The Happiness Project.

A few months ago, I splurged and bought myself this book I found in a local bookstore.

If you know anything about me, its that I could waste an entire weekend in any type of bookstore and never get bored. Its so fun for me! Reading over 50 summary's on new books and writing down the titles, promising myself I'll read a few before the years end... well, lucky for me, this one required no reading.

It's a book that you fill in.

I'm sure many of you have heard about it, and I couldn't be happier that I bought it before a lot of huge life events started happening to me. Its called The Happiness Project, its a 5 year, one sentence a day journal. It has already been so fun to look back on from a few months ago, when I had no idea how my life was going to change so quickly.

Its like $15 and seriously -- how cute is it?!?!

At the top of every page, it gives you a quote. They are mostly motivational, happy, or just plain silly. I haven't found one that hasn't made me smile.

It sounds so easy, "oh, just write a sentence every day".... but let me tell you. It's hard! BTW - I know I've been updating you randomly on the status of my new years resolutions, so here goes it--

1. Flossing my teeth? Yes, every night before bed. Can you believe it?!? 24 nights in a row now. It blows my mind, too.

2. Insanity? Caleb and I started, and had to put it on a temporary hold due to his knee injury. He told me to keep going, but I started it with him, so I'd like to finish it with him also. Hopefully he is better before the weeks end!

3. Reading my Bible every day: YES! I am so proud of myself. I am doing a whole year bible plan and can happily say that every day before I go to bed, I take 20 minutes and read the passages that are given to me on my app, while taking notes, and really letting it all sink in. It truly is the perfect way to end my day, so I feel great when I wake up.

4. Eating healthy? I've been trying my hardest. So far so good, I just feel better when I do. I still let myself cheat every now and then (cause if I didn't, I'd go insane), but its going great so far. YAY for a hopeful lifestyle change!

So... how are your NY Resolutions holding up?? Looks like we made it past "Blue Monday"... which is apparently declared "the most depressing day of the year". How sickening, right? Who actually makes up a day like that.

Well, I am boycotting it. You should, too.

Stay happy, folks.

My ladies: Part 2.

Happy new year, friends! Hope everyone was safe and had way too much fun! Caleb texted me the morning of New Years Eve and said "I'm so excited to enter into our wedding year tonight!!" & if I'm being honest, so was I. Take a wild guess of what I'm most excited about this year? ;)

{speaking of my wedding....}

So, you've already met the first two ladies who will be standing closest to me on my big day here... now its time to move on to the next 2 ladies :)

My second bridesmaid: Angie

Angie was my first college roommate ever. We hit it off instantly, with our weird personalities and awesome dance moves. Both of our "better halves" say that when we are together, we're straight up weirdos... probably because we talk in odd voices and say things no one else would really understand at inappropriate times. She is always  either laughing, smiling, or having a great time... oh and she could dye her hair green and still look super gorgeous. Its not even fair. This girl would drop anything for me and I love her for that. Although we only spent 1.5 years at college together, our friendship has remained constant and I am THRILLED to have her up there with me as I marry my best friend.

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My third bridesmaid: Marie

Marie means so much to me, for so many reasons. I think she deserves a full post on this another time, because she played a huge role in my life as I became a Christian a few years ago. I looked to her at first as a mentor, and now as one of my best friends. She and her husband, Josh, are two people Caleb and I look up to in so many ways. They also get bonus points for having the most precious daughter in the world. Caleb and Josh hate it when we do our best Kristin Wiig or Amy Pohler impressions together, but they are used to it by now ;) ...  Marie and I get along so well, and will crack up at just about anything. She is such an encouraging voice in hard times, and I don't know where I'd be without her. I am so thankful she will be one of the few ladies standing beside me on my big day!!


I hope everyone is enjoying their morning, and remember those resolutions you made! I am excited and more determined than ever to achieve my goals. Know why? I made them realistic, and have great accountability! Here they are:

1. Run in another race (& just run more in general. A sweet new blog friend, Anna, sent me her amazing work out calendar to fill in and I am SO pumped to begin using it. I'd like to run either a 5K, 10K, or maybe more if I'm feeling crazy!)
2. Finish the entire Bible by Dec 31st (I started a devotional from the Bible app on my kindle)
3. Treat my body right (tons of water, more exercise, fewer sweets)
4. Learn to cook. ( more than just french toast and waffles...goodness gracious, I'm going to be a wife soon. I gotta brush up on the ole skills!)
5. Send snail mail at LEAST once a month (lets be honest, who doesn't love a sweet hand written letter or package for absolutely no reason? This also goes along with my overall goal to be more intentional with my relationships!)

So go ahead and tell me what some of YOUR realistic goals are. I can't wait to get to know each of you even more in this new year!