"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?" -- Mary Oliver

The last day of 2010...another year has come and gone. I know that I recently reflected on this past year, and man it's been good. Of course, daily challenges and stresses are there, but life is what you make of it. This is the time of year that people start making New Year's Resolutions. Lose weight, save more money, exercise more, travel more, work less, play more, spend more time with family. sound familiar? This year, instead of making resolutions, I am thinking what I want to do with my "one wild and precious life." Some days I add things to my mental "bucket list," if you will. Other days I think how I can strive to be a better person, how I can best live my life, and how I can best treat and love those around me. I want to create more memories, take more pictures (thanks to Brian, I can take some AWESOME pics!), savor quiet times, embrace change...

Happy New Year! Here's to a great 2011!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

I wanted to write a little note wishing my mom and dad a happy 35th wedding anniversary! Love you both!

The week of Christmas is off to a running start. We'll be heading south to Illinois to spend Christmas with Brian's family. It will be nice to relax a bit for a couple of days, hanging out, sipping drinks, cuddling babies, playing games, watching movies and just plain enjoying each other's company. Then the following weekend we are planning on celebrating the holidays with my family. It's so hard to figure out how to "split" holidays and decide when to go where, especially when you throw in my job which includes working weekends and holidays. But when I think about not being able to spend Christmas with my family, I realize...how lucky am I? I get to celebrate with several families! We get to extend the holidays more than one day! This season isn't just about one day...it's about being with family whenever you are able and remembering the true reason for the season we celebrate. (I realize that is a bit cliche...but true, no?)


Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas!

Reflecting on 2010

As 2010 is coming to an end, I sit and think about all that has happened...wow. What a year! I've worked hard, played a little, traveled some, spent time with family and friends, accomplished goals, set new goals....
Here's a rundown:

Brian and I got engaged!! (probably my most favorite thing this year!)

The happy couple

Bling!

I was able to complete a goal of mine with one of my friends, Anne. We trained this spring and were able to complete two races this summer! Yay for us!

Anne and Amy at the AquaFest run in June.

I got to spend lots of time with family!

 Aunt Amy with Lauren, Brooklynn and Drew. Love them! (Looks like Lauren LOVES Linus the kitty!)

My sisters and me

Grandma Ruth turned 100! 

Brian and I were able to go 4 wheeling again. This is starting to be an annual thing. 

 Aunt Amy with Celia and Wally



 One of Brian's shipmates from the Navy got married in upstate NY and we were able to go. It was great to meet some of his old friends.

We even got to stop and take in Niagara Falls. Amazing!!!

Looking at all the pictures that I took, we really have been able to enjoy ourselves. We really have so much to be thankful for and are amazingly blessed with each other, good friends and families that we love. We have now owned our house for a year and are starting to make plans for what we would like to do with it in the future.

Speaking of the future...here are some things that we are looking forward to in 2011:

OUR WEDDING!!!! July is going to sneak up on us! It's going to be great to be married to each other and celebrate with so many family and friends.

Brian finishing school. He's been working so hard and it will be a huge accomplishment for him.

I like reflecting. I also like looking forward to the future. So many possibilities!