Thank you 2012, and Farewell!

I finally decided what my main resolution for 2013 is going to be. 

I resolve to be more present in my day to day life. 

As I look back at what happened in the last year, I find that I’m struggling to remember most of it. Of course there are big things that stick out, but over all its just kind of a blur. I feel that I have wasted time just going through the motions or not fully appreciating what is going on around me in the moment. If I just take a short time to really be present in the moment, I think I will have a greater appreciation for what is going on and I will have stronger, more positive memories.  

My most memorable memories of 2012 would be:

Cocktails and Tapas cooking class I took with Abby at the local Cedar Ridge Winery. One of the recipies was for a red wine fig compote – I need to make that again really soon!

Celebrating Dalyz’s birthday at the Spa/Casino. Just getting to spend time with my girls was so much fun. 

Introducing Abby to the wonders of Kalona. 

Kathie and Ali’s baby showers, and getting to meet Adrian and Norah for the first time. These two are already such great mothers. It helps that Adrian and Norah are two of the most precious little nuggets on the planet! I’m excited to see the amazing people they are going to grow into.

 

 

Spending Easter at the emergency vet. I still cry thinking about that day, and the subsequent day when Bosley was in surgery. Bringing him home after so many nights away was such a good feeling. I hope to never go through that again.

Seeing Erik get his white coat. That man continues to astound me. I'm a very proud and lucky girl!

Camping with Erik, Kelly, and her whole Brady Bunch. Good gosh it was hot! 

Abby and Brent’s Wedding.

Shooting handguns for the first time.

The trip to Denver. This will go down as one of the best trips I’ve taken! Everything we did was so quintessential Colorado – I loved it! Looking back at climbing a 14,00ft mountain just astounds me. The struggle and wanting to give up was all erased once I was standing on top of the world!!! The gorgeous scenery and feeling of complete elation was just amazing and scary at the same time. There were several points in the last scramble to the top where one wrong step would send you over.  I am amazed that my fear of heights subsided enough to allow me to do something like this. Then I had to climb down. That fear quickly returned. By the end of our 7 hour hike, our muscles were on fire and our feet ached terribly. We just sat by the car for a moment, looking up at the summit, and it was almost hard for me to believe that I had just been up that far.  The altitude sickness that kicked in several hours later, however, was one of the worst feelings I’ve ever had.  I puked in a tent, passed out in the car, cried, was shaking violently from a high fever, then slept for almost 20 hours. Trying to camp at 10,000ft right after ascending to 14,000ft was not a good idea. I can’t wait to go back!



At 14,000 ft!!



What we found shopping in Littleton

 

Hearing my little brother was getting married!

My first trip to Milwaukee to visit Emily and Brian - favorite quote: “Laugh at me!”

Shannon’s Bachelorette party

Kenny coming to visit and going to a haunted house! Then throwing my Halloween party the next day! Just setting up for this one was so much fun! This year's theme: Vampires!

My ‘photo shoot’. I got boudoir photos taken for Erik’s birthday/Christmas present. It was one of the scariest and empowering experiences of my life. I encourage everyone to try it, no matter shape, age, what have you. With the right photographer, you will not regret it! Erik loves it by the way.

 New Year’s Eve – I felt like a high roller! Loved it!

I had such an amazing year. I truly am blessed and I can’t wait to see what the New Year brings. I hope that with my resolution, this list will be even longer next year!

 

PS ~ I also resolve to take more pictures!!!