words to live by..

So tonight I thought it would be a good idea to get started on packing (since we only have 1 month left until we have to get out and I don't think the buyers would appreciate me leaving a bunch of crap here haha).. and I decided to begin with my winter clothes and also organizing all the random things we keep in our office. 

Well, while cleaning out a big box of random papers/letters/etc I have kept over the years I came across something that my Dad (technically my stepdad but I have never thought of him that way) gave to me the morning before I left for my freshman year of college. Looking back over the years, it is probably one of the best gifts I have ever received. 

It was a letter. 

And I know it doesn't sound like much, but it meant more to me than I can even explain. 

 I didn't forget about it, but it's been in that box since we moved in a year and a half ago and I completely forgot that's where it was. So anyways, I'm not going to share the whole letter with you (because  really it would just be too long and probably so many inside jokes it wouldn't even make sense haha) but I do want to share this part: 

"Toward the end of your senior year it struck me that you would be going away soon and I won't be around every day (secretly I know you are glad). Over the past six months I started writing down pieces of advice that I thought would be useful. Some are more serious than others, but all of them have meaning. To be honest, I have not always lived up to all of this advice all of the time (shocking isn't it?), but I hope you would agree that I have been a decent role model for you. You are special to your mother and me and we will miss you, but we are excited for you. I am proud of the person you are and I know I will be proud of the person you will become. "

OK.. so first let me just say that even getting a letter from my dad was shocking. He has never been the type of person to really express his feelings or get sentimental over things.. and to know that he took the time to write out advice for me for 6 months was huge. 

There are about 7 pages of advice... so obviously I won't list it all here.. but I am going to share some of my favorites with you. They are little bits of advice that I hope one day to pass on to my children and they are definitely words to live by... 

Try to do what is right even if it isn't popular.

Offer suggestions when you complain.

Buy things that kids are selling.

Think about the future, but don't dwell on it. 

Find charities with a mission you agree with and support them with your money.

Take the time to travel. Learn to pack lightly when you go. (yea.. I'm still working on the packing part.. haha)

Sing the National Anthem when it is played.

Tip generously when the service deserves it. 

Visit Nana and Papa. They will feed you. (they live only about 20 min from Virginia Tech haha)

Read for pleasure.

Learn to speak in public. The ability to express yourself clearly and confidently will do more for you than any other skill. (I definitely agree with this one!)

Shop at nicer stores. Buy less, but buy better.

Stay out of debt. If you have to use credit, pay it off as soon as you can. (I can't think him enough for this advice, it has really helped me keep good credit!)

Don't watch too much TV. You can find better things to do.

Try different restaurants and different types of foods. 

Register to vote and vote every election.

Smile and say hello to people.

and my personal favorite piece of advice from my dad's list:

Come home often!

So Excited :)

I am SO excited to be leaving in a couple of hours to go skiing with my family for the weekend! My mom, dad, sister, and her boyfriend Nick all flew in last night, so they are already skiing in Vermont as I speak type. They were here for Christmas, so it hasn't been too long since I have seen them, but I still can't wait! This will be the first time in over 2 years that the whole family will be at our place in Vermont together. Vince and I have gone plenty of times since then and my dad and Vince have gone, but we haven't all been able to go together.. so it will be a nice little weekend getaway.

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Since it's Friday I figured I would participate in Lauren's "Fill in the blank Friday"

1. I am hoping my Valentine's day this year includes... an afternoon spent skiing with my family, and an evening with Vince and I , driving safely home to Ty <3

2. My biggest guilty pleasure is.. hmm i have a lot, but currently it would be Lauren Conrad's book "Sweet Little Lies"

3. I am most proud of... I guess just where I am right now in life.. i'm proud of being a wife, a homeowner, a mom to Ty ;) and finding a job I like and being pretty good at it.

4. If I could choose one outfit to live in it would be black leggings, knit uggs, a long comfy (but cute) sweater over top of a long tank, and maybe throw in some bangles and cute earrings ;) 

5. People are Crazy. (you know like the song.. "god is great, beer is good, and people are crazy" haha)

6. I would rather be skiing right now than sitting at my desk at work.

7. I love my husband more than anything <3

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I am also happy today because one of my best friends Angela gave me an award this morning.  So many thanks to Angela, and everyone make sure to check out her super cute blog :)

The rules of the award are:
1. Share six blogs that you think are over the top and exciting

2. let all of the ladies know they've won the award

3. Smile and pat yourself on the back for winning the award

So I would like to pass this award on to 6 ladies whose blogs I love to read and always find entertaining :)

Neely @ Neely's Nothings

Jennifer @ Crazy Shenanigans

Mrs. B @ Life with Sweet Cheeks

Selma @ Crazy Little World of Mine

Jenna @ Jenna's Jargon

Carrie @ Laugh, Love, Eat Ice Cream

Happy Friday! Hope you all have a great weekend :)

Prayers Please..

I shared earlier this week about my father passing away of cancer. He was one of 3 kids in his family (he was the oldest and was 40 when he died). My uncle was in the middle and my aunt is the youngest. A few years ago my aunt and my 2 young cousins moved in with my grandparents. Then my grandmother was diagnosed with ALS and passed away this past July. Losing my grandmother has not been easy on anyone in the family, especially for my grandfather and my 2 cousins who lived with her.

Then late at night this Tuesday (on the 7th anniversary of my dad passing) my aunt wasn't feeling well and went to the hospital. They found out that she has cancer, but she also has an infection in her blood that is causing organ failure. She is only 39 years old and as of this morning it doesn't look like she is going to make it to out of the hospital. So, I am asking if each of you could please say a prayer to help comfort my cousins who are only 14 and 16 as they might lose their mother right before Christmas and for my grandfather who has already buried his oldest son, his wife, and now is facing the possibility of losing his daughter too. It has been unbelievably hard on them and any prayers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you from the bottom of my heart <3