Southern Apples: 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.