Goals for 2013:

1. Read 50 books.

2. Walk/jog/run 365 miles. (Let's be honest. That will be all walking.) 

3. Cook 200 meals. (that's not daunting or anything.) 

4. Burn 15 different candles. 

5. Learn all the words to 12 totally diverse songs. 

That covers all 5 senses, a balance I've always learned from my mother. 

-xo_vs

Finish Line.

So far over Christmas break I....

Watched:
1. My So Called Life
2. Portlandia
3. Heathers
4. Happy
5. Bag It


Read the whole book: 
1. Hunger Games
2. Catching Fire
3. Mockingjay

Finished Knitting: 
1. A grey scarf
2. Pom wraps for peanut candy mixes for family

I am still working on all of these projects, but really want to make this a monthly post to see how far I've come every month in being well rounded media-wise and make sure I'm constantly learning.

xo_vs

Pictures.

Just found this post in my drafts.  I was overjoyed at this collection of photographs!


I love pictures.  If I could just choose one social media platform, I would definitely choose Instagram.  So naturally, I have tons of pictures on my computer that really don't make sense to go with any other post.  They're all going to be joined together as one happy family right here!

xo_vs

Happy Five.

I am blowing up the blog with content from days past today.  I just need to get everything from the stock pile out there and start with a clean plate!

Also, here's a happy five.

1. Michael being home.
2. Consuela (our Roomba) cleaning while I'm doing other things.
3. Bright colors of yarn.
4. Fun neighbors.
5. Long naps.


xo_vs

Digging Deeper.

I am so inspired by Milagro Girl that I really want to share what is going on during my journey.  Marriage has changed me so much, even in just these first three months, I feel like through becoming part of a pair, as well as other paths happening in my life have made me take a deeper look.

• I have learned that it is okay to say no.  Yes, that is so hard for me, especially with people who are close friends and I know it hurts them for me to turn them down for whatever occurrence, but for personal sanity, sometimes you have to say no.  
• I have learned that it is okay to give up.  Willingly giving something up is not failure.  Sixteen hours of classes was just too much for me to take on while having two jobs and learning to be myself in this new life.  I dropped my only Wednesday class, and am taking it next semester.  That way, I have 13 hours to take this semester, and 9 next to graduate! (I am so ready for that day!) 
• I have learned how to deal with stress.  It's just not worth it to freak out about one test, or about getting everything done as fast as possible at work.  I promised myself three weeks ago that I wasn't going to get so exhausted just because of one small event in my day.  Which leads into the next...
• I have learned to slow down.  I didn't realize that I had learned this until this post.  When you focus on what you are doing, more gets accomplished.  I have to quit thinking of the to-do list.  

xo_vs

Patterns.

I love pretty patterns.  That's all.

Bright Stripes

Back to it.

It's been a while.  I've been reading tons of blogs and getting really inspired, but I felt like I needed to create some internet content to get lost in the mix of the web of chaos.

An update on my unplugging:

I have been off of Facebook for almost two months now.  After that post, I ended up deactivating my whole page and have had no desire to get back on.  I am on instagram and twitter, but trying to always keep it in moderation.

One of my main goals was to get ahead on my school work.  It paid off, and I was done with all my final tests and projects one week early.  I spent that week organizing and cleaning, which was another goal on my list.  I organized the bathroom cabinet, just like I wanted to do.

I made a huge to do list and accomplished it all, but I'm trying not to make one over Christmas break, and just enjoy what comes.  It has been relaxing.  I've been knitting again, something I haven't done in a long time.  I cooked all weekend- Michael and I haven't eaten out since he got home from his trip to Michigan for work- that is a rare feat for us.  I made taco soup and queso, lemon chicken and twice baked new potatoes, green beans, cinnamon toast, peppermint bark, and Christmas cookies! I never cook this much.  It feels great to be providing for our little two person family.

As for reading more and building my relationship with Christ, I'm working on it still.  Those are both open ended goals.  I'm working on them together and separately.


I am so thankful for where I am in life right now.  There are a lot of questions unanswered, but a lot of things have brought me overwhelming peace.

I love that Michael and I are spending our first Christmas together! It has already been fun!!!

Merry Christmas,

xo_vs