The best of 2013

2013

Another year has come and gone, and I am sitting here wondering where it went. If I could think of one word that describes this year it would be... STRESSFUL. We totally did it to ourselves so I can't complain too much. We decided in May to put our house up for sale, in August we bought our current home, and we are still trying to sell our old house. I do have faith that in time it will sell, but it's definitely stressful going through this process. 

I thought it would be fun to do a year in review questionnaire so here it goes...

What did you do in 2013 that you had never done before? 

Bought a house while selling a house. I don't recommend it to anyone, but I also don't regret it. 

Did you keep your new year's resolution? Will you make more for next year?

I completed a half marathon, and I definitely want to do another next year. It won't be as fun since my running partner is pregnant, but I still hope to do just one. 

Did anyone close to you give birth? 

Yes! My best friend Alison gave birth to little Easton. It's been so fun seeing her as a mom and loving that little dude! 

What countries did you visit?

I didn't leave the country. 

What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?

Maybe another child?? That is still up in the air. 

What dates from 2013 will remain etched in your memory?

April 3rd, the day my grandpa died.

June 10th, the day we listed our house.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Probably completing my third half marathon. Who would have thought this girl could do that!? Not me!

What was your biggest failure?

I can't really think of one. I'm not perfect by any means, but I try not to dwell on things I do or did wrong. I just try to learn from my mistakes and move on.

Did you suffer an illness or injury?

Shin splints which caused me to stop running for three months. No fun and very painful!

What was the best thing you bought?

Our new house of course! 

Whose behavior merited celebration? 

I would have to say Ella. She grew so much in the past year. She started sleeping in a big girl bed. She stays dry at night. She is completely potty trained. She stopped drinking milk completely. She is eating a lot more and trying new foods. She pretty much just became a big girl this past year. 

I also have to give kudos to Adam. He worked very hard this year so we could move. Adam always makes things work for us, and I truly appreciate that. 

Where did most of your money go? 

Down payment on our new house and Target. 

What did you get really, really, excited about? 

Moving (even though I was stressed to the max) and finding out our best friends, Aaron and Sarah, were expecting. Never been so shocked in all my life!

What song will always remind you of 2013? 

gangnam style (ella's favorite)

Compared to this time last year are you happier or sadder?

I'm a little sadder only because Ella is growing up and starting kindergarten this year. I'm also happy that I get to see her grow up. It's bittersweet for sure. 

What do you wish you'd done less of?

I wish I wouldn't have been stressed out so much. 

Did you fall in love in 2013?

I definitely have a stronger love for Adam. I absolutely love to see him with Ella. I can't help but fall in love all over again. :) 

What did you do that was meaningful to others?

I don't think I did one thing in particular, but I just try to be a good wife, mother, daughter, friend everyday. 

What were your favorite tv programs?

Scandal, bachelor/bachelorette, restaurant impossible, ax men, breaking bad, dexter

What did you want and get?

Our house

What did you want but did NOT get?

We didn't sell our house this year which I really wanted to do.

What did you do on your birthday, how old were you?

Ate at Los Bravos with my mom, Ella, Penny, and Autumn. Adam came home from Vegas at 10:00pm  with a new purse so that was a nice surprise. I was 31. 

What kept you sane?

My family and friends and a margarita here and there. 

Who do you miss?

My grandpa

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.

Don't buy a house before you sell your house;)

Quote that sums up this year.

This too shall pass.

Happy New Year!! 

Christmas Highlights

I can't believe Christmas was just a few days ago. I have put up the tree and decorations, and it already seems like a distant memory. 
I love everything about the holidays, and this year was no different. It was especially fun having a five year old. Ella was SO excited for Christmas. She wrote a letter to Santa this year, and he even wrote her back (thanks mom).  We tracked Santa almost all day on Christmas Eve, and I loved seeing her excitement. I definitely cherish these moments with her, because I know these kinds of things won't last forever. 
Our Christmas started on Sunday (two days before Christmas). We celebrated with Maw, Papaw, and Lacey. Christmas Eve was spent with my family, Christmas morning we opened gifts at home and raced to lunch in Winslow with Adam's extended family, and then we had Christmas with Nana, Poppy, Wayne, and Lacey the day after Christmas. I am tired just thinking about it! Our Christmases are always really busy. 
It was a great Christmas, and I was sad to see it end. I always wonder what will be going on next year at Christmastime. A lot can change in a year. Hey, maybe our house will have sold by then!? 
Please enjoy the highlights from Christmas 2013!

Ella's 5th birthday

Ella's fifth birthday has come and gone (as well as Christmas), and I am majorly behind on blogging. I will get caught up soon though!
 Ella had a great fifth birthday spent at Chucke Cheese and Club Tabby with Autumn, myself, and my mom. 
We started the day off with Simon delivering a birthday gift. I think Ella gets jipped on her birthday since it is so close to Christmas. We tend to just give her one gift and keep the rest for Christmas. Sorry Ella!

Ella thought it was so funny that Simon brought her a gift. She asked how he knew she wanted a cash register and how he ordered it off Amazon. Simon is so smart.

We only go to chucke cheese on Ella's birthday so that makes it so special for her. I think I love it just as much as she does. There is something about these places that brings out the kid in me. 

The birthday girl would not get a picture with me so Autumn said she would. 

 After Chucke Cheese we headed to Club Tabby. When my mom asked the girls if they would like to go there I'm pretty sure I was more excited than both of them.  What a cool place!! When I was a little girl I would have loved doing something like that. The girls got their hair sprayed with purple paint and glitter. I would like to take Ella back sometime for an updo, but I am not sure that is her kind of fun. Bummer!

Leader day and Santa Claus

On Monday Ella had leader day for her birthday. Ella is SO quiet at school, but she absolutely loves leader day. I think she likes it so much, because she gets to use the pointer. She also gets to bring snack and show and tell. It's a special day, and she loves it. 
I love joining in on Ella's leader day. It is pure entertainment. You never know what some of these kids are going to raise their hand and say.  Both of Ella's teachers have tons of patience. I really love them both and will miss them so much next school year. I can only hope her kindergarten teacher will be just as great as her Pre-K teachers. 

That little boy in the picture is Ella's friend, Nick. I think Nick would really love it if Ella talked to him. He knows she is shy (only at school), but he would love to get a few words out of her. She is really fond of him, but he would never know it. I hope she eventually grows out of her shyness at school. 

 Ella brought her new skeleton, baby, and cuddles the monkey for show and tell. After show and tell the kids are allowed to raise their hands and ask questions. Without fail they always raise their hands and say they want what was brought. It is so entertaining. 

After leader day we ate lunch and headed to Santa Claus to visit the Christmas shop. I love the Santa there. Ella was a little unsure of him. She did tell him the only thing she wanted was a flashlight friend. I guess it's going to be a cheaper Christmas for us this year. ;)