Beach Getaway

This weekend at the coast was unbelievable.

Not only was there a lot of quality family time, the weather was perfect and we truly felt like we were in Southern California and dare I say it - Mexico!

After a long week of working hard, this image about sums it up:

Getting rays down by the sand, taking naps on the porch, watching puppies run wild and eating tasty foods can make any weekend spectacular - I thankfully got to experience all of these!

Little lady Bella is still getting acclimated to the harsh ocean waves and it was fun to watch her curiosity as Bailey and Dad played in the surf.

She saw how much fun her sister was having out there in the waves so she stood on all fours and we could tell that she was processing what her next move would be.

It wasn't natural or instinctive, but when she decided she would jump in - she went at it full force!

A day at the coast isn't the same without puppy camaraderie and expert hole-diggin'!

In no time these two struck water and rested in the shallow pool they had created.

For such a gorgeous weekend we were lucky enough to find empty patches of sand where the puppies could run free.

If only every weekend on the Oregon Coast looked and felt as wonderful as this. Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us enjoy your home!

When Opportunity Knocks

We've all faced challenges in our lives.

Some challenges haunt you, some challenges you welcome with wild ambition and some push you past a point you've never explored and didn't expect to reach toward until you were the older, more poised and confident version of yourself.

All of these challenges, successes and failures, have shaped the exact person who stares back at you in the mirror each morning.

Is this an impossible climb or a rush of adrenaline?

I'd like to think that I've climbed some pretty big mountains in my past and each time that I have it's given me strength and energy to climb the next with confidence and purpose.

In my life I've been doubted, I've been envied, I've been turned down, I've been encouraged, I've been betrayed, I've been loved, I've been fooled, I've been trusted.

Memories of triumphant moments give me hope and strength, but the scars left in the wake of my failures are what nightmares are made of.

In the past few days I've been digesting some news coming up on the horizon in my career that has tested every emotion in my body. Fear, excitement, giggles, tears, headaches, ambition, acceptance, courage, defeat, desire. Even more than last week, I feel like my world has been turned upside-down.

I feel empowered yet inadequate.

I feel opportunity through ambiguity.

I feel a tremendous weight on my shoulders.

I feel enveloped in support.

I feel ready, hungry, eager.

This is what I've worked toward and this is what I've earned.

(via)

<3 JE