Wild Thoughts

First off, I apologize for being MIA the past week or so. Been going through some things and just been relying on God - praying - taking things how they come. I will get caught up with e-mails, comments, etc...hopefully SOON! Thank you all for the amazing birthday wishes. You guys are so sweet. I'm so thankful for each and every one of you. <3

I have some wild thoughts. Well, not too wild. I've thought about it before. But now am completely serious about doing it.

I love my life. I truly do. As a person, I have things I need to work on - that I am working on - and plenty more that I will do. That is where I am doing some serious relying on God. I have faith that it will all be okay - and I know it will - He never fails us. Never leaves us.


So - imagine this...I find a way to make the same amount of money I'm making now and TRAVEL. I do have some savings that I could use to travel with. I don't spend money very often...I usually save, save, save. Not that I have a lot. But better than nothing at all.


What if I do all kinds of freelance to make it? It would just be hard- the type of freelancing I'd want to do, wouldn't necessarily require a contract. I would need to figure out how to be sure I am consistent with making X amount of money every month to still be able to pay my bills.

The type of free lancing I would want to do would be graphic designs and photography. YES - photography. I want to do emulsion lifts. I am working on getting a Polaroid camera fixed, along with the proper equipment to make these emulsion lifts. This type of sales...nothing would guarantee I make X amount of money per month. I am praying that it comes to me.

I enjoy traveling so much. But how would I fund it and still be sure my savings weren't affected too much? And that I can pay my bills.


There is so much I could do with the experience. And certainly, so much that I would learn...that would help me grow as a person and just find myself.


This turned into a rambling post, of sorts. But just wanted to get it out. Especially if any of you have any thoughts for me. Or feedback.


Through it all, I will be praying. A lot. But it feels good to just my thoughts out...written. <3

Thursday Tea

I wanted to think of something witty for me to share photos with you...haha! I figured we could all pretend we're having tea and sharing photos and story. (Play along!)

My weekend...in photos...as follows!

Baby Alexis' 1st bday cake!

Cake please!

YUM!

Present time!

Beautiful Alexis!

Dog I was dog sitting for...silly guy!

Puppies playing. Can you see them both? :)

My dad's pond...house sat for them, too!

So many fish!

My baby!

Hi there!

Beautiful flowers at work from my honey...he spoils me :)

So gorgeous!

My other baby! ;) Our Baby Pickel booth over the weekend at one of the local hospitals!

Hope I didn't bore you too much with photos! 


Don't forget - today is a day of celebration...happy birthday to me! Have a piece of cake for me to celebrate! ;)

 

Get Your Praise On Giveaway WINNER!

First off, again, I am so thrilled and honored that the lovely Miss Jenifer is so kind, amazing, and sweet to give away one of her great devotionals on my blog. Thank you!

I am so excited to announce the winner!!

Out of...  

 

Thank you all for entering, btw!

 

Who is the lovely & beautiful...

 

Congratulations to Miss Angela!!

 

 

Quote of the Day!

I have pictures to share with you all from my weekend but wanted to be sure your Monday started off the right way - with some inspiration!

ALSO - only a couple of more days for my GIVEAWAY...don't forget!

Have a blessed Monday! 

Friday Letters

Dear Rain, please realize that although I don't like walking in you, it gives me a good excuse to be lazy and leave my hair curly. I'm also thankful that you have cooled down the weather a tad, too.

Dear Chicken, I am so tired of eating you. I'm surprised I haven't turned into a big ol' chicken yet. But you are oh so healthy...it's hard to change up my meal choices too much.

Dear Friends Going through Break-ups, yes, there are a handful of you. You are beautiful and wonderful. There is a reason he broke up with you. Because he wasn't the right one. The right one is working on himself so he will be absolutely perfect for you and worth the wait.

Dear Dogs that I am Watching Over the Weekend, please be good. Please don't eat anything up or pee everywhere when your mommy and daddy aren't home. I'll give you treats, I promise. Lots of hugs, too.

Dear Parents, although I might not call you every day, I love you dearly. No matter what- I love you. I hope you realize that. I pray and hope the vacation you are taking this weekend mends your relationship a little and you enjoy yourselves.

Dear Grey/White Hair, please go away. I know my 25th birthday is quickly approaching. But - I don't care. Go away. Please. With sugar on top.

Dear Potential Clients and Current Clients, I adore you. I am so excited to start doing freelancing work. It's such a fun world! I am thankful that you believe I am talented enough!

Dear Significant Other, I adore you even more. I appreciate all you share with me. I am so thankful that you can be my friend, too. I am so grateful that you share your thoughts with me and help me to become a bigger...better...amazing person. I am so thankful for you!

Dear Thoughts of Insignificance, in the name of Jesus, you have no hold or influence in my life. You will not play a part of who I am or my fate. 

Dear Flowers Sitting on My Desk at Work, you brighten my day every time I look at you!

Dear Event on Sunday for Baby Pickel, I hope you go well. I hope there are a lot of people that we meet that we can in turn help...after all, I am missing church - just for you.

Dear Polaroid Camera that I've Been Eyeing, you are beautiful. I need to just suck it up and buy you. But then I start looking and find more choices - it confuses me...which one to buy, which one to buy?!

Dear Abs, please stay. I've enjoyed seeing you.  

Dear My Amazingly Talented Gorgeous Reader/Follower, you are so fantastic. Your comments make my day. I hope you realize that there is a GIVEAWAY just for you - it ends soon, so don't forget to take a look. Keep on smiling...you are a blessing!

       

    

Get Your Praise On GIVEAWAY!

Note from Cami:

I was so blessed, honored, and thrilled when pretty lady Jenifer from Diving Deeper Ministries wanted to give away the following on my blog…

Up for grabs:

A beautiful, wonderful interactive praise devotional designed to help you find your praise and focus your attention on praising and thanking God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit for who He is and all that He has done. Each letter of the alphabet is used as a guide to help you in your offerings of thanksgiving to God. Along with each doodle letter you will find a characteristic of God and a Scripture verse to go along with the characteristic given. Use these Scriptures to offer up thanksgiving and praise to God through prayer. Extra space is available for you to journal the characteristics you unearth in the pages of God’s Word as you dive deeper on your own. This devotional is from the amazingly talented and God-driven Jenifer from Diving Deeper Ministries.

I have one of my own and it is helping me with my walk with God. So amazing - and precious!

Sorry – U.S. and Canadian Residents only!

Rules:

For every entry you'd like to submit, be sure to leave a SEPARATE comment saying you've completed the task - be sure to submit a link if required, as well. 

MANDATORY:  (one comment TOTAL for completing these)

-Google Friend Connect with First Day of My Life

-Tell us what you are struggling with – what you are asking God for His help in your life?

EXTRA ENTRIES:

-Share with us how God impacts your life on a daily basis

-Post First Day of My Life's button on your blog

-(2) entries for making a new button for First Day of My Life’s blog

-Visit Jenifer’s website and tell us something you learned

-Check our Jenifer’s freebie section – which one are you excited to now have?

-Post about Jenifer’s website on your blog and share what sticks out to your readers and post link

-Blog about this Giveaway and post link

-Tweet about this Giveaway and post link

-Facebook “share” this Giveaway and post link

Expiration Date:

This giveaway will end at 11:59pm, September 28. Winner will be announced on my birthday – September 29!  

Tasty Tuesday - Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

Lately, I've been in a smoothie kick for breakfast. I got tired of eggs...got tired of my green yogurt + kashi cereal...now, on to smoothies!

Please link up some tasty recipes for this week's Tasty Tuesday!

Especially if you have some great recipes for breakfast! Would love you forever!

Link up time...






Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

• 1 banana
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1-2 squirts Hershey's reduced calorie chocolate syrup (if you want extra chocolate!)
• 1 tablespoon of wheat germ
• 6 oz of soy milk
• 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder (optional - but makes you full faster)

Blend all ingredients together in a blender! 
Blend until you get the consistency you desire.

Easy as 1...2...3!

 

New Start

It's Monday...today should be a new start! A brand new day. A brand new week. May God bless you mightily...new beginnings, new starts, productivity!

A close friend of mine has a light predicament...I wasn't sure how to respond to her situation. I'll explain it to you and you can let me know your thoughts/opinions.

To sum it up: Cousin #1 is taking over payments of his uncle's house. Cousin #2 lives there with her boyfriend - both paying rent. Cousin #3 lives there with her boyfriend - with only cousin #3 paying rent.

Messed up, right?

Cousin #2 (my friend) confronted cousin #1 (who is currently out of the state until January due to work) about the situation. Cousin #1 said that as long as boyfriend #2 doesn't shower there, do laundry there, have a key - it's okay. Oh, but according to my friend, he does shower there. He works the night shift so will sleep in, stay at the house even after his girlfriend leaves...and HANGS OUT. My friend's boyfriend works from home so he sees it. Boyfriend #2 has been at the house for 2 weeks straight. So, in essence, LIVES THERE.

So, the way I broke it down for her was - so, basically, your boyfriend could stay there (rent free) and it would be the same...right?

That is the summary of it. But definitely the "juice" of it.

What are your thoughts? It's completely messed up - right?

If boyfriend #2 is there, day in and day out...he should pay, just as boyfriend #1 does. 

(Oh, and did I mention that since cousin #1 is out of state, cousin #3 (and boyfriend #2 who does NOT pay rent) have moved into the master bedroom...??!!) 

Cousin #1 and cousin #3 are very close...so when cousin #1 was confronted last night...she went up to bat and got very defensive. Apparently cousin #1 gave permission to live in the master bedroom now because there was bathroom conflict in the morning. Which is FALSE. Cousin #3 needs to be at work BEFORE my friend wakes up. (These lies were killing me when my friend was telling me the story!)

Cousin #1 said that if my friend confronts cousin #3 to be very gentle...don't attack or point fingers or anything...because she does not handle confront well...at all. 

So, basically, even though they are all family...cousin #2 is still a PAYING tenant more or less...so if she doesn't like what is happening, the situation should be eradicated. (I think.) 

BUT- lets say that boyfriend #2 ceases his visits at the house...cousin #3 will be miserable. It will be like a war zone. (Because of how she is.)


So...what should I tell my friend?! Any thoughts...opinions...are welcomed!

I'm cause in a hard place because I think the situation is so petty...there are so many more serious issues to be upset about. Boyfriend #2 should just pay - plain and simple. But conveying that to him (and the cousin) would be blood shed.



Happy Monday, all! oxox

 

Mending Bridges

You know what is so amazing? Mending bridges. Forgiveness. Mending old hurts. Growing up. Relying on the Lord that His plans are the right plans - that who He wants in our lives are who we need.

During high school, I had mostly male friends. I did have a handful of female friends - but mostly male. Fast forward to college - living in an all female dorm. I didn't have much of a choice. (Think: shy girl all on her own in college...easier to make friends where you live than anywhere else!) So, girls I befriended first.

There was a girl who lived next door that I honestly don't remember how we became friends. But, soon we were inseparable. Eight months (or so) later, I started dating someone. That's when the problems started. I can't even explain to you what the issue was - it just wasn't good. At all. We were both so miserable by the end of it. Which was so sad because we are so similar and go along great (up to that point.) Funnily enough, too - before that - I had never had an issues with friends. Oh boy did we have our fair share of issues! Just a mess that spiraled out of control.

The following three years of college, we were cordial. Saw each other now and then. A year and a half after college, both of us were saved at that point, somehow our lives intertwined. One day, God placed on my heart to apologize and forgive...I obeyed. She did the same. Our past hurts were mended. We both grew and learned from them. We are both better people now. 

We are now the kind of friends who can share stories about anything. We can be there for each other, with Christ on our sides. He was missing many years ago. With our growth as woman and our spiritual growth, our friendship is so fantastic! Maybe it helps that we are many states apart? (Just kidding!) Seriously though, both of our lives are now parallel so we can be the kind of friend each of us needs. We can be there for one another in Christ, as well. Which is so precious and rare.

The next time you are fighting - be sure you don't say anything too harsh. Don't say anything that you would feel ashamed to say if you remembered two years later.  
 
I am so thankful to have such a friend as her. I am also so thankful that neither of us ever said anything too crazy so we would have a hard time forgiving one another. I am so thankful that the Lord has brought us together.

Never take for granted the people you have in your life. They are not only there for a reason, but the time they spend with you is so precious. Don't waste it. Don't take it for granted. Be thankful. Treat the friendship with care and respect. And don't forget to tell your friends how much you love them and how thankful you are for them. You never know what the future holds - you never know how long they will be in your life...don't wait until it's too late! 

Thursday - Thankful Time

I am thankful for...

-being able to spend some quality time with an old friend...remembering the past and laughing about the present

-being blessed enough financially to treat my man to some delicious food...

Sushi for me!

Same ol' chicken + scallops hibachi for V

-making memories with family

-learning how to grow as a person, with the help + honesty + love of others

-cooler nights than usual outside (yay fall!)

-finding a $10 candle for $2 at Bed, Bath & Beyond

-finding delicious protein shake recipes in the recent "Glutes" magazine (can't wait to try them!)

-having a chance to sneak out with V for a little bit of shopping

Looking for new cleats!

Waiting...patiently...drinking an iced coffee :) (Horrible lighting!)

-having a mailbox full - means productivity!

-having friends to remind me when I'm being silly or not reacting to a situation enough

-feeling loved

   
P.S. If you like Baby Pickel - please click the "like" button on the home page - to the right of the two jars. (Please!) Love getting the word out about Baby Pickel as much as possible! 

Just Another...Wordless Wednesday!

I'm so bummed that I missed out on Tasty Tuesday - busy weekend and crazy Monday! I came across some great recipes, too, when I was catching up on some e-mails! Hope you guys will be ready for a Tasty Tuesday next week (please!)


Ok, time for some Wordless Wednesday Fun!

Beautiful Alexis...smiling while Skyping with her grandparents!

  
Doesn't get too much cuter than that, does it?!


It's almost her first birthday! Can't wait to go shopping for her - shopping for baby toys and clothes is the best kind of shopping!