2012 Word of the Year

Since January is almost over, I thought it was time to get this post written.  I've been thinking about it for a couple of weeks now.

It seems that many in the blogosphere are choosing a word of the year instead of listing out their new year resolutions.  As I thought through all the events that affected my life last year, all the changes we went through, and what I wanted to accomplish in 2012, I thought choosing a word was the way to go.  I still have specific goals I plan to accomplish this year, but this one word is at the core of all of them.

My 2012 word is  BELIEVE

I think this word was subliminally planted inside me from my Weight Watcher meetings, but whatever works, right?

It's such a fitting word for me.  I know in my very soul that if I just believe in myself, I can accomplish great things.

In 2012 I will...
~ believe that I can accomplish my health goals
~ believe that I can accomplish my weight loss goals (while this is tied to my health goals, it is definitely a different goal)
~ believe that I can be a happier, deeper, more inspired version of me
~ believe that I can learn to use my camera in manual mode and be a more confident and competent photographer

I will touch more on each item periodically throughout the year, definitely sharing more details - my S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timely) goals for you business peeps out there - and how things are progressing.  Accountability is my friend.  Right?

I think I actually put off writing this post for that very reason.  If it wasn't in print, if I didn't put it out there, there was no accountability, no pressure, I could fudge or modify what I wanted to do.  I can still do that, but now I have to do it knowingly and on purpose.  It's not just my little secret anymore.

I hope you made goals for 2012.  Whether they are public or private, they are yours and yours alone to do with what you will.  But let's be honest, success rocks!  And a little accountability never hurt anyone. There will be bumps in the road, in my road for sure, but we'll get over them and keep on truckin'.

                                                                                           Source: Uploaded by user via Beverly on Pinterest

BELIEVE.

Til next time ~ find your joy!
Kelly

Quiet Sunday

Where did this week go?  It's been over a week since I last posted and I'm not sure how the days got away from me.  But it's a quiet Sunday, so I thought I'd share some random thoughts and updates from the last week.  Ahhh, who am I kidding, now that we're empty nesters, it's pretty quiet around here all the time, lol.

I cut my hair off this week.  Well, I didn't cut it, I went to Salon Salon in Boulder and Stephen cut it for me~ to the tune of about 7 inches gone.  It's a simple chin length bob.  Still getting used to it.  Heading back to Stephen on Tuesday to get my hair colored/highlighted.  It's been years since I've had my hair colored at a salon.  I'm pretty much a 'do it yourself' kinda girl.  Once it's colored and I'm used to styling it, maybe I'll post a picture.

After my haircut, I met Haley for lunch and then we went to see One For The Money at the theater.  We enjoyed it.  For the most part it stayed true to the book (One For The Money by Janet Evanovich).  Hope they continue with the book series on the big screen.   The book series is very entertaining.  I highly recommend it!

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I made it to H20 aerobics Monday-Thursday.  Missed Friday because of my hair appointment.  H20 is all part of my 'get healthy' regime for 2012.  I'll tell you more about that later.

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Haley has been working on her sister's bridal shower, which is in Minnesota at the end of February.  She's chosen a really cute theme.  Can't wait to see it come to life!

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Haley texted me earlier today and asked what we were doing.  I knew right away that she wanted to come home for the day.  So, off I went into Boulder and picked her up.  She's currently doing homework on the couch and watching the pro bowl game that's at Aloha Stadium in Hawaii.

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Hawaii.  I wish I was there, lounging on the beach soaking up the sun.  Yeah.  Not that I can complain about the weather, it was near 60 degrees today, but a vacation in a warm, sunny, beach locale sounds heavenly.

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Next Sunday we are heading down to my brother's for Super Bowl 46.  Should be a fun time.

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Random photo of my fur baby, Luna.

I think that's it for my randomness today.  I'll be back soon with my 2012 word of the year.

Til next time ~ find your joy!
Kelly

'Save the Date' Unveil

Now that they have mailed and most have been received, I thought I'd share what we put together for Eden and Luke's Save the Date notifications.

We were really happy with the results.

We had them printed as a postcard.  They turned out so cute!

Did I not tell you that Luke and Eden were great in front of the camera?

Have I not told you how much I love taking photographs and how much I love my software?

Til next time ~ find your joy!
Kelly

Back to School

We took daughter #2 back to college on Sunday, after her month long break.

As usual, I felt the need to document the event but Haley wasn't feeling it.  It took a little persuasion (read her dad telling her that I wouldn't quit until she smiled for me and if she wouldn't, I'd post the pics anyway) to get her to cooperate, but she finally came around.

waiting for the car to be backed out of the garage...

 look at that cute little tush...

last load.

And off my baby goes back to college.  Hard to believe she's half done with her freshman year.  How time flies...

Til next time ~ find your joy!

Kelly

My Little Man Plays Basketball

My Little Man has started Winter League basketball.  He's on the purple team.  If you're unfamiliar with My Little Man, he's my 6 year old nephew, John.  Saturday, we watched him play.

It's amazing how much more he understands the game from just a month ago when we watched him play in early December.  He made his first basket during a game!

Cousins, Paul, John and Haley

Til next time ~ find your joy!
Kelly

Indulgence

Did you know that if you pour half and half on frozen berries, it freezes and turns to ice milk?  And if you sprinkle it with a sweetener (I used Splenda) it turns into a decadent dessert?  And, if you're on Weight Watchers it's all of 1 or 2 points plus values (depending on how much half and half you use)?

Most of the time I eat the frozen berries plain, even without the Splenda, but once in a while, you have to indulge.  This works for me.

Til next time ~ find your joy!

Kelly

Adieu

A cold front moving our way provided a spectacular sunset.

With that, I bid you good evening.

Til next time ~ find your joy!
Kelly

Sunday Stroll

My baby had her wisdom teeth removed on Friday.  She's had a rough couple of days.  She hasn't bruised, but she's pretty puffed up.  She allowed me to take a picture for posterity, but I had to promise not to post it.  So, instead, I'll post one from a couple weeks ago.

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Today, daughter #1 heads back to Minnesota.  We had a wonderful couple of weeks with her here in Colorado, but it's time for her to get back and look for a job now that she's a college graduate.  She needs to find something to hold them over until they head off to graduate school this coming fall.  And of course finish planning her wedding!

Here are a couple more shots of Eden and Luke.

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I need to take down the inside and outside Christmas decorations.  We shut off the outside lights on January 2nd, but haven't taken them down.  That's on our agenda for tomorrow.

Happy Sunday all!

Til next time ~ find your joy!
Kelly

Hodge Podge

The sunrise this morning was spectacular.  The sunlight reflected off the low clouds and turned everything shades of yellow, orange and pink.

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.  Hebrews 6:18

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Luke flew home to Minnesota today.  Eden flies home on Sunday.  Plans for the remainder of the week include shopping for wedding dress shoes and undergarments; wedding dress fitting/alterations; and taking down Christmas decorations.

We had a lot of fun while all the kids were here.  In addition to celebrating Christmas and ringing in the New Year with horseback riding we also spent one evening in downtown Denver.

Dinner and margaritas at the Blue Bonnet.  Yummy food!  We were stuffed!

Lights!  Denver City Hall.

More lights!  Union Station.

The snow is all but gone now...and that's alright by me!  I love having snow over the holiday season, but now it can stay away until late March/early April ~ one last blizzard before spring.  Works for me!

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Today is my brother's birthday.  Happy Birthday Greg!  Hope you have a wonderful day!  Love you!

Greg and John

'Til next time ~ find your joy!
Kelly

Happy Trails

Today we finally made it up to Estes Park to go horseback riding (Thank You Groupon!)  We were originally scheduled to go last Thursday, but due to gale winds in the mountains (80-100+ mph) it was rescheduled for today.

The day started great, but took a slight down turn when I realized that I neglected to put the battery back in my camera that I'd taken out to charge.  Crap crap crap.

Luckily, I gave my Nikon D40x to Eden and she had it with so we did get pictures.  Yah!

 Driving up to Estes Park.

 Lunch on the River before our 2 pm ride.  I had a Reuben.  It was scrumptious.

 Hubby checking out the Elkhorn Ranch.  We've ridden horses in Estes Park before, but this was the first time at this ranch.

 Luke and Eden

 Haley and future brother-in-law.

 Bringing out the mounts.

 Jim befriending one of the horses.

 Eden and her horse, CJ.

 On the trail.

 Eden on CJ, Jim on his horse, Sadie, and Luke on his horse, Cain.

 And here I am.  Look at this beautiful animal.  Her name is Cowgirl.  She was a great horse.  I did give her a hug.  She was very patient with her rider.  And we tipped our guide.  Yeah, have no idea why I'm not smiling. 

 Haley on her mount, Daisy.

Picture break. Waving at our cowboy guide, Matthew, who was taking pics with our cameras.

 Back at the Elkhorn Ranch.

 Waiting to dismount.

 Haley saying goodbye.

Eden posing one last time.

It was a beautiful day, upper 30s, no wind.  Our ride was about an hour long which was perfect.  What a great way to start the new year.

Happy New Year!

Til next time ~ find your joy!

Love,

Kelly