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!

Sometimes you just have to whine.

As I type this, Andrew is still at work. Yes, I am very thankful for this job, however, I hate when my husband has to work late. I love spending time with him (what happily married woman doesn't enjoy that?) and I have to be honest, I miss him!! I even got home from work late expecting to see his handsome face at his computer. No luck for like the past 3 hours.

However, with his absence, I have become quite the little diva homemaker. I washed dishes and folded the laundry. Both things really needed to be done. I still need to go buy a few things at the grocery store and deposit some checks (including Andrew's first new paycheck! Wahoo!), but that is difficult without a car.

I was hoping that if I started typing this, Andrew would come through the door, but again this day is not very lucky. Back to actually put away the laundry I guess...

Spring [Wardrobe] Cleaning?

Usually around my birthday, I love to update my wardrobe a bit. And by "update my wardrobe" I mean, spend a lot of money on clothes. I have held off SO WELL this spring, but I am definitely feeling this urge to pick out clothes that are more professional, or more comfortable, or just newer, washed-less-than-fifty-times clothes. It has been especially hard to hold myself back due to us being more on budget than previous years.

As for saving money in other areas, like going out to eat, we have been fairly successful! Surprise, surprise. Making a list and planning meals does help! Haha. Now, to motivate ourselves into doing this every two weeks or so... that's the toughest part.

I have a few more photos to edit from being out and about, but absolutely no motivation to do so.

Work has been really busy (at least for me...) these past few weeks, but currently I feel like I am at a good pace in my work life. Now, to strive for this level of work every week.

Hopefully next time I post I will have some photos to show!

Silent Sunday

Kay and Rhae sweetly watching youtube after a hectic (buy most certainly fun) day.