iPad debate: HELP!

If any you follow me on Twitter/Instagram... You probably saw my tweet/picture that said...

 

"I'm considering getting an iPad with some of my summer savings! Advice? Thoughts? Suggestions? Pros/cons?"

 

So, I figured, why not do a post about it too! I'm going to list all of the things I'd use it for, want it for, etc. If you are the owner of an iPad... PLEASE give me some and ANY type of feedback! I want as many opinions as possible.

 

Overall, my laptop of almost 5 years now is just getting outdated. It's slow, the webcam is crap, and I'm SO over playing the Sims {the original reason I bought the laptop}.  It's just not what I need anymore. I'm considering selling it now before it's worth absolutely nothing. I'm not looking to replace the laptop with an iPad, because I will still have access to multiple, *real,* computers, but I am looking at getting something easier to take along and things of the sort.

 

I've considered just saving up for a Mac book, BUT in all reality, I'm graduating and going off to college in less than two years. I don't want to spend the money on one now, I'd much rather wait until the summer after I graduate. Especially if I'm going to spend that kind of money.

 

What I'd use the iPad for:

 

- School. As my arthritis progresses, it's difficult to take notes like a normal teen. This year, our school has made a lot of changes about devices and my doctor has also reccomended I make some changes in my school routine. You are able to purchase a keyboard to hook up, too, am I right? I need something smaller than my laptop to be lugging around on top of all my textbooks and things. My thought is that how small and lightweight the iPad is, it would be WAY handier. My question here: is Microsoft Word an option and are you able to hook the iPad up to a printer?

 

- Blogging/Vlogging. Again, I could purchase a keyboard for blogging and vlogging could be done off of the video camera. My laptop right now is currently not letting me upload videos and neither is my phone, so this would be a huge perk!

 

- Pinterest. Yeah, I had to include this. They just came out with an app for the Android, so I'm bascially on it all the stinkin' time now. They also came out with an app for the iPad at the same time... Score, right? ;-)

 

- Music. Here's where it gets tricky. I have a music player called a "Zune." The music software on my computer is just that {Zune} and I'm not sure that can be installed on an iPad... I would guess not. BUT, we also have two different working desktop computers at my house. I could easily just put my music on there until I graduate in 2 years, which is when I'll buy a new laptop.

 

- Travel. I go visit my family in Arkansas a few different times a year and I generally have a pretty long layover in Dallas both there and back. I really don't mind it, but when you're travelling alone, it can get a little boring just sitting in the airport waiting. I always want to bring my laptop along, but because I only do my carry on luggage, dragging it through the airport is just not a valid option. Plus, the battery life of my laptop is complete garbage.

 

- E-mail. I e-mail a lot. Like, a lot, a lot. I love it. But, using Hotmail on an iPad is possible, I'm sure!

 

- Occasional picture editing... Something I do here and there. But, as stated, I could ALWAYS do this on one of the desktop computers here at home. As for storing pictures, I always use CD's and flash drives anyway! There isn't a lot stored on my computer.

 

- Skype! I have loved ones that live in the south and my sister just moved 3 hours away {college}. SO, Skype/FaceTime is an absolute MUST!

 

There you have it! That list seems really small to me, but that's truly all I use my laptop for.

 

PLEASE comment with your opinion on what I should do!

 

Thank you in advance, loveys! Happy Friday!

 



Stop and Smell the Roses {22}

Wednesday's are fabulous. They just are. Half way through the week! And most importantly...

With the lovely Mandy! Every other week, we film a short vlog about what we are thankful for/smiling about. It's so much fun to hear everyone's voices and personally, my favorite part is getting to know each blogger and their mannerisms/facial expressions. I've met tons of ladies through this link up and I hope to meet many more!

First off, I'm totally aware that I'm over the time limit... And I apologize. My sister's Mac was just too much fun to film on... And the video uploaded to YouTube lickety split. I'm so sad her laptop SHE is going off to college. (Kidding Meg, totally kidding! ;-) You know I'll miss you way more than I'll miss your fabulous laptop!)

But anyhow, here we go loveys, let's do this thing...

And there you have it! A mini-update on me and the crazyness that is my life...   I know that my loyal loveys have heard all about my struggles this week, and while I don't want to be dubbed a complainer, negative Nelly, or pity case, I also never want this blog and my writing to be fake. This week, I'm just not okay... And I'm learning to be okay with that. I'm not perfect and the one thing I will never be afraid to ask for is prayer.   And so, I ask that you each take the time, even if it's just a second, to say a teeny tiny prayer for me. The pain I've been dealing with has been horrid and I'm trying anything and everything to get it to subside. There is power in prayer. What are you thankful for this week? What's making you smile?    

 

Our God wins

Lately, I've been doing really well. My body has been cooperating with my hopes of starting an exercise program and my goals are slowly but surely being reached. The past two weeks have been incredible. I was finally feeling like I was getting back to being "me."

The "me" coping with arthritis.

But, all too soon, my excruciating neck pain came back for a visit. It's come back so badly this time that I had to spend all of Saturday afternoon and evening lying down. Aspirin wasn't working. My heating pad wasn't working. Even my tactic of icing it in order to numb the pain... Wasn't. Working.

I was feeling utterly helpless that night, but my best friend Amy knew just the fix... Pinterest. Princess Diaries. Relaxing. Girl talk. :-)

... On Sunday, I woke up and my neck was feeling much better, but throughout the day, while we were shopping, it started to bother me once again. Aspirin wouldn't help and rest just wasn't an option because I needed to finish my school shopping.

I got to bed relatively early Sunday evening, and decided to wake up early yesterday morning to spend time with God before doing anything else. I prayed and opened my Bible to an awesome, awesome verse...

John 16:33 ~ "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have troubles, but take heart! I have overcome the world."

I held onto that verse yesterday evening when my neck pain spiked again just around supper time, and I'm still holding onto it this morning. And on top of that lovely reminder from God, my dear friend Rachel also reminded me of something very important...

Our God wins.

I'm going to continue to take it easy... To take breaks when I need them... To rest when I have to... And I'm going to remember to smile through it all. Because, I must say it again...

Our God wins.

And that's all the reassurance I need to keep fighting.

The new look

Last week, I made it my mission to find another teen blogger out here in blogland.

I knew there had to be one.

Now, don't get me wrong. I really appreciate and absolutely love ALL of the blogs I follow and the ladies behind them are FABULOUS, but sometimes I feel like I can't relate because I'm not a mom, I'm not a wife, and I mean, let's face it, I haven't even graduated high school yet.

I'll have you know my search was successful! I've now *met* a lovely new friend named Shelby who blogs over at Chasing Birdies. Her blog is adorable and she is way beyond sweet... Y'all go check her out. :-)

Recently, I've been trying to get a new blog header put together and was in the midst of attempting struggling to make some buttons... And this weekend, it got done because Shelby offered to help! Not only did it get done, but I absolutely LOVE the new look. The perfect start to a new week is a fresh layout and some miscellaneous changes.

Thanks again Shelby! You are wonderful!

So, loveys, what do you think of the new look?

Happy Monday!

Friday's odds and ends

Today, I'm posting about the odds and end of this week. I just want to be grateful for all God has done... And look forward to what He's still going to do!

What made me smile this week...

- Izzie, the little girl I nanny for, finally said "Kenzie!" We've been working on this all summer, so it's exciting progress. Her new favorite thing to say is "Kenzie! Look!" To EVERYTHING... And I mean everything. It's so darn cute.

- I hit over +25 followers on this little blog! I know that's not the biggest milestone... But I'm really excited to have y'all join me on my journey! It means so much to me to see that something I love doing so much is growing and encouraging others. Thank you for following along! :-)

- I finally got around to making a Facebook page for the blog! You can "like" that here if you feel so inclined. :-)

- At youth group on Wednesday, we played a massive game of big ball soccer. It was pure mayhem and I got mauled AT LEAST 5 times, but it was so much fun! My little sis and my friends Jaycee and Amy and I literally did not stop laughing throughout the entire duration of the game. I don't know what was so funny but we loved every second of it. Plus, it was raining pretty hard for most of the game {we were outside, of course} so it was pure bliss.

- On Thursday, I had both the little girl that I nanny for and another family that has already hired me for the summer of 2013 {I'm in high demand in this small town... LOL.} I took all three girlies to the park and we had a picnic. It was GORGEOUS weather and it felt like fall... So of course, we had a wonderful time!

- The riding boots I ordered last Friday came yesterday and they fit PERFECTLY! There are adorable and now, I have NO patience left... I just want the leaves to change and have it be closer to my favorite holiday... Thanksgiving. :-) You can order them here, if you please! Trust me... You won't regret it!

What I'm loving today...

- Umm, it's Friday. What more is there to love?!

- I'm babysitting for three families today! It's going to be a bit crazy, but my heart is so full already that I could care less. :-)

- I haven't gone for a run in two days... I've been so busy babysitting and running misc. errands and for some reason... I've been doing so much dang laundry around the house. {I don't know where it's all coming from! I guess that's what happens when you're gone for nearly the entire month of July.} But tonight, I have VOWED to go for at least a mile and half. I'm actually really looking forward to it!

What I'm looking forward to this weekend...

- The gorgeous fall weather that's supposed to continue. I absolutely adore it and my joints are LOVING it. Hallelujah!

- Spending time with one of my best friends, Amy. :-) Sleepovers, sleepovers, and lots of sleepovers.

- Sleeping in. 'Nuff said!

- Ordering an adorable maxi dress from my friend Annie through her shop Annie Loo Handmade tonight! Seriously... This just might be the #1 thing I'm looking forward to. They're the cutest dresses ever and Annie is one of my favorite bloggers!

- Church on Sunday. I love me the presence of Jesus! :-)

... In a nutshell, that's what I'm smiling about this week! What are you guys loving and looking forward to?

Hope each and every one of you has a wonderfully blessed weekend!

Oh, how Pinteresting Wednesday! :: Vol. 1

Today, I'm linking up with Michelle for...

{This is my first time but certainly won't be my last! I found her link up and blog through my bloggy friend Hope!}

{Purchased these beauties last Friday... I'm so excited for fall I can hardly stand it!}

{Loving mustard for fall this year... And scarves, obviously.}

{I swear this picture is my best  friend Amy and I... Right down to hair color/length.}

{More mustard for fall.}

{Makes you think...}

{Explains my bestie Jaycee and I just perfectly.}

{For so long... I thought I was the only one who lived by this. HA!.}

{More fall attire.}

{I have a chambray obsession.}

{Horse crazy.}

And that's a wrap folks! You can follow me on Pinterest here! Have a wonderful Wednesday and thanks for stopping by!

Learning to be proud of the "new" me...

As most of you, my loveys, know... About a year ago I was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. No matter how hard I've tried to erase it or keep it out of my life... It always comes back and somehow contributes to the person that I am today.

I'm just now realizing... (After two rounds of physical therapy, over six months of occupational therapy, about 20 visits to the rhematologist, three "x-ray days," one MRI, a kidney ultrasound, a biopsy, close to twenty "labwork days," literally passing out countless times, and hundreds of follow ups/med checks...) that this is NOT a bad thing.

In fact, I am now willing to accept and be okay with my diagnosis. I look at how much I've grown in faith, I look at how much I've grown as a person... And I realize...

It's a huge blessing.

Who would have ever thought a year ago that those words would be coming out in this blog post?

"How can you say that?" "You really believe God planned for you to be sick?"

Those are probably the two most common questions I get asked. And so today, I'm answering both of them once and for all.

1.) I can say that my diagnosis is a huge blessing because I've met incredible people throughout my journey! Some of my doctor's are my best friends and the blog/Twitter friends I've found who deal with the same things encourage me on a daily basis to get up, get moving, and do something that matters. Because of my health journey, I have a more determined spirit. I'm more thankful for the little things in life. I realize just how blessed I am and realize that things could be so much worse.

2.) John 9:1-3 says this:

As he went along, He saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." Jesus said it right there... He created me with a plan in mind. He bought me with a price. I truly believe that in Heaven, I will be healed. But because I am here on earth to help build His Kingdom, there will be struggles... And because I will overcome those struggles with the help of my Savior, He will use me to speak to and help others along the way and through their own journey. That's not called punishment, that's called purpose!

A year ago, this wasn't my attitude at all. But, it feels so good to say that I've finally accepted my purpose, answered my calling, and am in the midst of working hard to become the best me I can be. My realization...

That's right. I can be changed by the obstacles I face... But I REFUSE to be reduced by them.

I'm making HUGE strides in my physical fitness right now! Last summer/fall I wasn't allowed to run... THIS summer/fall, however...

I'm a...

Last night's run consisted of some obvious crazyness with my little sis...

... And ...

Almost 1 mile and 1/4!

I realize that to some, this isn't a big deal... But to me, it's incredible progress and I'm learning how to be proud of the new me. The changed me. I'm learning to be comfortable in my own skin, and finally, I'm learning how to push the limits just the right amount. Little by little, one day at a time.



Why I do what I do...

We all have passions. Things that we do because they make us who we are. Or maybe they make us who we are because we do them... I'm not exactly sure. However, I've always held onto two things:

1.) God has an oh-so-perfect plan and calling for each and every one of us. {Jeremiah 29:11~ "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a future and  a hope."}

2.) Some things are just meant to be.

For those of you that follow along with the craziness that is my blog, or perhaps my Instagram/Facebook/Twitter... You know how much I adore babysitting and the family's I do it for. You have probably figured out that yes, I do indeed, bail on plans with my friends on a Friday night if I get asked to babysit...

Because I love it.

Now, don't get me wrong. I adore my friends and thoroughly enjoy a good girls night... But there is just something about the kids I spend so much time with.

They bring a different kind of joy to my heart. They make me a different kind of happy.

I can't explain it better than that, really. But I think this quote sums it up perfectly:

I've been following that "strange pull" for over 7 years and it has yet to bring something negative to my life. Sure, there have been some bumps, bruises, bites, and my wardrobe has its share of spit up stains...

But I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm dreading school starting up in less than a month. Just dreading it. Most teens would say that they are too, (because they don't want any homework) but the main reason I'm so heartbroken is because that means I won't be able to get to spend any more long, summer days with my favorite kids.

I babysit for over 20 different family's in my area, and each of those family's has touched my heart in a completely different way. They have blessed me all their own and most importantly... The parents have given me the gift of trusting me with their children.

Not a day goes by that I'm not grateful for each and every child that I care for. Not a day goes by that I regret a single minute spent with the kids I love SO dearly.

Not a day.

In fact, this post is currently being published as I wait for two beautiful little girls to wake up and start the day. Coincidence? No, my friends, this is what I do every single day. And...

I wouldn't have it any other way.

"See you later," Grandpa.

I've been back from camp since last Friday and it was AMAZING. God showed up in some incredibly cool ways and I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to go! However, life has just been "happening" this week and I haven't gotten around to blogging. MIA again so soon, I know... But I promise, I'm alive!

My Grandpa who has struggled with his health over the past 5 years passed away last Friday. Therefore, this week shaped up to be a pretty tough one. However, I truly believe that it was his time to go and that God has a wonderful plan in mind for us all. I will miss him dearly here on earth but know that today was a "see you later," rather than a "goodbye."

On Monday evening, my Grandma asked if I'd give a eulogy at the wake since she was so stressed with other planning. I was thrilled! God has truly given me the gifts of writing and speaking and I was thrilled to get to use them both in my sweet Grandpa's honor.

It was difficult to find the "right" words, but after a pep talk from one of my best friends, Brooke, it came naturally. I wholeheartedly stayed up til 1:30 a.m. working hard until it seemed perfect. It was tough to roll out of bed Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. (of course, I was going to babysit!) but it was worth it! Again, I just feel so honored to have gotten the oppotunity to speak at such an amazing man's memorial service and know I made him proud!

They say that one of the hardest things about losing someone dear to you is simply the feeling that you could have done something more. The feeling of regret, in a sense. The thought “if I just had one more day…” I think it’s something we all toss around and struggle with. And up until today, I’d even argue that it was part of the so-called “grieving process.” But when I woke up this morning, my entire perspective was radically changed.

The best memories with my Grandpa have always been ones that included baby calves. I realize that makes us seem like total hicks, but hey, I’m just being honest. Anytime I’d go to Grandma and Grandpa’s farm, my Grandpa would set me up with a calf and a bottle of milk replacer… And some days, the special days as I remember them, he’d put a rope halter on one of them and take it out into the yard and let me run around with it as he watched nearby. I never had to ask and to this day, I still don’t know how he managed to read my mind the way he did. Because for real, even with the stiff competition Grandma’s tasty cookies brought, Grandpa knew deep down just what he had to do to keep me down in that barn. That’s talent.

Since our family is so large, I’ve always felt like it was hard to have a special relationship with any one person… But as I said before, this morning, my perspective was radically changed. I now look back on those simple memories of Grandpa, me, and those little calves and I realize that no one, absolutely no one, got to share those moments with him besides me. Those moments and memories will never change. In fact, they were what formed the relationship that only I got the chance to have with him. They are truly what brought me up here today to share with you all. And so, I challenge you! I challenge you each to change your perspective on the memories you’ve shared with my Grandpa and I challenge you to search your memory for the one that makes you cherish the unique and special relationship that only you shared with him. I challenge you to hold onto that memory and last but not least, I challenge and pray that you would never get tired of doing the tiniest of things for others, because my Grandpa has taught me that those things are truly the ones that take up the most room in our hearts.

Now, if you look past my mop of hair and crazed look in my eyes, you'll be able to see just how special those moments with my Grandpa really were. I am so beyond grateful for all he has taught me and I truly cannot wait to see him again someday.

Grandpa, I hope that Heaven is SO good to you! I'm sure there'll be lots of good fishing up there. :) Thank you for being YOU and touching my life in such an incredible way. I love you!

Until we meet again...