2013 Wishes

I am not one for new years resolutions, but I have decided this year, I am going to set some wishes (doesn't hurt, right?)  Lately, I have felt like some days I am just going through the motions, but these wishes will be a great thing to look back on during days like those.

Wish #1: Take time to stop and smell the roses 
If you know me, you know that I have a hard time relaxing.  If I am home for more than a day, I need to organize something, clean something, or start a new project.  I do not know how to do "nothing" and I need to learn how to take a step back and admire the beautiful life that I have been given.  So many times, I get caught up in what is going on around me and it is easy to forget what all I have been given and that I have worked for

Wish #2: Take steps to start preparing for a family
Another thing you would know if you are close to me is that I am getting pressure from most of the people in my life to have a baby.  Of course they are not mad that we haven't had a baby yet, but they are excited for the time to come.  Jason and I have talked a great deal about when we would like to start trying, and the steps we are going to actively follow to make the transition as seamless as possible if it does happen.  We are excited to start the next chapter of our lives, and I am finally ready to start trying this year.  Jason is thrilled beyond belief since he has wanted a baby for a long time now, and I am finally "giving in" 

Wish #3: Spend some more time with my girlfriends
I have been very blessed with some amazing women in my life, and I want to make sure I devote time to spend with them much more often this year.  As mentioned in wish #1, sometimes we all get so caught up in our own lives that we don't see each other as much as we would like, but I want to change that.  Whether it's my friends from work, my Mom and sister, my cousins, my sister-in-law, or friends who I have lost touch with and miss a lot, I want to make more of an effort to see them.  Sometimes you really need some girl time to relieve some stress!!

Since I can't be with my friends from Juneville, I hope to be able to spend some more virtual time with them, and possibly meet some of them if they have time this summer!  Being a teacher definitely has a perk of summer vacation, so if they have time, I can't wait to meet them!!

Wish #4: Become more active at blogging, and at taking pictures
I guess these could have been split into two, but we can lump them together.  I blog for fun, nothing too serious, but I really enjoy doing it.  I like having some uninterrupted time to get my thoughts out and to look back on the posts later to see how I was feeling.  I think it will be a great resource for me, since we all know that certain aspects of my memory are not my best quality... Details, however, are a whole different story! ;-)

I absolutely love taking pictures, and last year, we made a splurge on an expensive camera for me.  I love it, but I do not know nearly enough about it, and I would love to learn.  I am hoping this summer to be able to devote more time to learning about the camera and experimenting.  This past summer, I was able to be an assistant to an amazing photographer, Beth Smith, and I have learned so much just from working with her, and I look forward to picking it back up in the Spring when it is nice out again!

Wish #5: To graduate my Masters Degree Program with a 4.0
My Undergraduate GPA is nothing to write home about.  I was a Biology major with some extremely hard classes, so I would love to prove that I'm able to graduate with a Masters while maintaining a 4.0, a full-time job, and coaching on top of that.  I have one final class this Spring from January-May, and then I will graduate.  I am excited to be finished, and I can't wait to take a break from classes for the summer.  I know that I enjoy seeing my friend Marti in all of my classes, but we can see each other for lunch instead!