The last time I made any type of goals were for New Year's Eve. The end of 2013 is approaching and it has been an amazing year, probably the best year of my life for many reasons, marrying my best friend being the biggest! I would have to go back and look at them , but I know they were mostly fitness related aside from the "traveling" one (which I will be checking off in a couple of months) and I completed the biggest one of those. Finish p90x. That was a big accomplishment for me to say I completed it. It was not easy for me, but I did it!
I like to set goals for myself to give me something to work towards. I am a very visual person and I like to have things written down for me to be able to look at whenever I need a little motivation or inspiration. I want to start setting monthly goals for myself, smaller goals that aren't just fitness related, but just about life in general. We all have things about ourselves that we need to work on, nobody is perfect, especially me. I have had a rough time transitioning to married life and moving to a new place where we don't know anybody and have had other emotional issues going on, but I need to work my way through them. I really want to grow and discover myself. I know that sounds crazy coming from a 26 year old, but I really feel like sometimes I still don't know who I am, what I am about, what I want to do...I feel like I am just kind of floating through life without a purpose. This is not to say that I am unhappy with my life in any way, I am very happy and blessed, it is just a time in my life where I live far from literally all of my friends, we are all at different places in our lives and I feel like everyone has "something" going on for them and I am just kind of here. I just feel like I am still searching for something, I don't know what it is yet, but I know I will when I do find it. It could take awhile, but I am lucky enough to have my best friend with me every single day to encourage and support me in everything.
I think sitting down each month and evaluating where I am in my life and setting goals will really help me grow and help me strive for something more.
Now to actually sit down and come up with the goals. I will have to think about them more tonight and tomorrow and post them tomorrow night sometime.
Do you ever set goals for yourself? Does it help you or do you tend to just kind of forget about them after the moment is gone?
xoxo
Monday, September 30, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Travel While You're Young
As most of you know Bobby and I love to travel. We have been fortunate enough to have been able to travel to over 7 countries (Bobby has been to a few more than me) together. Most of those were in one big Euro-trip while we were still in college. I had never traveled to Europe before, but I had gone to Belize with Bobby's family prior to that. I never knew what I was missing out on, but once we went on our own on that trip to Europe I had the bug. Now all I ever want to do is travel and I spend my spare time looking up flights to different places. The world is so big and there are so many amazing places we want to visit in our lifetime that it makes it nearly impossible to prioritize them. Right now Thailand is at the top of our list. That will be a big trip since it is such a long flight so we won't want to go until we can spend at least 2 weeks there. Thankfully Bobby gets 28 paid days off a year at American Express which makes taking time off to travel pretty easy. I am only working very part time for a great, flexible family so I know that if I told them we would be taking a trip that wouldn't be a problem.
I am always the one worrying about money and finances saying we can't afford to travel anywhere right now, and so on. I read this article that one of my friends posted, and while Bobby and I have talked about the exact thing he discusses in his article multiple times and it is what we always say, this article really resonated with me. While of course the big international trips tend to be more exciting, it talks about domestic trips as well and the importance of those type of trips and that what is really important is just getting out there and seeing different places. Since we moved to Phoenix we are surrounded by so many amazing places to visit on simple weekend day trips; the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Tucson are some big ones. We are about 2 hours from Sedona and Tucson and about 3 hours from the Grand Canyon. We plan to hit all three this fall once the weather cools off a little bit more. The great thing is, they're so close by we can go back up another weekend later on if we don't see or do everything we want the first time around.
The article also discusses the excuse of money as being just that, an excuse. While yes, it does cost money and we do need to save and budget for trips, not every trip has to cost an arm and a leg and there are plenty of ways to see the world and not completely blow thousands of dollars. That is what we did for our Euro-trip. We stayed in hostels, camp grounds, and only one hotel room one night. It adds to the fun because you meet so many new people from all around the world that way. While it is not the most luxurious way to travel, and the hostels can sometimes be a little dirty, I feel it is the best way for young people to travel. How else would you meet people from all over the world? The experiences you get from traveling are like nothing else and will literally change your life. I have such a different outlook on the world and such an appreciation for different things because I have traveled to so many different places. No place was the same and every place offered something new and exciting. We didn't plan out where we were going to be staying until the night before we arrived to each new place. Things didn't always work out, things went wrong, but we not only got to see places in each city that we may not have otherwise seen if we hadn't gotten lost, but we grew so much as a couple by working together to navigate the unknown.
We decided right away that we want to travel as much as possible this year. We didn't get a "honeymoon" but our hopes are to take at least two trips this year and we are in the midst of planning out first. Two of our best friends live in Hawaii right now so we are planning on visiting over Thanksgiving. They are nice enough to let us stay in their guest room so we wouldn't have to pay for a hotel, yet another example of making a trip to Hawaii work on a budget. We would just have to pay for our tickets and food/activities while we are there. We would get to see our friends and experience a new place together. Bobby has been to Hawaii multiple times as a kid, but I believe he went to Maui and they live on Oahu so it is still a new place and there are new things to see. We haven't bought tickets yet, we are waiting to see if they drop or not in the next couple of weeks and then we will buy them. Phoenix is a great place to fly out of (unlike Rochester) with awesome prices and we can get a non stop flight there, double win! I am so excited to not only see Hawaii but to also see our friends! We are all spread out and time together is very limited. I saw Laura at the wedding, but again it was limited and Kyle was unable to come out so I know Bobby wants to see him. I can't wait and hope everything works out how we are planning it. It is just one of those things where we say, as the article says, don't put it off, just make it happen and GO!
Here is the article, I guarantee it will make you want to fly somewhere tomorrow! ;) *Edit* OR DRIVE! (Ashley ;) )
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-london/travel-while-youre-young_b_3975195.html
I am always the one worrying about money and finances saying we can't afford to travel anywhere right now, and so on. I read this article that one of my friends posted, and while Bobby and I have talked about the exact thing he discusses in his article multiple times and it is what we always say, this article really resonated with me. While of course the big international trips tend to be more exciting, it talks about domestic trips as well and the importance of those type of trips and that what is really important is just getting out there and seeing different places. Since we moved to Phoenix we are surrounded by so many amazing places to visit on simple weekend day trips; the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Tucson are some big ones. We are about 2 hours from Sedona and Tucson and about 3 hours from the Grand Canyon. We plan to hit all three this fall once the weather cools off a little bit more. The great thing is, they're so close by we can go back up another weekend later on if we don't see or do everything we want the first time around.
The article also discusses the excuse of money as being just that, an excuse. While yes, it does cost money and we do need to save and budget for trips, not every trip has to cost an arm and a leg and there are plenty of ways to see the world and not completely blow thousands of dollars. That is what we did for our Euro-trip. We stayed in hostels, camp grounds, and only one hotel room one night. It adds to the fun because you meet so many new people from all around the world that way. While it is not the most luxurious way to travel, and the hostels can sometimes be a little dirty, I feel it is the best way for young people to travel. How else would you meet people from all over the world? The experiences you get from traveling are like nothing else and will literally change your life. I have such a different outlook on the world and such an appreciation for different things because I have traveled to so many different places. No place was the same and every place offered something new and exciting. We didn't plan out where we were going to be staying until the night before we arrived to each new place. Things didn't always work out, things went wrong, but we not only got to see places in each city that we may not have otherwise seen if we hadn't gotten lost, but we grew so much as a couple by working together to navigate the unknown.
We decided right away that we want to travel as much as possible this year. We didn't get a "honeymoon" but our hopes are to take at least two trips this year and we are in the midst of planning out first. Two of our best friends live in Hawaii right now so we are planning on visiting over Thanksgiving. They are nice enough to let us stay in their guest room so we wouldn't have to pay for a hotel, yet another example of making a trip to Hawaii work on a budget. We would just have to pay for our tickets and food/activities while we are there. We would get to see our friends and experience a new place together. Bobby has been to Hawaii multiple times as a kid, but I believe he went to Maui and they live on Oahu so it is still a new place and there are new things to see. We haven't bought tickets yet, we are waiting to see if they drop or not in the next couple of weeks and then we will buy them. Phoenix is a great place to fly out of (unlike Rochester) with awesome prices and we can get a non stop flight there, double win! I am so excited to not only see Hawaii but to also see our friends! We are all spread out and time together is very limited. I saw Laura at the wedding, but again it was limited and Kyle was unable to come out so I know Bobby wants to see him. I can't wait and hope everything works out how we are planning it. It is just one of those things where we say, as the article says, don't put it off, just make it happen and GO!
Here is the article, I guarantee it will make you want to fly somewhere tomorrow! ;) *Edit* OR DRIVE! (Ashley ;) )
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-london/travel-while-youre-young_b_3975195.html
Monday, September 23, 2013
One Month Ago
I married my best friend. I didn't think it would change anything, but I was definitely mistaken. I never expected to love Bobby more than I already did, but I do. My love for him doubled, tripled, quadrupled when we said I Do and we are still floating on cloud in 9 of marital bliss. We didn't get a honeymoon, but everyday as his wife feels like one. We have been together for almost 12 years and we have been in that newlywed/honeymoon phase for years and I don't foresee that ever changing. I believe that that is what true love is. It isn't just a phase directly following your wedding...it is just how you are as a couple everyday. You just are that way with each other. You are best friends. Lovers. Companions. Partners in crime. Nothing can tear you apart and they are the first person you go to with exciting news or bad news. They are who you turn to when you need to vent, cry, laugh with. They are your everything.
I of course have a few girl friends who are my best friends, who I go to as well, but with Bobby it is just different. He truly is my best friend in every way. He is the only person I can be around 24/7 and not get sick of. Call me attached, but I miss him anytime we aren't together. I am not unable to function when we are apart or anything, but I just love him so much I always want to be around him. I am happy when I am with him. We aren't perfect, we argue sometimes, have disagreements, but we get through everything and are always stronger on the other side. Despite being together for almost 12 years we are still learning things about each other and still grow together as a couple every day. I think that is a very important aspect of a strong healthy marriage.
This was quite honestly the craziest, fastest month of my life. Even more so than the month leading up to the wedding I think. Some days I wish we could just go back to the day of the wedding because that is the happiest we have ever been. It was perfect. I only it wish it could have lasted longer. I actually feel a little lost not having anything to plan since I had been planning our wedding for over 2 years it is a strange feeling to now not have anything to plan.
I am anxiously waiting on our wedding video and our photos to take me back to our wedding day. I am really really really, did I say REALLY excited to get those I wish time would speed up so that I had them! I am kind of glad that it takes some time to get them back so we have something to look forward to and then we can relive the moments all over again through film :)
Don't worry I will definitely be posting the video and photos here and on FB!
I of course have a few girl friends who are my best friends, who I go to as well, but with Bobby it is just different. He truly is my best friend in every way. He is the only person I can be around 24/7 and not get sick of. Call me attached, but I miss him anytime we aren't together. I am not unable to function when we are apart or anything, but I just love him so much I always want to be around him. I am happy when I am with him. We aren't perfect, we argue sometimes, have disagreements, but we get through everything and are always stronger on the other side. Despite being together for almost 12 years we are still learning things about each other and still grow together as a couple every day. I think that is a very important aspect of a strong healthy marriage.
This was quite honestly the craziest, fastest month of my life. Even more so than the month leading up to the wedding I think. Some days I wish we could just go back to the day of the wedding because that is the happiest we have ever been. It was perfect. I only it wish it could have lasted longer. I actually feel a little lost not having anything to plan since I had been planning our wedding for over 2 years it is a strange feeling to now not have anything to plan.
I am anxiously waiting on our wedding video and our photos to take me back to our wedding day. I am really really really, did I say REALLY excited to get those I wish time would speed up so that I had them! I am kind of glad that it takes some time to get them back so we have something to look forward to and then we can relive the moments all over again through film :)
Don't worry I will definitely be posting the video and photos here and on FB!
Sunday, September 22, 2013
First Day of Fall
Happy first day of Fall! It surely doesn't feel like Fall here in Arizona, but that's ok. It seems to always be summer her in Arizona ;) I am definitely ok with that though after spending months upon months in winter back in Rochester. I would choose an extended summer over extended winter any day! It wasn't as hot today as it has been though, about 90 degrees vs 105+ so even though we got a little bit of a late start today it was still great weather.
We decided to go on a hike today at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve which is about 15 minutes away from us. There are a bunch of different trails throughout the preserve so we just decided to go with one of the more popular ones that was just under 5 miles. I brought my new camera along to snap pics as we went, man do I love it! I just put it on auto and snapped away, I can't wait to actually learn how to take specific pictures and what settings to use, etc. All in good time.
The hike was great! We seemed to go the opposite way of most people, but we can always go the reverse way next time! Everyone on the trail was friendly, which is always nice ;) Pretty much everyone in Arizona in general is nice!
We didn't run into any rattle snakes or anything, just a couple lizards and road runners. I have been reading that these hikes are beautiful in the Spring time so I can't wait for that! I am sure by then we will have some favorite trails. There is also a mountain called Camelback which is supposed to have great hiking trails as well, it is about 30 minutes away so we will definitely be checking that out one of these weekends!
Now for some pics taken with my new camera! ;)
We decided to go on a hike today at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve which is about 15 minutes away from us. There are a bunch of different trails throughout the preserve so we just decided to go with one of the more popular ones that was just under 5 miles. I brought my new camera along to snap pics as we went, man do I love it! I just put it on auto and snapped away, I can't wait to actually learn how to take specific pictures and what settings to use, etc. All in good time.
The hike was great! We seemed to go the opposite way of most people, but we can always go the reverse way next time! Everyone on the trail was friendly, which is always nice ;) Pretty much everyone in Arizona in general is nice!
We didn't run into any rattle snakes or anything, just a couple lizards and road runners. I have been reading that these hikes are beautiful in the Spring time so I can't wait for that! I am sure by then we will have some favorite trails. There is also a mountain called Camelback which is supposed to have great hiking trails as well, it is about 30 minutes away so we will definitely be checking that out one of these weekends!
Now for some pics taken with my new camera! ;)
Friday, September 20, 2013
Makeover
You can probably tell that I did a little makeover on my blog. I felt it was time to update it a bit, so it is a work in progress. We will see how long I like this new look or see if I can find something better ;) My blog posts all summer have been few and far between but I am going to try to change that as well. Now that we are a little more settled into our new home in Arizona we are going to start exploring more and taking advantage of our time here.
Since I am not working full time I am wanting to start learning how to use my new toy that Bobby got me for our wedding. He surprised me BIG time with a Canon EOS Rebel T3i camera. I am ALWAYS taking pictures of everything on my phone and have been wanting a nice camera for a long time so when that delivery arrived in my bridal suite before the ceremony I was beyond surprised and SO excited to learn how to use it and get to snapping away! Bobby's brother Adam lent me a book to read to learn how to use it and I haven't had a change to dive in yet, but I have gotten through the basics. I really want to just get out and start taking pictures and figure it out as I go. That is what he suggested and I figure what better way to learn than by actually going out there and doing it. So, this weekend, probably tomorrow we are going to go on one the many hikes around here and I will bring my camera along with me!
Although I am not working full time, I did get a very part time nanny job watching a 4 month old boy named Jack. It will just be about 10-15 hours a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays plus an occasional date night once or twice a month. I have been so blessed with the families I have met and been able to become a part of and this family is no different. I feel beyond grateful to land great jobs with great people time and time again so I am really excited about this job and think it will be perfect for what is happening in our lives right now. It gives me time away from the house, I can earn a little extra money for extras/to travel/save, etc PLUS I get baby loves so what is better than that?!
I am still figuring out the whole stay at home wife thing, it is not for everyone and it seems everyone has their opinion on it, but it works for us, I love it and that is that. I haven't quite got everything balanced out and put in place perfectly, it is a work in progress, but I am enjoying every day and I LOVE being a wife...well really I love being Bobby's wife :)
Married life is wonderful...now to get my name changed!
Since I am not working full time I am wanting to start learning how to use my new toy that Bobby got me for our wedding. He surprised me BIG time with a Canon EOS Rebel T3i camera. I am ALWAYS taking pictures of everything on my phone and have been wanting a nice camera for a long time so when that delivery arrived in my bridal suite before the ceremony I was beyond surprised and SO excited to learn how to use it and get to snapping away! Bobby's brother Adam lent me a book to read to learn how to use it and I haven't had a change to dive in yet, but I have gotten through the basics. I really want to just get out and start taking pictures and figure it out as I go. That is what he suggested and I figure what better way to learn than by actually going out there and doing it. So, this weekend, probably tomorrow we are going to go on one the many hikes around here and I will bring my camera along with me!
Although I am not working full time, I did get a very part time nanny job watching a 4 month old boy named Jack. It will just be about 10-15 hours a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays plus an occasional date night once or twice a month. I have been so blessed with the families I have met and been able to become a part of and this family is no different. I feel beyond grateful to land great jobs with great people time and time again so I am really excited about this job and think it will be perfect for what is happening in our lives right now. It gives me time away from the house, I can earn a little extra money for extras/to travel/save, etc PLUS I get baby loves so what is better than that?!
I am still figuring out the whole stay at home wife thing, it is not for everyone and it seems everyone has their opinion on it, but it works for us, I love it and that is that. I haven't quite got everything balanced out and put in place perfectly, it is a work in progress, but I am enjoying every day and I LOVE being a wife...well really I love being Bobby's wife :)
Married life is wonderful...now to get my name changed!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
First Weekend in AZ
Yep! We have actually been renting this apartment for almost a month exactly and this is our FIRST full weekend spending it here in AZ. Pretty crazy, but a lot happened in the last month...our wedding, our friend's wedding, and the passing of our grandma Dorthy. All of which took us away for the past 4 weekends...the weekend we moved in here the weekend before the wedding we literally drove stuff here, moved it in and then turned around and drove back to SoCal. It has been a crazy month to say the least, so I am happy that we finally are able to get settled in for real!
We had talked about going kayaking and going on a hike this weekend since it was our first weekend here, but when it came down to it we just wanted to do NOTHING because we have been doing SO much the last 4 weekends. We took the time to hang some pictures in our apartment, plan out meals for the week, do a little shopping for things for the apartment etc...get settled pretty much. Because life has been so crazy we have been haven't been eating that great or working out as much as we would like, so we are also figuring out a new schedule etc for that, hence the meal planning. I took some time today to cook up some sweet potatoes and chicken to have on hand. It is always so much easier to have that type of stuff that takes awhile to cook, prepared ahead of time. If I have it on hand I will eat it...if I don't I am much more likely to go to quick, usually less healthy options. I am not the greatest cook, at all, but I am trying to slowly learn some new recipes to implement into our meals for the week. My goal is to try something new each week.
I am not working at the moment so I have a lot more time on my hands. It is really nice to be able to take care of the errands during the week so we have our weekends available to enjoy together. I miss being around babies though so it didn't take me long to hop on care and start searching out a part time nanny job. I found one that is very nearby, about 7 minutes away, with one 4 month baby boy that will give me about 10-15 hours a week which I think will be perfect. I just wanted something to get me out of the house, earn me some extra cash, and give me my baby fix ;) I should probably be starting this week if not next. I am excited! :) It is just one baby so it definitely seems like a BREEZE after the twins, although I miss them SO much and all of their craziness...they turn ONE on Tuesday by the way...how CRAZY is that! I remember the day they were born like it was yesterday I just can't believe how fast time goes by.
That is pretty much the update here from the desert....still 100+ everyday...still getting settled, and still very much enjoying being husband and wife :) <3
We had talked about going kayaking and going on a hike this weekend since it was our first weekend here, but when it came down to it we just wanted to do NOTHING because we have been doing SO much the last 4 weekends. We took the time to hang some pictures in our apartment, plan out meals for the week, do a little shopping for things for the apartment etc...get settled pretty much. Because life has been so crazy we have been haven't been eating that great or working out as much as we would like, so we are also figuring out a new schedule etc for that, hence the meal planning. I took some time today to cook up some sweet potatoes and chicken to have on hand. It is always so much easier to have that type of stuff that takes awhile to cook, prepared ahead of time. If I have it on hand I will eat it...if I don't I am much more likely to go to quick, usually less healthy options. I am not the greatest cook, at all, but I am trying to slowly learn some new recipes to implement into our meals for the week. My goal is to try something new each week.
I am not working at the moment so I have a lot more time on my hands. It is really nice to be able to take care of the errands during the week so we have our weekends available to enjoy together. I miss being around babies though so it didn't take me long to hop on care and start searching out a part time nanny job. I found one that is very nearby, about 7 minutes away, with one 4 month baby boy that will give me about 10-15 hours a week which I think will be perfect. I just wanted something to get me out of the house, earn me some extra cash, and give me my baby fix ;) I should probably be starting this week if not next. I am excited! :) It is just one baby so it definitely seems like a BREEZE after the twins, although I miss them SO much and all of their craziness...they turn ONE on Tuesday by the way...how CRAZY is that! I remember the day they were born like it was yesterday I just can't believe how fast time goes by.
That is pretty much the update here from the desert....still 100+ everyday...still getting settled, and still very much enjoying being husband and wife :) <3
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
From Bliss to Sadness
Oh how quickly pure bliss can turn into pure sadness...Bobby's grandma Dorthy passed away last Wednesday very suddenly. We were just there in Southern California over labor day weekend visiting for a friend's wedding and moving her into her little apartment at an independent living community three days before. She seemed to be doing so well, was so happy and excited about her new place. We said our good bye's on Sunday evening not knowing that would be the last time we would get to hug her and tell her we loved her, but I am thankful we had that moment.
She had been in the hospital since early July, there was a whole lot of problems going on with that, her health was up and down but she fought and fought because there was no way she was missing our wedding (her words). We had visited her in the hospital up in Sacramento and it seemed pretty unlikely that she would be able to travel for our wedding, but in true Dorthy fashion she made it happen. She arrived at our apartment in Aliso the week of the wedding. She was still a little weak which was expected but she was in good spirits as usual.
Her determination paid off and she made it to our wedding and we were so happy that she did. You could see it in her face how happy she was to be there, she had been wanting us to get married forever and the day had finally come! She was our only grandparent there, as mine were unable to travel from to California for the wedding.
We are so blessed and grateful that she was able to see us get married, having those pictures with her are so special to us. Our photographer was kind enough to get us some photos of her from the wedding to share with the family. Seeing her so happy in the photos is amazing and I am so glad that we will have those to cherish forever.
Grandma Dorthy was a one of a kind. She was always joking around and laughing, she was a firecracker in a pint sized package and she will always be remembered as such. She is back with her love grandpa Bob, and while we will miss her here on earth immensely, I am so glad they are back together again for eternity.
RIP Grandma Dorthy. We love and miss you!
Thank you Aimee Fredy @ White Daisy Photography for these photos. We really, truly appreciate you getting these to us so quickly. <3
She had been in the hospital since early July, there was a whole lot of problems going on with that, her health was up and down but she fought and fought because there was no way she was missing our wedding (her words). We had visited her in the hospital up in Sacramento and it seemed pretty unlikely that she would be able to travel for our wedding, but in true Dorthy fashion she made it happen. She arrived at our apartment in Aliso the week of the wedding. She was still a little weak which was expected but she was in good spirits as usual.
Her determination paid off and she made it to our wedding and we were so happy that she did. You could see it in her face how happy she was to be there, she had been wanting us to get married forever and the day had finally come! She was our only grandparent there, as mine were unable to travel from to California for the wedding.
We are so blessed and grateful that she was able to see us get married, having those pictures with her are so special to us. Our photographer was kind enough to get us some photos of her from the wedding to share with the family. Seeing her so happy in the photos is amazing and I am so glad that we will have those to cherish forever.
Grandma Dorthy was a one of a kind. She was always joking around and laughing, she was a firecracker in a pint sized package and she will always be remembered as such. She is back with her love grandpa Bob, and while we will miss her here on earth immensely, I am so glad they are back together again for eternity.
RIP Grandma Dorthy. We love and miss you!
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| The Graham family |
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| My favorite <3 |
Thank you Aimee Fredy @ White Daisy Photography for these photos. We really, truly appreciate you getting these to us so quickly. <3
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