate at the famous Athenian Cafe from Sleepless in Seattle- yummy food and I touched the stool that Tom Hanks sat on in the movie 9. Visited Portland, OR- Super cool place, however Seattle > Portland 10. Visited Bainbridge Island- the Nantucket of the west coast. ahhhhhhhhhh If you have never been to Seattle, I definitely recommend you put it on your bucket list. I know Ben and I will be coming back, for sure! Seeing all of the cruise ships headed to Alaska each week has definitely encouraged us to give it a try sometime. Ha! We still have 4.5 weeks to explore and make memories. My contract ends next month and that also marks one year that we have been traveling. Over the past year we have grown so much. Many times we often take the shape of our surroundings; it's only natural. However, this past year we have been pushed and stretched in so many ways. From living in Boston, to Arkansas, to Seattle, we are different people than when we left "home" last summer. At the same time though, we have never been more ourselves. <3 Sunni |