Dear... Me

As I sit here on my lunch break at work; another somewhat stressful day or one that makes me think I wish I would've made a different choice recently... I try not to regret anything or dwell on the "what ifs".  I think about this song (Words I would Say... See bottom of blog) and think about my earlier years that I all too often forget.  If you know me *cough GARRETT* you know how easily I let things get to me.  I try to brush them off, but sometimes it is hard.  Thank you handsome for being a rock when I need you and for making me laugh and smile when it is needed.

My hope is that one day my sweet daughters will read this and know that I have been in their shoes along the way and that they really take this to heart.  As a child we are carefree, without worry, happy, and just have this vulnerability and innocence about us.

I need to constantly remind myself of this verse each day:
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." -Matthew 18:1-3.

As we get older, we tend to lose this child-like mentality and gain this sense of entitlement or feel like we have to prove something.  As an adult it is okay to still be somewhat vulnerable and innocent.  Yes, we do gain more responsibility and have to work for those things we want and there is nothing wrong with that.  That is expected.  But, we do also need to remember to be thankful for those things we do have and for those moments that do make us so very happy!  Today, my biggest blessings are my family.  Here are three especially great blessings in my life:

My sweet Grace Lynn - 5mos old

Grace Lynn - 2yrs old

My loving Scarlett Lily - 3mos old

Scarlett Lily - 6mos old

Our girls' amazing daddy, my husband, Garrett

Family LOVE <3

My Soul-mate!!

That smile on my face is no accident.  Grace Lynn, Scarlett Lily, and Garrett make every day worth every minute and I can't help but smile with each of them.  My hope is that my girls grow up to be the strong God-fearing, kind-hearted, sweet girls that they are today.  And, Garrett has been nothing short of a blessing each day acting as a strong-hold for our family and being a Christ-like example for his daughters to find in their future soul-mates also.  So here goes... A LETTER TO ME!

Dear Me,

There are going to be times growing up (particularly in high-school and some college days) when you may feel like an outcast or feel like you aren't really going anywhere in life.  You think you will end up as an un-married 50-year-old cat-lady (nothing wrong with that, but it's not you).  I know you want children, want a family, want to be happy with work, etc.  These are normal aspirations, but as you get older and maybe feel like this day will never come, do not lose sight of what really should be on your mind the whole time... Jesus and just following His will.  I know you are not a rebel child or trouble maker, etc, but I also know you have a hard time just "letting go and letting God".  You like to do things for yourself and often it results in unhappiness, stress (especially stress), etc.  Once you finally start getting back to your younger mentality and just began enjoying those things that truly made you happy and not worry about those things you cannot change, amazing things will happen.

Ultimately you will meet the love of your life and really fall in love.  Unfortunately you do lose your first real job with a hard economy (but after remembering to Let God, you will find another great job), you will have some hard times there also, but just remember to always LET GOD! and trust in Him.  You will get married to that love of your life, Garrett, and you will be blessed with your first child, Grace, and shortly thereafter, your second child, Scarlett.  What's more incredible is that you will get pregnant with your second child without TOM visiting in more than 2 years... You will know what that means ;)  It is pretty incredible how making Jesus the center of everything, making Him YOUR everything, really does result in amazing things in life.  Scarlett and Grace really are miracle little girls.  Remember what you went through for each of them and how blessed you are that they are here today.  We are not promised easy times; in fact it's quite the opposite.  We will have hard times and will have struggles, but with Jesus, these times are made easier and we do get through them.

Today, I thank God everyday for my family that has raised me then and continue to guide me today (Mama, Daddy, and your sweet sister that you can always count on, Amanda).  They were and still are a huge part of what makes you who you are today.  I also thank God for your own family (husband and daughters), my friends, our home, among many other things.  Remember to always thank God for all these things... time goes way too fast and you really are a blessed God's Girl!

I know some of your favorite things growing up and will still be when you reach my age today are:

• Sunshowers
• Sunflowers
• Rainbows
• Bubble Baths
• Disney days
• Concrete roads (strange maybe, but I know you love the noise they make when you drive over them and you will still love them when you are me now)
• Your first real and best friend (then and now)
• Old friends and new friends (every person comes into your life for a reason and a season; each one has been such a blessing; some will even stayed with you through all seasons)
• and many many others things... the list could go on...

Sunflowers at our wedding

Rainbow over our home

Still do love bubble baths

Disney day with Dale

Stephanie and I; Best friends to this day!

Shaving cream parties with friends then

Baby showers with friends today

As I end this letter; remember no matter what you may or may not be going through today, always keep Jesus close and make Him your everything.  Also, DON'T WORRY!!  Nothing good can come of worrying.  Thank your mama for drilling this in your head as much as you drive her crazy with the worrying... You, even at 30, are still growing, but try to remember her advice and also to always remember your favorite verse, Philippians 4:6-7.

This song is absolutely perfect for you and your sweet girls to come, Grace and Scarlett.

"Words I Would Say" by the Sidewalk Prophets.

It's Three in the morning
and I'm still awake
so I picked up a pen and a page.
And I started writing 
just what I'd say
if we were face to face

I'd tell you just what you mean to me
Tell you these simple truths

Be strong in the Lord and
never give up hope.
You're gonna do great things
I already know
God's got his hand on you so 
don't live life in fear
forgive and forget
but don't forget why you're here
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say

Last time we spoke
you said you were hurting
and I felt your pain in my heart
I want you to know
that I keep on praying
Love will find you where you are

I know 'cause I've already been there
So just hear these simple truths

Be strong in the Lord and
never give up hope.
You're gonna do great things
I already know
God's got his hand on you so 
don't live life in fear
forgive and forget
but don't forget why you're here
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say

From one simple life to another
I will say
Come find peace in the Father

Be strong in the Lord and
never give up hope.
You're gonna do great things
I already know
God's got his hand on you so 
don't live life in fear
forgive and forget
but don't forget why you're here
Take your time and pray
Thank God for each day
His love will find a way
These are the words I would say.

Love,
Me

Hawaii - Scarlett 6mos

January was a pretty busy month for us, just in the fact that Garrett and I were blessed with the opportunity to go to Oahu, Hawaii for 10 days!  He had to go for work, meaning company paid.  And, I was fortunate enough to get the time off work... so a plane ticket later and we had an expenses paid trip to Hawaii!  We also got to spend some time with Garrett's cousin and his family while there.  They were kind enough to show us around and let us stay with them a couple nights.  We are also very blessed in the fact that Garrett's mom was able to take the time off work to watch the girls the entire time we were away.  Garrett's grandmother was even able to come down from NC and help with them.  They kept the girls on their normal routine and Grace was even practically potty-trained when we returned!!  WOOHOO!!!  It was so difficult for me especially to leave my babies for so long and to be so far away, but being able to skype with them multiple times during our time there made it that much easier and put my mind at ease.  We could not be more blessed with such a loving and caring family.

Really quick, aside from all of that, our sweet little Scarlett is now 6mos old!!  She is eating baby food, loving puffs, and just really growing up way too fast!  She is also just about crawling... she manages to get from one side of the room to the other and get what she wants by scooting her way around and rolling, lol.  She has such an adorable little personality and is giggling so much more.  Here is our sweet girl.

Back to Hawaii... While there, Garrett and I's days looked like this:
Saturday:

1. Arrived in the early evening and went out to dinner with Wendy, Dave, Tabitha, and Thomas at the Yard House... it was very delicious and they were a lot of fun.  Great to meet them and know that they'd be here to help us tour around and also keep me company if I wanted while Garrett was working.

Sunday:

1. Went to church (Kawaiahao Church)
1. We sang this song (Nū ‘Oli - full song here: http://www.kawaiahao.org/about-us/favorite-himeni-and-pule/) in their Ohana Choir.  The entire thing was in Hawaiian and we got to sing it with about 15 others in front of their congregation.  Yes, the pastor called us out after we met him prior to service and told us that we should join them up front, lol.  It was an incredible experience though and what a wonderful service.
2. The wiffenpoofs from Yale were there and did a mini concert.  They were incredible!
3. Some of locals danced (hula) for the congregation to a beautiful song.
2. We visited some historic sites, as well as filming locations for Hawaii Five-0.  LOVE!!
1. Pearl Harbor
2. The Aloha Tower
3. King Kamehameha I statue and the Spanish Mission-style No. 1 Capitol District Building
4. The Federal court house is the old Post Office Building in downtown Honolulu
5. The Iolani Palace

Pearl Harbor

Federal Court House

Iolani Palace 

King Kamehameha I Statue and Capitol District Building

Aloha Tower

Kawaiahao Church

Kawaiahao Church

Monday:

1. This was my first day flying solo while Garrett worked, so I decided to read up on some hikes and then walked along the beach.  I didn't get too far though before running into my dream!!  I came up on a filming location of Hawaii Five-0!!  So needless to say, I stuck around there for a long while and watched them film a scene for Season 5, Episode 17 (airing Feb 27th!).
2. After Garrett got off work, we tooled around Waikiki for a while and got dinner together.

McGarrett!!

Five-O team member cars

Kamekona's!!!

Tuesday:

1. I went over to the Myers' home, while Garrett then headed off to work.  Dave and I went paddle boarding for a couple hours in North Shore.
1. I got to paddle board right with several sea turtle (Honu)
2. And I paddled under the Historic twin-span "Rainbow Bridge" on the Anahulu River marking the north end entrance to old Haleʻiwa Town
2. Met Garrett for lunch at Maui Mikes... delicious again!
3. Garrett and I went out and watched the sunset on the beach

North Shore

North Shore Surfing

The Growing Keiki (children's boutique)

Waiting for the sun to set <3

Wednesday:

1. Garrett and I decided to do one of his hikes that he had picked out.  Mind you it was beautiful, but is also just about killed us, lol.  It was definitely more strenuous than we thought it was going to be, but the view at the top was amazing and I'm glad I didn't give up and actually climbed the entire thing.
2. Because I was going to do his hike, even though it isn't quite my thing, he surprised me and took me to the Bayer Estate (McGarrett's residence on Hawaii Five-0).  I have the sweetest, most awesome husband!

The Bayer Estate

Made it to the top!

<3

Headed back down

Thursday:

1. I went to the coffee brewery on the North Shore and tried out their local coffees and teas with Dave while Garrett worked
2. We then went paddle boarding again (I took a big liking to it!)
3. Then we met up with Garrett at the Dole Plantation and got our famous Dole Whip.

Paddling under the Rainbow Bridge :)

Sea Turtles (Honu)

Dole Plantation

Dole Plantation

Friday:

1. This was our big day and the surprise day from Garrett.  He had it all planned out, but I was not allowed to know what was planned.
1. We started off with Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay
2. Went whale-watching near the Makapu'u Lighthouse (and yes, we saw some!)
3. Then he surprised me by taking me to the Polynesian Culture Center and I got to experience an actual Luau with a very delicious meal!

Snorkeling

Polynesian Culture Center

Polynesian Culture Center (There is somebody in the left tree)

Polynesian Culture Center - Luau

Saturday and Sunday:
We spent the last weekend in Hawaii with Garrett's family and had a wonderful time.  We rounded out our time with them with a beautiful dinner at Jamison's By the Sea, overlooking a beautiful sunset.  We also got to try some home-made Mochi that one of Tabitha's girl scout troop mates made, as well as the delicious Spam Musubi.  I am going to have to try to make that at home sometime since you can't buy it here.  I actually really liked it!  All in all, this was one wonderful and unforgettable trip!  I am so happy that we were able to enjoy that time together and really soak up everything.

Sunset at North Shore while eating dinner at Jamison's by the Sea

My love and I enjoyed every minute in Hawaii and I couldn't think of anyone
else that I'd rather spend my time with there :) Love you!!!