2012 Reflections and Welcome 2013

Happy New Year!!! 

As I bring in 2013 at work caring for those who can't care for themselves, and honestly may never leave this ICU, I realize that I kind of just brushed off 2012 with my A-Z post because I was feeling too lazy to actually put effort into writing.  2012 was a wonderful year for me and definitely deserves some goodbye love. 

In February, we went on a cruise with my parents.  It was their first real vacation since their honeymoon 26 years ago!  It was a great time!  We went to Jamaica, the Caymans, and Mexico.  We swam with stingrays and went to the Sea Turtle farm, were waited on hand and foot for a week, and ate our fat ass hearts out!  I loved getting that experience with my parents.  My mom and I are planning another one, just to two of us.... frankly, my dad and Ryan held us back from being the hit of the ship.

Us in Cozumel

In March, I started a new job that has put me on a path to my ultimate career goals.  I have learned so much here, and am constantly learning new things.  While the ER will always have a piece of my nursing heart, I am so glad that I made the decision to come here.  We also, bought our first house which we absolutely LOVE and are so blessed to have, and have made lots of amazing new friends.

In May, Ryan finally proposed in the most perfect way possible and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with my best friend!  May also brought the beginning of this weight loss journey.  I lost 50lbs in 2012 which is amazing!  I honestly have about 70 more to lose before I reach what I think is my final goal, but I feel better about myself that I have in years and for the first time I KNOW that I CAN and WILL do it, and I'm going to look AMAZING as shit in my wedding dress! Read about our story HERE.

the elephant did not want to cooperate with my photo.... asshole

A better pic of my beautiful ring

My progress pic,  left is right after the proposal and right is about 50lbs down.. october maybe?

In October, I ran my first 5K and LOVED it.  I hope to do more this year... or at least some virtual ones, we are going on a major saving spree!!  I never imagined I would ever run a race because "I am NOT a runner".... guess what folks, I AM!!

38 minutes!! and WAY too fast... I threw up afer... always the cool kid

In November, we celebrated my dad's 1 year post transplant status and he and my aunt are both doing AMAZING.  You can read that story HERE.

My dad and his sister last Christmas, just a little over a month post transplant

I just really like this picture of my favorite baby.  He loves me the most, so that's probably why he's my fave... plus, that FACE!!

Of course the year had it's lows, but who wants to relive the bad stuff?!?  I was a very blessed girl this year.  In addition to all that I listed above, I can't forget you guys!  I started this blog over the summer, mostly because it seemed all the cool kids in ML Fit Camp were doing it and my girl crush on Mama Laughlin was hot and heavy so I wanted to be cool like her.  I never expected any readers, and I LOVE my new blog friends.... probably as much as, if not more than, my real life friends.  Y'all have kept me going and motivated more than anything and I thank you so much for that.  I hope to bring you more rediculous self love in 2013 :)

I have never really been one for resolutions.. I hate breaking promises, especially ones I made to myself and hate setting myself up for disappointment even more.  So this year, I have decided to set some goals for myself, so heres they is

1.  Stay motivated on my weight loss/fitness journey.  I've been on and off the wagon for a couple of months now, but thanks to stepping on the scale after Christmas and seeing a 6lb gain and getting the reality check of what all this truly means to me, I am back in full force SERIOUSLY this time.  Looking back at some of my recent posts, I sound like a broken record of remotivating myself, not this time!  It's about more than looking good naked for my honeymoon (who am I kiddng, that's like 98% of the reason)  it's about being healthy so that I can kick life's ass for many years to come!

2.  Get more organized!  I am great at organization when it comes to planning an event.  You want a vaction planned?  Hit me up!  You need to throw a party together in 1 week?  I'm your bish!  I love the pressure, I guess.  But if you look at my house, you would never guess I'm the girl that lives in it...... this chick is a HOT MESSY MESS!  I have always hated housework until it gets unbearable and then I go on a psychotic OCD cleaning spree and don't sleep for days until the house is clean.... and it lasts for about 2 days.  I'm too old for that.  I want to be proud of my house and not be embarrassed for random walk ins... instead of my neighbor asking Ryan why my pajama pants are in the living room floor and his response being "idk that's not where I took them off of her".  I spent the last 2 days cleaning the main living areas of the house and am currently working on a cleaning schedule to maintain said cleanliness.  We also plan to take one room a week and make it our "project"  organizing it and getting it just how we want it. 

3.  Save some money!!  Since becoming an independent woman and all, I have realized that money does not, in fact, grow on trees. I quickly decided that TJMaxx, Old Navy, and Target were more than good enough for me and that Great Value brand is perfectly acceptable.... most of the time. Also, weddings are EXPENSIVE!  So this year, we are cutting back where ever we can and I'm even going to give couponing a try... for household items at least, I don't think having 140 boxes of Mac and Cheese will do me much good for weight loss... even if I did get it all for 43 cents.  So, I may be calling on you ladies for some tips on getting started... I know some of you are amazing couponers {cough cough MrsD}.  So far, I have basically clipped coupons for stuff I don't even buy, but looks cool... so I think I'm doing it wrong.

What am I looking forward to this year?  MY MOTHA F-IN WEDDING for starters.  Also, our honeymoon to DC!  Neither one of us have ever been before and I am getting the vacation itch pretty bad.  I am also starting my masters degree this fall, so in just 3 short years I'll be a NP and officially NOT wiping ass ever again... HOLLA!!  Plus, the hospital is paying for it.... DOUBLE HOLLA!!

I know 2013 is going to be a great year.... I refuse to accept any less! I hope all the unicorns shit glitter on your year too :)

Okay, I've rambled on long enough, I just can't help it, us southern girls like to talk :)  Have a GREAT DAY!! 

What are y'all doing this year?