thankful Thursday: my LuLaRoe business

I usually look "hard" for my LuLaRoe photos, but once in a while, you can see a smile creep up in those moments when I realize that playing dress up is my JOB. I am so thankful for 

the opportunity to own a business. Not everyone can start something like this. My family and friends have been incredibly supportive by shopping with me, assisting me with all kinds of tasks, and offering words of encouragement. 

I never, ever thought I would be working from home. I have a master's degree, and I had a great career in that field before I moved to Georgia. My life has taken a different path, and I am so thankful that I discovered LuLaRoe and considered starting my own mobile boutique. 

Working whenever I want to, wherever I want to is perfect for our crazy life. I can go and do anywhere, anytime with my husband. I can book pop-ups and do online sales when Zack is at work; I can visit family in North Carolina while doing pop-ups for people there; I can take off two weeks to travel with Zack if I'd like to. Not only is my schedule 100% flexible, but when I do work, I LOVE what I do! 

I was absolutely a LuLaRoe addict before I became a consultant. These clothes are amazing! I looked professional and felt comfortable in my Irma tunics and maxi skirts, and I could easily play on the floor with my students. Now, I wear maxi skirts, Amelia dresses, and Cassie skirts to church, Cassies and Julias on dates, Cassies and classics, Julias, or leggings and Irmas for running errands. Can you tell that my favorite is the Cassie skirt?! I discovered LuLaRoe at the perfect time in my career and personal life. I had been dressing up way more than my coworkers, but I still had a desire to look professional and needed to be a bit more comfortable. I felt like the play clothes in my closet were starting to look kind of young for me, and I was about to make the transition from single twenty-something to stay at home wife pushing thirty (who knew?! not me). 

Now, I get to meet new people in my (still kind of) new city and share awesome clothes with them. I get to style outfits for people!!! I get to reconnect with acquaintances online and in person and help them find clothes they love. I am so thankful for this opportunity! 

Now, for the photos. This is a sampling of what I post every day--these particular photos show how I have integrated my Hand Me Down Style with LuLaRoe items. Of course, I have my own unique spin on styling LLR! 

I get this from my mom! We have so much fun together when I do pop-ups in North Carolina and she gets to tag along. I wish I had her helping me all the time!! 

Follow along with my daily styling posts on Instagram @lularoe.kathrynschmidt and on Facebook via my page LuLaRoe Kathryn Schmidt and my shopping group (where I usually post a little more in-depth about each day's outfit and also post items like these for sale during flash shopping opportunities once-twice per month). 

Contact me to have my mobile boutique come to your house! lularoe.kathrynschmidt@gmail.com

I continue to post all kinds of snaps of my life on my personal Instagram @kathrynschmidt! 

thankful Thursday: bachelorette celebrations

I've been begging my friends to come with me to pure barre for years. Turns out all I had to do was get married! This was my one special request for any bachelorette type celebrations--I would much rather go to barre than a bar. I didn't think it would actually happen, but these friends showed up and went through a challenging workout just because I asked them to! 

I had a lot of fun celebrating this weekend with pure barre, a shower, and a dinner out with my small group pals. 

 My friends made some delicious food. My favorite shower detail (below) was this prayer tree. They each took a Bible verse from the tree and prayed that for me and Zack. 

I'm thankful that my family and friends took the time to make last weekend so special. 

And if you need a laugh today, here's a video of two men trying pure barre for the first time. 

thankful Thursday: downtime with my love

I definitely need some perspective in the midst of what's felt like a never ending search for a place to live. I went down to where Zack lives last week and made a little progress on our home search. 

The very best part of my visit last week was that I actually got to spend some time with Zack! His work schedule is pretty unpredictable, and he was out of town the first night I was there, but then he got to come back! I was basically jumping up and down I was so excited to see him. I rushed to the airport to meet him when he landed, and I just barely missed getting a video. I was so disappointed. The next morning, I went with him to work and got a video of him taking off (!!!) AND I went back to pick him up and got a landing on video. It was awesome to see him flying the Learjet! He's so cool.   Then he gave me a ride on the tractor, tugging Learjets around.

I'm so thankful that we got to spend some time together, even if it was just a few hours between shifts. 

friend time

This thankful Thursday I'm on the road. As soon as my bff Lindsay said she was sad that I'm moving away, I reminded her that I'll be just as close to her as I have been, AND her house is the perfect stopping point halfway to my new home! 

I'm so thankful that I got to spend time with Lindsay and Tom. They offer me a place to stay and even better, quality friend time. I am trying to spend my last few single weeks the right way, and precious time with friends is important! 

thankful Thursday: flying

I got to fly again! 

Zack and I went flying together for the first time since our engagement! It's been way too long. 

Then we went flying with dad. 

I'm so thankful that I get to fly airplanes! And I have wonderful people in my life who teach me so much about them. 

thankful Thursday: family and friends

Our family has had the highest highs and the lowest lows this year, and each of those presents an opportunity for our friends to draw close and show their love. I'm thankful for the calls, texts, comments, cards, hugs, and especially prayers. Our friends have truly been there and supported us through it all. As my family connections grow by marriage, the love and the cares have both grown. Even after losing a loved one, the good still outweighs the bad. I'm overwhelmed at the ways my life is enriched by my new family relationships. 

These times are both character building and character revealing, and I'm thankful for my family and friends growing with me and showing up for me in joy and in sorrow. Even the smallest gesture can mean so much. I hope that I learn how to be a better friend by watching my friends. 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

thankful Thursday: Wesley

We mourn the loss of one of our family. There are still reasons to be thankful. God is still good. 

I'm thankful for Wesley and the (not enough) months I got to know him. He became my brother. I'm thankful that the last time I saw him, I hugged him tight and told him that I love him. I'm thankful for the Lord's grace in that. I'm thankful for the sweet marriage he had with Jessica and for giving us his daughter, our first niece. I can't understand why he is gone, and we may never understand on this side of Heaven. But I'm thankful that Wes is there and we will see him again. Right now, it doesn't seem real. 

We are thankful for family and for friends who support and pray for us. Please continue to lift us up. 

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes.There will be no more death’or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 

Revelation 21:3-4

thankful Thursday: health

Last week, I wrote a little about my daily routine. I like to start my day with prayer and Bible study then a workout before tackling my to do list. I am so so so thankful that my body is healthy enough to exercise. This winter was the worst for sickness, and I missed working out when I was sick. It made me even more thankful for my overall health and each day that I get to work out. 

Pure barre has truly changed my body, and I recommend to it anyone! I was a competitive cheerleader for many years, I've worked out in gyms (treadmill, elliptical, weight machines), run (5k--tough, I know), walked, done water aerobics, and even tried a crossfit type workout, and pure barre beats them ALL for me. I still like to mix it up, though. My body has been in its best shape the last few years, better even that when I was nineteen years old, jogged every day, and practiced seven hours a week as a college cheerleader. Motivation has a lot to do with that. I can't totally control my health, but I want to do what I can to stay healthy and offer my body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). I'm thankful for each day that I'm able to exercise. 

I am also thankful that I can afford to buy healthy food and that I have access to information to educate myself on how to eat healthy. I've been following a paleo diet for the last year--at times strictly, at times very, very loosely (what's a wedding diet?)--and I definitely feel my best when I eat paleo. I also just enjoy cooking and trying new recipes, and I'm thankful that I have time to cook these days.



Even in one of our marriage books, The Meaning of Marriage, I read about how important it is to live a healthy lifestyle. Staying healthy for my family is extra motivation, and I'm thankful that my fiancé supports my healthy lifestyle, even if we don't agree on which smoothie place is best ;)



How do you live a healthy lifestyle? 

thankful Thursday: quiet time

I have realized that my days go best--I am happiest and most productive--when I follow somewhat of a routine. I am so thankful to have time to slow down each morning with the Lord. I try to start my day with prayer and Bible study, then a workout, before moving on to my to do list for the day, which usually includes some wedding tasks, moving tasks, and general errands. Yes, I realize that I am extremely fortunate to have the luxury to do these things! Every day looks different, but having this structure in place is a huge help for me. The outlook of my whole day is improved when I get in quiet time in the morning. I can welcome *interruptions* [God's plan] to my day with a better attitude. 

How do you structure your day? Comment at the bottom or email me at handmedownstyle at gmail dot com. 

Below are a few verses and quotes that have been on my mind and heart lately. 

thankful Thursday: blogging connections

I started blogging several years ago to share my life events in college with a few friends and family members. I wasn't expecting blogging to lead to meeting new friends, encouraging acquaintances,  and even finding a husband for my friend. 

Y'all, this blogging thing is CrAzY!

In January 2014, I wrote a post about my friend Erin and linked up to Kelly's Korner for her Show Us Your Life: Singles Day link-up. 

In April 2014, I got an email from Jeremy, who was interested in Erin. 

In April 2015, Erin and Jeremy got engaged!!!

I finally met Jeremy in person on Saturday, after their engagement. 

I am so thankful for the many connections blogging has made for me and my friends! I never, ever expected these things to happen. I started Hand Me Down Style with a lot of prayer, and I had no idea the ways that God would use this blog. I'm so thankful He has done more than I could ask or imagine!  

thankful Thursday: family

I moved out of my office this Monday and took with me some personal decorations that I had put up in years past. This year was so crazy that I only took the time to put up three pictures in my office: a church directory photo of my family from 2006, a church directory photo of my grandparents, and a snapshot of Zack's family at the fair. 

I hope I do the same with my time that I did with my office decorations. Family time is important, especially when I won't be able to have that time so easily soon. I can't go to church with my love on Sundays, so I did the next best thing this Sunday--went with his dad! None of his children made it to church on Sunday (working, etc.), but he had both of his daughters-in-law with him. I think that says a lot about the wonderful family I'm marrying into! I enjoyed spending time with all of my in-laws-to-be this weekend. 

My dad helped me move on Monday, and I'm getting more time to spend with my family now. I can have lunch with my mom, go on walks with my dad, and visit my brother, sister-in-law, and brand new nephew while I'm still living nearby and don't have work taking up my time. What a blessing!!! 

thankful Thursday: work

Today is my last day at my first real job, my first full time job, first job out of graduate school. I could hardly believe it when I got offered my perfect job almost three years ago. I've learned so incredibly much from my coworkers about evaluating and treating disorders, organization, certification, and working within and between disciplines.

The most important lessons I've learned from my coworkers deal with work/life balance. They have told me to go home on a Friday evening, that it's okay to rest when I'm sick, and that I should put family first. I'm thankful for the lessons learned.

As a young, single woman, I could work at all hours to get everything done, and done well. That's the way I work. At this time in my life, I am putting my personal life first. I'm thankful to have family, friends, and coworkers who support me.

I will miss my coworkers and my little friends I got to see each day. I am thankful to have had the chance to watch them grow. 

thankful Thursday: a visit

I feel like I'm finally getting in a rhythm with this long distance engagement. Last weekend, I had the chance to go visit Zack for the first time in his (soon to be our) new city. Another first -- I took my first solo flight. I mean I piloted an airplane without passengers for the first time long ago, but last weekend was my first time taking a commercial flight without traveling companions. The crazy thing is that made me more nervous than flying an airplane by myself . . . 

It was so nice to spend time together planning for our future and seeing each other face to face. I may actually have some answers now for all of you who ask what it's like where I'm moving. 

After so much excitement leading up to our visit, I didn't take one single picture of us together all weekend. I did deliver many important documents to Zack from home, including this drawing. One  of my students always asks about Zack and one day pulled out of his folder a drawing he'd done of "Miss Kathryn's boyfriend" and wanted me to give it to him. Weeks later, I finally got it to him, and I had Zack send me photo proof. 

Just six months after our first date, I was heading down to research places to live with my husband to be. Wild. If there's a lesson others can take from our story, it's that your life can change so quickly. Enjoy the season you're in, and live it to the fullest. I didn't do that perfectly as a single woman, but I'm so glad that I drew boundaries and made room for my husband even though I had no idea who he'd be or if he even existed. He is the sweetest person on earth, and he deserves the best of me. 

thankful Thursday: outdoors

Today, I'm thankful for the warmer weather. Dan and I have gotten to walk and sit on the front porch more often, and I even painted my nails outside. Warmer temperatures and sun just make me happy. 

Even when it's been a tad hot during my work day, I'm so thankful for my new car and its nice, cold air conditioning.

thankful Thursday: patience

Patience is a virtue, and it's the one we hesitantly pray for, or don't pray for at all because we're afraid we'll have a long season of waiting and then we'll get it. 

I am so thankful for my parents' patience with me, for Zack's patience with me, and most of all, the Lord's patience. His faithfulness knows no bounds, even after I make the same mistakes time and again. One of my favorite passages is in Lamentations 3, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." 

I love Priscilla Shirer's talk on Jonah, when she emphasizes the Lord coming to Jonah a second time. When Jonah disobeyed, the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time. She thanks God for giving us a second, third, fiftieth chance.

How has God given you a second chance? I pray that my heart is not hardened and I take that chance while I can. 

thankful Thursday: grace

I look out at the yard blanketed with snow and can't help but think, "He washed me white as snow." 

"Grace, grace, God's grace, 

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; 

Grace, grace, God's grace, 

Grace that is greater than all our sin." 

written by Julia H. Johnston, 1910

I get to not only live but have an abundant life through the grace of Jesus. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." I can't do anything right on my own. I could never earn my way into Heaven. Even on my best day, I'm still a sinner. Even when I do something "right," I immediately pat myself on the back for it. We are all selfishly motivated. Everyone sins (Romans 3:23); not one of us can measure up to God's standards. 

But here's the switch: though I deserve death, He gives me life. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." He loves us enough that He paid the price for our sins on the cross, going through hell for us, and He gives us the benefit of the perfect life He lived: eternal life. 

By faith, we can access his grace (Romans 5:2). Thanks be to God! For He gives us the victory (1 Corinthians 15: 56-57). 

As with most aspects of the gospel, I am learning, grace is essential in marriage. I just finished reading The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller. He writes, 

How do you get the power of grace? You can't create this power; you can only reflect it to others if you have received it. If you see Jesus dying on the cross for others, forgiving the people who killed him, that can be just a crushing example of forgiving love that you will never be able to live up to. But if instead you see Jesus dying on the cross for you, forgiving you, putting away your sin, that changes everything. He saw your heart to the bottom but loved you to the skies. And the joy and freedom that comes from knowing that the Son of God did that for you enables you to do the same for your spouse. It gives you both the emotional humility and wealth to exercise the power of grace. (185-186)

Zack and I need the grace of God every day, and thereby, we give grace to each other. 

I know it is by God's grace that I have Zack in my life at all. I remember Ashley Gorman speaking about her husband and how he is a gift from God last year. She said that she doesn't deserve her husband, but God, by his grace, gave her her husband. I didn't quite understand that at the time, or maybe I just didn't believe that God would show me that same kind of grace. I did not earn Zack because I dated God's way 100% of the time or because I did good works to please God. I did not earn Zack at all. In God's infinite grace, for his glory, He gave me Zack.

God could have chosen a completely different way to work in our lives, and it still would have been his grace at work. Some things begin to make sense as time goes on, and some things we won't understand until this earthly life is over. For now, I am thankful for my salvation through God's grace and for the chance to walk through life with the one I love. I am thankful that our story doesn't end here. 

thankful Thursday: rest

The Lord is so gracious to give us rest. Even during a season of being engaged and planning a move.  

Right after we got engaged, I got sick. It lasted and lasted, eight days with a fever, etc., so I rested. I ended up staying home sick before Christmas break, so I was out of work for even longer. Somehow it was still such a sweet time. 

Zack and I got to soak it up, being engaged over Christmas, not planning our wedding yet. We spent time with family. We spent time with each other. And we rested.

As much as I go, go, go now, even this week, it snowed and iced, and my work was closed. There's still work to be done, of course, but for now, I have to stay home. Last year, school was closed more than any other time I remember because of so much winter weather. I remember then thanking God for a slow down. When I started to get overwhelmed at work, there was nothing I could do; I had to stay home.

If I live by my to-do list, there's no way I will finish it all. I may as well rest when I have the chance. Each morning, sitting and reading God's word and praying, that time is essential. Once in a while, and it's always unexpected, I get a few free hours, and I can rest more. The time is rare, and I'm thankful for it! 

thankful Thursday: technology

Today, I'm introducing a new series on my blog: thankful Thursday.

a nice shot of him smiling and talking about airplanes in his classroom just before heading into the flight simulator, and me crying (#typical #engagedlife)

Last Thursday, I was feeling exhausted from the work week, discouraged because it wasn't over yet, overwhelmed with so much to do and so little time, and sad because I was missing my fiance. I started to realize that I feel this way often on Thursdays. In just two days, I was going to have a Saturday completely open. I would have plenty of time to tackle several items on my to do list and even time to rest, and all I had to do was look beyond the one more day of work that week.

I decided to change my attitude and choose to be thankful. I have a hundred reasons to be grateful, and I challenged myself to pick one each week for thankful Thursday. Not an hour later, I was talking with Zack on the phone, and he told me he had decided that instead of being sad because he missed me, he was thankful to have someone in his life to miss.

Technology is the first thing I thought of to be thankful for. Even though we are living two states apart, I get to "see" Zack on FaceTime almost every day. We can text and email and call each other on our phones most days; I especially enjoy talking on the phone with Bluetooth now that I have my new car. Even when Zack is out of the country, he can get WiFi at his hotel, so he can iMessage, email, and FaceTime me. We can't talk while we're working, of course, but I follow Zack's planes in the Flight Aware app. (I always say -- keeping track of your fiance: there's an app for that.) He even texted me from 40,000 feet the other day, and he frequently sends me pictures and videos of the view from up there. 

All of these things make the distance easier, but they don't perfectly substitute for real face to face conversation. Having limited time together has made me appreciate that time more. And I will be SO thankful when we finally get to live not only in the same city again but under the same roof this time.