Grateful for a fun girls weekend with Coco!

Central Park - My favorite place in NYC

Hey girl hey

Courtney (aka coco) my college roomie, came to town for a job interview a couple weekends ago. Hoping she becomes a full time New Yorker this summer :-) 

Touristy NYC

Courtney's one request: hot dogs in Times Square...haha!

Night out with Blair!

Had a great weekend with mom last weekend (pics to come...) and looking forward to a super special weekend ahead! WOO HOO!

Grateful for a great start to 2013!

I'm enjoying a cozy night in tonight and thought it'd be the perfect time to turn on some of my favorite country tunes and type up my first blog post about 2013. So...where to start?

My new years resolution or motto for 2013 is going to be "Choose joy, over stress!" I can work myself up about so many little and silly things a miss completely the blessing in a situation. This year, I'm going to consciously choose to be excited about the challenge and fun it will be try to solve a hard problem at work instead of fearful or stressed about failing. I'm going to focus on the delight I get out of organizing events for church or for friends instead of feeling overwhelmed by logistics. I'm going to choose the joy of getting lost in a good conversation, instead of trying to over-program my life and miss out on going deep because I have somewhere else I need to be. I'm going to celebrate and enjoy life instead of trying so hard to make mine perfect all the time. My new years resolution is to make sure I have a healthy and happy and grateful perspective. Life moves by so quickly and well, I want to enjoy it and not miss a thing! :-)

Here's a quick look at our January and a few of the blessings that have brought a smile to my face:

1. Lazy weekends with my guy: Chocolate chip pancakes, watching Friends episodes for hours, staying in our PJs til noon :-)

2. Long phone catch up dates with sweet friends - hearing the excitement in their voices talking about their upcoming weddings this summer!

3. Projects around the apartment and our NEW SHELVES! I love "nesting" and making our apartment our little home. 

4. Walks, fresh air and exercise. It can sometimes feel stifling living in a concrete jungle. God is reminding me how to appreciate the sunshine, the water, the trees and the peace that comes with being outside in His creation. 

5. Celebrating with this gorgeous B-day gal!

6. Desserts and sweet time with dad. I love how calming and grounded my dad is. I learn so much from him! 

7. Excited to spend a little quality time with this good friend this weekend!!

Cheers to a new year! :-) Happy heart going into this loooong weekend - woooo!

Today, I'm grateful for...

Hello friends (or just Blair, since I'm pretty sure she's the only one that reads this blog - haha!) It's been awhile since I last posted. November and December were busy months traveling around for both work and fun family visits. We are so blessed that we get to travel so much right now in our life. When we were in the city, we packed our schedule with lots of fun hang-outs with friends and romantic date days and evenings out! Looking back on the end of the year, my heart is so grateful for the opportunities God has given us. Can't wait to see what's in store for 2013! Warning: Photo bomb ahead, but here is just a glimpse of what I'm grateful for the past couple of months:

1.  Hugs, Kisses, Love & Laughter

My favorite guy to share hugs, kisses, love & laughter with. All dolled up for our Christmas date night in the city.

Abby's first bday! Love that silly girl. Love that family! 

Sweet kisses and the exciting plans for an upcoming wedding this summer! 

Hugs from my mom are just hard to beat! 

2. Christmas with family!

Christmas Eve!

3. Nights out with friends!

Matt Wertz at the City Winery - great show and awesome venue! 

My accountability girls and our guys! 

Mustaches at East End Tavern! 

4. Surprise visits with Dad to the city! 

Rooftop Drinks

Cheering on the Texans!

5. Babysitting Leo man. I love his little giggles. Such joy!

Contagious giggles

6. Loving on Deb and Baby Girl Fung (who was born THIS WEEKEND! Yay!!)

Baby Girl Fung is going to be one loved little girl!

7. Thanksgiving at The Bowery Mission!

:-)

8. Our niece - Abby. She is just the cutest! 

Oh hey there! 

Abby loves to dance with Aunt Maggs!

I can't even handle that grin. TOO cute!

9. Thanksgiving with family

Stockings in TX

The people I love most in this world - my family! 

10. Fresh air and getting to enjoy walks in Georgia!

Morning walk in GA

Christmas Morning in GA

11. Cooking adventures! 

Our first attempt at chili! Have to stay warm in this chilly weather :-)

Our freezer. Yep that's 7 cartons of ice cream. #thisgirlloveshericecream

My hubby and his mom cooking Enchiladas in GA. I love how my man loves his family! 

 12. Christmas in the Big Apple - so magical!

Rockefeller Tree!

Christmas shopping and dinner at the shops in Bryant Park!

Ice Skating in Central Park with my guy

13. New Year's Fun!

In Times Square! 

Silly Glasses :-)

 14. Our Community Group!

White Elephant Gift Exchange! 

Yep, I'm one grateful and happy girl. And already so much to be thankful for in this New Year... more coming shortly! Count your blessings today :-)