Embrace

Happy New Year!

A week into the new year and I am still feeling all the warm fuzzies and excitement for all this year is sure to bring.

A new year is the perfect time for a fresh start.
You have a blank page to write your story, your way.
It is a time most of us think about bettering ourselves.

Did you set goals for yourself this year?
Did you make a resolution?
Are you looking forward to something in 2017?

This year my goal is to live everyday with intention, where my "yes" means "yes" and "no" means "no." Being honest with everyone including myself is so important for growth. I want to take chances and not be afraid of falling. I want to kick fear in the face and not letting anyone or anything tell me I can't do something!  I want to love myself and be proud of my accomplishments. I want stop comparing my chapter 1 to other's chapter 10, it isn't a race, we are all human and our journeys are suppose to look different. This is my year to be me! To be proud of all that I am, and excited for all that I can be. I am responsible for my choices and reactions so I choose to make this the best year yet.

My word of the year is going to be embrace.  I am going to embrace all that is around me and learn to truly love and appreciate the life and opportunities that I have and will be given. Most importantly I am going to embrace myself.  I am going to learn to love my imperfections and see that all those imperfections is what makes me beautiful inside and out.

We all have room for improvement or goals we have only been dreaming about.  Every year, month, week, day, hour, and moment is a chance to start again and make yourself better. Don't let one bad day ruin your week, or even a bad hour ruin your day. If you haven't made a plan to reach your goals or didn't make a resolution on January 1st, there is still time to get started.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and productive 2017!

Day Date

Christmas had come and gone and we were gearing up for the New Year. 

Andrew and I were looking forward to some down time before 

our pajama-game night on New Year's Eve.  

We were quickly reminded that we are not in control and things wouldn't always go our way. 

The Saturday after Christmas we got a call asking us to stay with a family member that had just had back surgery.  We agreed to come over all day Sunday to help clean and then stay the night.  Of course this was not what we wanted to do (not to mention we were nervous because we aren't nurses) but we knew it was what we should do, because family come first, always!

It was a long day.  We dusted, vacuumed, scrubbed floors, cleaned bathrooms, cleaned the kitchen grocery shopped, and completed all laundry and dishes.  We both enjoy helping others so by the end of the day we were exhausted but our hearts were filled with joy.  

The next day we went home (my parent's house) and decided we wanted to take time this day for just us.  With all the Christmas hustle and bustle we hadn't had much us time, and we were missing it.

So... 

we went on a day date!

and...

It was just what we needed!

Pedicures for the win! Andrew LOVED it even though he fought me the whole way to the salon

Next we went for a beer and lunch at Brothers

Then we went to visit Notre Dame's campus

It was so cold but every time I visit the campus
I can't help but take a picture of the Golden Dome, it is beautiful

The Basilica of Sacred Heart

We finished our day date with coffee


In today's world there are so many distractions and always somewhere to be or something to do but it is important to take a step back (from time to time) and enjoy what and who is in front of you.  Appreciate and count your blessing everyday.

You will make plans and some days those plans will change.  That is ok.  Be patient and trust the process.  Good things come to those who wait.

xoxo

PS - By the end of the day Andrew was in bed because he wasn't feeling well.  He came down with a cold and was down for a few days.  He missed the pajama-game night...

Happy New Year

#madewithstudio

I can hardly believe another year has come and gone.  
Here we are 2015 and we are ready for you!

I can't describe to you how excited I am to share a FULL calendar year with Andrew.  We are going to experience all 4 seasons {so far I am convinced winter his is favorite, ok maybe you should as his opinion} together and celebrate all holidays side-by-side! 
Does it get any better?

We get to start our own traditions.  Figure out how we want to do things as a family.  Inspired from my friend, Tonya and her family, over at The Assignment, Andrew and I thought it was a great idea to make a list of things we want to do during the year.  Not resolutions but things to do as a couple where we can grow and become a stronger unity.  We each still have personal goals for the year but this list is about us!  Nothing is planned as of yet, but you can follow the list {here} throughout the year to see how we are doing and where we have gone!

Here is our 2015 List

1. Visit Myrtle Beach

2. Read The Five Love Languages or Love & Respect together

3. Visit the Exotic Feline Rescue Center

4. Try a new meal (at home) at least once a month

5. Make a budget 

6. Designate one day a week for date night (no exceptions)

7. Take a segway tour
8. Take more time to hand write notes to friends and family

Cheers to you and your family for a healthy and prosperous New Year!

#madewithstudio