Week End.

This week has been so eventful. I finally feel like I am able to take a deep breath before starting my work week tomorrow. This week has been one full of blessings! I am always super encouraged that God brings times of peace and comfort exactly when it is needed.

First, on Monday - Aaron & I celebrated our one year anniversary. It's really amazing to see how far we have come and grown in our relationship. One year is a short amount of time, but I know that the challenges that we have faced will help us to persevere in the future and I'm thankful to have someone like Aaron in my life. He is honestly the half that makes me whole and although we are so different, he truly makes my life complete. I've been so lucky to have such a solid support from my family in our relationship as well. So to my best friend, I love you!

On Wednesday, I got to celebrate, with my family, my dad's birthday. My dad is such a great man, he's not perfect by any means, but he has always been there for me and my sisters and brother. I am grateful for his guidance throughout my life. My dad and I are a lot alike and he has had a tremendous impact and influence on the woman I am today. Thank you for that, Dad. I love you.

Lastly, I finished my last week working with my section. It's bittersweet, because I'm sad to leave them, but excited for the new things ahead of me. I'm so blessed to have had so many great leaders at work who have come alongside me and truly helped me and molded me to help me do my job to the best of my ability and also I have made some pretty amazing friends :-)

That pretty much sums up my week! {Oh - I also read "The Lucky One" by Nicholas Sparks this week - and if you like reading - this one definitely kept me entertained!} I hope everyone has a great Monday!

<3

Celebration.

This weekend was one to remember. As I sit here in my freshly clean apartment, showered and all cozy in my pajamas, I can't help but feel incredibly grateful & blessed. 

First, my sweet little Gianna Bella, turned three on Saturday. I can't believe that it has been three sweet years of holding her, talking to her, taking her to disneyland, and loving her more than I ever thought I could love another person. She had a good time, and was completely wiped out after a day of swimming, being with family and eating tons of food and ice cream cake! 

Second, I got the amazing news on Tuesday of last week that I got a promotion I applied for! I am beyond excited to start a new position. My job, has surprisingly been one of the greatest blessings. I am happy to be where I am with amazing mentors, coworkers and people who have become my best friends. 

Lastly, tomorrow, April 23, 2012 - I get to celebrate 1 year of being with my best friend. I am so lucky to know and love Aaron. He's changed my life so much and I'm so thankful for the time God has given to us. I will post a separate post about this tomorrow :)

I am remembering everyday that I have SO much to be thankful for, so much hope for the future and I am grateful for my family and friends that I am allowed to share this amazing life with!

Chaos.

These past couple of days have been some of the hardest of this new year. A lot of things have hit me all at once. I've spent a majority of the past 2 days waiting for my work day to be over so I can go home and try to forget the stress I've been going through.

To be honest, I have felt very much defeated. I feel like I get to a point where I am so happy and encouraged by how well things are going, and then I fall down. Normally, I'd be so eager to pick myself back up and start fresh, but since there have been multiple issues, I have felt very torn down these past two days. I have felt betrayed by people I am supposed to be able to trust, my emotions and my body. I'm anxious for a new day tomorrow, but I thought that today would be a good day for me to blog, because in the midst of this chaos, I am still learning.

God has a way of always showing me that He is ever present in my life. Today, I was emotionally drained, on the brink of tears, I had a couple of setbacks at work, but I am so beyond blessed to work with people who are encouraging and make my days so much easier. As I thought about how one hurtful comment could have sent my on edge emotions into a full emotion breakdown, I thought of a verse that I was at the back of my mind.

"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." - Proverbs 16:24.

I am thankful for people who have wisely chosen their words today. I am hoping to now always choose my words wisely. I have had such a reality check of why it is so important to make sure I am not degrading people in my speech, but encouraging them and having an attitude of thankfulness.

Today, has been a rollercoaster. I'm excited for the opportunities and new beginnings tomorrow will bring, but I am heartbroken at the hurt that yesterday has left me with. I am praying for a soul that can be strong in the face of defeat and know that I can hold steadfast to the promises of God.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11