What did I used to talk about?

Emma and I were taking some selfies this morning and I was overcome with an urge to write this little blurb that follows. I was just so happy in this moment that I wanted to share some thoughts with you. 

When I first started writing on this little blog of mine (or this space as some call it) I did not really understand what it meant. I started off on good old Tumblr and just reblogged pictures I enjoyed, talked about this and that, linked up my Instagram and voila, blog.

In the beginning, I talked about dental school, A LOT, and occasionally I received some questions about life as a dental student and newlywed. Voila, dental student slash wife blog. 

Later I started posting food and drink recipes, my random thoughts, advice about dental school, and this and that. Voila, dentistry slash lifestyle slash married blog.

When I found out I was baking a bun named Emma, I posted pregnancy updates, forays into pregnant dentistry life, and complaints about heartburn. Once she was born, I posted monthly updates, (almost) daily photos, and conversations with myself about motherhood, occasionally throwing in some dental stuffs now and again. Voila, lifestyle slash mom blog.

(Okay, I'll stop saying voila.)

But at the end of the day, I just write what I know. Since those early days, I have since moved on to Squarespace, invested in my own domain name, and annoy the stuffing out of my friends and family with my blog post updates on Facebook. 

I am continually inspired by the multitude of greater and more talented bloggers out there (especially the multiple children mom bloggers, you ladies ROCK). I love the dentist turned foodie blogs. I love the creative designers with a flare for the feminine. I love the hilarious women with their daily updates. I love the crafters, the fashionistas, the poets, the sarcastic, all of 'em.

Sap alert.

That is what has been so wonderful about my blogging experience. Substance and Soul has evolved with me. It reflects what is going on in my life right now, in this moment. It allows me to connect with people in similar and also not so similar circumstances. I get to chronicle my life and the adventures with my family whether it be for you, an audience of sorts, or for myself, years down the line when I want to remember what it was like in those earlier days. I have become more comfortable with my own blogging voice and I attempt to show true glimpses into my real life and my authentic self.

The sappiest.

What I do know is that Substance and Soul will always be my special place to share with you. I wish to keep this blog as an accurate reflection of my current state. I don't see myself narrowing or broadening my niche, because I truly believe this is a good old fashioned life blog. It reflects my life - whatever phase its in and wherever I end up.

And I hope you continue to share this place with me.

And her too, apparently.

VOILA.

My favorite movies

I know, this post is NOT about Emma.

GASP! Children crying in the distance. Glass shattering.

(If you are all about Emma these days, then I will see you later. If you need a little mom blog palate cleansing, then this post is for you.)

Calm down, we will be back to our regularly scheduled Emma spam tomorrow I'm sure. Or will we...?

J to the K.

The other night, Paul and I had a rare evening where Emma (oh, we are back to Emma? that was quick) was fast asleep and we could sit down and watch a movie together. A rarity!

We turned on the netflix and put on Forrest Gump. I laughed, I cried, it made me remember how much I loved that movie. Which got me to thinking about my favorite movies, which got me to thinking, hey blog post, because mom's gotta blog.

So here are five of my favorite movies and a little bit on why they are my favorites.

Show tunes are my life's blood, my friends. I have my parents to thank for that one. I cannot a remember a period of my life where I was NOT watching some sort of musical (video, theater, etc). I even auditioned for a musical at a local theater when I was a youth but I realized that it was not my calling and I will stick to dentistry.

This is an absolute classic. I know all the songs and dialogue by heart. If you have not seen it, you need to. Howard Keel is a hunk.

Dorcas: Which of the boys slept in this bed, do you suppose? 
Liza: Dorcas Galen!
Dorcas: What's the matter? Haven't you ever thought about that? That you're sleeping in one of their beds?

Scandalous.

I cry every time. But it also makes me happier than many other movies. Tom Hanks is a treasure and I think of Bubba every time I eat shrimp. My heart absolutely aches when Forrest meets his son for the first time and wonders if he is smart or... 

WAHHHH. Forrest, right in the feels.

Forrest: Some people don't think miracles happen, well, they do.

You said it Forrest.

Oh another musical? Well, duh. This one has a very special place in my heart. My dad and I share a love of this movie. We have home videos (on actual VHS tapes) of us singing songs from this movie. This was also one of the first movies I shared with Emma. She watched about 5 minutes of it, so only 3 more hours to go and she'll be hooked, I'm sure.

I am always inspired by this story. Yes, I do not have to worry about World War II regimes right now in my life, but the themes are universal. Struggling to find one's calling, not knowing where you fit in, maintaining your principles in the face of adversity, putting love and family above all else, disappointed young love, but triumphant second chances, the list goes on and on.

Captain von Trapp: It's the dress. You'll have to put on another one before you meet the children.
Maria: But I don't have another one. When we entered the abbey our worldly clothes were given to the poor. 
Captain von Trapp: What about this one?
Maria: The poor didn't want this one.

Girl, you sassy.

I unapologetically adore this movie. I always get a little defensive when people say snarky things like, "they could have both fit on the raft". THAT WAS NOT THE POINT. </end rant> There are so many reasons to love this movie. Again, all about those universal themes. She was suffocating and he came on the scene. It was not even about him saving her. She saved herself. Her heart will go on. 

Cheese is my name. 

Rose: I believe you are blushing, Mr. Big Artiste. I can't imagine Monsieur Monet blushing. 
Jack: He does landscapes.

I was not allowed to watch that part until I was much older.

Juliette and Johnny have some of the best on-screen chemistry I have ever seen. I don't remember where or when I first came across this film, but it has stuck in my head ever since. I re-watch it at least once a month. Plus, it always makes me want a hot coco. The score for this movie is still one of the best scores I have ever heard, by far. I am always fascinated at the colors of the film and the contrast of the drab town and Vianne's vibrancy. If you have never seen it, it is now on Netflix. OH YEAH. 

Roux: I should probably warn ya: you make friends with us, you make enemies with everyone else.
Vianne Rocher: Is that a promise? 
Roux: It's a guarantee.

And now I'm hungry. 

Well if you managed to get through this novella, I am proud of you.

What are your favorite movies? Did any of yours make this list?

(images and quotes via)

Blessed Is She - Blessed Brunch

As you may know, I am involved with the Blessed Is She ministry. This incredible ministry of women is celebrating a year of devotions and a year of truly blessing my life celebrating the Word and connecting with remarkable women all over the country and world. 

I have had the honor of writing devotions for BIS since its inception. I am also a part of the Instagram team and am an admin for the BIS Southwest Regional Facebook group. Ultimately this ministry has blessed me far beyond my expectations. It has filled a gap in my life and heart that I did not know was missing.

We have been connecting over the e-world for the past year and I have become friends with truly amazing women. Their stories inspire me. They are beautiful women inside and out. As much as I love forming these relationships in the digital world, I have wished and hoped to meet some of these women in real life and embrace them. 

(via)

Enter Blessed Brunch. And I COULD NOT be more excited.

Women all over the country are opening their homes to host their sisters in Christ. I am personally attending the Blessed Brunch in Berkeley, CA on August 8th. I am skipping with joy. I will probably cry, like the ugly, happy cry haha. 

Words cannot describe how grateful I am that this ministry exists. God is good. SO good.

Be kind

Just a few words for you on a Saturday. Have a wonderful weekend! 

Stress relief

This weekend I take the biggest exam of my life. Like, it's huge. Like, all weekend long huge. Like, all on the line. Like, woah. 

Okay I won't say "like" anymore.

To sum up, WREB is my license examination wherein I show my clinical competency in dentistry. Holy tomatoes.

As you can imagine, my stress level is off le charts. It is like a chaotic fiesta in my head. Throughout my education, stress has been my constant companion. We wear BFF necklaces. How I handle stress has changed and evolved throughout the years, so I won't bore you with all the deets, but here are a few things that help me de-stress and provide much needed stress relief as of late. 

Fake it 'til you make it.

When I am feeling particularly frazzled, there is something about a long, hot shower, a fresh face of makeup, a pretty hair-do, and my nice jeans that make the craziness on the inside feel more ordered. My brain may be cluttered and crazy, but when I feel put together on the outside I can focus on the task at hand. The same thing goes for an uncluttered space around me. When my home is clean and not messy, I can also work on the things that elevate my stress and deal with them accordingly.

Enjoy a beverage.

In the morning, I like to start with a cup of coffee or a nice cappuccino. The warmth of the sweet and creamy goodness help me start the day off with a bang and get s*** done. I also try to drink as much water as possible throughout the day. Dehydration makes me cranky, so NOTHANKS. And after a stressful day (like every day lately), I enjoy a nice glass of red wine and have some girl talk. There is something cathartic and stress relieving about a nice vent sesh...and some EtOH.

Curl up with a book.

I am a book worm, ya'll know that. Whether I can carve out an hour or just five minutes, an escape into a good book can do wonders for my soul. Try it, I swear you'll love it.

Date night.

Ew, I know I said it, date night. Sounds cheesy right? Well I'll say it again, DATE NIGHT. Or day or afternoon or morning or Tuesday... You know what I mean. Paul and I specifically carve out time to spend with one another. We watch a movie, make a meal, or do some activity that is not on the to-do list or required of us. He eases my stress more than he knows. 

Slobbery baby kisses.

My life as a mother has drastically changed...in the best way possible. Although motherhood is stressful enough, gazing into the eyes of my sweet girl just melts the world away. As I watch her play and discover, I feel one zillion times better. The crazy, stress-ball, frenzied side of me gets to put her feet up and smother an angel in kisses. Ain'tnothingbetta.

My stress is great, but the rewards are greater.

Isn't she the greatest?