22 Days Later...

The month of January I have:

- Picked up even more responsibility at work.

- Been proud of my career and where it is going.

- Started taking better care of myself than I ever did in 2012.

- Felt more peace than I have in the past.

- Started giving back more and sharing more of the love in my heart.

This month, although not over quite yet, has been really wonderful. Stressful, yet wonderful. 

Last night Court and I had a dinner date and we talked and talked and talked. It was so nice to have just us (and the littlest baby!). It was just what I needed. And now, half of today and all of tomorrow is just Andrew and I taking some us time, which is also what we both need right now. 

2013 is going to be a great year. 

A Side Note of Harry Potter

This week felt longer than a three day week. I can't believe 2013 only started on Tuesday! I feel like it should be February by now. I hope that just means I was super productive at work.

On New Years day, we bought the whole Blu-ray box set of Harry Potter and just finished watching all 8 discs tonight. Every time I finish the movie series or re-read the last page of the Deathly Hollows, it makes me so sad the whole series is over. I remember growing up and being the first people in line to buy the books (yes, in High School we went to at least 2 of the Midnight premieres). My mom and I would stay up and read them and discuss what went on and I wished I would get a letter from Hogwarts. I wanted to have a class with Hermonie, laugh with the Weasley twins, see what house I would get put into (Hufflepuff most likely). Finishing those books or movies, is just like finishing a book you have engulfed yourself in and it is hard to get out and stop thinking about those characters or what happens next, etc.

We are trying to come up with fun activities for tomorrow so middle niece doesn't just have us run around the dining room table playing tag... as much fun as that is... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Top 12 Pictures of 2012

Here is a completely bias opinion of my top 12 pictures of '12. I haven't posted many of them on the blog, so think of it as a sneak preview! Here they are in no particular order:

1. Ry and Her Dolls

I love the painted fingernails in this one.

 2. Pensive Outlook

 3. A Very Windy Road

I had no intention of the blurriness, but I love how it came out. 

 4. Happiest of Birthdays

This picture still makes me tear up a little.

 5. Mayan Ruins

This was probably my favorite "Artsy" picture of the Mexican trip.

 6. National Monument at Dusk

 7. The Mummers

 8. Dance freely

I love the go-with-the-flow vibe here. 

 9. A Loose Seal

Andrew and I ventured to the cape one October Saturday with the hopes of seeing a shark on the beach. There had been reports of sharks and the like in the town my family often vacationed at. We went and although we didn't find a shark, we found this seal that followed us for a little bit. It was SO hard to get this picture with all the wind, the sand, and the seal movements. 

 10. 4 becomes 5

Courtney asked if I could take some maternity pictures for her, so of course I said yes. I was so nervous that I didn't get any good shots, but I couldn't choose between this one and the one below! I will have a post on just her pictures soon. I am pretty proud of how they turned out. 

 11.  The Bump

12. Arrival

My Goddaughter, Viktoria, arrived this year and this is the best photo I've taken of her so far. It was the first time I met her and got to hold her. I actually took this with my phone and I am really pleased with how good it looks. 

So, there it is! 12 pictures for 2012. Can't wait to see what beautiful pictures will pop out of 2013!

New Year, New Start

With the new year looming right in front of us, I want to do what is common at this time and create some resolutions.

I want to blog more. I want to share with family and friends what is going on in our lives, especially as this year will hopefully be an exciting year for us. As many of you know, Andrew and I will be going to Ireland with 2 dear friends. We will be (hopefully, cross your fingers!) getting a house (and a puppy?!). And as always, I will be taking pictures and watching as seasons change, as the amazing kids in my life grow, and watching my relationships with people evolve and change. 

I have many posts I would like to do, but for now, I must go run some errands. I will certainly miss the holiday season. 

Ender's Island, Connecticut

My brother-in-law was living on this little Connecticut island for a few weeks and invited us down for my mother-in-law's birthday! Yes... it was in May. I will catch up someday. 

 We climbed into a high tower, with some steep stairs and got a beautiful view of the ocean and the grounds. There were these amazing paintings all along the walls and a nice lantern hanging. 

The formal dining room was absolutely gorgeous! I think this dining room would be included in my dream house. The colors were soothing, the ceilings were incredible, and it was so light and airy. 

 

 The top right photo is definitely a boy band cover. 

 It was a gorgeous place to visit and wonderful to be with family. 

Reviewing goals: Part 1

If you remember I posted some goals for the summer over two weeks ago. I figured I would give an update and also, motivate myself to keep on track. [Come on Emily! You can do it! Be your own cheerleader!]
1. Exercise frequently: I have been failing miserably with this... I think I have exercised maybe three times in the past two weeks. I did just get a new exercise video -- Jillian Michaels 30-day shred. I've heard it is tough, but worth it. I am hoping to get into it soon and I'll let you know how I feel afterwards. 
2. Spend less money. We have been eating out less than when I made this a goal, so that is a plus. I vote yes, we are doing ok in this area. 
3. Take time out of each day to reflect and be thankful. I still need to do more of this. I have been a little sick (with a stupid lasting cough) these past few days, but I should definitely be thankful to have the medicine to make me feel better and clean water to norish my body with. 
4. Write more. Nope. I did update my blog though. Does that count? 
Overall, I obviously have to keep going, but I still think these goals are important to both my health and my future plans.

In other news, I gave blood today. I didn't pass out either! I felt a little bit light-headed, so I laid back down for a minute or two, but now I feel great and I really hope my blood goes to a person who really needs it.

I am reading "My Sister's Keeper" currently and I really like it. I am a bit concerned though because I am reading it on the train from work and I can already tell it is going to make me cry at some point. I don't want to be that lady on the T...

New name, new season, ice cream

After much deliberation, I felt it was necessary to change my blog name to something less boring and more me. So, meet the new and improved, "Love & Happiness, but most of all... ice cream!" Do you like it? Think it is me? 

In other news, the first day of summer was yesterday and boy, did it come full force. It has been in the high 90's if not 100's in the Boston area lately! Craziness. 

Every year my company has a barbecue in the parking lot to celebrate summer. This year the food was only decent and there wasn't even enough, however they did order an ice cream truck. That made everything better. :)

Ice Cream!