Here's to 2016

2015 has been such a great, life changing year- mostly thanks to a little boy named Griffin. I kind of hate to see it end, but I'm already excited about some happenings in 2016- The Voice auditions (Yep. You read that correctly. I don't know what I've gotten myself into, but I'm going to try just to say I did!), "Dancing for Our Stars" for The Baddour Center, and vacation in Punta Cana! 

I came across this printable yesterday on someone's Facebook page,

and I've decided to put my answers here to share with you. That way, when I start slacking in a few weeks, you all can help hold me accountable!

So, I purpose to:

Embrace positivity and selflessness 

Engage in more prayer time 

Be a better wife, mom, worker, friend, but ultimately just be ME and be okay with who I am

Believe that good things do come to those who wait (aka BE PATIENT!)

Break my sweet tooth, my sweet tea addiction, and negative self image

Daily spend time with God 

Do more exercising 

Let Go of "what if's"

Learn to be content 

Live a healthier lifestyle and Live in the moment- stop living for the next major life event 

Give more time and attention to what is most important 

Grow stronger physically and spiritually and Grow closer to God, my family, and friends. 

So, there you have it, folks. I'd love to read your lists and see what you purpose to do in the new year. Here's to 2016! Happy New Year! God bless you!

Things I Wish Someone Would've Told Me about Being A Mom

I'm not one to wear my emotions on my sleeve, but I have been holding these thoughts in for awhile, so I have got to share them before I drive myself crazy. Here are a couple of things I wish someone would've told me about becoming a mom: 

1) That having friends when your a mom is hard! - You would think by 28, I wouldn't care about being accepted or fitting in, but truth be told, I do. Motherhood has made having friendships and a social life much more difficult. I was aware of the difficulty going into motherhood, but it didn't ever really sink in until Griffin was here. I long to have girl time (which is easier said than done). People don't think I notice, but I realize I'm not their first choice to hang out. I may be totally wrong, but I feel like I'm only included sometimes out of sympathy. I'm not nor have I ever been "the cool kid" or most popular, but the friendships I had before becoming a mom have seemed to be pushed to the back burner, and they take much more effort to work. I was quite a social person pre-baby, and I'm having a hard time adjusting to not getting to be quite so social. 

2) That motherhood makes you anemotional  basket case! - I used to laugh when my mom would cry over sappy commercials or movie scenes with cheesy, happy moments, but now, it doesn't take much to make me teary- sad or happy tears! Before Griffin, hearing bad news (especially about children) would make me sad, but now it just makes me fearful and overly heartbroken.  

3) That motherhood will teach you to slow down and enjoy the little moments - In our fast paced world, we miss the little moments quite frequently because we live for life's next big moments. I don't know if it's just me, but time has seemed to go by faster since I've had Griffin. It feels like he was born just yesterday, and in 12 days he will be 9 months old. If I blink, he'll be in kindergarten! I've learned to savor every little moment of down time I have with him (and with Cody, too). 

Maybe I'm not the only mom out there that has felt this way or thought these things. If you're a mom, what has motherhood taught you? Feel free to share your thoughts!