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Coffee Date Vol. 12: I Can Do Hard Things

June 11, 2018 By Ruthie Ridley 30 Comments

Coffee Date Vol. 12: I Can Do Hard Things... life lately, schedule changes, role reversal, out with the old, in with the new. Learning to be flexible.
Coffee Date Vol. 12: I Can Do Hard Things... life lately, schedule changes, role reversal, out with the old, in with the new. Learning to be flexible.
Coffee Date Vol. 12: I Can Do Hard Things... life lately, schedule changes, role reversal, out with the old, in with the new. Learning to be flexible.
I think sometimes as human beings we need to be told “You can do it.” We need to be reminded that everything we need to accomplish (goals, tasks, dreams, just life in general) is within us without us even knowing.
We have entered a very different season with Ben being in the police academy. He’s actually in pre-Academy right now until July, but it is pretty intense nonetheless. I have had to step into an unfamiliar role and he has had to dive head first into the program.
The program is intense and requires 100% attention and focus while in physical training and the classroom. When Ben gets home he typically has several hours of homework after a 10 hour day at the academy. Aside from what Ben is doing we have had to adjust to this new normal. I have very limited access to him via cell which I’m not used to, I’m having to make decisions on my own, again which I’m not used to and the hardest part is doing a lot with the kids by myself. Let me mention that I get a LOT of help from my parents and Ben’s dad, which I am very fortunate to have!! Things are just different now so I am feeling it!
We have been married for 10 years, together for 11. Ben and I did everything together and he also did a lot for me. He cooked most of the meals and took care of things around the house. He’s a very hands on Dad and is not intimidated by trying new things, going on adventures, partnering with me on the blog and other projects.  We watched our shows together every night.  I’ve been really blessed and spoiled! We also worked in the same building so I got to see him a lot!
This past weekend hit me pretty hard. Ben’s current schedule is Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday (10 hour days). For the first time ever I did a party for one of the kids without him.  My parents were traveling so the thought of having very little help overwhelmed me.  It was a lot of work, but you know what, I did it! I have been overwhelmed over the past week or so and missing my best friend but this is what I am learning:
* You are stronger than you think you are.
* Things could be worse. ( Like Ben could actually be deployed but he isn’t!)
* You can do hard and uncomfortable things.
* Prayer is your lifeline.
* Don’t take on extra commitments that you cannot handle.
* Say no when you have to.
* Change stinks but it doesn’t mean it’s bad.
* Hard seasons are what grow and mature you.
* Surround yourself with positive, uplifting individuals.
We are just getting started! The actual police academy starts in July of this year and lasts until December.  Ben is doing harder things than he has ever done before and being stretched to his limits.  He can do it, we can do it, you can do it! I also realize that my hard is not your hard and vice versa! What hard things are you pushing through right now?  As always thanks for stopping by the blog! It means the world to me!

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All photos by Nicole Quiroz

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: coffee date, life lately

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Comments

  1. Fawn E Rosenbohm says

    June 11, 2018 at 7:56 pm

    I love that you said prayer is your lifeline. I totally agree! you guys are going through a crazy busy season but you have the right attitude about it all for sure!

  2. kelsey says

    June 12, 2018 at 7:04 am

    loved this!! Thanks for always being so inspiring! xo

  3. Cathy says

    June 12, 2018 at 7:27 am

    You got this! It’s so true, we are stronger then we think and we can always get through something. Congrats to your hubby and it will all be worth it in the end!

    XOXO
    CAthy

  4. Gladys parker says

    June 12, 2018 at 9:16 am

    Love your outfit ESPECIALLY the cool shoes! Yes you can do it. I think sometimes we have to remind ourselves. You may need to pamper yourself some, get more rest, pat yourself on the back, take many you brakes even day DREAM of what will be due to these changes.

  5. Lacey says

    June 12, 2018 at 9:28 am

    Love this positive message!

    xo
    Lacey
    A Lacey Perspective

  6. Sam | Away She Went says

    June 12, 2018 at 10:16 am

    You can do it! It’s so hard when someone’s schedule changes. My boyfriend just got a job that’s Sun-Tues and every other Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. I’m already nervous about adjusting our schedule and losing a full day together (I work m-f), but we’ll make it work and find a new normal.

  7. Terra @ A Spork in the Road says

    June 12, 2018 at 11:46 am

    Great attitude and fabulous shoes. I’m about to have a new normal, too, and it’s completely upending everything I know and have built up to now. You’ve got this, though. You can do it.

  8. JoJo says

    June 12, 2018 at 1:23 pm

    Prayer is your lifeline! You look so adorable in these photos. I will be praying for you guys as you get through this new and challenging (but exciting) time!

  9. Jane Davidson | Typically Jane says

    June 12, 2018 at 1:41 pm

    Girl, wow that is a LOT for someone to take on! I needed this reminder today too. <3

  10. Tanvi Rastogi says

    June 12, 2018 at 2:14 pm

    You look fabulous in these pictures. PLus you have a great outlook.

    ❥ tanvii.com

  11. angie says

    June 12, 2018 at 5:45 pm

    what a wonderful outlook on life, it is something that I love seeing thanks for sharing
    come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

  12. Belle says

    June 13, 2018 at 8:20 am

    Such a lovely post! Love the leggings by the way!

  13. Ashley Hargrove says

    June 13, 2018 at 8:43 am

    Such a great post!! love the color of your leggings!

  14. rAINA says

    June 13, 2018 at 9:10 am

    GREAT INSPIRATIONAL POST- YOU CAN DO THIS! sEASONS ARE ALWAYS CHANGING AND RECOGNIZE THAT THIS ONE WILL BE BUSY AND HARD BUT A NEW ONE WILL COME SOON!

  15. Lalia Frolick says

    June 13, 2018 at 10:36 am

    I love your look here! The pop of color with the texture of the white top is so visually stunning. I can also relate to the adjustment in your life with your significant other at a transitional career point. my husband is going through the same time, and it’s very hard on us all. Thank you for sharing, and good luck!

  16. Laura Leigh says

    June 13, 2018 at 12:35 pm

    What a great message Ruthie and lesson you have learned! You two are such a great team and i love it – so inspiring.

    xo Laura Leigh
    http://www.louellareese.com

  17. Anna says

    June 14, 2018 at 3:47 am

    Yes this is so true! I love this Positive message! My husband has been helping through this Postpa and feminding Me that i can do this. So powerfuk!

  18. Tiffany Haywood says

    June 14, 2018 at 12:44 pm

    I had to learn this lesson myself during my husband’s military time. i was so dependent on him for certain things i nearly forgot i could do them myself – successfully! you’ve definitely got this !

  19. greta says

    June 14, 2018 at 10:16 pm

    I’ll be praying for you and your family and this period of transition. this will be such a great new chapter!

  20. What Corinne Did says

    June 15, 2018 at 1:17 am

    This post is so inspiring. Such a positive message. Best of luck with the transition, i am sure you got this! so many things we realize we can do ourselves!

  21. MaJoy Eticabla says

    June 15, 2018 at 9:42 pm

    I love these words : “Don’t take on extra commitments that you cannot handle.”It’s a sign of being a responsible and mature person, you have to know what you’re capable of and that you can’t do it all. (Majoy)

  22. Jasmine Boswell says

    June 16, 2018 at 2:22 am

    such a beautiful and positive outlook! and i totally feel ya girl, way to be inspiring!

  23. Kristina says

    June 18, 2018 at 5:01 am

    ThInking of you during this transitional time- i know i rely on my husband a lot too and im sure tHis will all be worth it in the end!

  24. Jess Scull says

    June 18, 2018 at 1:45 pm

    You have such an amazing and positive outlook on life!

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Ruthie Ridley Blog was established in January of 2015 out of a strong desire to have a place for creative expression both with her love for all things fashion and deep faith in Christ. Ruthie loves classic, timeless style with a side of fun, flirty flair! Faith and family is the foundation of her life where everything she does flows out from. She believes that with hard work and chasing big dreams, anything can be achieved!

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I honestly went back and forth on sharing this but I honestly went back and forth on sharing this but why not 🤪. I left the worst ones out 😅

Online hate is wild to me. People behind a screen saying whatever they want not realizing it actually affects real people.

I posted a simple cute video of Ben and I going from regular clothes to our work uniforms. it went viral, which is a chance you take so I got a lot of love which I’m thankful for but a lot of hate as well.. these were all strangers, people who don’t know that we’ve been married almost 18 years, have a beautiful family, genuinely love each other, and love what we do and the people we serve 👮‍♂️ 👩🏾‍⚕️ 🩺 

You expect it to some extent but I didn’t realize how much words could still affect me…I’m 41 almost 42. It really doesn’t matter how old you are words still hit.

I’m not sharing this for sympathy just a reminder before you leave a mean comment on someone’s page whether it’s a stranger, someone you know, or someone with a big platform think twice. Words matter & they  impact people more than you think.

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This time last year I was unexpectedly renewing my This time last year I was unexpectedly renewing my Nursing 🩺👩🏾‍⚕️ license after leaving my job in 2020 and spending five years at home with my kids creating content full time. To say I was shocked to be reentering the workforce is an understatement. Sometimes life shifts and you just have to roll with it 😮‍💨

I am SO thankful I had the opportunity to go back to work but it was hard. I felt like I failed in my business & I was down BAD 😝 But I realized something….God makes NO MISTAKES.

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If you’re new here, then I’ll give you a little bit of a backstory but also if you’ve been here for a while because a lot has changed in the last year 🤪. 

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In this episode of The Good Stuff Podcast, Carly a In this episode of The Good Stuff Podcast, Carly and Ruthie chat with the AMAZING @shelbysaywhatblog about what it really looks like to stay grounded, authentic, and purpose-driven in a space that’s constantly changing. She opens up about stepping away from content creation, rediscovering her “why,” and finding peace and purpose in the pause 😌
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