2015 Goals

I love a new year and a new reason to start fresh with new goals. Below are a few of the things I'll be working on this year, and I'm pretty excited to get started!

Be brave
This one is huge for me and the biggest goal I've set for myself this year. Over the past few months, I've wholeheartedly come to believe the truth in the saying 'she who is brave is free.' I've been put in situations recently that have forced me to become more direct in my communication, more confident in my ideas, and more sure of myself as an adult, a professional, a mother and a friend. Doing these things scared the heck out of me and forced me to grow in a huge way (sounds dramatic, but it's true). I want more of this in my life in 2015. I want to confront difficult situations without fear. I want to believe in myself and be confident in my convictions (at 33 years old, there's no reason why I shouldn't be). I want to say what I mean and mean what I say. I want to be brave and in turn, be free - from limitations, from judgement, from fear. I'm really looking forward to seeing where this one takes me.

Family dinners
Jon and I have a bad habit of eating dinner in front of the TV catching up on our favorite shows. This is something we've wanted to change for a while, but just haven't had the motivation. Growing up, my family always ate dinner together at the table, and I think it's a great habit to have, especially as Wren (and our family) grows. Jon and I are both excited to commit to this one, but we know it's going to take some serious dedication.

Spend less
I am constantly on a mission to simplify - my closet, my house, my life. I want to spend less money in 2015. I want to be happy with less. I want to feel content knowing that I already have everything I need. I want to put the money I would usually spend on clothes or coffee toward saving for travel or fun experiences or our future.

Read more
I have a huge stack of books on the dresser in my bedroom, and I really, really want to read them. This will mean less TV, less Pinterest and less Instagram, but I think I can do it if I make it into a daily habit.

So there it is - all that I wish to accomplish in the coming year. I plan to check in on these every few months to see how I'm doing. Jon and I are also tracking our smaller goals using Elise's "progress, not perfection" trackers which should make our progress (or lack thereof) easy to spot.

Wish me luck! :)

My 2013 Resolution

I only have one New Year's resolution for 2013, but it's a big one: Say yes.

While it may sound simple, saying yes doesn't come easy for me. I'm a girl that knows what she likes (and what she doesn't) and sticks to it. New things make me nervous. New people make me really nervous. My first reaction when presented with a new experience is to say "No, thanks - I'm good." Part of it comes from all of my crazy fears (elevators, heights, small spaces, snakes, being alone at night, public speaking - just to name a few) and part of it comes from being comfy and happy with what I know, but while I could continue living my life of "no" and be totally fine, I know it would mean the world to those close to me if I said "yes" a little more often.

So, in 2013, I will say yes. I will say yes to new experiences. I will say yes to new foods. I will say yes to new people. I will say yes to new places. And I will see where all this yes-saying takes me. Wish me luck! (I'm gonna need it.)

(This doesn't mean I have to say yes to everything - but it does mean I at least have to consider everything and say yes when there's no good reason to say no.)

2012 In Photos

Moving to Kentucky to be with this boy // Job interviews in Nashville // Our first Valentine's Day // Touring the Jack Daniel's Distillery // A week in Biloxi, MS // St. Patrick's day at Old Chicago

The day I found out I was pregnant // Vegas for Brianne and Andy's wedding // Easter morning // Clarksville's Rivers & Spires Festival // Paddling down the Red River // New hair cut

Memorial Day at Sam Rayburn Lake // New job + Philly trip // Galveston for Dengle Days // Celebrating Jon's 28th // The day we got engaged // Nashville Zoo with Rowan

Swimming in the 'crik' // Celebrating 10 years in the Army // Roadtripping to GA to see Incubus // Labor Day at Sam Rayburn Lake //  My baby shower // Our wedding day

Halloween pumpkin carving // Adventures with our sweet Whiskey cat // The day Wren joined our family // Thanksgiving turkey // Wren's first Christmas // Welcoming 2013

2012 was a monumental year for me - a year I will remember forever (unlike those years that just sort of blend into other years). A new love, a new state, a new city, two new jobs, a new husband, a new cat, a new baby - that's a WHOLE LOT of newness in only one year! While it wasn't always easy (I don't think that much change could ever be easy), it was a year full of learning and love, laughter and surprises, growth and new beginnings - and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

When I think of 2012, I will always think of Jon and Wren, because that's when our story began. I can't wait to see where we'll go in 2013 (and every year after that) - I have a feeling it's going to be fantastic.

Wishing you the best 2013 ever! xoxo

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a blast welcoming 2013! We kept things pretty low key with a homemade photo booth, too many games of Pictionary to count and champagne at midnight.

I've got a little 2012 photo roundup coming later today, but for now I just wanted to pop in and wish you all a happy, happy new year - may it be filled with health, happiness and FUN! :)