2013 in 1 Picture

This 1 picture sums up a lot of our 2013.

We spent the first 4 months and 4 days of 2013 planning our wedding.
That day changed not only our lives but the lives of a few others forever.
It was the first time that I left my home, my parents, my brother and our dog.
It was the first time both of our parents handed off their children to antoher human for care,protection and love.
It was the first time that we officially became "adults" buying a home, furnishing and decorating our home,getting married, adopting a pet, making a life together, cooking and cleaning, learning how to live with each other and not kill each other

I like this picture because it shows a lot of the important people in our lives together with us in this 1 photo... front and center is me and the Mr., next to me is my maid of honor, my sister in law, a dear friend and my cousin. Next to the Mr. is his best man and next to him is my brother. Behind me you can see my parents and catch a glimpse of several of my grandparents. (Sadly we didn't have the wide lens to capture Ryan's side) but they are all there. This photo was taken in my childhood church; I went to school here K-8th grade and had an amazing foundation in God and the Lutheran church built there. So many years I took part in events right there in that church (singing in church services, participating as an acolyte and usher, Christmas programs, witnessing and confirmation services) and on this day I stood in that church and had my childhood dream come true. Our future baby Norman's will be baptized in that same spot one day.I feel so blessed to have such a great church, pastor and ministry in my life.

2013 was an amazing year and 1 FULL of life changes! I am sad to see it leave because it was a year that I SO looked forward to!... but I take joy in knowing that 2014 and beyond will continue to be year's worth writing about. Our story has only just begun!

Thank you for taking a look at my 2013!

HAPPY NEW YEAR - WELCOME 2014!

2014 Goals

A bad habit I'm going to break:
Complaining about the things in life that I am not happy with - I do it a lot and I do it often.

A new skill I'd like to learn:
Knitting and I would like to learn more about wine, football and hockey! (I hate sports; primarily because I don't UNDERSTAND them, my husband LOVES sports- so I figure I should try to learn them and participate in watching and cheering on his favorite teams.

A person I hope to be more like:
My husband - he is patient, understanding, and typically (almost annoyingly) positive on all things!

A good deed I'm going to do:
Random acts of kindness

A place I'd like to visit:
San Francisco and Napa Valley with my husband in April for our 1 year anniversary!

A book I'd like to read:
Not sure yet - I will have to scour the book lists and find one! I am hoping to find a good author or a good series to read. I love to read books that continue through a few books or books by the same author that have the same theme and general idea...

A letter I'm going to write:
If all things with a job interview go as I hope and pray - I am going to write a letter to my current employer explaining why I am leaving!

A new food I'd like to try:
I try almost everything at least once - if I don't like it, I wont try it ever again. Not sure what I haven't tried YET - I'm sure something will come up!

I'm going to do better at:
Thinking positive and saving money!

Frankenmuth, MI

Hubs and I just got home on Tuesday night from a few days to Frankenmuth, MI for a work trip. The office that he works for has a company in Frankenmuth that they work with - his office takes a few days a year to go and visit the office in MI and learn a few new things. The best party?!...they take the wives on the trip to spend the days of work/training out shopping! Me being the new one this year didn't really know what to think or expect; but we've heard a LOT about this trip and I was totally looking forward to going!
The wives spent all day Monday at an outlet mall where we all scored some really good buys! Normally, this trip is in October but it was pushed back to December this year. We drove through snow to get up there and it was pretty freezing while we were there but it was the perfect time of year to spend some money and blame it all on Christmas shopping! I scored some good buys! I came home with a gorgeous new all leather Coach bag, my first ever Bare Minerals makeup kit (LOVE IT), bought an adorable Santa candle and some peppermint hot cocoa, found Christmas gifts for the Mr, the MIL and his boss;plus tons of new clothes for the Mr,and the last purchase of the trip, a Birthday gift for my dad!

We at at the German themed and famous Bavarian Inn for dinner on Monday, followed up with some more shopping (where I bought me some Holly Nog WINE!)YUM! and then wrapped up the night with some drinks at this cute little bar near the hotel.

Tuesday the guys headed back to class and the wives headed to the Worlds Largest Christmas store, Bronners. I managed to pick up a 1st Christmas in our new home ornament, a Frankemuth, MI ornament, and a special one for our loved ones celebrating Christmas in heaven. The guys finished up early and went to the hotel to pick up our things and the ladies made a run to the outlet mall for some more shopping... the guys met up with us and shortly after, the shopping ended and we were munching on some lunch.

Overall, it was a fun trip and I am already looking forward to heading back next year! If you get the chance to visit Frankenmuth, I would say GO! it's an adorable little German town settled in the middle of "no-where" Michigan (right before the thumb). There's not a lot to do around there but that's part of the beauty of the town! Its charming, quiet and fun!