I'm still here...

I'm just buried under work.  I promise to blog soon...

Hope all is well!

God Blessed the Broken Road...

I shared this on Facebook, but wanted to record it here for posterity and to add a bit more background.

 Our New Home

Jerod and I got approved to live in a gorgeous apartment.  This was the first complex we visited and we fell in love.  But we decided to see several more in order to make an informed decision.  None of the other places even compared!

The complex is called Broadstone Centreport.  It’s a green built community.  Basically that means the buildings practice waste reduction and reduce the environmental impact of the home while under construction.  This includes: tree preservation and protection, recycling measures, and storm water control systems.  The building is designed to conserve water both indoors and out and the homes are built with sustainability in mind.  The homes are also very energy efficient and tout improved indoor air quality.  There are a lot grassy areas and the buildings are spread out on 22 acres, so it does not feel cramped like most apartments do.  We will be moving in August 25!  We picked out some great items from IKEA a month or so ago, so I think we are all ready.  It’s a one bedroom apartment with small study and a garage, so it feels more like a townhouse.  Here is the floorplan:

Our Love Story

So what’s the big deal Nicole?  People get apartments everyday.  This is true.  And I’ve lived in tons of apartments, but primarily by myself.  My brother and I were roomies for a while which was a blast, but I’ve never lived with a boy. 

For the longest time, I avoided relationships like the plague.  And I mean like 8-9 years long time.  I was terrified of getting hurt and just not motivated to put the work in to really even try.  I would either break up with someone or stop seeing them at the first hint of difficulty.  Or completely sabotage things so the boy would break up with me and ease the guilt I carried.  So, yeah, I was pretty damaged.  I think some of this stems from a distrust of men and my parents’ divorce and how I chose not to deal with it.  I am certainly not blaming them, I take full responsibility for all my nonsense, but I can see how I may have come out of things quite jaded and cynical about monogamy. 

As I mentioned before, I started getting my life back together a few years ago.  I met Jerod after I moved back to Texas, I do not recall the actual first time we met.  He has known my family for years and was great friends with my brother when he lived here.  But I did not really know him, just casually.  One day at pool, we started talking and something sparked.  We were pretty much inseparable after that.  I was scared, nervous, skeptical, the whole range of emotions.  But something was different this time.  I WANTED to try.  I wanted to give this guy a chance.  Even when I pulled some of my bratty stunts, he stuck around.  Even when I told him about my past and warned him repeatedly that I am damaged goods, he just smiled at me and didn’t think twice about getting involved with me.  We have been through some ups and downs this past year, growing pains I like to call them.  And I’m sure these will continue.  But I’m excited about our life together.  He has brought such joy and happiness into my life. 

So moving in him and getting an apartment, all that, it’s a big deal to me!  But I’m not going to lie.  I’m sure this will prove to be difficult for me for a while.  I’ve lived by myself for most of my adult life, I’m very set in my ways, have very specific ideas of how things should be, slightly OCD about clutter, etc.  And to be honest, I’m kind of selfish.  I’ve done what I want when I want how I want for the longest time.  So having to consider someone else, well…it takes time.  But I’m going to keep praying and keep giving it my all and I know we are going to be so happy together.

Thank you Jerod for taking a chance on me.  Thank you for being my best friend and always supporting me and being by my side.  I love you more than words can express and I am so excited to begin the next chapter in our lives!

Title Disclosure:  This is a song by Rascall Flatts.  The lyric is “God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you.”  That’s exactly what I feel happened with us.  Neither of us was looking for love that day we started talking.  Here are some of the other lyrics that really resonate with me: “I got lost a time or two”, “every long lost dream”, “others who broke my heart”, “it’s all part of a grander plan” - I get chill bumps everytime I hear that song, it really is beautiful.  I was damaged, but God can turn damaged into beautiful, and the love between Jerod and I is beautiful.  He has had his own struggles and tribulations through life, but that’s his story to tell, and us being together is a testament to God’s amazing plan.

Pictures of You...

I hope you all had a lovely weekend!  I know I certainly did!

Jerod and I had dinner Friday night and he left Saturday morning to pick up his two daughters.  I ran some errands Saturday.  I hit the Coppell Farmer’s Market for some produce and the most amazing organic milk.  I went and checked out one more apartment after that, so hopefully I should know where our new home is sometime in the next week or so!  I also went to grocery store as I am back on my Carb Lover’s Diet - breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks!  I came home and made myself lunch following the plan: pumpernickel bread, roast beef, goat cheese, lettuce, roasted red peppers, and a bit of balsalmic vinagerette on top.  It sounds like an odd combo, but it was delicious, I also enjoyed a farm fresh peach and a few strawberries.

Carb Lovin’ It

This morning, I had this for breakfast - on the plan too!  2 cups of Special K, 1 cup of blueberries, and 1 cup of milk.  The farm fresh milk tastes so delicious in cereal.

For lunch, I am enjoying a nice large chopped salad.  The ingredients are: salad greens, red cabbage, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, walnuts, parmesan cheese, garbanzo beans, and balsalmic vinagerette.

I really enjoy this meal plan because, for the most part, the recipes are things I would eat anyway, just portion-controlled with some healthier substitutions.  I’m making a three-bean soup for dinner tonight!

Ladies Who Brunch

Sunday, I was so lucky to have brunch with some of the most amazing women I have ever met.  We met at Blue Mesa Café in Southlake.  We all got together around Thanksgiving and again at Christmas and I just enjoy it so much.  We all know each other from high school, some I met in middle school, that’s like 20 years ago.  Tami brought her amazing son Chance and Heather brought her twins, Rhett and Ryder.  Our next get together could include another baby boy!  Brook has just two and a half weeks to go!  We had such a fun time and talked non-stop.  These girls have been with me through everything and I know if I ever needed anything, they would line up to help and the same goes for them.  They each hold a very special place in my heart.  Let me introduce them to you, from left to right….

Heather

Heather and I have been BFFEs since 7^th grade!  During the summers, we practically lived at each others’ houses.  Heather is still to this day the absolute sweetest person I have ever met.  She is such a giving and loving person.  Seeing her with her sweet babies just warms my heart.  Those babies are so lucky to have her for a mom!  I can't wait to be a part of their lives and be their Auntie Nicki.

Ginger

Ginger and I have been great friends since middle school as well.  We have always had lots in common.  The main thing was soccer!  We played on the Ponies 80 soccer for years and years together.  Some of the most fun I have ever had was playing in soccer tournaments.  We also always seemed to have the same classes too and had a friendly rivalry over grades - yep - nerds back then too!  Ginger is also one to give me a reality check when I need it - she knows me really well!

Tami

Funny story - I was Tami’s tag-a-long the first time she really hung out with her now husband back in ’99, I think?  I remember her telling me she met some guy where she worked and she dragged me to a pool party he had - the rest was history and they have been together ever since.  One of the things I love about Tami - what you see is what you get - Tami is who she is and does not worry about what other people think.  She is also an amazing testament to the grace of God.

Sarah

I met Sarah in high school, freshman volleyball I believe.  We grew to be quick friends and I think I spent the majority of my weekends freshman year of high school at her house.  Sarah and her husband Dylan have been together since she was 16, almost half her life - which blows my mind!  Sarah is so very thoughtful and so much fun to be around.

Brook

I met Brook in middle school and she has been one of my greatest friends since.  Brook and I have been through so much together.  She is one of the most level-headed, laid-back people I have ever met.  She has such a good head on her shoulders.  Brook has never ever judged me and always loved me for who I am.  I’m so excited to meet her little one that’s on they way!

Michelle

I met Michelle freshman year of high school and we lived right around the corner from each other.  Random memory - concrete was poured on her sidewalk, so of course we had to put our initials in - but then they came back and re-poured, so we re-initialized, I’m not sure how many times this happened and cannot remember to this day if it’s still there?  Michelle and I rode to school a lot together and were quite fond of the song…”Planet Soul”…look it up…classic!  Michelle is what I consider an Everything Woman.  She truly amazes me.  She has a loving marriage (her and her husband started dating in 6^th grade!), she is truly a woman of God, has two adorable and well-rounded kiddos, and a successful career.  I think I know who my life mentor should be!

Here are some additional photos from brunch, basically we played “Pass the Baby”.

Ginger and Tami's little man - Chance!

Michelle and one of the twins - Rhett!

Ginger and another twin - Ryder!

Tami and her little miracle - he's amazing!

Me and Rhett!  He was so cuddly!

SUPER MOM Heather - feeding both babies at once.  She's incredible!

Sunday

Here are a few photos from Family Game Day at Grandma’s on Sunday.  We had a shrimp boil and it was delicious!  My cousin Brandon was in town, so that was definitely a treat to spend time with him!

Before...

Shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes

Delicious!

Reading

I finished A Deadly Secret by Matt Birkbeck.  It's the book about the crime that the movie All Good Things was based on.  Quite disturbing actually, but I like a good true crime novel every now and then.

I've been wanting to read some of Chelsea Handler's books and Amazon has My Horizonal Life for $1.99. She's hilarious and I for sure have to read more of her books.

I am really enjoying the book I am reading now.  I will tell you more about it when I finish.

Ps…I bought the Tom’s shoes I have been eyeing.  And they are totally worth it.  So comfortable, I think I could live in them!

Title Disclosure:  This is the title to one of my all-time favorite songs by the Cure.  It was on their Disintegration album released in 1990, gulp...wow, I'm old!  I think it's a really beautiful song.