Seattle is for Lovers

Last weekend I finally got to fly up to Tacoma to see my sweet man! I left Dallas at 7am and didn't get to Tacoma until around 12 noon. Poor Logan had to get up at 5am to catch a flight with the team from California to Seattle and by the time I got there he was completely exhausted. In fact, I don't think I have ever seen him so tired before. We had time to basically drop my stuff at the hotel before he had to go to the baseball field. It was about the time that I dropped him off that the rain started. After checking the forecast on my phone I decided I better make my first purchase in Washington and I headed to Walgreens to purchase an umbrella! I went back to the hotel to take a nap and relax before heading to the coldest, wettest baseball game of my entire life!

There were the two cutest little cowboys at the Tacoma airport! I just had to snap a pic!

First of all I have to say that the Tacoma Rainiers Ballpark is amazing. Washington itself is breathtaking. The highways are lined with Christmas trees (I believe the technical term for them is evergreens but I prefer Christmas trees).  It is just beautiful! At the Rainiers stadium they let the wives and girlfriends sit in a suite when there is one available. We also get some free snacks and beverages. I can't complain about any of that!  The weather on the other hand...that's an entirely different story. During the home opener it poured for the first 5 innings and yet the game continued. Finally, with all the players freezing and soaking wet the umpires FINALLY postponed the game. After a 30 minute rain delay the game was called.

The Hotel Murano

The next morning I woke up to a cloudy sky (but no rain) and Logan had to be at the field early so I just hung out at the hotel. That night they played 4 innings to finish the game from the previous night and then an 8 inning game. Needless to say, it was a LONG two night of baseball and I was feeling pretty down because I had spent a total of about 6 hours with Logan in the two days I was there. On Saturday night I finally felt like I got to have some quality time with Logan. We sat down at the hotel bar (by the way we stayed in a really cool hotel called Hotel Murano) and drank a glass of wine (well I had Reisling and he had an old fashioned.. gross) and just talked.

 It was so nice to be able to just see him (in real life not on a computer screen) and just talk!!!! It made my heart smile to be back with the one I love so much! I have been so busy with work and more work lately and he has been so busy with baseball. The two hour time difference doesn't help much either! By the time he finishes playing it is about 11pm his time which makes it 1am my time! I am getting up at 7am to get ready for work and so no matter how hard I try I almost always fall asleep before he calls me. If you think being in a long distance relationship is tough try being in a long distance relationship with jobs that have opposite hours and a two hour time difference. It complicates things for sure. Luckily we both make the best of our situations. We talk and text whenever we have a free moment and I have even taken my lunch break alone so I can just talk to him on the phone. Let's just say that absence certainly does make the heart grow fonder... if thats even possible. I find myself missing Logan at the most random times! Like when I go grocery shopping alone or when I see a couple running together. Of course I miss going on dates with him and hanging out with our couple friends but more than that I just miss the little things that I enjoy doing together. On the bright side I don't think that we will ever take these normal daily activities for granted whenever we do get to do them together. I get frustrated but I know that God wouldn't give us a hurdle that we couldn't overcome and I know He has a reason for everything. One day we will look back on this season and laugh at how rough it was... but smile knowing that God showed us just how strong we were and that we can make it through any and every obstacle. I am so grateful to have such a faithful boyfriend. When I flew home from Seattle I was down in the dumps because it make me miss Logan even more. He reminded me that God has a plan for us and this time is a part of our plan. He put me at ease and gave me the reassurance I needed to make it until my next trip in 3 weeks!


On a totally different topic, I got THE MOST AMAZING PLANNER EVER!!! Everyone needs to go to www.erincondren.com and order a life planner right now. I have never seen such a cute and organized planner in my life. Every time I get to write something down in my planner I am filled with joy! It is customized and I love it! I mean seriously, just look at how cute the packaging is!

My planner literally came in just at the right time to because things at both of my jobs have picked up a lot lately! I got trained to be a J. Hilburn Style Consultant at the end of March and since then I have been measuring anyone and everyone I can! My first goal was to sell 5 items in the first month of business. I am proud to say that I will hit my first month mark on Sunday and I have already exceeded my goal.

Logan in his first J. Hil shirt... he's hooked!

Lots and lots of pretty purples!

 I am loving everything about J. Hilburn. I have so much fun spending time with my clients (who so far are my family and friends), catching up with them, and of course styling them! Shopping is after all my strong suit! I basically forced my dad to buy a pair of our 5 pocket khakis. He did so hesitantly, informing me that he hates most khakis because they are stiff and uncomfortable. He got his new khakis yesterday and the man hasn't taken them off yet! He said they have a great stretch to them and they fit like his favorite pair of jeans. I find it so funny that men (like my dad) who I would consider to be very low maintenance, suddenly become very opinioned when it comes to their wardrobe. Men are MUCH picker than I ever realized but I am so glad that I work for a company that truly cares about their clients and we will do whatever it takes to get them the perfect wardrobe.

 Ladies- if you have a man you think would love some J. Hilburn PLEASE contact me (jordan.johannsen@jhilburnpartner.com)! I am getting my business off the ground and I would greatly appreciate any and all referrals. Our stuff is just amazing and it makes the BEST gift! My website is www.jordanjohannsen.jhilburn.com. Please check it out and let me know what you think! PS- I have $20 off vouchers for all new customers! Who doesn't love $20 off!?!?!

Things have been absolutely INSANE at Stellar Cosmetic Center as we quickly approach our grand opening on Monday the 29th. Technically we were supposed to open this past week but due to construction issues we had to push it back a week. I finally got to meet our Dental Assistant the other day and she is just so wonderful! Her name is Daisy and I look forward to getting to know her better for sure. Check out some pictures of our place. We would LOVE to clean your teeth! Come see us we are running some awesome grand opening specials right now.

Me and Daisy, our DA, in my office!

A constant status update...

“So many women treat life as a constant status update,” says Jane Buckingham, founder of the Millennial-focused research firm, Trendera. “They’re thinking about how their lives look instead of how their lives feel.”

I read this quote a few weeks ago and it really resonated with me. So I did a little research and found out that it was from a Cosmo article. This obsession with having what appears to be a perfect life is pervasive. From clothes, to pictures, to Facebook status updates, Millennials go to great lengths to project a picture perfect life. People are so concerned with having a life that LOOKS perfect to everyone on the outside that they forget that what really matters is how their life feels on the inside.

Don't get me wrong... there are so many things I LOVE about social media... it helps me stay in touch with my friends who are near and far, it keeps me up to date on current events and news, and it allows me to interact with new people. However, social media is not without its faults and negative side effects. One of these negative effects is that social media can absolutely send your self esteem plummeting. Seeing everyone around you living what appears to be a picture perfect life can lead to a lot of self doubt.

Facebook is a prime example of this. How many times have you logged into Facebook only to find your timeline splattered with people bragging about their perfect lives including (but not limited to) their engagements, babies, hot bodies, ridiculous work outs, new designer (insert item here),  job promotions, amazing relationships etc.  There is SO much pressure on our generation to be perfect and this results in people presenting a completely fabricated image of themselves and their lives on their Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, Instagrams and blogs (but not this one of course!). Don't get me wrong- I love me some Louboutin shoes, I was super excited to get my new jobs, and I have posted a swimsuit pic or two in my time (but I worked stinking hard for that body and I had no problem admitting that!) You better believe that when I get engaged I will be over joyed to make it Facebook offish and I will post many ridiculously cute photos.  I have no problem posting about these things in moderation and updating my friends on my life. However, I don't think from looking at my Facebook page anyone would think that I have a perfect life or that I pretend to. There are things I love about myself and things I don't. I have good days and I have really bad days. I am human! At the end of the day I realize that no status update on Facebook is going to enhance my life in any way, shape or form. I may be able to fool others but I can't fool myself. I do my best to portray to others that in my life God gets all the glory for the blessings I have. I did nothing to deserve any of them. Without Him and His grace I would be nothing!

To top it off, the perfect lives that everyone portrays on social media can "trigger (a) confidence crash when there’s nothing good to report or, worse, a humiliating photo or less-than-flattering piece of news about your job or relationship status goes public," according to Cosmopolitan.


Lezzz be honest here... at one point or another we have all spent time creeping on our friends (and frienimies) and comparing our lives to theirs. Whether you want to admit it or not, comparisons like this always magnify your feelings of inadequacy and lead to massive amounts of self doubt.  I can't think of any time when I have creeped on someone and walked away from my computer like "WOW! My life is so awesome! Go me!". Infact, 99% of the time the opposite is true and I am left feeling bad about myself and my situation. "I don't have as much money as her" or "she has better genes than me I will never be that thin" or "she gets everything" or "he is so stupid how did he get THAT job?"... the list of inequities and doubts goes ON and ON and ON. It turns me into someone who I frankly don't like or recognize. What I finally had to realize is that ALL you see on Facebook/Twitter is the best of everyone's life. Almost no one is willing to admit that they had a bad day, lost their job, got their heart broken, gained 20 lbs, etc. because it doesn't add to their "picture perfect" persona. If they put up their "highlight" reel and you compare it to your outtakes and bloopers... clearly things are NOT going to match up!

The Cosmo article I read also had a good point: "Today’s young women are so busy trying to figure out what would impress their FB friends and Twitter followers, they have a harder time pinpointing their own true desires." How exhausting! I think that is the greatest truth we can pull out of all of this. Don't get so caught up in trying to be perfect that you ignore what you want out of life and what is truly important to YOU.

 I am a firm believer that God has a plan for each and every single one of us.  He gives us special talents to use. He puts dreams in our head and desires in our hearts to guide us to the plans that He has for us. DON'T IGNORE THESE TALENTS, DREAMS, THOUGHTS and DESIRES! They are there for a reason!

One of my favorite verses ever is Jeremiah 29:11. I have found myself seeking refuge in these words so many times throughout my life. Somehow this scripture always offers comfort when my soul is troubled. These words remind me that God has a plan for ME. Specifically for me. I am but one of his MANY children and yet He has a plan for me. Think about that for a second... my mom is an absolutely amazing mom but she can barely keep track of a plan for me and my sister for one day, much less for a week. God has a plan for our ENTIRE life. Not only does He have a plan, He has plans for good things in my life. He knows I will encounter evil in the world and yet He has plans to combat it. God has got everything figured out... not only for me, but for you as well. It really just blows my mind to think about how amazing our God is. Through Christ's salvation he gave us hope and a future. He loves us more than we can even fathom. His love is unconditional. It has no beginning and no end. He promises us that when we pray, He will listen and that if we seek Him wholeheartedly we will find Him.

God knows where you need to be in your life at each and every single minute. Where you are RIGHT now is where He wants you to be. You are reading this blog for a reason. Maybe He just wanted to remind you that He loves you and that despite the worries, fears, and tribulations of life you are exactly where you need to be. God has things that He wants to do to you and through you. He has lessons to teach you and He may need to use you to teach others. Allow Him to mold you. Give Him your heart and TRUST in Him. If you seek Him you will find Him and He will lead you to the life He has planned for you and you alone.

One of my devotionals had a beautiful reminder this week. It said "Trust Him. Depend on Him. Seek Him first. Acknowledge His infinite wisdom and power.  He is the perfect Father. He'll never leave you waiting because He forgot. God is like the dad who is already there before you even realize that you need him. He will help you through everything."

This imagery really stuck with me. I remember being in high school and although I never drank or did anything crazy I still wanted to fit in. I would beg and beg my parents to let me go to the parties and I promised to call them to come get me if things got out of hand. My parents trusted me and would normally let me go for a while just so I could hang out with my friends. There were so many times I can recall being at one of these parties and suddenly feeling like I didn't fit in because I wasn't drinking. Things would start to get out of hand and I would panic. Just as I would reach for my phone to call my mom or dad I would look down to see that I already had a text from them. "I am here, text me when you are ready to leave." Just like God, my parents knew I would need them and that I would want to go home before I even knew it. When you are tired of trying to make things "perfect" in your life and you are ready to turn to God he is already there waiting outside in the car for you to text Him.

If you read nothing else in this post I want you to read this (I guess if you are this far down you are probably pay attention haha)

God doesn't want the "perfect Facebook status update". 

He wants you to come to Him bruised and broken. He knows everything that troubles your heart and He wants you to turn to Him to heal it.
And this is the best news... Ladies, if you have God in your life it will be PERFECT because you will be living out His plans for you. (No, not every single day will be perfect but you will be able to see the bigger picture even on those days and you will be able to trust in His plans and His love).

So please do this for me (and for YOU):
Stop comparing yourself to others.
Remember- He has a plan specifically for you. That means that your plan is unlike anyone elses. I can guarantee that if you put Him first in your life you will see how petty so many of the things that used to rob you of self esteem truly are.

Focus on what you want out of life. What is important to you? If you sit down and think about it I don't think designer clothes, purses, cars, ripped bodies, alcohol, etc is going to be the list. If those things are really that important to you go check out the Jersey Shore or another such reality show. They can advise you accordingly haha.

Stop worrying about how your life looks and worry about how it feels. Spend more time with God making something of yourself. Focus on the feelings and the people, not on the things.  Make something out of your life. When you stop trying to impress others you will. Live you life for Him and I promise no "perfect" Facebook status will compare.

Log off Facebook and log in to life!

Who Shot a Hole in my Sobrero?!

I have been struggling to right the perfect tribute to my Papa. A man so incredible deserves that. I guess all I can do is try to describe what my Papa means to me. I have been blessed with such an incredible family and at the head of our family is our Papa. From the time I was a little girl I have the most vivid memories of my Papa. He was always making us laugh and smile with his signature song "Who shot a hole in my sombrero?". He had of course written the lyrics to the song and they changed regularly but each time he sang the chorus he would blame one of us grandkids for shooting the hole in his sombrero and we would crack up and try to blame it on someone else. Papa- I still don't know who shot the hole in your sombrero...but it was not me! Haha I don't have a single bad memory of being at Papa and Granny's house. It was a "happy place" for me because when I was there I was surrounded by family. We used to go over to Granny and Papas as little kiddos and swim for hours in their hot tub. Granny would eventually have to come and coax us out with cookies or another treat because we would have stayed in there all day! They had a downstairs living room in their old house that we converted into our play room. Many a great adventure took place down there and we played more games of red light green light than I could possibly count. They also had a downstairs bathroom with a fickle lock that my cousin Garrett was notorious for getting locked in. I would always have to call Papa from upstairs to come down and guide Garrett on how to get out. Each time he would laugh and do so with a smile...clearly he had a lot of patience!

Holidays were always the best times with Papa and Granny. We always gather at their house to enjoy faith, food and family. One Christmas we asked papa what he wanted and he told us he needed some new shorts. This seemed like an incredibly odd request given that it was the middle of winter and none of us had ever seen papa wear shorts...but we assumed that maybe he needed them for the hot Texas summers and proceeded to buy him shorts. When Christmas Day rolled around and Papa began opening his presents we couldn't help but notice a look of confusion. Papa said something like "well I sure got a lot of shorts, not sure if I'm going to wear these". Puzzled, my aunt said, "well that's what you asked for!". A grin exploded on papa's face from ear to ear as he realized there had been a miscommunication. He had meant shorts as in underwear not as in actual shorts! The entire room bust into laughter!

Holidays were always special because Papa would give us talks that lasted about an hour. During this time he would share advice, his faith, his thoughts, and his stories. One of my favorite lessons he taught was his thoughts on faith. He said that each person is a vessel and therefore we should stand with one hand up receiving blessings and talents from God and one hand down channeling these gifts to others. Those who are blessed should be a blessing to others. As good Christians we shouldn't stand with one hand up and the other on our hip for that is a selfish way to live. Eventually we become "full" of blessings and God stops filling us up so to speak. If we continue to live our lives helping others however He will continue to provide. This is such a strong image and it will stick with me forever. No matter how much or how little I have I will always take time to care about others and help them.

Papa was a coach and leader to so many and I credit him with teaching me he most important lesson of all- how to love. Teaching is more than just speaking words, it is being a living example. My Papa was the best example that anyone could ever ask for. From a young age he sacrificed so much to raise my mom, aunts and uncle. Putting aside many of his own hopes and dreams and opting to raise his kids. Papa, however, never saw this as a sacrifice because being a dad was the best job he could imagine. Through his example, he showed me what it means to be an incredible parent. He did everything possible to provide for his family. He taught them the most important things in life where a strong faith in God, love, and family. Money was always tight but Papa never let that stop him. My mom always told me a story about walking in one night when she was a young girl and seeing her Daddy on his knees and talking. She asked what he was doing and Papa replied that he was talking to God. She then asked what he was talking to God about and he told her that he was praying for wisdom. He was praying for the wisdom to make the right decisions for his family, the wisdom to guide and lead his children, the wisdom to know right from wrong and the wisdom to always seek God for the answers to life's many questions. God must have answered his prayers because Papa was the wisest man I have ever known. Another night my mom walked in on my Papa praying and he said that he was praying for faith and food. It was the end of the month and money was especially tight. So tight in fact that there wasn't enough money to buy food for the family for the upcoming week. Papa told my mom to have faith and to believe that God would find a way to provide for them. My mom listened to his advice and kneeled by his side... praying for God to take care of them and trusting that He would. Lo and behold, a bag of potatoes fell off a truck right outside their house and it was just enough to get them through the week. God always provides for those who love and trust in Him.

Papa and his kids (Marka, Randy, Shawna, and Tonya)

Papa taught me an invaluable lesson about marriage. Papa and Granny (Diane) met when they were in their 50's and for my papa it was love at first sight. Papa was a principal at Highland Park and Granny was the principal at Garland. They met at a conference and he asked her on a date immediately. My mom knew Diane was something special when Papa spent 30 minutes trying on different outfits before their first date. A few short months later they were married and they have been sweethearts ever since. Granny and Papa are a shining example of soulmates. They are truly made by God for one another. They were best friends and they have a deep passionate love for one another. Papa always called Granny "his beautiful bride" and "sweetie" and Granny always called Papa "her sweetie pie". They went on dates and courted each other until the last days of Papa's life. They had an incredible romance and love story that I hope to emulate in my own life. Granny and Papa have come to EVERYTHING I have ever done growing up and they have loved and supported me every single step of the way. Granny and Papa took me out to a special lunch a couple of summers ago after I had just been through a major break up. They told me about their marriage and how they found each other. They encouraged me to write down all of the qualities that were important to me in a partner and to put this list inside my bible and pray every night for my soulmate. They gave me additional advice on respect, faith, and finances. I did as they advised and made my list and put it in my bible. Months later I met Logan and it was truly as if he was tailor made to fit that list! Once again my Papa was right. Had I not had that talk with him and granny I don't think I would have been ready to meet Logan when I did or to recognize that he was the one that God had made for me. It breaks my heart to know that Papa won't be here to see me and Logan spend our life together but I know he will be watching and guiding from above. He always told me that he wanted me to be happy and I am the happiest I have ever been. I am glad that he got to meet Logan and spend some time with him. In the few times Logan spent with Papa he was like a sponge, absorbing every story and lesson that Papa taught. He made a big impact on Logan. I have always said that I want the man I marry to ask my dad and my papa for their blessing. My mom knew this and after Papa passed she told me that Papa had given his stamp of approval on Logan. My heart swelled with joy! Somehow Papa knew how important it was to me to have his approval and even though Logan didn't get around to asking him quiet yet he made sure my mom knew that he believed that we were soulmates and that he trusted Logan with my heart. :)

I have concluded that I will never stop missing Papa but with each passing day I get one day closer to seeing him again. I see him in small things...like a song on the radio or a random act of kindness. But I also have so much of him still here because his lessons and the way he taught me to live and love will never leave... and those are the big things. As I am getting into my new jobs I wish more than anything I could pick up the phone and call him. I know he couldn't care less about a custom shirt or getting his teeth whitened...those type of things never mattered to him haha but I also know that he'd be my first customer. I have had a rough and sleepless week and as I got ready this morning I said a silent prayer to help me get through today. As I finished the song "When I get where I'm going" came on the radio and the most peaceful feeling came over me. I think it was my
Papa reminding me to stay positive and to let me know that he's still watching over me. I love you Papa and I will never stop! I sure do miss you, but I know I'll see you again someday.

"I'm gonna walk with my granddaddy and he'll match me step for step, and I'll tell him how I missed him every minute since he left and then I'll hug his neck..."