two things I never put together.

My Birthday & Christmas.

NEVER EVER as a child could they be put together, 

my parents were always champs about keeping the separation,

 since the celebrations are only four days apart. 

but look at me now, all old and mature and putting Christmas & my Birthday on the SAME blog post.  funny how you don't care as much about certain things the older you get.

(but you better NOT even wrap December birthday gifts in Christmas wrapping paper. ever.)

__________

Christmas is a little funky the older I get bc nobody in our family is having children.

(My cousin Ivy & I  aren't there just yet)

so I really just sat here for two days straight bc it is my happy place.

I showed the ladies of the family my boutique and went to church for the Christmas Eve Service.

There is something about going to church on Christmas Eve that just makes me really happy.

We never really went when I was younger, but I am glad it is something I've added in over the years.

we added a new family tradition this year:

FAM JAM

(basically everyone on my dad's side is musically inclined, yeah it skipped this girl)

my dad on the drums. aunt julie on the vocals. uncle kelly on the guitar. uncle dennis on the guitar and vocals. cousin ivy on the keyboard and vocals.

everyone headed out on Christmas morning, which ended up being perfect bc everyone was getting sick... weird. it didn't hit my family so maybe it was some h-town crud.


____

and then 4 days later...

I TURNED 25!
which is completely crazy to me.
I am not scared of getting older or anything, but I totally get why people say
"omg I feel like I just graduated yesterday"
bc it does, but really almost 7 years out of hs and almost 3 years out of college.

and you know you are officially "old" when you have a coffee on your bday.

(or maybe I was excited to use my new Keurig) 

I didn't really want to do too much, but I feel like all bdays should be celebrated.

it was the last Sunday of regular season football, so there we had it:

Sunday Funday!

we watched ALL the games, ate junk food, had drinks... basically the best day ever with my favorite people.

a huuuuuge thank you to everyone that came and celebrated, texted, called, or facebooked.

birthdays are fun bc you feel so special, and I really did on that day!

and you just know it was a success if you end the night at Whataburger.

____

and yes, I might have shed a tear on my birthday bc everything went right for the Steelers to make the playoffs, and then KC had to go and miss a field goal and then lose in overtime.

-talk about a buzz kill-

maybe next year Steelers :)

december.

December was ridiculously crazy.

If Christmas/My Bday/NYE aren't enough,

I seemed to have something going on consistently.

but I love crazy, so it worked!

____

Here is a little of the fun:

-My family & I went to see Elf.

I'm not going to lie and say it was better without Will Ferrell.

-I hosted our 2nd Annual Wine Swap.

always a good time seeing all my girlfriends in the same room.

here is my apartment when it was all pretty for Christmas.

-Chris had a birthday!

-Sunday Funday

-I finally got to try Jus Mac & see Jay Z... in the same night!

and yeah, they were both everything I wanted.

-Fun girl's night

Jamie brought us homemade wine, lovely!

-Sarah came into town! 

always good to see her & glad Jess was home for a little bit too!

I go waaaay back with all these girls.

-night out with my pals.

-Birthday Eve Rockets game with my favorites.

and the Rockets won!

 -a double dose of midtown with these pretty ladies.

____

It was such a fun,busy month.

but I will be perfectly honest in saying sitting home on the couch is far more "my thing" 

most of the time lol 

so if you need me, that is will you will find me for a while, catching up on lots of sleep! 

January has been the complete opposite thus far :) 

raw.

so it is one of those weird weeks.

it always is a little bit weird when the holidays are over. we build it up so much and then within days it is over.  

it is even more strange this year.

I am at a place in life that I never saw myself in.

this isn't bad though, I have grown and changed in so many ways.

and for that I can only be thankful.

but it is a reflective week for me more than ever.

Christmas has come and gone and here I am,

the eve of my 25th birthday and days away from the start of 2014.

on one hand I feel super reflective. 

what have I done in my 25 years, who have I touched, what mistakes have I made, did I forgive myself and others, what have I learned/accomplished?

and on the other hand it is all the ideas of what is to come in the next year and the next 25 years.

what kind of  person will I be in a relationship with, what will my kids be like, what career will I have, what kinds of people will come in and out of my life and change it, who will I impact, and what will I learn/accomplish? 

but the truth is we focus way too much on the past and the future.

this year has been LIFE CHANGING. and I could sit and relive failed relationships, things I didn't do, great moments, travels, friendships and experiences. 

I could sit and build up anxiety about what is next and where I am supposed to be.

OR.

I could just stop. live. and be in the present. bc I have realized in talking with so many different people in all walks of life that we will always reflect on our past and we will always be a little nervous about the future.  I understand I cannot make that stop, but I will choose to try and just live day by day and be vulnerable. 

So Happy Birthday Eve to me

&

Happy New Years to YOU! 

what I learned friday night.

Friday night I learned a valuable lesson.

I figured I should share the genius discovery:

1 bottle of wine = 3 small ozarka bottles.

(perfectlyyyy!) 

so whether you are going to the movies, a graduation, sporting event, etc. 
3 ozarka bottles will cover ya!



oh and Vince Vaughn has still got it.

disney.

I got onto Blogger and realized I haven't blogged since 10/30.

sheesh. I have missed it for sure, but it has been busy to say the least.

I love busy, not complaining! 

(but I wouldn't mind sitting on my couch for 3 days.)

____

I wasn't really sure where to pick up on blogger, what I should share, what I probably shouldn't, etc.  so I will just share something magical...

My Trip to Disney World

(ps. it is Walt Disney's birthday, so it is a pretty perfect day to share)

the castle never really loses its magic.  pretty awesome!


***
Day 1- Animal Kingdom

I was a nerd and bought something "Disney" to wear every day.

Minnie sweater: Target

***

Day 2- Epcot

visiting the countries is my favorite.  we tried beers/snacks from all the countries. love it!

 

we were "that group" on our 2nd day.  I got us all matching Minnie tanks from F21.
We looked pretty cute though.

***

Day 3- Magic Kingdom

(I promise I can jump better than that haha)

this really happened...

I do not know this girl...

but her way of thinking is amazing lol

but the more I got to thinking about that, it really is strange.  we both happened to be at Disney (she was from Louisiana), we happened to be at the same park, and we happened to be wearing the same thing, and we happened to even run into each other 4 times! lol

***

Day 4- Hollywood Studios (my fav)

they do this wonderful Christmas lighting during the holidays there.

it is amazing!! so glad I got to see it! 

***

Day 5 was spent at the house we rented celebrating Thanksgiving by eating a lot & watching football.  (we don't need to discuss the Steelers losing by 2 or the fine that Tomlin is getting hit with) ...

Day 6 I left to come home  & work Black Friday @ PLT while the group stayed and enjoyed another day. It was a great trip!

***

I am seriously thankful for so much right now.

Sometimes I catch myself getting nervous bc I know life is all about highs and lows and I know it will not always feel this wonderful, but I can't think like that, so I will enjoy the moment & this wonderful season!

Have a great day and stay warm! 

i confess.

Confessions... they are good for the soul.

I think.

Either way here we gooooo....

(if you are feeling judgmental, go read another blog.) 

***

I confess: I was too lazy to carve pumpkins this year, so I painted them.  
 They are cute, but I def didn't put too much effort into them.

Confession #2: I still haven't vacuumed the glitter off my apartment floor.  
At least it is concrete. 

I confess: I already made a Christmas list with very practical things like a blow dryer, cute measuring cups, and a skillet.  This water resistant wireless speaker also made the list!

I confess: After market last weekend, my mother and I ate a wonderful dinner at a fancy sports bar and caught up on college football and the world series.  The confession... that drink was TOO strong and I barely touched it. (getting old) 

I confess: I bought a crock pot... but at least it is ridiculously cool.

I made gumbo & it was delicious. (and easyyyy)

I confess: The UPS truck makes my day!!  My UPS leaves this many boxes every other day & after seeing him nearly every day, I have finally gotten him to joke with me and not be so uptight. lol 

I confess: I have been taking selfies.

HELP! lol 

I confess: Bucees won me and my temptation over...

Is it bad to love a cliche convenience store so much?! 

I confess: I have been drinking coffee 2-3/week.  

what.is.wrong?!

I partially blame my allergies for making me feel like a zombie, but I don't want to become the caffeine addicted adult.  I guess is could be worse. 

I confess: I participated in the eating of this:

I confess: I used all these pictures that I have already posted on Instagram/Facebook. 

so if you stalk me, this is old news.

I'll do better!

Girls Dinner Tonight!

eeeeeek! So excited to see some of my very favorite people in the world.