HAPPY THURSDAY!!

random wedding picture that has nothing to do with anything, I just love it.

If you remember, Thursday is one of my favorite days! I still don't know why, but I just love them.

Today was extra special because I found out I won a blog giveaway!! I am pretty excited about it :) go check out Daina and the other gals! They are great!

I hope you all are having a great week. I know that this week as been particularly tough. It has been tough waking up in the mornings and trying to do anything productive after work. I have been feeling pretty sluggish and down right down. Soooo worn out. 

So, I am ready for the weekend. Also, some thanks. Here are my five thanks on thursday for this Thursday :)

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I am trying to come up with some thanks that I normally view as "not so good", but realize I am blessed to have them.

1. I am blessed to have somewhere to live. Although our apartment isn't ideal for us anymore, I am truly thankful to have somewhere to live. I am thankful to have air conditioning and heat, as well as a space heater, etc. I am thankful for a home filled with STUFF, even though it is annoying that it is everywhere sometimes. Aaron and I are still in the process of looking/thinking/praying for a home for us to purchase. After we didn't get a house we put a bid on, we got pretty discouraged. We resenting our current home, and hated it. How selfish. Just learning to be thankful in all circumstances. Many people would kill to have a place to stay even for one night, and we get to LIVE there.

2. I am thankful for clothes. I am thankful that although I have TONS of clothes that I rarely wear, but are somehow thrown all over the house throughout the week, I am thankful I have them. I hope that I can start being more mindful regarding purchases as well as taking time to go through my clothes (and Aaron's!) to be able to give those to someone who may not have many clothes at all.

3. I am thankful for the job I currently have. I complain about being so busy sometimes and how I want to punch my own face in, but I am thankful that I HAVE a job. I have the best boss. He is so understanding when I need time off, and he laughs at how insane I am at work and the weird things I say... so that is awesome. I am grateful that I work in an environment where I feel accepted (for the most part). I am thankful that somehow, someway, this job is preparing me for my future and a job I really hope to have some day!

4. I am thankful for family. I know I have said this thanks before but... I need to keep reminding myself that family is a good thing. Growing up I had some unfortunately things happen within my family. To me, family was just 'there'. Sometimes, family was out to ruin your life. And, still, others, family was there as a support system. Lately, I have really been seeing that my family, although MENTALLY INSANE, and unstable, my family is mine. Those who continue to stay there and support me and my sisters are amazing.. I wouldn't trade them for the world.

5. and finally... I am thankful for today. Although I didn't want to get up today, I am glad I did. I am glad that I came to work. I am thankful for this dang insurance meeting I have to go to. I am thankful I have an OPPORTUNITY for insurance. I am just really blessed.

I have been to 5 other countries serving in mission trips, and various places in the USA. Each time it has reminded me that I have SO SO MUCH. I have been given so much. When I think back on those people who have nothing, but prepared a meal and asked me over, I get this overwhelming feeling that I have TOO MUCH. I need to share it with others. I need to bless others with it. I just... I can't explain it. I hope that you can look at your life and know you are blessed despite your thinking so. And to think it not just during the holiday seasons, but all year round.  

Hopefully these don't bore too many people out there.. just trying to remember for myself, the things I should be thankful for instead of grumbling about them!

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Have a lovely day :) Maybe, just maybe I will be back soon.

five thanks on thursday: november

Since November is the month of thanksgiving, I am going to continue on with my five thanks on thursday... here goes:


1) I am thankful for family. my family has had its string of tragedies, especially lately... and I just don't know what to do. some days I am so sick of them I could scream, leave and never come back. other days, I can't get enough of them, I can't pray for them enough or encourage them enough. today I am just super thankful for family as I am reminded of those who are without families. without support from BLOOD. without the love and grace given to them. there are children all over the world who have to grow up without their own flesh and blood... I feel for them. as sucky as family is, it really is true that you can't live without them.

2) I am thankful for friends. today I have been blessed by encouragement from friends I rarely get to talk to and some of my best friends. I am grateful that I am in a position at work where I have people come by (rarely, but they do!) and talk about life. I am grateful that one of my very best friends in the entire world works where I work and we can go to lunch together and just talk about our struggles and encourage each other. I am just so blessed. There was a time I never ever thought I would have friends or had friends.. and when I look back on those times, I can't help but fall back into that thought.. it's times like today where I am reminded I am not alone

3) this is going to sound stupid but.. I am thankful that I have access to the internet. Today I took it for granted for a short time and everything went wrong. I am just glad I have a way to connect with people through that avenue.

4) I am thankful that I am one step closer to making my dreams come true in regard to school. I have finished a big part of my application that just kept bringing me down.. I am waiting to re-read it and hopefully submit it tomorrow... I am so grateful and keep praying the God's hope is for me to do it too, which I really feel it is or else I wouldn't pursue it

5) I am grateful for my husband and his life. My aunt's fiance was stabbed last night as he was trying to protect a girl who was being chased by a thief.. this man saved her life. My aunt is in utter shock and hurt and so many feelings I cannot even describe. This just makes me look at my own life and the things I have and be so SO SO THANKFUL for them even MORE because it just shows how precious life is. Just hours before that he was talking to her... it's crazy to think that life is so short. I am thankful for my husband who loves me despite my horrible, terrible flaws and sins. I am thankful that he laughs at me even when I am probably not very funny. I am thankful that he is ALIVE and WELL and LOVES ME. I am just SO THANKFUL. I take him for granted almost daily... and I am trying to work on that. It's easy when you see that person all the time... but, don't forget, life is very short, even if we live to be 100.


What are you thankful for? :)

FRIDAY'S LETTERS

i love me some hot chocolate :)

Dear Friday, we meet again. You are so lovely and I adore you. I hope you are good to me and fly on by! I need a nice, calm relaxing day!

Dear cold-I-think-I-am-getting, please go away. If I knew I had the whole weekend to lounge around I would maybe welcome you slightly as I wouldn't have much to do. But, as you see, the mister and I have lots to do this week, and I don't have time to be messing around with you. 

Dear hot chocolate, mmmmm! I will miss summer (sort of), but I will gladly welcome you with open arms when the school year starts around these parts and the coffee shop will be open so us staffers (and students :/) can get our fill!!

Dear niece and nephews, we are SO exciting to spend time with you this weekend! I hope you enjoy your time with us (and that we don't like, kill you or anything..). We love you!

Dear work, as I discussed with Friday, I hope you fly on by. We have some kiddos to get to and we don't need you dragging on... Thank you :)

Dear disappointments, I wish you didn't come so often these days. But, I am trying to learn to be grateful for you and to realize that without you, I wouldn't look at my life and be thankful for what I have nearly as much.

Dear God, thank you for being so so patient with me. 

Dear link-up, how is it 8:40am and already 103 people have entered you? Do people sleep?! You guys are quick!!!

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annndddd that's all for my letters. Short and sweet! I had hoped to put some things I was drooling over on pinterest and some pictures from this week, but.... this dang cold or whatever is holding me hostage. 

Now, go on over and do your own letters at Ashley's link-up by clicking below!!

Happy Friday :)

where did the week go?

So.. anyone know where last week went? 

To be honest, I don't remember much about that. I hate that. Sometimes my brain gets pretty foggy, especially when I seem to be working a lot harder at work because the work keeps piling on, or when I have a lot of things going on in the evenings, blah blah blah.

So, I won't bore you anymore with the details I don't remember. I DO know that both Aaron and I took Friday and Monday (today) off to spend some time away from town and celebrate Aaron's 24th birthday! Speaking of which, my husby is 24 TODAY! :) 

On Friday we had a LOT of errands to run: I cleaned out my car (first time in about a year!), the air conditioner guy came by the house to check on it, Aaron had a dentist appointment, I had a trim, I got some new tires on my car and we grabbed some lunch! Whew! Sounds like a ton just thinking about it... 

Well, after all of that, I took Aaron to Columbus for the weekend. We stayed at The Westin in Columbus because I got a sweet deal on Hotwire. We walked around downtown, enjoyed the lovely weather, worked off the huge amounts of food we ate, and caught up on some tv. I took him shopping to pick out his perfect gift at Easton. He chose a watch and we also got him some shoes and such for work which he desperately needed. Altogether, we just spent time hanging out and not worrying about having to work on Monday (we always dread Monday coming, but not today!) I made Aaron breakfast in bed to celebrate his birthday this morning and we have just been playing it pretty low key all day.

Seriously..

I cannot complain about life right now. 

Some other things that have been going on: 

+I for the life of me cannot get on a system of doing laundry, dishes, etc. I think someone should've just handed me a manual when I got married. I would've followed that. But, I cannot just seem to "fit it in" during my days.. I can't even fathom what life will be like with kids. wow.

+ Aaron and I are really trying to commit to eating better. We have been slowly doing so, but now, we have taken the plunge. Besides the occasional chocolate I will eat with my strawberries, weaning myself from mountain dew, and such.. we will be eating more healthy, homecooked meals. I have really been trying to be aware of the ingredients going into my food for probably 6 months at least. We try to eat very simple meals, adding spices etc. here and there... but for the main part, not really buying much processed foods (besides cheese.. I seriously CANNOT cut out the cheese! but I know my tummy hates me for it.. )  I have also noticed that I have always had some sort of a chronic stomach "ache" or hurting. More recently (probably 8 months or so) I have had pain in my hips, knees, ankles, wrists, basically any joints on my body. My back has begun to hurt a lot, and my brain seems to be in a fog a lot.. so, a change in diet is in order!! Eating healthy can never hurt and I am so grateful to have a husband who is willing to do this with me! (more on this in later posts)

 photos: 1//snuggling, 2//she won't get out of the grass, 3//i am an addict, and i am trying to quit, 4//mmm cereal that i am trying to not eat anymore because of the gluten, 5//wendyyyyyyy's, 6//aaron made me breakfast in bed, just because, 7//coral nailpolish. love, 8//clean, healthy fridge, 9//best snack

and... that's about it. honestly. I don't do much aside from work and random things around the house. Sometimes I get a chance to see a lovely friend or two or my family, but not too much going on... Hoping to be less foggy to actually update this :) Tonight and tomorrow night Aaron and I are going to a first-time home buyer's class. Hopefully we learn a lot and we are praying God will provide the perfect first home for us. 

Have a lovely rest of your Monday :)

 

What a weekend!

I don't know about you, but my weekend was jam packed (of fun, of course!) But, nevertheless, it was PACKED!

My baby sister graduated from high school. It is hard to believe all three of my sisters' are out in the real world (well, sort of) now! I can't imagine how I will be when one of them gets married... yikes. But, then again, it is hard for me to even believe I am how old I am and married, and have a grown up job, and making grown up decisions. If I actually sit and think about it my brain could explode, so I won't :)

Some other things we did:

+had Toni's graduation party and some AWESOME food

+Saw Toni graduate

+Aaron and I went to Slate Run and hiked some in the 683498% humidty (fun)

+Aaron and I painted our living room (I am SORE from it??)

+Hung out with my sister, Jessica some

+Almost died from the heat.

I will leave you with some pictures of my weekend as to not bore you with too many words that I so easily throw out here on the internetz. 

Hope you had an amazing weekend as well :)

reflecting on mother's day

Just know, this is a lot of rambling.. but I don't care.. it's for me.

I didn't grow up in your traditional "one mom, one dad" little family. I did have a mother (I mean, obviously.. I am here, alive, breathing, so I have a "mother") and I do have a "dad" somewhere out there. But, I use these terms very loosely. I have always felt these names should be earned. I know that a mom is a mom when she first conceives her child... but at the same time, I don't feel a mother deserves the right to be called a mom until she is a mother to her child in more ways that simply giving birth.... but, maybe I have some sort of a twisted mindset or something.

Mother's Day always goes by without me even thinking a second thought about it usually. For years I didn't care to acknowledge my mother for various reasons. I didn't think she deserved the title or the love and respect that it brings with it. I still sometimes feel this way. And yet, something in my heart yearns for her to know real love. For her to know Him with an unwavering love and know the He loves her back. So, I love her. I show her love in small ways, though it kills me sometimes. For so long I hated her... I hated her for the years of various abuses she put us through... for the neglect we felt.. for the hurt we felt in our hearts. But now.. I just feel for her. I see the years of these things taking it's toll on her. I see the hate and detest she has for herself and can't help but want to express how much He loves her.

The mother I know is my grandma. She is the closest thing to a real mother I will ever know... so on Mother's Day I celebrate her. And yet, I still don't do a good job at it... it's so hard for me to know how to relate to her as a "mother" in a way because I don't really see how a mother should be in my own life. I see my other family experience that, but until you experience it yourself, you won't know how to have that in your own life.. you won't know how to love someone as a mother. And yet, sometimes I see the way I talk with my grandma, etc. and I can see that I do view her as my mom because I talk to her snotty sometimes, and I feel regret for it and guilt for not treating her better just as a daughter does with her own mother sometimes....

I now have a new mother, my mother-in-law.. and even that is hard for me to understand. I don't know how to relate to her as a mother/daughter because the only experience I have of that is so different than what she is used to... I love her to death, and yet, it still has it's awkward moments as I don't know how to express myself in that way yet.. I don't know how to blend and fit in in that manner as all others do in the family..

so, I sit. I sit and ponder the meaning of a "mother" and the meaning of Mother's Day and how to relate and how I will be as a mother....

and... I am scared to death of that. Because I don't know how that relationship works per say, I fear I won't know how to be a mom in that way... and yet, I don't fear it. I see others screwing up their relationships with their daughters by leaving their families, or what have you... and I just know. I know how a mother is supposed to be, and how a daughter can be... and I know that is wrong how they are treating their families and daughters and children as a mother.. I know.

God is so great and insane in the way He just puts stuff inside of us.. these innate manners and thoughts and feelings. We just... know.

and, hey... they say knowing is half the battle :)

FAQ : Keep 'em coming!

If you would like to submit questions you can do so by commenting on my FAQ Page  or you can email me at: joannamshipe@gmail.com  I would like some questions to answer, so please feel free to ask away! :)

How are you all today? Having a good week so far? Honestly, it feels like Thursday. I don't know what is going on in my world, but life is dragging on and onnnnn these days. What gives?! :/  Tonight my husband and I are taking my wonderful grandma out to eat for her birthday! We had her and my sisters over last weekend on her actual birthday and had a lot of fun. But, it will be nice for just us 3 to go out and spoil her a little bit :)

Have a lovely evening all you lovely people!