Top 10 of the 2010s.

Happy New Year's Eve!!

I cannot believe that not only have we reached the end of 2019, we have reached the end of the entire 2010s DECADE! Crazy.

If you followed along with me before my 3 year hiatus, you know how much I love new year's and reflecting on the past year. This year, in honor of 2020, I'm kicking it up a notch.

Behold: my top 10 moments of the decade.

The 2010s was a pretty big decade for me. Honestly I don't know that I'll have another decade quite as productive as this one in my lifetime. I was 16 years old at the beginning of the decade, and now 26 as it ends. I visited 2 countries and 7 states, had 5 job changes, got 4 new pets (and lost 4, too), and transitioned through about 6 different life stages. Obviously there have been both great times and challenging times, but overall I can say that I don't regret a thing! So, without further ado, my top 10 of the 2010s.

God Has Shown Favor: Part 2

If you missed part one, click here.

Disclaimer: This post is Jackson's birth story. While I promise not to get graphic, I know reading birth stories isn't everyone's thing. I won't be offended if you choose to stop reading. You've been warned!

God Has Shown Favor: Part 2

My pregnancy was fairly uneventful - which is definitely a good thing! I only had mild morning sickness until about week 11, and then honestly it was smooth sailing from that point on. Of course, I was getting pretty uncomfortable toward the end, but that's to be expected.

We actually thought Jackson was going to come early for a little while because he was already in position and ready to go starting around week 36. I had even started dilating, but around week 38 all progress stopped - and seemingly didn't want to start again.

Once we reached my due date (June 24th), my doctor gave us the option to schedule an induction which we took. We scheduled for Friday, June 28th, but would go in on Thursday evening to be given a medication called Cervidil to help prepare my body for labor. This medication needed to be given 12 hours in advance. So the plan was to start that Thursday night, then be induced Friday morning.

Unfortunately I did not go into labor naturally before Thursday evening, so we moved forward with the scheduled induction.

We arrived at the hospital around 7pm and started the medication around 8pm. So, the plan was to start me on pitocin to induce labor at 8am Friday morning. But Jackson had other plans. ;)

God Has Shown Favor: Part 1

I'm baaaackkk!!!

And oh so much has changed since we last talked, Internet Friends. I promise in time you'll be all caught up, but I want to start with my favorite story from the last 3 years.

It's kind of long, so I'm breaking it into two parts. Welcome to part 1!

God Has Shown Favor: Part 1

This is a story of infertility. This is a story of brokenness. This is a story of God's overwhelming grace. This is my story.

This story actually starts years ago, back when I was a teenager. I'll spare you all the details, but the main thing you need to know is that for various reasons, I always suspected I might have issues getting pregnant. I truly hoped that my suspicion was 100% rooted in the fact that I am an eternal pessimist, but as you'll soon find out, it wasn't.

So, when my husband and I decided we wanted to start our family in August 2017, we decided not to tell anyone. My reason was simple: I didn't want people to wonder what was taking so long if it didn't happen right away. I thought that would be embarrassing and shameful.

Normally, I am an incredibly open person. I hate secrets. I think there are very few good reasons for having them. I don't necessarily volunteer all of my dirty laundry for everyone to know, but I at least always willing to talk about it.

Except with this. This was the exception. I did not, under any circumstances, want people to know we were trying for a baby. I convinced myself my reasons were legitimate, but the reality is, it was pride.

I'm going to pause there and tell the medical side of this story first. Remember this, though, because it plays a very important part in this story.

2016: My Favorite Year Yet.

It's my 3rd favorite holiday!

First is Christmas, then Thanksgiving, and then New Year's is third! (If you're wondering, Valentine's day is fourth and July 4th is fifth.)

I love New Year's for several reasons: 1) it's just a fun time to stay up late and celebrate with friends, 2) my first date with my now-husband was on NYE, and 3) as I've mentioned before, I love new beginnings! The beginning of a new year is a great way to have a fresh start with new goals, plans and adventures. 2016 was a really big year that will be hard to top, but that certainly isn't going to stop me from trying!

I know I was MIA from the blog for most of 2016, but that's just because I was busy living in the moments instead of writing about them. And as much as I love blogging, it was really a nice break and definitely much needed. There was so much that happened this year, but now that I'm back, I think it's time for a recap of my year, going (somewhat) chronologically.

Our Wedding Day!

I am so excited to share with you the details of our wedding day! We got our pictures back last week and I'm obsessed with them. They turned out so great!

Unfortunately I can't share ALL the pictures with you (there were over 1000!), but I will share some of my favorites!

Anyway, we got married on October 28th, 2016 and it could not have been a more perfect fall day. We were concerned about the weather because we were planning to have part of our reception outside, but God provided the most beautiful 70 degree, sunny weather for our day.

I spent most of the day getting ready with my bridesmaids. We had brunch and then went for mani/pedis. I have absolutely 0 pictures from this time but please be assured we had a blast. We met up later at the chapel after we had our hair and makeup done and finished getting ready there.

You're never fully dressed without lipstick.

Deck the Halls with Lots of Turkey.

It's been awhile since I've been here. A lot has happened since my last post in May. I am now married. I have a new job. I bought a house. The Cowboys are #1 in the NFL. Just about everything has changed, and I'll get to all of that, I promise. But today, I want to talk about a highly controversial issue facing all of us that I think really needs to be addressed.

Christmas before Thanksgiving.

Even the pilgrims had an opinion.

The holidays are upon us (and, ironically, I just legally changed my name yesterday so I guess you could say my "Holiday season" just ended??), and with that comes lots of joy, food, and of course, debating about when it is acceptable to start thinking about Christmas.

He Put A Ring On It.

A lot has happened since my last post! And now that school's out, I intend to post a lot more. :) I had some other posts I was working on BUT I'm putting those on the back burner for now because I have a much more important story to tell first. (Head's up, it's LONG...but good).

3 weeks ago, on Sunday, May 15, 2016, the most handsome man got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. And I said...well, let me start from the beginning. 

A Boyfriend Won't Make You More Secure.

On March 19, 2014 I pressed published on the first post on this blog. To this day, it is one of my most popular posts.

That post gave you a little glimpse into my life and a struggle that I and countless other women (and men!) across the world deal with daily: insecurity.

In my first post, I detailed my personal struggle with insecurity. I talked about some things I had gone through and how those things affected me. I talked about my worries and my doubts and how all of it ties back to the I-word. I talked about my one saving grace: my hope and trust in Jesus Christ.

But even then, after I had come so far in my walk with God and my struggle with insecurity, I had bought into a HUGE LIE that the media tells women every day.

 Here's a snippet from that post last year:

Welcome 2015.

One year ago, just after the clock struck 12 and we welcomed the new year, I made the bold prediction that 2014 was going to be a great year. I just knew it.

Ringing in 2014.

I was right.

2014 was wonderful for many reasons. This year was full of new opportunities, new relationships, chances to trust in God, and answered prayers. It was also full of challenges, hardships, disappointments, and even some tears. It wasn't a perfect year, but in my opinion, it was the best.

Every year has trials. But if you can come out stronger on the other end of them, it's a win. I had some very low points this year, but I'm a much better person because of them. I learned not to take anything for granted. I learned that God has my back no matter what. And I'm starting to learn (though I'm not quite there yet) that I shouldn't let what other people think of me dictate what I think of myself. 

Hey, Look! I'm Blogging!

So it's been waaayyyy more than 7 weeks. Oops.

Since it has been practically an eternity since my last post, I'm going to attempt to do a giant catch-up post recapping the last...what, 50 weeks or something? (12. It's been 12.)

A lot has happened since my last post, and before I dive back into posting regularly, I really want to fill in all the gaps. You know, for context. And because some awesome things have been happening lately and I want y'all to think I'm cool.

Yes, you heard right! I am going to [attempt] to start posting regularly again starting...now! And by regularly I mean once a week. And I also mean that there may be a week (or two, or six) where I don't get around to it. But I'm reallllyyyy going to try because I miss it.

Speaking of missing things, here's all the fabulous (just go with it) details of my life that you may have missed in the last 12 weeks:

9 Things No One Told Me About Teaching.

Today I finished my 6th week of teaching and I promised myself that I would write a blog post no later than today.

I've started several posts the last few weeks but stopped because I wasn't sure what to say. I wanted to talk about my new job and how wonderful it is, but that wouldn't be the truth. 

The truth? It's hard. Like, the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. That doesn't mean I don't love it -- I do -- but the reason I haven't posted is because I was trying to find the balance between being honest and not complaining.

I knew this was going to be hard. I didn't choose this career because I thought it would be easy. I just didn't know exactly how hard it would be.

It's also extremely rewarding. When students start to really get it, when they hug you and tell you that they love you, when they make you birthday cards and pictures, when you can tell that they are really starting to love learning -- those are the moments that make it all worth it.

I just look forward to the day when those moments outnumber the challenging ones. ;)

Anyway, here is my list of things I've learned in my 6 weeks as a teacher that no one had ever told me (or they had and I didn't believe them). They told me A LOT, but there are some things you just have to experience for yourself.

High Five for Saturday: Because Friday Was Too Mainstream.

I never got around to posting this yesterday, so I thought about just skipping it this week. But then I remembered how awesome this week was, and it needed to be shared. So I'm switching things up, breaking all the rules, and posting on Saturday! (I know, I'm a rebel).

Not that my posting was that regular anyway (I'll get there eventually, I promise), but it's definitely going to be pretty sporadic the next couple of weeks as I prepare for school. Just a heads up. 

This week was a week of change for me. I left my job of four years and I started training for my new teaching job. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed since school starts in a week and I was a last minute hire and I've got a lot to do. But my new coworkers are so helpful so I know it will all work out.

I also crossed two things off my bucket list this week! Details below.

Here are some of my favorite moments from the week:

God Blew My Mind.

A week ago today, discouraged and broken, I told God I was ready for Him to blow my mind.

And blow it He did.

If you follow me on Instagram, then you know that yesterday I was hired as a kindergarten teacher at a local elementary school.

I edited this photo to make myself look tanner because I blended in with the whiteboard.

But let me start from the beginning.

High Five for the Past Two Fridays.

Since I missed last week, this post will cover the last two weeks. So long as I can remember what happened last week. I might not.

I mentioned before that the last couple weeks have been really crazy for me. The short version is that I've been really focusing on trying to find a teaching job, now that school starts in like two weeks. I'm still looking, so I would appreciate prayers for that.

Last Sunday my car wouldn't start after I had just paid a bunch of money to get the alternator replaced. We took it back in a few days later and they discovered that the alternator had gone bad, so they replaced it again. And then the next morning my car wouldn't start. And we took it back in and I had gotten another bad alternator. So they replaced it AGAIN and then the next morning my car wouldn't start.

It was getting old.

We were going to go get the battery checked, because we knew it wasn't the alternator that time. But then we charged up the battery and so far it's been fine. So hopefully the problem is fixed now.

Anyway! On to the highlights:

High Five For the Most Random Week.

Y'all. This has been such a great week! I'm excited to share it with you.

At the end of this post, you'll probably be thinking "Wow, Kayla sure is easily amused." Which is true. I am a simple person. It doesn't take much to keep me happy.

I'm just gonna jump right into it.

1. First things first, I got my laptop back. Joey, Jr. was greatly missed during his absence.

By the way, his name is Joey, Jr. because my first laptop was named Joey. I don't know why but I thought that was a great laptop name. And when I got my Macbook, I still thought it was a great laptop name, hence Joey, Jr. My next laptop will more than likely be Joey III.

Birchbox vs. Ipsy: July.

Receiving my month's beauty boxes is one of my favorite parts of each month. You all know how much I love makeup, and these these two packages give me the opportunity to try out products I may not have normally picked for myself. My favorite thing is when I get a product that is something I NEVER would have thought to try, but end up loving.

 I received both Birchbox and Ipsy last week, so here is my July Birchbox vs. Ipsy review!

(If you're new to the idea of Birchbox and/or Ipsy, click here to read my past reviews and learn more about the two services.)

A Love Note to Joey, Jr.

No Monday Smiles today because this is far more important.

On this day, July 21, 2014, a beloved member of the Holiday family has returned home after falling victim to a terrible keyboard disease.

He underwent an emergency keyboard transplant, and now all keys are functioning as normal.

Welcome home, Joey, Jr.

In your absence, I wrote you this note. I hope you like it.

High Five for Friday + An Announcement!

Today's post is brought to you by my mom's laptop because mine is currently visiting Tech Support.

Remember the keyboard issues I started having a few months ago? They recently got, like, 1,294,329 times worse. It was basically unusable. And since a keyboard is kind of an important part of a laptop, it was time to get it fixed.

I'm really digging deep to find 5 things to share with you guys from this week. It was fairly unproductive but I'll do my best.

1. I had family in town last week, which I mentioned. On Friday, we ate lunch at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants and then did some antique shopping. We visited this store that is PACKED with lots of vintage clothes, jewelry, furniture, even old letters and photos! It was amazing. I bought an antique hand-painted plate, which I have been meaning to start collecting for awhile. (Now my collection has officially started!)

High Five for Friday: And She's Back!

Guess what, y'all? I'm back!

I took the week off, which was totally unplanned but kind of nice. 

Since I've been gone for awhile, today's High Five is a special two week edition! But still with only five things. Because the last two weeks weren't all that eventful.

So here goes!

1. I guess I never showed you guys a picture of the finished cupcakes I made a couple weekends ago. Here you go:

Top left: Snickerdoodle; top right: chocolate & peanut butter; bottom left: chocolate & Nutella; bottom right: vanilla.

Monday Smiles: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

This sort of goes along with last week's post, but I came across this verse this morning and it super encouraged me so I wanted to share. Enjoy!

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9-10