2012- A Look Back

2012 was a great year.  It wasn't filled with major life transitions or monumental events, but it was filled with the people I love.  

January: We went to 12 straight nights of Code Orange Revival at church and it was an amazing way to start the new year.

February: We celebrated Love Week at church.

March: We went to the NeedtoBreathe concert.

April: We traveled to Atlanta for a few days during Spring Break.

May: We traveled a lot.  We went to Wilmington for my sister's graduation and then to Edisto for Brandon's cousin's wedding.

June: We went to San Diego and I volunteered at Camp 658 with some amazing kids.  Oh yeah, and Brandon broke his ankle.

July: I watched one of my closest friends get married. We celebrated the Olympics and were glued to the t.v. for the next month.

August: We celebrated our second wedding anniversary!  Oh and school started back.

September: We went to Myrtle Beach for Labor Day and my cousin got married.

October: We went to Raleigh for our annual Wolfpack football game and we got tickets to the Panthers game that same weekend.  Brandon began traveling for work and was in Florida for two weeks, so I went to visit!

November: We ran the Color Run!

December:  We went to the Panthers game, celebrated Christmas, and prepared to ring in the new year.  

                           Bring it on 2013!!  I know it will be great!!!

13 in 13

Resolutions, I've tried them.  I am filled with good intentions, but I don't follow through.  Why is that?  Routine is so much easier than change and transition.  It takes much less effort.  This year I am not looking at it as a resolution because clearly that does not work.  I want to be more intentional in some areas of my life and that is where I am going to focus.  Instead of setting unrealistic resolutions, I'm going to pick 13 things I hope to do in 2013.  Some may be similar to resolutions, but I am going to be intentional about them, more realistic.  So here is my 13 in 2013.

1. Be more intentional in my personal relationship with Christ.  I want to read the Bible more and focus on quiet time with Him each day.

2. Focus more on being healthy.  I want to make working out a part of my weekly routine.  It's not just about working out, but taking better care of my body and making time to build my confidence.  My goal is to lose 20 lbs. and maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. 

3. Try to keep my house cleaner.  It's no secret, men are slobs.  I want to try to make it a priority to clean up after myself and encourage him to do the same.  I want to take more pride in my home.

4. Try to cook at least three times a week.  Yes, I know 3 is low, but I struggle to even hit one night nowadays, so I figure three is realistic.

5. Paint the master bathroom and guest bedroom.

6. Use the old window I bought and frame a photo.

7. Try 10 new restaurants around our city.

8.  Start couponing.

9. Learn more about photography and take time to build a hobby of it.  Less lazy time, more learning.

10. Be more intentional on doing small things that honor my husband and show him I care.

11. Be intentional in my friendships.  Keeping in contact and making effort to build these relationships with women who build me up.

12.  Make a budget and stick to it.

13. Run a 10k.  Hopefully, the Cooper River Bridge run. 

I Believe In...

I believe a good vacation can cure anything.

I believe redheads have more fun.

I believe in naps.

 

I believe that puppy and hubby cuddles are the best kind of cuddles.

I believe in family time.

I believe in taking time out for yourself.

I believe in loyalty.  The kind that won't leave you when you need it most.

I believe in human connection.

I believe in having fun.

 

I believe in forehead kisses and holding hands.

I believe in laughter.  The kind that makes you cry.

I believe in God's perfect timing.

I believe in singing like you're on a stage while driving.

I believe in taking your own pillow when you travel.

I believe ice cream is the best dessert.  Any flavor.

I believe in NC State sports.

I believe in forgiving but never forgetting.

I believe in big comfy shirts and running shorts.

I believe in always wearing earrings.

I believe in challenging yourself to step out of your comfort zone.

 

I believe that Jesus is Lord  and His way is the only way.

If You Really Knew Me...

I have seen several of these posts floating around the blogging world and I thought it would be a fun thing to join.  So here ya go!

If You Really Knew Me, You Would Know...

...I am the most indecisive person on the planet.

 I think it is a woman's trait in my family.  Get us together and we can't make a decision to save our lives.  It goes like this..."Hey, where do you want to eat?  Oh, it doesn't matter to me, you choose.  No, you choose."

...I hate vegetables.  

Seriously, the only vegetables I like are spinach leaves (like in a salad) and butternut squash (does that even count as a vegetable??)

...I love reggaeton, especially when I am working out.

Nothing gets me more pumped up while running than a little PitBull.  It brings out my gangsta side.

...I love speaking Spanish.

I have a minor in Spanish and studied abroad in Peru.  I love when I have an opportunity to speak it.  

...I am very sensitive.

I will cry at the drop of a hat.

...I hate taking my shoes off in a dressing room.  

I always try to stand on top of my shoes because the dressing room floors freak me out with all their germs and nastiness.

...I am a tomboy at heart.

I grew up playing softball and basketball and I love getting outside and doing adventurous things.  I don't get the opportunity enough.

...I am a hopeless romantic. 

Anything about love makes me melt.

If You Really Knew Him, You Would Know...

...He is the most patient person I have ever met.

He balances me out because I have the patience of a two year old.

...He will make up a song about anything.

He will walk around the house singing about a pot if you asked him to.  Hilarious.

...He spoils our puppy way more than I do.

I'm concerned for when we actually have human children.

...He is a nerd at heart.

He grew up playing in chess tournaments and was 2nd in the state at one point.

...Like any man, he loves watching football.

Every Sunday during football season is consumed with endless hours of football games.

...He has a knack for making people laugh and feel comfortable.

He will instantly be your friend.

...He makes the best french toast.

Every Christmas, chef Brandon cooks up a french toast feast.  Nom Nom.

Quirks

I don't know if it is a result of getting older (yep soon to be 25...eeek), finding myself, increased awareness, or just plain weirdness, but I have noticed recently these little unique things about myself that make me laugh.  Not only me, but Brandon eats up these little quirks and he doesn't hesitate to jab at them (in a loving way of course).  But, here you go- some crazy quirky characteristics about me.

First, I am high-five impaired.  Seriously, I can't land a high five straight on to save my life.  Brandon makes me practice with him.  Yes, this is true.  Don't you learn to properly high five when you are like...say five??  It never works.  I'm self-conscious about it.  Every time someone raises their hand in gesture of a high five my stomach tenses and I get all nervous.  I'm like "just aim girl, just aim".  

Secondly, I cannot park on the right hand side of the car.  I always end up straddling the line of parking spaces.   I'm one of those cars that you just want to key their car because they are so incompetent, yes I am one of those, but only on the right side.  I can park pretty well on the left.  

I can't stand someone talking in my ear. Brandon will do this on purpose.  He will make it so his voice is low and sends the vibrations straight into my ear canal.   It sends chills down my spine.  Seriously, sitting here typing this makes me cringe.  Even for a while afterward I tense up and am afraid it will happen again.  Ew, shivers.  

These are just a few of my crazy quirks.  I giggle about them, but they make me who I am.  What kinds of quirks do you have??

Tag, I'm It

I was tagged by Megan at and today was a fairytale.

the rules: 

1. you must post the rules

2. post eleven facts about yourself on the blog post

3. answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post,

 and then create eleven new questions to as the people you've tagged

4. tag eleven people and link them on your post

5. let them know you've tagged them

Eleven Facts About Me

1. I am a really picky eater, like I eat hardly zero vegetables (I know it's horrible)

2. When I get sleepy or hungry you better watch out because I become the devil.

3. I love corny jokes, they crack me up.

4. I have really big feet.  Size eleven baby!

5. I am a die-hard wolfpack fan and I despise the tarholes.

6. I hate wearing tennis shoes.  I only wear them if I am doing some sort of physical activity.

7. I hardly ever buy clothes at full-price.  I love a good bargain.

8. Brandon's nickname for me is wienerschnitzel.

9. I used to hate being a redhead, now I love it.

10. I really want to be on the Amazing Race.

11. I have a terrible sense of direction. 

Megan's Questions

1. how do you start your days?

I have to get up and get ready for work, so it's a quick shower, makeup, blowdry, clothes.  Then I take care of Piper. Take her on a walk, feed her, etc.  Then it's off to work.

2. whats your favorite movie of all time?

The Notebook, hands down.

3. name one thing you miss from the 90's.

The TV shows like every show on TGIF.

4. if you won the lottery, whats the first thing you'd do with the money?

Pay off all of our debt (student loan, car, house).

5. if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I would love to live in Spain.

6. what do you want to be when you grow up?

I always wanted to be a counselor and I am so blessed that I get to do that work.

7. whats your biggest pet peeve?

When people chew their food loudly.  So irritating.

8. whats your favorite time of the year? and why

I love summer time because it's warm, no school, and I get to travel more often.

9. who's the first person you call when you need to vent?

Brandon or my mom.

10.  I think she forgot #10.

11. whats your favorite food?

steak and potatoes

My Questions

1. What is your favorite game to play?

2. What is something you do in your spare time just for yourself?

3. What is the most important trait to have in a marriage or relationship?

4. Where is your favorite vacation spot?

5. What is something you are proud of?

6. What is your favorite restaurant?

7. If you could visit one state/city in the USA what would it be?

8. What is the best present you ever received?

9. What is your favorite weekend acitivity?

10. What are you afraid of?

11. What is your favorite memory from 2011?

My tags

katy at all grown up

leslie at the dearmans

mckenzie at basil

bailey at lost and found

jena at recently roached

kristen at faith, fertility, and domesticity

kayleigh at a million little somethings

amy at fit new mama

tamara at t times three

kristina at my new wife life

jess at just rainbows and butterflies

Christmas Questions

I saw this idea just surfing the internet and thought it would be fun to answer some random Christmas questions.  We all have different traditions, likes and dislikes, and holiday quirks.  So here you go, my Christmas answers.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I think wrapping paper is more fun, I like ripping it off, but if it is a difficult item to wrap, then definitely baggin it.  

2. Real tree or artificial? DEFINITELY real tree.  I grew up having real trees.  I love the smell and going to pick it out (even if it is from Home Depot).  

 

Last year's tree, more to come on this year's

 

3. When do you put up the tree? AFTER THANKSGIVING, not a moment before.  This is a big thing for me.  I like to celebrate Thanksgiving and then move on to Christmas. 

4. When do you take the tree down? We take it down after New Year's.  I like to have a good month or so to enjoy it. 

5. Do you like eggnog? NO, GROSS.  I much prefer hot tea, hot chocolate, or apple cider.

6. Hardest person to buy for?Brandon and my dad.  Men are so difficult!

7.. Easiest person to buy for? My sister is pretty easy to shop for.  I know what she likes and she doesn't hesitate to tell me what she wants.

8.. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail.  I love opening the mail and seeing fun Christmas cards to open.

9. Favorite Christmas movie? Elf!  I'm not into the cheesy Christmas movies, but Elf is so cute.

10. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I'm usually late.  Maybe middle of December we start.  I know, I know.

11. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My parents always make steak dinner and Brandon's mom makes lots of little fun desserts like mint brownies, peanut butter balls, and fudge.  Oh, and Brandon always makes his delicious french toast Christmas morning!

12. Clear lights or colored lights on the tree? Growing up, we had colored lights, but Brandon and I decorate in all white.  I like the wintery feeling of white lights.  (more pictures to come of our decorations!)

13. Favorite Christmas song? I love Oh Holy Night.  It's such a powerful song and such a testament to what Christmas is all about.  

14. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We always stay home.  Both of our families live here, so no need to travel.  Although, I really want to travel somewhere tropical one year for Christmas in the sun.

15. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both.  We have my extended family's celebration on Christmas Eve, but immediate families on Christmas day. 

16. Favorite festive event?I love going to the Christmas Eve service at church.  It is a great way to enter the day and to celebrate our Savior's birth!  Plus, they always have really fun creative elements. This year's theme is Code Orange Christmas.

 

 

17. What do you want for Christmas this year? I would love to have an iPhone, but I know those are ridiculously expensive, so what I really need is work clothes, boots, a coat, and new shoes.

Did you know that...

I found this idea from Bailey over HERE and thought it was a cute and fun way to share some little things about me.  Hopefully you will join the fun on your own blog and I can read all about each of you.

Did you know that...

I am one-sixteenth Native American?  

My red hair, fair skin, and blue eyes totally gives it away, I know.  My great-grandmother on my dad's side was Native American.  I don't think any of those tan genes were shared with me, bummer.

 

I speak Spanish.  I am not completely fluent, but I can speak well enough to hold a conversation.  I got a minor in Spanish in college and studied abroad in Peru.  It comes in handy all the time in my job.

I really need to write a post about Peru.  It is an amazing country and this trip was one of the best experiences of my life.  I even got to backpack the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu!

I have to sleep on the right side of the bed (looking at the bed), even if it is just me.  It just feels weird on the other side.

I love sports and spend more time watching sports with the boys than shopping with the girls, in most cases.  

I've typically found that boys are easier to get along with than girls too, so it works out.  

 

Brandon and I both used to work at a movie theater. 

Yes, I used to work in the concession stand.  Sometimes I miss that job, the simplicity and fun.  Oh and the free movies.

 I hate flying in airplanes.
The only problem is...I love to travel.  It is a necessary evil that I must get to my destinations by air. 

I have insanely large feet.

It's true.  Size eleven.  It's so hard to find shoes that fit and that don't make my feet look like boats.  I'm only 5'5, so I just say I have a strong foundation.

I hope you all will join the fun and create a post with some fun facts.  I love getting to know each of you!!  Happy Monday Friends!