TOP 3 OF 2013!!!

Around this time last year I posted a top 3 moments of 2012. And let me just say, last year was a big year for me, getting married and skydiving are tough contenders. So this year I've had a harder time putting together such a list. But that isn't going to stop this post from happening! 2013 has been a big year of transition, growth, and patience. Transitioning from small town life in a place I knew, people I knew, having a huge support system within a ten minute drive, to a city of strangers, streets I don't know, and a solid 4 hour drive to "the house that built me". So, like with every challenge, comes opportunity not too far behind. This year Justin and I both have people here that we can honestly call friends, places we have made and shared many memories at, and a home that we find solace in. Our marriage has grown, our hearts have been opened, and thankfully our bank account has started to see an upswing vs the usual downturn. (laughs) This brings me to my patience portion of 2013. I have a strong appreciation for people who work everyday, especially doing something that they don't love. When I first came to Lexington, I had hoped to snag a job in an office setting and climb a corporate ladder of sorts, but those hopes were slowly dashed as resume after resume submissions, went without an interview. The impatient person that I am, I wanted to jump in to something ASAP. I have been teaching fitness classes since 2009, and I absolutely LOVE it. I didn't know where I would teach when I first moved here, but started out at the biggest gym in Lexington! It started as a 4-6 classes a week job, and I am blessed now to be teaching 14-16 classes a week at four different gyms throughout the area, and I am filled with excitement each and every day when I get to share this energy. So, I am feeling euphoric as I write this post, and summing up some of my favorite opportunities of 2013!!

Model for a Night

 

 

Our BFF Bridal Shoot

 

 

Going 165+mph

 

 

Honorable Mentions

 

 Going from Blondie to Brunette...
       

                                                                                                                                                       And trying New Things....  

 

 

Cheers Everyone!

 

 

 

Just doin' life together.

November, you sneaky little bee. I can't believe we are already getting ready to carve our 2013 turkey's and soon begin the rat race of Christmas present purchasing and gather around the well lit tree, just before we welcome yet another year of life (Lord willing) aka 2014. How exciting! I mean it. Waves of time well spent with my husband recently, has drawn me more and more to the conclusion that I love loving him. For example, my Justin went to JesusProm at our local church on Friday night. (JesusProm is a dance hosted for the mentally and physically disabled community here in Lexington.) He continually warms my heart, the way he does life. I'm so very blessed to be married to such a selfless soul. As life carries us through the seasons together, I am grateful to be the one doing life with Justin B. Hare.

 

 

 

Yard Gnomes

Update worthy! Justin has officially began his second year of residency, and his schedule has gotten so much better already. The first year here in Lexington has flown by of course, and I feel like we have settled in quite nicely. Our summer has been full of friends, cookouts, pool parties, and strawber-rita's! Just this week, we gave in to our horrible yard keeping skills, and hired a gardener to navigate us through the many random plants we currently have growing. I wish I had the patience and passion for such a hobby, the "ladybug lawn care" lady makes it sound so lovely, "you could have an herb garden here, and the sun hits here, so you can plant this, and let's add something here.." Hmmm, I like mulch, no weeds, and things not to look dead, thanks. Maybe I missed that gene somewhere seeing as my Granny always had big beautiful rose bushes, tomato plants, several apple trees, a few rows of corn, and kept bird houses, hummingbird feeders, and fed every stray cat in the neighborhood. She had a mini circus on her front porch as the birds would dart in and out of there. Anyhow, I don't think that's how our yard/back patio space will shape up to be, so for now, we have an old windchime and a hammock. I'm enthusiastically ok with that. Have a great July 11th everyone.

Birds and Bees Talk.

Alright, let's talk about the subject I avoid typically at all cost...kids. Justin and I have been married now for a year, and that starts making Mom's, Dad's, and In-laws a little edgy it seems. "Well, when will be a good time?" "How old will you be then?" or "What will you do if you have twins?!?" My stomach tightens and twists even as I type. It doesn't help that I have 2 friends trying to get preggers, 2 other close friends who are pregnant (one 7 months, one about 2 months and my mouth is sealed), and my other BFF will be married this year, and then she will be on the baby radar (babydar?) as well. I can't even commit to a dog. Anywho, I recently attended a social gathering, where all the women spent the evening discussing nipple scabs, raw bloated boobies, vaginal tearing and stitches, hours and hours of labor, birth plans gone awry, blah blah blah blah.... I sat quietly. Does anyone remember what they talked about before their baby ripped their bodies to shreds? Anyone?  Yikes. I can't imagine not having anything else to talk about besides, that. Thanks for prolonging the process Gals! haha... Anyways, my simple opinion is this, I don't know yet. I haven't made up my mind. And I know that Justin would be an amazing father/Dad/provider/coach/disciplinarian/example, you know, all that, but I am yet to have the urge to strap into a marsupial sling and have my placenta in the freezer. I give props to all you Ladies that are rockin' it out and raisin' ya babies. I may or may not see you on the other side. We'll see what I blog when that day comes.

365 Married Days!

Cinco de Mayo is here, and that means it has been one lovely year since our wedding, and married life began. We have navigated our way through what some have told us to be possibly the hardest year of marriage. Learning each others moods, behaviors, habits, spending preferences, work schedules, sleep angles, dinner staples, love languages, you know, all the important stuff. :) We are a happy balance of one another, and I can see how important that is to have in a marriage. During the dating phase, and even the engagement phase, you can learn so much about someone, and that's very important, but it's amazing to see all the nooks and crannies that are exposed when you are in the bonds of holy matrimony. It's very exciting to see how far we've come in just a short time already. So, to quote Brother Luke last year at this time, keep that marriage tub temperature on hot, and always be each others #1 fan!! Gooooo Marriage!

Happy One Year Darling.

2013 Cannon-ball!!

Talk about plunging into 2013 cannon-ball style. January has came and gone. February is a shorty anyways, so here we are...

My snowboarding trip with my girls was much needed and such a great time. We tried tubing this time around, and I must say, it is a MUST now everytime we go! I can't imagine my life without these girlies.

 

The Hubby and I also enjoyed a day on the slopes recently, AND visited the Biltmore. It was Justin's first time snowboarding, so he was a bit of a bunny sloper for the most part, but that's ok, he's a Hare.

 

 

I must say visiting the Biltmore was a unique experience. I enjoyed the idea of being somewhere that had countless stories, and intrigue. I tried to imagine running around in my pj's, relaxing, in such a lavish mansion/castle hybrid, and it would be nothing short of thrilling, but not at all necessary. Guess that means we're sticking to the KY suburbs. :)

 

Not only did the Biltmore take me to another time in history, but it also reminded me of someone very special that I know had walked those very halls, My Granny.

My Granny was quite the travelor, even in her old age, she was always looking for her next trip.

The Biltmore made my mind wonder what she thought of such grandeur, and how special I felt to be in the same place that she had visited.

 I can only hope I get to achieve such an itinerary of future travels.

Hope Valentine's Day was happy for everyone. Love is cool.