Looking back on this past week was another jammed-packed week of work. Tis the season? Absolutely!!! I promise I do more than just work. 😉 It’s just on mute right now while I focus on being on top of my business tasks so I can be 100% present during the Holiday season with family and friends. <3 It will be WORTH IT! Hopefully, these “Coffee Talk Mondays” give you a good glimpse of my personal life until things slow down a little bit. 🙂 I’m getting there!!!! YAYAYAY!

COFFEE TALK

MOCHA MOMENTS
THE SWEETER MEMORIES FROM THIS PAST WEEK

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HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY!!!

I’ve always had an appreciation to those who have served and are currently serving our country, but this Veteran’s Day defines a new level of appreciation in my eyes. I’ve had relatives serve the United States, but I’ve never quite understood what it really meant be involved in the military until now.

My brother, Eric, joined the Army as a sound engineer about a year ago, and I could not be more proud of him!!!! Even though he’s my baby bro, I continue to look up to him (literally too). He is intelligent and finds ways to push himself mentally and physically, and I admire that! He’s also my adventure partner and I look forward to creating many more memories with him! Also, I’m SO grateful that he’s not too far away from home so I can hang out on a regular basis. 🙂

Then, there’s my love. I honestly never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be a part of the military community, but I love seeing Alex so involved!! I look up to him for SO many reasons, but I’m incredibly proud of him. Talk about someone who pushes hard mentally and physically; he’s one who doesn’t settle for less than perfect. He loves the US and wants to take advantage of every opportunity as he serves our country over the years ahead. I am honestly scared to death when he eventually has to deploy in the future, but I know he will make us all proud!!! I look forward to being his support system and encourager throughout his career, as he has already done for me in my business. 

To be a civilian looking in, I cannot thank our Vets enough for their selfless sacrifice and dedication to continue protecting this country. From their perspective, it is a beautiful tribute and an honor to serve, and I am humbled by that mindset. I’ll never fully understand what they experience, especially those who deploy overseas, but they are our real-life superheroes saving the world! I pray that we don’t take our freedom for granted and that our military men and women are safe now and in the future. I’m proud to be an American. <3

Also, thanks to many clients of mine who are involved in the military community!!! What an honor to serve YOU! 🙂 Thank you!!!

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DATE NIGHT!!!!

Hey! We have to find innovative ways to make long distance work. 🙂 I sent this package with a bag of popcorn, red wine, chocolate covered blueberries, sea salt caramel fudge, and Papa John’s gift card to Alex last week, and he was surprised!! We chose a movie on Netflix and watched it “together.” Thanks to my friend, Krysta, for the inspiration!!! It was so restful to hang out last Friday evening … with my other date, Ollie. I mean, look at that… HAHA!

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HOLIDAY SPIRIT!!!!

Christmas is slowly but surely making it known in my daily lifestyle. And I LOVE it. 🙂 🙂 🙂 Even while I’m working. And when I say “Spotify Music,” I’m really listening to Christmas music. 😉 DON’T JUDGE. I only get to live this for almost two months a year. 😉

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BULLET PROOF HOT CHOCOLATE?!

YESSSSS. I absolutely loveeee hot cocoa, but I didn’t realize how much sugar was crammed in a packet. 🙁 So I switched to making a healthier version. Honestly, there are nights when I want a little something sweet and I’ll just put 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder in hot water. But I made a similar recipe to this below and it was SOOOOO GOOD.

ESPRESSO MOMENTS
THE BITTER MEMORIES FROM THIS PAST WEEK

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WINTER + EARLY MORNINGS

I think I’m still thawing out from Saturday’s wedding. It was one of the COLDEST weddings I’ve done, and I didn’t even have a reason to complain because at least I was able to wear a coat where my bride was without layers!!! So brave. They had a 5 p.m. outdoor ceremony and it ended up being around 39 degrees (without the wind chill factored in)! Holy cow. I joked with them that the military training didn’t train them for their assignments, but rather their wedding day! 😉

If you told my parents in high school that I would be an early riser, they would have LAUGHED. I was the one who lovedddd sleeping in until 10 a.m. … or 11 … or sometimes Noon. Looking back, I cannot believe it. But lately, I’ve had a couple of sunrise sessions which meant my alarm woke me up at 4 a.m. to hit the road by 4:30 a.m. so I can beat the DC traffic. WHEW. I’m so grateful I don’t have to do that on a regular basis. But I’ll stick with my 7 a.m. alarm. 😉

Happy Monday, everyone!!!!