Fresh Starts

I feel like, as readers and writers of blogs, and members of the pinterest generation, there are a few things we couldn't forget if we tried.
Things like: Do what you love. Make time for your passions. Follow your heart.

But all too often, we forget the practical ways of implementing these ideals in our daily lives. I know I do. I'm not sure if it's because of the baby and exhaustion that comes with it or not, but I've been crazy blah lately. I've dropped all of my hobbies, and rarely spend my free time doing anything but sleeping and eating. Calvin keeps me peppy, but when he's gone I just fall apart. It sounds pathetic because it is. I used to have a me to fall back on. A spirited, interesting, fun lady to come home to when Calvin was out doing karate or his newest obsession, tricking. Anymore I just kind of feel like a grumpy loser. I kind of hate it.

But, we're moving into a new place next month, and we're super stoked about it. They have a pool, workout room, picnic area, grills, tennis court, etc. I'm so happy! I really hope it will be a good place for us, and a fresh new start for baby and me. It's a little bit of a downgrade size-wise, but the baby's room will be right next to ours (which is the main reason we needed to move) and it will be a clean start for us. Something about me- I LOVE fresh starts. When my siblings grumbled and complained about us moving to another city or house, I was bouncing with excitement. I love being able to start fresh and have a whole array of possibilities at your fingertips. We've been where we live now for around three years and it's just getting stale.

On to bigger, better and brighter things, I hope. I hope the same for you too :)
If things are getting stagnant, I hope you find a way to change them. If something's off track, I hope you find a way to right it.

All the best,
Grace Elizabeth.
(and our little peach!)

What's in a name?

Ever since I was a kid, I've had a love/hate relationship with the name my parents gave me. Growing up hanging out with my older brother and nearly constantly being outside, I was a bit of a tom-boy. I preferred bike riding and running in fields and playing imaginary games with my neighbor than playing dolls or dress up. Games with Indians and wolves and amazonian jungles. This has been a huge factor in my definition. So when it came to my name: Grace Elizabeth- I always thought it sounded a little sissy. I tried to appreciate the meaning behind it, but the title always sounded a little like someone who belongs in a royal court, not fighting crime in the mean streets, or exploring long lost Egyptian tombs.

When I got older, this feeling only grew. My teen years were not unlike the middle ages- dark and smelly. Haha, okay maybe not smelly but I did wear a lot of dark clothing and always tried to project this tough confidence. I was so awkward around people I didn't know, and so afraid of getting hurt that I always felt like I had to defend myself. It was my thing. In our group of friends there was the pretty one, the smart one, the funny one and I tried my hardest to be the tough one. Not to mention at this time I was a motorcycle/ dirtbike aficionado (and have the scars to prove it :P). And my fancy shmancy name never really fit that image. No matter what I did, "Grace" still conjured images of ballerinas and glittery
floating angels to people, and I hated it. 

It wasn't until I got married and truly feel safe that I've begun let go of this outlook. I've always chose cool over pretty. Which of course is not a bad thing in and of itself, but once me and Calvin got together I've finally been able to relax about what other people think of me. I realized I had been projecting that image out of fear and anger over being hurt in the past. Fake bravery is only leather jacket clad skin deep. I still love tattoos and rad hair (even though mine has become long and boring now heh) but now I finally feel comfortable wearing cutsey vintage dresses and working with a more saturated color scheme. No longer do I have to constantly be on edge, ready to defend myself. I'm part of a team now. And with that, I've also realized that you can have both. You can fight zombies by day and wear ball gowns by night- you can be both tough and feminine. Armed with this knowledge, I hope to carve out a whole new definition for 'brutal'. It doesn't have to be a bunch of hurt kids hurting, but a bunch of people, aware of the beauty in their design and the flaws of their heart and out to make a difference all the same.

In letting go of that self consciousness, I've also really come to appreciate my name.

What a gift I've been given, to be named after something so beautiful. 

What an amazing reminder everyday of why I am alive. I hope and aim to be a reminder to others as well- it isn't always easy though (especially when you get cut off in traffic, flipped off by the driver, and spat on like I did this morning D:) but it is always worth it. Kindness and graciousness may work in mysterious, quiet ways, but like the butterfly effect dictates, it may have huge life changing results to someone else.

So I urge you today, like I urge myself daily- be kind today, live up to your name.

Whether you be a friendly Emily, a loving Amanda, a lively Chloe-

or in the case your name means bald man, or he who smells like butt, 

you can borrow my meaning if you'd like :P

All the best,

Grace Elizabeth.

Blah Blah Blog

So, generally on this blog I try to avoid excessive blahblahblah-ing. I know reading every little detail of someone's life can be a little tiresome, so generally I just keep my posts to photos and a little creative writing. With that being said, I have no photos to upload as my camera got thoroughly drenched in Chick-Fil-A Polynesian sauce (more on that later) and is getting cleaned, and I've been feeling rather uncreative these past few days, so I don't have any writing either. Let the blah blah blah-ing commence. I've included some illustrations just to keep your attention :P 

A few blahs of note:

• I ran out of gas on a major road yesterday, and nearly pee'd my pants waiting for Calvin to come get me.

• I officially have written over thirty posts for this here blog, which is probably the most dedication I've shown towards a project since 4th grade science fair, before I realized it was all rigged and the popular son of the principal would always get first place.

• When pressured into singing karaoke, I turn into a big, sweaty monster of panic.

• I really hope someone invents a public toilet seat covering system that involves less accidental touching of toilet seat.

• The Yeti and I are FINALLY taking our honeymoon, iinnn eight days! :D Wizarding World of Harry Potter here we come!

• I very much enjoy this list of 100 Best First Lines from Novels.

• I am, for sure, getting a Yeti tattoo, and very soon :)

• It is a bad idea to let your husband save the extras of his favorite condiment in your purse, and then forget it exists. It will be very hot in the car, and it will explode all over everything that you hold dear.

• This photo collection of Birds With Arms is both disturbing and hilarious.

 Also, here is a webcam picture of my face, ya' know, to hold you over until my camera is fixed :P

Promise to have a normal blog soon! Have a lovely day :)