I love graduation season because I love commencement speeches. I'm a big fan of inspirational quotes and I love hearing people's stories. The above video is fantastic and I have watched it multiple times since a few friends shared it on facebook. It's definitely worth the 8.5 minutes of your time!
During this time of the year I can't help but think back to my own high school and college graduations. Eight years ago I was saying good riddance to high school, ready to reach for the stars at my top choice college. The world was my oyster and I was so anxious but also so ready to see what the world had to offer. Four years ago I was saying a tearful farewell to my beautiful college and embarking on the beginning of my journey into the "real" world. I had a job lined up but I had no idea what the future had in store for me. 
Two years ago Hubs and I were just returned from our Spanish honeymoon and I was pretty depressed to be back home. I still think of our time in Spain almost daily and cannot wait to go back again someday. Now I am counting down to the end of my first year living abroad, as a "real" wife and full-time stepmama, and I think back to that bright-eyed and bushy-tailed 18-year-old I was eight years ago. If only she knew how a few small choices would lead her to so many places she never even imagined. 
It's been quite a wild ride. I have grown up so much and have so much for which to be thankful. Sometimes I am reminded of my 18-year-old self, full of anxiety and uncertainty about the future, but there is little else I could ask for at this life stage. The past year, especially, has been full of some serious ups and downs--and more than a few growing pains--but above all else I feel so blessed to be living this life.
xo, B

weekend update

We had a lovely weekend! The end of last week got warmer and SUNNY and everyone was in such a good mood. My boss walked into the Friday afternoon staff meeting with a case of beer and a bowl of limes, and told everyone to go home early to enjoy how beautiful it was outside. I even exercised outside (ran/walked 2 miles) and got some Vitamin D in my system. Hubs and I had a movie date to see The Great Gatsby which I couldn't decide whether or not I liked until the end. (Conclusion: Loved it.)

Saturday was the best. I had a hair appointment and chopped off a couple of inches and added in a "sombre" look (some + ombre, apparently the technical term, lol). Getting a head start on my summer highlights before we spend some time at the beach. Then, because the temperature was actually perfect, the sun was out and beckoning, we packed lunch and hopped in the car. We headed south to see a tulip festival and it was wonderful! We had such a nice today together and got some fantastic pictures (dSLR pictures coming soon in their own post). 

Sunday was hanging around the house, running errands, and just relaxing. We are excited for more sunny weather so we can get back to exploring Japan. (And we'll be home for vacation time in less than 3 weeks!)

And then we got photo bombed by a little Japanese boy:

xo,

B

    

fitness friday

Linking up with Kelly for another Fitness Friday. The best part is that I'm still working out! I have switched up my "mercy days" a couple of times depending on how worn out I feel on a particular evening. Most days I still have no desire to spend an hour+ exercising, but I'm still feeling great afterwards. The other best part is that I've started seeing changes in my body and that is so motivating. 

What do you do when you're needing a little extra motivation? What about when you're on vacation? We'll be going home for 2 weeks and I know I'm definitely not going to want to exercise every day. 

{This is thanks to SO MANY lunges and barre class!}

xo,

B

mother's day weekend

This weekend was my first "real" Mother's Day, meaning the first that I was officially a stepmom AND we actually all lived under the same roof. A coworker asked me if it was awkward, "given the situation," to which I say no more awkward than being a full-time mama to a rambunctious 6-year-old. In other words, why would it be?

But I do suppose it might be a little different for me, and other stepmoms out there, who know that while we serve mothering roles we aren't "real" moms. I can't speak from the perspective of a bio-mom, but I can say that as someone who has been intimately involved with the raising of the same kiddo for over half her life, it is tough. Not in the typical ways of Oh, my kid is making me nuts today tough. More like in the this is the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life way. Because raising a little person is truly the most challenging thing I have ever encountered. 

Many days, most days, I question everything. Did I feed her enough healthy foods today? Was that one packaged food going to tip the balance? Am I giving her enough freedom to exercise her choices while also giving her appropriate boundaries? Did I spend enough quality time with her? Am I giving her the chance to become her own person? Will she be too spoiled if we never have a baby? Will she feel unloved/unwanted if we do? Am I balancing everything in a way that will make her a well-adjusted adult? Am I doing everything wrong and ruining her for life? Is this enough? Am I enough? 

It all feels like such a gamble, this waiting game to see how these little people turn out as adults. It's terrifying! I am helping shape this tiny human being! And all I want is for her to go forth into the world as an adult and make good choices and be happy and kind. Is that so much to ask? Sometimes--for those of us who are the worriers of the world. But then? Days like Mother's Day happen and I am reassured that I am at least on the right track. That she is happy, and feels loved, and we're doing okay. (Thanks for that, Universe.)

xo,

B

     

sunday social

Happy Sunday! I hope everyone has a great Mother's Day--whatever that means for you. 

This Week's Questions:

1. One year ago I was...recovering from back-to-back spontaneous travel weekends with my mama (Orlando and San Diego), and wrapping up the last few weeks at a job I loved. I was weeks away from the movers coming and packing up all my stuff to send it across the country and the Pacific! Life looks so much different than it did this time last year.

2. Five years ago I was...just finishing my junior year of college, continuing to work at my internship in D.C., and still dating my high school boyfriend (who, obviously, was not "the one").

3. Ten years ago I was...16 and finishing my sophomore year of high school (dear lord). I was a typical angsty teen dealing with some not-so-typical things, and pretty angry at the world. Wish I could go back and give that girl a big hug!

4. One year from now I'll be...in Misawa still, most likely, with a little more than a year left of our tour (barring Hub's acceptance into a special program). Perhaps completing a certificate program if I can ever decide on one and commit to spending the cash. 

5. Five years from now I'll be...who knows where! Hopefully living at an awesome duty station with Hubs and Little One (who will be ELEVEN, which I can't even think about). We'll possibly have another little person in the family, but if not then definitely a dog!

6. Ten years from now I'll be...likely still living the dream as a seasoned military spouse. Hopefully in a job that is more my "calling," and living in a house we can really make our home (at least for a few years). 

xo,

B