22 thoughts at 22

Other than actually being able to jam out to Taylor Swifts song, I have never really looked forward to turning 22. In my mind, after turning 21, every other birthday was just another year. But honestly, this year is holding more for me than I could have ever imagined. So far this year, I have got my dream job. I have made more memories in a single summer than I have in previous years. I am graduating at the end of the year. Ya'll...this year is monumental!

Here are 22 thoughts from 22 years:

1. I believe surrounding yourself with Godly, uplifting, and encouraging friends is the best medicine.

2. I love music. Music is good for the soul. All kinds. At all times. For every mood.

3. Coffee and sweet tea are requirements to make it through the day.

4. Doors close and doors open. God has a funny way of doing things, but it all works out in His perfect timing. Praise Him in the hallway.

5. Travel and travel often. This summer has been the summer of travels and it has been the best one yet.

6. I love when life slows down and I can take time to admire the beauty of the little things. The stars. The setting sun. Storms. All the cliche things.

7. I fully believe you must treat yo'self. Buy the makeup. Go to that concert. Eat the ice cream. Get pampered.

8. Invest in bath bombs. Take time at least once a week to fill the tub up and relax.

9. Go on a mission trip. At age 22, I have been to Nicaragua for mission work three different times and it has totally and completely changed my life.

10. I am so thankful to be involved in a church where I am encouraged and uplifted. I am equally thankful that several of my dearest friends attend church with me.

11. Go outside! Whether you move yourself from the couch to the hammock outside with a book, or you are going for a run. Take time to enjoy the outdoors, one of God's most beautiful creations.

12. I am thankful to own my very own small business where I get to be creative and share that creativity with the world in the form of t-shirts and tank tops.

13. Writing can double as therapy. I write all the time. I journal my thoughts and feelings. I make to-do list. I document the all little details that I adore in life.

14. Pray. Study your bible. Find a small group.

15. Know your self-worth. Do not let anyone belittle you. Do not settle for anything less than what you deserve.

16. Rid your life of anything that is toxic. Also know that toxic doesn't necessarily mean cruel and uncaring. It is also people or things that do not encourage you to be the best YOU.

17. Be DEPENDENT on God. When you rely fully on God and His plan for your life, everything is much easier.

18. Be happy with yourself. Do not let your happiness depend on someone else.

19. Be uplifting to. Compliment others. "If you see something beautiful in someone, speak it." -Ruthie Lindsey

20. Children are the absolute best. They are so funny. Their words are genuine. They are so loving. Wednesdays are my favorite days because I can walk into church and so many of those kids come running to give me hugs.

21. Jaclyn Hill is perfection. I totally fan girl over her.

22. Pretty Little Liars will NEVER END.


I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22! 

Cozumel and Progresso // Adventures with MEH

Okay, so in my last post, I said that cruising was the life and it definitely is. However, I do wish we could have had a longer period of time to stay at our destinations. Especially Cozumel! I am the type of person who wants to see all the things and eat all the foods. But, to have had just a few hours at each place, I think we had a pretty good experience at both destinations.

Cozumel:

OH MY IT IS BEAUTIFUL! We had not booked an excursion for this island, so when we got off the ship we talked to a few of the tourist guides and found our destination for the day. We went to Buccanos Beach Club and ya'll...it was what I imagine paradise to look like. We walked in the entrance to the private beach and literally all you could see was sand, crystal blue waters, and palm trees. There was a restaurant, a beach with enough layout chairs to hold the army, a pool, a massage and spa center, a rock climbing wall, a snorkeling adventure, tequila tours, and lots lots more. For $30, we paid for our transportation to and from, snorkeling, and access to the private beach and pool.

While we were at the beach club, we laid on the beach, swam in the ocean, swam in the pool, ate at the restaurant (which was amazing!), and tried out the snorkeling adventure. And an adventure it was! A little advice...if you plan on snorkeling, you first need to make sure you are okay with/capable of: a.) having fish and other sea creatures swim right up next to you, b.) breathing out of your mouth, c.) swimming. You see, we did not think this through very well. Emily hates animals of all kinds. I cannot breathe out of my mouth to save my life. Heather cannot swim. I am sure we looked like dumb, dumb, and dumber out there. I imagine it was quite hilarious for anyone who was watching.

Progreso:

Okay, so this destination did not have the same beauty that Cozumel had. However, it was beautiful in a different way. We booked an excursion while we were in Progreso and ya'll...it was a snorkeling excursion! Again, we did not think this whole excursion through when we booked it...We were slightly distraught at the thought of snorkeling all day after our previous days experience. We rode a bus for two hours to the caverns where we were going to be snorkeling in at a little Mayan village. Our guide took us to the first spot where we were to snorkel and I almost backed out. To get into the cavern, we had to walk down steep steps into this hole in the ground. Looking from the outside, I had no idea what to expect to find on the other side of that hole. But it was beautiful! The water was shallow and crystal clear and there were no fish! This was the perfect snorkeling conditions for us.

We went to two different caverns to snorkel and explore. After snorkeling, we had homemade Mexican food waiting for us. We were able to watch the ladies hand-make the tortillas. The food was delicious!

We had a great time at both of our destinations! We are already planning our next getaway. What are some of your favorite excursions that you have been on?