Long time no chat, right?
Remember me? I was that blogger many, many moons ago who was obsessed with all things running and chocolate.
Welp, guess what?
I’m back and still love all things running and chocolate 🙂
Where Have I Been?
Well that’s kind of a long story. But if we want to cliff notes it here
Zach and I bought a home
did a LOT of work on said home (thank you Dad Jara 🙂
Have settled in quite nicely to the new home
And are absolutely loving being home owners :).
At the time that I started my “blog break,” we had just begun looking into moving. At that point, we still thought we may rent, but come to find out renting is not cheap. So, on came house hunting.
With the house hunt going full steam ahead, I also started looking into some other major “ashley” changes. Let’s just say there are other big announcements to be made in the near future, so I hope to keep coming back!
Anyway, because of all these changes, I started to feel overwhelmed. Blogging became something I felt I had to do versus what it had always been, something I LOVED doing. I was also really frustrated with some things going on in my day-to-day (nothing to do with family or my hubby, there both amazing. and I PROMISE I will share more with you all soon…sorry for the cliff hanger), so because of that, I choose to work on me. Make the necessary changes in my life that required time and focus, always with the hope that I’d come back, refreshed and excited. Welp, those changes are in motion and I’m back 🙂
What Will Chocolate Medals Be Now?
I missed you guys. I missed writing and connecting with you all. First and foremost I fell in love with my friends and blogging family, and I am MOST excited to jump back into that world. I hope you all know that I continued to read your blogs, but just needed to shift my focus for a little while.
I am happy to report that while there continues to be huge change in the Jara household, all things are GOOD. When I left, things were in a tough spot and I needed to focus on ME and getting myself to where I needed to be. Well, I guess I did something right because guys, I think I’ve found that place and cannot WAIT to share this next part of my journey with you all.
Not All Things Have Changed
Sure, there’s been lots of celebrating change around here
Lots.
But some things have NOT changed.
I am still running, biking, strength training, and loving every second of it.
Still eating lots of colorful, mostly healthy grub
And even have a fun, new-to-me running experience coming up this Summer!
So Where do I see my beloved Chocolate Medals? Well, I just renewed my little space on the interwebs and plan to find that new balance of personal life, work, exercise/activity and fun. I cannot WAIT to share these next steps with you all!
I hope you all will jump back on the journey with me cause I’M BACK! 🙂
You’re back! I was wondering what happened, it’s great to see your update. Congratulations on your new home! Sounds like there have been a lot of things going on in your life so it’s good that you took time out to focus on yourself. I’m looking forward to hear what else is going on!
Welcome back!!!
Glad to see you back and that things are going well for you! x
Welocme back and congratulations on your new home ☺️☺️ It sounds like you’ve been taking the necessary time to make the things happen that you’ve needed to, good for you xx
Hey, welcome back!
Welcome back!! 🙂
Welcome back. We missed you a great deal so glad to hear you renewed so you’re back to stay. Congrats on the house and everything else that’s wonderful. I’m looking out for the full story.
Welcome back and congrats on the new home. It looks lovely.
Glad you’re back! 🙂
Yay! Welcome back! 🙂
Owning and decorating your first house is so much fun. Good on you for taking a break and welcome back 🙂 I still don’t know how you can eat that much chocolate and stay so slim hehe 🙂
haha sometimes it’s not something I’m extremely proud of…
So glad you’re back! Looking forward to reading all your posts again!
Yeay!! Welcome back 😀 and welcome to homeownerdom! (Yes it is a word…probably… )
Congrats on the new house!
So happy to hear from you again and congrats on the new house! I’ve also recently discovered the importance of giving the blog a bit of a break and finding some balance. Can’t wait to hear more 🙂
Congrats on the new home and WELCOME BACK!
Welcome back, Ashley! I’m looking forward to what you have in store for the future! Congrats on your new house, too!
Glad you’re doing well! I’m guessing one of the big announcements isn’t pregnancy due to all the beer pics! 😉
Glad your sense of humor didn’t falter in my absence 😉
Welcome back! And congrats on your new home – how exciting!
Welcome back! I tend to blog when I want to, about whatever I want. I like blogs that do the same. It keeps it real and interesting and stops blogging from being a job (unless that’s what you want it to be).
Welcome back 🙂
Woo hoo!! Good for you 🙂
I missed you…
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MY TWIN IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Pretend I ran around the room screaming that with my arms up). 🙂 I can’t wait to hear about all the new changes! And I am completely in love with the fact that we basically bought homes at the same time. Um holy. Freaking. Twin. Moment. ❤
haha I was LOVING every second of it following you on the blog, even though I wasn’t writing mine! We should email each other tips lol
SO happy you are back 🙂 🙂 🙂 Really looking forward to your new adventures !!!
Welcome back!! Hope you found an awesome spot in Denver to call home – there’s so many awesome neighborhoods after all. By the way, I love the looks of your outdoor garden! We missed you!
welcome back, toots. have missed reading about your adventures but so proud of you for knowing when to take some much needed YOU time and focus on what’s important in your life. glad to hear all is well in the world of Ash and Zach and congrats on being first-time home owners! hope you have a great experience with that and that your summer is going wonderfully. and for the less-than-ideal parts of life, well — praying they come together and that you’re back to feeling wonderful again soon. we all go through the highs and the lows, and you will emerge stronger, i just know it. look forward to reading more about your life! ❤
Oh goodness I just adore you, love ❤ 🙂 I've been basically obsessing over all of your beach posts this Summer. So jealous, but so glad you're enjoying it! Things are going wonderfully over here, no worries! I've got nothing but good news to share with everyone, and I'll be able to share more VERY soon! The less-than-ideal parts that I've been dealing with for too long are seemingly working themselves out, so I am VERY blessed!
So glad to hear this!! And thanks for following my beach romps! 🙂
Your new home looks stunning – congratulations
definitely missed ya. you’re one of the top commenters on my blog… i’ve been very lonely without you 😉 congrats on your home-owning! garden in the spring???!!! 😀
Welcome back, missed ya!
Congratulations on buying a house! That is such a big step, and totally understandable as to needing a step back from blogging, it can sometimes be a total time sink! Please share more pictures of the house, and the flooring is gorgeous! I can’t wait to hear more!
Congrats on all the good happenings, and welcome back 🙂