A Generalized Life Update #3

Kelly: I realize, well...we both realize it's been a while since we've written last. It's kind of surreal to me how fast this month has already gone by, and it has literally gotten away from us. A lot of things have come up and unfortunately, time on this blog has been placed on the back burner. I suppose that's how it goes, right? Anyway, I've been dealing with some personal struggles, mostly with my ongoing foot/ankle pain, and ever since yesterday I'm back in a boot. It kind of stinks, and I'm already struggling with my limitations and what I can't do and what I shouldn't do. Not to mention the unwelcoming stares of passers-by as I thump along, and it really just gets old after the first few times. Might as well hold a big sign up that says "YES I AM IN A BOOT PLEASE STOP STARING AT ME." I'm starting to feel a little discouraged, but your prayers, silly comments and humor are really helping, so if I haven't said thank you, then thank you. I read everything that you all post for me, and you have no idea how much they mean to me. It's those little things that keep me going. So again....THANK YOU! :) 

Sis and I just finished another stint of house/critter sitting for I believe the fourth year in a row. It's always nice to just get out of your own place for a while and have some adorable yet sometimes rambunctious pooches just love on you while you love on them right back. Our only living grandparents aren't in the best shape either. Granted they're 89 and 90 and I think it's finally starting to show. It's been a few years since I've seen them, but judging on the conversations I've had with my folks, it's evident that times are changing. They're changing, we all are, and a lot of what's been going on is something new we've all had to learn to navigate. How fast this month has gone has been a reminder of how quickly time just seems to get away from us, and suddenly those little things we take for granted are gone and then we realize how much we miss them. Let that be a reminder for all of us; be thankful and grateful for right now. But all things considering, we're doing all right. The weather is MUCH cooler and sis and I are looking extremely forward to some family time in Ohio this weekend for 4th of July. 

Holly: I do a lot of blog/newsletter writing for work and for an earlier blog I wrote, "Hi, can anyone tell me what happened to the month of June?" Time just flies, and we are already halfway through to what's, for me, been a pretty great year! 

Speaking of work, I've been doing quite a bit of traveling. One of the components of working for GA HQ is partner site visits. This year all of our partner sites are divided up into regional groups, as much by geography as possible (we have a few outlying sites), and so my group comprises our sites in Floyd, Wolfe, Breathitt, Owsley, and Menifee County, all in Kentucky. Yesterday I was in Wolfe county, earlier last week in Menifee, and Floyd at the beginning of the month. This is my first year making site visits and it such a rewarding component of the job! It's so refreshing to put faces to names, to put faces to numbers we spend a lot of time crunching, and to hear firsthand from the families we serve just how much of an impact this program is making. Very affirming, especially when the "daily grind" feels sort of like a grind. Mid July I'll be wrapping up my visits.

Things between my Aussie/the boy/J are going quite well. It's hard to believe it's been almost 6 months, and every day his heart and who he is as a person just continues to win me over. He was baptized last weekend, the 26th, and it was a powerful and beautiful moment. The Lord has really made Himself known to us as we continue getting to know each other, and I've learned so much about myself and what it means to be a caring and supportive partner. We have had some "serious" conversations and are looking forward to the future, but ultimately we're both praying for patience and wisdom and asking HIM how we fit into the plan He has for us. Oh....and he is coming with us to Ohio this weekend :)

Yoda and Wiley continue to delight us with goofy antics and plenty of cuddles and purrs. They're such joys!

Here, look at some pictures! It'll likely be after the 4th until y'all hear from us again. So be safe, tell your loved ones you love them (to their faces, not to Facebook), eat lots of yummy food, laugh, and hug someone.

30 Days of Writing: My body and how I feel about it

Kelly: I feel that this can be a touchy subject for some. I'm surprisingly not one of those people. Overall I am very comfortable with myself and the way I look. I feel good about myself and the way I look and feel. Of course some days are hard; with my ongoing ankle problems it can damper my self-consciousness sometimes. Big bulky braces really do cramp your style and are definitely NOT the most glamorous.

But ever since I started taking care of myself better, I have been impressed with what has come out of it, even though I haven't really done anything crazy. But the results speak for themselves; I have more energy during the day, some of my clothes are fitting looser, and my daily walk with sis is something I genuinely look forward to each day. Also, I am a child of God; He didn't create the "perfect" person. I've learned that He created me for just the way I am, and sometimes it's discouraging because you want to be "pretty" and "beautiful." What does that even mean anyway? I'm not sure, but I love the way I am and that's not going to change, big ugly braces and all. I've attached a video at the end of this post; I saw it today in my nursing leadership class. For those of you struggling with body image and self-esteem, please watch it. Even if you're not struggling, please watch it anyway.

Holly: 9 times out of 10, I am happy with the way I look.  I'm down about 10 pounds since I graduated almost a year ago.  I can fit into smaller shirts and dresses.  I take up walking with Kelly and I think that's helped with the way I look, but it's a good time for us to catch up and talk.  I eat A LOT healthier; I don't crave pop as much as I used to...I nowadays drink it maybe 2-3 days a week, sometimes less, sometimes more, but not every day.  I look at pictures from back when I first started college and I can tell a big difference between now and then.

But then again....I'm a 20-something young woman, and of course there are things about my body that I want to fix.  I'd love to lose 10 more pounds, although many argue I don't need to.  Which they're probably right...but that doesn't mean I still don't want to.  I'd love to fit into single-size pants again, something I haven't been able to do since before high school (but I think I'm getting pretty close...some of my 10's are getting a little loose!).  I am of childbearing age and know I need to start taking folic acid, even though I'm years away from wanting children.  I always need to drink more water.  I can't stand the fact that I'm so fair-skinned; it doesn't take much for me to get burned.  Blame it on the Scandinavian genes.  But do I obsess over these things? Of course not.  I'm not about to go on a crazy diet and work myself exhausted (which doesn't work, by the way.  Sorry).  I know what I need to do, what's working for me, and for now, I am happy with what I am.  :)