Lucky and Loved: Snapshots of Valentines

I hope everyone had a happy and warm holiday weekend - full of chocolate, wine, cheesy chic flicks, friends and lots of LOVE.  Oh, and I hope that lots of you were able to extend your 3 day weekend into a 4 day weekend by enjoying a SNOW day at home Tuesday.

We spent the weekend in State College, PA visiting my sister, her husband and the world's cutest little nephews.  Dave studied. I read. We talked and laughed and were climbed all over by my 3.5 year old nephew (Jack). Poor thing -- lots of cold weather days with no opportunity to run around makes you REALLY antsy!  I flipped through Marley's new cookbook and drooled over recipes I want to try. I took a nap and went to bed early and played with puzzles and snuggled a 5 month old.  I made a new recipe (low fat breakfast casserole) and enjoyed Marley's cooking. Sunday, when it was REALLY cold (below zero temps), I took Jackie boy out for ice cream. (The kid could eat "chocat" ice cream with sprinkles ANY time of the year!)

Dave bought me lovely flowers (which I sadly forgot to bring home) and a massage which I can't wait to use!  I bought him a framed print, spring polo (wishful thinking that SPRING will arrive quickly right?!?!?), socks (adults get socks as a Vday gift -- especially when SAID adults whine about not having enough socks weekly).  We enjoyed a Valentines brunch with my sister and brother in law's friends - and dinner out at Happy Valley Brewery.

All in all, it was a relaxing weekend - which I needed and enjoyed. The only stressful moment was braving the grocery store on Monday when we returned -- shopping at the end of a 3 day weekend before a snow storm hits is a bad idea.  But, we literally only bought apples, eggs, milk and bread last week - and girl scout cookies, so shopping was a must.  Fortunately for us, that brief stressful moment was followed by a deliciously lazy snow day (another post for another day). Long live the 4 day weekend!

Here of snapshots of all the love in our lives this weekend:

Valentines Flowers....

My little Valentines...

Valentines Double Date to HAPPY VALLEY BREWERY......

Sunday loving with my "hood-lum"

Ice Cream Trip with Jackie boy -- in negative temps.  This is the best picture you can get of him when you try to distract him from ice cream to take a picture.  Photogenic right??  And this kid can inhale some ice cream......

I hope your lives were filled with love and friendship last weekend too!

To the one who loves me so well

I've never been a big Valentines lover-- but the reverse is also true: I have never been a Valentines hater.  It's a fun day to enjoy cheesy cards, gorge on way too sweet chocolate and drink a glass or two of wine.  I celebrate with Dave but it's rarely a big deal -- for example, last year we just grabbed burgers at Good Stuff Eatery. When I was single, It was never a hard day for me to endure.  I never felt I was missing out and I never felt unloved. (Just remember, chocolate and wine can be enjoyed with or without a man) Unlike other major holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, New Years, I've always viewed Valentines as a fun commercial holiday meant mostly for children.  It was a fun excuse to celebrate, but nothing more!

But, this year is different. Never have I been so grateful for my Valentine.  This week, life has thrown a major curve ball our way. (sorry to be cryptic, a different conversation for a different day) The past several days have been some of the hardest of my life. It's been a week full of pain, tears, lots of prayers and holding each other up. And as hard as the past several days have been, I am extremely grateful for my sweet husband. The praise that remains on my heart: "Thank you Jesus that I have Dave. Thank you that I don't have to do life's hard parts alone." Dave is the rock for our family - and having someone to share life's burdens with does indeed make the load a little lighter.

You see, the week before Valentines 2015 has seemed to be the darkest of times, not a time for red balloons, conversation hearts, flowers, love notes and heart shaped boxes of chocolates.  Yet, this Valentines, I have never felt more loved.  I have a dear husband who has loved me so well amid life's trials.  He has taken care of my physical needs, done more than his fair share of chores, held me when I cried, prayed over me, comforted me and tried so very hard to make me laugh.  He has honored the hard part of the vows (for better, FOR WORSE) in ways I never imagined. I know that not everyone is blessed in this way, so I am grateful, truly truly grateful. I am truly fortunate to have a husband that loves me so actively and purposefully, even when he, himself, is hurting.

At the moment, our many blessings seem hidden in brokeness. Some of our future hopes and dreams seem unclear and far away. But one thing I have never been more sure about is the man I married!!  Life may seem uncertain, but I have never felt more certain of who I am doing life with.

So, on a day that I typically view as over-commercialized and a bit coerced, this Valentines, I truly want to celebrate! My life is filled with love - from so many people, but most importantly from a man who lives his vows daily, not just on February 14th. I am blessed to love and be loved by such an amazing godly man.

I pray for 50+ years with this sweet man - and I know there will be as many downs as there are ups. But, I feel prepared for all of life's challenges, so long as I get to face them with Dave by my side.  I am so thankful for my Valentine who loves me just as well on February 15 as he does the day before. He makes me stronger, kinder, more hopeful and a better version of myself.  He reminds me to have faith and he reminds me of our blessings. He loves actively, not just with fluffy words and over the top gestures, but with real sacrifice, service and daily commitment. Most importantly, my husband points me to the One who loves me even better than he ever could.

Oh, and he makes me laugh constantly, still tries to flirt with me and has the prettiest blue eyes. I'm a very lucky girl to be loved by him- and this Valentines, I am aware of this blessing more than every before.

(Seriously, looks at those blue eyes!)

P.S. For you sweet single ladies who are still waiting, this is what I pray for you....Valentines Days (and ordinary days) full of love, commitment and sacrifice. I pray you find husbands that make your happy days even more joyful and your hard days a bit more bearable. (and of course I pray that you bring the same sense of joy, comfort and support to him!) Find a man who will hold you when you cry, pick up soup and crackers on his way home from work when you are sick, rub your back when you are pregnant and uncomfortable, take over the chores when you have an awful week at work, help you bathe the vomit off the sick kids and willingly pick up tampons at the store!  It may not be a scene from your favorite rom-com, but this, dear friends, is where love and life gets good :)

P.S.S. I think I may have said something above along the lines of  "this Valentines will not include a lot of candy, flowers, love notes, etc" That's partly a lie.  There will be chocolate and wine. Always wine.

Friday's Five: What I am Loving TODAY

Here are Five Random Thoughts for your Friday!  Happy Weekend Y'all!!!

(1) Auburn landed the #1 recruit in the country.

Y'all know I love me some SEC football.  And it all starts with signing day.  Sure, not all of the players pan out. Sometimes guys who are not ranked as 4 or 5 stars end up being the play makers. Sometimes the top ranked players do nothing. But, on a whole, a good recruitment does lend hope for good seasons in years to come.

Auburn had a rough season this year.  Not awful, just mediocre and full of regression.  But, with the recent hire of Will Muschamp as Defensive Coordinator AND a strong class (including #1 recruit Byron Cowart), Auburn fans have a reason to be hopeful that good seasons are in our future.

This is also a big deal because Auburn, although winning SEC championships, a National Championship and having a few recent undefeated seasons, has never (in recent memory) landed the #1 recruit.

(2) Happy Birthday Pres. Reagan

The former President would have been 104 today. 

(3) Homemade King Cake

As you can imagine, King Cake is a rarity here in our nation's capitol.  You can buy authentic King Cake from Bayou Bakery (owned by a Louisiana man) but it is expensive and large, so you are committing to a lot of King Cake. I bought one last year for a party, but D and I can't eat the whole thing! (correction, we shouldn't eat the whole thing....we probably could eat it) So, instead, I tried my hand at my own King Cake. Overall, I think that it was a success. It's not as good as a NOLA bakery's filled treat, but so much better than the cheap ones you can buy at the grocery store - and certainly better than nothing!  I used this recipe and will probably try it again, maybe making my own dough or trying a different filling.  I definitely think it's worth trying! Especially if, like me, you live miles and miles away from the South, but you still want some Mardi Gras goodness!

(4) Outer Banks Get-Away

Currently, the wind chill is in the teens -- so I may be torturing myself by thinking about summer and summer vacations......but I can't help it!  And, I would argue that for every moment that it makes me feel sad about the cold weather, it makes me equally as happy to daydream about the future!

D and I are flying home for a good friend's wedding and since the whole family will be there, we will be making a trip down to Rosemary Beach or one of the other 30A beaches in Florida for a family vacation after the wedding festivities!  But, as I have mentioned before, D and I have made a commitment to take at least one small vacay each year just us (or one day, just us and kids)  Our only requirements for this year's get away was that it had to be:

1.  nearby (just a short drive, no flights since we are flying to Atlanta in April and Mississippi in June)
2. a place that we could enjoy in just 3-4 days (since we will be reserving 6 vacation days for the wedding/family trip, we only wanted to make this a long weekend)
3. fairly inexpensive (I don't want to drop a lot of money on a short trip)

We decided to schedule our yearly trip over Memorial Day weekend since we already have Monday off, so all we have to do is take Friday off to make this a little 4 day trip. Although I was pushing for Charleston or Ashville, both were a pretty hefty drive for such a short time frame - especially on a holiday weekend when the drive will take even longer due to the traffic. So, we decided on the Outer Banks, a beach I have always wanted to visit -- with good restaurants, cute little towns and an Alligator wildlife reserve (guess who's excited about that? I'll give you a clue. His name doesn't start with a K) 

Our hotel is booked. It is official. So I am beach dreaming -- and excited for 3.5 beach days with D plus a whole week in Florida with my family.  The past two years, D and I have taken our trips to cities, so it will be nice to have some down time - a vacation with no obligations or sights to see unless we want to leave the beach.  Tonight, as I walk to the metro in my puffer coat and wool hat, I will be thinking of sunshine, beach reads, drinks with umbrellas, lots of yummy seafood - and of course the cutest travel companion.  Summer 2015 -- hurry up!

(5) Valentines Day with my favorite little boys

We are spending Valentines weekend with my sister and her family.  I bought fun pancake mixes (red velvet and pink with chocolate chips) so we can make heart shaped pancakes -- and I am picking up little happies** for the boys (and some to send to my sweet nieces in Mississippi). Holidays are more fun with kids!  Can't wait to love on those boys in just 7 days!

**for non southerners, a "HAPPY" is a small treat or gift for no real reason, "just because".  If your aunt comes to visit and brings you a new book and some candy, that's a happy. If you parents go on a trip to Napa and bring you back a bottle of wine, that's a HAPPY. 

Making our house a HOME: Master Bedroom Daydreaming...........

As I mentioned in my last post, one of my February goals is to tackle the remainder of our bedroom. Fortunately, we have the big items already -- only the fun stuff really needs to be added!

A little description of our bedroom. It is gray, white and yellow with some modern inspiration and a little deer influence (pillow, print, etc)  I will let you guess which of us brought the modern touches and which one loves deer :) We have a gray fabric heading, white bedspread and gray, yellow and white pillows with a mixture of light wood, gray and white furniture.  The floor has a gray and white chevron rug.

Things our bedroom has:

• furniture (2 dressers, bookcase, wardrobe, bed, desk, night stands)
• bedding (white, gray, yellow)
• lamps (2 gay lamps, 1 white)
• a few accessories ( a grouping of black and white wedding pics, a vase, framed pictures)
• rug (gray and white chevron)

Things the room still needs: A LITTLE MORE PERSONALITY!! 

• wall decor  -- some type of racks or ledges, framed prints and pictures, a center piece for above our bed
• a jewelry rack
• a desk makeover or possibly a new desk
• possibly - a couple trinkets/accessories to sit on our dressers/bookcase - but I don't like the too cluttered look and I like when these trinkets come over time, so this may be something I wait on -- mementos from travels, special memories, etc.
• painting/hanging the antler monogram I already purchased and hanging the white faux deer head

Here are some of the little "touches" I have been daydreaming about.....

(1) A few picture ledges - with photo canvases, framed prints, vases, trinkets, etc

Ikea has great cheap photo ledges - so I may be making a trip to Woodbridge, VA soon (it's our closest IKEA, 30 miles away....and I have been told by an authentic TEXAN that their Walmart sells Bluebell ice cream, so I could really make this a little morning trip, ha!)

(2) A painted antler monogram above our bed

*I have a wooden antler monogram already (ordered it when it was half off) but I have yet to paint it. I am leaning towards all white or maybe white antlers and a gray initial

(3) A hairpin leg desk

We inherited Marley and Bech's dining room table (which seats 6) - so our cheap Craig's list Ikea table has been re purposed as our desk..and I have been itching to give it a makeover. I love the simple look of a hairpin legged desk! We could possibly stain the top of our table and add hairpin legs. Or, for not much more, we could buy a cheap hairpin leg desk from Walmart (both Walmart and Target have cheaper mid century/modern lines now)  Although I would prefer to do the desk makeover, our table is a bit too big to be a desk -- we don't work from home, so our desk doesn't need to be big enough to seat a family of four! For that reason alone, I am leaning towards to Walmart desk (or some other cheap version) in order to save a bit more space in our room.

(4) An antler jewelry rack

I need a jewelry rack for above my dresser- and we might as well stick to the deer theme. Plus, most jewelry racks are boring and this is adorable.

(5) Fun prints/artwork for the walls and picture ledge.

(6) A white deer head

I actually already bought a faux deer head like this half off online.  I thought it was bigger than it was, so my original plan to hang it over our bed was swapped out for the monogram antlers.  However, I like the idea of placing a frame around it or mixing it in with other artwork somewhere else in the bedroom.  A fun modern twist on the traditional mount.

(7) POSSIBLY - a new white duvet cover

This is a big POSSIBLY.  I bought a really cheap duvet cover last year and it seemed to not stay on the comforter very well and we took it off. But, I don't think we gave it a good enough try, so I am going to pull it out of the closet, iron it and place it on our comforter with safety pins on the ends to hold things in place.  Eventually, I will splurge on a nicer one, but I am hoping I can put that off for awhile.  If my salvage project does not work, then I will start looking for a new cover.

Here's hoping this BEDROOM INSPIRATION post lights a fire under my booty to get to work! My goal is to finish about 75 percent of what I have left.  Considering 2 of my 7 goals include items I already have - and 1 goal is just a possibility, I should be able to make a serious dent in my list....that is, if I can quit being so lazy when I get home from work. (D*mn you, Netflix, sweatpants and comfy blankets.....)

Goal Setting

Woaaa.....we are already into FEBRUARY. 2015 seems to be moving quickly - although I have been dragging, so it's time to jump in full force, right?

I didn't make goals for January. I pretty much took the month off.  We spent a lot of time watching movies, going to bed early, reading and occasionally hanging out with friends.  We did not explore or enjoy our city that much. I did not tackle any big projects.  I hardly blogged.  I didn't decorate or organize.

The fall and the holidays were wonderful and fun, full of fellowship, family and travel, but after such a busy season, we needed rest, time together and no obligations! For everything, there is a season, right? And we had a wonderful "down" month. If only this season could continue awhile longer....

But, it's the second day of February and it's time to get back to business. Since it's my first month back in goal mode, I am not aiming too high - just a few small goals!

(1) Get our bed room 75 percent completed.

In the fall, we focused on decorating living spaces and the guest room, since that's the area company enjoys when they stay with us. But, with a lull in visitors over the next few months (NO ONE wants to visit DC during the nasty winter months...can't blame them!), I have decided to finish tackling our bedroom.  I want it to be a comfy space for us - perfect for cuddling and watching a movie, curling up with a good book or enjoying a Sunday nap! Luckily, we already have furniture and a few decorations, but I would love to hang more artwork, add a few framed photos, paint a monogram for above our bed (I have one already but it's been sitting in my living room, unpainted for a few weeks now....) I know I probably can't finish the entire room this month, but shooting for 75 percent completion seems doable -- plus, is anything every truly finished? I could always make a few changes to freshen things up, ha!

Small goals to make this happen:

• frame existing photos and artwork to hang on walls
• move NARNIA (what D lovingly named our wardrobe) into our bedroom
• paint our Antler Monogram for above the bed.
• Purchase some type of photo ledge to stack pictures and prints on
• invest in a few more prints, canvases, etc for the walls/photo ledge

(2) Work out 3 times a week. 

I always think it's a bit sad that I have to make working out regularly a goal.  Pre-DC, I worked out daily and even occasionally more than once.  It was a drug of choice during a stressful season and to be fair, the idea of wearing a white dress in front of 400+ people scared me into workout mode, ha! Also, gym time seemed more convenient and I felt comfortable running in my parent's neighborhood at night(which was by my office)

I'd love to one day be a workout daily person again, maybe even run another half marathon, but currently, I am shooting for 3 workouts a week. I was averaging 2-3 gym visits a week during January, so I think that this goal is achievable.

(3) Read at least one book.

Taking time to read (or sometimes on the metro, LISTEN) to books was a priority last year - and one of the only priorities in which I truly succeeded. I love reading, but when life gets busy, sometimes it's quick to go. However, taking time to dive into a good book is perfect me time and it keeps my mind sharp! I finished a couple books last month - and want to keep the reading goal up in 2015!

(4) Take time to make family goals.

In our Sunday School class, we just did a unit on family goals -- short term, mid range and long term goals.  One of the things we learned was to set a list of family core values, so we know what values we won't compromise to achieve our goals (IE, if our goal is to save money, but our value is charity, we shouldn't save a tone at the expense of not giving to others each month)  

The study also talked about making goals in all areas -- financial, spiritual, mental/physical, career, etc.  I really want D and I to sit down and make some goals and determine our family's core values.  We talk goals all the time, BUT having something in writing would be great.  Sure, we won't achieve everything, but it will be good to have guidelines and something to aim for.  Also, the couple teaching the class said that as you accomplish goals, you should add that to the family's accomplished goals list.  When you feel like goals aren't being achieved quickly enough, look at what all has been accomplished.  That was encouraging to me. I think of so many things D and I would love to accomplish but haven't - and then I look at what we did achieve last year and we have come further than I thought.

As our marriage continues and as we start a family, I would love to continue with yearly goal/value setting.  I am hoping to start small this year and learn what works for us  as far as a family plan.  We can readjust in the coming years until we find a goal format that works.

(5) Organize!

Things in our house have gotten sloppy.  Not dirty, per se, just a bit messy and disorganized.  Without so many visitors, our guest bed now hosts a big pile of clothing that I need to hang up.  Our kitchen cabinets are messy, no order at all.  I am not the type of person that needs every thing to be in its perfect place, but a little less mess would be nice.  I think I am going to make a small list of tasks -- like sort through drawers and get rid of items I don't wear or need, clean out cabinets, get rid of toiletries in the bathroom that we no longer use, etc  and each week this month, I can pick a couple tasks to accomplish!

(6) Don't over-commit.

One thing I loved about January was the fact that I had some time to rest and relax -- especially the first few weeks (as the last two weekends have been a lot busier)!  D and I made it a goal to limit our plans last month and it was so good for us -- particularly, so good for me since I am the one who tends to fill my calendar too quickly.  As I aim toward productivity again, I do want to reserve some down time each week!

What about you? Were you able to jump into 2015 - or were you sluggish through January like me?  Do you have any February goals?

5 Reasons Why I Love PARENTHOOD

D and I binged watched Parenthood last year on Netflix and then picked up with the last season this fall.  It is generally my favorite show of the week - and though I love a lot of comedies (Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, etc), I can't help but love this family drama and think that it's probably one of the best shows on TV.

Tonight is the last episode -- and as embarrassing as it is, I am mourning the end! I have fallen in love with the Braverman family and am not ready to say goodbye! I will have to find another show to fill the void.

Here are just 5 of the reasons I love this show:

(1) It's about a grown up family: Matriarch and Patriarch, their kids, and their kid's kids.

There are tons of family shows about young kids, teens, etc. but only a few family dramas dealing with grown up kids and their families.  This is the stage of life I am in, so I guess it's relatable.

Truth is, things are different when you grow up.  You have to learn to do what's best for your family and still try to respect your family.  You have your own schedule, but still try to stay close to parents and siblings. You witness these characters wading the same waters -- balancing family with extended family, working to stay close, disagreeing with siblings, etc.

(2) The characters are believable.

These characters face a lot of drama - but everyday drama that many Americans face like divorce, job loss, kids making poor decisions, unwed pregnancy, cancer, aging, kids with disabilities, marriage problems, infertility, adoption, etc.

We all understand at least one of these problems...unlike problems featured on other shows like being the President's mistress (Scandal), being caught between an American small town and fairytale land (Once Upon a Time), spending years plotting revenge on the people who took down your father (Revenge), being artificially inseminated on accident and becoming a pregnant virgin (Jane the Virgin), being switched at birth and reconnecting with your siblings (Switched at Birth), dating a presidential candidate(Brothers and Sisters).

FYI, the above listed are all shows I watch or have watched, so I like them, but sometimes, it's nice to watch a show that includes realistic challenges that either I or people I know and love are facing.

(3) The show provides hope amidst disappointment.

You've got two free spirit wild child siblings and two type A goody two shoes siblings. But, both the good siblings and the wilder ones make mistakes....as do their kids.  Although their mistakes have consequences, no mistake dooms a character.  It is challenging, but every poor choice on the show is survived and maybe even overcome.

(4)  This family loves each other.

This family is imperfect and like most families, sometimes just a little dysfunctional.  Sometimes they get into each other's business and say harsh things, but whenever difficult times come, they have each other's backs.

These days, its easy to portray the broken family.  It creates drama immediately which makes the writer's role a bit easier at times.  But, its much more difficult to create an entertaining show that reveals the complexities, ups and downs of an imperfect but loving family.  I think that's why so many people loved this show: we crave a happy but flawed family.

(5) The show has a proper ending

I hate when shows get notice halfway through the season that they will no longer be on air, so they try to tie up the loose ends in a few short episodes -- or even worse, when a show ends for a season and doesn't air the next season, so you never got a proper ending or goodbye.

I also dislike when a show goes on too long and doesn't end on a good note (like How I Met Your Mother, one of my favorite shows of all time that lost some of its charm in the later seasons....)

Parenthood is ending in none of those ways.  We have a proper goodbye, a whole season to watch and mourn and celebrate and see how things wrap up.  The show is ending before it started dragging on -- and because the writers and producers knew it was going to end, the show is not ending abruptly with huge question marks and unanswered questions.

I am sad to see the show end but I am glad that it is ending properly!

So, is it just me - or is anyone else mourning the ending of Parenthood? And, any suggestions of shows to watch to fill the void? 

What I learned in the past year of life

Last week was my birthday. Yes, on a 3 day weekend which was glorious! I was able to sleep in a bit (although does anyone our age really sleep in past 8:30? I rarely do...), do a few chores, spend time with D, catch up on Netflix and have dinner with another couple.

My birthday falls just 2.5 weeks after the new year begins, so January is always (for good or bad) a time of reflection. During rough years, simultaneously turning older and facing a new calendar year either felt overwhelming as if looking back reminded me of all I felt I did not accomplish in the prior 12 months or felt freeing, like a chance to escape!  On good years, saying goodbye to the previous year felt a little sad, as if the unknown new year couldn't possibly top the last year.

The past year was both good and bad, so although I remember it fondly, I am grateful to see what the next year holds.  Here are a few lessons (both serious and humorous) learned in my last year of life:

(1) Give it a year.

2014 begin with a lot of frustration and disappointment. I felt like my life was full of struggles and I was also hurting for others that were facing their own trials.  At the beginning of the year, it seemed that some challenges would never end -- and yet 12 months later, life is different and better in so many ways. This seemed to be a trend for many in my life - and for that, I am very grateful.

(2) (For us) Yearly vacations are worth saving and splurging on. We should try to travel every year!

DC, marriage, work or job searching, volunteer work, obligations, studying for exams (D, not me!) can be exciting but also exhausting and mundane.  Everyday life has plenty of wonderful moments, but it's the stressful or boring moments that spur my heart on towards a little adventure.  Last year in particular, I was still in a temporary job and we did not have tons of extra cash for travel, but we decided to plan, save and purchase one part of the vacation at a time (plane first, then hotel, then tour/museum passes, etc) in order to make a cheap-ish adventure happen.  After a happy but challenging year, we were able to travel to Toronto.  The timing was perfect - right after I had started a new job and right after we moved.  It felt like a celebration for surviving the past year and a chance to catch our breath. Having time to explore, relax and reflect with D was amazing! Plus, as a planner, spending time saving and planning for this trip helped get me through the long cold winter!

In the process of saving for this trip,  someone made the comment about how I claimed we did not have much money, but I couldn't be that poor if I could afford this trip. I admitted that I was not really that poor in the grand scheme of things but our first trying year in expensive DC taught us a lot about cutting back and saving. And, I will admit, I felt a little defensive at first about how we spent our money, but then I reminded myself that we all have things that are worth splurging or saving towards...and whether everyone agrees or not, travelling is our splurge. One person may like to drive a nice car, wear expensive clothing, live in a cooler neighborhood, eat out often, etc. As a couple, our main splurge is travel. This may change as we have kids, but I really hope it doesn't change too much! Time spent exploring - whether domestically or internationally - is important to us!

So, I guess my point is: travel may not be your thing, but pick one thing to save and splurge for -- a nice piece of furniture, a new purse, a new camera, camp for your kiddos, eating at a fancy restaurant once a month, etc. If something is important to you and doable - with a little sacrifice -- don't feel badly about it, make it happen. When life is tight and circumstances are frustrating, it's nice to have one little splurge or treat to save for and get excited about.

(3) Create new traditions.

We live far away from both our families, so creating some new traditions was essential.  Cooking thanksgiving dinner with friends two years in a row (the first year in DC, the second year in NYC) has helped us start to make this holiday our own. We have other traditions too  -- like packing picnics for outdoor summer movies, walking to Georgetown on spring saturdays for coffee on the waterfront (clearly that tradition will be changing now that we live further out...)  I can't wait to create a few new traditions for our little family this year (including maybe doing our own little Christmas dinner and gift opening before heading home...)

(4) Parenthood is the best show about families on TV and I will cry when it ends this week. Also, everyone should have an "escape" show that they binge watch on Netflix.

This is somewhat humorous -- but somewhat serious.  If you don't watch Parenthood, commit to binge watch this snow on Netflix. It's amazing and you fall in love with the characters.

If you have watched Parenthood, then commit to watch another show.  I am one of the few believers that TV is a good thing. Too much TV is a bad thing, but television (or services like Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime or Netflix) can be a great cheap source of entertainment -- and when it was so cold last winter and the job search was disappointing, I LOVED coming home, putting my PJs on and curling up on the couch with D for a good show and distraction. (For the record, pre-D, I had plenty of stay in and watch TV nights with my roomies)

Also, on that note, BUY A ROKU....you won't regret it.  It was the best investment we made during our first year of marriage because it provided endless hours of tv and movie entertainment.

(5) The whole "less energy" as you age claim is true.  

A few years ago, I could get a few hours of sleep and function well, but now, I need 8. (or more...)
At first this was upsetting, but now I am embracing it....9:30 bedtime anyone?

(6)  Sometimes all you can do is accept that there are differences or hurt feelings and move past it.

We all hope for resolution in relationships -- apologies, acknowledgment that you were wronged or hurt, a conversation where both parties aim to do better.  Sometimes relationships change, sometimes people let you down and sometimes you don't get resolution.  I think the past year has taught me to mourn that and then move on. It may not always get resolved.  That's life.

But, I think it's also taught me that when you can get resolution - for yourself or someone else, do it.

(7) It is a blessing to have someone to "do life" with.

Marriage is great -- you know, romance, true love, commitment, etc.  You know what else? Marriage is extremely practical and comforting.  When the car needs a new starter, when we have to file our taxes, when I am sick and can't manage to cook dinner, there is someone here to help.  After talking to a single friend recently who just wanted someone to split the load with her, I remembered what a blessing marital teamwork is.  I've done life alone and I've done life with a co-pilot and it's easier together. Having someone else take the car to the shop may not be romantic, but I think that's the best part of marriage - splitting chores and sharing life.

(8) Embrace what is.

Embrace what is -- don't I sound zen? (quit laughing, family)

My first year of living in DC did not turn out exactly like I planned. It didn't turn out badly, but where we live, our friends, where I work, where we go to church - all turned out differently than I anticipated.  This was hard at first, but once I started to let go of what I thought would be, I enjoyed what was a lot more. 18 months in, I am enjoying friends, work, even living in the 'burbs (some days, ha)!

(9)  Single people are cooler.

Ok, married folks, don't get your feathers ruffled....you know it's true.  I am not saying that there aren't some really cool married folks. But, as a whole, singles are more fun.  I love married life with D-- and I still make an effort to do happy hours and girls nights, but the reality is that I was way cooler as a single person. (D was cooler too.)  I threw a lot more parties. I was invited to a lot more parties. I went to more charity events. I had more friends. I went to fun bars and restaurants more often.

Part of that changed because I got married - and part changed because I moved somewhere where I did not have as many friends. Oh, and part changed because I live in a more expensive city and can't afford to "go out" as much.

I love married life, so this isn't meant as a complaint.  My point is: single folks, keep dating, meet new people, pray the right person comes along....but, in the meantime, live it up and have a lot of fun...these are your coolest days :)

Thankfully, I have a lot of single friends so I still have brief moments of coolness.

(10) Being an Ole Miss Fan is tough, so being a lifelong Rebel is a true commitment.

I should know better: Don't get your hopes up because the Rebs will choke. I learned this lesson from the greatest Rebel fan I know (my dad).  Also, I have been an Ole Miss fan for 30 years now so this should be a lesson I have learned and relearned. But, after an incredible start this season, I have to admit, my expectations were higher than usual.  Even after a loss, I still expected a good season. Seeing the season unravel was difficult and it was even harder to see the Rebels fall apart at the Peach Bowl.  Compared to past years, Ole Miss did well this season, but at one point, it seemed that they would do so much better.

For the record, I never really thought the Rebels would go to the playoffs, but I did expect a stronger finish!  Hopefully this is just the first of many good years, all a little bit better than the previous one.

(See that, a foolish fan -- always a bit optimistic!)