15 Resolutions: Day 2

Another day... another resolution!

Is anyone else out there thinking of their 15 New Year's resolutions? Well, now it's down to 14. 14 days until January 1st, 2011!

Something about a new year is just so refreshing. An opportunity to start fresh and new. And this year, I am focusing my attention on 15 resolutions in particular- and I'm blogging about them each day leading up to New Year's Day.

Check yesterday's post to see my first, and probably most important, New Year's resolution.

So, here's resolution #2:

Travel out of the state and out of the country this year.

Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. I used to travel a lot for work, and I've always loved going on trips with my friends and family.

I put that on the back burner for the past couple of years for one reason or another. But I'm ready to make it a priority again this year!

I already have one trip planned in the fall- San Diego with my mom and sister for the BlogHer convention! We just booked our hotel on Friday!

My other big trip will be to Germany to visit my friend Jes and her family. I can't wait to take another trip to Europe. My trip to Spain in 2006 was a life-changing trip for me.

Hopefully I can squeeze in a few more trips in 2011... but those are the big ones on the calendar!

You know what this means... save, save, save! Plane tickets aren't cheap. :) Now if only I can buy my new camera before these travels begin....

Anyone else resolving to travel more in 2011?

15 Resolutions

Howdy, ya'll!

Sorry... I'm just getting into a "Texas" state of mind before I head that way for Christmas next week!

I truly can't wait. It was so nice having the whole family here for Thanksgiving this year- the first holiday I've ever spent in Tulsa!

But there's something about sleeping in your childhood bedroom, no matter how much it's changed over the years, on Christmas Eve. So, Texas, here I come.

In the meantime, I've been doing a lot of thinking about my New Year's Resolutions for next year. I make a list every year; something about putting it all down on paper makes me feel productive.

My resolutions this year are quite a bit different than the ones I put down last year. So much has changed- I have changed- so I'm spending a lot of time thinking about what I want for myself in 2011.

With full acceptance that sometimes... my resolutions and God's resolutions for me are a bit different. :)

Every day from now until New Year's Day, I'm going to blog one of my resolutions. In fact, let's all do it! 15 resolutions, from today until New Year's Day. 15... hopes? dreams? goals? changes?... you have for 2011.

So, here we go. My first resolution for 2011, and maybe the biggest one of all- definitely deserving of the #1 spot:

Grow in my relationship with the Lord and find a church to start regularly attending.

If 14 of my resolutions fail in 2011, I hope this single one is successful. I've had such a season of growth in my walk with the Lord these past few months, and I pray that continues into next year. And I would love, love, love to find a church home in Tulsa. It's time.

So, there's #1! Tune in tomorrow for resolution #2. And hopefully this gets you thinking about your resolutions for 2011.

Let's make it a great year!

Castaways

A few of my favorite people...

... taken yesterday at Double Shot. Hard at work planning the next variety show.

Peter took this picture of us and called it "Castaways."

Fitting, huh? :)

The End of 2010

Four months ago, I would have never said the end of 2010 would be my favorite part of the year.

I can't believe how many wonderful blessings that have happened in just a short amount of time. And, a time when I was expecting nothing but heartache came some of the greatest joy!

Maybe it's because coming out of a big pile of heartache- all of the joyful moments seem that much sweeter. The good is that much better.

I had my review at work yesterday, and I kept thinking about my "life" review; how I would score in the different areas of my life. Physical, spiritual. Emotional.

I have learned so much about myself this year, grown so much. And I am so thankful for every second of it.

There are still things I would take back in a heartbeat. I walk through the back door every night and think of how much I wish Toby were running to the door to greet me. That has probably been the single biggest traumatic moment of my year, and I imagine will be one of the great ones of my life.

I read somewhere that a person isn't fully formed unless they have had two "significant emotional experiences." I'm not sure if that's true or not, but it's nice to think that these emotional experiences shape us and grow us into the person we are meant to be. A better, stronger version of ourselves.

As 2010 comes to a close, I am reflecting a lot on this past year and the good and the bad. But I feel like my "new beginning" already happened this year. And, I already like the way 2011 is shaping up.

So, that's where I'm at these days. My greatest prayer and hope for 2011 is that the growth continues.

Sometimes you pick your New Year's resolutions, and sometimes... they pick you.

Christmas Shopping Links

It has been cold, cold and colder in Tulsa lately!  So cold that it's hard to get out of bed in the morning, and I want to spend every spare second snuggled up under the covers or under a blanket.

Or drinking hot chocolate.

Basically, doing anything warm and nothing cold.

 

Like... running outside.  Or going outside, ever.

Which has made online shopping this Christmas such a huge success!

I wanted to share a few of my favorite websites where I made most, if not all, of my Christmas purchases this year.  I tried to go local, and if not local- then I tried to support a small business.  

If you're looking for any last minute gifts (don't stress; you still have 3 weeks!) then I would suggest clicking below and doing some browsing.

I dare you not to buy something for yourself in the process.  :)

For the ladies (and even gentlemen) in your life who love meaningful jewelry, you can't beat The Vintage Pearl.

For the loved ones in your life who love elegant, classy home decor- you must shop around Nest boutique in Dallas.

Speaking of home decor... I love Kim's designs.  She refurnishes and recovers old furniture using her specialty- burlap.  The result is a fabulous piece of vintage furniture with a new twist to suit your home.  Kim made this bench for me!  Visit Kim's blog to see her latest creations.

For all things hand-made, you can't beat Etsy.  (I'm still surprised by people who have never heard of Etsy!)  LOTS of fun goodies from Etsy this year.

And it's not too late to send out your Christmas cards!  I used Shutterfly this year- but I also want to recommend the lovely Cari at M.Press Cards.  She has created a number of things for me this year (remember Leah's bachelorette invitation?)

She also made another VERY cute something for me for Christmas that I can't wait to share... on December 26th, of course.  :)

Share your favorite online shopping spots!  We could all use a little last minute help!

Another Monday

After a busy weekend, it's nice to celebrate the end of Monday and the start of another week....

with hot chocolate, packed with marshmellows and a good book.

Happy Monday. :)

Seasons of Love

The title of this post is dedicated to all of my musical theater geeks out there! (My sister included.)

Seasons of Love. I think that totally sums up 2010.

Just a few days ago, my best friend had a beautiful baby girl. I remember the day two years ago she had her first baby, her son, and the look that was on her face. She had the same look on Monday, of just pure, unfiltered love.

I have known Heather for 8 years now, and I have only seen that look twice, ever. One for each baby. It literally makes my chest hurt, it's such a magical thing.

It's such a huge joy for me to watch people in my life in various seasons of love. I watched another best friend of mine get married this summer, and I get the same feeling thinking of how honored I was to watch her dreams come true as she married the man of her dreams.

Seasons of Love. I have learned so, so much about love this year. Watching Heather as a mom, Leah as a bride. Watching dreams come true.

And watching some dreams fall apart. Even through grief and heartache, I learned what love is, what love should be.

Someday, I'll be the bride saying my vows. I'll be the new mom, with that magic glow.

Today, I'm ok seeing what my next season of love will bring.