I know the title of this seems quite strange considering it is only July; however, even though it is only half way over 2016 has not been my dearest friend, but has taught me lessons the first thirty-three years of my life did not. Within the first thirty days of the year I lost my dad and my fifteen year old dog, so to say it was a rough start is stating it very mildly. This year seems to be a year of realizations for me, so here are a few I would like to share:

1. Everyone isn’t loyal (yeah, I started with a deep one). And this is okay, because knowing who is and who isn’t helps you build your circle. Your circle is important because those are your people, the ones you go to with the most major and minor things in your life and both are just as important to you and them. Don’t keep people who aren’t loyal in your circle. You can still be friendly or acquaintances, you can even have fun with these people, or you may not like them at all, which is also fine. Just as long as you know that everyone will not be loyal.
2. I LOVE LOVE LOVE country music! I know, I know…this surprises the people who have been in my life the longest. My inner rapper has discovered country music. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing like riding in the car and Snoop coming on or Pony by Ginuwine….but this country thing. I can’t believe it took me so long to love it. Why was everyone keeping this from me??? I feel like every country song has at least one good line that was written just for me and relates directly to my life. I love it all new and old. And it doesn’t hurt that most of the country singers are not bad on the eyes. So my cowboy boots and I are ready for an invite to any country concert you would like to invite me to.
3. Show love and say I love you…and do it now! For too long in my life I never wanted to be the first to say I love you or I care about you. I never wanted to feel vulnerable to anyone. Not my friends or my family. But 2016 changed me and if I love you and care about you I am going to let you know. Just ask some of my people – most of my phone conversations or texts end with “I love you’” and a heart emoji. I want there to be no doubt in their mind that I love them and how much I love them.
4. People say they love you, but don’t believe them unless they show you. This goes perfect right behind number 3. While hearing that someone loves you is awesome, don’t believe them until their actions show you they love you. This is for all relationships and friendships. Good ‘ole 2016 brought people in and out of my life, but one especially comes to mind when writing this. This person was someone I had a very close friendship with and who told me time and time again they would always be there for me no matter what. That nothing would ever come between us. Well, guess what? Their actions didn’t follow their words. When times were tough they bailed and for a long time I was angry and hurt, but I woke up one day and decided I had to let go of things I could not change and walk away knowing I gave it my all. This person knew I loved them and our friendship with all I had and when they let it go so easily then I realized that actions truly speak louder than words.
5. Some things really aren’t that important. You wouldn’t believe how hard this was for me to realize! As much as I love my children, I would engage in arguments with them about clothes and hair bows. I would also panic if someone showed up unannounced and my house wasn’t spotless or my bed was unmade. Why??? Why did I stress myself over these things? I am so over this in my life. I am just glad now when my girls are fully dressed and clean. And I realized if you are coming to my house, we are probably friends, and if my house is messy then you don’t really care anyway (and if you do then I am still not sorry, because those are the things I have let go of). It feels amazing not to stress over what is not important. As I write this, I have laundry to put away, a suitcase still unpacked, clothes to iron and I am sitting on my unmade bed….and it doesn’t even bother me! YAY!!!
6. My husband really is my BFF! As cliché as this may sound, my hubby is my bestie. This half of a year has been such a whirlwind and he has been a trooper. I realized that I, for sure, chose well and lucked up when I decided to share this crazy life with someone. He has stood by my side and hasn’t even tried to tiptoe away (I am pretty sure if I had to deal with me I would be going in the other direction as quickly as possible). So without getting all mushy, just let me say he is awesome!

So this is a part of my year so far. Take chances, go on adventures, and show love! And read my blogs, since I did take time to write them!