Another One Comes, Another One Goes

The end of yet another year. So much has happened. Things seen, places gone to, people met, stuff done, adventures had, emotions felt, tears, smiles, heartbreak, joy... it truly is amazing how much we can experience, learn, grow, and change in the course of one year. This year has honestly been one of the hardest years for me. It's been one of those years that I've really had to trust that God has me where I need to be, doing what I need to do and not try to do things on my own. I've had to learn to take one step at a time, forgive when it's the hardest, love others unconditionally, know when to push myself and when to rest, to let go and not take offense, to let people help me, to share my feelings, and most importantly I have learned to make God the center of my life. As hard as it's been, it has also been such a wonderful year in so many ways! Here's just a small sample of the many things that made this year so special and why I will always look back on it with the fondest of memories. (These are in no particular order)

• Went with my sister to see Bob Dylan play live
• Took a road trip to Nashville
• Went to New York (walked the Brooklyn Bridge, ate at amazing restaurants, explored Central Park, went to Time Square, biked through Manhattan, drank tons of coffee, sat in on a rehearsal for The American Ballet Theater, took a subway and taxi by myself...)
• Went ice skating for the first time
• Made 2 wedding cakes
• Went on countless bike rides 
• Saw Jimmy Eat World play live
• Danced a ton 
• Cooked/baked an endless amount
• Wrote many songs on the piano
• And SO much more!!!

That list could actually go on a lot longer but basically it all comes down to this... I am insanely blessed in so many ways! I don't deserve the things I have, the love that so many people show me, or God's grace. I have very much to be thankful for this year and so it's with a grateful and happy heart that I bid farewell to 2013 and welcome on this next year, this next season of life. May it be filled with more adventures, growth, and love!

                                       (Blurry picture but this is one from the Bob Dylan show)

                                       (From the the festival that Jimmy Eat World played at)

                                                                 (Pre show warm up)

                                      (One of many bike rides that I took with my brother)
                                                                             Cheers!

A Step Back, a Deep Breath

So much going on... a baby shower, birthday, New Year Eve, a bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, and a wedding all in one week. Top that off with family and friends flying in from everywhere, making sure they all have places to stay and food to eat and a way to get where the need to be and its pretty... exciting to say the least. With all this going on its pretty easy to get caught up in it all and just kind of go through the motions of everything without ever stopping to actually take it all in and enjoy the wonderful chaos. But I've learned that it's so important to take a step back and a deep breath and thank God for each beautiful season of life.

 When you're the youngest of seven and almost all your siblings are married, you learn to appreciate life's business and being surrounded by so many people. This week everyone in my family will be in the same city. That is a phenomenon that really only happens about once in a year, maybe twice if were lucky. Needless to say, it will be pretty crazy but oh how I love that craziness! I hope that I never take for granted the amount of siblings (and people) that I have in my life. It really is such a blessing to know that I will always have someone to turn to for advice, comfort, love and so much more. As crazy and chaotic as it sometimes is, I really do love it and wouldn't have it any other way!

This picture is from the wedding of one of my brothers. This was two years ago and the last time we were all together. I'm so excited to see everyone again and add another brother to the family in just a few days!!

                                                                             Cheers! 

The Simpe Life

I love the simple things of life. The things that are small and and not necessarily "life changing" are sometimes the things that mean the most to me and fill me with so much happiness. Things like a cup of coffee on a rainy morning, the way the sun shines through my window, bike rides with the wind against my back, songs that take me to another place and time in my life, the way the pages of an old book feel between my fingers, the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven... the list could honestly go on and on.

 This morning was one of my favorite types of mornings. It was gloomy and grey and I made coffee with my new hand grinder and Hario pour over, both gifted to me by my lovely sister-in-law. Then I sat down by the window and watched the rain trickle down the glass as I sipped my coffee, ate my raisin bread topped with almond butter and homemade apricot jam, and listen to The National. I could honestly start everyday like this and be perfectly content. 

 I am so very thankful for the simple things and the mornings that I can fully enjoy them.

 

 Just some of my favorite little things.

Cheers!

Music of the Year (2013)

Here it is... my top 20 songs of 2013! (In no particular order)

1. I Need My Girl- The National
2. Robbers- The 1975
3. Alive- Empire of the Sun
4. Cavalier- James Vincent McMorrow
5. Retrograde- James Blake
6. Evening Ceremony- Active Child
7. Angeline- Thomas Azier
8. Let it Go- Fe.
9. Ingenue- Atoms For Peace
10. Fever Dreams- Nurses
11. Diane Young- Vampire Weekend
12. Endless- Happy Hollows
13. Shot at the Night- The Killers
14. Hemiplegia- Haerts
15. Chloroform- Phoenix
16. Open- Rhye
17. Can't Stop- OneRepublic
18. Tamer Animals- Other Lives
19. Second Heartbeat- Shy Girls
20. Intro- The XX

Top 5 albums...

1. The National- Trouble Will Find Me
2. The 1975- The 1975
3. Atoms for Peace- Amok
4. James Blake- Overgrown
5. Vampire Weekend- Modern Vampires of the City

Honorable mentions that didn't quite make the list...

Songs:

1. Fireproof- The National
2. Put a Light On- Generationals
3. Send the Pain On- Chrome Sparks
4. Isjaki- Sigur Ros
5. St. Tropez- Fyfe
6. Arabella- Arctic Monkeys
7. Counting- Autre Ne Veut
8. Settle Down- The 1975
9. Concert Pitch- Empire of the Sun
10. Red Eyes- Thomas Azier

One of the musical highlights of this year was that I got to see Bob Dylan play live. So great, so special.  Here's to a year of great music!

Cheers!