Blog-Tember Day 7 | There Is Strength In Joy

Today's Prompt: Five Things That Bring You Joy

1. Sending and Receiving Mail. I adore snail mail. It is a day maker to recevie letters in the mail or little packages. I have to say my mom and Grandma instilled this in me at a young age. My mom was always hunting around the store for prizes to send her sisters in the mail. I grew up with my Grandma sending bright orange Halloween cards adn the largest bursting with chocolate Easter boxes. Every fall, I am on the look out for the best greeting cards to send family and friends. 
2. Playing with Art Supplies. I love to roam around Target or Michaels and just look at their rows of paint, markers, brushes, journals and most of all; WASHI TAPE. I put this tape on everything. I make cards out of it, stick it on my journals, wrap it around clothespins and use it to spice up decorations. It is so fun. If you'd let me I would stick it on your face. 
3. Dinners with Friends. A home-cooked meal or going out to Ramen, Thai or Pho are some of my favorites. My friends and family are some of the best hosts I know. It always tastes neeter to me when I'm not the one cooking. Sharing a meal and sharing life always feels rich and glorious to me. I like it best when there are no time constraints and we can enjoy a drink with dinner and look forward to desert. 
4. Reading + Nature. I know I cheated but I had to figure out how to add books and being outside so I merged them together. Reading and being near a lake, a garden, or the bay brings me so much joy. There's nothing like a fresh breeze and listening to trees rustling above my head. I will read anywhere and everywhere. Thankfully I don't get motion sickness so I'm serious when I say I read everywhere...the train, car, plane, waiting for doctor appointments quietly or in a loud noisy coffee shop. If it's a good book, nothing will distract me. But I must say, reading in a hammock overlooking a Minnesotan lake was pretty luxurious. 
5. My Puppy. We have had Lenny now for 6 months and he has brought us so much JOY. I knew having a dog would be absolutely wonderful. I grew up with a big friendly labrador and have been pinning away for a puppy in my adult life ever since. I can't even begin to describe how much Lenny means to us. I know dog owners totally get this mad crazy love but I sometimes feel very silly when talking to people who don't have puppies. I fear they'll think I'm obsessed with my fuzzy-headed animal #whichiam. I have 500 millions pictures of him on my phone and as soon as Scott leaves for work I send a picture of Lenny. HERE HE IS SLEEPING. HERE HE IS EATING. HERE HE IS PLAYING WITH HIS TOY. HERE HE IS!!!! Then my husband texts back, "LITTLE GUY!!!! HE'S SO CUTE!!!! Then a whole five minutes later he asks how Lenny is doing. What's he up to? Where has he been? What are his new hobbies? We're normal. 

What brings you joy?

Blog-Tember Day 6 | My Playlist

I always get a bit nervous when asked about my musical taste. I've loved music as far back as I can remember; however I'm far from being a music snob. Since I loved to sing, I took a music theory class in high-school (along with so much choir #ugh) and had no idea what was happening almost the whole time. My musical preference generally makes me embody a teenager (and a middle schooler at that). I'm a shameless lover of Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Meghan Trainor, and Carly Ray Jepsen. But since you now know my love for these artists I'll introduce you to a couple others I adore.


Today's Prompt: Create a playlist. What you're listening to now, what encourages you, your holiday favorites etc.

Michael Buble:Christmas

Every year around November September (depending on my stress level) I listen to this album. I dream about Christmas, falling snow and twinkling lights. This whole album calms and soothes me. I love the holiday season. 

Tow'rs: The Great Minimum

I have recently fallen in love with this album. Tow'rs was the camp band and we were privileged to hear them on a regular basis. They have such a beautiful unique sound and aren't afraid to ask the hard questions that haunt us all. I feel closer to God when I listen to their lyrics. I especially love Circles on this album.

Cold War Kids: Hold My Home 

I heard this first at a coffee shop and just simply loved the sound. I can't even come up with a cool fancy way to talk about them. (American indie rock band, there we go). 

Justin Timberlake: Can't Stop the Feeling

This song specifically is fun, catchy and full of pop. It really does feel like sunshine. It just makes me want to dance!

What is on your playlist?

Blog-Tember Day 5 | Memorable Birthday

Happy Day 5 of the Blog-Tember Challenge! This is a great chance to get into the rhythm of writing something every day. It's not too late to join!  Click the link to see all the daily prompts for September. Big thanks to Bailey over at Brave Love Blog for all the creative prompts and hosting such a fun challenge.

Today's Prompt: What was your most memorable birthday?

I love this prompt! This morning over breakfast I told Scott about the prompt. He responded so quickly and excitedly, "My 5th birthday, that was my favorite". He went on to tell me about the park where he had his party and about the stuffed bear his parents gave him affectionately known as "bubby".

I love birthdays. I will be 99 and still get excited about the festivities. I know some people as they grow up become more chill and relaxed and mature about birthdays. But sadly I am not one of those people. I am all about presents, friends and party favors. My family was all about birthdays too and every year we picked out the menu for our dinner, the type of party we wanted, the theme, the decorations and the invites. We had so much fun doing it. I had birthday themed tea-parties where my mom got out all of her antique china for my friends and I, we went TP(ing) friends' houses, played Capture the Flag, had sweet sixteen birthday parties and many more.

So naturally as I grew up and moved away from Nebraska to Minnesota and then unto San Diego for graduate school; it would have been normal for me to adjust my expectations for birthday parties. But I didn't. Haha. Thankfully I had a super party-planner(ish) roommate in Janice.

One of my most memorable birthdays was my 25th birthday. At the time my sister, Brooke was going to college in Oklahoma and I was in graduate school in San Diego. I remember so vividly coming home from night class, walking in the door and seeing purple and blue streamers and balloons. I saw Janice looking chipper despite it being 10 pm at night (those night classes!) And all of a sudden there was my sister standing there amidst balloons and streamers. I think I just stared at her in confusion wondering how she magically appeared in my kitchen. I had just talked to her earlier that day in Oklahoma (so I thought, she was at the airport). I couldn't understand how she developed teleportation so quickly. lol. Needless to say I was beyond thrilled she would come surprise me for my 25th birthday. It meant so much to me.

Janice (my roomie) had a big weekend planned for me. She had a Luchadore themed party complete with Mexican food, party favors and a Luchadore thumb wrestling war. I would like to say I won but I can't remember but I do remember how cute they were.

My love language is largely words of affirmation so when Janice and all my friends put together 25 reasons I would rock 25 I was really touched. My love tank was so full.

I think Janice even managed to create some kind of purple colored cocktail. We ended by watching Nacho Libre. I felt so lucky+grateful to have the kind of friends and sister who would plan such an amazing party for me.

I have successfully surprised my other sister, Jess, twice now. (one for her high-school graduation and two for her college graduation) I have yet to surprise Brooke but there's still plenty of time (muhahahha).

It was certainly hard to pick one because I've had so many wonderful birthdays! This past year I turned 30 and Scott and my good friend Abby threw me an amazing party (complete with shrimp:my favorite and lots of written verbal affirmation). This year I'll turn 31 and three days later we fly off to London so it's bound to be another good one :)

I'm excited to hear about your favorite birthdays!

Blog-Tember Day 4 | What I'm Up To

Today's Prompt: What are you up to currently?

Reading... Bird by Bird by Anne Lammot and Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist.
Playing...croquet at the park this weekend.
Watching...Portlandia. It's too funny.
Trying...not to be too hard on myself.
Cooking...eekk not much. #usual. I do make good salads. And there's a great Thai place near me :)
Eating...left-over Garlic Chicken Pizza from Scott's birthday.
Drinking...water....and cold brew lattes.
Calling...my insurance. #boring.
Texting...Scott and my friend Abby.
Planning...to take the state clinical exam in October!
Tweeting...nothing.
Going...to Fiesta Island tonight to walk Lenny by the beach.
Loving...the fall decorations my mom bought for me.
Hating...waiting.
Discovering...how God isn't stuck to one church denomination.
Thinking...about what job I should pursue once I'm licensed.
Feeling...overwhelmed at the prospect.
Hoping...for some ice-cream.
Listening...to my dog's chewing sounds. He loves his bones. And many lectures for my studying.
Celebrating...Scott's 29th birthday!
Smelling...peppermint essential oil.
Thanking...my sweet grandma Mimi for her generosity.
Considering...why we feel so much external pressure to follow a certain timeline in life.
Starting...to write every day. :)
Finishing...off the summer.

Blog-Tember Day 3 | Summer Favorites

Today’s Prompt: Now that summer’s at an end, share a list of favorites from this season

I’m way more of a fall girl. I love chilly nights, scarves and boots, crackling fires and the anticipation of the holidays. Blistering hot days and nights are really not my thing. And congested traffic due to tourism makes me want to hide out until every last beach towel vacates the beach. 

But this summer I am grateful to say I was able to do so many fun things! Scott and I were gone a total of 6 weeks this summer which enabled us to have many adventures. I'm grateful we were able to "play" so much because studying for state exams can be very dry.

 Here are some of my favorites!

• Feeding the horses at Lost Canyon Camp.
• Shopping with my mom and my auntie for fall decorations.
• Thunderstorms at Lost Canyon Camp.
• Seeing the seals in Monterey.
• Being a bridesmaid in a dear friend's wedding.
• Seeing the Grand Canyon with Scott for the first time!
• Flying to Florida to surprise my mom for her 60^th birthday!
• Staying at our cabins in Minnesota for a family reunion and seeing all my cousins.
• Paddle boarding with Scotty.
• Zip lining through trees and lakes at Lost Canyon Camp.
• Fishing with Scotty and my best friend's parents on their lake in Minnesota.
• Meeting my new baby nephew, Anson.
• Jet skiing and inner-tubing with my sisters.
• Passing my Law and Ethics Exam!
• Being asked to be a godparent by some of our very good friends.
• Pool parties.
• Organ concerts with Scott and Lenny at dusk.
• Fiesta Island walks with Lenny and Scott.

What were your summer favorites? Did we share any similar activities? 

Blog-tember Day 2 | My Current Goals

Today’s Prompt: Share a list of your current goals

My achievement and perfectionistic nature has a love/hate relationship with goals. If I make a goal I will do whatever it takes to achieve it.   So it’s good because I’m disciplined but also scary too if I have an unhealthy goal. 

I love nothing more than lists! I make weekly lists for Scott and I. It is so satisfying to check the boxes off! 

So here it goes:

• Plan Scotty’s 29^th birthday (cocktails and croquet at the park!)
• Clean out my bedroom closet and guest room closet
• Get back into taking vitamins! (specifically Vitamin D, Magnesium, and Fish Oil for body pain)
• Finish my study program for my clinical state exam
• Take clinical exam
• Become a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist!
• Go on vacation with Scott (England and Scotland in November!) and enjoy my life

What's on your to-do list for the fall? Can't wait to find out! 

Blog-Tember Day 1 | Hello friends!

Hello!

I am so EXCITED to be part of my 3^rd annual Blog-Tember Challenge hosted by the lovely and creative Bailey Jean at Brave Love Blog.

For the past three years I look forward to the month of September. It pushes me to write every day for 30 days. It’s a challenge and discipline I really love. Every year I meet new and inspiring bloggers around the world who share their hearts and lives.

Today's Prompt: Introduce yourself however you like! Pics, vlog, collage, your choice!

My name is Heather and I live in San Diego with my husband of 3+ years and our sweet little puppy, Lenny.

Professionally I am a Marriage and Family Therapist and have been practicing for the past 4 years with adolescents, elementary aged kids and their families. I am currently in the midst of working on becoming a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. So far I have passed the State Law and Ethics Exam back in June and have one more exam to go. My State Clinical Exam is scheduled for September so you will probably hear a fair amount of moaning over here (and lots of pictures of coffee and essential oils to keep me going)

My husband Scotty works for Young Life College and we just got back from spending a month at Lost Canyon Camp with high-schooler’s and college kids. This was our first assignment and it was really fun to spend so much time in nature and breathing in fresh mountain air. I did a lot of studying here too (as well as feeding the horses) J

I value creativity, relationships, exploration, self-care, gratitude and spirituality. My faith in Jesus is really sacred to me. It is my anchor.

I’m all about advocating for those who are vulnerable, the under-dogs, those who feel like they aren’t enough or don’t have enough. I’m all about self-care.

I care about my family and friends immensely. They make life exquisite.  I care about helping people feel safe in their own skin, in their own gender, in their own stories and in their communities. I want to be a soft landing place. 

I’m passionate about mental health, educating on healthy body image and recovering from eating disorders, normalizing anxiety in adults and nightmares in kiddos. I love educating on feminism and integrating it with my faith. I’m passionate about shame resilience and owning one’s story. I'm also passionate about good local coffee. 

I’m in love with my husband Scotty.

I tend to lose my keys and phone constantly, get angry when I'm hungry, struggle with summarizing, externally process everything, forget about grammar due to excitement (sorry!) and get migraines when I'm too stressed. 

I always look forward to seeing my friends and visiting my family as well as planning out sister trips. I always look forward to celebrations, Christmas, birthdays, Thanksgiving and travel. I always look forward to clean sheets, and a trip to Marshalls or Target.

I’m crazy about my puppy Lenny. We got him in March from a rescue in our local area. He’s about 9 months old and he’s a mix between a shepherd, pug and beagle. I am completely head over heels for him and his fuzzy little head. I'm also crazy about autumn. I cannot wait!!!

I really enjoy cold brew coffee, pedicures, essential oils, writing, reading, Amazon Prime, Kate Spade planners, candles, nature, swimming,  bookstores, puppy time, date nights, yoga, Thai food, braids, writing letters, comedy, browsing Target, learning, chocolate, pretty wrapping paper, traveling to new places, water color painting, mail,  washi tape, the smell of Christmas trees, finding meaning, wildflowers (especially lavender), popcorn, the smell of rain, thunderstorms, gin tonics, a clean house, Children’s literature,

I could do without (read no thank you) hot days, long lines, junk mail, the cost of living in San Diego, kidney beans, traffic, sexism, racism, airports (although I have a love/hate relationship with them) and a culture obsessed with being thin, dieting, and working out. I could also do without feeling itchy cause it's the WORST. (mosquitos, eczema, heat rash etc. )

I can't wait to get to know my fellow bloggers! Please feel free to say hi below! And if you'd like to join and link up, click here!