Sunday Thoughts

I have so much to be thankful for yet I still occasionally feel overwhelmed by sadness when I realize how much money controls our life. It's so easy to become consumed by what you want that you tend to forget what you actually need to live a happy life. I've let my contentment be driven by what I want instead of what is practical. Not long ago, I bought a white 2009 Convertible Mustang GT. I've always been passionate about Mustangs, and I suppose that's why I've already owned four of them. However, I feel guilty when I think about all the things the money for my car payment could do. I keep encouraging myself with the fact that if I can hold on to this beautiful car for a few years, then it will be paid off and every sacrifice along the way will be worthwhile.

Ben and I have been spending more time enjoying the simple pleasures in life like relaxing at home watching movies or spending time with friends at each other's houses. We are very social beings, so it's been wonderful to be able to save money and still have fun with our friends. Money can buy certain things that make you happy yet it cannot buy true happiness that comes from love, friendship, and family.

The last 9 years that I've been with Ben have been remarkable. When we got engaged, most people doubted our love yet we've shown the world that you can get married young and still love each other more every day that you're together. Like I've said before, being best friends makes all the difference in the world. You must support each other as life brings upon change and difficulty. You must be each other's strength when the weakness is unbearable. Most importantly, you must change together. The only constant in life is change so you can't get too set in your ways.

"Life is too short, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly, and forgive quickly."

Well, I've been dreading this day all week because I have to study and prepare for my Cost Accounting exam tomorrow. It's not a strength of mine so I actually have to try to understand the material. I hate Accounting just like I hate Algebra because it's full of useless word problems and step by step processes. Why do I have to learn paper based principles when the business world is now computerized? I'm so thankful that I'll be graduating in May... Only 2 months left!

Enjoy the day!

Live, Laugh, Love <3

Alicia

Live, Laugh, Love

I must say, the title of my blog came quickly. I've always been inspired by the phrase: Live, Laugh, Love. Each of these words represent my life because I truly believe to find happiness you must live your life to the fullest, laugh every moment you can, and love with all your heart.

I have a truly blessed life, one that I never could have imagined when I was a little girl. I always saw myself going to college full-time and becoming a teacher or psychologist. It's incredible how your life plan changes as you live it. I went through grade school focusing on my grades and being the best student I could be. I've been an overachiever my whole life, so this act was the only way I knew how to perform. When I was fourteen, my Dad said "I had a job when I was 14 so you will too." A few weeks later, I was employed at a local grocery store as a cashier. It was a reality check but I loved every minute of it. With my first job came independence including my first cell phone. It's shocking to look back on this time of my life and realize that I worked there for two years.

When high school started, I had a pathetic excuse for a boyfriend that I'd trailed behind for a long while. I continued my diligent school focus and joined the choir program with Mr. Hicks. I'm not a good singer but I loved every second of choir through high school. It was my safe zone away from home. I felt so comfortable and free with all my choir friends. I felt every lyric we sang and lived for the next performance. When I was a sophomore, I was fortunate enough to meet the man of my dreams at a young age. We were introduced by a friend, and I'll never forget the first words said to me by him, which were "You have a nice ass!" That's a true statement. It seems like a pathetic opening line but when you're 15 years old, it's quite flattering. It was L-O-V-E at first sight! Ben and I dated all through high school and endured two proms together. I didn't go to my senior prom since we'd already gone together twice. Instead of prom, we planned a much more exciting event...our wedding! We were engaged for only six months before we married. It was the most amazingly beautiful wedding. It was a million times more elegant than I ever thought possible. Let's just say, my Mother is an incredible planner. We got married on December 5th, 2004 at the Mildred B. Cooper Chapel in Bella Vista. The very same location my Mother married my Father, which only added to the emotional value of our big day. Our reception was held at the Yacht Club, which created many wonderful memories of dancing, laughter, and a new beginning of our life together. We went to Las Vegas for our honeymoon. We enjoyed it but it would have been better if I was 21 as I was only 18 at the time.

"The best thing about me is you."

Let's fast forward five years to the present. Ben and I celebrated our five year anniversary last December in Branson, MO. It's amazing how fast time flies... We have two sweet kitties, Penny and Einstein, who entertain us everyday. No children yet...the dream of a child is there...yet our current lifestyle full of foreign travels and spontaneous moments lingers heavily overhead. My husband is a remarkable jeweler and I'm enjoying the corporate life. We are truly blessed to have each other. Not only do we love each other deeply, we are each other's best friend. That makes all the difference in the world when you're married. We have acquired many irreplaceable friendships over the years, which has opened our eyes to new adventures and laughter. They all bring unique happiness and fulfillment to our lives.

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."

As I sit here on the couch writing on my laptop, I'm listening to Inglourious Basterds, one of our new favorite movies. I'm very pleased that I decided to begin a blog because I haven't had one since before I was married. I'm not certain what emotions will surface or what secrets will be revealed but I know that it has already been a stress reliever for me. This single post is a new beginning for me.

Goodnight. :)