Hi friend! 6 months down… 6 more to go… Brain dump for June coming right up! Buckle in cutie pie this one is going to be bouncing all over the place.

Happy birthday to America – 250 years! July 4th weekend was one filled with lake days, family, friends and a whole lotta that hot Texas sunshine. Fun fact: 4th of July is actually one of my favorite holidays. It’s a weekend full of my favorite things: my people, the lake, sunshine, and America.

I went to the aquarium this month. It was so cool! I have lived in the Houston area a majority of my life and have never been. It was quite the adventure. We got to pet a sting ray. We also saw the tigers and they were majestic. If you go, do NOT [I repeat DO NOT] stand up in the window thing. You will damn near knock yourself out and cause a lot of laughter mixed with, “Are you okay?”. Just take it from me and stay on your knees like all the signs say to if you are over a certain height.

Anyway, in the middle of the restaurant there is a tank filled with fish, sharks and sting rays. We were eating lunch and a shark tried to eat a fish. I say tried because the shark hit the fish like a freight train would hit a parked car sitting on the tracks. The fish started flapping around because it was hurt and I am sure stunned. Then the shark put the fish in it’s mouth and started pressing it against the top of this structure in the water. What in the hell?! Talk about dinner and a show. I felt like I was watching Discovery channel live. Here’s the kicker though – the shark didn’t eat the dang fish. Such a waste and why not?!

What made this 10X funnier is about five minutes before this happened someone said they feel bad for the fish since they are just trapped in that tank for their whole life. I said, “Well it might not be so bad because they don’t have any predators.” To my defense I have never, and they haven’t either, seen anything eaten in the tank. I was definitely wrong… L O freaking L!

I am focusing on being where my feet are and enjoying each moment for what it is. Eyes on Jesus and trusting him in each step I take. Everything in life is in his divine timing. Not one second early or late. Perfect timing and I choose to trust that even if I get a little impatient at times.

I purchased a stand up paddleboard and played on it all weekend. I love it! My goal is to get my dogs on it and go for morning workouts/swims. I also want to pack snacks, bring a few drinks, a speaker and watch the sunset on the lake. Talk about a great way to end the day!

Speaking of sunsets… I am totally a sunset girl. Watching the sunset on a porch with good company, music, a cold drink, and a breeze will absolutely recharge my soul.

I love the simple things in life the most.

You really do get over stuff on a random day. I guess sometimes there is a grand moment. I think more often than not you wake up one day and something or someone doesn’t have the same hold on your heart like it used to. When you really think about it your life really does change in a second.

I took back more control over what I feed my mind this month. I filled it with a lot of prayer and so many conversations with Jesus. Being obedient in the nudges and listening. A social media break. Deleted accounts. Reconfigured algorithm. More books and good music. Mental health check-ins before hang outs. A lot of focus on what I can control. Therapy. Making a choice to show up with kindness, love, integrity, courage, grace, compassion and peace no matter what situation I am in. Boundaries and standing confident in my decisions even when people don’t agree. Standing in the grass when needed [iykyk]. Protecting my peace – fiercely. Laughter and good conversations. So many observations and giving people plenty of room to make their own decisions. Oh, and I am crossing bridges when I get to them. I have wasted so much energy trying to figure out all the bridges I may cross. When I know every single bridge I have ever crossed, I crossed successfully. No need to stress about all the what if’s anymore. I am making a choice every day to enjoy the day. I am just more selective of who and what I give my energy to. I am really proud of myself for making these adjustments. One day at a time, my friend. One day at a time.

My mom and I have been boxing for a little over six months now and saying I love it would be an understatement. It is such a great workout and weekly time with my mama is something I really look forward to. There is just something about sweating it out in a gym with no A/C and punching a bag or mits for a couple of rounds. I swear it makes me to feel like I am punching back at life. I refuse to be a victim to things that happen in life, so you can always count on me to get back up and throw a punch back.

A call or text conversation with your best friend just refills my love bucket. I am 100% sure I have the best friends! I just wish some of them lived closer… as in five minutes from each other close.

I realized I have more power over my life than I thought I did. It is refreshing, reassuring and a great reminder of who I am, the belief in myself and how unique it is to show up in the world authentically when so many people seem to wear masks. I don’t have to figure anything out today. I just need to focus on enjoying the day. I will know when I need to make decisions. Everything works out exactly like it is supposed to – always has and always will.

Sometimes I get bored with the meals I cook, so I have been getting Hello Fresh boxes again to switch things up. The recipes are so good! If you get Hello Fresh, which meals are your favorite?

I said it last month and it is still true this month – I am in a faith growing season. Friend, we are just walking day by day, step by step through this valley. Sometimes I find myself a smidge of a bitter betty about having to be in a valley again. My perspective quickly changes because when I stop and look around there is SO much beauty in the valley. If you look for the flowers, they are easy to find. It is all about perspective.

Structured daily victory prayers. Game. freaking. changer. Woah.

I watched a video this month about how we pray. A lot of times people pray in fear versus victory. Lord knows I was. The beautiful thing in life is you can pivot as you learn and grow. So we pivoted and now pray prayers of victory! Hallelujah!

It made me think of how children pray. They pray as if it is already done. There isn’t doubt… just total faith God will come through. Why do we doubt more as we get older? This is something I am really working on.

Speaking of prayers… I recently got a journal that I will fill with prayers and letters. One day I will gift it to someone and what a gift it will be. Whoever gets it will literally be an answer to my prayers and what a blessing we will be to each other.

I believe each person has a responsibility to heal their own heart so their wounds don’t bleed on anyone else. Tend to the roots, so they can bloom.

Yes, life has knocked me on my ass a few times. At first, I would meet those moments with anger because certain things are just quite simply not fair. I didn’t understand why things would happen or why people made the choices they did. There were many times I would be so mad my life had to change so much. I had to deal with the consequences of someone else’s decisions when my actions didn’t warrant the changes I was having to make.

But remember… as you grow and learn you pivot…

So now I choose to look at those not so fair moments as character building and teachable moments. They are not failures or losses. They are moments wrapped with divine protection and redirection. They give my roots a chance to grow deeper, so when the wind comes again I don’t sway as much.

So we are over here with a steady breeze and my roots are holding stronger than ever before because they are grounded in God’s truth, love and light. I am not broken. I am not a victim. Other people’s actions do not determine my worth or who I am. I am stronger, more empathetic and a better person because of them. I choose to let these moments build my character. Things happen. People suck. I absolutely refuse to let them steal my kindness and light.

I started sewing again. My aunt gave me a much needed refresher course this past weekend. I am determined to finish my quilt by the end of the year. It is going to be so cute!!

Cleaning, laundry and chores will all get done. They have just been more on the back burner this summer. This summer memories were made that I will cherish for the rest of my life. My heart is full of gratitude for the connections and adventures this summer.

Nothing blooms year round in nature… so why do we expect to always be blooming? There are seasons for rest and growth. My friend, give yourself the much deserved grace you give to so many other people.

Another granny hobby I want to learn is to crochet. If you have a favorite tutorial or any tips/tricks, send them my way!

Your words have SO much power. They either give life or take it away. You cannot take them back once they are said, so think before you speak. You can be loving and protective without being an asshole. Delivery is the key, my friend.

I saw this super cute idea. You create a painting that lists your house rules. The words are bold and colorful. You hang it where everyone can see it. Some are funny and some are serious. I think a few of mine would be: Manners matter. Tell the truth always. Have fun. Cussing okay. Go stand in the grass. One more try can change everything. Gratitude. Dance parties encouraged.

What else should I include? What would your house rules be?

Let’s wrap this up! The rambles have rambled too long. Bless you for following because we bounced all over the place like a freaking caffeinated squirrel.

6 months down and 6 more to go. I am really curious to see what my life will look like in December. I am looking forward to upcoming trips, paddleboard adventures, projects, days on the lake, good movies and TV series, great food, stronger friendships, solid faith, those gorgeous Texas fall days, comforting cups of coffee, and all the quality time I will have with my people. The next six months are going to be pretty epic.

What are you looking forward to the most over the next six months? What do you want to do? What adventures do you want to take? If fear wasn’t a factor, what would you do?

Friend, be brave. Think big and just go for it. You’ve got this!!!

Be a blessing to other people and be kind to others. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE is dealing with something.

Last thing I want to remind you of – you are perfectly and wonderfully made. God knew the world needed YOU just the way you are, so show up as the most authentic you. No mask. No agenda. Just you. I promise you it’s the best version.

Until next time,

Amanda