A Look Back At 2015

In 2015, I only posted about half of the number of blogs as I have done in the past few years, so this recap was not as easy to create.

Here is my best attempt to recap 2015. I can't wait to see the good Lord has in store for us in 2016!

Annual Survey

Whether you are a friend or family member staying up to date with our lives, or a lurker on the other side of a screen, I hope you enjoy my little space here on the internet. I started this blog for myself so that one day we could look back and say "remember when...", but this blog has enabled my loved ones near and far to keep up with us in a way.

Perhaps this blog will be the future bed time stories that I read to my children or even the stories they read to my grandchildren. Whoa! Let's not get carried away! This blog is nothing special except for the fact that it is special to me -- my little space on the entire world wide web to write my perspective on this thing called life.

It has been fun to look back at the annual survey to see how our lives have progressed and evolved. 

Enjoy!  

Making video montages is my new hobby. 
Cooking new recipes has been fun (and sometimes frustrating) but at least I am learning.
Drinking with the neighbors is a regular occurrence. 
Reading --- ugh... I don't really read, but I would like to start doing a daily devotional. 
Wanting my Mama to move next door! I love my parents!
Looking forward to another long weekend.
Playing guitar is just one of Shane's hidden talents! 

Wasting money is what Shane thinks I do best :) He is the saver, and I am the spender.
Sewing is on the to do list --- I need to hem the curtains in the living room. I also want to make a teepee.
Wishing my dogs could live forever!
Enjoying our home with just the two of us and our pups :) 
Waiting is not easy for me. I am a bit impatient.
Liking my convertible! It is so fun! 
Wondering why people do the things they do. Ugh --- don't get me started!
Loving my family and all of the memories that we share!
Admiring all the men and women that serve our country! .
Needing a new hobby. Maybe I will take a photography class for fun...?
Wearing business casual to work has been a nice change of pace!   
Following wherever my heart leads me.
Noticing that Shane gets more handsome every day.
Knowing I should probably eat healthier  

Thinking about out next trip. Perhaps Hawaii?? 

Listening and watching videos of my nieces and nephew makes me smile. 
Bookmarking Pinning some new recipes and crafts.
Opening the door to two dogs jumping with joy is what I look forward to all day long!
Giggling all the time. I like being silly. 
Feeling content. And loved by those that matter most to me. 

Missing lazy days in the hammock in Jamaica. 

2013 Survey  

2014 Survey 

Squad Goals

When I first met Shane, I was in awe of his friendships. I knew he was an incredible man to have such great life long friends. In college, I had friends that were fun (let's be honest --- they were A LOT of fun!!) but it didn't take me long to realize that most of my relationships were circumstantial. I am a big believer that people are put in your life for a reason --- some are meant to be there forever, and some are there for a short time to teach you a lesson. At some point in college, I reunited with my middle school buddy and she introduced me to my "squad". I am forever thankful for my sweet Lauren! She introduced me to my forever friends... my squad.

2015 Christmas Card

One of my favorite traditions is sending Christmas cards to our friends and family. It forces me to keep and updated address list and also enables us to stay in touch with those we love.

This year was our 4th married Christmas (OMG!! Can you believe it?!) You can take a look at our past cards here.

Shane and I took these pictures at Papa's 85th birthday party, and the picture of Rocky and Polly was a random snap on my phone. Even though it isn't professional, it is exactly how Rock-o and Paw lay together all the time. Rock always lays smack dab on top of Polly :) 

Sadie Kay

On Black Friday, my oldest sister gave birth to the sweetest little baby girl! I know everyone says every baby is sweet, but y'all THIS baby is a doll! She only cried once while I was there, and she is just so cuddly! Despite her good disposition and adorable lips, I do not have baby fever! She (and all babies) are still a ton of work! Sadie Kay was 7 lbs and 14 oz, and we first met over FaceTime since my sister lives in Kansas City. Tina moved out there after graduating college, and has been there ever since. In the past 10 years, she has earned a very successful career, and my other sister and her husband work at the same company and live just a few minutes away from them! My heart is always divided with my parents and brother's family in Georgia and my sisters and their growing families in KC.

Wrapping Up 2015

Like most of you, these past few weeks have been so busy and chaotic. My last post was just before our trip to the mountains to celebrate my birthday, and since then I have roasted marshmallows by the fire pit on a regular basis, traveled to a wedding, drank too much at neighborhood festivities, enjoyed time with our family for the holidays, traveled to KC to meet my newest niece (Sadie Kay), enjoyed the abnormal warm weather with our pups, earned my CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management), recovered from bronchitis, suffered with terrible back problems ... and the list goes on and on. Here are a few pictures to get everyone up to speed. 

Thanksgiving, Sadie Kay and Christmas deserve a post of their own... so stay tuned! :) 

I plan to do a video montage of our weekend at the cabin. My girlfriends and I love taking funny videos of one another, and Ashley and Lauren sent me their collection from that fun weekend. The montages are simple but very time consuming, so now that things will slow down a bit I hope to create the video. :)