New Years resolutions...

I got to thinking last night about New Years resolutions...and how quickly the shallow ones I and many other people have made over the years quickly fade away. For example...a few years ago I decided to give up texting while I was driving...and on January 2nd I specifically remember texting and laughing to myself as I drove down the highway. I have never been a big fan of resolutions, or of New Years for that matter. But last year was different, and I know that every year will be amazing from here on out.

I realized thinking back to various New Years Eve's that the reason I hated so many of them is because I was just not happy with my life at that time. Living in Michigan really didn't help since it's gray pretty much from September through April...and there is literally no sun for months! While I was living there, there were so many things I didn't like about my life there, and many times I just felt like I was stuck in a world I just didn't want to be in. This is not to say that I am not thankful for the family and friends I have in Michigan...but my whole life I just never felt like I was at home when I was there.

Last year, New Years was different. I actually spent New Years with my family in Tahoe, and got to see an amazing display of fireworks timed to music high up on the snow covered mountain. I loved spending that time with my family, and had a blast skiing all over the mountain and hanging out in our amazing hotel right at the mountains edge. Although it was wonderful to be in such a great place, spending the time with my family is what really meant the most to me.

The other thing that made New Years amazing was that I had met Matt a few months earlier and was really starting to fall in love with my amazing man! We didn't spend New Years together because we were both with our families, but just knowing him and having him in my life made the new year so special and so full of excitement and love. Matt truly brings out the best in me and I feel the most me when I am with him. He brings out the hope and excitement and happiness and joy that is in my heart. He brings out the part of me who is passionate and loves to dream big, amazing dreams. He brings out the playful girl I am inside, and makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the whole world! Mostly, he brings out the love that I have always had within myself...the love that I have always wanted to give to the special person I was meant to be with forever.

This past year has been filled with so many blessings...Finding the love of my life, so many life-long friends, stating my master's degree in something I truly love, getting engaged, planning our amazing wedding, and getting to spend time with the people I love the most while Matt has been away. Of course I will miss him this New Years...but no matter what, my heart couldn't help but be filled with pure joy!

So this year...I am not making a New Years resolution that is just going to fade away. Instead, I am making a promise to myself and to Matt that I will be thankful for every moment we have together, and live everyday with him, and with our friends and family as if it were my last. I want to live out the love, happiness, passion, and confidence I have found over this past year, and live my life so that it makes a difference in the lives of others.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures that celebrate some of my favorite memories from this past year...I only hope that all of you are as blessed this year as I have been. Celebrate every moment, and always remember to love yourself and the people around you!

Matt and I on our first Christmas! We spent the day and night with all of Matt's friends, who are now also my very good friends :) It was a Christmas I will never forget!

My family and me in Tahoe on New Years Eve. What do you mean I look like I drank an entire bottle of white wine by myself? I am NOT admitting anything! We had so much fun!

I know it's kinda hard to see, but these are my San Diego girls! We had so much fun at our favorite winery, Ponte. I was overjoyed to meet so many wonderful girls...my whole life all I wanted was a bunch of girlfriends...and they were more than I could have ever hoped for!

All of the girls at Lahaina...the best bar in San Diego! Don't I look so sick?? I may or may not have called into work that day due to sickness...my code name for drunkenness ;)

Aww...this is a perfect picture illustrating how much Matt and I play! I don't remember what eh was doing to me...but I was definitely fighting back! We have so much fun :)

Texas trip with Cara! We had so much fun with all of Cara's friends hanging out and raising money for her CF walk. I was honored to spend a week with Cara in Texas, and had an absolute blast! Seconds before Matt got down on his knee and proposed to me...I was so happy and so surprised! He made me the happiest girl in the world!!!

My cousin Natalie...who was there for our engagement :) Natalie is like a sister to me, and I was so happy she could be there for one of the most special moments of my life! We snuck away from the boys at a concert and found a little bar where we downed a couple of shots and then went back for the show!

Ok, from the back we have: Rob, AJ, me, Les, James, and Tony. The San Diego crew who kept me sane this summer while I was missing Matt. I don't know what I would have done without them!!! We had so much fun, and I want to thank them for being there for me. I also need to add Stephanie and Tania to the San Diego crew , but I don't have any pictures with them :( They are two girls who definitely helped me through the long summer without the love of my life! Thanks girls! Toni and April, who have been like sisters to me since I was 2. We went to the Allman Brothers concert and it was a blast! I have no memory of taking this picture...but we all look somewhat sober right?? I love my girls!

Cara, Ashley, and me eating some good Chinese food! I have really missed them since they left in February and April, so it was great to see them both my first weekend in Virginia! Ace Wire is BACK!!! ;)

Cara and I at the very creepy karaoke bar! I have been blessed to have the opportunity to spend time with Cara and she is one of my best friends! I am really going to miss her when I go back to San Diego!
Matt having fun on his little detour to another base. I love seeing pictures of him because it makes me feel close to him! I miss him and love him, and just want to thank him for making my life more amazing than I ever thought possible.

Ann and I at the USO. Meeting Ann and spending the last few months with her at the USO has been a true blessing in my life. Ann is one of the people that inspires you to live a life of service to others. She may not have the biggest house, and she may not get the beauty sleep that so many of us need to stay youthful...but her heart is in the ranks with Mother Theresa's, and she makes an impact on people's lives (including mine) each and every day! My "Saint Ann."