I'm pulling out my hair!

Brooklyn is driving me crazy! She won't stop barking. Spanking her just doesn't work. She continues to bark and I'm not a big fan of hitting dogs anyway. But her bark collar doesn't seem to work either. I'm at the end of my rapidly-fraying rope!!! Puppies like her are the reason shaking-baby-syndrome exists, for real. It's seriously like a phase she is going through. Brook hasn't always been like this. When will it come to an end? Will it? Anyone with puppies want to offer some advice? Please???

Today's Burdens

Besides the fact that I just love to write, my blog serves me in that it helps me to clear my head and just get certain burdens off my chest. For this, I am extremely thankful.

I was so incredibly stressed out today! It was just one of those days at work where I felt behind from the get-go and it wasn't until about 4:45 p.m. that I felt like I had kind of caught up. Even now, I know that tomorrow is going to be just as busy. I'm praying that I can keep up with this crazy pace and still give every task 100% of me. I absolutely love my job, but today it won.

Another cause of stress in my life today was my apartment complex. Last Friday, I put down a deposit for a 2B/2B at the same complex that I'm currently living in. Right now I'm in a 1B/1B, my lease is up at the end of March, and my apt complex wants a 60-day notice as to whether or not I'm staying or moving out. Knowing that the next place I move into will be the "home" that Luke moves into once we're married made the decision to stay or leave very difficult. But he and I decided to stay at my apartment complex and just move into a larger unit. I then received an email on Saturday morning that said my apt complex accidentally leased me an apartment last Friday that was actually not available. It was the most perfect apartment and I was so bummed! It has now worked out that (because my apt feels guilty for not being more thorough) I will be moving into an even larger 2B/2B than before, it is costing me $30 less than they were originally asking, this new apt has upgraded floors, and I can more in next week without having to pay out my current lease. Sounds like a great deal, right? Well, it is except for the fact that I'm freaking out!!! Move out of my apartment in a week instead of at the end of March?!?! Does anyone remember I work 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. M-F and have set plans the next two weekends? Why do I do this to myself...

On top of these daily stresses, I'm thinking about how I will need to buy a new car soon. I'd really like to lease one. Where is the down payment going to come from, you ask? Good question. I have no clue. I'd also really need a new mattress. The one I have right now is super old and again, eventually Luke will have an opinion about this as well. This must be why God tells us,

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

Matthew 6:24

Blah. These are my stresses of the day. And I hate that most of them have to do with figuring out finances (can I at this point afford a bigger apartment, a new car, a new mattress, etc?) and just organizing my grown-up life. It feels good to get them off of my chest, but it doesn't make them go away. Tonight, I am laying my silly worries and burdens at His feet. As small or simple as these stresses may sound, they weigh on me and I cannot carry them all. As I was driving home from work today, I found myself tearing up to this song. I don't know what it is about this song, but it gets to me every time. Selah's version is my favorite. I love this hymn. It will get me through the next few weeks of decision making and work in general. 

P.S. I'm sorry if this blog post doesn't flow or make much sense. I feel like I'm rambling. I guess I'm just tired. Goodnight friends.

Roommates, Friends, and Sisters

At 3:30 p.m. I will be leaving work early to go to Marble Falls to spend the weekend with my college roomies and best friends. The amount of excitement and joy in my heart cannot even be explained. There are no words strong enough to explain my love and obsession with these girls and the memories we made in college. We're so much like family, in fact, that we take vacations together. We've been to Tampa, Houston, Marble Falls, New York, etc. together. This weekend we will be at Cat's lakehouse. We'll eat at the famous Blue Bonnett Cafe, we'll talk about current life adventures and reminisce about college life, and you better believe there will be margaritas!

These girls have changed my life for the better and I wouldn't be who I am today without them. I miss them in my daily life something fierce. I can't wait to be reunited with these sisters. *happy tear*

Save-the-Dates and Our Honeymoon!

Last Friday, I ordered save-the-dates for mine and Luke's upcoming wedding and they came in the mail today. I'm so excited! They turned out really cute. I couldn't be more pleased. Thanks Wedding Paper Divas!

{I'm excited to get these guys sent out!}

And now for even more exciting news! Luke and I booked our honeymoon! After throwing around many beach destination ideas, we decided to go in another direction and we're headed to...

Disney World!!!

Booking our honeymoon couldn't have worked out any better. We have some very dear friends that both Luke and I have worked with at Camp Zephyr for years. They are travel consultants with MouseEarVacations.com. I trust them way more than I would just any ol' travel consultant and I know that they will put together a fabulous itinerary for my adventurous husband-to-be and me! I never in a million years would have thought that I'd be honeymooning in Disney World. But after talking about it, Luke and I realized that we can go to the beach, surf, para sail, etc. any day. Yes, it's not as blue as the Caribbean, but after a couple of days on the beach, we would have gotten bored. I can't wait to ride roller coasters and watch fireworks on top of The Contemporary with my man! We'll be staying at The Wilderness Lodge and so far, I've heard nothing but wonderful things about this place. Magic Kingdom is literally feet away from our hotel and it's just a short drive or tram ride to anywhere else. And the best part is, we can register our honeymoon and fun extras just like normal wedding registries. How cool is that?? Watch out Disney, we're headed your way!

{Disney's Wilderness Lodge}