The Sunflower Shelf🌻

No Regrets

Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.

When I was in my first year of college second semester I dropped out and decided to move in with my boyfriend now husband. I didn’t want to be in that position anymore and I hated the school that I was at. I rolled over looked into his eyes and told him the decision that I had made, he looked at me and said okay let’s get you packed. We packed immediately that day and was out of my apartment by the end of the night. We stayed with his parents for about a month then moved to Midland TX for his work. We have been traveling this past year and it’s been great I love the choice that I made and I couldn’t be happier to be able to say my life is blessed beyond imaginable.

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If someone visited my book website right now, they would find a front-row seat to a selection of stories I have read and written about. When I started this website, I felt lost and lacked interest in many things, so I decided to return to reading, which has always been a passion of mine. As I began to see others on social media sharing their blogs and reviews, I thought, “What if I start my own blog to share book reviews?” And here we are!

I have always felt that I could do more and be more. It might seem silly, but I believe my little website could be the beginning of that journey. To be honest, I haven’t started a new book since the last one because I’ve been procrastinating for so long. I’m trying out new things that I hope will help me get out of this funk, but it’s been really hard to follow through with them.

I hope that I can transform this website into a space that others will enjoy, as that is my true desire. I want to inspire people to explore opportunities they may never have considered. Think about it—who would have the idea to start a website in this day and age when everyone is focused on posting YouTube videos about their lives? (I post videos too.) However, this website reflects my passion. Reading and writing have always been the two things I loved most in school.

What’s one thing I’m glad I did this month?

One thing that I’m glad that I did this month would be working out more. I’m going to be totally honest when I say that I still definitely procrastinate and it takes me awhile to actually get up to go for my daily run, but I do definitely try! I’m glad that I’ve started to do this because I’ve been losing weight but I want to tone out my body and make sure I actually look fit if that makes any sense at all. I want to be able to not over think so much when I want to workout.

The One Thing I Want More

The one thing I want more of is time. Recently, I’ve noticed that I have all of this ambition. I want to do so many different things for myself and for my husband, but I’ve been feeling so down like I don’t know how to explain it or put it into words. Still, it feels like a weight on my shoulders that whenever I get the fire to start my day, exercise, or even sit down to write, I let that weight hold me back, and I don’t complete the things I want to do.

I often feel like I don’t have enough time to do the things I want to do, but I know that’s not true. I actually have plenty of time; I just let my feelings and thoughts get in the way. I tend to let myself become stagnant. The only things I manage to do are the tasks I know I have to complete. My daily routine consists of cooking, cleaning, eating, resting, sleeping, and then repeating the cycle. I don’t regret the choices I’ve made that brought me to this point because if I weren’t here, I know I would just be telling my now-husband how much I want to be with him.

I believe my feelings have been surfacing because I’ve been seeing everyone I used to go to school with doing so well and achieving the things I thought I would have accomplished by now. It feels like everyone around me is moving ahead, and I struggle to shake this feeling of inadequacy. All I want is to succeed and not feel like I’m failing myself or the people in my life. Lately, I’ve especially felt like I’ve been letting God down.

My husband and I, for those who don’t know, travel frequently because he works on the pipeline. This brought us to Beaumont, TX. The area was beautiful, and I loved living there. We found a wonderful church, which turned out to be one of the best decisions we could have made. I became heavily involved in the ministry, taking on roles as a worship leader and children’s teacher, and I truly enjoyed it. However, we had to make the difficult decision to move after my husband was laid off twice, and we were struggling to make ends meet. I was very reluctant to leave because I worried about my relationship with God. I feared that I wouldn’t stay passionate in my faith and that I wouldn’t be as obedient to His word.

I fear that this is exactly what has happened to me. I know I could easily reach out to my pastor for guidance and encouragement, but I feel ashamed that I have strayed from my path. I realize I shouldn’t feel this way; being a follower and believer in Christ doesn’t mean all my troubles disappear. It’s not easy to try to be Christ-like. I just wish I could have a constant angel on my shoulder to guide me through it all. I just wish I had more time.

My Positive Change

Daily writing prompt

Describe one positive change you have made in your life.

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One thing that I have changed in my life that has really had a positive impact is spending more time with God. I have had a hard time with my walk for years and I still struggle at times, but definitely not the way that I use to. Over the years my faith was always on the back burner and I never took it that seriously, whenever I was asked about my faith I’d always say I was a Christian but I never really took the time to learn about my denomination. Since I’ve grown, gotten married and moved onto the road with my husband I have found a new fire for Christ and while I was living in Beaumont, TX I joined the worship team and children’s ministry. I have since moved but despite that I have tried my very best to continue my spiritual journey with Christ and I can say absolutely that, that has been the best positive change I have made.

Swimming!

Daily writing prompt

What’s the most fun way to exercise?

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The most fun way that I have come across when it comes to exercise is swimming. I really found a love and passion for it when I joined the swim team my senior year. I love the way the freezing cold water would wake me up in the mornings for practice and then you start warming up and you don’t want to leave. My whole day was better when it started in the water I had began to regret not joking the team sooner. I fell in love with it so much the summer after my senior year I became a lifeguard just so that I could have access to a pool whenever I wanted. The reason I also think swing is the most fun and easiest is because it doesn’t put so much pressure on your joints since you’re floating. So that being said if you haven’t found your local pool and gone for a workout then I don’t know what you’re doing with your life 😂.

My Favorite Re-Read

Daily writing prompt

What book could you read over and over again?

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My favorite book is “Every Breath” by Nicholas Sparks. The reason that this book is my favorite is because this is the book that sparked it all! I have always loved to read but when my Tia recommended this book it was a game changer. I haven’t yet done a review on this book yet because in all honesty it’s been awhile since I’ve read it but I will leave a 𝐒𝐍𝐄𝐀𝐊 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊 here and let you all fall in love with the book as I did.

𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐛𝐨𝐱—𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭—𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬.

𝐈𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡, 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝–𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩, 𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬, 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬—𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲, 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐭?

First Morning Hour❤️

Daily writing prompt

What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?

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My mornings might start early at 4:25, but let me tell you, they’re anything but dull! I kick off the day by whipping up breakfast for my husband, and it’s a bit of a dance in the kitchen. First, I take to the chilly air to turn off the AC—because seriously, who needs that kind of cold at this hour? I plug in the heater to warm things up, then I dive into my routine with a touch of Netflix for some entertainment while I cook.

As the aroma of breakfast fills the air, I make sure to pack up his lunch with last night’s delicious leftovers, all while keeping an eye on the clock. By the time 5:30 rolls around, I have everything ready and waiting. I wake him up, and while he’s brushing his teeth and getting dressed, I’m brewing his morning tea, adding that little touch of love to kick-start his day. With his clothes laid out the night before, he just has to focus on getting ready, and I can’t help but feel like I’m nailing this whole morning routine.😌 Who said mornings had to be boring?

Counting Miracles: By Nicholas Sparks

Hello everyone! Today, I’m excited to share my thoughts on Nicholas Sparks’ latest novel, “Counting Miracles.” Sparks has a knack for weaving poignant tales of love, loss, and hope, and this book is no exception.

From the very first page, we are introduced to a cast of characters who are deeply relatable and beautifully flawed. The story centers around a young woman named Grace, whose life takes an unexpected turn after a tragic event. Sparks masterfully captures her emotional journey, exploring themes of grief and resilience while reminding us of the miracles that can emerge from the most challenging situations.

What I love about “Counting Miracles” is how Sparks doesn’t shy away from the complexities of relationships. The chemistry between Grace and her love interest is electric, filled with moments of both heartwarming tenderness and intense conflict. Their journey is a testament to the power of love and the importance of second chances.

The setting is vividly described, as always with Sparks. The backdrop of a small coastal town adds a layer of charm and warmth that enhances the emotional depth of the story. You can almost hear the waves crashing and feel the salty breeze as you read.

Sparks’ writing is lyrical yet accessible, making it easy to get lost in the pages. He has a unique ability to evoke a range of emotions—one moment you’re laughing, and the next, you might find yourself wiping away a tear. The twists in the plot kept me on my toes, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, Sparks would throw in a surprise that left me breathless.

In “Counting Miracles,” Sparks reminds us that life is unpredictable, but it is precisely these uncertainties that often lead us to our greatest joys. The book closes on a note of hope that lingers long after you turn the last page, encouraging readers to cherish every moment and believe in the beauty of miracles.

In conclusion, if you’re a fan of heartfelt stories that tug at your heartstrings, “Counting Miracles” is a must-read. It’s a beautiful reminder that even in our darkest times, there is light to be found. So grab a cozy blanket, a cup of tea, and get ready to be swept away in this beautifully crafted tale. Thank you!

FBI: Behavioral Analysis

Daily writing prompt

When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?

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When I was younger I defiantly wanted to be in the FBI agent because I was (still am) obsessed with criminal minds. I have always wanted to do more and be out there like that in a field working to catch serial killers or killers in general. I was captivated by the things that they do and the cases that they would see, because could you imagine your daily work is putting these killers away. I have always loved true crime and I have even gone as far as making a podcast all out true crime and the cases that have already happened, I’m still working out a lot of kinks and such because if I’m being totally honest I have no earthly idea on where to begin with such works.

There was a point in time I also wanted to be a doctor because of Grey’s Anatomy, now yes I realize now if I were to go into the medical field it is going to be deadly I just know that I will be letting my feelings get in the way especially if I were to involved. Same thing can be said if I were to have become a field agent. Just watching the documentaries that they have out about the criminals that have been put away. One in particular was this series about this man who killed is wife and daughter he then went out and dropped them I what was an oil tank kind of like the ones they have that holds water.

I guess I had two major choices to make when it came to school but I ended up going into teaching, but that didn’t really pan out either so I am now just a stay at home wife and dog mom. I feel really happy none the less I still in a way get to be a crime freak haha.