Good, exciting, changes!

ME! This is not some ultra-flattering photo, but it's one that I love.

Two quotes to keep in mind here:

1.)  Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss

2.) Comparison is the thief of joy. - Theodore Roosevelt

I had a conversation the other day with a very dear, sweet friend and we both discussed how maybe, sometimes... Regardless of what we say out-loud or how we act, we actually do care very much what people may think of us. I know, I know... I shouldn't care. I should just say "whatever, I am who I am!" and move on. I do that! On the outside... On the inside I secretly care and wonder what someone thinks or what someone is saying until either I forget about it OR until I am assured that it was nothing. Either way, that's the truth. So, there you go. I do care.

I want to stop and be this confident, secure outstanding woman that all these motivational quotes that I frequently read tell me I can or should be... Maybe (or rather - definitely) I will work on that. Because here's the thing - That friend that I had this conversation with, is so amazing, and strong and beautiful. I didn't put two and two together at the time but since then, and until now, I realize that if someone I dearly love, who means a lot to me says something that I don't agree with or I have no opinion on then nothing will change. I am still going to think the world of them. So, why shouldn't those same terms apply to me? (I know they probably do.) 

So, while I may continue to not be very outspoken about certain issues (politics, religion, my opinion on hot topics, etc...) I think I am going to be more of whoever I want to be or choose to be. I am going to stop caring about how I don't wear as dressy, flashy clothes all the time, or that I don't have this "perfect bod", or that I don't have some huge group of friends who go on these big fancy dates and show off this public, amazing life. Because I have AMAZING friends. I have a family that a lot of people would feel more than lucky to have. I have a husband who thinks I am dressy and flashy and that my "bod" is perfect just the way it is. I have a lot.. I have enough that if one person judges me for something they have no right to judge me for then they were never meant to be in life anyway. I have too much to worry about little things.

Okay, here's my point to this whole thing. All of that being said... I decided that maybe I want this blog to be who I am. What I see or feel. Not just pictures of trips, experiences, wonderful days... It can still be that, but this is my space. And the best part is - if you want to click on my link and read my words then you can! If you don't, then by all means, keep scrolling! I want to open myself up more in my writing, the creativity that I do have, my imagination and wherever it decides to take me. A working brain is truly a gift and you can make it whatever you want it to be. I want mine to be entertaining to say the least.

Side note, this is no example of anything personal going on in my life. I actually have nothing to be upset about or feel low about right now. Life is pretty stinking beautiful for me and I'm just going to try and keep it that way.

Renee

Honeymooners

Cade and I had THE best time in Washington/Oregon for our honeymoon. The San Juan Islands were just about as perfect as can be, we ate some incredibly flavorful doughnuts in Portland, hiked a little tiny bit of the giant named Mount Rainier, tested our ability at Lake Seneca then became total tourists in Seattle while exploring Fremont, Ballard and Capital Hill. We came home with several more shirts than what we arrived with and I uploaded nearly 800 pictures when I returned.

I'm not sure the pictures really do any of this justice, but here goes!

The ferry ride to the islands was so beautiful and a little unreal. Growing up in Ohio, I haven't really witnessed this kind of scenery. It's just so beautiful and so untouched.

While the pictures are awesome and you can see these ginormous, beautiful mountains, I also don't really think the pictures do it justice. So, you all should go for yourself and take the ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor. It's beautiful and amazing! Plus, you'll be amazed at how big these mountains are and just how tiny you are.

This beach was AWESOME and definitely one of my favorite parts of the whole trip. Just drift wood for miles and I put my feet in the water. I also snatched several neat rocks and Cade and I got a small piece of drift wood to take home.

That mountain, this view... Just, wow!

One more thing - the skies were ridiculously clear and blue THE ENTIRE TRIP. It was perfect!

We saw this lighthouse off the road and decided to go check it out. When we got there we all noticed this little trail from the top of the hill to the bottom where the water was. It was steep (as you can see in this top picture and the one beneath it) but so worth the little trip. I loved watching the water crash into the rocks...

Deceptions Pass was not even describable. I'm not sure what to say on this one!

Doesn't this look Photoshopped? This was our drive from Seattle to Portland. Just a mountain... Chilling at the end of the highway? (Not really, but it looks like it!)

THE TREES! They are SO tall and it's so beautiful!

This hike was insane and I will probably never forget it for as long as I live. It's amazing how much stronger your body is than what your mind thinks... Cade and I probably gave up 8-10 times but kept going. This was kind of worth it to feel eye level with the tops of mountains though. Surprisingly, neither of us were nearly as sore as we anticipated the next day so, win/win!

Seattle Art Museum (SAM) was pretty neat and I LOVED the glass sculptures (more pictures below from the actual Chihuly Glass Garden). As per our usual, we got a magnet to add to our tourist-y collection on the fridge.

This was at the Seattle Aquarium. To be completely honest, we kind of liked the Cleveland one more, but this jellyfish ring-thing was pretty neat. My favorite part for sure!

OKAY, so... On our last day, we were figuring out what we wanted to do before we left to go back to Ohio... We looked at all the suggestions on the internet, checked out the apps, did as much as we could think of until we stumbled upon this place. The price per ticket was a little higher than I wanted to spend but the reviews were phenomenal and person after person made mention about how the ticket price is worth it. So, Cade and I went to check it out. Guys... This place was amazing and knowing this now, I definitely agree. If you are ever in Seattle then you NEED to go to this place. I really cannot stress enough how unique and beautiful it is. You just say "wow" a lot and walk through it another 2-3 times.

So, there it is! Our wonderful honeymoon/vacation. We loved every second of it (besides the traffic from Seattle to Portland, we could've lived without that). I still have a lot more pictures to share (like, hundreds probably) but not enough time today. I can't wait to show you all more!

Until next time - Renee