On Valentine's Day it hit me. We've done this before. Not that this was somehow the very first time Herschel and I had celebrated Valentine's Day together, but rather, we'd celebrated it in Florida before. Last year.
While we weren't officially Florida residents at that point, Herschel was residing at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Fort Pierce, and had been since January 4 with only one or two trips back to Little Rock. And I was still at our house in Little Rock trying to keep everything in tip top shape, praying that it would sell, and sell quickly.
While that seems so long ago, it also seems impossible that we've been here almost a year now. I still find myself telling people, "Oh, we just moved here...in March." So, I guess it finally sunk in on Valentine's Day because that was the first big event that we celebrated in Florida. And in true Floridian style, last year our V Day was spent beach-side. This year it was spent couch-side. Oh, how a year changes things.
But the fact is, a lot of things have changed in this past year. Most of it has been quite unexpected, but as I've said before on this blog, all of it has worked to bring Herschel and I closer together as a couple. It has been an amazing process. And while I'm praying that his next project takes us somewhat closer to friends and family, I don't think I would trade this year for anything. It hasn't been easy, and it certainly hasn't been predictable, but the people we've met and the adventures we've been on have made it all very worth while.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Airport Observations
Yes, I have long been absent from this blog and there's really no good excuse. All I can say is life simply got the best of me. One of these days I will post pictures from the holidays and maybe even tell a story or two, but for now I will leave you with a few observations. I'm sitting here at the airport in Baltimore on my way to Little Rock for a few days, and I've had a chance to catch up on one of my very favorite pastimes - people-watching. So, here are some of my observations so far. Enjoy!
1. I just saw a woman write a check at McDonalds. Last time I checked that was a FAST food establishment.
2. I love how the number of people who have southern accents increases as i get closer to home.
3. Some people truly think they are the only people watchng the tv in the waiting areas, and find it necessary to make completely inappropriate comments for the entire gate area to hear.
4. Three words: Cover. Your. Mouth.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
1. I just saw a woman write a check at McDonalds. Last time I checked that was a FAST food establishment.
2. I love how the number of people who have southern accents increases as i get closer to home.
3. Some people truly think they are the only people watchng the tv in the waiting areas, and find it necessary to make completely inappropriate comments for the entire gate area to hear.
4. Three words: Cover. Your. Mouth.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
A Grown Up Christmas
This Christmas is going to be a different one for me. I am excited about it, but I'm also a bit apprehensive. This year, we will be spending Christmas in North Carolina at Herschel's brother's house with the rest of Herschel's side of the family. This will be my first Christmas that I have not spent with my immediate family - hence, the apprehension.
Of course I knew this day was coming. It's expected with marriage. Along with the sharing of the house, chores, money, remote, etc. comes the sharing of the holidays. And honestly, in this department I've become a bit spoiled two and half years into our marriage. We have yet to spend a Thanksgiving or Christmas with Herschel's family. (I can see it now - several of you are having intense feelings of sympathy towards Herschel for having to spend all holidays with me and my family, but don't worry, he likes it. Trust me. Ha!)
We didn't really intend for it to end up that way, but for one reason or another it just did. Honestly, I think I was hoping the first holiday we would spend with his family would be Thanksgiving. I think it would be an easier transition for me. Still tough, but better somehow with endless amounts of turkey, dressing and pumpkin to drown out my sorrows.
Regardless, here we are. Christmas 2009 will be my first grown up Christmas. I'm trying to prepare myself as best as possible, but how do you really prepare? See, with my family, like most families, we have traditions. I know exactly how things will be, and I enjoy that. I know that we will have a big breakfast waiting when we get up, we will have to repeatedly wake up my brother so that we can finally open the presents, our stockings will be filled to overflowing and set at each of our chairs and my mom will be badgering everyone to throw their wrapping paper immediately into the garbage bag that she seems to have attached to her hand every Christmas morning. They may seem small, but through all the changes in our family over the years, these things have been constant.
I don't know what traditions the Acosta side of the family has, and chances are they are different than the ones I am used to. This all began to sink in for me last Saturday, as Herschel and I started planning out the details of our road trip to North Carolina. It wasn't long before the who, what, when, where and how of our trip turned into an interrogation for Herschel. I spent most of our lunch firing off questions to Herschel about what Christmas in his family was like, and in typical Herschel fashion, he didn't elaborate much and told me to calm down. I got answers like, "We open presents." Well, thanks. I'll be sure to prepare for that one.
It wasn't too long after that when I decided that I would try not to worry about the traditions - new or old - and enter into this year with an open mind. This Christmas is going to be different in a lot of ways. In addition to a change of location for me, we have spent significantly less than we have in previous years and we aren't giving each other presents, instead we are buying one thing we both want and can use. Maybe it's a sign of maturing or maybe it's just a reaction to all that we've been through this year, but all the "stuff" just doesn't seem to matter as much this year.
I'm trying to get back to the heart of the Christmas season. And honestly, I'm not quite there yet. Ironically, I've been too busy and distracted with all of my preparations. Christmas is about a love greater than you or I will ever be able to comprehend, hope for a struggling world and peace beyond our understanding. In small doses, I have each of those things - love, hope and peace. But I could sure use more. More love for friends and family when I don't understand their choices, more hope when I'm discouraged and don't see an end in sight, and more peace to know that I don't have to have all the answers.
Merry Christmas!
Of course I knew this day was coming. It's expected with marriage. Along with the sharing of the house, chores, money, remote, etc. comes the sharing of the holidays. And honestly, in this department I've become a bit spoiled two and half years into our marriage. We have yet to spend a Thanksgiving or Christmas with Herschel's family. (I can see it now - several of you are having intense feelings of sympathy towards Herschel for having to spend all holidays with me and my family, but don't worry, he likes it. Trust me. Ha!)
We didn't really intend for it to end up that way, but for one reason or another it just did. Honestly, I think I was hoping the first holiday we would spend with his family would be Thanksgiving. I think it would be an easier transition for me. Still tough, but better somehow with endless amounts of turkey, dressing and pumpkin to drown out my sorrows.
Regardless, here we are. Christmas 2009 will be my first grown up Christmas. I'm trying to prepare myself as best as possible, but how do you really prepare? See, with my family, like most families, we have traditions. I know exactly how things will be, and I enjoy that. I know that we will have a big breakfast waiting when we get up, we will have to repeatedly wake up my brother so that we can finally open the presents, our stockings will be filled to overflowing and set at each of our chairs and my mom will be badgering everyone to throw their wrapping paper immediately into the garbage bag that she seems to have attached to her hand every Christmas morning. They may seem small, but through all the changes in our family over the years, these things have been constant.
I don't know what traditions the Acosta side of the family has, and chances are they are different than the ones I am used to. This all began to sink in for me last Saturday, as Herschel and I started planning out the details of our road trip to North Carolina. It wasn't long before the who, what, when, where and how of our trip turned into an interrogation for Herschel. I spent most of our lunch firing off questions to Herschel about what Christmas in his family was like, and in typical Herschel fashion, he didn't elaborate much and told me to calm down. I got answers like, "We open presents." Well, thanks. I'll be sure to prepare for that one.
It wasn't too long after that when I decided that I would try not to worry about the traditions - new or old - and enter into this year with an open mind. This Christmas is going to be different in a lot of ways. In addition to a change of location for me, we have spent significantly less than we have in previous years and we aren't giving each other presents, instead we are buying one thing we both want and can use. Maybe it's a sign of maturing or maybe it's just a reaction to all that we've been through this year, but all the "stuff" just doesn't seem to matter as much this year.
I'm trying to get back to the heart of the Christmas season. And honestly, I'm not quite there yet. Ironically, I've been too busy and distracted with all of my preparations. Christmas is about a love greater than you or I will ever be able to comprehend, hope for a struggling world and peace beyond our understanding. In small doses, I have each of those things - love, hope and peace. But I could sure use more. More love for friends and family when I don't understand their choices, more hope when I'm discouraged and don't see an end in sight, and more peace to know that I don't have to have all the answers.
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Test
I'm just playing around on my phone tonight and testing out some new apps. I want to make sure I can tell everyone all about our trip to North Carolina next week as it is happening - I know how much you would hate to miss a single detail.
Anyway, I hope this works!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Anyway, I hope this works!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, November 30, 2009
It's Quiet
Unfortunately, I did exactly what I didn't want to do. I went almost an entire month without updating my blog. I knew things were going to be busy, but somehow everything still got the best of me. But now, it's all over.
About an hour ago, my family backed out of the driveway and headed to West Palm Beach to catch their flight back to Little Rock. And now, it's quiet. Our little world jumped from two and a half (Oscar counts as a half in my book) to five and a half overnight, and while it was a very welcomed change it was a big one. Last Sunday afternoon, my mom, brother and grandfather arrived, and it seems like I've been on-the-go ever since.
There have been meals to make, dishes to clean, beds to prepare, schedules to keep, etc. But it has been fun. I'm so thankful that they were all able to make it. It was the first time my mom and grandfather had even been to visit us since our move to Florida over nine months ago. So, it was a welcomed visit indeed.
When Herschel and I moved to Florida in March, we really had to work to create our own new little family in a way we never did in Little Rock. Sure there were changes that had to be made there after we got married, but we had built-in friends, a house, a church, jobs - a whole life. But this changed drastically when we moved. It's been exciting, but also difficult at times. More so for me than Herschel, but difficult nonetheless.
There has been so much change this year, and we have learned to rely on one another more and more. Our relationship has been strengthened in so many ways in such a short time. Where bitterness and disappointment could have easily creeped in, contentment and mutual love and respect have flourished. I am so grateful for our marriage and for the Godly leader I have in my husband. I know this is quality is rare, and for that reason it is so very precious to me.
BTW, in my blogging hiatus, I missed out on mentioning Herschel's birthday. I won't say how old, but let's just say, he's half-way to 70!
I have pictures of his birthday and the time we got to spend with my family that I will post soon. But right now, I'm relishing this quietness with a very grateful heart.
About an hour ago, my family backed out of the driveway and headed to West Palm Beach to catch their flight back to Little Rock. And now, it's quiet. Our little world jumped from two and a half (Oscar counts as a half in my book) to five and a half overnight, and while it was a very welcomed change it was a big one. Last Sunday afternoon, my mom, brother and grandfather arrived, and it seems like I've been on-the-go ever since.
There have been meals to make, dishes to clean, beds to prepare, schedules to keep, etc. But it has been fun. I'm so thankful that they were all able to make it. It was the first time my mom and grandfather had even been to visit us since our move to Florida over nine months ago. So, it was a welcomed visit indeed.
When Herschel and I moved to Florida in March, we really had to work to create our own new little family in a way we never did in Little Rock. Sure there were changes that had to be made there after we got married, but we had built-in friends, a house, a church, jobs - a whole life. But this changed drastically when we moved. It's been exciting, but also difficult at times. More so for me than Herschel, but difficult nonetheless.
There has been so much change this year, and we have learned to rely on one another more and more. Our relationship has been strengthened in so many ways in such a short time. Where bitterness and disappointment could have easily creeped in, contentment and mutual love and respect have flourished. I am so grateful for our marriage and for the Godly leader I have in my husband. I know this is quality is rare, and for that reason it is so very precious to me.
BTW, in my blogging hiatus, I missed out on mentioning Herschel's birthday. I won't say how old, but let's just say, he's half-way to 70!
I have pictures of his birthday and the time we got to spend with my family that I will post soon. But right now, I'm relishing this quietness with a very grateful heart.
Monday, November 2, 2009
November - Hello and Goodbye
I can not believe it's already November! Last night, Herschel and I were talking and we realized that he has been in Florida for almost a year now. It's so hard to believe how fast the past year has gone - and how much things have changed.
As we were talking about this, I got slightly stressed as I started thinking about all of the plans we already have for November. It is going to be super busy, which of course means that it will only go by that much quicker. So, just so that you're up to speed on what's going on in our lives during the next few weeks (and I know you want to be), here's a quick run-down of our activities - at least the ones we know so far.
1. I'm having a get-together for Pampered Chef at my house this Thursday.
2. Saturday some of our dear friends are coming in town!! Sooo excited about this! They'll get to be here until Monday.
3. We have just over a week off, to prepare for family visiting and Thanksgiving.
4. November 19 - my family arrives! Also, very excited about this. They will be here for a week and a half!!
5. November 25 - Herschel's birthday!!! :)
6. November 26 - T-Day - the main event
7. November 30 - Family leaves
8. November is over.
Oh yeah, and at some point in the middle of all of this, I'm starting a new part-time job at our church. I'm really excited about the opportunity, and it should be a really good thing for me.
I'm getting so excited about everything that we have coming up, but I'm also exhausted just thinking about it. I've already started plotting out Thanksgiving dinner - but then I realized that I need to think about feeding everyone for the entire week that they'll be here before we even get to Thanksgiving. Yikes!
Happy November!
As we were talking about this, I got slightly stressed as I started thinking about all of the plans we already have for November. It is going to be super busy, which of course means that it will only go by that much quicker. So, just so that you're up to speed on what's going on in our lives during the next few weeks (and I know you want to be), here's a quick run-down of our activities - at least the ones we know so far.
1. I'm having a get-together for Pampered Chef at my house this Thursday.
2. Saturday some of our dear friends are coming in town!! Sooo excited about this! They'll get to be here until Monday.
3. We have just over a week off, to prepare for family visiting and Thanksgiving.
4. November 19 - my family arrives! Also, very excited about this. They will be here for a week and a half!!
5. November 25 - Herschel's birthday!!! :)
6. November 26 - T-Day - the main event
7. November 30 - Family leaves
8. November is over.
Oh yeah, and at some point in the middle of all of this, I'm starting a new part-time job at our church. I'm really excited about the opportunity, and it should be a really good thing for me.
I'm getting so excited about everything that we have coming up, but I'm also exhausted just thinking about it. I've already started plotting out Thanksgiving dinner - but then I realized that I need to think about feeding everyone for the entire week that they'll be here before we even get to Thanksgiving. Yikes!
Happy November!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
An Open Letter to Parents of Young Children
Dear Parents of Young Children,
Congrats! You're parents! I'm sure you're very excited about your little one's first Halloween. And, of course, they are adorable. It's great that you've found "the perfect" costume for your precious baby, but I have a little bit of news for you. As cute and cuddly as they are, you're not fooling anyone - we all know they can't quite have any candy yet. They don't even have that many (if any) teeth. So here's where my beef with you comes in. I'm absolutely fine with you dressing up your child, in fact, I encourage that - I would dress up my dog if he wouldn't try to eat his costume. I don't even mind you parading your baby around in his or her costume. If I had a baby and I dressed him or her up, I would definitely want the whole world to see and tell me how cute he or she is. And I will do that one day, so get your compliments ready. But where I have to disagree a bit, is actually getting a candy bucket for your little one and trick-or-treating for him or her. I mean, really?? That would be like me dressing up my dog, putting a bucket around his neck and then taking him door to door to collect candy. Everyone knows that I will not be feeding him the candy. It's a front. And I'm on to you. If you want some candy, make a little effort and come up with a costume for yourself. Here's a thought, you could even think of a costume that accompanies your little one. But don't try to kid yourself or anyone else. And if you show up at my door tonight, you're not getting any candy. Happy Halloween.
Thanks for your time.
XOXO,
Julia
Congrats! You're parents! I'm sure you're very excited about your little one's first Halloween. And, of course, they are adorable. It's great that you've found "the perfect" costume for your precious baby, but I have a little bit of news for you. As cute and cuddly as they are, you're not fooling anyone - we all know they can't quite have any candy yet. They don't even have that many (if any) teeth. So here's where my beef with you comes in. I'm absolutely fine with you dressing up your child, in fact, I encourage that - I would dress up my dog if he wouldn't try to eat his costume. I don't even mind you parading your baby around in his or her costume. If I had a baby and I dressed him or her up, I would definitely want the whole world to see and tell me how cute he or she is. And I will do that one day, so get your compliments ready. But where I have to disagree a bit, is actually getting a candy bucket for your little one and trick-or-treating for him or her. I mean, really?? That would be like me dressing up my dog, putting a bucket around his neck and then taking him door to door to collect candy. Everyone knows that I will not be feeding him the candy. It's a front. And I'm on to you. If you want some candy, make a little effort and come up with a costume for yourself. Here's a thought, you could even think of a costume that accompanies your little one. But don't try to kid yourself or anyone else. And if you show up at my door tonight, you're not getting any candy. Happy Halloween.
Thanks for your time.
XOXO,
Julia
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