Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Courtney and Jaden's Grand Day Out


Last Friday I got to spend some time with a very special girl, my darling Jaden. I have known Jaden since she was three years old and now she's (believe it or not) thirteen! Jaden was the first kid that I've really gotten to know and is like family to me. I grew up with an older brother who has always been very cold and distant to me so I'm happy to have found the baby sister I've dreamed about. It's been so fun watching her grow up and see how much she's changed over the years.

This particular Friday night I was feeling a bit lonely. I had worked my shift all by myself (and it was a very hectic day) and when I got home I remembered that all of my friends were either out of town or working the late shift. I like to doll myself up as self care when I'm feeling down so I put on some makeup and a new dress and had a mini photo shoot. I posted the pic above on my Instagram account and my lil Jaden immediately commented on it. Then I thought, "JADEN! Maybe I could hang out with Jaden!" I texted her and asked her if she had any plans, she said she didn't and we decided to go to the mall (my other girl friends--minus Melissa--hate going to the mall). I picked her up and we made a beeline for our favorite store, Hot Topic. I remember when Hot Topic opened when I was in high school and I never thought that I'd still be shopping there in my 30s, haha! It's not my fault that they have everything I like u_u

Anyway, J and I were gushing over the Disney section and one of the sales girls came up and talked to us. This particular girl always chats my ear off whenever I'm in there. Her and Jaden started talking and she then asked us what high school we went to!!!!! Jaden thought it was SO COOL that this girl thought she was in high school but I just started laughing like a hyena! The girl looked at me puzzled and I told her I was 31 years old. She told me that I looked GREAT and that made me happy. The rest of the time we were in the store I felt a little self conscious, though, since my age had been revealed and everyone could see me freaking out over Steven Universe stickers. But what can I say? I'm young at heart and that's part of my charm. Beneath my breast beats the heart of a 14 year old girl (not literally, of course). They have a bunch of Studio Ghibli stuff there now (my weakness) so I finally caved and bought this No Face plushie I've been wanting for ages.

Next we went to Barnes and Noble and looked at all of their Pop Dolls and then I perused the manga section (they had "My Love Story" and I wanted it SO BAD). Target was last on our list of stores to hit and it was tops blooby! Target is my favorite store. My only constructive criticism is that the women's section is just "meh" and the girl's section is "omg". Why do all the cutest things have to be in the kid's section? I don't get it!!!!!!

Anywho, Jaden got her very first eyebrow pencil and then we got kid's meals at Rubio's (I don't have a very big stomach so kid's meals are perfect for me). After dinner we went back to my house and Jaden watched her second Studio Ghibli movie and my all-time favorite, "Howl's Moving Castle". I love getting to share movies and shows I love with people. And it's great that she's at an age now where she can appreciate Miyazaki's movies. When the movie was over I took her home and gave her some of my smaller dresses that I've outgrown and she was so excited to wear them. The next day she sent me a selfie in one of the jumpers. It was the cutest! So yeah, it's great having someone in my life that I can be a positive influence on and who also helps me be more positive as well. Jaden is so energetic and so much fun to be around. I'm very lucky to have someone like her and her wonderful family in my life.

Only 5 more days to go til I leave for London! YAAAAAAY!