How 'bout them changes?

"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies."  ~Author Unknown

Change.
I don't like it.
I think, mostly because it puts me in uncharted territory and I get uncomfortable.
I like predictable. It is comforting. It is the OPPOSITE if change. But, it is also boring.
And just because something is comfortable, doesn't mean it is the best thing for you.
Ruts can be comfortable.
Shortly before Kaylea was born, I had a revelation.
Chuck and I were stuck in a rut.
We moved back to Fort Worth in the summer of 2008 and since then, had made no effort to build friendships or make new friends. We were quite content living in our own bubble. My bubble was comfortable.
Well, the day of Kaylea's babyshower, it hit me: I had no friends.
I looked around the shower and only saw family. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE my family. My sisters are my best friends ... but you HAVE to be friends with your family. You don't have a choice ;o)
I had no real friends who chose to be my friend.
That fact really hurt my heart.
I went to the bathroom and called Chuck sobbing (keep in mind I was VERY hormonal at the time).
Chuck came to the same conclusion about himself as well.
I waited awhile to come out of the bathroom to regain my composer, but when I came out, I still had the red-eyed cryface. I was embarrassed to reveal why I was crying. I eventually got over it enough to enjoy the rest of the shower that my mother worked hard to plan for me.
But that feeling resonated with me.
My New Year's resolution was to "check in" to life. I didn't want to keep sitting on the sidelines and watching. It was safe yet boring.
We started going to a new church in November. We really enjoyed it. But, we weren't really getting involved - just attending, sitting stagnant and receiving the message.
At the end of January they had a tailgate party/chili cook-off for people to come and talk to different Lifegroups (bible study).
They started promoting it about a month in advance. I remember telling Chuck I was interested in attending.
We put it on the calendar.
Then, Chuck saw in the church flyer that the church had a Mothers of preschoolers group (MOPS) and suggested that I check it out when we go to the church's tailgating party ...
Again, I was unsure and uncomfortable.
BUT, I went to their booth during the event and signed up.
I remember leaving the tailgate party so happy. Both Chuck and I ventured out of our comfort zone's and initiated conversations with various groups of people.

I went to my first MOPS group earlier this month, and it was great. I met some awesome women and it was nice to have some adult conversation.
The main person I talk to throughout the day is a 4-year-old little boy.
His favorite topic is poop.
I can't stress enough how refreshing it was to have some adult conversation!

We also found a Lifegroup to start attending.
Tonight was our second meeting.
When we started attending the church, I remember Chuck saying he would be uncomfortable going to somebody's house for a bible study. I agreed.
We were nervous at first, but I am glad we didn't let that stop us. We have met some really nice couples.
We are really putting ourselves out there.
BUT more importantly, w are both taking steps to have a better relationships with God. And I have noticed that we are happier as a married couple.
We started thinking and came to the conclusion that other than fantasy football (which is fun but not productive), we didn't have anything that was "our thing."
I have my interests and Chuck has his.
We are polar opposites. It works for us and I think we have a great relationship. But, I think it was getting too comfortable.
Having this group to attend together can be one of  "our things."
In our Lifegroup, we are reading a book called Crazy Love.
We read the first chapter Saturday and then had an in depth conversation that did not involve our children as the main topic.
It was nice.
It was a change of pace.
Again, just because something is comfortable, doesn't mean it is the best thing for you.
I encourage everyone to get out of their comfort zone.
It was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

(side note: Since January, we have also started working out and eating better and I quit my job to stay at home with the kids. We also haven't smoked since February of 2011. Changes are a good thing!)

I'm new here ...

I am taking the blogging world by storm.
Watch out blog readers, here I come!
You will laugh, you will cry and you may even scratch your head every now and again.
But, here I am cyber world, hear me roar!


I haven't decided if there will be a method to my madness quite yet. Actually, I kind of jumped in without thinking twice. But, I am thinking that this will be a place to share and discuss newsworthy topics -  anything from sports to parenting and anything in between.
I also think I will share my stories about going from a twenties-something news reporter to a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) of two. I am not going to lie, it has been quite an adjustment and I am learning everyday.


So, although I don't know exactly what direction this blog will take, one thing is clear: I have always felt compelled to write.


With that being said, I haven't written more than a Facebook post or an email in a little over 3 months ... coincidentally, my daughter Kaylea turned 3 months old on Feb. 11. As I tried to fall asleep last night, my mind was racing. I couldn't seem to settle down. I kept wondering what in the world was going on - normally as soon as my head hits the pillow, I am down for the count. And almost instantaneously as I was thinking that thought, I said to myself, "I need to start writing again."


Writing soothes this girl's soul.


Writing has always been therapeutic for me. It didn't really matter the topic. There's a lot more that goes into writing than slapping down words on paper (or hammering down on keys in most cases these days). I enjoyed the challenge of structuring something just right or playing with wording - hence the title of this blog "Write through the heart." So, for me, it didn't matter if I was writing an article about the city's budget woes or writing in my personal journal - both were equally therapeutic. Let me just say as a reporter, my writing needs were met.


As a new SAHM - that need wasn't being met. I have been busy getting my SAHM-mode on.
Joining a mom's group. Check.
Reading up on arts and crafts to do with the kids. Check.
Doing arts and crafts. Check.
Worrying I am screwing up my kid's learning abilities by teaching him myself. Check.
Reassuring myself that this is the best thing for the family and I am not screwing up my kid's learning abilities by teaching him myself. Check.
Looking up and preparing new recipes for meals. Check.
Finding places to take Jake so he can interact with other kids. Check.
Learning how to manage my time to do all the house work, play with the kids, insure everyone is bathed and make breakfast, lunch and dinner. Check ... work in progress!


I feel like I am embracing my new role as a SAHM. I am growing closer to my son Jake, who turns 4 next month. And I feel like I am not missing out on Kaylea's growth. It is so crazy how much they change in that first year.


But, I eventually want to jump back into the reporting gig (or something that closely relates to it). Not only was my lack of writing making me restless, I also feared I could forget  it. "YOU DON'T USE IT YOU LOSE IT" you often hear ...
And don't give me the cliched "... it's just like riding a bike..." Yeah, I tried riding a bike a few years ago after no being on one since childhood and I was horrible and kept falling!


So, I think this blog will serve that purpose! 


Here it goes ...


Hi, my name is Adrian. This is my first time to blog and I look forward to getting to know you!