2015: We're ready for you!

ThinKit prompt: The calendar still says 2014, but let's push forward. What are you looking forward to in 2015? Is there an event, special occasion, or reunion that you're counting down the days until? Planning a trip? A life change? A move? Or maybe it's the simple pleasures – the release of a movie, something or someone hitting a stage near you.

2014 has been a wonderful year. We purchased our home and have enjoyed many moments here. We traveled to Denver several times and explored the mountains, enjoyed lots of laughs with friends and family, brewed many beers and just enjoyed living here in Indianapolis.

But 2015. The idea of 2015 makes me smile, and not just small grin, but a smile on my heart that gives me goosebumps. I know that sounds a little dramatic. But I'm a girl of optimism and 2015, I'm really looking forward to living you.

So why 2015? There are two main things.

1. We're making a baby. We get to meet our baby in May. So, there's the game changer for 2015, and the rest of our lives. In five months, we're going to be parents. As the days continue to go by and I can feel the little babe wiggle about inside me, I can't help but have that smile on my heart that gives me goosebumps. That's where it comes from. In 2015, we get to meet our son or daughter and begin the scariest, most challenging - but rewarding and so worth it - adventure of our life.


2. Families getting closer. I have four sisters, and we're all super close. Closer than we probably ever thought we'd be growing up. One of my sisters is also my twin sister - Abby. We grew up sharing a room until we went off to college. We lived in the same sorority house, studied abroad in Spain together, lived in the same senior house, and still share the same group of close friends. After college and our month in Costa Rica together, she went off to grad school in Saint Louis and I stayed here in Indy with a new job. I then went to Germany for a year, and she moved to Denver with her now husband.

We have talked on the phone every day, usually twice each day, for five years. And honestly, it's frustrating.

So, what's 2015 have in-store for us? Abby's moving to Indianapolis! And not just anywhere in Indianapolis, she's moving two streets over from me in Broad Ripple.

A four minute walk, a two minute jog. And I couldn't be happier.

The last few blogs I've written have allowed me to reflect on my past year, on where I've been and where I'm going. I don't have life all figured out, and I'm not sure that I'm supposed to. But what I do know for sure is that I've been set on a path of discovery, exploration and gratitude.

2015, bring it on.

Aloha to Namaste

#ThinkKit prompt: What did you say goodbye to this year? Was it a bad habit? A '94 hatchback? Or something less tangible? How did you feel the day after? The week after?

Or! What did you say hello to this year? Did it enrich your life...or detract? A new favorite possession? A tattoo? Did you decide that your life was missing something, or did you just fall into new-ness? Share your aloha!

When I read this prompt, I instantly knew what I wanted to write about. Throughout my life, I've always enjoyed working out, but struggled to find an activity I was passionate about - especially to make it a life habit, not just a short-time fad. In August of 2013, I started training for the Monumental Marathon here in Indy, and I committed myself to finishing training and running the half-marathon without stopping, if possible. I finished the run with a tired smile on my face and can gladly check that off my bucket list of life accomplishments.

I thought that maybe I had developed a passion for running? No, not exactly. I do enjoy it, but not enough to make it a habit since training. I've also had gym memberships but never felt a connection to them. When I was in Germany, I practiced  Zumba with my German friend, Nadine. That was quite entertaining (to watch), but not something I wanted to continue here.

I've always loved yoga and practiced randomly throughout the years. Once we moved to Broad Ripple earlier this year, I was aching for a physical and mental commitment; I needed to belong to something that not only gave me a workout, but something that provided me with internal and external balance.

I decided it was time to say aloha to a real yoga commitment.

And not just any yoga. Hot yoga. A friend from work had been going to the Indy Yoga Studio and invited me to try a two week new student special. Throughout those first two weeks, I made myself set the alarm an hour early and roll out of bed for 6am Vinyasa. After experiencing the feeling of accomplishment and balance by 7 am each morning, I knew I had found it.

Sometimes Simba likes to practice with me.

I signed up for the unlimited class package and committed myself not only to the physical journey of yoga, but to learning how to have a more balanced life, for my body and mind. And the hot part of yoga only heightened the experience. The second month of my practice (March 2014), I committed to a 30 day challenge - 30 classes of yoga in 30 days with only two days of double ups.

I completed the challenge without hesitation and reaped the physical and mental benefits.

When I discovered I was pregnant in August, my doctor informed me I could still practice yoga regularly, but not hot yoga. I knew it was coming, but I must admit, it was hard when I first realized my routine and regular practice would be put on hold (obviously for all good reasons!)

And then I realized that just because I couldn't practice hot yoga, (and let's be real, early mornings in the first trimester wouldn't have been too likely) I can still practice a more pre-natal friendly version at home or another studio. So that's what I do. The cool thing about yoga (and most physical activities) is that you can take it anywhere. So my yoga practice is still very much intact and part of my day. My "aloha" to yoga is here to stay!

And after the doctor gives me the OK in the summer, I know exactly where I'll be.

Great resource for yoga at home: yogaglo.com 

A Short & Sweet Two Cents

Today's ThinkKit prompt: Whether you asked for it – or not – what good advice did you get this year? Did it come from an unexpected source? Was it unsolicited, or did you need a word or two after an eventful day, week, or month? Has the advice changed the way you think about the world? 

I have this written on a post-it note on my desk at work. I also have it on the main page of this blog. This motto of sorts has been guiding advice for me for several years now, and the idea of it is something I learned to appreciate while living abroad (when I had ALOT of time to myself). Earlier this year, I read this quote in an article that I can't seem to find and once again, it hit home.

When I get lost in the day-to-day activities of life and start to stress and worry about unimportant details, I like to think back to these wise words. If you lose perspective or don't let yourself try to see a new one, you really could lose it all.

Today's Thought

I read this quote today and it spoke to me, so I wanted to share it. In today's world of endless connection with smartphones, iPads, Instagram and Facebook, "being aware" of your actual surroundings is challenging at times, at least for me. This quote reminded me of the time when we lived without smartphones and with limited Internet connection for a year. And let me tell you, I would do it again because to be fully aware in the present moment is a beautiful thing!

"The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware." - Henry Miller

2014 in Photographs

After almost a year-long hiatus, I'm attempting to jump back on the blogging wagon. I've missed writing; I've missed the feeling of expressing myself through words. This blog was primarily a travel blog, highlighting my life-changing experience of living abroad in Germany. Once I returned, I attempted to write about sporadic trips in the States and out-and-abouts here in Indianapolis, but I failed at keeping it up. Since my last post in January, a lot has happened, and even though it's not all traveling, I'm excited to share my adventures once again.

To get back into the swing of things, I'm participating in a blogging challenge sponsored by the local marketing firm Smallbox, called #ThinkKit. This blogging project will provide a prompt every day of December and I'll write as much as I can!

Post 1: A Thousand Words.

Description: Nothing like a strict word count to kick off our month of blogging...just kidding! Share your year in photos.

2014 has been wonderful - beautiful in so many ways. It's been filled with many laughs, some tears, and numerous moments that have turned into warm memories. Going through my phone, I chose photos that represent my 2014. It began with a bang, and it's ending with hope and joy for 2015. And here's why:

Early 2014: We bought a house! 

After several years of apartment living, Derek and I were SO ready to settle down in a house so that we could turn it into a home. This photo was taken the day we got the keys to our bungalow built in the 1930's!

 As many of you may remember about early 2014, we welcomed the Polar Vortex, which turned off our power the second night in our new home. We camped out in a chilly 55 degrees with the kitties.

This photo is one that represents warmth to me. It's more than a cup of warm coffee and a snowy day. It was the beginning of our story of turning our house into a home.

We got the keys on New Year's Eve, so we popped some bubbly to celebrate. 

Over the past year, I've put my heart into this blank canvas. I plan to blog about all of our projects and house adventures in later blogs, but this photo says a lot. Paints and palettes and lots of tape. It's amazing how color can transform a place into a cozy space.

We (my handy husband) built our dining room table. We've hosted friends and families at this table - it's our place of gathering.

Spring 2014: I became an aunt!

 In May, we welcomed Johnathon Gene into this world, and our hearts melted. He's one loved, spoiled little man. And I'm one proud Aunt.

Summer 2014: Weddings & Travel!

In June, my best friend and college roommate tied the knot in Saint Louis. I was honored to be part of her big day.

In August, one of my best friends from high school also tied the knot. We had a great time celebrating her big day as well.

  

I had the opportunity to visit my twin sister in Denver in July, and while the guys did bachelor party things, Abby and I escaped to the mountains. It was a much needed "vacation."

Fall 2014: Twin Sister Gets Married!

Abby married Ryan on a beautiful fall day in September. As her MOH, I had the privilege of writing a speech, fluffing her dress and eating lots of cake. She's my other half and these photos make my heart smile.

Fall/ Winter 2014: We're Growing our Family!

Like I said at the beginning, this year began with finding the perfect house and starting the process of making it a home. And now as we move into 2015...we're thinking the best is yet to come.