Goals for 2015 {Five on Friday}

To be honest, I am not a big resolution kind of girl. I guess after years and years of making them and not really thinking about them again after January 1st, I really don't see the point. I DO, however, like setting goals for myself. Attainable goals, that is. So here are my 2015 goals:

1. Buy/Build a Shed

Disclaimer: I will definitely not be the one building a shed!! 

When we bought our house in April, it did not have a shed. Our neighbor (aka pastor that married us) lives next door and has graciously let us borrow his loan mower. Our top priority is buying and building a shed within the next 3 months so that we don't have to keep borrowing and have a little space of our own. We actually had a Stock the Shed shower (yeah, I laughed too) and as a result, we have a wheel barrow and chain saw in our office. This shed is TOP PRIORIYY!

2. Be Healthy

This goal is not to lose weight, although that would be nice too. This goal is to get/be healthy. To make healthier lifestyle choices. I fully believe that by making healthier lifestyle choices, the weight loss will be an added benefit. All I really care about is being healthy. Crawford and I have decided that this is something we will work towards together. 

3. Stain deck/Pressure Wash House

You are probably laughing but this is actually a goal. While it sounds more like a chore, it is something that our house needs and so I have made it a goal.

4. 1 Devotional Series with Crawford

This was actually Crawfords idea and I loved it. It is so easy to get busy with life that you lose that personal time. For 2015, we plan to pick out a book or a couples devotional and study it together. Any suggestions?

5. Be Present

My biggest goal for 2015 is to be more present in all situations. I am guilty for always being on my phone and zoning people out. My goal is to try harder to actually sit back and listen with no distractions. This may mean leaving the phone in the car or putting it on silent. 

Today, I am linking up with 

[darci, april, christina + natasha]

for Five on Friday

{Happy New Year}

My prayer for the new year is to embrace every single moment. One thing I have learned over the past two years is that time is precious and every moment counts. I feel as if time is flying by in the blink of an eye. 2014 was almost a blur for me but it was by far the best year of my life. Marrying Crawford on November 8th changed my life for the better. Life was no longer about me but about us. To do life with your BESTFRIEND is by far the greatest journey of all. So here is to 2015. A year full of unknowns that I am sure will bring about many new adventures full of new bliss. Tomorrow I will post some of my goals for 2015 but for now, Happy New Year! May the start of the year give you a renewed hope in the things to come.

First Married Christmas

Can you believe Christmas has already come and gone? I feel like it should still be Thanksgiving. Our pastor that married us told us that one of the biggest challenges for newly weds was deciding what to do for the holidays. Therefore, he asked us to come up with a plan for Thanksgiving and Christmas prior to getting married.  I can honestly say that was one piece of advice that I was very thankful for and it made our holiday travels much easier and stress free.

I have to work every Christmas Eve but my employer lets everyone leave at 2:00 pm (very grateful). Once I got home, Crawford and I loaded the car and headed for Pinetops.  Every year, my entire family which includes 6 aunts/uncles, 7 cousins + spouses, 10 great grandchildren, pack into my grandmas house on Christmas Eve.  We lost my grandma to cancer last year but decided to keep the tradition alive by continuing to have Christmas at her house. I have a feeling that this may change in the future for the fact that we have completely outgrown her house. One thing I will say, my fondest Christmas memories were spent in that house and they will always hold a special place in my heart.

Grandmas children: Uncle John, Aunt Debbie, Aunt Terry, and dad.

This was the first year Crawford has been able to attend Christmas Eve at grandmas and it was so special. Grandma always had a white tree and we still use her white tree and ornaments each year.

Some of my cousins.

Spouses of the grandkids.

After we left grandmas, we went and picked up Hank and went to mom and dads house. We decided we would celebrate Christmas with them on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Craws family. The most important Christmas tradition for me is sitting by the tree on Christmas Eve with a cup of hot chocolate and listening to dad read the story of Christs birth. We have done it every year and afterwards we will share some of the happy/sad/funny/growth moments of the year.

After the Christmas story, we spent the rest of the night opening presents. We even went with mom and dad to pick out a new car for mom. I love my family and enjoyed every moment with them.

Christmas morning felt odd, yet exciting. It was the first time in 25 years I have not woken up in my parents house. Due to the hectic schedule of my birthday, Crawfords moms birthday, and working the week of Christmas, I forgot to buy groceries for breakfast. Nothing was open on Christmas so we literally had nothing for breakfast. FAIL on my part. I promise to do better next year. Crawford and I decided not to do Christmas to each other this year since we just got married, honeymooned in St. Lucia, and bought an iPad. He did surprise me with tickets to see Wicked and I am stoked!! Around 11, we left for Louisburg to spend Christmas with his family.

Here we are with both of his brothers and his grandma.  

This picture was actually taken two weeks prior in Edenton.

This was the first Christmas in which I have been able to see Craws family on Christmas. It was nice being able to experience other traditions. Their Christmas tradition involves eating homemade tacos for Christmas lunch.

Hank even joined us for our little trip to Louisburg. He loves his Lu-Lu (Craws mom) and she absolutely loves him.

I put up this photo on Insta but isn't it crazy the difference one year makes? My second Christmas with Hankers!

We truly had a wonderful Christmas. I have a feeling we will be making a few changes next year- like having groceries on hand for breakfast- but we will forever cherish our first MARRIED Christmas!!

Merry Christmas

The most anticipated day of the year is finally upon us. In all of the hustle and bustle, it is important to remember the reason we celebrate. Sure, the presents and time with family is nice, but the birth of our Savior is truly the greatest gift of all. On this day, God sent his only son to be born of a virgin so that one day, His SON would die on a cross and save us of our sins.  He is the reason we celebrate and oh what a reason! I hope you all have a wonderful Merry Christmas!!

2014 Christmas Card

My Matron of Honor/BESTFRIEND told me that for one of my wedding gifts, she would be buying my Christmas cards for me. She had it all planned out like everything else she does in life. On the day of the wedding, she brought Craw a santa hat and me some reindeer antlers. We were going to take a funny picture for our Christmas cards. 

Rebekah had our photographer email her these pictures while we were on the honeymoon so she could go ahead and order them. Again, she thinks of everything.

These were the two pictures we received. I thought they were both great but Craw loved the first one the best. When it came time to order, I was so indecisive. I couldn't decide if I liked the funny one or if I wanted to use a regular wedding picture. In the end, we went with a regular picture and they turned out great! Craw was a little sad that we didn't use the funny santa hat picture but he still loved the cards.

 Giving and receiving Christmas cards is probably one of my favorite parts of Christmas. I find myself running to the mailbox to see what new cards we receive everyday.

Our 2014 Christmas Card

Merry Christmas from our little family to yours.