validation

It happened over a simple dinner with two of my best girlfriends.  We were chatting about the usual topics (boys, jobs, and babies) when the conversation evolved into an outpouring of our innermost feelings about ourselves.  Strangely, we all were feeling the same way: inadequate.  We were all looking to each other, and to others we know, to validate ourselves.

This really got me thinking about how I always focus on what everybody else has (or what's missing from my life) rather than the things that I do have.  I'd have to admit, this is by far my worst quality.  The worst part of it all though is that it's not until somebody else praises me or fills me with positive words that I'm able to really feel and see all the blessings in my life.

The strange thing is, when I feel like I'm missing something in my life, it's not a new car, a bigger home, or even a family of my own that I feel like I'm missing, but rather, something that I can't quite put my finger on.  Perhaps it's this inability of mine to be completely happy with life that's making me feel this way.  A vicious cycle if there ever was one.

I yearn for the day that I don't seek outside validation.  I yearn for the day when I know that I am the confident, smart, driven, talented woman that I feel like I am ninety percent of the time.  Although, another part of me wonders if maybe we're not supposed to know.  Maybe that's why we have to surround ourselves with friends and family; so that they are able to give us a boost when we need it most.

wordless wednesday - new home

vanilla bean creme brulee

This past week was one of the most stressful weeks of my life.  Here's a recap:

Last Sunday evening we put an offer in on a new condo, which was accepted.

On Monday we officially sold our condo.

All week we worked furiously (on top of our already busy full-time jobs) to secure financing, arrange inspections, and read stacks upon stacks of documents for our new condo.

On Friday we had confirmation that we were 100% buying the new condo.

With all this craziness going on, Hubby and I were also hosting a dinner for some of our close friends on Saturday night.  Dessert is always my downfall.  I'm more comfortable cooking than I am baking.  I like to freestyle my measurements, rather than measure them out perfectly.  Dessert and I are not always friends.  I had originally thought of making meringues with fruit for dessert, but those thoughts were squashed when my mom bought me a cookbook called "Creme Brulee".  I admit that I was a little extremely intimidated by the thought of making creme brulee from scratch.  But after the week that I had just conquered, I felt like I could tackle anything.  And I did.

wordless wednesday - vancouver spring

dear 12 year-old me

Dear 12 year-old me,

Stop looking forward to the day when you'll finally be a grown up. Sure, being a grown up means that you can stay up as late as you want, that you can drive, and that you will be completely in control of your own life. However, when that time comes, you'll come to LOVE sleeping and going to bed early and you'll hardly ever get to drive your own car because you have to share it with your husband. Being grown up is overrated. Big time.  Just be a kid.

Love, 25 year-old you.

booked!

It's official, we're going to Europe!  The flights have been booked (and, more importantly, paid for!).  Most of our accommodations have been reserved.  Now we're researching what we want to do and see in these amazing cities.

Only 28 more weeks to go, but who's counting anyway?

All in all we'll spend 22 days away from our home and our meows while we explore three fabulous countries.  We'll spend 7 days in France (including Paris, Juno Beach, and Versailles), 8 days in Germany (including time with family in the Black Forest and a visit to Munich), and 7 days in Italy (Venice and Rome).

We're still not 100% sure what to do and see while were visiting and any tips would be most welcome!

sunday evenings

The fireplace is on, warming our home, as we spend another cozy Sunday night at home.  These nights are my favourite; just us, with nothing to do but enjoy our home together.  It's quiet, it's cozy, it's a peaceful last night of the weekend to saviour before the hectic week ahead.  Not talking too much, and surrounded in dim, warm light we let the quiet peacefulness fill our home.  I take a second and look around the room and let the moment sink in.  I'm home.  We're home.

As much as friends and adventures are exciting and fun, nothing feels quite like a quiet Sunday evening at home, just us two.