This week has been a hard week. I am sure I will fill you guys in on more of the details soon but for right now, I am trying my best to keep my thoughts positive and look ahead and focus on the happiness and joys in my life. There are some unknowns in my life right now that are stressful, scary and hard not to think about but overall I am feeling positive, strong and believing in the GOOD.
(Thank you to my friend Michaela for sharing the above quote with me when I really needed it yesterday.)
This weekly post is a good thing for me because it serves as a small reminder to take a moment to think about the things that make me smile every week and right now it’s a good distraction for me that I definitely need.
Another good distraction? Alyssa and Brittany are coming in town with their guys to spend the weekend with us! I am really looking forward to some quality time with friends and we’re hoping to spend most of our Saturday on the lake this weekend which always sounds wonderful to me.
I hope you all have a good weekend and thank you so much for reading this blog. I hate to be vague in this space but I just didn’t feel right typing out an intro to this post without mentioning the difficulty of this week because everything I wrote just felt hollow. I need to be able to share the ups and the downs in this space, too, and thank you for understanding. I am hoping to have answers to some things today that I am believing will only be GOOD news and will likely be able to fill you in on everything on Monday.
Thankfully I typed up most of this post earlier in the week before my mind has been consumed elsewhere, so here’s your usual Things I’m Loving Friday post!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Ryan
I need to give a huge shout out to Ryan to kick off this list of things I’m loving this week because he is everything to me. Ryan has always said he’s the “rock” and I’m the “joy” in our relationship and this week has definitely brought the calm, steady, reassuring nature of his personality to the forefront. Living with someone and loving someone who serves as such an incredible form of comfort and strength in my life is the biggest blessing. When I look at my husband and see someone who is so completely sure everything will be fine, it absolutely rubs off on me and I am left feeling stronger, braver and more optimistic. I love you, Ryan, and I love our life together.
I know I’m late to the game on this one, but with some encouragement from my fellow musical-loving friends Leah and Gina, I finally started listening to the Hamilton soundtrack (you can stream if for FREE with an Amazon Prime membership!) and it’s AWESOME. I haven’t fallen in love with a new musical soundtrack in a while and was way overdue. This one it catchy and fun and I’ve been listening to it in the background at home all week.
- Blog Friends – New and Old!
Last week, during my blog trip to Canada with General Mills, I forgot my SD card and only had my iPhone to rely on for pictures during our visit. Talk about a blogger fail! Thankfully General Mills hired a talented photographer to document our visit and now that I have some of his photos on hand, I wanted to give a shout out to the awesome bloggers I was able to meet last week.
It was wonderful to be reunited with a handful of my closest blogging friends whom I’ve known for years and I enjoyed meeting a handful of extremely talented new-to-me bloggers as well!
Definitely check out these awesome bloggers (from left to right): Super Healthy Kids, Cookistry, The Naptime Chef, Eating Bird Food, Simply Taralynn, Fit Bottomed Eats, Carrots ‘n’ Cake, me and The Fitnessista
During our first night in Winnipeg, our group dined at the gorgeous Mud & Stone Studio, a beautiful naturally-lit space where Lynne Mulvihill and Jenn McCurry create unique, functional and modern ceramics for everyday. Their work is stunning and we were each gifted a beautiful piece of their handmade pottery to bring home with us. I’ve been using my piece as a snack plate of sorts and absolutely love it! Mud & Stone also has an Etsy shop, so I wanted to give them a little shout out on the blog in case you are looking for handcrafted original pottery for yourself or as a unique gift for a special someone in your life. (Their coffee mugs and planters are my favorite!)
- Friday Flashbacks
10 Awesome YouTube Workout Channels (For days when you’re looking for a quality workout you can do at home for free!)
Easy Smashed Potatoes (A go-to side dish in our house!)
- Around the Web
Food: Healthiest No Bake Key Lime Pie Ever // Plant-Based Make Ahead Freezer Meals // 15 Protein Ball Recipes // Healthy Summer Salad Recipes // Next Level Zoodles with Creamy Corn Sauce
Fitness: Lower Body Barre Burner Video // 10 Workouts To Try from Around the Web // 33 Cardio-Based Bodyweight Exercises
Stellar Sales: $25 for every $75 you spend at Express (I ordered this lace romper and this cold shoulder top that I’m planning to pair with a strappy bralette to transition into fall!)
Question of the Day
- Please share something GOOD that happened to you this week! I would love to read all about some of the wonderful, positive things going on in your lives today!
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Thinking of you!
Giving you a big virtual hugs and positive thoughts your way!!! I love your blog and love how honest you are with your readers about whats going on in your life, either good or bad. You have so many of us rooting for you over here! <3
Whatever is going on, I hope you can stay strong and that everything works out okay. I just sent up a prayer for you! I love your blog, Julie, because it is so real. You have been such an inspiration to me in my first year as a mom right now.
I love how Ryan described your relationship. I feel like my husband is the rock in ours too (although I’m not sure I’m always the joy!).
This week I am so thankful for my 10.5 months old baby boy. It is so hard for me to be a mom but I love this age he’s at. I am SO SO thankful that we have a good routine going with him. We have traveled a lot with him and I am also thankful for this period right now of respite at home.
Kind of minor, but my husband threw his back out this week AND had a minor medical procedure so he can’t lift anything over 5 pounds. I have had to do all the baby care and dog care myself and it’s been hard, so I’m thankful my brother-in-law (who we call our “Manny”) is coming to stay with us tomorrow! 😉
Hugs to you!
Hope you have good news to share soon; thinking of you and wishing you peace.
Hamilton is AMAZING!!! I have loved Hamilton long before it was trendy (I’m an 8th grade History teacher) but I love how the play has made history cool again! 🙂
Positive thought headed your way. You are so
Lucky to have Ryan, it’s wonderful to see such a positive, happy relationship. As for my positive, my 90 year old Mom is feeling better this week after suffering with vertigo last week. The heat was brutal in the northeast, cooler temps headed our way for a much C needed break from the humidity. Enjoy your weekend!!!
Will keep you in my prayers, Julie! It’s only fair since Julies have to stick together 🙂 You seem like such a strong person, so I’m sure you will be able to handle any situation that gets thrown at you. XO
Hi Julie! This is going to start like it might be bad news but it’s meant to be uplifting 🙂
My father is undergoing cancer treatment right now (chemo/radiation, the works). He is the most unfailingly positive person I know and I swear his condition has only increased his positivity despite my insane worry and stress.
When I am down about anything; work, life, finances, etc. he always seems to put me back on track and bring me back to the true reality. His favorite quote: “you’re alive, you have two arms and two legs, you’re going to be just fine”. It’s undoubtedly the one thing that I always come back to. It turns my perspective around and makes it easy to realize that I’m pretty lucky in life.
Praying for your situation. I’m sorry you had such a rough week, but at least you were able to find a few bright spots.
Something GOOD for this week for me was some quality time with my BFF. Somehow we kept missing opportunities to hang out for weeks, but we finally got to go to dinner the other night.
I am OBSESSED with the Hamilton soundtrack! I have been listening to it non-stop for weeks – it definitely puts me in a better mood so hopefully it has been uplifting to you as well.
Something good for this week was me finishing my MBA! It was a 2-year journey while I was a working mom of 2 (God Bless Husbands!) but I successfully completed it! Now to find my next goal 🙂
Sending lots of love your way! <3
Saying prayers for you <3 I am glad you did share hard things are going on because it shows us your human AND that we do mean a lot to you in that you feel like you can share things. We consider you our friend! I hope you get some answers today, though.
Bonjour Julie
I’m a french mum and I love reading you, it helps me to improve my english and I like your recipes and your healthy suggestions !
See you have french fan !
Best regards from France
Sandrine
Sending prayers of peace your way! I read everyday but don’t comment nearly enough. Please know even your silent reader are thinking only good thoughts for you.
My good news to share is that I am going to Disney World next week for the inaugural Disney Institute CX Summit a customer service training. I’ve never been to Disney but grew up with it. I’m just hoping I don’t cry if I meet Mickey or Belle!! Ha!
Hope you have a great weekend with your friends!
Julie, So sorry to hear that you are having a stressful week. I hope everything turns out well in the end. Even though I don’t comment too often, I have followed your blog for years now! I look forward to reading your posts each day 🙂 I love that you are always so genuine and open. Your blog readers – including me – do care about you and support you!
I am so sorry to hear that you’re going through a rough time, but happy to know Ryan is a steady support! My boyfriend is the same way. He keeps me grounded and calm, and I’m so thankful for him. Another thing I’m thankful for this week is more Twitter followers! Seems silly and small, but I’m trying to grow my blog readership and every new face matters! 🙂
-> http://www.poweredbysass.com
Life is so tough sometimes! I’m going through some stuff right now, so I can completely relate. Love the quote about worry, I shared it on Facebook. Praying for you.
I recently created a blog to chronicle my life in college! check it out if you can.
http://floridastategirlblog.wordpress.com
Oh man, I feel you with this week Julie. My husband (another Ryan!) is my calm, positive rock as well!! Stress of changes at work (teaching), Ryan and I BOTH busted our phones, etc…but my positive thought is that my best workout buddy/teaching buddy and I got in long walks and work outs almost every day this week 😀 Feels good to sweat and forget a few things!! We also adopted a 4 year old border collie/corgi mix and his snuggles make the world better!
I’m so sorry you’re having a tough week! Sending prayers & lots of good vibes your way! I was recently given a book called “the Red Sea rules” & it’s a short read detailing 10 tips for walking through seemingly impossible situations. It has been such an encouragement to me (we had an unexpected death in our family this year that’s been so hard). It parallels the story of God leading the Israelites out of Egypt & eventually parting the Red Sea for them to cross, but at one point the Israelites were in the middle of the desert, facing a giant sea, with an army at their back & they thought hope was lost. BUT, God not only knew exactly where they were, He planned for them to be there so he could be glorified with the miracle of parting the Red Sea. Anyway, I actually just shared it on my blog today because I’ve enjoyed reading it so much!
And something good from this week? My 2 year old started potty training & he’s been a real champ at it! Is that lame that I’m totally stoked about that? Lol #momlife
And this has to be the longest comment in history. Sorry! ?
I hope everything works out for the best for you! I have been following your blog for a few years now and I know that your faith is very important to you and that you love music. This song is really beautiful and a good reminder that He is always there. I always find that comforting and hope that you do too. 🙂 The song is I AM by Nichole Nordeman.
Sending prayers for comfort and peace as you go through this difficult patch! I hope it all works out and that when you share, it will be good news after all. We’re renting a beach house this weekend with two other families. Trying to squeeze in one last adventure with great friends before our kids start school Monday. None of the kids know so we’re excited to surprise them!
I’m sorry you’re having a rough week, Julie.
I don’t ever comment on blogs, but I have good news this week. We don’t know each other at all, but hopefully hearing my good news can be a reminder of the good that can come in the midst of and even after enduring pain. In January I was diagnosed with anorexia (not good news at all). This week I met with my nutritionist and we confirmed that I don’t have to visit with her anymore! I’ve gained the weight I needed to and even more than that have found a lot of freedom with eating and exercise to a point where I don’t need accountability with her anymore. I’m so grateful!
As cliche as it sounds, praying for you and your family this week.
Sending some positive vibes and answers your way! 🙂
I hope that whatever is going on ends up turning out as good as possible. It sounds like perfect timing to have some friends come to visit.
My good news is that last night I took the first of 3 certification exams to teach group fitness. I’d studied all summer and was super nervous about it because I’d heard that it was a hard test. However it was easier than I was expecting and I think I did really well on it!
Oh my, sweetie, so sorry to hear you’ve got worries! I’ve been reading your blog since you and Ryan were dating (I don’t even know how I found it the first time!! but so glad I did!) and even though we have never met and may never meet, I do feel an online kinship with you and your blog, and I’m sending prayers for you and your family and your friends and animal friends and for swift healing of the situation(s). May the outcome be better than you imagined, and may healing begin asap (whatever kind of healing it is that you/others need, physical/mental/financial/other). We’re all cheering you on!! I’m also saying prayers for any situation surrounding Sadie and Kona, just in case you need those too!
BRIGHT SPOT: YOUR BLOG is one of my bright spots! It’s something I seriously look forward to every single day and every single week. It’s one of my favorites of all the blogs I read, and one of only two that I have permanently bookmarked on my toolbar on every one of my computers. Thanks for bringing me so much joy and happiness for so many years!
I’ve also had a MAJOR setback this week that left me sobbing and heartbroken, BUT in trying to cheer myself up, I found a couple of bright spots! Is it okay for me to be excited that they built a new YMCA near my house, and that the equipment is BANANAS – so so so advanced and amazing and I feel re-excited about working out! Maybe a small thing to be excited about, but it has lifted me partially out of some really terrible blues!
My husband has also been my rock during the aforementioned big time blues, and I completely relate to your entire paragraph about Ryan – I wrote a very similar paragraph about my husband on Tuesday and posted it on facebook! So I feel you, girl!
Just know we’re all in your corner. And that even though this quote is a cliche, it has NEVER not been true!! “This too shall pass.” I have really had to tell myself that with sincerity, whether it’s about grief, or some smaller situation or just something stressful, time heals all!
Julie,
I am so sorry to hear that you are struggling. You were vague, but my heart goes out to you and your family. I hope there is nothing but good news coming your way.
Sending positive thoughts your way Julie! I know Ryan, Chase, and Sadie will be there to give you extra snuggles and love.
I’m excited because I just booked a vacation for my boyfriend and I and a few additional days off next month!
Sending love and light to you and your family!
A few good things for this week: getting excited for a long-awaited trip to San Francisco in less than two weeks to visit my little sister who just started a job with Apple, dinner with friends and my boyfriend tonight at a new restaurant in D.C., and loving my new job that I finally am starting to settle into.
Happy weekend!
Sorry you are going through a tough time. I hope everything works out for the best. I love Broadway. Nothing like good music to lift your spirits. Sending positive energy your way.
Hi Julie,
Sorry to hear you’ve been struggling this week. I hope Ryan is right, & you get some good news. I am such a worrier, too, & it just isn’t productive, but prayers sure are! Sending lots your way. And hoping that you have a wonderful wknd w/ your girlfriends, & that they help you take your mind off your worries. XO
Im sorry you had a hard week. I struggle with anxiety and my husband is an excellent rock who always makes me calmer. I totally get it! Im sending you positive thoughts and vibes from PA today! <3 This week Ive been loving my new Nutribullet Pro and ive been making big green smoothies for breakfast–its been delicious!
Sending lots of love, prayers and positive vibes to you! Can’t wait to spend the weekend together. <3
Sending you live and light!
Sending prayers your way. I’m so sorry that you have had a rough week. 🙁 This week my daughter was able to meet Elsa at gym daycare and she had so much fun! Seeing her smiling and happy made my heart melt. 🙂
Whatever you are going through, just remember that you are strong and with God’s help, you can get through it. I will be praying for you and your family.
Sending good thoughts your way in your trying time. My good news for the week is that we closed on our house Monday here in NC! My husband took an amazing job in Greensboro and we relocated here from Ohio. It’s been a huge change leaving family, but we’re transitioning well with our 2 little girls. I’ve been a follower of yours for quite some time now and I’ve been enjoying your reviews of various places to eat and things to do.
So sorry you are going though some stuff right now. I am to had to get my appendix out 3 weeks ago and I also stomach issues going on. But one good thing that happen to me this week was my doctor said I am healing and should be back up and running in a couple more weeks. Chin Up and Believe in Yourself Everything will turn out okay.
Our pup, Halle, went swimming for the first time this week. Its too cute: https://www.instagram.com/p/BJGalZTA1aM/?taken-by=turtle_from_entourage
You are always such a bright spot in my day. Thinking of you and your family at this time.
I’ve been following your blog for years now and enjoy how much I can relate to where you are in life. I had a little boy on July 10th! The beginning of your post today made me feel like a friend had told me they received bad news. Funny how the Internet can do that. Prayers that you find peace in whatever it is! Thank you for your blog!
Not sure what you are going through but I pray God will help and guide you through what is happening in your life. Many prayers headed your way!
Sending positive vibes your way!
I got the Hamilton soundtrack from my sister’s iTunes a couple weeks ago, but finally listened to it last week while at work. Wow!! It’s awesome! I’m thinking it might make some really good running music…
Thinking of you tonight, dear Julie! I will certainly keep you in my prayers. I hope everything will be ok for you soon. Thanks for all you do and your WONDERFUL blog. Thanks for letting us all know you are having a hard time do we can support you!
I hope everything is ok Julie! So glad you have Ryan to be your rock ❤️ You have the most adorable family. Sending prayers and happy thoughts to you!!
My good thing this week was my best friend, who was put on bed rest at 27 weeks and feared for her baby’s life, made it all the way to 37 weeks and had a healthy baby girl on Sunday!
Four months ago I underwent emergency surgery due to an ectopic pregnancy. I have been healing both physically and emotionally and I am always reminded that God is faithful!! This past week I began training for a 10k in order to gain back my physical endurance. It feels soooo good to active again!!
hugs and prayers to you Julie <3
good thing…its small, but got a random card in the mail from my mom just saying she missed me. it was a hard, long week and it was so sweet. had some pretty great work-outs, too!
I LOVE Hamilton!!!! So much fun —- check out James Corden’s Carpool karaoke Broadway edition!
http://www.cbs.com/shows/late-late-show/video/DDBA2C06-F628-0679-1A16-1801D0F03FBA/broadway-carpool-karaoke-ft-hamilton-more/
I am guessing that all you bloggers in Winnipeg must be American as no Canadian would have worn long sleeves in August this year as we are all melting from weeks of relentless heat.
I renamed summer as SIMMER as that is all it does.
Hope all is well … love you to bits.
Awwww, I’m sorry it was one of those weeks, dear 🙁 I have wanted to see Hamilton for a while… Now I think I must make plans to actually go! Something good: I moved across the country about a month ago and made my first friend! I am twenty-two, but feel like a ten-year-old all giddy about “my new friend”, haha. I hope your weekend turns up, lovely!
So sorry you are going through some things. I will definitely be praying for you and hope you come through with whatever happens in a positive light. A few good things…I had a non-stress for my third pregnancy and it was good. My older son made it through his first week in 3rd grade. I also got to eat some chocolate cake and drink chai tea that I’ve been pining after for over a few weeks. Also one thing that I’m really looking forward to are the holidays. I know it’s way off by a few months but I can’t wait for Christmas, watching Christmas specials on TV and walking through the mall seeing all those colorful decorations.
just wanted to let you know i’ve been thinking of you and praying for you all this weekend. i hope you get some good news. also wish we could crash the party this weekend 🙂
lots of love to you, friend.
xoxo
Sounds like an amazing trip! My favorite part of this week was soaking up the last full days that the pool will be open for the summer! Splashing and playing with my babies was the best!