i can't think of an interesting title, so...banana.

I often get sucked into thinking negatively about blogging. It seems almost everyone has something better, more interesting to write about. I get excited about starting a blog, then either can't think of anything to actually blog about, or think perhaps my life just isn't interesting enough. I started this blog because I felt like I was too limited with what I could write about on my last endeavor. It was (is) mainly a running blog, which is a large part of my life, but it's not everything. I wanted the freedom to have a place to express my thoughts, share photos, experiences, or anything I darn well wanted. And that's what I'm starting.

Lately there have been several posts and articles circling around the web about social media and its effects on people. Social media can be a confusing thing. Over-sharing, vague posts, bragging, comparing, bashing, hating, and jealousy all exist in different ways, and it's hard to know how to process and filter what you see and read in a way that can be positive. I've been one of those people before - the type that compares. Isn't it so hard not to be? But whose fault is it when negative thoughts arise, the person who posted it or the person who is viewing it? Everyone's lives are different. That's the beauty of God's creation. Everyone has something worthwhile to share with others, whether it be through a beautiful vacation photo of a place others may never visit, or sharing an accomplishment that is worthy of admiration or praise.

I'm as guilty as anyone of having a sense of bitterness about my own sense of post-worthy occasions. There have been times I've refrained from sharing because I don't want anyone to know what's going on in my life, lest they judge. Most of the time that's not the case. I genuinely LOVE seeing pictures and reading accomplishments or problems solved or just a seeing a photo of your beautiful smiling face. Or your crying child covered in spaghetti sauce. Or your dog wearing a wig. I am incredibly blessed to have the friends I do and to know the people I've encountered throughout life, even if I may never have the opportunity to interact with them in person again. This life is an intricate blanket woven with experiences and people, and I intend to make mine as thick as possible. Social media connects us in ways that previous generations never got to experience. News travels faster than ever before - within seconds, minutes of a major event it is broadcasted on Twitter and Facebook. I can message 20 people at the same time and get an instant reply from someone halfway across the world. I can read blogs about your latest baking mishap as if I was standing in your kitchen this morning. I'm a very nostalgic person in general, so keeping up with friends is incredibly important to me, and social media is the fastest way to do that. So please, please keep sharing about your life, even when you feel like it's not important, no one cares, or no one's looking.

 Let's face it. I'm never going to be an every day blogger. I'm not an artist, in-depth writer, mom, photographer, celebrity, living in a fun/interesting/cultural city (what up High Point!), on a new adventure, or a fancy chef with delicious meals to share. Don't get me wrong - I love reading about all those things. They just aren't me (right now). I'm looking forward to sharing about my life in this little corner of the Internet, no matter what it may look like to others. I am happy to have a place to be able to look back on and remember fun things that have happened, or how I was feeling about a particular situation. I hope you enjoy it, too. Posting may be sporadic and random, but I hope you'll check back often to see what's new in this life of mine.

florida!

Last week we spent a long weekend in sunny Florida to celebrate Easter with my family, and though our visit was far too short, it was chock full of all good things. I am so incredibly blessed to have the family I do. We may be a little crazy at times, but there is more love and support than I know what to do with. I always leave a family gathering feeling refreshed and happy with a very full heart.

We spent a good part of every evening out playing cornhole in the front yard, with the Kranz's Florida Gator boards. It was always a good competition!

 

Mom's face cracks me up. She was a serious competitor!

Sweet Emma hung out with us too!

Sisters are the best kind of friends.

Saturday was spent thrifting at Goodwill and a Goodwill Bookstore. Yes, you read that right. An entire Goodwill made of books. It was fabulous! We also hit up the Tervis Tumbler Factory Store and had a fun seafood lunch on the water!

One of Austin's finds at Goodwill. I said no.

Saturday night we headed down to the Jetty to grab some photos and watch the sun set down on the Gulf. We all took a bunch of photos - I almost felt famous, it was like the paparazzi when it was your turn!

My beautiful niece Victoria, and my nephew Evan with his sweet girlfriend Maddy.

The sunset was AMAZING.

One of our family traditions when we visit Venice is to head to a place called the Soda Fountain and order up a Spruce Goose - it's a bowl full of one scoop of every flavor they have, as well as every topping! I think we need to start ordering two - our family has grown by several mouths since we started!

 

Sunday morning Victoria, Mom, and I went to the beach for a sunrise service on the water, then met the rest of the family and headed to church for a great Easter celebration.

 Pictures of our entire family are few and far between, so we took some time after church for a photo shoot! I LOVE this shot of all of us.

 

After church, we made a trip to the beach for some much needed time in the sun - some of us got a little too much sun! Our winter bodies weren't used to it!

Venice Beach and several of the surrounding beaches are well known for finding sharks teeth, so we spent some time looking. Austin found three!

We had such a wonderful time relaxing, eating delicious food, playing games, and spending time remembering Christ's sacrifice on the cross for us. It's never easy to leave family, but on our way back home we made a pit stop at our favorite restaurant in Savannah for dinner: Churchill's!

Typical selfie shot was needed to commemorate!

I hope your Easter was filled with the things and people you love!