Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016

The older we get the quicker the years seem to fly by.  I feel like it was just yesterday that I was in the hospital having Sterling and Frances Moon and they are now 2 and almost 6!! I turned 35 this year and I remember when that seemed so old to me.  40 is creeping up but I am embracing getting older.  I have gained so much more confidence the older I have gotten and I care less about the unimportant things in life. Each year I learn more about myself and strive to be a better version of me.

2015 was good to us in many ways.  We lost our dear dog Nelson, but gained Rodney who feels like he has always been a part of our family.  We could not have asked for a better rescue dog.  Sterling started kindergarten which was probably my biggest concern this year but he is thriving and loves it.  It is amazing to me how much they learn in kindergarten! He can read so many words now, count over 100 and even do some easy Math.  Frances has really come into her own and her little personality is starting to show.  We have nicknamed her Fiesty Frances because of her attitude:) She is growing up so quickly and I just want to slow down time a little bit.  We did some fun house projects to our house and can't wait to do even more updates next year. 

 I got to travel more than I usually do this past year to Dallas, New York, St Maarten, and Palmetto Bluff and enjoyed every minute of those trips.  I gained a new nephew yesterday,  just in time for the New Year.  My heart fills so incredibly full.

I am especially thankful for these two and Matt.  They are my everything.

 I have had so many incredible opportunities with my blog this past year.  Helping to design a purse with Gigi New York was such a dream come true and a big highlight of 2015.  I also worked with so many other amazing companies.  I am thankful everyday for the opportunities this blog has brought to me.  I get to do a job that I love and work from home and I feel so fortunate for that.

I also want to thank all of you who read this blog.  I remember when I started it 5 years ago I figured just my family and close friends would read it, so I am incredibly thankful to all you out there who read my blog and have helped it grow.  I love when people come up to me in person and tell me they read my blog- that really makes my day!!  So thank you to all of you who have stopped me to say hello:)  My blog is such a bright spot in my life and I feel so lucky to be able to write this blog and connect with so many wonderful and inspiring people.

At the end of each year I like to compile a list of things I want to do.  Not necessarily resolutions but goals for that New Year.  I love the idea of a fresh start and get so inspired at the start of the New Year.

Here is my list for 2016:

Travel more, even if it is just a weekend getaway.

Volunteer my time.  Now that the kids are getting older I want them to see how important it is to serve and help others.

Exercise consistently.  This is going to be my year to really get in shape and tone up.

Try more new recipes out.  Nothing inspires me more than cooking.

Eat more real food and less processed foods.  I also want to keep eating less meat.  

Be kind to everyone and less judgmental.

Update our family room.  We spend so much time in that room, I want to brighten it up like our dining room.

Get organized with my pictures and the kid's art.  I want to upload their art into the digital books and print more photos to put in albums.

Tell my family that I love them more often.

Do more small acts of kindness, even if it is a simple hand written note.

Be more present and put my phone away more.

Read more books.

Drink more water.

Be Thankful. 

I wish each and everyone of you a Happy New Year!  

The kids are especially excited this year we bought them fun hats and apple cider that they already got into this afternoon:)  I hope your New Year is as fun as theirs.

Here is to 2016 being a fabulous year!