[ A new year]

I am 14 day's behind on this one, but better late than never, right?

Every year I make pathetic attempts at making resolutions I know will last for all of 1 second. This year, in effort to maybe accomplish some things that I would like to, I thought I would set some pretty reasonable goals. 10 things I'd like to improive on in 2012.

...take it or leave it.

1. Make time for myself. I always slip into a busy lifestyle and forget to make time for myself, which inevitably leaves less time for others as well. I'd like to prioritize my time with more than just running here, running there quick stopping in to wish my good friend a happy birthday and than be on to the next thing.

2. Read more. enough said. I read so many books this summer, but since working so much I have put that on the back burner. shame on me.

3. As pathetic as this may sound...drink less beer. I go through phases but sometimes i'd like to pass up the wine and go in for a beer. It leaves me feeling like a whale and full. time to cut the carbs. seriously.

4. Be more domestic. I have let that slip away from me as of late. I need to stop relying on Kyle to make meals and do laundry and pick up all the lose ends. It all leads back to making more time for myself...I never am home for more than 10 minutes. (maybe try to blog a little more as well)

5. Loosen up, smile more and go with the flow. The annual "think before I react" could go in here too...I have been working on that for 20+ years and that hasn't improved yet...could this be the year?

6. SPEND LESS MONEY!!! Good grief, I have no clue where all my money goes. I have downsized my closet, stopped eating out as much, and I will be moving home soon, but I seriously may go insane if I keep spending money on pointless stuff.

7. Improve my golf game. I am getting married to the best golfer I know, and brushing up on my skills is probably a big must do. Last summer I managed to actually hit the ball and understand the game better than I ever have...this year I hope to surprise myself!

8. Enjoy the little moments. I enjoy the little moments, but also find myself taking them for granted.

9. Let it go. I should really stop worrying about things, or letting little things bother me. I find it hard to let stuff go. If people wrong me, I am always the first to want to bring it up...when really, I just need to take a deep breath and carry on. More of the " in 5 years is this going to affect me" thinking.

10. ...and this a joke, get in shape. yep, I said it. I tried to avoid it but my children will see my wedding photos and as vain as that may be...I do not want them to think their momma could have tried a little harder before the big day :)

This about all the self improvment things that I have come up with.

Happy Weekend!

[Day 252] and world's longest post.

I am doing this for myself, Kyle, and our future family...and for anyone else who wants to read. [We have a tendency to forget the little details of the best days of our lives so while it's fresh we will write it out!]




Excuse all the grammatical erros…



A week ago today, Friday, December 23rd 2011 is a day I will never forget! It takes the lead for one of the best days of our lives thus far.



I woke up on a Friday morning, dreading my short 3 hour work day, but so anxious to get out and spend the afternoon off with Kyle. I sat at work with what little motivation that I could muster and completed my tasks. 3 hours turned into 4 LONG hours. Kyle and I texted back and forth trying to decide of the plans we wanted to have for the day. I was so excited to give him his Christmas presents 2 days early, so we decided that we would start our afternoon off with.



When I arrived to his house after work, he had decided to have lunch with his parents so I had to wait for awhile so I decided to re-get ready for the day. He got home about an hour after I had been there. He gave me my first present which was a little Christmas tree with two ornament’s both reading 2011 with pictures of the two of us in them! My second gift was my Vera Bradley Large Duffel I had so patiently waited 2 years to obtain!



I wasn’t feeling 100% so I wanted to go get something to eat. We decided to go to Roses on Reeds Lake. It’s one of my favorite places to go, and walking through Collin’s Park is another thing I love to do! We ate a pizza, had some Sangria and Beer and talked about life. After dinner, Kyle asked if I Wanted to take a walk…I wasn’t all that interested in taking a walk in the frigid cold, but why not I guess!!! About 10 feet into our walk I told Kyle I was freezing cold and didn’t know how much longer I could go. He then said “well, I suppose we can stop right here” and as I was on my way to walk back to the car, he got down on one knee. No sooner than seeing him on his knee, I immediately was brought to tears, and said YES! It was one of the best moments of my whole life!



We got into the car and immediately called our parents, family, and friends. We went to the Murphy’s and the Miedema’s to share the news and excitement! My best friend Bethany was next on the list, so we ran over to her house. Later that night we went to the Wood’s with friends to celebrate in our excitement!!! It was such a wonderful, and memorable night!!



I cannot wait to be Mrs. Nicole Murphy!!! Only a little over a year. Stay tuned for the development of wedding planning!!!!