Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year to all my friends and blog readers!

I love that during the last quarter of the year, we have so many reasons to look back and appreciate the last 12 months! I know I just did my "thanks" on Thanksgiving but there is something about New Year's that makes me want to look back and be grateful. If you've read my blog since Thanksgiving then you already know that I'm most thankful for my marriage and my family! They are the two most important things in my life!

Looking forward, I am thankful for the new life that I know will come in 2012 (not from me though, don't go getting any ideas!). I know some people who are expecting and I couldn't be happier for them and the new chapters in their lives! Having my niece come into the world has renewed my belief in love and life, if I didn't know it before, I really do believe babies are pure joy and love, and they force us to focus on what's truly important!

I'm not usually a "resolution" person, but since I have the blog, I'll take a moment to talk about somethings that I'd like to focus on next year and then we can all hold me accountable, okay? :)

I always want to remain grateful and joyful. I need to remember that I am the only one who has control over those two statements. It is always my responsibility to count my blessings and focus on the good! With that, a negative attitude is always my responsibility as well. No one forces us to go there, not customers, not bosses, not husbands or mothers or friends or strangers, we all willingly jump down the rabbit hole to negativity and it's always harder to climb back up. No matter what, I always have many things to be thankful for and will continue to remind myself everyday. And it's my responsibility to create more situations to grow, learn and enjoy!


Health, health health..... This is a difficult one! I would say I am a moderately healthy person. I don't have any major health issues, I quit smoking in 2010 (yay!), don't drink too much, etc. Now, I'm not knocking down the door to the gym or in shape by any means (let's just leave that can of worms closed), but I'm just sayin that I'm not on the waiting list for a hear attack either.... However, I would say there is one part of my life where I really need improvement.....

If you know me IRL (in real life), which I think you do (if you don't, comment on the blog so I know you are reading!) - then you'll know that my favorite thing to do is EAT!!! I don't always eat the most healthy food though , while I do enjoy salads and fruits and veggies; things like chips, turkey sandwiches, pickles, chili cheese fries, pasta - those are my faves (wow now I'm hungry!).  I need to focus more on eating less processed foods, and not eating "out" so much. If I eat more whole foods and foods that I prepare myself, then I have more control over my health (and my weight) also, it will cost less $$! George and I are so busy that we pretty much take any excuse to pick up dinner vs. cooking! We are foodies for sure, but we need to kick the health up a notch! And spend less $$$!

Also WATER! you may also know that I am a Coca-cola addict (almost typed coke addict there but didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea, haha!). There is always more and more evidence that drinking water has immense health benefits. It's great for digestion, skin care, getting rid of waste and toxins - I could go on and on! I need to get into a better water routine! Maybe I only get a coke that day if I drank 1 or 2 bottles of water already? 

It seems like I'll start a food or water routine but I can only keep up with it for about 30 days before I go back to my old ways. I know that looking at it as a "lifestyle" and change in moderation are keys here. I can't just say "I'm going to drink 64 ounces of water everyday and only eat out once a month and......" It's too extreme and it won't last. I need to make sustainable changes for a healthier lifestyle. Any one have tips or methods to help me out?

Well, this post kind of took on a life of it's own there, didn't it? :)

So, help keep me on track next year would ya?  If you see me griping and crabbing about stuff (never happens, i know) then tell me to be grateful! If you see me eating chili cheese fries, back away slowly and don't touch them! But then email me a nice healthy recipe later.

What are your goals for next year?

Happy New Year!!!!!

She is love.

The subtle smell of innocense
The simple longing for love

Relishing in this infinite joy
I don't want to give it up

This love belongs to me
Although it is not wholly mine

Her eyes barely open
Unable to take it all in at once

Minute by minute our hearts grow
Bigger even than our imaginations had planned

She is sweet, she is soft, she is warm
She is ours, she is love.


It's been a long time since the threads of a poem came out of this brain. However, we find inspiration in the tiniest of things :).

Almost an Auntie

Any day now I am going to become an Auntie! Within the next 7 days (hopefully!), my sister-in-law will be giving birth to what I am sure will be the most beautiful baby girl that has ever been born!

My SIL and I have been waiting for this moment, probably since she got engaged to my brother! My mom, on the other hand, has been waiting for this her whole life! The next generation in our family is upon us and I know we all truly couldn't feel more blessed.

Being an Auntie is going to be so fun!!! I especially feel lucky that I will be an Auntie before I am a mom. I think it's better this way because, duh, hand-me-downs, haha! Just kidding, kind of. For real though, I'll really get to focus on helping my SIL and being there for my niece, I simply cannot wait!

All of this has got me thinking, what does it really mean to be an Auntie? I know I will be there to love and support this child, along with my brother and SIL. It's so much more than that though. A relationship between and Auntie and her niece is a treasured thing. You can be so many things to this little girl all at the same time. How does one even know where to start? Luckily, I had many amazing experiences with my own Aunties to help me figure it out.

- Being an Auntie means brushing your niece's hair when she complains that her mom is too rough.
- Being an Auntie means letting your niece wear your fancy earings whenever you come and visit.
- An Auntie is there to back up the mom when the child gets unruly.
- An Auntie will take her niece for the night, weekend or week when the parents need to get out of town.
- An Auntie will try to get her niece to eat brussel sprouts.
- Being an Auntie means letting your niece stay with you on spring break (bonus points if you live somewhere tropical)!
- An Auntie will leave her niece a note when she thinks her bedroom is far too messy - and offer to help with the cleaning and reorganizing.
- An Auntie will make you special food without onions.
- Above all else, being an Auntie means being a friend.

I am so greatful for all of my fabulous Aunties who've taught me everything I know about this job.

Love you all!

"Only an Auntie can spoil you like a Grandma, love you like a Mom and keep secrets like a Best Friend."

Happy Birthday Lulu!!!!!

Today our beloved Brittany, Lulu Belle, turns 3 years old!!!!!

For her special day I made her a cake with bananas and maple syrup!!!

We sang her happy birthday and she gobbled up her treat!

Yes, I know I am a dork :)

Enjoy your Sunday!!!