Stop and Smell the Roses

 

 Rifle Paper

I have never really given this phrase much thought before now. 

I have always been really good at worrying about the future. Like months and sometimes years into the future. I was probably in elementary school when I told my mom that I would never leave her and I wouldn't go to college because the thought of living on my own was a horrible, scary thought. (still kinda is).

Ryan and I have a crazy summer schedule ahead of us. We are very excited for all the fun opportunities in the works and for the fun things we have planned, but it is a lil bit stressful when I think of all the things we have to get done. All the flights we will have to take. All the long car drives. All the packing and moving and unpacking. But as I was stressin about all this last week... I stopped for a second and realized that it is still February. Sure it's good to have a plan for the future, but all the crazy doesn't happen until June. So I told myself to take a chill pill. Cause ya know what- everything always seems to work out.

Then I came across this quote and thought- yeah that is the answer! I am in Paraguay right now. I have an amazing internship. & and I am with my husband. I am so so so blessed to be here and sometimes I forget that.

Sometimes life can feel like a bit too much. Or that it's moving way too fast to keep up. 

 Just hit the pause button. 

Take a step back. 

Breathe. 

Or go take a nap. Either one. 

Cause it does no good worrying about things that won't even happen for 6 months, Linds. 

I have learned that I find more appreciation in my day/week/life when I am living in the present. And that makes me a lot happier. 

So occasionally you just gotta stop and smell the roses. 

Or else you will go crazy. 

And nobody likes that.

LOVE LOVE LOVE

This weekend has been especially lovely for us because:

1. Valentine's Day

2. 6th Month Anniversary

(Shout out to Lauren. This is my favorite night shirt. Still can't believe you found this haha)

So there has just been lots of love going around. 

We had to work until 12 on Valentine's Day, but when I got back to my room I found the cutest display of some of my favorite things. Ryan is the best. 

I'm a sucker for baby pineapples

I am so obsessed with my little cactus

 pineapple smoothies

Some couples have babies or get a dog... we got a plant. 

 

Then at 4 we were invited to a tea party from the girls haha. So stinkin cute.  

 All we really wanted for Valentine's Day was pizza. 

 So we went to Domino's. Ha it was actually pretty good! It tasted like a Costco pizza. So it had plenty of cheese :) 

 ANNNNND HAPPY 6 MONTHS! 

Love ya Ryan. Thanks for being my best friend. It has been a great 6 months so far and I am thankful I get to spend the rest of my life with you.

Confetti Kindness

My heart has just been so full lately. 

Ryan and I have been so blessed to meet incredible people here in Paraguay. Seriously, the people here are sooooo NICE. Just saying "thank you" doesn't seem sufficient enough for all the incredible love and service given to us. 

It's just made me reflect on ways I can improve. And kindness is a big one. It is amazing how much love you can develop for people you barely know. I LOVE that feeling. I know I am the happiest when I am loving and just showing genuine kindness. 

It is so easy to get caught up with ourselves and our lives. Why do we do that?? Why do we sometimes feel annoyed at other people's accomplishments? We judge hard and we judge fast. 

I am working on doing a lil less judgin and a lil more lovin. 

"Throw Kindness Around Like Confetti"  

While perusing the Pinterest quote page, I came across this one. When I really think about it- this is exactly how people should throw kindness out. Like confetti. Ya know why? Cause confetti gets over EVERYTHING. Like a year later you still find pieces in the most random places. 

I want my kindness to be thrown out and reach every nook and cranny. Even in the hard to reach places that probably don't receive a lot of love. 

 ...

Just a little thought. Mainly for myself to remember. But ya know, maybe it helps someone else too. 

XOXO