An Update on The Baker's - 2015 So Far!

We are half way through the year already, how crazy is that?! Six months have come and gone in a blink of an eye. It's hard to recall all the things we've done and been through.

My sister along with her non-profit group and my parents went in together to purchase a gorgeous piece of land up in Virginia. It will be used for retreats, family gatherings and the occasional weekend getaway.

In April, Josh and I took a trip over to DC with Alex and his girlfriend Sarah. It was a great trip! I was looking forward to it for months been planning everything for weeks and then the first night we walked about 2+ miles... I wore the wrong shoes for all the walking we did the first night and ended up with crazy blisters on my feet. The next day I could only last till 5pm, that's hardly enough time to see all the sites in DC but man were my feet KILLING me. I was so mad at myself, so the DC trip was hardly a vacation =/  But we had fun nonetheless with Alex and Sarah, next time I'll know to plan my footwear better!

We held another Swap Shop with HopeMatch! Erin and I were interviewed by TWC News, we told about our upcoming event and HopeMatch was spotlighted for a couple weeks. We sent out more advertisement then before, however, it felt like the turn out was smaller. Even with a smaller turn out we still gave away and sold A LOT of items to families. It was amazing to see how much stuff people were able to take home.

One thing Josh and I have been getting into a lot is playing some tennis. Almost every week, we've been out there playing with our friends Chad and Kim. I love that we've found something to do together just the two of us or with friends. Not only enjoyable but a great time for some exercise for the two of us.

Currently, we're working on a few things... Our 5 year anniversary is coming up in August! We're planning on going on another cruise in November with some friends. Hopefully a vacation we can just relax and enjoy without having to walk miles and miles.   =) We're also working on getting some house repairs done, like gutters installed, our porch redone (due to dry rot), and some landscaping. Hopefully we'll get those project done by the end of the year.

That's us in a nut shell for the year so far. I WILL be more diligent in keeping up with this thing.

A Swap Shop Weekend

This past weekend I was part of something great. Over the past few weeks, I worked with the HopeMatch team planning and organizing a Community Swap Shop.

Basically, families that we have helped in the past got the opportunity to bring in items they no longer need in on Friday and were asked to come back the next day to shop for new items they need. We also accepted items from kind souls just dropping off items who did no wish to shop. This provided our families with a vast amount of items to choose from.  Items included clothes, household items, linen, kitchen items and so much more!

This was our first time doing an event like this, so of course it had its hiccups, but all in all I think it turned out great!

Being part of Hope Match allows me to look past my selfishness, appreciate what I have, and help those who, right now, need a little extra love and support. I cannot think of a better group of people to be associated with.

Tired and sore after a long two days, I couldn't have asked for a better weekend with an even better group of volunteers and friends who helped selflessly.

At the end of Summer, we will host a "Back to School" event helping families obtain all the necessary items for their kids new school year!

The weather outside is frightful?!?

The weather outside looks frightful....


Looks like winter is trying to rear its ugly head early this year. At least I have been able to enjoy some beautiful fall weather the past few weeks. We've gone up to the mountains twice and I'm ready to go up again, even though the changing leaves are pretty much gone I'm happy to go anytime.

I cannot believe its mid November, these past few weeks have FLOWN by because we've just been so busy.

October 19th I was in a wedding, Oct 24th we flew down to Disney and stayed in an awesome resort for 5 nights, on Oct 29th we flew home and celebrated my birthday! November 2nd we threw a post-Halloween bash in our new garage then the following week we threw another party for Josh's 30th birthday, and then officially celebrated his birthday on the 11th (yesterday)... It has certainly been non stop the past few weeks and I wouldn't have it any other way!

I've seen a lot of people on Facebook write what they are thankful for this past month and even though I haven't "joined the crowd" does not mean I am any less thankful for who or what in my life... Here are just a few things I am grateful for not just for this time of year, but always:

* loving parents who taught: me right from wrong, how to live on my own and take care of myself, independence, courage, kindness and so much more

* a wonderful, thoughtful husband who's there for me no matter what and provides for our family

* my brothers and sisters, we are always there for each other if we ever need anything

* kind, generous in-laws

* amazing friends who've been there through thick and thin, who respect and love me no matter what, friends who are always there by my side, who will drop anything to help me/us no questions asked

* my job, with a great boss and co-worker

* our beautiful home & new garage!

* our rambunctious, but lovable dog (there is not a mean bone in his body)

* for the freedoms we are able to enjoy in our country, even the system and country are not perfect we are far more 'free' than people in other countries

* mostly, for a loving and forgiving Heavenly Father who I know still loves me, my family and friends despite all our faults.

Finding My Road to Happiness

Well, I know it's not 'officially' fall yet, but it is September, so close enough. I've been given the go ahead by my hubby that we (I) can start decorating! As you can tell, fall has increasingly become my FAVORITE time of the year. I even changed my blogsite to reflect this time of year, who knows it just might stay year round. Why may you ask is fall my favorite time, well I'll tell you:

1 - It's just so gosh darn gorgeous in North Carolina in the Fall time, leaves will change in a blink of an eye and will turn a beautiful red, orange, green, and brown.

2 - I love cool weather, it's not too hot/humid and it's not frigid... It's just right.

3 - Wearing sweaters, hoodies, and boots is the best

4 - This time of year just makes me happy, it's the season of "change" and good things always seem to be around the corner. I'd much rather surround myself around happy things!

5 - I love Halloween! With a bday so close to Halloween, I always had a themed party with my younger brother who's bday is a day after. Plus, dressing up for a night and being around friends is always a blast.

6 - I'll even put this, football season. It's my husband's favorite time of the year and I enjoy watching it with him and cheering for our Carolina Panthers. 

 7 - With the weather so gorgeous trips up to the NC mountains increase.

8 - We get to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and see those we haven't seen in a while. And I get  apple pie, apple pie somehow always tastes better in the fall.

9&10 - And the 2 most important reasons ... Mine and Josh's birthdays are both in fall! 

So what makes you happy? It can be as simple as eating dinner with your family or big like an entire season!  In this day and age, finding something that makes us happy is very important. There are so many sad and depressing things out there in the world. If you can find just one thing that will make your day a little brighter, then why not shout it from the roof tops? 

Go out and find that road if you haven't already,

 everyone deserves to be happy and have happiness in their life!

Looking Up, Looking Forward!

On Tuesday, I will officially be at my new job for 3 weeks! I had about 8 days of training from a lady who had been at this position for over 10 years... I got a crash course on quickbooks, learned some truck insurance lingo and its processes. I'm sure there is more she could have shown me, but she decided that the last Friday of her 2 week notice she was going to take a vacation, so I was "thrown" in. Fortunately, I am with some great company. I'm working with a friend of ours at his dad's company and it's just us 3 for now. The Parker's are like family, Jacob was the best man at our wedding, Josh has known him for years. I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity. Not quite what I thought I was looking for but hey, you never know where life is going to take you.


While at work I get to manage the building of our garage too! It was a little easier when I was at home, but I think I prefer keeping myself busy during the day. The stay at home was good for a couple weeks, but I needed to get out and do things. (Hence the new job!)  Finally, after 2 weeks of inspections and re-inspections our garage is in its final stages. I can't wait until I can't post the final product. The framing went up really quick and I know the final product will turn out awesome!

The next two months are going to be a whirlwind, I'm looking forward to them. Between, mountain trips, bachlorette getaways, weddings and a Disney trip we've got the next few weeks full, but I cannot wait. Mainly because fall will be here in just 20 days. And fall makes everything better and pretty!!

A taboo subject, dealing with the day to day

Recently, I saw an article someone posted on facebook saying that Utah is one of the most depressed states in America and the a majority of those depressed in the areas are women. The article went on to describe how women in the area feel the must keep up the appearances of the "perfect" life, household, family, etc... Yet, they struggle internally because they are not as perfect as the neighbor down the street and feel they cannot show or express any type of struggle or down period. So, they go to their doctors and receive medication so they can continue to "keep up the appearance of a perfect life" without anyone knowing what's really going on inside them.

Depression is a very taboo subject among most anyone, those who are depressed don't want to show any weaknesses, they don't want others to feels sorry for them or have anyone think less of them. Those who are not depressed, just don't understand. They see others as weak or lazy and cannot figure out why they can't be normal.

 A majority of people who are depressed or on the verge of depression keep their feelings inside, harboring guilt, sadness and loneliness. Society tells us to keep up appearances, "life's not perfect, get over it" or "everyone deals with being said or mad, it'll pass and you'll feel better in a few days". Those who have never dealt with depression know it doesn't just "go away" like people say it will.  Everyday things in life become just a bit harder to accomplish.

When you find yourself in the bout of depression or slump, what can you do to make things better for yourself? One thing, like I am doing now you can write about it, try to reach out to others who may need a little encouragement or understanding. Let people know they are not the only ones out there who are sad or depressed. Another way to help move forward in the day, the week and the month is set yourself an attainable goal. Make daily, weekly and monthly goals. They can be as easy as making your bed each day, exercising daily or having a weekly lunch with a friend or spouse. It's those little things that go a long way and can help you in the long run.

One thing is for sure, when you have a great family and support system everyday living becomes a little easier. So, next time you think someone is being lazy or unappreciative don't dismiss them right away, it may not be what it seems. Don't feel sorry for that person, we're not looking for pity, just understanding and patience.

Traveling on the mind!

One thing that I love doing, but have not done enough of is travel!. One of my short and long term goals for myself is to go out and see the sights. There are so many places out there, so many things to do and see and I want to experience all that I can. The best part, I have an awesome husband who will accompany me!

So why travel, what's the appeal? My top 3 reasons for travel are:

1. Experience - there is so much out there, different cultures, different ways of life, different foods. I want to get broaden my horizons!
2. Learn - Getting out in to the world there is so much we can learn from other cultures. School only teaches you so much, however, it is when you get out of the classroom out of your house when the real learning begins.
3. Memories - Some of my best memories with my family and husband are when we have traveled. The more places we can go to the more we can share and grow together, I look forward to those time. No such thing as too many memories.

Places we would like to travel to in the upcoming years:

Hawaii
Vancouver
England
Amsterdam
New York
Denmark
Greece
Las Vegas
New Zealand/Australia
The Outer Banks
Brazil
Ireland
Alaska
Pittsburgh
Denver
Italy
France

To name a few... World, here we come!