3rd annual 30 day journal challenge

I cannot wait for this!

It starts tomorrow. 

Who's in?!?!?

365 (may)

I cannot believe that May is over after today. So much has happened....

It was the last month of school for us.

I celebrated my 6th year at the lawfirm.

I celebrated my 25 birthday (and made sure to cross off some last minute goals on my 24 before 25 list).

I read a bunch of books and got hooked even more on the Tudor/Boleyn history.

I celebrated Mother's Day and my mom's birthday.

I wore leggings....dumbest idea ever.

I started working on my 25 before 26 list, including trying new restaurants with Steven (thus creating Stellie points).

I started doing jazzercise.

I made a peacock painting. All on my own.

We got to visit with Steven's sister and her boyfriend.

Rod came to visit!

I had some awesome mother daughter time.

I had some awesome Steven Kellie time.

I had some girls night dinners with some of my closest girl friends.

I ate tons of salads.

I said goodbye to my students.

I watched a lot of The Tudors and Survivor.

I got a promotion of sorts.

We started planning for the catalina wine mixer...what up.

I made wonderful memories.

 

52 lists in 52 weeks// round-up

I can't believe that my 52 lists are finally over.

 This project stretched me more than I thought it would to be creative in constantly coming up with lists. But it was fun. And I loved it.

I know that I haven't always been timely in posting the lists, but I am so thankful to those of you that followed (even if you came in late).

And who knows, maybe I will do this again one day.

In case you missed one, or just want a complete list...here you go.

Intro to the 52 lists in 52 weeks project

week 1

week 2

week 3 (and father's day)

week 4

week 5

week 6

week 7

week 8 (and guest post)

week 9

week 10 (and guest post)

week 11

week 12

week 13

week 14

week 15

week 16

week 17

week 18

week 19

week 20

week 21

week 22

week 23

week 24

week 25

week 26

week 27

week 28

week 29

week 30 (Christmas)

week 31

week 32

week 33

week 34

week 35

week 36

week 37

week 38

wweek 39

week 40

week 41

week 42

week 43

week 44

week 45

week 46

week 47

week 48

week 49 (and my birthday!)

week 50 (and mother's day)

week 51

week 52

52 lists in 52 weeks// list 52

List 52 (the last one): Things I am currently obsessing over.


- salads (especially fruit ones from Panera and Ale House)

- books on Henry VIII's reign (like The Other Boleyn Girl and The Boleyn Inheritance, etc).

-The Tudors (speaking of Henry VIII and his wives....)

- finding a job for the fall (in case my current one didn't work out)

- crossing things off my 25 before 26 list

- how to say goodbye to my students (especially those that I won't see next year)

- pancakes

- finding the perfect maxi dress, which I found thanks to this awesome blog post and old navy!!

- what color to make my hair. keep it brown or switch it back to it's original blond?



What does your list look like??

-kel

pinterest project #1

One of my "25 before 26" goals was to create 5 things from pinterest. I figured that this would be a good way to actually get crafty instead of just "pinning" pictures. 

For the first "pinterest" project I decided to make a jewelry holder, which I found here.

 Like any girl, I had some already, but I felt like they weren't adequate and they also seemed to hide what I had, meaning that I often times forgot about them. This idea (which paired well with the framing my necklaces) seemed to be the perfect solution and even saved space).

 

Making it was super easy too!

I bought a large plate (pizza size), bowl (smaller), and a candle stick. I also needed glue (I used "Dots" which are really used to easily adhere pictures to paper) and paint. 

 First, paint.

Then once it dries put glue on either side of the candlestick and attach it to the large plate (bottom) and bowl (or smaller plate) on the top.

Let dry.

Add your jewelry!

 

Volia! 

I put braclets and watches on the top, earrings with hooks on the edges, and rings, necklace pendants small earrings, and broaches on the bottom. 

Now I can see everything and I can more easily pick what I want to wear from day to day.

 If you make one, please share pictures, I would love to see your take!!!

-kel

memorial day weekend

Thank goodness for 3 day weekends. This one was much needed and I took full advantage of it.

Friday some friends from work and I tried a new place "Yes You Canvas".  We picked it because we got to make our own peacock painting. And I gotta say, I love mine. Even though it's not that great, it turned out a hell of a lot better than I thought it would. And I had an awesome time with my co-workers. I am seriously so blessed to have such great ones!

Saturday I met up with my mom and went to the Riverside Arts Market and the Spring Fest Riverside put on. Talk about awesome time. Anytime spent with my mom is pretty great, but the shopping definitely added to it. I also got to see one of my favorite families (Partridges!!!!!). I miss these guys like you wouldn't believe and seeing their faces was one the highlights of my day. And the crepes we tried....auh-mazing!

Saturday night I dragged Steven and my awesome friend Rod back to Riverside for some awesome food and games of cornhole. (I absolutely love that mac and cheese seems to be an acceptable dinner for adults now, by the way). 

 

Sunday and Monday Steven and I braced for the Tropical Storm and watched Survivor and ate watermelon. Even though the tropical storm was no big deal for us (seriously, when you live in Florida, it just becomes natural- and I even found myself saying more than once "it's not like it's a hurricane or anything). And yes, we did go to the store and stock up on essentials.....like beer and pizza and chips. Like I said....it's a Florida thing. 

  

And today we went back to work. But I was totally okay with that. I missed it a bit. And I only have 1 more day now of working at the school. Then comes summer vacation!!!!!!!!! 

How did you spend your Memorial Day weekend???

-kellz

ps. my instagram name (where the majority of these pics came from) is kelzify, if you want to follow me.

restaurant #3 (and a lot of rambling about bubble tea)

So remember those "Stellie points"??

                                     (A/K/A Steven and Kellie's guide to fine dining in Jacksonville). 

                                                                       Too much?

Last night Steven and I tried a new place down the road, Bowl of Pho. Never personally having had Vietnamese or Pho, I was excited. The place was actually really cute and what totally made my night was that they offered bubble tea!!

(Nerd moment......).

So a couple of years ago I caught onto this bubble tea phenomenon and decided I had to try it. I'm not really a big fan of tea, but I was hoping this would change things. So I went online and looked up places that offered bubble tea. There were only 3 places in Florida and one was 6 hours away, but happened to be my hometown. So a few months later when I travelled home to Pensacola for the holidays, I went on my search for this new craze. Of course, by the time I got my entire family there to try this amazing new delight, I found out it had closed. Talk about major let down.

So then, a couple years later.....bubble tea is everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Maybe this was a lesson in patience, I don't know.

But last night, I got my fill of bubble tea for the week. And I was ecstatic.

Oh and it was also cool that we got to try a new place. I feel like this 25 before 26 goal is helping Steven and I to be a bit more adventurous as a couple. At least when it comes to food.

And the Stellie combined point for this new place? 7.05 (you know, in case you were wondering).

-kel

Ps. in case you want to follow along, I typically post pics up on instagram, so follow me. (kelzify)

52 lists in 52 weeks// list 51

Taken from one of my favorite blogs, oh-shoot.

 List 51: Wouldn't it be cool if.....

We all put away our phones when we go out with friends, so we concentrate on them along?

I had an acutal teaching job and a classroom!

Facebook and Blogspot stopped changing formats and stayed with one we liked?

I could eat cupcakes anytime I wanted and not gain any weight!

It wasn't so hard to get a job you wanted??

Your home could clean itself?

You never had to grow up if you didn't want to?

You could meet your favorite musical artist and they could perform at your birthday party? (please nicki minaj?!?!?)

Your drink would automatically refill itself?

You never had to fight the feeling of being awkward or uncomfortable? You just just always felt confidant.

You could wake up at whatever time you wanted?


What would make your list?
-kel

5 loves on monday

 

1. this amazing blog.


2. the happiness project. The blog, the book, the author.....all amazing.



3. Elise's stamp shop. I want one of each!!!

4. a favorite new blog. its seriously adorable.

5. this blog and her online classes. i seriously want to do them ALL!!

-kellie

For all Nicki Minaj fans.....

So Steven's sister showed me this amazing video this weekend. (Acutally there are 2.....). And if you are a Nicki Minaj fan, you must watch it. Seriously.





Amazing. I want my little girls to be like this... haha.
No seriously, I do.

stellie

We're a very ambitious couple.

For real.

We spent Saturday night dancing the night away (in Steven and Kellie fashion....which others might deem "embarrassing", but we see as fun/entertaining). Hey- we even got our picture taken (see above).

Sunday we made a "fort of sorts" in the living room and watched tv all day on an air mattress. That was also the day we decided we should start rating movies. The new Rogers and Ebert if you will. Only our rating system will be called "stellie points". (Which is also the name of our restaurant rating system...see below).

Again, we are very ambitious.

One of my 25 before 26 goals was to try (at least) 25 new restaurants.

Steven agreed to help and this past weekend he sweetly offered to take me to a new place. We chose Big Dawgs (which is the 2nd new restaurant on my goal list so far). Then he had a brilliant idea to rate the new restaurants so we'd know if we ever wanted to go back.

So the "Stellie" point system began.

(By the way, Big Dawgs (in case you were wondering) got a 5.2 combined score from us).

Other than making crazy/awesome career choices this weekend, we also got to hang out with Steven's sister and boyfriend, who were here for a day or two. I'm pretty sure this weekend would count as one of the best in a long time. And I needed it. We caught up, ate and drank too much, danced, ordered late night food, watched tons of tv and movies and just had an amazing time.

xo

kel

I can't believe that this school year is almost over. It feels like yesterday I was going in for my interview and suddenly offered a job on the spot. Since then I feel like I have grown so much, learned so much, and have gained some wonderful friends in the meantime.

I will be sad to say goodbye to my students though. Some for the summer and some for longer (since they will be graduating onto middle school). But I will forever cherish the memories I have made this year and the wonderful students that have been a part of them.

And I love that I have taken photos along the way to remember my first year as a somewhat teacher.

 

I am also especially grateful  for the pictures my students drew me (and that I was smart enough at the time to take photos to forever remember them....)

 

My students (of all ages) are incredibly smart and creative, like when they made their own chessboard from paper.

 

Or that time they got all upset about SOPA and went around telling everyone about it and how it was going to ruin the internet. And yes, they even covered the board with anti-SOPAness.

 Although, one of my favorite parts of this school year, was being with the pre-k 4s. As much as I absolutely love my older kids, it was nice to work with a younger group, that before I hadn't thought I would like working with. But these intelligent and bright little kids made my days. Especially their little drawings....

Like this one of me and one of the kids (drawn by her of course).

 And of course all of the work they made and put up in the hall. Especially these from the kindergartners.....

 But through it all, the holidays and corn picking, the cookie making, and card playing, the sing-songs, and book reading...I have enjoyed it all.

What an incredible year and learning experience.

-kellie

52 lists in 52 weeks// list 50 (mother's day list)

A list in honor of mother's day:

List 50:  10 Things I learned from my mom (or a mother figure).

- If you keep telling yourself negative things (i.e. "I'm ugly, etc) then you will start to believe it. So stop saying/thinking those things and focus on the positive.

- You can't force people to like you. And it's okay that they don't all like you...after all, you don't like everyone you encounter.

- Don't let anyone take advantage of you, because there are people that will try.

- If you're unsure of what decision to make, pray about it. God knows best.

- Whatever it is you are working at, always give it your best.

- Surround yourself with great friends, because they help make life meaningful (and wonderful)

- How to make beef stroganoff (sp?)

- How to love others

- How to be a wonderful mother (which I hope to one day use)

- To put others first

Thanks mom, for all the wonderful things you've taught me and for always being my best friend. You mean the world to me and I'd be lost without you!

xoxo
kel
(And the father's day list can be seen here).

52 lists in 52 weeks// 49 (birthday edition)

List 49: 5 things i know at 25.
I got the idea from this awesome blog, and I knew as soon as I read it that I had to partake. 

1. Not everyone is going to like you....and that's okay.
This is actually something I still try to tell myself and still try to get into my thick head. But it's true. Even in the Bible, God warns us that not everyone will like us. You can't make everyone happy and you can't force people to like you. But as long as you like you and you can make yourself happy, that's all that matters. That's the big picture. (And that's what I keep reminding myself!)


2. Letting go is extremely difficult, but well worth it.
Again, another issue I still deal with, but it's one of the most important. It's also one that I keep coming back to. So often I feel like I think I know best or that if I am not in control of the situation it will fall apart. (Talk about an ego, right?) The truth is, letting go and giving it all to God not only takes so much weight off your shoulders, but it also leads you in the right direction. It's incredibly hard to let go though, especially if you are a control freak like me. But hey, maybe that's what makes it so wonderful when you finally can.


3. Figure out what makes you happy and do it as often as you can.
A while back I read the Happiness Project and I learned something valuable (well a lot of things, but one pertaining to this subject). The author talks about how she remembers what made her happy when she was younger and she did it again as an adult. To test this out, I fingerpainted. It sounds silly, but it totally worked. The things that we had fun doing as kids, we can still enjoy as adults. And it can even help us feel like kids again, which is a fun and incredible feeling (especially when you feel weighed down by the adult responsibilities of life).
I feel like this also pertains to other aspects of life, like what career to pick. If you don't like what you do, it will kill you. If you love what you do, if it makes you happy a majority of the time, then you will feel happy and successful at the end of the day instead of bogged down and miserable. I'm trying really hard to make that goal a complete success. I just have to find a full time teaching job and I think I'll be set!


4.Fake it till you make it.
So many times I just haven't felt like doing something (like work, or going out, etc.) but I knew that I had to (either because I want a job or because I know whatever it was would mean the world to someone I love).  So this adopted phrase has come into play. Faking being happy or faking being energized not only makes everyone around you feel glad to have you, but a majority of the time you become what it is you are "faking".


5. Communication is everything.
Maybe this is overused and totally a duh kind of moment. But I feel like so many times when people talk about having open communication with each other they are solely referring to romantic or friend relationships. While that is a huge factor in those specific bonds, I believe that every relationship in our lives should have open lines of communication.  Whether its with your boss, co-workers, parents, kids, students, students' parents, students' teachers, friends, romantic partners, etc. And its amazing to see how great a relationship and situation can be when the lines of communication are safe and open.






What would be on your list??
-kellie

25 before 26

Last year I made my "24 before 25" list.

 Looking back on what I accomplished from this list, I only got about half of them done. Which kind of  disappointing because the year before I didn't accompish all my goals either. So this year, I put some of them back on in hopes of this year getting them marked off.
The ones I did do: travel to a new place (Tampa, FL), finish the Kellie and Steven year 1 minibook, go on at least 1 photoshoot (i did 2), go on a bike ride in riverside, make a minibook out of paintchips, have a picnic in the park, let go of grudges (still working on this, but I've come a long way), declutter home, save monet, finish Lost seasons, bike more, and fingerpaint.

Now for this year's list...... my 25 before 26 list:

As you can tell, most of my goals are oriented around the numbers 5 and 25. I thought it would make it funny and more fun this year.
And I already started....last night I went to a new exercise class with a work friend. I loved it too, can't wait to go back tomorrow!!

xoxo
kel

the day i turned 25

My 25th started with pancakes (the acceptable cake for breakfast) and time with my mom and step-dad. And then we spent the afternoon at the pool drinking and eating yummy cake and cookies (all made by my wonderful friends).  Yes, we even went to a mexican restaurant too.

Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday or celebrated with me or sent me a card. It meant sooo very much to me and I appreciate it more than you know!

xoxo
kellie

it's my birthday!!!!

You know those people that don't really care that it's their birthday?  Yea...UI'm totally not one of them.
Think more of Lilly from How I Met Your Mother...only maybe a tad bit more tame.
In fact, she may have dubbed her birthday "Lilly Day", but a few years ago I dubbed mine "Cinco de Kellie".
True story.
And just in case you don't know Lilly (ps shame on you) here's a little video!

dear 25

 Dear 25,

I am looking so forward to what you have in store. Maybe it sounds corny, but I just have this good feeling (or at least a lot of hope) that you will be good. How could you not? You are my favorite number squared (that's 5 for all you non math folk). And trust me, I am serious about this number stuff. How could I not be, when my birthday is 5-5 and 5 has been my favorite number since I can remember.

So I'm excited for tomorrow, the cinco de kellie where I turn a quarter of a century years old. Where I get to celebrate a new year with friends and family, pancakes and coronas. And I am excited for this upcoming year and all the possibilities it holds.

This year I plan on achieving all of my 25 before 26 goals. I am going to try my absolute darnedest at being more positive and looking on the bright side of things. I plan on getting closer to God and remembering that He knows what's best. I plan on regaining hope for my future.

I hope that all of you will stay with me. I know that this blog isn't always the most exciting, nor is it always the happiest, but I really am anxious for what this new year brings and I can't wait to share it here with yall as well.

Here's to a new year. A new age. And a new outlook.

 

Happy birthday to me!! (And happy Cinco de Kellie to you all! hehe).

ps. my dear friend Chelsea blogged about me and my birthday. i'm seriously honored (I love that girl sooo much). Please stop by her awesome blog and say hello.

365 (april)

So I couldn't figure out how to post all these pictures without wanting to rip my hair out, so I took a screen shot instead.

April- it was full of trying new things (like Singletons restaurant and hummus), Easter sunrise service with Steven's family, work, work, work, and more work, cleaning, buying some pretty dresses, and making lots more lists. All in all, it was a pretty good month and I feel like it flew by.

But I'm excited for this month. I love May.  There's so much to celebrate and so much going on. I can't wait.

-kel

dear blogspot- im mad at you!!!!

So I'm trying really hard to post m 365 (April edition), but I HATE the new set up for blogger. I honestly have tried for 2 nights to upload and place these stupid pictures and it just isn't working. Is there some sort of trick???? If anyone knows, please share!
Does anyone else also hate the new setup as much as I do???

-kellie

indescribable love

Last Friday I had an amazing conversation with a coworker of mine. It was truly a God moment.

She and I barely get to see each other nowadays, since our school commitments take us in different directions, but Friday she was asked to help me out. And she honestly helped me.

We talked about God. About our plans for the future. About our fears of failing. About God's idea of failure.

I felt like everything she was saying to me was striking a cord. She wasn't just speaking about her and her own experiences, but she seemed to know what I was dealing with as well.  As we talked on about our wants for the future, she reminded me that when I don't succeed, while I may view it as failure, it doesn't have to be that way. What a crazy thought.... It's not a failure. It's God simply saying "No, not yet."  Or "No, I have better plans for you and it doesn't include this route."  Of course this epiphany has been recently challenged. While I know that God has great plans for me, 

"I say this because I know what I am planning for you," says the Lord.  " I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you.  I will give you hope and a good future."
Jeremiah 29:11

when I hit that "failure" I start to forget this verse. The idea that He has better plans for me seems to slip from my memory.  But it shouldn't.  I should ingrain it into my mind so much so that even in the darkest hour, I will remember this, His promise. 

 The past couple of weeks have been difficult. Not bad, but difficult. I've been struggling with so much. More than I should be, because I should be giving it all up to God. But that giving up part is so hard for me. He knows best.  He even cares for the birds and we are much more to Him than mere birds. Yet they have no worries. (I forget which verse this is, sorry).

Yet I struggle with where I am, where I will be, and where I should be. I've always had lofty ideas for my life and I've always wanted to start early with things like my career. Heck, I've been wanting to be a teacher since I was six (which is 19 years for those of you counting). It's hard for me to take in the fact that I've done everything I need to in order to get to that dream, yet I am still not there. I've taken classes, I've gotten my degrees, I've graduated. I even got my foot in the door at a local school. But lately it all seems to be coming to a sudden stop. I don't know where I will be next Fall, or even where I will be wanted.

This past week I've struggled with these thoughts and other inner struggles. And frankly, I'm tired. Strike that, I'm exhausted.  I've run out of steam to the point where I just want to come home and cry. Not only am I fighting with myself, but physically I am tired from 10ish hours a day of work.
Then tonight, this bible verse stuck out at me.....

Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. 
Matthew 11:28

And.....

Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset? I should put my hope in God and keep praising him, my Savior, my God.
Psalm 42: 5

 And also....

The Lord himself will go before you.  He will be with you; he will not leave you or forgot you. Don't be afraid and don't worry.
Deuteronomy 31:6 
 (which is also a tattoo I have). You would think that verse would stand solid in my mind at all times.

So after all of this thinking, reading, praying, fighting with myself, what have I come up with?

That God is amazing. The I do not deserve his love, yet he gave it anyway. That as Chris Tomlin put it, "He saw the depths of our hearts, and He loved us the same." Incredible. And that even in the midst of all this fear and sadness, I need to keep up hope and continue to praise Him.

So what are His plans for me? I have no flipping clue. But I do know that I need to be better about trusting in Him and His guidance. I'm not entirely sure what that entails, but it can only be good.

I wish the same for you. That you would find that peace and hope too. And that we can rejoice for all He has done for us, and all He is going to do.
Amen.

-k

(ps. I hope that this doesn't come off as preachy. And if you are not a follower, in no way do I mean to offend you. This post is simply about things that been tugging on my heart as of late. And I posted it in hopes that someone else feeling the same way might see some hope too. )

52 lists in 52 weeks// list 48

List 48: 52 things I love about you.

The point of this list is to pick someone close to you to write a sweet things about. My list is for my momma, who's birthday is on Mother's Day this year. Although, I ended up changing the 52 to the age she'll be this year instead. And this list will be turned into a mini book that I'll give to her for her upcoming birthday.

I really loved making this list, mostly because I feel like I sometimes get too absorbed in myself in lists, but this one was completely about someone else. Plus, I'm thinking it'll make a great birthday gift. (And the mini book is on my list of 24 before 25!)

xo
kel