Hitting the Family Lottery

I grew up in a very loving and supportive household. My parents' relationship was the epitome of everything that I wanted for my marriage and future family someday. I always felt like the luckiest and happiest kid in the world. I had it all: loving parents, a great little sister, a home that I loved and more love and support than I ever could've imagined.

Admittedly, I've always been a pretty naive person and until recently, I was naive enough to believe that everybody grew up in a situation like I did. When I moved away from my parents, I started to try to make friends in my new area. As we were getting to know each other, we all discussed our pasts and the lives that we left behind. I was shocked to hear some of the things that they shared with me.

Some of them hadn't spoken to their parents in years and they didn't care to do so ever again. Some girls were beaten by their parents. Some were children of addicts that chose their addiction over their family. As I listened to everyone's stories, all I could think about was how sorry I was that they didn't have the same experiences that I had. Everyone deserved the same happiness that I felt growing up and it truly saddened me that everyone didn't get it. While I was talking to these girls, I truly realized just how lucky that I was.

I have strong relationships with both of my parents and being around all of these new people made me realize how truly special and rare that can be. I never took my family for granted but now, I definitely can say that I have an even deeper appreciation for them and the life that they gave my sister and I than I ever did before.

I remember seeing the way that my dad looked at my mom and wishing that one day, my husband would look at me that same way. I remember spending every Saturday at the park and every Sunday in the pool with my family. I remember being able to come to my parents with anything, no matter what. We had a connection and a bond that I can only hope and pray that I'll have with my children some day.

I miss my family more than words can say and even though I've moved away, I still do what I can to keep them involved in my life. It hurt me to hear my friends say that they never wanted to speak to their parents again. I can't imagine my life without my parents or even our (at least) 2 phone calls a week. Family is the most important thing in the world and it's never been something that I've taken lightly. But I am extremely grateful that I was one of the luckiest kids in the world.

My dad used to tell me that the one thing in life that is always constant is family. He told me that things come and go in life but at the end of the day, nobody could ever take away the fact that my sister and I were his kids and his family. I carry that knowledge with me every day and will treat my future family with the same respect and care that I was raised with. I know now that how I grew up, unfortunately, isn't everybodys' "normal" but I can tell you, that I'm so thankful that it was mine.

When it comes to families, I definitely hit the lottery.

I love you, Mom & Dad. Thanks for everything.

-Chelsea

Heart Walk 2015

Last weekend, Kris and I participated in a heart walk for the American Heart Association. In January, Kris and I lost someone very important to us, my grandmother, to a stroke. We couldn't think of a better way to honor her than to help raise money for a charity that helps with research for strokes and heart disease.

Kris had previously participated in Relay for Life but I'd never done anything like this before. It was a completely enriching experience for me. We got there bright and early and were there for all of the festivities. Hundreds of people showed up, there was music and dancing and there was tons of food. It was a really great way to get everyone energized for the walk.

However, there was a part of the day that I wasn't expecting. During the opening ceremonies, they brought up survivors who got up and told their stories. Among those survivors were small children that were born with heart defects and required multiple surgeries before they could even walk. When their parents told their stories, my heart completely broke. It was so devastating to think that those adorable little childrens' lives were already so hard. It was a completely humbling experience and it made me remember why all of us showed up to that event, to make a difference for everyone that needed help.

Kris and I are so glad that we participated and honored my grandmother. Over $199,000 was raised and it was amazing to see such a small community come together to raise that astounding amount of money. That day was definitely an inspiration and I look forward to participating in more events like this in the future.

If you ever have the chance to participate in walks like this, I encourage you to do so. One small act of kindness can change someone's life.

-Chelsea

My Top 7 Chick-Flicks

I can't believe that it's been almost a month since I last posted. Man, I've been slacking! Actually, I've just been busy with other things and unfortunately, my blog suffered for it. But I'm here today with another post and I've decided to share my top 7 chick-flicks with you guys! Who doesn't love a good chick-flick, right?

They are in no particular order. They're just movies that always put me in a good mood or make me cry. (And trust me, it's not easy to make me cry in movies!)

1. A Walk to Remember- This is one of my all-time favorite movies and it always will be. The relationship between Landon and Jamie is absolutely beautiful. This story is heart-wrenching and tragic but has its really emotional, perfect moments. It has an amazing script and is a story that will always stick with me. And this is one of the few movies that makes me cry.

2. The Sound of Music- This is definitely another one of my all-time favorites. I used to watch this movie all the time with my grandmother before she passed away. We bonded over our shared love for this incredible movie. Julie Andrews is spectacular as always and the songs always put me in a good mood. This movie is not only a timeless classic but is also a memory that connects me to my grandma. For those reasons, I'll always cherish this movie and it will always be a favorite.

3. Ever After- I think that this movie is one of the best Cinderella remakes ever and I know that a lot of people agree with that. Drew Barrymore and Dougary Scott are perfection in this movie. In this Cinderella story, we get to see Prince Henry and Danielle get to know each other and fall in love over time. Henry's character is endearing in his pursuit of Danielle and Danielle is headstrong, brave and somewhat feisty. This is a new side to Cinderella and gives her more of a personality, which we all can appreciate. So Ever After definitely deserves a place on this list!

4. Another Cinderella Story- You may be surprised that this movie ended up on my list too. I call this movie my guilty pleasure. I absolutely love Drew Seeley, so that's definitely a plus for this movie. Another Cinderella Story is fun, funny, charming and cute. I love that they added dancing and music to the story. The reason that I count it as one of my favorite chick-flicks is because I put this movie on whenever I'm in a bad mood and it always cheers me up. No matter what.

5. Ella Enchanted- This is another fun love story that never fails to put a smile on my face. I'm a HUGE Anne Hathaway fan and this is one of my favorite movies that she's ever done. I love everything about this movie from the characters, to the setting, to the magic to the love story. I love the message that the movie sends and the fun atmosphere that the story provides. It really feels like you're going on an adventure in a far-off magical land with Ella and Char. This is a great movie to put on when you need a little escape from reality.

6. Pride and Prejudice- This is not just one of my favorite movies; it's also one of my favorite books. Anything by Jane Austen is spectacular but Pride and Prejudice holds a special place in my heart. The story is way ahead of its time and allows us to learn about life while also being entertained. The message behind this movie is so important and is made better by the incredible story that's being told.

7. Legally Blonde- Seriously, what's not to love about Reese Witherspoon? Whenever this movie is on TV, I can't help but watch it. It's one of those movies that just sucks you in and you root for Elle so much. You can't help it. She learns about who she is and what she's capable of. It's a really fun, girly story but also has a great message about self-discovery in it. It's a real feel-good movie with lots of girl power!

Well, those are my top 7 chick-flicks! I hope that you enjoyed it! What are some of your favorite chick-flicks? Do we share any favorites?

-Chelsea

Don't Cry Because It's Over

My best friend Kelsey is moving away on Tuesday. She and her husband are moving about 18 hours away and I'm absolutely dreading it. We've been friends for about 8 months now and trust me, those 8 months have flown by! When I met her, I never would've guessed that we'd become as close as we did, as fast as we did. She is one of the best friends that I've ever had and I feel extremely blessed to have had her in my life at all. She's done so much for me and she's always been there when I needed her. Thinking about her leaving next week is heart-breaking for me.

But even though I'm sad because she's leaving, I know that I should just appreciate the time that we've had together. Because of social media, I know that I'll still be able to have her in my life and keep up with what's going on in hers, even though it won't be the same. Nonetheless, now that she's in my life, I can't imagine it without her. Saying goodbye to her on Tuesday morning is going to be extremely hard for me but that just shows how much I love her and her friendship.

I want her to be happy and I know that she will be once she starts her new life. And I'm happy that she's starting this new exciting chapter of her life. She won't be living next door to me anymore and I won't be able to spend every day with her. But over time, I'll adjust. So, even though it's hard, I'm going to tell myself, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

So thank you, Kelsey, for all of the memories, all of the smiles, all of the laughs, all of the advice and all of the other wonderful gifts that you've given me. I'll miss you!

Wedding Dress Shopping

I remember when Kris and I set a date for our wedding like it was yesterday. We decided in February that we were going to get married in May, exactly one year after he proposed. As soon as we picked the date, I set up an appointment to try on wedding dresses.

I made my appointment at David's Bridal and had an absolutely wonderful experience! I remember being a little overwhelmed because the store seemed so crowded. My consultant explained to me that February is a very busy time for them because many people get engaged around Valentines Day. So, because Valentines Day is upon us, I thought I'd share some tips that I had about wedding dress shopping!

I absolutely love weddings! I'm obsessed with anything and everything wedding-related. But not in the way that most girls that I know are. My friends have been dreaming about their wedding days since they were about six years old. I was never that girl. I was more focused on the fairy-tale romance that I wanted. I always knew that I'd figure out the wedding details when the time came. Plus, I'm too frugal to dream about a fancy wedding. But I have always been addicted to wedding shows, especially Say Yes to the Dress and Four Weddings. I love seeing how creative people get and just how much they can come up with. And of course, my favorite part of weddings has always been seeing the beautiful brides in their wedding dresses. So, I was very excited but hopelessly nervous the day that I picked it out. If you're a bride-to-be, you may be experiencing some of the same things that I did. I really hope that this helps you.

1. Don't be afraid to try on different styles- I'm a very short person, so I figured that a ball gown would swallow me up. I didn't even bother trying one on, even just for the fun of it. I went into David's Bridal with the sole purpose of buying a trumpet or mermaid gown. I figured that it would accentuate my curves and give me just the right amount of personality at the bottom. I only tried on those styles of dresses and it did work in my favor. But part of me wishes that I had at least tried some others on and kept an open mind. Wedding dress shopping is something that you're only going to do once. Have fun with it. Make the most of it. This is one of the most fun parts of the planning process.

2. It's okay to like everything but you'll know when it's 'the one'.- Liking multiple dresses was one of the few problems that I had. I remember thinking, "What am I gonna do? How am I gonna pick one? I don't have time to love everything! My wedding is in three months!" But I had to take a step back and realize that the gowns are supposed to make me feel beautiful and it's okay to feel beautiful in more than one gown. I made my decision when I realized that I found a gown that made me feel more beautiful and confident than the others. That gown was 'the one' as soon as I put it on. I instantly forgot all about the other dresses.

3. It's okay to speak your mind- I vividly remember the third dress that I tried on. I liked it. I didn't love it. But my mother did. She absolutely loved it. I remember staring at myself in the mirror, trying to make myself love it because she did. But she looked at me and said that she could tell by my facial expression that I didn't love it. I told her the truth and without hesitation she said, "Okay then, onto the next one!" She didn't care that I didn't love the dress. She just wanted me to love whatever I ended up picking out. That really meant a lot. I ended up buying the next dress that I tried on. I told the consultant that I wanted something more simple and she picked out the perfect dress. My mother loved this dress more than she loved the third dress. She even cried when I put the fourth one on (She didn't cry for the third one). Having her blessing on a dress that I chose meant the world to me. I would not have ended up with my dress had I not spoken my mind. It's your day, your wedding, your dress. Make it the most magical day of your life by getting what you want. Everything else will fall into place.

So those are just a few tips that I hope will enhance your dress shopping experiences! I can't explain just how much fun I had the day that I picked mine out. I ended up buying my dress at my first appointment and I love it now, almost two years later, as much as I did the day that I bought it. Enjoy your shopping! I hope that your weddings are everything that you want them to be!

-Chelsea

Ten Tiny Breaths

Ten Tiny Breaths follows the story of Kacey Cleary, the only survivor of a car crash that killed her parents, boyfriend and best friend. Kacey suffers from severe PTSD and uses drugs, alcohol and sex as coping mechanisms. When she sees how these choices affect her younger sister, Livie, she decides to put her energy into the gym instead. While living with her aunt and uncle, Livie gets molested and Kacey decides that they need to get away. They start life over in Miami where they find an unlikely friend in their neighbor, Storm, Kacey finds work as a bartender at a strip club and Kacey starts falling for her mysterious neighbor, Trent. But Kacey is still dealing with her demons from the accident and is intent on keeping her heart protected. Trent isn't willing to give up on her and together, they go through a tumultuous relationship that causes them both to unlock their inner demons and face their pasts.

This cover is stunning and represents the book beautifully!

I really enjoyed this book. It's been on my TBR shelf for months and I finally got around to buying it. I'm really glad that I did. I love books that make me feel strong emotions and make me think. This book got me thinking about concepts that I never thought about before. It affected how I look at things and people, which is always the sign of a good book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters as well. I found it so refreshing to read about Kacey because she was very flawed and she knew it. In fact, she owned it. Granted, she did suffer from denial about some things but not who she was or what she wanted. The romance was very interesting and complex. Trent was unlike any guy that I had personally ever read about and I thought that his attention to getting Kacey help was admirable, even though she didn't think so.

I absolutely flew through this book. It's a pretty quick read because it's just under 300 pages. If you're interested in New Adult or stories about redemption, I would recommend this book.

I gave it 4/5 stars.

Have you read it? What were your thoughts?

-Chelsea

Currently (8)

I've had a lot going on recently and I haven't been posting as much as I'd like. I wish that I had more time to write in-depth posts but now just isn't a good time. But I missed blogging, even if what I post is just a quick update!

• Reading: I just finished Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover. I'm about to start If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin.
• Watching: Revenge, Grey's Anatomy, Once Upon a Time and The Dick Van Dyke show. I absolutely love Netflix and Hulu, if you couldn't tell!
• Feeling: I recently lost someone very close to me and I'm grieving the loss as best as I can. But, of course, I'm hurting a lot. I miss them every single day. Life just isn't the same without them. 
• Excited for: Kelsey and I are trying out some new recipes this week and I'm very excited to try them!
• Loving: All of the reading that I've been getting done. 
• Writing: I've been jotting down new story ideas but today was the first day of school. I'm pretty overwhelmed with my workload but I'm going to make time for my stories!

That's it for now! 

-Chelsea