HELLO NOVEMBER!

What is up, my friends?

I’ve been thinking lately that a life update is well overdue since the last time I posted, I was pretty down about our home buying position and then I went MIA for awhile because, well….I have just lacked the inspiration and motivation to write lately.

BUT, I’m here now and ready to get back into it! *gives self a round of applause*

A Spooky Wedding Celebration //

I just got home on Monday from a five night trip to visit family and friends in Ohio and I have yet to unpack. Don’t judge me, but I HATE unpacking! haha Unpacking means I have to do laundry and I really dislike doing housework. I’ll get there though.

We made the trip to Ohio for my best friend, Lindsay’s, wedding, which was on Halloween day and then her reception was a Halloween Party on the 2nd of November and was a BLAST!

She made her own wedding cake because she is a professional baker and it was so delicious and the decor was bomb. Every inch of their house was covered in Halloween trinkets and she even made us all goodie bags and distributed award ribbons for costumes.

Jacob and I won the “most original” award for our Average Joe’s costumes from the movie “Dodgeball”.

While I was there, I spent four of the five nights at different houses, so I could spend good, quality time with my favorite people. It was so fun to see everyone, but I am SO glad to be back in my own bed now!

A Staycation to Remember //

OH, and we also went on a trip to Sarasota at the beginning of October, which was SO much fun! We haven’t been to Sarasota since 2015, so it was a real treat.

FUN FACT: Sarasota is where Jacob’s grandparents have a vacation home and is how Jacob and I fell in love with Florida and figured out that we would like to live here. So the small getaway there brought back all the reminiscent feels!

We visited all of our favorite spots…

Sharky’s on the Pier for a breathtaking sunset,

Nokomis Groves for their fresh orange ice cream,

St. Armands Circle for some shopping (which turned in to a trip to the hospital for me – but I’m okay now!),

Lido Key Beach,

and of course we HAD to go to Siesta Key Beach, which is the best beach in all of Florida!

We went with Jacob’s parents who are moving to Florida from Ohio now, also!

They spent the first two days of their visit looking for houses and checking out the area. His mom has now moved in with us temporarily until they complete the sale of their house which is in contract now. We have been out the past couple of days continuing the search for their new home.

Pressing Pause //

Since my last post in September, we have put our own home search on hold.

We attempted to put an offer in on a home in Hunters Creek, it was a gorgeous home, even though we weren’t wild about the area, but the monthly payment would have been greatly over our budget so that fell through. I was very heartbroken and frustrated and discouraged at first and I decided that I just couldn’t take any more heart ache over it and we needed to pause the search until we had more money saved.

I know in the end that it will work out exactly as it’s meant to. It always does. I’m just still learning to be patient and go with the flow, which I really think I am at a point now that I have let that pressure I was putting on myself, go.

It’s not in my hands, we’re doing all that we currently can do and it will happen when it’s meant to.

So, since I have some time and mind space freed up, I have begun a new adventure…COACHING!

A New Adventure //

I never thought I would say that I am a fitness coach, or a coach in general for that matter, but I am!

I started working with Beachbody as an accountability coach and helping women achieve their goals while also building relationships with them! Which, honestly, is right up my alley.

I remember telling my co-worker a few years back that I felt as though my calling in this life was to help women. To be a cheerleader to those who are struggling to believe in themselves and to advocate on their behalf and lift others up.

And now, here I am, doing just that! See, things really always DO work out.

This new venture is going to grow me in a lot of new ways. It is already! But I am incredibly grateful for this new opportunity and I can’t wait to see where it takes me. Besides, nothing good comes from comfort zones.

If you’re interested in learning more about what Beachbody is, or even just about how I can become your accountability coach (doesn’t have to be for Beachbody), follow me on Instagram! My handle is @inthehooperhouse

And, I think that pretty much wraps us up!  It’s so crazy how so much can happen in just a month and a half’s time. This year is really FLYING by. It’s hard to believe that we have already been living in Florida for S E V E N months now. *jaw drops* It really feels like yesterday.

I’m thinking about doing a recap video or slideshow or SOMETHING at the end of this year to show commemorate our time here. What do you think? Should I do that? What type of project should it be?

Anyways, I’ll stop talking now. haha

Until next time, friends! xoxox