on family

This last week I got to spend time with family I hadn't seen in about four years. That means they haven't seen me since my freshman year of high school, and if you knew me then, you would know I not only am a completely different person, but I am also a completely different looking person!

This won't really be an advice post, but more like a look into my life for once. It's hard to give advice on family since each and every person's family is so different.

I was picked up by my cousin Erica and her daughter Taylor. I hadn't seen either of them in forever. Taylor is only a year younger than me, but we've always been incredibly close.

One of the highlights of the trip were getting to meet my two younger (second) cousins. Hannah is five, and yes I "met" her when she was about six months old, she didn't interact much so seeing her again was like meeting a whole new person. And Molly is three and completely adorable. Below is me with the girls and my cousin Cheri on my grandmother's boat in Florida. They were a handful, but completely adorable.

I spent a lot of time with the girls since I stayed at their house, but I didn't mind. I legitimately enjoyed helping them get ready for daycare in the morning and getting them ready for bed at night. I just love kids. :)

The last day was spent down at the beach and it was pretty interesting. We got a hotel room closer to JAX, since my family lived pretty far from the airport, and just enjoyed my last day there. It was awesome. :)

I miss them already and can't wait to go back!

I should be driving back up there with my mom and my brother's family in April for my great aunt's birthday. So hopefully I'll be seeing everyone again!

on Valentines Day

This one might surprise some people, so here it goes.

1. Yes, it's a very Hallmark Holiday. It's a commercialized holiday that get's people to buy super over priced chocolates and teddy bears, but who doesn't want to get chocolates or teddy bears? I wouldn't be complaining.

2. "You should love everybody every day of the year" If I got a dollar for how many times I heard that line today from those cranky peeps complaining about V-Day I would be a gazillionaire. But you know what cranky butts? Just because you should, it doesn't mean it happens. Valentines Day isn't just for couple either; when I was younger my parents did a lot for me on Valentines Day just to show that they love me, and this is the case for other people too. Valentine's day may sound redundant, but for a lot of couples and families, the holiday is a reminder of what they have in their lives.

3. Just shut up. You're all mad because you don't have a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/bootycall to celebrate with. You make this really obvious in your facebook status's about how it's stupid, dumb and doesn't deserve to be a holiday. I'm sorry if you're overlooking the true meaning of the day. Instead of a boyfriend/girlfriend/anything listed above, focus your love and appreciation on your friends and family. They deserve the love too.

And I'm not saying this because I have a boyfriend.

This is mine and Austin's fourth Valentines Day together and we have NEVER celebrated the holiday. 

This is just my two cents!

I hope everyone had a great love filled day. :o)