fourteen!

A New Year has just begun and while i keep thinking back to 2013 I can't help but wonder how we can top 2013.  Call me a little sentimental!  Our little  family had awesome vacations in 2013.  We kicked off the year at Disney World,  had a relaxing time at Amelia Island, celebrated a bachelorette in Vegas, were part of gorgeous wedding in Rosemary Beach, unplugged on a camping trip in Canada,  celebrated the fall in mountains with family, and David went hunting for week with his Dad and Brother.  David's company Dogwood Homes built some pretty amazing homes and I had a several families leave an impression on my heart at work that will always impact me and my nursing career.  Our boys have grown bigger and remain joyful and healthy.  
As I look forward to 2014 I can expect that a dear friend will move faraway in early spring to London.  This bittersweet move will hopefully lead to new adventures for my own family in land of the Royal Family.  I hope to slow down and learn to sit and read a good book with a cup of tea way more often than I do currently.  We  only made one resolution as a family:  to use kind words towards each other.  I'm  hoping this will help the boys {and us} learn to find better words to express their anger and frustration when playing together. 
So cheers to a 2014!

looking forward...

When i stumbled upon this picture tonight ...I thought that is exactly how I feel after all the holidays are over. Now that we aren't dreaming of a white christmas, we are just waiting for it to warm up again so we get to the beach! This girl is even wearing her white jeans with her winter coat. All this coming from a girl who thinks of the beach as home away from home.

Have you made any resolutions yet? With two sick boys I keep forgetting about New Years let alone a resolution.

Happy New Years...

Happy New Year!  You can't start the new year without looking back at your previous year...

2011 was a big year for us as a family.  2011 jump started quickly for us as David found himself umemployed...which propelled him forward into starting his own company Dogwood Homes.  I couldn't be more proud of what he has accomplished and how much one man can balance.  We celebrated our 5th wedding Anniversary in Maui as a family of three.  Came home to find ourselves growing to family of four--- biggest news of our year! 

We celebrated Ethan's 2nd birthday and find ourselves thankful everyday for him.  You never know how much love you can have for a person until have your own child.  He brings us more smiles and laughs in one day than most people have in a month.  He has had a very big year himself:  swimming, starting dayschool, potty training, losing his pacifier, and conversating.  We can't wait to see him in his new role as big brother. 

When writing this post I came across these photos of Ethan that were taken in Maui.  I had planned to post them to the blog and never published them because we were flying home when I made the post. 

So I says cheers to your New Year with my non-alcoholic glass of bubbly!


- Posted from my iPad at 34,000 feet in the air!

eleven...

Happy New Year! After the rush of the holidays, I am starting this new year out wishing I were beach side watching Ethan make sandcastles. My favorite moments of 2010.....singing happy birthday to Ethan, watching David design and build our house, and the simple moments that come with every day with a toddler. The hardest moment....walking out of our first home for the last time after we sold it. Here's hoping twenty eleven will be one to remember! I know I have long to do list already: potty training, weaning a paci, countless hours of photo organization.... So lets ring in the new year with a smile and a strong cup of coffee.

resolutions...

our big moment in 2009

I always love to hear other's resolutions for each new year. Mine always seem a little a dull and expected: eat better, pray more, workout on a regular basis, stop saying bad words, and such. This year, I want to focus on doing things that make you feel good inside and out. Yeah, I know, kinda a broad topic. However, this works into my day to day and I believe the less complicated the resolution is, the easier it is to be mindful and try to adhere to it. Here are a few of my favorite resolutions I've heard other's say:

~ "I am a planner, list maker, and a do-things-by-the-book kind of gal. This year I am going to throw all that stuff out and focus on the present" (a resolution that sounds perfect for me)

~change hundreds of diapers, sleep less, fold lots of onesies and love my new baby will all my heart and soul (mom-to-be)

~"I will use the computer less and spend time in the real world, with my young children"

~"nothing"

~"Work harder at accepting people the way they are"

~"be a better person"

Whatever resolution you made this year, I hope 2010 brings peace and joy to you and your family. 2009 was an amazing year for us...the year we were given our sweet baby boy. It was also a year that we watched the economy head south and watched our family and friends experience the effects. However, it made us all slow day and focus on what is really important to us. Cheers to 2010!

Resolutions

Happy New Year! Here are my 2009 Resolutions.

1. Learn to "LET IT GO" this is about my OCD/Type A" ness". I can't relax with polishing the furniture first, and putting away dishes, etc...
2. Think positive = Be positive.
3. Take time for myself. This one will be hard with a new baby:) But going to the gym first and errands second.
4. Floss More. It's the last thing I want to do when I've worked 3 in a row and am tired.