I really miss writing.

But I feel equally guilty for not writing here in so long that it is keeping me from returning.

These are the silly thoughts that reside in my head.

I’m going to try to ignore those silly thoughts and instead remember in the time I’ve been away  that I birthed the cutie below and the season that we are currently in is hectic. So, I should be gentle.

All this to say, I’m working on writing things and those things will return to this screen soon.

 

Hi, I’m Gianna and I love to smile!

 

The graces that come at the end of summer

It’s August 1st. I’m very aware of that…but summer is over, y’all. Just ask all the stores who have busted out their back-to-school sales…or Halloween displays.

I’ve worked by an academic calendar for most of my life and August, though it tries to parade as a summer month, is anything but. It’s prep month. It’s that time on Sunday evening when you frantically do all the homework you’ve been putting off all weekend and really start the hateful thoughts toward Monday morning. I’m not a fan of August.

Except that I am. The end of July/ start of August is full of the happiest memories for me and my family. We purchased our home on July 25th. My birthday July 26th which is also our engagement anniversary (he proposed on my birthday…cause he’s awesome). August 1st is our wedding anniversary. We remember and we celebrate a lot during this time, which I really need.

Gearing up for another year is exciting and terrifying all wrapped into one. We’re going to gain a family member this fall. Both Matt and I are going to be going through work changes. Our day to day routine is going to be shaken. We are going to be in sleepless newborn land again. And those are only the things that I’m aware of, who knows what else will be coming!

So, I’m grateful and angry and anxious for this time of year and trying to find a way to be ok with that. Balance has never been my strong point, but I’m getting better…and praying a lot.

 

Top 30 things in the past 30 years

I turn 30 tomorrow and looking back over the past 30 years of my life, these are the people/events/things that have shaped who I am today. Some of them are silly, some of them are serious, some specific, some more general but all of them hold a special place in my heart:

(PS I’m very pregnant…obviously these things are in no other order than “baby brain”)

August 1, 2015

1. Meeting and marrying a man that is even more perfect than I could ever dream up
2. Two beautiful daughters
3. Loving and supportive parents and family
4. Diving deeper into a faith I’ve been blessed to have been a part of since birth
5. A wonderful college experience and degree (go, Juniata!)
6. Moving to Erie, PA
7. My first “big girl” job at Gannon University
8. My present jobs/ministries that allow me to both feed and clothe my family while doing something truly important and meeting some fantastic people
9. Supportive friends who fluidly move in and out of my life as needed but are never too far

   

   This was also my 21st birthday…not as fun on crutches

10. Breaking (and repairing) my right leg in the strangest fashion (always a good story)
11. The graces of the 5 sacraments I have received thus far that help me daily
12. Buying our home
13. Leading several service-based mission trips, all of which have their own stories and memories
14. Beginning (and finishing soon, God willing) my Masters degree

    

    Vivianne Jennifer born June 5,2018      (Little Sister Gia born TBD)

15. Giving birth
16. Our honeymoon in Jamaica
17. Growing up in a small town surrounded by family
18. Getting my driver’s license
19. Joining the wonderful world of essential oils
20. The complete life of my dog, Lola
21. Social media. Love it, hate it or anywhere in between, it’s been a big part of my 20’s.

    

    July 25, 2014

22. The weekend we bought a house, moved, went on a road trip and got engaged…and then napped
23. Finding and sticking with a therapist who “gets” me
24. Learning (and continuing to learn) how to be a wife and a mother as a team with my husband
25. Discovering that I actually do like (some) writing and using it as self care
26. My trip to Ireland
27. Nights where I couldn’t see through all the tears…and the tomorrows that still appeared regardless of how I was feeling
28. Family vacations to Rehoboth
29. The multiple rejections throughout the years
30. Learning to not only accept, but love, myself (to be continued…forever)