hello 2013...i've been waiting for you!

I hope you all had a wonderful & safe New Year! Ours was great. A friend of ours threw a little get together at her house since a bunch of us were pregnant this year and couldn't go out and partake like we normally do. To recap the night, there were 7 couples and 22 children running around. Oh yeah...we were one of the couples and baby Jackson doesn't count yet. Michael got a crash course in daycare that night. :) It was a blast though because I still got to get dressed up and ring in the New Year with some great friends.

So now that the Christmas decorations are coming down and the gifts have been handed out; I thought it was the perfect time to recap 2012 with my favorite and fail moments of the year.

My favorite moment, hands down, was finding out we were pregnant. We were able to celebrate it with friends & family and I will never forget the hub's face when he found out we were having a little boy. I still can't decide if it was pure excitement or fear because he knows what he was like as a kid. Haha.

My fail moment was realizing that I wasn't able to complete last years resolutions...and I wasn't even close. :(

I am not giving up on myself though, so I am going to log my 2013 resolutions in now. Hopefully I can change it to a favorite!

1. Loose the baby weight (after Jackson is born of course). There really shouldn't need to be any need to explain this one...
2. Get more organized. I figure if I put it down as a resolution enough times it has to stick eventually...right?
3. Document, Document, Document. My dream is to document Jackson's first year the way I've documented my pregnancy. The only problem is sometimes I've fallen behind and posted things late on here. While I know that shouldn't matter in the grand scheme of things, my goal is to post updates on his life as they happen instead of weeks later. 
4. Be more productive. I've used this pregnancy to my advantage when it came to things that I didn't want to do. While I am sure I am not the only person who's done it, I still want to get off my bum these last few weeks and get stuff done!
5. Lay off the soda. I liked how Jessica @ LittleBabyGarvin ended her list with slowing down on a food item and figured my first resolution might benefit if I did the same. :)

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Progress Check...No More Shopping!

1) Start saving more money.

I really hate the fact that my very first resolution is a total fail since I have taken a few steps backwards on this goal. I have gone shopping more in the last 2 months than I had for the entire first part of the year. We have spent money on the house, medical bills and travel arrangements. Maybe I will make this my number one goal for the next few months. Hmmm. I wonder how long I can refrain from shopping? My guess... 2 days.

2.) Become more organized.

This is a forever battle. My house is getting there but it is a very slow, never ending process. I have 4 animals and a husband that has more "toys" and shoes than a 2 year old.

3.) Get toned.

Getting there. The hubs just told me the other night that I was looking really good! *pats self on back* :)

4.) To go more green and natural.

This was the easiest of them all. Aside from bleach for clothing, everything in our home is organic, "green" or all natural. I am officially doing my part.

5.) Give myself some more "me" time.

Ahahahaha. Next.

6.) Learn to cook nicer dishes as well as easy, in a pinch, dishes.

This would be much easier to do if I was actually home in the evenings... I signed up for a class earlier this month, so now I just need to wait for August to take it. It's a good thing the hubs likes  Mac & Cheese, pizza, and salads. :)



Looks like I have a ton of work to do. Maybe a glass (or 5) of wine will make it easier...

Sunshine & Summertime!

Well tonight marks the official start of summer 2012. Normally I am not a summer girl, but this year something is different. I couldn't say what it is... but I am actually excited for summer!

I noticed this morning that there were a whole lotta summer bucket lists popping up on my feed this morning and I thought it would be fun to participate. It also reminded me that I need to update my progress on my 2012 resolutions. Anyway, here are some of my "must do" things for the next few months...

• Go camping at least three times.
• Host at least five BBQ's with family and friends.
• Set-up a girls night out with some of my favs. It will include bars & heals since both of those rarely make a debut in my life lately.
• Travel down to SD to meet baby DeCarie.
• Declutter the house...especially the closets!
• Take the dogs for a walk at least 4 nights a week.
• Read three books a month.
• Go to the beach/ river at least twice this season.
• Save money.
• Try at least five Pinterest recipes.
• Get a tan!
• Enjoy summer and relax a little.
• Take lots & lots of pictures!

What are your summer "must do" items this year?

30 Before 30 Bucket List

So I am still on the hunt for new and fun blogs to follow. In my opinion, one of the best parts of putting my life out there is reading about how others live! Well, during my hunt yesterday I found Jess from Kentucky Priss. One of her most recent blogs was a 30 Before 30 List and was very intrigued. While I still have 3 more years before I turn 30, I do think it's smart to plan ahead a little. I don't want to wake up one day and think to myself "Wow, I'm 30...where has the time gone?!"

In an attempt to prevent that thought from crossing my mind, here is my 30 Before 30 Bucket List (in no particular order):

1. Attend my reunions. I am on the fence about this topic...
2. Finish the Interior Design program and put it to good use.
3. Learn how to drive a stick.
4. Be approved at Big Brother Big Sister and still have my relationship with my little sister.
5. Have a baby (if not 2).
6. Cook an edible 5 course gourmet meal for family/friends.
7. Own my own vintage boutique.
8. Learn how to pole dance.
9. Buy another home (minimum of 1/2 acre & 4 bedrooms)
10. Go back to Vegas with friends and enjoy it! (I've never had a fun time in Vegas...it's always ended badly.)
11. Go back to Cozumel and stay at the resort we were married at. (Maybe for a Babymoon?)
12. Go cliff diving
13. Give up soft drinks (almost there, but not quite)
14. Attend the Kentucky Derby
15. Attend Mardi Gras
16. Have a complete spa weekend full of pampering with friends.
17. Take a road trip down the California coast.
18. Swim with the sharks.
19. Attend a premier party.
20. Write an article for a local magazine.
21. Join a mommy group (goes with #5).
22. Go back to Disneyland at least once.
23. Get in the habit of planning out weekly dinners the Sunday before so they are complete and balanced.
24. Go wine tasting in a state other than California.
25. Read a truly life changing book.
26. Create a genuine bond with my mother-in-law.
27. Walk in the Free to Breathe marathon in honor of my uncle.
28. Watch the SF Giants win another World Series.
29. Regularly attend church on Sundays.
30. Still be writing this blog!

Well, I've got just over 3 years to accomplish this. You all think I can do it??

New Years Resolution Check-in

Happy March! Really, where does the time go? I feel like we were just celebrating New Years. Anyway, March is here and I saw another blogger, Jane, post an update on how she was doing with her resolutions and thought it was a great idea! With the new month starting, I thought it would be the perfect time clock my progress on the mile long list of resolutions I made back in January. If you missed it the post is here.

Every year I make a list of things I hope to accomplish, and like most people, I end up pushing them to the sidelines. I always make them with the best intentions, and try to only list things that are obtainable…but let’s face it. Life happens in the meantime. So far in 2012 there has been 3 deaths, tax season has started so HR Block is packed (my annual side job) and I have been sick twice.

Now because I am not one to make excuses, this is my check-up that I plan on doing every few months. So, let’s see how I am doing!

1)      Start saving more money.

Hmm. Well we have been able to save, but it is nowhere what I would have wanted it to be. Definitely still a work in progress!

2.) Become more organized.

This one is well on its way to being accomplished. We are redecorating, so I have managed to go through all of the closets (Goodwill loves me right now!) and have managed to get rid of a ton of old furniture/knickknacks that do not have a place. It is amazing how much crap we (I) was hording!
3.) Get toned.

Hahaha. I haven’t even come close to starting this one. With all of the major events that have happened in the last few months the gym was unfortunately the last thing on my to-do list. Note to self…Get my bottom off the sofa and start working out!
4.) To go more green and natural.

Check. With all of the redecorating I have done a ton of cleaning. Due to that, we have run out of most of our cleaning supplies. When I went to the store to restock them I managed to get almost all “Green” supplies.
5.) Give myself some more "me" time.

This, unfortunately, is another laughable one right now. I have barely had time to get a good night’s rest, let alone have “me” time. I will add this to my list of ones to work on before the next check-in.
6.) Learn to cook nicer dishes as well as easy, in a pinch, dishes.

I haven’t taken any classes yet, and that was what my goal was when I added this to the list, but I have enjoyed Pinterest meals a lot! I have found myself pinning away and a lot of them are really simple, yet very tasty, to make.

Well, I don’t think I have been doing too bad considering everything that has been happening in my life the last few months. There are a few that I definitely need to work on making more of a priority, but I would give myself a B- for what I have accomplished thus far.

How are you all doing on your list of resolutions??

2012 Goals & Ambitions…AKA My Resolutions

My goals, in order of importance, for 2012 to begin working towards ASAP!

1.)    Start saving more money. I typically only buckle down and save money when I know I have a vacation coming up or a big holiday I need to buy for. We put money away every month for a rainy day, but not as much as I want. This is probably my biggest goal for 2012.

2.)    Become more organized. I am a slob. No doubt about it. Everyone that comes over may think our house is so clean, but it really isn’t. So with that said, I plan to become more organized. Starting with my car to the bedroom to my closet and more. I just want everything to have a place and to get rid of all the unnecessary crap that we’ve collected over the years.

3.)    Get toned. I was always extremely athletic; I danced, did gymnastics and even turned into a mini gym rat in 2008/2009 while in the academy. I did just about anything I could to be active… now all I do is sit at a computer desk and from my office to the parking garage. I am lazy as can be. I want my arms, legs, butt, stomach, you name it TONED. So with that said, my plan is to sign up for a gym membership at a gym across the street from my office that I will be going to at least 2 -3 days a week for 45 minutes to an hour. This will definitely help me achieve that goal. I told Michael that I am going back to eating healthy and he is going to join me by default. When we first started dating it was organic everything and very balanced meals. With the craziness of the last few months, somehow that disappeared and it we ate the easiest possible things.  

4.)    To go more green and natural. I've already switched most of our cleaning items, however, I plan to switch my hair, facial cleansers, etc. I also want to finish switching all of our home cleaning items to all natural items. Pretty much anything I can find that is natural and/or green I am going to try swapping to it!

5.)    Give myself some more "me" time. This past year I didn't give myself enough "me" time. I plan to go out with friends more and do more date nights, along with more book nights. 2011 was so stressful with the weddings and my uncle that I didn’t get to spend as much time with friends as I would have liked and reading, which I love to do, became a thing of the past.

6.)    Learn to cook nicer dishes as well as easy, in a pinch, dishes. I love to cook, but that doesn't mean I'm fantastic at it. I want to take a few cooking classes to expand my cooking horizons.

I think for now that's a pretty good list, and all of those are obtainable. Don't you think? What are your goals for the New Year?