To Love, Cherish Encircle and Enclose

Say what? It's 2015 already! I can't even believe it! I know everyone says it, but seriously, 2014 FLEW! I know, I've slacked so much blogging, but life has been pretty busy the past almost 4 months with the new addition to our family! Little miss Allie Jane, that is! I will do a special little post all about our sweet little girl in a bit! But for now, here is a cute picture of her I took this morning.

As you all know, I choose a word every year to use as my theme or mantra. Last year's word was "cleave," and I feel it fit our year pretty well! Grant and I's marriage has flourished tremendously! It was a tough year with my parents moving and us becoming parents! But, we survived and we are getting the hang of it all! Grant is truly my best friend and I can rely on him in any circumstance! 

This year's word was pretty easy to choose. It has been something I've been needing to do for far too long! the word is "embrace." 

The word, "embrace," means to cherish, love, encircle, and enclose. This year I want to focus on embracing my family. My little Allie Jane is growing and changing so fast and I don't want to miss a moment of it. My husband is so precious to me. I want need to be his biggest fan in life. My Savior is the most important person in my life. He comes first in everything. These three people in my life are in need of my embracing. I often find myself spending so much time on my phone and social media! It has become such a distraction. My house gets neglected, my spiritual obligations get pushed to the side, and my full attention is not focused on my husband and daughter. 

This year I am taking a HUGE step back from social media. It has honestly become an addiction. Addicted to the need to post and be updated on all my friends! Don't worry, I'm not totally leaving. Just taking a big cut back. Today is the 4th and I haven't been on Facebook or Instagram since. It has been a real eye opener as to how much of a habit it is. Every 20 mins it seemed, I caught myself flipping through my phone! It's pretty embarrassing admitting it! I have been so productive these past few days. Chores done, dinner cooked, etc. I've also been able to spend real quality time with Allie. I never want to feel like I'm not going her my 100% ever again! We sing songs, read books, and practice tummy time together! We have so much fun! I've kept myself so busy, that once 9 o'clock comes around, I'm pooped and there is still no time for social media! Social media is such a bitter sweet thing! It's amazing to me how easy it is to be sucked into it! 

Wow, now that I have gone on a whole other tangent! haha 

I'm excited for this year's theme! I think I'm really going to benefit from it! As well as my husband and daughter. Allie is almost 4 months old and we are working on getting into a schedule. Being away from technology and social media has really helped. It's hard work trying to get a rhythm going. Grant and I were just talking about how our lives are changing (for the better) and how gone are the days of staying up until 2 am and going out at the drop of a hat. I turn into a pumpkin at 10pm it seems! Freak, we fell asleep at 9 on New Year's Eve! haha talk about old people status ;) 

2015 is going to be exciting! Allie is going to learn to sit up, crawl, walk, and talk! I Love seeing her learn and grow! Sometimes I swear I can see her brain churning!

I hope you all had a great holiday! And I pray 2015 brings lots of happy moments and blessing! Cheers and God bless!

Loyally and Unwaveringly

I haven't posted since I created this blog, so no better time to do it than the first of the year, right?

It seems the new thing is to come up with a word instead of a list of new years resolutions at the start of a new year. Although Grant and I DID come up with a list of areas we wanted to better ourselves in [I like lists], we came up with a word as well. As 2013 was coming to a close, we reflected on what we accomplished and what we could do better. What is awesome about new years, is that it is about a month and a half before our anniversary, so we were able to not only look back at 2013, but also our first year marriage. We have accomplished soooo many things this past year and we have learned so much as well! 2013 was a stressful, yet amazing year! Learning to live with someone is a big huge adjustment, BUT I wouldn't change it for anything. I felt 2013 was a year full of change and adjustment. I went through the temple, we were married, moved in together, got our house in order [note: still getting it in order-does it ever end?;)], we have both been dedicated to work and school, we have finally gotten into a routine, and we have a cat and a dog we have taken in as our own. 2013 was CRAZY… but crazy fun!

Anyways, onto our word. I'll reveal, and then explain.

Cleave is the word! I can't take total credit for coming up with the word though. My dear mom helped me come up with the actual word. I couldn't quite put my finger on the word that my mind was thinking. But, leave it to my smart mom to help me out! Thanks mom! 

So, why cleave? The Merriam Webster dictionary's definition of cleave is "to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly." Man, do I love the last part, loyally and unwaveringly. 

As some of you know, my parents are moving this year. The company that my dad works for is shutting down their Grand Junction location and is transferring him to Cheyenne, Wyoming. My parents and younger siblings will be moving to either Cheyenne or the Fort Collins area. With that being said, Grant and I will be the "lone rangers" here in Grand Junction. Grant's family is scattered in Utah, and my family is scattered around the country. It's actually pretty scary knowing that we will be "alone." I have never lived away from a family member before, and never more than 3 months from my parents. I'm sad that they are leaving, BUT I'm happy my dad has work and I'm happy for the new adventures both them and Grant and I will have.

Cleave will be a major thing in Grant and I's life this year. We will be left to "adhere firmly and closely" to each other and build a family bond that is both "loyal and unwavering." It will be an adventure, but we are excited. 2014 will be a year of making our own new traditions, making lasting friendships and relationships with our ward family, and figuring out what we will do for Sunday dinner ;)

I feel like 2013 was a year of getting ourselves organized and this year will be full of excitement and memories! And who knows, maybe there will be or almost be a new little addition to our little family by next new years! 

Happy [late] New Year to all our family and friends!