Best of 2016

It’s the last day of 2016 already? Part of me is not surprised that I’m already writing this post again, but at the same time, part of me is in denial as well. There’s something about the days between Christmas and New Years that always have me in a pensive mood, reflecting on my year. This particular one has been chock-full of blessings and adventures I couldn’t even have dreamed up if I’d tried. I’m thankful to have this space and be digging back through these memories, but I have to admit i’m reluctant to waive goodbye to 2016. Here are some highlights:

Best Pup
 photo 72A74952-00E9-43A1-99FA-9D788CB9ACF5_zpsyynooopz.jpg

Best Husband
 photo IMGP0007_zpswzhsyhzc.jpg

Best Purchase
 photo B602A445-FA2D-41C6-AF33-D9584EA0FA4D_zps9noh8qgw.jpg

Best News – I got a Promotion
 photo 57EB0E97-1379-48DC-BE2A-4F0D0EE597EF_zpshvymi8th.jpeg

Best Family Photo
 photo 4BDB81DF-2140-400C-B4A9-CD3272F3662C_zps8udovltp.jpg

Best Friends
 photo 1B061D66-B4D0-479C-8308-B66AC6C381E1_zpsbyt6fsuo.jpg photo 682D5779-81AA-44DA-B97E-2F84C2F2CAA7_zpskswgczj6.jpg
 photo B372021D-FC97-4F74-B900-5872140D6AFC_zpsujqwprwz.jpg

Best Lunch Date
 photo E4E28499-7AB7-4DB7-91C1-1DEA3EE5E1CB_zpsaljx7p3j.jpg

Best Birthday
 photo 6475DD2F-725C-4222-9965-24BFEB6A3B4B_zpsynfgkkzk.jpg

Best Feet Picture
 photo 97464E24-1BF6-43AF-8377-122B2B7F318A_zpsvewvkouy.jpg

Best Walks with Chloe
 photo EE1D2C1F-A584-493B-B005-8CB662C06F8D_zpsedhwhzhj.jpg

Best Girls’ Weekend
 photo 7958D5EA-69A5-4760-B296-B56EB0D65420_zpsjlhmss8z.jpg

Best word choice for 2016
 photo 0E509366-C6BC-4859-88E5-B2D96FA4D33A_zpssu0fp2ey.jpg

Only a few hours until we’ll be welcoming 2017. What’s on your highlight reel?

best of 2015 | best of 2014

 

Twenty Things About Me

  1. Coffee is one of my favorite smells and least favorite tastes. Each weekday, we wake up to our coffee pot brewing and it always reminds me of airports, which makes every morning happy.
  2. I dabble in way too many hobbies – Traditional Scrapbooking, Project Life, Journaling, Planning, Painting, Decorating, Stamping, Blogging, Bible Journaling, Gardening, Baking, Cooking, Exercising, Photography, Sewing, Crafting…the list goes on and I’m always adding more.
  3. I have blogged at least once a month (but often more) for six years straight.
  4. I married my high school sweetheart, whom I met in fifth grade.
  5.  I’m a classic Leo and ESTJ who also happens to dabble in all the creative things. So that’s confusing.
  6. My favorite travel destinations are St. Lucia and Hawaii, because beaches and warm weather are my jam.
  7. I’d rather listen to Podcasts and YouTube videos instead of music because they make me feel like I’m learning something.
  8. I enjoy reading historical fiction and my all time favorite book is Gone With the Wind.
  9. My favorite color changes every day – today it’s turquoise.
  10. I like nature because it’s perfect even when it’s not and you can find symmetry everywhere. It’s so beautiful and mysterious, which makes photographing it the most interesting.
  11. I don’t have a favorite movie.
  12. I collect stationary and love sending snail mail to my family and friends.
  13. It takes me approximately 32 minutes to get ready in the morning, including taking care of our dog and making the bed.
  14. I didn’t pump gas for the first time until I was 18.
  15. My favorite flowers are easily peonies and the only thing I know about them, other than how beautiful they are, is that they aren’t in season in March.
  16. The last time I wore a full face of make up (ok…more than just mascara) was my wedding day.
  17. I’m terrible at making small decisions like choosing what to eat for dinner but making big decisions like choosing a house or car to buy feels like a breeze.
  18. Relaxing is always on my to-do list.
  19. I’ve visited 38 states.
  20. One time I tried to make a capsule wardrobe with 40 pieces of clothing but I had to stop because I didn’t have that many items.

This post is part of my challenge to post every day in July! To see them all, click here!

Nourish | January Prompt

 photo nOURISH 1_zpssw0d8ekk.png
Nourish | verb [nur-ish] | to supply with what is necessary for life, health, and growth; to cherish, foster and keep alive.

Quote: When we nourish ourselves with good people, projects, surroundings, scenery, love, magic, beauty, and self-care, we radiate light into the world and continually sharpen our vision, perception, and clarity all at once. This in turn spreads to other beings which spreads to other beings which spreads to even more. Remember that one tiny drop can raise an ocean. Keep wanting. Desiring. Doing. Breaking in the sweet things. – Victoria Erickson

 photo 561230F5-6EB8-46CE-A239-7B6DD576D2DA.png_zpsz3nyjxxp.jpeg
Reason Why: As I mentioned in my first post, I had a bit of a hard time choosing this word. After two years of choosing words that were event-focused, I wanted to choose a word that would help me focus on me. I am craving nourishment. I have put self-care on the back burner due to lack of time, energy and effort. I need to slow down and make time for myself and the things that God wants me to make priorities in my life. I am worth it.

Take Action:

Physical – I want to consume nourishing foods, participate in regular exercise and have a regular sleep schedule throughout this year.
Mental – I plan to practice daily journaling and meditation as well as exhaust creative outlets and try new things.
Emotional – I hope to allow myself to welcome feelings and thoughts that are normally pushed aside as well as know when to say no when it comes to taking on more projects.
Relational – I’d like to work on simplifying social media/phone usage, decrease subscription emails, and connect on a deeper level and spend time with family and friends.
Spiritual – This year, I want to read the Bible consistently and complete a six month prayer journal with Kevin.

 photo 28DCEE8F-2BA9-4F50-A6A7-A68194A17896.png_zpsxrktvdqf.jpeg
The Year Ahead:

MORE nourishment.

MORE slowing down, LESS letting moments pass me by.

MORE deep conversations, LESS technology.

MORE self-care, LESS unreasonable expectations.

MORE grace, LESS impatience.

MORE healthy foods, LESS fast foods.

MORE yoga and meditation.

MORE journaling, LESS bottled up emotions.

LESS worry, anxiety, frustration.

MORE humility, LESS pride.

MORE, MORE, MORE love. For myself and for others.

Best of 2015

Two thousand fifteen has been the best year and best adventure. It was the year I married my best friend. It was the year we rescued our sweet pup. It was the year we made our first big purchase together. As I reflect on this year, I am so thankful for all of the wonderful things that have happened but I am also so excited knowing that we get to continue on this adventure together. Choosing adventure for my One Little Word has been so rewarding in teaching me to be more spontaneous and go-with-the-flow, yet it reminds me that where I am is exactly where I want to be.

Best Choice for Word of the Year
 photo 1C5DFC78-A4D8-4973-9D91-FC9C49FE8EAD_zpsgj9pycij.jpg

Best Way to Sum Up How I feel about Cats after Living with Two
 photo E0736269-E239-4EB4-B947-D82D3395011C_zps6vo3itif.jpg

Best Breakfast
 photo 80BC1EAD-E7A3-407F-A3E8-A2ED73F706C5_zpsmftaw4yj.jpg

Best Day
 photo reape-371_zpssfyxn0c8.jpg

Best Moment
 photo reape-315_zps8xiryo2w.jpg

Best Husband
 photo reape-188_zpshxx1kocl.jpg

Best Dance Move
 photo reape-573_zpsxzxbxy0n.jpg

Best Girlfriends
 photo reape-198_zpsot8zmdfv.jpg

Best Vacation
 photo 62DD3DD4-051B-482E-AB76-BC76F108881B_zpsbhrauaje.jpg

Best Flower
 photo IMGP0001_zpsqcubwjxs.jpg

Best Family Photo
 photo 07313C0F-949B-4AA7-8D2F-50C9EC8981A7_zpsyeyb3mbh.jpg

Best Concert (Billy Joel)
 photo 5E37513E-781D-4CBF-943F-84DC06C08062_zpsfqp4vz8t.jpg

Best Fast Food
 photo 12920996-6B6A-408C-B653-97B5BC37E621_zps7f5mcvk2.jpg

Best Feet Photo
 photo FA951FE5-FCEF-4509-8713-D71B80103EF7_zpsce75kmxi.jpg

Best Continued Hobby
 photo EAC10D7F-1D66-4DD8-BA6A-5AF739BDFE21.png_zpsiayw5blg.jpeg

Best Purchase
 photo 33E2C08B-6B03-4421-AEBB-ADCD7BB4EE37_zpsyicqkazq.jpg

Best Smile
 photo 7C210548-58E8-4F06-90E5-49E63225A914_zpsggvh7kbm.jpg

Best New Tradition
 photo DD52A925-27C0-48B0-9082-7E85864C377F_zpsfdfy3fbe.jpg

Best Family Selfie
 photo C3C8DFBA-918B-4EEC-9FB3-1B625B7A0E9E_zpsb50g7xjo.jpg

Best First Christmas
 photo 88884191-64C4-47A6-8C37-755834C3978F_zps77qoglhr.jpg

Thanks for hanging out and following along with my blog this year. It means so much to me and encourages me to keep writing. If you want to check out my best of 2014 post, you can find it here!

I wish you the very best in the New Year.