new years resolutions for 2012

{ top/heels: Target; clutch: Old Navy; Necklace [gift]: Nordstrom; watch: Nordstrom; lipstick: Revlon Berry Haute; skirt: Anthropologie }

Please excuse my extremely tired eyes, Hubs and I stayed up wayyyy too late watching season 3 of Dexter.

I've been thinking really hard about what I want my new years resolutions for 2012 to be. I normally make resolutions, break them within a month, and hope that the next year I can stick to them. Not this year! This year, my resolutions are on my blog... meaning... I have to stick to them. This little blog can be good for holding me accountable.

So, here they are. 

My 2012 resolutions:

1. Only eat when I'm hungry {I'm serious}. I am such a snacker, and then I'm never really hungry for meals. Here's my plan... When I think I'm hungry, I'll drink water. If I'm still hungry, I'll eat something. I'm hoping it works.

2. Storing snack packs in my car for homeless people. I always drive by homeless people, and I never have anything to give them. I drive away and think, "Next time." Not this year... I will always be prepared with snacks.

3. Read more. I want to become a better reader. I really enjoy it, but I rarely open a new book. I have a list of books I want to read. I'm going to start keeping a book in my purse so I'll be able to read in periods of time throughout my day.

4. Spend more time with my siblings.

5. Memorize a verse a week. I'm so bad at memorizing scripture. My plan is to write a verse on a notecard every week and tape it to my mirror so I'll read it every morning when I wake up and when I go to bed.

6. Give Brad a unique and genuine compliment everyday.

7. Have a better prayer life. I want to be better at praying throughout my day, not just during my devotions, at meals, and before bed. I want to have an ongoing conversation with Jesus throughout my day.

8. Be better at sending mail to friends. I'm terrible at sending mail, but I love to do it!

9. Worry less, and be more spontaneous.

10. Do what I love after college. Figure out where the Lord wants me. Listen to the Lord, and I know I'll end up doing what I love.

Those are my resolutions for 2012. A little broad, but not too broad. 

Hubs and I are headed to the beach this weekend with some of our best friends and we can't wait! Lots of campfires, good food, board games, and great conversation. There's no other way I'd rather bring in the new year.

Happy New Year!

introverted extravert

{ turtleneck: JCrew; necklace: gift [Nordstrom]; shirt/pants: F21; socks: Husbands; shoes: Old Navy; watch/clutch: Nordstrom }

The past few days I have been extra sensitive, extra emotional, easily irritated, and no... I know what you're thinking... it's not my time of month and I'm absolutely not pregnant. 

I'm a self-proclaimed "introverted extravert", meaning I thrive on spending time alone, but I also love spending time with people. This break, I've spent every moment of every day with people. I made all these plans, we're staying at my parent's house over the break, and it's just been a lot of people time. Don't get me wrong, I love people, I love spending time with my family, but I'm much more fun to be around when I have some time to myself. Brad is the same way. We both need time to ourselves. After last nights over-dramatic breakdown, Brad told me that tomorrow I needed to dedicate the day to me, myself, and I. He made me leave the house alone and not make plans with anybody. He said, "Go somewhere, blog, read, journal, pin, I don't care, just go do what you love to do by yourself. I'm making you." I gladly accepted his order.

So, I drove to Corvallis on the back country roads, found a cozy spot in my favorite coffee shop, and read my new favorite non-fiction book of the moment [The Prodigal God, by Timothy Keller]. It was just what I needed. Oh so heavenly. Time to myself. And don't worry, I blared country music the whole way to Corvallis and sang every song as loud as I could. If you're like me, you need afternoons to yourself. If I didn't spend afternoons alone every once in a while to do whatever I want I don't think I'd have any friends. No one would want to hang out with me, I'd be a grumpy woman [and no one likes a grump].

 I feel re-energized and ready to be with people again.

I'm ready for the fun week ahead that will be full of coffee dates, time with family, a weekend with friends at the beach, and hubby/wifey time. An afternoon to myself with no distractions was all it took.

our new favorite holiday tradition

{ top: JCrew; vest: TJ Maxx; belt/clutch: F21; watch: Nordstrom; pants: Old Navy; socks/boots: Target }

Hubs and I have been going for late night prayer walks every night this break. We sneak out after everyone's in bed and take a late night stroll. It's fun being out when no one else is. We bundle up, walk around the neighborhood looking at all the christmas lights, and pray for one another. Isn't it the best when someone prays for you? This has quickly become a new favorite holiday tradition for us. 

Unfortunately, last night Brad ripped his rain jacket on a black mailbox. Stupid black mailbox. Don't people know not to paint their sharp mailbox's black for people who like to walk in the dark? Those things can be dangerous. I'm tellin ya, you need to watch out for those things. 

We immediately agreed that we will be painting our mailbox with glow-in-the-dark paint.

Brilliant? We think so.

christmas morning

All of my siblings and their spouses were together on Christmas morning, which was a rare treat! This has never happened before, and it probably won't happen again for a while. On Christmas Eve, my parents give us all pajamas [it's a family tradition], even if we're not all in the same place.  As you can see, my sisters and I look like twins. We love matching for those few hours on Christmas morning... Any other day it'd be a bit ridiculous, but we love it. The morning was full of laughter, taking our time opening gifts, full glasses of eggnog+coffee, and even some tears [thanks to my husband who put a framed black and white picture of my grandma in my stocking! I balled. That stinker... He always gets me the most meaningful gifts.] I can't even begin to explain how great it was having everyone in the same place. I didn't even care about the presents, I was just so glad I was able to be with my family. Nothing beats family. 

Hubs and I woke up extra early to exchange gifts between the two of us. He spoiled me [as usual]. He got me lots of great stuff! I don't even know where to begin! I'll be wearing some of the stuff this week, so you'll get to see some of it :] I have to say my favorite gift from him was the framed black and white photo of my grandma. It's beautiful. She was so beautiful! Aw, I just love it. I just love him too. I think I'll keep him forever, what do you think?

Before we opened family presents, we ate a yummy breakfast. We then opened presents one-by-one, and   made a comment about every gift. I love taking the time to open gifts slowly and enjoy the presentation of Christmas morning. I'm aware that when we have kids Christmas morning will be a completely different story. I really can't wait until we start having kids. Christmas morning will start at 5 am instead of 10 am, and presents will be toys and dolls again! Not to mention, it's way more fun watching kids open presents. We did get to watch all my cousins open presents on Christmas Eve, so that was entertaining. However, my brother did get a few basketball posters, which made him feel like a kid again [it's for his "man cave", Amanda says he's living vicariously through the bachelor pad years he never lived]. It was just a really fun morning. 

After we opened presents, all the girls went for a walk to burn off some of those holiday treats. Don't worry, when we got back we tore open our stocking candy. Eggnog almonds? Oh yesss. So good.

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas. I know we did.

seattle trip [day 2]

{ beanie: Made by and Friend; jacket: JCrew; sweater/tights: Old Navy; necklace: F21; boots/socks: Target; bag: Thrifted }

Day 2 was so beautiful, so clear, and I feel like we really got the "Seattle experience". Ya know, we went to Pikes Place, got multiple coffee drinks, I wore a beanie in honor of being a NW girl, we visited my favorite gluten-free bakery [The Flying Apron], and we walked around the city. It was such a gorgeous day. It was blue skies the entire day. I already want to go back. I like being on vacation. I enjoy not having a schedule. I like exploring big cities. However, if we would have stayed, we would have missed out on the annual Christmas party that has been going on for years and years. We could never miss the Christmas party, it's a family tradition.

Well, until next time Seattle. It's been fun. Really fun. I miss you already.

Can you believe that Christmas is on Sunday? I can't wait for my brother, his wife, my sister, and her husband to get in town tomorrow. I think a huge sibling sleepover is in order... What do you say? We can all sleep under the tree like old times. 

Merry Christmas!

seattle trip [day 1]

{ NEW anniversary jacket: JCrew; shirt: gift [Loft]; pants/wedges: Old Navy; necklace: F21; purse: Thrifted }

On my incredibly good-looking husband:

{ sweater/pants: Old Navy; flannel: Target; watch: Nike; shoes: Banana Republic }

{ jacket: Nordstrom; dress/clutch: Old Navy; necklace: Gift; belt: F21; tights: JCPenny; shoes: Target }

Seattle is the best during Christmas time. There is so much to do, so much to see, and so many great spots to people watch [that's one of me and hubby's favorite things to do you know]. I love that our anniversary is during one of the coziest times of the year. Speaking of cozy, did you notice the amazingly warm and wonderful black jacket Brad got me for our anniversary? I call it my sleeping bag jacket. The entire car ride up to Seattle I cuddled up in it and wouldn't take it off, even when I turned the heat up to 80. I just love this thing. Thanks hubby for the most amazing anniversary gift in the world, I am in love. Thanks again for knowing me so well... You know I will live in this jacket during the colder months.

Can I just say that day 1 was wonderful. So wonderful. We walked around Seattle, got all fancy pants and went out to our favorite restaurant [PF Changs], went to the movies and saw Sherlock Holmes II [seriously, so so good! Worth seeing in the theatres], and you know, celebrated our anniversary :] It was perfect. 

Did I mention I love my husband and being married to him is my favorite thing in the world?

Stay tuned for day 2.

Also...

Is there really only 2 days until Christmas? Eek! It's finally here!