The Return of Thankful Thursday

I'm sure only a few people are still following this blog, mainly because I have been away so long. But I really crave and need to be back into focusing my life on gratitude, rather than the daily stresses that can threaten to overwhelm us at times.

I am preaching to myself when I remind you to take a few moments today to be grateful. To simply BE and be thankful for this moment, this breath, this heartbeat.

This week, I am thankful for:

The miracle of prayer.

My sweet mom who has worked so hard to get my condo ready for new renters.

That I am making the best, most peaceful choices for me that I possibly can.

The Coastie and how he makes me laugh every day.

The cooler weather and gorgeous sunsets we've had here the past 2 days.

Feeling that my inner peace is beginning to show on the outside.

Knowing I can overcome any obstacle with the support of the Coastie and my incredible family.

Warm soup on a cold day.

Thrift shops.

Dancing in the kitchen.

Morning jogs along the harbor.

Be thankful today for who you are and where you are!

Been away too long!

We have been away from blogging for way too long. I've noticed that without the accountability of the blog, I've neglected Thankful Thursday in my personal life. So many changes and things have changed in our life recently, that we really need and want to get back to a simpler time.

So, for a quick update:

I quit my job and immediately found a new one. The new job is not in my professional field, but I am much happier and healthier. The Coastie agrees and loves having his wife "back."

We moved to a new house in our little coastal town. Not by choice, but the Lord definitely provided for us when it became crunch time.

We have overcome THREE very stressful, heartbreaking, and uncomfortable situations just in the last 6 weeks. Team Preston is stronger than ever!!!

I've found a great Bible study with some incredible ladies here in California. God is so good providing me with supportive friends!

We celebrated our two year wedding anniversary this past week. The second year of marriage had it's own ups and downs, but we are loving every single second of being married and facing life's challenges together.

I made the best soup of my life the other day. The Coastie has dubbed it "Hilary's Harvest Soup." I'll update with the recipe soon!

I'm also toying with a new trend-setting weekday idea. More details to come!!!!!

Blessings!

Friday's Favorites

This week, my new favorite thing is this Vera Bradley "seashore tote" aka beach bag:

I'm not normally a brand snob, but I do love me some Vera Bradley. When I saw this bag in a cute shop here in town that carries Vera, I couldn't stop thinking about it! So I saved my pennies and splurged several weeks after seeing it. I love it! We are taking this fabulous bag out for it's first beach trip today. I'm going to look so cute!!

Happy Friday!!

Thankful Thursday

It feels so strange to be getting back into this habit. So many of my life's circumstances have tempted me into a time of.... well, let's just say... the opposite of gratitude. BUT, this week, I have made a conscious choice to step back into a life of gratitude.

So this Thursday, I am thankful for:

My mom. Mom, you are heart of my heart, spirit of my spirit. I am grateful for all the cards you send me in the mail. I am grateful for the book and pendant you sent me to help me re-focus my thoughts and energy into being grateful, not bitter. Thank you for listening to me hour after hour. Thank you for forgiving me while I selfishly dominate our conversations these days. Thank you for believing in me that I will be a more hopeful, positive, giving person again very, very soon. Thank you for always believing in my inherent goodness, worthiness, and beauty and reminding me of these things when I forget. Thank you for giving me life. Thank you for walking beside me on this journey.

My husband who puts up with me in ways he never thought he would have to! He still treats me like a queen and spoils me rotten. He is my cheerleader and rock. I am so grateful for his love, friendship, laughter, and positive attitude.

Yogurt with granola.

My sweet pets who are always glad to see me.

The card from my best friend about being friends even during our "bingo years." So sweet, thoughtful, and funny, you are Liz!

The exciting, miraculous, spectacular news for a friend.

Intuition.

Morning runs.

Be thankful today for all the little things and important people in your life today!

Happy Armed Forces Day!

The Coastie and I wish you a happy Armed Forces day!

Today we honor all the men and women who currently serve in any branch of the armed forces.

Say thank you to someone who serves to protect you and your freedom today!

Weekend Camping at Lake San Antonio

We decided to skip out of town this past weekend and get back to nature. Well, as back to nature as I'll get because I do like having an actual bathroom somewhat close by. The Coastie chose Lake San Antonio. It's a gorgeous little lake northeast of where we live. It's only about an hour away, but the temperature difference made it feel like we were on Mars! We left home at 10 am in 60 degree weather. By the time we rolled into our camp site, it was a blistering 94 degrees! It only got hotter from there. We managed to spend some time at the lake side and even swim a little.

The most interesting part of the trip: our discovery that our sweet dog Buttercup HATES camping. She wouldn't eat, barely drank water, and barely got out of the car. We had to leave the car door to the backseat open the whole time because that's where she chose to stay. She even slept there overnight! How the Coastie and I managed to adopt a dog that despises water and being out in nature is beyond me. Oh the irony!!!!

Anyways, we had a blast and loved using our new camping gear. I felt supremely catered to because the Coastie knows everything about camping, surviving, and propane stove cooking. I was basically worthless except for a good laugh and company.

We definitely want to go again. Just maybe when it's not so uncomfortably hot!

Our camp site on the south shore of Lake San Antonio.

Buttercup: "Are you sure about this whole camping thing, Mom?"

Buttercup was still panting after her first dip in the lake.

The view across Lake San Antonio

The Coastie convined Buttercup to get in the water. She can't swim. Sad.

Buttercup's preferred place to go "camping."

The morning sunrise!!!

Miracle Miles for Kids

The Coastie and I completed a 10k run!

The run entitled Miracle Miles for Kids benefited the Family Care Network, Inc. a local organization that focuses on strengthening families with children & youth with mental health issues, behavior issues, and provides foster support and training to foster kids and foster families.

I am not a natural athlete, so this was VERY big deal! I had never run more than 5 miles in one session, and that was only a couple of weeks ago! I wasn't sure how I was going to do the last 1.2 miles (10k = 6.2 miles). Somehow, I managed to dig deep and finish with a pretty good time for a novice runner.

Did I mention we were running on the beach?

Yep, we ran the entire way on sand. This run was from Morro Rock in Morro Bay to the Cayucos Pier in Cayucos (pronounced ki-U-cus).

The best part of the run was seeing 2 baby whales just off the beach. Only in California do you get to enjoy such amazing animals and a beach view while on a jog!

Enjoy a few photos from our race:

So many people on our little beach!

Representing Tennessee!

See how pretty our run was!

Team Preston at the finish line!