Thank you, 2012

There are so many things I want to improve in 2013—sleep more, exercise more, eat lunch, find love, blah, blah, blah.  2012 had some moments I’d like to forget, but there were also some really good ones!  Being the eternal optimist, of COURSE I will be focusing on the good… and maybe saving the resolutions for another day.  It is still 2012, after all.

Best Moments of 2012:

Finishing my first year teaching- To have made it through the year feels like an accomplishment in itself.  To have met an incredible group of kids and families, and made some of my best friends along the way, feels like a bonus!

Making my apartment cozier- by decorating it and making it feel like I live there!  Every time I have people over it feels like home, so I must do this more often in the new year!

Yet another Ohio visit- keeping this tradition alive, year after year, spending time with my amazing Ohio relatives.  They rock.

 

Discovering the beauty of Teachers College- where I can “nerd out” every time the opportunity arises to be sent by my district!

Traveling to Puerto Rico with my friend Amy, whom I have been close friends with for over ten years!  We experienced some unforgettable people and places-- can't wait to go back!

Visiting my baby sister at college, staying in her townhouse, and pretending I was 21 again!

 Experiencing Superstorm Sandy- staying with a close friend, eating, drinking, and playing Farkel… and lighting candles, lots of candles.  Also, hosting another friend and her daughter for a couple of nights, and remembering how fun it is to live with other people!

Celebrating Thanksgiving at home- with my three favorite people in the world!  Just us.  And food.  Lots of food.

Getting clear on what I want- opening my heart, putting myself “out there,” but eventually being reminded that God is the one in control.  And that we get what we need when we need it!

 source: indulgy.com

2012 was good to me.  I can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store!

Merry Christmas

 This is my absolute favorite part of the year.  I’m not sure if it’s the traditionalist in me (carols playing constantly, sugar cookies, and sparkly decorations, year after year), the religious nut in me (happy birthday, Jesus!—not afraid to say it), the family lover (whether we stay in or out it is BEYOND too much together time, and just how I like it), or the optimist in me (to quote Buddy the Elf, “Smiling’s My Favorite!”).

In spite of my love affair with the Christmas season, this is a time also filled with pain, nostalgia, and even suffering for many people.  We mourned the loss of precious babies not many days before, there are still many struggling with the effects of Hurricane Sandy, and my own sweet great aunt Sally went home to be with God the day before Christmas Eve.  I held all of these things in my heart on Christmas Eve, and the service was a little more somber for me than I remember it.

My minister is brilliant and that night he said something to the effect of, “In order for God to save the world, there has to be a world worth saving.”  Christmas is a time for decking the halls, eating too much, and cheering when the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes (at least, that's how we do in first grade!).  But it’s also a time to remember that God sent us His son to be in the world with us, to be next to us as we experience pain, and to give us hope for a future that’s beautiful.

               

 So this Christmas was filled with memories, as well as joy.  I celebrated that I have family and friends in my life who care about me, and who serve as examples of people who truly love life.  I celebrated a God that loves us more than we can comprehend.  And I made sure to drink in each moment, remembering that life is short, but still good.

Rockin a mini-dress and sparkly heels on Christmas Eve!

Jammies pic... waiting for Santa!

I <3 these people

Merry Christmas.