Monday Inspiration

Live your questions now,

and perhaps even without knowing it,

you will live along some distant day into your answers. 

-Ranier Maria Rilke

Happy highlights|vol 1

I spent the this past weekend with my sister, Nikia. We laughed together, cried together, and celebrated Brandon's life alongside our friends and classmates. 

My sister Kayle got engaged to her cowboy hunk, Zack, on Sunday! They are adorable together, seriously. 

I bought a new pair of jeans (that actually fit!) on Sunday too! I haven't been a size 6 since my freshman year of high school (1999/2000). I'm pretty stoked about it. Clean eating, yoga, and 100 squats every night are clearly paying off--chasing 3 kids around helps too. Haha. 

What happy highlights do you have from last week?

Remembering "B"

I've been trying to write this blog post for a few days. I'm still at a loss for what to say. 

We lost a classmate, a friend, a brother to suicide on Tuesday. This loss has shocked our small community and has left us devastated and trying to cope. 

Brandon was 28. 

His visitation is tonight--there are a group of us going bowling afterwards--one of Brandon's favorite things. His memorial service is tomorrow, there won't be a dry eye in the house, I know it. 

How do you move past something so tragic? How does life return to some semblance of normality after an event like this? I mean, I'm still not over my mom's death and we are approaching the 10th anniversary of her passing away. 

I believe the answer is preserving their legacy. In this way we honor them and continue to remember the impact they had in our lives. 

Bowling was Brandon's passion--so tonight we bowl. 

I dug out my senior yearbook (2004) this morning and this was Brandon's picture and quote:

Truer words were never spoken, my friend. We miss you, B. 

Eleanor Zao Jean: on your 5th birthday

Oh, sweet girl! I can't believe you're 5! You continue to amaze me with your kind heart and unbridled curiosity. You love unicorns and coloring and dressing up! You could eat your body weight in blueberries (if I'd let you!) 

"Momma! Take a picture of me and I will make a silly face!" You say this every day, so we take pictures of your silly self every single day. 

You've taught me that there is no such thing as asking too many questions, no such thing as too many dance parties, and that there is always room for more snacks. Sometimes I feel impatient with you, then I remember that there is no greater calling than being your momma. 

I love you Noni, my princess, my heart. 

Bloglovin'

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Hello...again.

I've been pondering where to begin again in my blogging journey.  The last time I was blogging regularly, I was still married and my babes were still small. I've been divorced for a while now, and my babes are growing up. (Eleanor will be 5 tomorrow!)

While I've needed a break from blogging, I've missed the love and community feeling that only comes from connecting with other women in the blogging community. 

So here I am...again, with the support and encouragement of some wonderful people. 

This blog will be a bit different, namely because Matthew will be blogging with me sporadically. I'm at a different place in life than I was when I was blogging at Dance Your Way Back to Zion. A lot of negative has been removed from my life, and I am much more joy and Jesus filled than I was a few years ago (which seems like a lifetime ago)

A bit of background for those of you who are new: I'm Kristance --sometimes Krista (Matthew will probably refer to me as KA) I'm a Jesus loving momma of 3 adorable kids (Isaiah, Eleanor, and Jackson) I enjoy loose leaf tea, coffee, books, ballet flats, things that sparkle, making lists, and cardigans. 

You could say that Matthew and I were high school sweethearts. We've known each other since 2002ish, but since we live in different states, we drifted apart and lost contact up until a few years ago. I'm going to be honest, long distance dating is a pain...but worth it. 

Matthew is kind, compassionate, hilarious, generous--I could go on, but you get the point. He's a gun toting 17th generation Floridian who loves motorcycles and good BBQ. We adore him, and he adores us. Matthew is a Mac, and I'm a PC--but we go together like extra crunchy peanut butter and blackberry preserves (another one of his favorite things) He also has a pretty sweet beard. 

Welcome to our little piece of the world.