Thursday, January 7, 2016

Thank You

I still can't believe I actually published that last post.

But I'm truly glad that I did.

We are so blessed to have the friends and family that we do, and aside from feeling the incredibly powerful weight of your support, you all actually helped me to refocus this season on what really matters in life.... that is, you have everything if you have love!

I tend to start every new year with a silly, out-of-no-where burst of optimism, and I'm totally feeling it this year, even though I have a ton ahead of me personally and professionally that should make me really anxious. But I'm not. I mean, don't get me wrong, I have my moments. But I mostly feel peaceful right now. If that's not divine intervention, I'm not sure what is.... I'm an Olympic worryer. It takes more than a few days off work and a calendar change to make me stop fretting.

So, what's next on the baby front? Tim and I are moving forward with some plans that I have told people about in person, but will decide NOT to talk about more than is necessary for awhile. Basically -- our interventions will either work, or not work! Our loved ones will find out either way, and we'll need time to celebrate OR grieve and then decide what is next.

That's an overly simplistic decision tree, I know.

In the meantime, this spring is a HUGE one for me on more than one front. I think (?) I started this blog right around the same time that I started grad school. Many years, many readings and assignments, and MANY thousands of dollars later.... I'll graduate in May with my MBA. I'm in a condensed winter class now, am taking two electives this spring semester and will cap things off with another condensed class in May. Even though it'll be a really busy time, it feels great to be nearly done.

This year also marks the 10-year anniversary of graduating from Iowa State with my undergrad. When did THAT happen.

We had a good Christmas and New Year's -- did you? I totally re-set my operating system -- I got good face time with friends, we went out and stayed in, and I officially got back in the kitchen. (Through the fall and before the holiday I wasn't cooking much... just didn't feel like it.) I'm back at it now and it feels great to experiment/eat my experiments. (YOU GUYS I MADE FOCCACIA BREAD. AND IT WAS AWESOME.)

I've written before about how I love winter, and I'm still loving it now even after the twinkle lights eventually come down. (In case you're wondering, our Christmas tree has taken up its new spot in the yard until Mas Fuego. #livingtheAmericandream) But seriously, I love how the snow and the cold and the quiet and the dark make us slow down.

Instead of promising myself that I'll save a million dollars or get mega-fit this year for my New Year's resolutions, I want to work on myself in a meditative sense -- live in the moment, work on my relationships and be generous in every way. I'm not sure that resolution + my rekindled love for cooking = fitting into pants. But whatever.

A person's gotta do what they can.

And there's always stretchier pants.

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