The Simple Life.

Don't worry, this entry is NOT about Paris (or Nicole). This entry was inspired by a chat with a friend last week about how people live. It got me thinking and being really grateful for how I was raised...

My favorite childhood memories involve: my sisters (rae and ruth), church, football (naturally) and family vacations (which involved car toppers, absolutely no head phones, lots of family 'bonding', and living out of a suitcase for 6 weeks). My family is a real hoot - I wish you all could meet them (for those of you who haven't).

I was raised simply for lack of a better term. I didn't go without any real needs being met - but we didn't live an extravagant life either. Our home was full of fun, family, laughter, friends, and most importantly, faith. What is wasn't filled with was electronics (my parents have FINALLY got a DVD player and an Apple computer), luxury cars (try a 14 year old mini van I learned to drive in), or lavish allowances.

My Dad told me several times in middle school and high school that it's important to realize that nothing is handed to you in life, you work for what you want. The God we serve is a provider - but that didn't mean we got cars for our 16th birthdays or cruises for Spring Break every year. What I love about sharing this with you is that my childhood was one of the fullest I know of. You would be hard pressed to find 3 girls who had us much fun as my sisters and I. We continue to be best friends and all maintain great relationships with our parents as well. If given a choice, my family is still who I choose to spend time with. We cherish the memories we made in those years and we're grateful for the opportunities our parents gave us to learn, grow, and achieve.

As I've reached the ripe old age of 25 I have come to the sad realization that so many in my generation have been crippled by the absense of simplicity in their lives. Everything was done for them and as a result they have never developed a healthy work ethic. I was amongst one of the first graduating classes (from college) to be part of the worst job market - ever. Three years later many of my friends are STILL trying to score their first 'professional' job or have given up and gone back to school.

In addition to having weak worth ethic and little experience I'm also from a generation of people with an 'I deserve it' attitude. Why shouldn't we have BMWs, condos in the nicest parts of town, lavish vacations, destination weddings, and wallets full of plastic? We want everything our parents worked 30 years for, without the 30 years of work. I mean, we deserve it, right? We EARNED it. Sadly, those I know living that lifestyle right now, aren't enjoying it nearly as much as they hoped and most of them will still be paying off their current lifestyle, 30 years from now.

What really hits home for me about this is that while I love to work (I got my first job at 15 and haven't quit working since) - I also appreciate that my parents taught me to value the things money can't buy. They taught me to keep my relationship with the Lord first, to live below my means, to buy only what I can pay cash for, and to be grateful for used cars without monthly payments and fun that doesn't break the bank. They put the emphasis on people and not on 'stuff' and they taught me to set goals and work for what I want.

I'm not opposed to cars, homes, clothes, or cash but I do grimace a bit when people say 'I deserve it'. As a Christian, I'm just thankful I'm NOT getting what I really deserve. I've got a lot left to learn about money, about sacrifice, and about living a simple life but I will tell you this - I have never been happier than I am right now. My life is full. I don't have every 'thing' I've ever wanted but I have what I need and I'm working towards a few of those wants while I'm at it.

I'm especially thankful today for Griwald style family vacations, my first car (a 1994 toyota camry with 146K miles on it), an education, and a family who loves the Lord.

Here's to the simple life.

Love,

B

Birthday Wish List.

It's one month til my birthday and you KNOW I can't stand surprises so I've already figured out everything I want this year....

1. A (petite) grill. No, not the bling'd out teeth covering kind - the kind I can pull out (of the garage) and flip some burgers on. I'm ready for some football and I'm ready to become a grill master this season. So after I turn 26 next month you'll find me in my driveway flippin burgers like a boss.

2. A new Coach planner. Mine sure has been good to me these past 8ish years I've had it but it's time for it to retire to that place great planners go when they die and for me to sport a new one. I want the 'Julia' in black (I couldn't find a black picture I could bum so this ones in silver).
3. The Colts to beat the Bucs on MNF IN TAMPA...oh and me to be there with my best friend.


That's right people - my team is coming to my city for a game on my favorite (football) night of the week. There are few things in the world I love as much as Monday Night Football - and this year it will be the deadly combo of the Colts, Tampa, my Daddy, and my bff all in one. I can't WAIT. Dreams do come true people, they do.

4. Ryan Gosling. Preferably with the body from Crazy, Stupid Love and the personality from the Notebook. Is that too much to ask?!


Those are my top four but I'm also hoping there might be an iphone, some nordstrom giftcards, stationary,and maybe a new book or two mixed in there. My dream of having a private jet remains as well...that would just be so stinkin convenient.

The big 2-6, coming soon.

Love,

B

It's Ok...

This may start being my favorite day of the week on the blog, seriously. These 'its ok's crack me up and I've been obsessively reading all the ones who link up (you should too).



So today I'm just letting you all know that (according to me) it's ok...



...to live 15 minutes from the beach and still prefer the pool (no thanks sand)



...to prefer texting to talking on the phone.



...to put your hands on your hips in every photo so you don't have 'fat arm'.



...to ask whoever you're with to check your teeth after every meal.



...to belt out your favorite songs in the car so loud that homeless people stare at stoplights.



...to only dance at weddings to dances you know: the electric slide, the cha cha slide, or my favorite: the cupid shuffle.


...to own over 50 dresses and still want to buy a new one every week.

(note: hand on hip in every pic - as promised)

...to blog even though your parents keep telling you it's weird.

...to obsess about your family being together at the holidays even when it is/seems impossible.

...to go over your gas budget to be at your sisters baby shower (eeee!).

...to fall in love more than once in your life.

Love,

B

Hitting Close to Home.

Photo.

It's always a little overwelming when crimes 'hit close to home'. The recent disappearance of Indiana University student Lauren Spierer (story here) really tugs at my heart. Several of my close friends went to IU during the time I was attending Purdue University. I actually spend several weekends on that exact campus with said friends. These situations are always tragic, but something about kids (even college aged 'kids') just really gets me. I guess it's when you think 'that could have been...'.

I was talking to my Mom about the Spierer story on the phone the other day and it got me thinking about the Purdue student who went missing for 2 months while I was at Purdue. The Wade Steffey story was also heart wrenching for me. He was a freshman during the Spring semester of my junior year at Purdue who went missing in January and was found, dead, in late March within the electric room of a dorm on campus where he had been apparently been electrocuted.

The whole campus spent weeks looking for Steffey - combing the campus to no avail. I remember helping spread the word via facebook, noting fliers on every building on campus, and my classmates and I all talking about what could possibly have happened to him. I didn't know him personally, but I was the familiar with the dorm he lived in (where some of my friends had previously lived) and the fraternity he'd been at the night he 'went missing'. I can only imagine from the rumors that went around campus about his disappearance all the horrible things that must have gone through his parents, family, and friends minds in those tortuously long 2 months.

Obviously the Spierer story is quite different in that they're confident there was an altercation of sorts and her disappearance was likely at the hands of other people. All the involved 'men' have lawyered up but are said to be cooperating with the authorities still. My heart goes out to her family and friends and I'm praying they find her soon. I can't imagine what that must be like. Having a college aged sister myself, I can't even go there. Please remember Lauren's family in your prayers and all those trying to locate their missing loved ones.

Love,
B

Football Football Football.

I'm linking up with Lindsey today to show my team colors. I believe in blue - the theme of our Indianapolis Colts. I'm stoked for football season to begin this week (even though preseason is such a tease). So here's a few pictures of me supportin my boys... (and with some of my favorite boys/colts fans).

Case, me, and Sean at a game.

Casey, me, and Jeff after the win that took us to the Super Bowl (the one we beat the Bears in)

Casey, me, and Jeff tailgating before the Eagles game.

Me and my fav little Colts fan who sits next to me (or on my lap, depending) - Nathan.

Sean and I @ a game last year.

Let's go Colts!

Love,

B

I forgot to update you guys yesterday that I've lost 6.4 lbs as of the week 3 weigh in for the competition I'm doing. No matter how well you do it always seems like you still wish you could lose more, faster, right? But I've settled into a good groove with counting calories and my Crossfit classes as well as my Shapes classes are giving me a good mix of workouts every week. Since Crossfit I've given up two-a-days for a while. Getting my butt kicked once per day is enough right now.

I'm leaving this weekend to head to Daytona Beach for my older sister, Rae's baby shower. I can't wait to see her (and her baby bump), my brother-in-law (Chris) and her family-in-law whom I love! After I visit them in Daytona my sis and bro-in-law will be coming back to Tampa for the remainder of of the weekend. I can't wait to finally show them the condo! I've been a homeowner for almost two years now but my sisters last trip to Tampa was before I had closed.

What is it about having your family on your own turf that is just so exciting? Showing her my place for the first time, cooking for her (a new skill I've learned since the last time I saw her), taking her to my pool (where I spend pretty much every Saturday/Sunday afternoon). I am literally giddy with excitement.

So in prep for a wonderful weekend this week will be full of cleaning, laundry, errands, etc. I've already bought my future niece her first presents, which I admit took me 2ish hours of browsing literally every baby product known to man. I will be doing some baking for the shower Thursday night as well. Plus packing (which takes me forever) and probably trying on all 70 or so of my dresses to decide what to wear (this is my first baby shower for a sister, it's important). Prep for these things is half the fun, right?

I think I'll treat myself to some new music before the trek - I still have the CD I made the first time I went to Daytona, for my bro-in-law's brother, Will's graduation party. Which I'm pretty sure I busted back out when I went over there for Thanksgiving the first year my sister was married. I actually love a good roadtrip and I now have 2 in a row these coming weekends. So exciting. I enjoy the time to sing, think, and call a few people I'm frequently indebted too in the phone call department.

Ok this post has been a bit of a ramble. I'll return you to your regularly scheduled excitement.

Love,

B

My Style Monday - Wedding Edition.

Well, I told myself I'd have more than one outfit to share for this weeks 'My Style Monday' but alas, failure. So, I'm just sharing my outfit from the wedding I went to on Saturday night on St. Pete Beach.

Me @ the condo before leaving for the wedding.

Me with the bride and groom: Jen & Larry.

Dress: Jessica Simpson ( I got it on clearance @ Marshalls)

Shoes: Gap outlet wedges (I felt like heels on the beach might get dangerous)

Love,

B