Sunday Social

This is my first time linking up with Social Sunday! Check out what I have to say about my childhood.

1. What do you miss most about being a kid?
Going to the lake every weekend with my family. We would take the boat out to Lake Travis and spend all day there. I was definitely a water baby.

2. Did you have a nickname growing up? What was it?

Yes, I had several. Brookie, Brookester, Skipper(because I skipped everywhere I went). That one was my favorite!

3. What was your favorite thing to do at recess?

I loved playing on the monkey bars until my hands were raw. Do you remember that? Ugh, it was the worst, yet I still continued to play on them.

4. What did you want to be when you grew up?
For one assignment, I wrote that I wanted to be a mom! Still working towards that dream of mine :)

5. What was your favorite toy?

My bike, Barbies, or easy bake oven. 

6. What is the funniest thing you did as a kid that your parents still remind you about? 
I played hide N seek....by myself. My parents couldn't find me for what seemed like hours. They were calling out my name, calling neighbors, yet I still stayed in my hiding place. My grandpa eventually found me hiding in my hamper. Oh, it was sooo evil, funny, but evil.
 

What are your answers?

I'm getting ready

To Believe

I find myself singing this song all day long. It really hits home with everything going on in my life lately.

                 "But if I hold on tight, is it true?
                                     Would You take care of all that I do?
                          Oh Lord, I'm getting ready to believe."


Life
Stress has overcome my life at the moment. Family drama is happening all around me. So-and-so not getting along with whats-her-face, disagreements on decisions we've made about the wedding, costs of the wedding (Eeeeks), the guest list... it's overwhelming.
Friendships
Within the months of August through October, I will have lost two friends to two different states, and one friend to a different city... What's wrong with this picture?...I know people grow up and life happens, but it still makes me sad. Of course I won't be losing them forever, they just won't be here physically. I'm actually VERY excited for all three of them. They are following their hearts and goals in life. I definitely support their decisions. Oh, remember this girl, yeah, she's one of them. :'(
Health/Body
I have always had the worst teeth as a child and now as an adult. I can brush and brush and brush, but they just don't get stronger. I am one of the few people that still has their wisdom teeth too :( and now they are finally deciding to grow in and cause me pain. Hair loss is another issue, blaming stress for that. I've also been experiencing tummy aches and pains too, to where alka seltzer has become a close friend.

Just received these as a gift.
I have viewed all these things as negative, but God knew what he was doing when he decided to bombard me with these things all at once. He wouldn't throw something at me if I couldn't handle it, right? He's already made a clear difference in my life... All of those bad things have had something good come out of it. I prayed about them and he listened.

• People have started respecting our decisions corresponding to the wedding.
• I've reconnected with some old friends. I've joined a book club with one group, and a small group with another. Such a huge blessing to be connecting with new and old faces. Where there is loss, there is gain. This was part of the plan.
• My dental insurance just kicked in at a perfect time. I'm grateful to have such great coverage and affordable co-pays, if any at all.
• I've started developing a relationship with God. I've been praying on my own. Spent time alone, just Him and I. I'm currently working on being still and listening to what He's telling me. 

I believe that there is good in everything, you just have to ask for it sometimes. The song helps me realize this. It's easy to walk away and give up. The way I see "I'm getting ready" is a way to keep going, and believing no matter what is put in front of you, good or bad.

I'm putting all my faith in God, and he's listening to me. It's a great feeling to get a reaction, and so quickly. The timing on everything is just unbelievable. It's definitely a #Godthing.... ;)

and for your listening pleasure

A song that I hear and makes me think about my friends that are moving/have moved.


p.s. It's hard writing about your struggles.

Gone Girl

Gone Girl By Gillian Flynn

I don't even know where to begin with this book. It seriously was all over the place, but in a good way. I'm not too sure how this review will read, but just trust me, it's definitely worth your time! I could not put it down!

It's read like diary entries and short chapters that go back and forth between the characters, Amy and Nick. They are a happily married couple, living in New York, working in journalism. Throughout their five years of marriage, things have not gone as planned. One year they're living in New York, working their dream jobs, the next they're jobless, moving to Nick's home town to help care for his parents. By the fifth year of marriage they are financially unstable, bitter about their marriage, and are showing their "true" colors.

You find out on their fifth anniversary that Amy goes missing.

and we all know from watching LMN that the husband is always the one to blame...Right?

Maybe that's the case in this story, maybe not. I'll let you find out for yourself! I will say it's not the typical murder mystery you might be imagining.

It's a psychological masterpiece where every little detail matters. This author had me hating one character one minute, then feeling sorry for them the next. I truly did not know where this story was going. I was blindsided with the first plot twist and was hooked until the end.

Read Gone Girl, and tell me what you think! If you've already read it, email me at brookie1605@yahoo.com and let's talk about it!

In my opinion, I didn't like how the story ended. Not saying it's a waste of time or anything, just think it got wrapped up too quickly. I like my version better :)

If you're interested in seeing my other review, check it out here.

Blessed Birthday: Part II

In pictures!

This weekend was a great big party. We kicked it off by celebrating my maw maw's 75th Birthday with a party on Saturday. My grandma and I are very much a like, maybe because we're both Virgos? It was so great to see her smiling and so happy that day.

I sure do love my sweet maw maw! Sharing time with her is a blessing in itself.

Then Sunday was my Birthday, which I wrote about here. I was surprised with a Birthday party with some of my closest friends. Sadly, some couldn't make it, but my mom did a really great job planning the party and not having me find out about it. We just loaded our pictures on the computer from the weekend, so here are the rest...

 When I arrived, I was greeted and was told to wear this hat. I was all smiles.

Bailey's mom and sister, Natalie and Janie, and my mom and me. \

Such a pretty set up with beautiful gladiolas!

My mom and Dan

Jonathan and me. Jonny is Scott's version of Bailey aka his long time best friend. So happy he was able to come!

...more cake! mmm











I was loving all the balloons! They were such a cute touch to the decorations. So grateful for all my mom did in preparation for the party.

Such a special memory for me...

I said I would list everything I ate over the weekend. Are you ready for this?
-cake
-hot dogs
-round rock donuts
-Long John Silvers(please don't unfollow me, it's a guilty pleasure y'all)
-mexican food, enchiladas to be exact. chips, queso, rice, beans. The works, man!
-more cake
-ice cream

Pretty intense right? It was pretty bad. Oh well, you only turn 24 once! :)

To sum up my Birthday, a group of friends and I went to the skating rink last night and had a BLAST!!! I was so surprised with the turn out and all the positive feedback. Friends were saying they were going to plan their next Birthday there, ha! I loved that the friends that weren't able to make it to the party, were able to make it out to the rink. It was the best ending to my Birthday celebration. SADLY, I didn't take one picture. I was having too much fun! It was a wheely great time! (see what I just did there? :)) hahahah

The best quote of the night: Lady at the door:"y'all brought a half eaten cake?" ...The look on her face was priceless. haha No shame here! What, I was trying to get rid of it ha!

Cheers to being 24!

Blessed Birthday: Part I

Yesterday, I celebrated my Birthday. This year I made ZERO plans for my actual Birthday day, we just decided to go with the flow. I knew we would get some Round Rock donuts, lounge around and watch football.

It was a rainy Sunday, which couldn't have been more perfect for being lazy.

We headed out in the pouring rain to go get a special treat. The best donuts in the world. No joke. Everyone, new or old to the Austin area, knows about Round Rock donuts.

We ate them in the car on the way back home.

We watched Bernie, which was a true story, filmed in Carthage Texas. It was really neat because besides about 3 actors, the rest of the "actors" were real people from the town. So cool!

We went to my parents house around 3 to watch the Cowboys lose. I fully expected to walk in to see my parents, brother and SIL, but instead I was awed with some of my closest friends and family and a house full of decorations. They were all there to celebrate me, and I had no idea about it! I can honestly say that has never happened. Nothing ever gets past me, Scott can tell you that ;)

I walked in with tears in my eyes, shocked! I was so surprised :) I felt so special seeing my friends there to celebrate my Birthday! My mom had my favorite restaurant in Georgetown delivered for the party. Dos Salsas if your curious. It was perfect!

It was such a humbling experience. I couldn't believe my mom put this together and managed to pull this off with out me knowing about it. I was overwhelmed with all the love that was around me. My heart was so happy and I couldn't stop smiling. It is a memory I will never forget.



BTW I think Birthdays=eat what ever you want. I can't wait to tell you what I ate this weekend. I'll post it in my next Birthday recap.

aka I will be hitting the gym hard today...

24 Years Young

Happy Birthday to ME! I'm 24 today.

This year is going to be huge for me. Can't wait to start it off with today. We've got some fun things planned! I'll keep you posted :)

I have a feeling my 24th won't be a year to forget.
Cheers!

Michelle Obama arms

That's right,

Michelle Obama arms...

via

I want them!

Hahahahahah

So obviously, those aren't her real arms, I saw this picture on google the other day and thought it was hilarious... But seriously, she has great arms!

via

I have specifically been working on my arms at the gym to mirror hers. 

Today, I'll be pumping some baby iron back in my cubical.

Happy Wednesday friends!!!

Registry: Help a Sista Out!

Today I am asking you friends for some registry help!

As most of you know I am getting married next April, and the planning is in full swing right now. Thankfully I have almost everything covered, but Scott and I are now trying to tackle the registry part. A part I was really looking forward to. I always hear people say this is their favorite part of wedding planning.
I mean you get to:

Scan stuff!
Pick out all these pretty, brand new things for your house!
Upgrade, you know, out with the old, in with the new.
Turn your house into something other than bachelor pad(work in progress)...


Looks like fun doesn't it....

But what people don't say is that:

It's stressful!
You have to deal with pushy associates trying to make you register for everything in their store.
You have to agree to disagree comprimise... That's a big one!
You have to decide right then and there what you want your bedroom, house, bathroom everything to look like(actually you don't, you can always return stuff if you change your mind, but who wants to go return everything after the wedding is said and done). I'm also very indecisive, and I love Scott and all, but you can't always trust a mans judgment on decorating. Heck, I can't ever trust my own!
and
Not knowing what to buy! Sure, they give you a list, but it's got the whole dang store on it. Then there are different designers, outrageous pricing, ugh I could keep going, but I don't have enough time.


So needless to say, I need your help!!!

We are currently registered at Crate and Barrel and Bed Bath and Beyond.(Blessings I tell you. They've been really great actually. Very organized and not pushy at all, Macy's)
What are some do's and don't's?
Any must haves and don't bothers?
Do we register for China? (heard SO many mixed reviews on this one. What do you have to say?)
How many stores?

Thank y'all!

Camp Gladiator: Chaos

I'm talkin Camp Gladiator again.

I posted about my first experience with CG here. And boy have I fallen in love with this gym since then.

Yesterday Scott and I started officially going to CG, as in we started paying for it. We took four different types of classes during the trial period:
-stregth
-trx fusion
-bodyrock
-boxing
In honor of joining the gym, we decided to try Choas. Go big or go home, right?

CG definition of Chaos:
 
"Chaotic fun! This upbeat, total body workout incorporates almost every piece of equipment in CG Arena. Consists of several 2 – 3 minute stations including boxing on a bag, punch mits with a trainer, tire flips, battle ropes, agility drills, plyometrics, TRX, monkey bars, jump rope, hill climbs and much more! The goal of the class is to keep your body moving and heart rate up for the entire 60 minutes. All levels."

Yes people, you read that right, tire flips...

via

It was fun, energetic, kept me engaged, and gave me a badass workout. It's also great because at each station you can make modifications, if needed. Truly a full body workout!

I encourage anyone in the North Austin area to check out CG. They are way more affordable than most gyms, and their trainers are out. of. this. world.

KEEP
CALM
AND
CAMP
ON


p.s. I can bring a friend. Any takers? ;)