Tailgates and Tanlines: January 2013

Josh and I had planned to go down to Beaverdam to celebrate Christmas with my parents back during the weekend between Christmas and New Year's, but we didn't get a chance to go until yesterday. With us living 2 hours away from my family, it's difficult to get together as often as we'd like, since it has to be planned more than just dropping by. But we headed down there early yesterday afternoon, and had a really nice time! I've almost forgotten what it was like living so far out in the country, but I do miss it sometimes. I'm more of a city girl now, but it's definitely nice to get back out there once in a while, away from the craziness of Northern Virginia!

Sylvie wants to open some presents....

Autographed book to my dad from Oliver North

Blanket for my parents

Adorable flying pig cookie jar from Andrew and Meredith (please excuse my lack of makeup!)

Welcome to the New Year! I'm pretty excited for 2013. A few things did happen this past year that I'm so excited about, I met some people that have come to mean so much to me and I'm incredibly glad they are in my life. But overall this year felt very lonely. So I decided I am making some changes in this new year. I am going to put myself first this year...not necessarily in a selfish way, but I have come to realize that in this world, if you don't put yourself and your happiness first, not many people are going to do it for you. I am going to do everything I can to make sure my family, my dogs, and my friends are happy, but I am not going to go out of my way to ensure the happiness of those who do not deserve it. I'm not going to allow myself to be a doormat, or allow the opinions of others to affect me. As long as I'm happy with myself, that's what matters. I am also going to use this year to just have FUN. I've spent too much time and energy worrying about things that I can't control....worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere. I'm going to do what I can to ensure good health, keep food on the table and a roof over our heads, and everything else comes second. Josh and I are going to enjoy ourselves this year...more trips to DC, more hiking and biking and walking, more holiday celebrations, and more time to appreciate our 5 years of marriage and our ten years of being together. We also want to spend a lot of time with friends over the course of the year as well; we always say we're going to do that but this year I really want to make an effort to spend time with those we love. The hot topic of conversation in regards to the Connecticut school shooting is whether or not guns should or will be banned, but if it taught s anything, it's that we never know how much time we have left. You can do everything possible to prevent tragedy, whether it's disease or violence or any other form of it, but in the end you can't control your fate. So while we're still here, we need to make the most of it and not take time or friends or family for granted....definitely on my list of my 2013 resolutions. My last goal for this year is to declutter my life...physically, mentally, and emotionally. I need to go through the house and get rid of everything we don't want or need, it makes me feel so much better when the house is more organized. Additionally, I'm going to do the same thing in other aspects of my life. I'm not going to allow negative people to stay in my life who only bring me down; if you can't support me or lift me up, you don't need to take up space in my life!

Now that I've decided on the changes for this new year, it's time to move on to a lighter subject! Josh had Morgan for the holidays this year, which includes New Year's, so we went to Morton's Steakhouse to ring in the New Year with his parents. We had a great time, but I am definitely not used to eating so much, so late! I had breaded chicken with asparagus, broccoli, au gratin potatoes, and "a" brussel sprout (just one, which I tried for the first time...it was pretty good but not on my list of future vegetables!!). I tried to save some room for dessert; I didn't have the room but the dessert cart looked so amazing, I had to order the carrot cake...afterwards I almost wished I had ordered the chocolate mousse because the icing on the cake was so rich, but to be honest, I probably should've avoided dessert at midnight altogether! But the healthy eating doesn't start again until Wednesday, so I suppose if you're going to do it, do it right! And boy am I paying for it today....my body isn't used to so much sugar, so I'm spending the day vegging out on the couch, watching Lifetime Movie Network and letting myself take a mental and physical detox from the holidays. In my mind, the New Year officially starts tomorrow and I cannot wait! Hope everyone had a great end to the holidays and a wonderful beginning to 2013!