Counting down, Looking forward.

Things I'm already looking forward to in 2013:

 

1. Snowboarding trip with my girls in January!

2. Stay-cation with my Hubby in February!

3. Hubby turns 28 in March!

4. I turn 27 in April!

5. Celebrating One Year of Marriage in May!

6. Annual girls trip to Charleston, SC in June!

7. As always, Fireworks in July!

8. August

9. September

10. The Wedding of Kent Bandy and Emily Walker in October! :)

11. Thanksgiving of course.

12. Christmas and New Year's.

 

 

 

Lord willing of course. 2013, Yippee ki yay.

 

Top Three 2012

Reflecting on 2012, my top 3 favorite

accomplishments/memories that come to mind would be...



 

Getting Married to my Love..



Paying off my Car!

 

And not backing out.

 

Bring it on 2013.

 

 

Christmas Cheer

 

A quick reminder to drain your sewage early this year,

and keep your husband's package safe

from the line of fire. 

 

 

Christmas Cards are a comin'!

Yeah, I sent out my Christmas cards today. It's December 3rd, and I'm fine with that. My Christmas tree was up on November 7th, and that's allowed too. I never thought I would be the crazy Christmas lady, like my Mother always was, but looks like I have followed in those snow prints.

So, if you were 'Oh So Lucky' to be on our Christmas card list, you will soon receive a shnazzy photo of The Hoppy Hare's, that looks a little something like the above :)



Also, just a quick update, today Justin took his Step 3 test in Louisville, KY, and got to visit with one of our favorite couples, Andy & Emily, and the newest addition, Baby Eden Wicke! I love this picture, so I had to share...

 

I hope all of your homes are 'beginning to look a lot like Christmas' as well, and may all your lights work this holiday season. amen.

 

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7(NIV)

 

 



Dr. Hare, Extraordinaire.

Now seeing as this blog is named, "Hoppin' with the Hares", I think it is only fair that I brag on my Superhero of a hubby. I know that young fella in that king bed at 8:30pm tonight is in a word, exhausted. I just love him. I know I don't have any kind of idea what he is mentally dealing with each and every day he walks into that hospital, but I do know that he comes home with a kiss and a smile. 4:15am is his wake-up time, 6:30-7:30pm is his varying clock-out times. I can't even imagine my attitude towards mankind with that schedule. Steady as he goes...He doesn't even know, the admiration I have for him.

Totally Blessed, that he's totally Mine.

Good Girl Friends.

I have been incredibly blessed with 4 amazing soul-sisters in my life.  

I appreciate you so. 

Always know,

no matter the distance, 

no matter the obstacles, 

I will always need you, 

I will always want to help you, 

and you will always be a part of who I am. 

A friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil; but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small, silly presents every so often - just to save it from drying out completely. Pam Brown 

I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar. Robert Brault

   

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them. Ralph Waldo Emerson  


Quotes provided by: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_friendship2.html#EPMUFc25kM374WhY.99

YOLO, so true

You Only Live Once.

What Would You Say? WWYS?

Immersed in a book about successful women, now in their 30's, 40's, and beyond, whom were asked to reflect over their lives, and if they could write a letter to their younger self, at what point in their life would it be, and what point would they like to make. Intrigued by this thought myself, I began going over a few here and there moments that I could've used a better pep talk to myself than I achieved on certain occasions. Although, I'm only 26, I think there is still plenty of advice I would give to my younger self. I challenged my girlfriends to consider the question as well. I did get an email from an "anonymous donor", and she was so specific, she could give you exact moments in her life that she would encourage a work-around. Whether it was in sports, love, school, or time well spent, she hit all major arenas. Me, I gave my younger self more general, long-term advice, well, besides "don't wear that hideous Christmas jacket." blaughck. AND, I'm not talking about telling your 11th grade self to invent facebook.com. So, all jokes aside... I encourage you to think about this very thing. Don't reflect too harshly, but what significant moments would you too either dishearten or uplift yourself?

Picture borrowed from: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/116917.What_I_Know_Now

Smack, You're married!

So, March 2012 was the last post I participated in on my blog hog. I am so behind, would be an understatement. Here it is, August (almost September) and I am just now back at it. Let me just say, I started this blog to document my wedding process, and as it turns out, that is completely what I have skimmed over. Interestingly enough, I think I will pick up in the here and now, and not graze over the then and there. Needless to say, my wedding was everything I wanted it to be. I laughed, I most certainly cried, and memories are forever in my heart, and seared into my soul. Now, it's time for real life to settle in, and married life to commence. We now live in Lexington, KY and Justin stays busy as a beetle at the UK Hospital. Who stays at home and is the housewifey that could?? This girl! I have to say, housewife a la mode is pretty tasty stuff. I know what you're thinking, no kids? how can you stand it? Oh, me stands it alright. I stay busy with loads and loads of dirty clothes, home-cooked meals, and lots of random crafts and activities of my choosing. It's quite the adventure. And sometimes throughout the week, I look around at my newly settled home, mature decor, and "Mama raised me right" cleaning abilities, and it hits me, SMACK, You're married. How crazy and wonderful. It's funny how your life unfolds all throughout the many choices and haze of days that seem to pass so quickly, and all of a sudden, it's all so surreal. Here I am, an adult. Ballin!! lol. Change is inevitable, and that's alright with me, but one thing's for certain. My goal is to live life to the fullest without interruption from people who don't have the same ambitions. "If you're not over the top, then you're under the bottom." ~Me. ***and a special thanks to "Canny" for encouraging me to blog again***

Patience is a Virtue

So, I want to take a positive note from this experience at my current employer, which I will soon be leaving, but I have learned that patience is so very important. Patience more than anything can change a situation, but more importantly, keep your integrity intact. I know it's hard at times, and I most certainly have a temper I like to unleash when I feel it is justified, but overall, keeping your cool should prevail...

Strangest thing, I started writing this blog a week ago, and since then, Justin and I have found out that we will be going to (drumroll please) LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, thus giving us the opportunity to house shop. The first weekend there, I thought we had found our dream home, and were ready to make an offer that day, and 2 hours earlier, someone else had the exact same idea. Back at square one, devastated, and heartbroke, (yes I got very attached quickly), we had to start looking again. And once you see the house you want, nothing compares. Now, pulling up this blog after that experience, it was refreshing to see "Patience is a Virtue", I wrote that? haha. But it truly is, it is time to take a deep breathe in, realize that it was a blessing for Justin to even match at the University of Kentucky, and know that that in itself was an answered prayer of yes! I am looking forward to looking at more houses and know that another opportunity will open itself to us. Just gotta be ready for it! So much to be thankful for! XOXOX

New Year, New Events!

Welp, Hello 2012, How are you? Here we are, and what an eventful beginning for me. I recently set out on an endeavor to witness the miracle of birth. Luckily, I knew the perfect candidate to willingly put her goods on display, and let me embrace the circle of life, my dear friend Leslie! What a wonderful Wednesday it was! I got to be in the room with her the whole time! What an amazing experience to witness! That was my biggest news from January! I know I'm a month behind.


So, since it's already February, let's talk about LOVE!
I become more and more mesmerized by my wonderful husband-to-be each day. He has to be one patient monkey to deal with me and my schedule, and mouth for that matter :). He has helped me a great deal to realize when to stop and take a breather. I love my soul matey.

Wifey Cook Book

Alright Bloggees.I am in full contact mode with wedding, bridal, and beyond. I am ready to be on the grind and the home stretch to gettin' hitched. I am looking for any and all things Wifey. The recipe I am posting is phenom!, and deserves an effort if you are looking for anything to test in the kitch.

Rib Roast With Chipotle Bleu Sauce

Ingredients

cooking spray
8 celery ribs
1 standing rib roast (4–5 lb)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper
5 oz Deli soft-ripened blue cheese, cubed
3 1/2 tablespoons herb garlic butter (1/2 stick), cubed
1 cup yogurt blue cheese dressing
2 teaspoons chipotle pepper sauce

Steps

Preheat oven to 425°F. Coat medium-size roasting pan with spray. Cut celery into 7-inch ribs; lay across center of pan. Place roast on top of celery (wash hands); sprinkle salt and pepper over roast. Bake 20 minutes or until roast has browned.
Reduce oven to 350°F; cook 2 more hours or until roast is 145°F (medium-rare) up to 170°F (well-done). Use a meat thermometer to accurately ensure doneness. Transfer roast to cutting board; let stand 10–15 minutes before slicing.
Cut cheese and butter into small cubes. Place both in medium saucepan on medium heat; cook and stir 2–3 minutes or until melted. Stir in dressing and pepper sauce; remove from heat when sauce is bubbly. Serve roast with sauce. (Makes 8 servings.)
CALORIES (per 1/8 recipe) 750kcal; FAT 63g; CHOL 165g; SODIUM 920mg; CARB 3g; FIBER 1g; PROTEIN 41g; VIT A 10%; VIT C 4%; CALC 15%; IRON 25%