Surprise Visit Home + A Simplified Planner Giveaway!!!

I feel like I need to sleep for days to get caught up. Seriously. It's pathetic, but that's life. But it's all for a good reason, and I'm so happy with life right now.

When we first moved to Utah, my parents had started planning for a trip to come visit us over Christmas: to go skiing, shopping, stay in a nice cabin, etc. But, as I've mentioned before on this blog, my little sister is sick with an autoimmune disease, and it's not the easiest thing in the world for her to travel. Let's just be honest, it's darn near impossible to be away from all of her doctors and to be somewhere where she's not getting enough rest, etc. So, they sadly called me to tell me they wouldn't be able to come. My husband and I had just said that we would come home the next time he had leave, which we just bid for, and it's coming up in May. But, I miss them a ton, so my husband, being the incredible man he is, prompted me to go home to surprise them around Christmastime. Since my brother's graduation was scheduled for the 12th of December, it seemed like the perfect time. Voila! I had tickets, and I told my brother my secret so he could come pick me up from the airport.

Seemed like a perfect surprise trip plan. However, my big mouth got in the way because I was too excited, and I ended up telling almost everyone, except my mom. I still wanted it to be a surprise for her. And she was surprised!! I almost didn't make it there, but that's another lousy airline/airport story.

I did, in fact, though, make it home. I spent the night with my brother in Springfield after he picked me up from the airport, and then early the next morning, I met with a friend for breakfast, and then my dad came to pick me up and take me home. He first took me by our church where my mom was helping out, and the look on her face was priceless. I'm so happy I had the chance to do this! Then, I went to see my sister and my other brother. If only my husband could've gotten time off to come, it would have been perfect. But it was pretty fantastic as it was.

We ate tons, shopped even more, watched a movie and some shows together, and did some baking. It was a wonderful couple of days. I also had the chance to meet my younger brother's girlfriend and take them out to coffee. She's great, and I'm so happy for them together. Then, we all traveled to Springfield (about two hours away) together to be there for my other brother's college graduation where I had the chance to meet his girlfriend for the first time, too. She's wonderful, too. It's so nice to see them so happy! Ryan graduated with his Bachelor's in Civil Engineering, so he's officially a Civil Engineer and has already accepted a great job. We had a great time celebrating!

The week went by way too fast, but at the same time, I missed my husband and little family back home. Next time, hopefully we can all go together. :)

Sorry for the photo quality! The pictures are all from my phone. I'm also sorry that my eyes are squinty and one looks ridiculous, as I was having problems with them. That would explain the no makeup look, also. 

While I was home, I was looking for a new planner to use this upcoming new year! I stumbled upon the Simplified Planner. Have you heard of it? It's a perfect, simple planner that features only the most important spaces, nothing more! There's a weekly and monthly view, and the weekly view has spaces for each day's schedule, notes, to-do tasks, and dinner schedule. Everything that busy women need to keep everything organized! The monthly view comes with an inspirational quote. They are ALL sold out, but today, Jenni has teamed up a bunch of us fellow bloggers to give you the chance to win ONE!

The Christmas Season is such a spirit filled, cozy time of the year, but there is nothing quite as refreshing as a new year and new plans. There's so much hope & eagerness to see what the new year will hold.

To get you on the right track & ready for all that 2015 has to offer, I've teamed up with Jenni from Frankly My Dear & several other ladies to give away one lucky a reader a SOLD OUT 2015 Daily Edition of Emily Ley's Simplified Planner in Happy Stripes!

 The Williams Journey // Blonde Freedom // Joyfully Organized // New Home, New Name, New Adventure // Simply Complex Mom // Park Avenue // Rachel Rewritten // Heavens to Betsy // Frankly My Dear // Oak + Oats 

One Simplified Planner will be given away in Happy Stripes. Open to those with a valid US address for shipping. All entries will be verified. No purchase is necessary to win. Giveaway will run until 12/12 at 11:59pm. Winner will be emailed and have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen. 

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck to you all! :) 

Gratefulness

It may seem obvious that "Gratefulness" is the title for my blog post today with the fact that it is Thanksgiving, but truly, friends, I have sat down at my computer to write this post at least a dozen times. I keep adding and re-writing because I constantly feel that I don't have the right words to say to express how truly grateful I am.

You see, I had a really rough couple of years before I reached a turning point in my life and before I met my sweet husband. Times when I never thought I would see a time when I was legitimately happy. I was still truly blessed with so much at that point in time, but now, looking back, I am speechless. The blessings in my life outnumber all of the not-so-good times, and I wake up happy every day. I find myself just sitting in my car thinking about all of the good in my life, and I don't know if I will ever be able to find the words to thank the Lord for all that he has done in my world and how He has changed my life. Because of Him, I made it through the hard times to stand in the place that I am now, and I am truly grateful.

When I was younger, we would always go to a friend's house for Thanksgiving. In reality, the friends were more like family, and we knew all of the visitors that would be there. We always shared what we were thankful for, and my answer was always "friends" or "family" or "the opportunity to spend today with each of you." And while those answers were always true, they did not express my gratitude enough.

This year, I will be without my mother, father, and siblings on Thanksgiving. I will still be with family, my husband and our dog and cat, but it's still a different feeling for me, and at times I have felt sad. But I am thankful that I will be able to speak to them and know they are safe and enjoying each other's company while I enjoy being beside my husband with our close friends. I will be appreciative that I have the chance to visit them and talk often, as there are so many that have lost their loved ones and will be without them this holiday season. I am grateful that my family is growing, and I have such a wonderful new family, as well. I have the chance to be a daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, and aunt but never feel like an "in law"  because they have embraced me in their lives, as well.

That husband of mine brings me such joy, and I thank God every day for that love in my heart. That he put the two of us together, to continually uplift and encourage one another, to constantly support and enjoy each other's company. To be best friends living every moment beside the other.

I am humbled by new beginnings. By opportunities that range far and wide and for the chance to experience this amazing world. I am grateful for new friends and when I miss my family, remembering the families that are apart on this day because they are serving our country either domestically or overseas. I am thankful for hobbies, especially the chance to run on this cold morning  and accomplish another goal when so many don't have that same opportunity.

Most of all, I'm grateful for the future. The chance to make memories and chase dreams and continue living every day.

And I'm thankful for you. You are the reason I write. Your encouraging words and support make blogging so enjoyable for me, and the passion I feel when it comes to this blog grows every day. Thank you for making it meaningful for me.

On this day, and every day, I am thankful for life. Let us remember to embrace each day even more than the one before. To brush off the bad and remember all of the good. To live for one another and to encourage each other. And let us pray for peace both in our nation and in our world. Happy Thanksgiving, friends!