All the Pretty Dresses

This has been a huge realization of mine this past year:
I can explain how I FEEL about things, I can explain what HAPPENED in the situation, but to explain it to someone else and have them understand the (hurt/pain/excitement/whatever) just as I do is lost.

No one has been through all the experiences that I have, I have not been through the experiences that another has. It's just an interesting thing to think about.
People only understand from their level of perception and from their level of experience. 

That being said, as this year winds down, it has proved to be stressful and HARD. 

Holiday parties, treats, classroom parties, meeting up with friends, cold weather, it getting dark so early, did I mention the cold? Did I mention all sorts of good, wonderful sweets and treats?

It. Is. Hard. 

Add to that presents, secret Santa's, dress up days, family get-togethers, recitals, music programs, church responsibilities, wrapping, decorations, hot cocoa, and just SO MUCH. 

It. Is. Hard. 

So... that being said, I had to break up the monotony of my day-to-day and I went on a shopping trip with one of my dear friends: 

Megan and I met while in college at UCM.
We were instant best friends when I was put on her staff to be a Community Adviser.
I was in Megan's wedding, and I hope someday she can be in mine!
We often get asked if we're sisters and decided (during one of her wedding events) that the label "sister-friends" would be appropriate!

So, my sister-friend came with me to shop for some general clothes that I have been needing for a while and to find "the dress"

For the Night of Inspiration, we get to walk across the stage and show off the hard work that we have been putting in this last year. So I was on a mission to find the dress.
I bet I tried on 100 dresses, and I'm really not making an exaggeration. 

It was pretty eye-opening to say the least.
The way our clothing is sized in this country is INSANE.
I think anyone reading this will agree: Women's clothing is insane.
When I tried on dresses, I was anywhere from a size 8 to a size 14.
Pants were size 10 to a 14... shirts was like anything! A small fit, so did a Large.. 

We started at Old Navy and I got a few pieces just to add to my general wardrobe: Some sweaters, pants, a few shirts and dresses from the clearance rack!

Then we went into the mall.
Looked around JC Penny, got a few clothes off the clearance rack there as well
And... we took over a dressing room. We pulled in a ton of dresses (Megan brought me a ton after I tried on "normal" clothes) and then we inherited a dressing room where a girl had just left a ton of dresses in there and SURPRISE! They were all my size hahaha

So I would try on a dress, and then toss it to Megan if it was a "no" ... she would put it on the hanger and hand me the next one-- this went on for about an hour or so haha
We narrowed it down to three dresses, which I took pictures of and sent out for people to vote on on Snap Chat LOL:

I REALLY liked this one. The bottom was a scallop-look, the high neckline, cap-sleeve, the lace. It's just a great dress! 

And then there was this one!
The interesting neck line and back ... and the sequins! Sparkly! 

This one was fun, a good shape, interesting neckline and a little sparkly (and was the People's choice winner of the Snap Chat Vote)

So we put those dresses on hold, decided to go eat some lunch and let my mind process.
After lunch, we went into a few more stores and then decided to go to Dillard's to look around.
So many beautiful dresses!
(and a little more expensive than what I was looking for)

But I picked out a few and found one the Megan really liked: 

Megan really liked this one- And it's not a bad choice by any means ... I just wasn't really feeling it.
The sleeves were nice. I liked the sparkle factor, and the length (I had only been trying on short dresses before) And it was sort-of a mermaid cut, which was flattering. 

But THE dress. THE dress came just after this one. And I am SO excited about it. But I'm not going to put any pictures publicly (Unless you're my SnapChat friend) until Night of Inspiration when you can get the entire feel of the dress, because let's just say it's awesome.

I didn't even let people vote.
Ya know, what they say is true: When you find "the one" you just know! ;) 

Aside from that, we went to Sam's Club, and I got this: 

It's literally duffle-bag sized! haha it came with food containers, blender bottle, ice packs, and so much space for meals and snacks! It will be helpful when I have to take 5 meals with me for long days! 

Megan gifted me this print for Christmas... it's just perfect for me, I love it so much!



I will leave you with this:

Be kind to one another.
Be grateful in all things.
Be still and hear God.

All things I'm working on.