Well.  I could go into a whole therapy session right about now, but I’ll spare you.  Maybe.  Long story short, last week was just one of those weeks.  It was difficult, frustrating, heart tugging…all of that fun stuff.

When you set out to become a writer and a blogger the skies do not part and a choir of angels do not start singing your favorite hymn.  And there are no mysterious unicorns leaving trails of happy dust.  I know.  I was just as shocked as you are.  No, when you decide to be a writer and a blogger you are a person with a job just like everyone else (except that you don’t pull in a paycheck YET because apparently people don’t pre-order/pre-buy a book that isn’t on the Barnes and Noble bookshelves yet).

And so, I was having one of those weeks.  Then, a few things happened and I had a change of heart.  No, I didn’t find the end of the rainbow with a pot of gold.  And no, I didn’t rub a bottle only to be granted three wishes by a genie.  I hate to disappoint you, but it wasn’t magical like that.

What DID happen was this:  I started reading.  And praying.  Remember the IF: Equip website I told you about?  (IF: Equip) The Bible reading website that is just so awesome?  Well, I subscribe to the emails and our newest book of the Bible that we’ve started reading is Hebrews.  In Hebrews 3:7-8, it says, “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.”  Friends.  I had to pray and pray and pray about that.  So I asked God to help me hear His voice.  No other voices.  Just His voice.  And I prayed for Him to help me not harden my heart.  Because we all know that does not bring a single ounce of joy.

So, I prayed and kept rereading those verses throughout the days and guess what?  He heard my prayers.  That’s what I love about God.  He is always there for each of us and He is there to help us.  It may take a day or two to get us out of our slump.  But we have to do our part.  Reading His Word helped.  Praying and talking to Him was so helpful.  And believing.  Having faith that He would help me.

Also, I leaned heavy on some people.  I mean I basically asked them to just carry me.  Throw me on their back and give me a piggy back ride.  Whether it be a group of Bible study friends, a family member, special friends…whoever.  Lean on your people and don’t just try to dig yourself out of the dumps.  That’s why God blesses us with loving family members and friends.

Hubby played such a big part in cheering me up, too.  You know those little “just because” gifts?  When someone surprises you with the little things that you love?  Yah, that’s what he did.  And it meant the world to me.  That he’d stop and take the time to pick up a few little things that I love, just to let me know that he loves me.  (I kid you not when I say that candy is the way to this girl’s heart.  And maybe some coffee.)

And speaking of leaning on your peeps…As I watched the Oscars last night, a couple of thoughts went through my mind.  (Amazing dress!) (Oh, my mother would not be happy if I wore THAT dress!) (Are those red rubber gloves, Lady Gaga?)  I listened to these talented people receive their Oscar and I couldn’t help but think this…These people have been following their dreams.  Working HARD at doing what they love.  And at this moment when they have that Oscar in their grip, they are realizing that they wouldn’t be there without the love and support of the people who care and have stood by them and loved them.  Truly.  It was so refreshing to hear them give their “thank you” speeches.  They have realized that they need to be surrounded by people who believe in them.

Maybe that’s what we need to do more of.  Tell our biggest fans (to you and I, our biggest fans might look more like our children, our spouses, our family and friends) thank you.  I need to be thankful of the loved ones God surrounds me with.  We may never get the chance to be up on a stage in a dazzling dress (or suit if that’s your style), with a shiny Oscar in hand and thank our people for their support.  But I know that I tuck my biggest fans in every night.  And I can thank them as they lay their heads down to sleep.  Compliments.  Thank you’s.  They may be just a few words, but they are so powerful and uplifting.  And encouraging.  I think one of the biggest compliments I received this past week came from my friend/cousin/avid blog reader, Jolee.  Her complimentary words about Fun Friday Favorites made my heart feel all BIG and FULL.  Thank you thank you, Jolee, for taking time to say the things you said.  Friends, isn’t a compliment such a powerful thing?

Now, just because I’ve overcome some disappointments, heart aches, and other icky feelings doesn’t mean I’m never going to struggle again.  Because if I ever say that I’m perfect then, check my pocket for that unicorn because we all know that in this world, perfection and unicorns are not real.

Anyway, I wanted to share with you WWAD.  What would Angela do?  (It’s similar to WWJD, but remember, I’m not perfect like Him.)  Because I think we can all relate to struggling and feeling discouraged.  And I wanted to share with you how I get out of my little funks.

Thank you for partaking in that small therapy session…onto my weekend recap.

I might add one more thing that helped me cheer up this past week…I DID participate in some lovely retail therapy.  OH, YES.  I can’t wait to share with you on Fun Friday about some amazing things I saw (and maybe purchased).  On Friday, I had to do some Christmas returns and well…darn!  There are some CUTE things out for spring!

Friday evening, Hubby knew he was coming down with a bug and so I took the boys to their school Sock Hop and Silent Auction.  PROM.  That’s what I like to call it.  Not Sock Hop.  Not Silent Auction.  But PROM.  You all.  The energy and excitement in that elementary school gym…it had the same vibe as prom.

This school event is the BIGGEST thing since sliced bread.  The kids LOVE it.  I mean, come on.  What five or nine year old wouldn’t LOVE getting a chance to run around with his friends laughing and dancing and pumped up as if they drank ten cans of Red Bull?!  (Correction:  if you are a boy, then just like what happens at prom when you’re in high school…you nine and ten year old boys don’t dance.  You just “hang out”.  And run and toss up glow necklaces and chase each other.)  (Some things just never change, huh?)  (Girls were all dancing and shaking and grooving to the music.  I loved it.)

Anyway, we had a delightful evening full of neon glowing necklaces, chasing friends, cake walking, silent auction bidding, snow cone eating FUN.  Nate and Maxim loved hanging out with their friends, seeing their teachers and the staff, eating a few bites of pizza (because “MOM!  We’ve gotta get back out to the gym!  I don’t have time to finish this pizza!”), and just living it up.  Prom was so much fun.  And just like I remember back in the days of yore when I went to prom…we even won stuff at this dance.  No, it wasn’t a hot pink comb with Biolage hair products (I still love that comb to this day).  No, at the boys’ school dance, we won (or were the highest bidder) on two items.  A sideline experience to a high school football game this fall (Nate is pumped) and a Pancheros gift basket (well, it was actually in a classy brown Pancheros cinch sak).  Maxim felt like a winner when he saw the Pancheros inflatable beach ball.  That ball has provided hours of entertainment this weekend. HOURS.

Neon fun at the Sock Hop! (Maxim was acting like an old man due to the mustache) 🙂

A fun night was had at the Sock Hop!

The rest of the weekend was great, except for Hubby trying to fight off a bug.  And Nate hacking like a seal.  And the scratchiness in my throat.  Maxim was the only one feeling super and it’s probably because he reached his quota of coughing last week.

I will share with you that I purchased an item at Target on Saturday that might cause me to be a binge watcher.  This…

Love this show!

Last fall, I became the biggest fan of the television series “The Blacklist”.  I can’t tell you how MUCH I love this show.  The new season is now on Thursday nights, but I felt that I owed it to James (Spader, that is) to start back at season one and watch it sequentially.

So, this was what I looked like for a good portion of Saturday and Sunday…

The Blacklist – check.
Comfy blanket – check.
Peanut Butter M&M’s – check.
Popcorn – check.
Pure bliss – check.

Oh, it’s the little things that I love.  Comforting verses in the Bible.  Friends and family praying for you, supporting you, and just loving on you.  Twizzler Nibs.  Pumpkin Pie lattes.  Little “just because” gestures.  Dances full of elementary school spirit.  Inflatable beach balls that provide hours of entertainment for two brothers.  A comfy afternoon watching Red save the day.  And watching people win the award of their dreams.  Yes, I have a lot to be thankful for.

How about you?  Are you feeling discouraged?  Need a “lift me up”?  Check out the IF: Equip site and start reading Hebrews with me.  Take a look around and see the little things that you love.  What are a few things that you are grateful for today?  Do tell!  I would love to hear from you and what little things you are appreciative of!  Have a great Monday!