Date Night!

I am one of those "please don't make me do anything after work during the week" type girls- especially when it involves driving back downtown. So Sunday we decided to have a date night on Friday night. Then my hot shot husband won a sales contest, and we got free tickets on the ice to the Predators game for Tuesday night. We know very little about hockey. But, it was an absolute blast! We are pretty sure we cheered when we were supposed to, and we even got to yell "you suck" to the other team (Calgary Flames- shout out to our Canadian Honeymooning friends!!!). All in all, date night was a huge success-- even better that we didn't have to pay for anything!!

  

Weekend *Life* Recap

Since I have been swamped at work (I really don't even have time to be doing this, so shh.), I am going to do a weekend/life recap. I usually don't talk about work in blogland, simply because no one wants to hear about work and I don't really want to talk about it unless I am there! BUT, I have a lot of huge opportunities coming up, some this week-some this quarter, and I am thrilled. None are guaranteed, but they open a lot of doors for me, which is exciting.

SO here is a quick recap:

[-] Lila is recovering from surgery like a true champ.

[-] Patrick has officially been a local for a week now. Aka, his transfer went into effect last Sunday. Hooray! No seriously, hooray!!!!

[-] We are on the search for a house... still. Rome was obviously NOT built in a day. But this also coincides with our upcoming opportunities.

[-] We decided not to run the Country Music Marathon this April. It was a heart breaking decision, but it is way too expensive for the both of us to run in. We are going to pick another that doesn't cost over $100 just to run! My running friend/partner, Jordyn, decided not to for certain reasons, so that made it all the more clear what our decision should be! We are all still training, so at any time we will be able to just go do one! Yes, WE are training together... this should be fun.

[-] We are going to Destin in May, too!

[-]  This weekend is PACKED and I am sooo excited. Date night Friday- long overdue. Girls day/night Saturday with two of my sweet friends/bridesmaids... again- long overdue. Sunday- Seahawks game.

[-]  I think that is all for now. I guess I need to get back to work!

Cheers to 2013

I have never been one to go crazy about NYE. However, my sentimental nature absolutely loves reflecting on what I have learned this year, and what I want next year to be like. In the words of the great Taylor Swift, "you can plan for a change in the weather and time..." Other than that, it is completely unexpected what will happen in 2014. I have big goals. I have small goals. However, the goals aren't really that important. If you think about it, the top goals made on NYD are rarely met. Why? In my opinion, the reason is obvious. People don't think about and plan for the steps and daily tasks that will need to happen in order to get to that goal. I have been reading a lot of Emily Ley's blogs and her friend Lara, and a common theme seems to really be tugging at me: making things happen.

I have learned so much this year in my own life, and from others' lives as well. I am continuing to learn these things. I do not have it all together by any means, but I have had moments where the light bulb just came o and these truths became so evident.  Here are some highlights of that.

• Invest in a marriage, not a wedding.
• Communication is everything.
• Your words matter. Think carefully before you speak, text, tweet, email, etc. You never know who you are impacting with your words. 
• Friends will let you down, and sometimes, their words and actions will really hurt you. Forgive them. Whether they even know it or not. 
• Comparison is the thief of joy.
• Let go of things you cannot change. And stop trying to mold yourself into someone else's idea of what you should be.
• Social Media can be a wonderful thing. Are you using it wisely? If it were posted on a billboard, would you be proud or embarrassed? Again- your words matter.
• Love. Love with all you have.
• Work hard. You can take a break later.
• The only thing stopping you from being great is what sits on your shoulders.
• Don't wait for permission or acceptance. Just do it. ( unless it's with your husband ;) )
• You become the average of the 5 people you interact with the most. Choose Wisely.
• Failure is not a word in your vocabulary.

My goals for 2014 are broad. Each month I am going to focus on specific goals within each in hopes that I continue to grow. The past few weeks I have spent a lot of time thinking about a verse that would tie everything from 2013 to my goals of 2014 and this one keeps coming to mind. I have placed it where I will see it every day in hopes that I will constantly be reminded:

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you O Lord... Psalm 19:14 

In 2014 I plan:

• To continue to learn.
• To invest in my marriage.
• To invest in relationships.
• To be intentional.
• To live a life of loyalty, integrity, and hard work. 

Circling back to my intro, I saw this quote on Lara's blog about making things happen. It is such a great motivation to me! I made it all cute and whatnot on an app.

 

Cheers to 2013, let's do this 2014! 

Pressing Pause

For the next thirty or however long it takes me to type this minutes, I am just going to press pause on life. Technically you can't do that, but I just want to sit and enjoy this past week/weekend. As I have mentioned before, I have been going through a really hard time these past two months. Yes, I know it could always be worse, and I am so grateful for this crazy life. But I just couldn't shake the funk I have been in. And let me tell you, this week has definitely been an answered prayer.

Patrick has officially been extended a transfer offer. Um, can I get a "PTL!!!" This has been such a weight lifted off our hearts. Traveling two hours 4-5 times a week has been really hard on us as a couple. Not only has it impacted us financially, but emotionally as well. I will actually get to see him, and we can both look at house together! As soon as he told me, I literally dropped the phone and started crying. It was that big of a deal.

Lila finally had her hip(s) surgery. Man, it's been pitiful watching her lay there absolutely helpless. I know it will be worth it in the end, but it's been a challenge!

We went to a Christmas party Friday night, and I am so glad that we did! Patrick made a few friends, and I got to catch up with some that I rarely get to see! Moving to a state where you know a very few amount of people can be difficult. So, I was really happy that Pat got that opportunity to meet people he has things in common with!!

I got my new Emily Ley planner in the mail! It is SO worth the money and wait. It is perfect for work and life!

Here is to appreciating the next few days, and taking time to realize what truly matters most!

Weekend Recap

This weekend was a blast! It was full of everything that I love most!

 

 I got to spend some quality time with one of my dearest and oldest friends, Jordyn.




We ran the Nashville Rudolph's Red Nose 5k. Well, we ran a little and laughed a lot.

Oh, Patrick graduated! Woohoo!!!! I am so excited about this next chapter in our lives. And want to know what is even better? I get to spend every evening with him this week! Talk about a blessing!

 

 

Cheers to a New Year Part 2

April, May, and June. The most jam-packed months all year.
Joining the Link up with the gals on the button at the bottom!

April:

My birthday month. Big 2-3. 

First time I had ran 8 miles.

Engagement pictures. In the rain. 

 

My Matron of Honor's (Bailey) bridal shower. 

We go to the Jason Aldean, Jake Owen, and TR concert in Knoxville. 

 

 

Caroline, maid of honor, buys her first home! I wasn't directly a part of this, but it definitely was worth recapping!! What a huge accomplishment!

Taryn and I start planning Bailey's bachelorette. 

May:

I went to Philly for a training for my future work. Loved the history of this city, so fascinating. 

My friend Jordyn and I decided to run our first half marathon in September.

I graduated college, Cum Laude. 

Started my career the following Monday. 

Bailey's Bachelorette.

 

June:

Bailey gets married.  

2 Minute Microwave Fudge

Yes, you read that correctly. Here is my favorite, quick & easy fudge recipe. And, it is literally fool proof. It may not be the most nutritional food I will ever put on here, but it is so yummy!

Ingredients:

3 2/3 cups of Confectioners Sugar
1/2 cup of Hershey's Cocoa
1/4 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Butter (1 Stick, I use 1/2 stick to save some calories)
1 Tablespoon Vanilla

Directions:

Combine all ingredients except vanilla into a large microwavable bowl. Cook for 2 minutes in microwave. Stir ingredients until smooth. Blend Vanilla into mixture. Spread into a pan lined with foil. I put mine in the refrigerator to cool. 

Tips:

If the sugar seems to be more "clumpy" than fine, sifting before microwaving may help smooth the sugar so it blends better.

You can also make this however thick or thin you like by how thin you spread into the pan. If you like thicker fudge, then do not spread it as thin.