Things have been crazy for the past month. I honestly can't believe that is almost March. I know that is usually what I say on my monthly goals post but seriously, it is almost March! I have a sneaky feeling that the months will start flying by now that the year has started and the calendar is filling up with exciting things to do. I love it! With all the busy days and weeks flying by there is one particular thing that I do not love... when things fall off my radar. When I have goals and ideas for the new year ahead of me or even continued goals and ideas from last year that seem to disappear. There are several things that have slipped my mind lately.

To start with, the chronological bible study is HARD! I knew it was hard when I started but after many months of being behind I have absolutely no desire to catch up. I find myself wanting different bible studies & I miss the She Reads Truth studies but I "don't allow" myself to start anything because I know that I have this other study that I'm behind on. That just doesn't make sense, right? If my heart is being pulled to a certain study and away from another then I should go where I am being pulled. At least then I will be READING my bible. So, I will be taking a step away from the Chronological study and I'll get back to that when I feel that time is right. Timing is everything. With that being said, if you all wish to still see the study each month, please let us know. Cassie and I would love to continue sharing it if you all wish!

On to the next thing. Pictures. Oh, man. I have failed miserably with this and I honestly don't see the point in catching up. I didn't enjoy the Project365 nearly as much as I thought I would and I honestly don't have the time. It has been almost impossible with this first trimester craziness and the past couple of weeks of fighting a cold! So, I will be saying goodbye to this challenge for now. Maybe a year in the future will be a different story but I know that right now is NOT the right time.

The photo at the top is my favorite picture from the small selection that I had to share... I just love the bright and happy shot! Hope you all are having a great week and for those of you in the south, let us all cross our fingers for some more snow and a day at home to rest!!

Lately. {Christmas Edition}

The past several weeks have been full of Christmas fun so I thought it would be easier to just combine all of the holiday cheer in to one post! I had plans to share each fun event separately but since I have been so sick, I didn't have a chance to document the events as much as I hoped. Let me just say, being sick around the holidays is really annoying. I'm so glad that I'm feeling better so I can enjoy the rest of the fun in 2014!

The first party of every year is always Peter's work party. I love to get dressed up and have a fun night out with my man which always includes a few drinks, some food, dancing and this year was extra special with the awesome Caricature Artist that his office hired!

Next up was the 7th Annual Ornament Exchange but I seriously felt like death during the party. I felt so bad that I forgot my ornament at home and had nothing to play the game with! I was pretty bummed but I made the most of it and then left early to go home and get some sleep.

I was so thankful to feel like a completely different person the next night for a little more Christmas fun with some of my favorite people!! I love these women so much and I really cherish all the memories and laughs that we have together. 

This time of year if my favorite because of all the events and the people that surround you!

I am so blessed by such amazing family and friends!!

spilling my brain.

this photo has nothing to do with this post.

I just really like it.... :)

....on to the random things that are filling my head, lately.

1 // i can't wait to wrap Christmas gifts
I was a little worried that my heart was dreading the Christmas decorating and preparations this year but something has switched in the past week. I'm ready. Like, trying my hardest to hold back until after Thanksgiving since that is a BIG rule in the Eliya house. So, the weekend after thanksgiving.... oh, you better believe Christmas is happening in our house. The mantle, the staircase, the front door, the tree and all the gifts underneath it. It's happening! Oh, and I'm soooo happy with how our Christmas card turned out! Can't wait to send them out soon.

2 // not really feeling the style posts, recently
It's a lot of work!! I love fashion and I have so much fun putting together outfits but I've realized recently that is not where my passion lies with this blog. I want this space to show me, not what I wear. I want my words to do the explaining. I want to share my life and write about it. So, I'm not saying that there won't ever be any style related posts but they will be taking a back seat. Over the next few months I plan to dig deeper and start fresh with a new outlook in January. I'm looking forward to it!

3 // getting back in the gym yesterday was great
My legs hurt. My arms hurt. My abs hurt. All of it hurts, which makes me so happy!!!! It feels good to get back in the swing of things after a couple of weeks off. Of course, I wish I didn't take those weeks off, but it happened. I didn't plan on it... life just gets in the way sometimes, and that's okay. I'm back at it, so it's all good!

4 // the year 2015 is coming and I'm so excited
I can't believe it will be 2015. My ten year High School Reunion will happen next year. WHAT?!? That is crazy. I'm so excited to see what the new year ahead will hold. I have a feeling that 2015 is going to be the best yet!

5 // this cold weather makes me very happy
I've heard some complaining about it but I would take a cold day over a hot & humid summer day, hands down! Give me boots, scarves, jackets and any other kind of layers and I'm a happy girl.

{Photo above is property of Living on Cloud Nine blog, 

& artistic property of Red Apple Tree Photography}

Lately.

Busy. That is the one word I would use to describe the past few weeks. Naturally, a lately post is needed....

We were so happy to have some sweet friends over with their little boy for a pizza night.

I have to say, it is super fun to have friends with babies. It might not help out on the "baby fever"

but I will give all the cheek kisses I can.

Speaking of that wonderful fever, one of my best friends just announced she is pregnant.

I am so stinkin excited for her and Cody. It was also a lot of fun to surprise her with a Birthday lunch
and then watch Katie and Cody surprise everyone with their announcement in return!

& I loved designing the chalkboard for their big reveal to the whole world!

Some more celebrations happened for another friend that is getting married!
My mom and I were so excited to surprise Jen with a little get together with some girlfriends.
(I'm a big fan of surprises... in case you weren't sure about that)

My grandma's 80th birthday party went so well and everything turned out beautiful!

It was so much fun to see her excitement with every thing and spoil her a little bit.

Busy, but wonderful weeks!! I'm excited to see how the rest of 2014 will finish up.

Lately.

I thought it would be nice to share some of the things that fill our life lately but never make it to this little space. Ten years from now when I look back I want to remember all of the big events but also  see some of the minor, yet still special, kind of events! Here are some things that made July great.... 

^^^ the last wedding of the summer & the fact that Peter wore his tie from our wedding made me smile! 

^^^ some super sweet friends invited us over for dinner and it was one of those nights when you just talk and talk and talk, and I loved every second of it! So thankful for new friends!!

^^^ one year celebration for Quest Brewery! A lot of beer tasting and live music on a rainy afternoon was a lot of fun. 

 

^^^ the first baby Eliya watermelon from the garden. We were so excited to cut it open and even more excited when we realized it tasted great!! 

Summer Days.

Is it Fall yet....? Seriously. I like Summer weather for maybe 2-3 days and then I'm over it. Hot, sticky, humid weather is just not my thing. Or my hairs thing. But the month of June was a good one! It was a whirlwind of busy but the best kind of busy that only summer can bring. During the past thirty-something days I have felt so much joy and happiness from so many different areas of my life. 

We finally got to meet the the newest nephew in the family when we flew to NJ! My heart still aches to see him and all of the NJ family, again. If only we had time for google chats, right?? 

We also squeezed in three weddings in the month if June! Every single one was so different but they all left me with this overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my marriage. Listening to all the vows, seeing all the kisses and celebrating each couple always makes me want to celebrate the man that God has given me. It was an honor to attend each wedding as his wife! 

It was an exciting surprise to find several eggs in the coop this month since we were told it would be July or August before any arrive. We enjoyed a few of them over the weekend and since we have already collected six this week I know we will enjoy more this weekend. It is truly exciting to see the hard work payoff after raising those baby chicks, even if they love Peter way more than me. I'm trying my best to not be bitter about that. 

Throw in a little girl time, a pool party, double dates, a game night with friends and many other wonderful things, and I'm left with a very happy June. I'm looking forward to the fun times in July but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that my heart is wanting to pull out my boots, scarves and pretty coats right this second.