As of late...

-Ryan has school M-W evening and then another class Saturday mornings. He's doing a great job at his school work, and tests. He may not think he's smart...but I do.
-I spend said evenings alone with Max the dog. He keeps me company. We watch Downton Abby together. He likes it.
-I also go to Erin's house and hang out with her and baby Tara. Gosh, that little girl is getting so big!   Her and Kiana both.
-Erin and I workout sometimes together, sometimes alone.
-We are doing our no sugar/refined sugars thing again. It's going well.
-She and I sang for a Relief Society activity last Saturday. It was fun.
-Ryan turns 39 in a few days. I have big plans for his 40th.
-I have been trying new make-up techniques. I love it trying new things.
-I need my hair done...like really bad. The gray is taking over, and my long hair is getting crazy.
-To tame said crazy hair I have been trying new ways of styling it.
-I am itching for some warm weather.
-Work is good.
-Photography is slow right now.
-I'm working on my happiness and doing things that make me feel better. Taking time out for me.
-March is here. YAY!

I did a photo shoot with Tara and Kiana on Saturday. I like how these turned out.

Kiana and Tara with their mamas.

 They were done by the end. Ultimately we just wanted a picture of them in their blessing dresses. 

We got it. :)

"Be you..."

I found this quote today and I LOVED it. Thought it was a good blog post topic.

When I was younger I wanted people to like me.

I wanted the "popular" people to like me.

I wanted to feel part of a crowd.

I looked to people in Jr. High and High School who I thought were SO COOL. They always had boys hanging around them, they had boyfriends. They seemed to have the best in life. And I desperately wanted that.

After trying, and hoping to have them notice me and want to really be my friend, and even hanging out with them a time or two, trying to put on a show as someone I wasn't, and then after becoming bummed out that we didn't really "click"...I'm glad I chose a different crowd.

Today I am so grateful that didn't become friends with those people. I see where their life has taken them, and it's in a place where I don't want to be.

I am thankful I had good friends during those Jr. High and High School, even after High School days, who chose good things. Who were good examples for me. Friends who were and still are strong in the gospel. Friends who helped me be a better version of me. Friends who helped me through my personal trials, prayed for me, and stuck it out with me. Wrote me letters while I was in China, and on my Mission. And friends who still to this day love me for me, and who are still very close to me and a big part of my life.

I am thankful I chose to be me, and not someone I wasn't.

Thanks friends!!

(...and I'm missing a few other dear friends...they know who they are)

 

 

 

Dream list

There are a few places here in the US that I so desperately want to go see at different times of the year.

These things have always been on my dreams list to make into a reality...my bucket list.

Last night I was at my sisters house with her friend Marcole. She was telling us all about her trip to Spain for Christmas. Then she went on to tell about how she went to Vermont in the Winter and how it had met all of her expectations, etc, etc. We then started planning a girls trip there, and talking about other places we wanted to visit.
 
 So it was that conversation that sparked today's post. I dream of seeing these places at a specific time of year.

1. Vermont in the Fall.

All of that fall foliage! Ahh! I have dreamed about going there since...gosh...who knows when. It's all so magical! I want to go see these little towns, go antique shopping, stay at a bed and breakfast, etc, etc.

  

2. DC in the Spring. CHERRY BLOSSOMS!

There is this video that my Aunt made for our families years ago. It's footage of my Dad's life growing up (and his siblings). I LOVE watching this video. I LOVE seeing them as kids, and seeing how their life was. 

Anyway, there is a particular part in the video that I love. They all take a walk around Tidal Basin (This is where the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is located, as well at the MLK Memorial) in DC in the Spring with all the Cherry Blossoms surrounding them.  This is THE spot for Cherry Blossoms in the Spring. 

Now, I've been to DC...once. But it wasn't in the Spring, and I desperately want to go in the Spring. I want to walk around the Basin basking in the beauty of those millions of blossoms. 

Oh so MAGICAL!

 3. NY at Christmas

A long time ago there was a movie that came out called 'Home Alone 2 - Lost in New York'. I'm sure you've all seen it. I LOVE this movie. Love, love, LOVE it. Not so much for the story line, but more so for the scenery. 

Christmas in New York sounds so exciting, doesn't it?! Skating at Rockefeller Center with the Giant Christmas Tree right there in front of you. Walking in a snow covered Central Park. All the lights!! Ahh! I have dreamed of spending a Christmas or two there.

 

Other places I want to visit in the US as well at any time of the year...

-Louisa May Alcott's home in Massachussetts. 

I'm a HUGE fan of 'Little Women'. We'd watch the original version together as sisters with my Mom in the early years, and then the newer one after it came out. We have tea parties and watch Little Women. Such a great movie, and book. 

I would love to see her house 'Orchard House' where this story takes place. 

So many other places I'd like to visit.

Obviously I'm in a traveling mood..haha!

 

 

Christmas

Christmas came and went this year in a blink of an eye, it seemed.

I was in Texas for a week and a half and by the time I got home it was already almost the middle of December. Wow, time is flying.

There are things this year that I wanted to do, but didn't for one reason or another. And before I knew it, it was over. Boo!

Christmas is so different as an adult. The magic isn't there like it was when I was a kid. I know it's up to me how I choose to make it, and I haven't done a good job of making it the way I want it each year.

This year I didn't send out cards
I didn't send out neighbor gifts
I didn't listen to Christmas music in my house hardly at all
I didn't bake Christmas goodies 

I could kick myself for not being more service oriented this Christmas. I will do better next year for sure.

I did watch movies
I did make snowflakes (with my nephews)
I did decorate (but we didn't but the garland up on the stair rails this year...too much work)
I did get together with friends for lunch, and cousins for brunch
I did spend time with Family. 

Even with the things I didn't do, I did however feel the Spirit of Christmas and remember why it is that we celebrate it. I love this time of year!

Here was my Christmas...in pictures...in no particular order (because we all know it's too hard to do that).

 We got lots and lots of snow...and it's still coming down. I think we got a foot at least. 

I love, love, love the snow!

 I love our Christmas tree!

 Tree decor

 Meeting up the Saturday before Christmas to do brunch with my sisters,
 cousin, her hub and their baby.

Meeting baby Call for the first time. What a doll!

 

 Christmas Eve movies

 

 I love getting Christmas cards!

 Loved looking at Christmas lights

 Goofy brothers; Conn & Shane on Christmas Eve. 

They wanted a picture of their twin facial hair.

 Brunch with high school friends.

 Gingerbread house

 Love these glasses I got for Christmas.

 Cute Christmas babies

 Elizabeth celebrated her 2nd birthday. She was obsessed with her babies, 

stroller, backpack, purse, and sunglasses. She was set!

 Reindeer Max.

 I made potato soup for Christmas Eve dinner with the Fam. It's a tradition.

Although we traditionally use my Mom's china. We decided to make it low key this year.

 Crazy guy in awe of the star atop our tree.

 Love this baby girl! I love it even more that I live 100 feet away from her.

 The Tree

One of my favorite gifts this year. My Aunt Eileen (Mom's sister) made a Christmas Tree skirt for us.

Growing up we always used the Tree skirt she made for my Mom years and years ago. 

I don't remember her using any other tree skirt. 

Then, as we all got married her gift was a tree skirt to each of us. 

However, she forgot to make a skirt for us when we got married 7 years ago. 

I didn't want to bother her about it, but this year I finally asked my Mom about it and she said she'd talk to her. Well, she sent me a fb message asking if she owed me a skirt, 

and that one would be made right away. She felt bad.

Well, not even a week later we received this lovely tree skirt in the mail. I love it!!

These kinds of things are treasures for me. I'm so thankful for it!

Thank you dear Aunt Eileen!!! :)

Hope you all had a fabulous Christmas!!!

Christmas card that never came to be...

I had this plan. It was a great plan.

 

A few months before Christmas I told Ryan that we needed to send out cards this year. In the 7 years we've been married we've sent out Christmas cards once. One time!

I made sure to get the one I thought was the best, even if it was going to be a little pricey. I wanted nice cards send out. 

Well, as I realized our money situation wouldn't allow for these nice cards I decided to give up on the idea THIS YEAR. 

Next year is a must.

So, here are the two cards I was trying to decide between to send out from Minted.com, including the wordage I was going to use. Consider this your christmas card. :)

Merry (late) Christmas!

 

 

 

2012 brought much joy and happiness as we were able to spend time with our Lexus. 

She has grown to be a beautiful young lady. 

Shannon continues to work at XANGO and enjoys her successful photography business. 

Ryan is taking a new direction and going back to school.

 Max keeps us on our toes with his endless supply of energy. Crazy dog.
We love our Friends and Family near and far, and wish you a very
Merry Christmas and a Joyous
Holiday Season.
 

Love,
The Hadden Family

Ryan, Shannon, Lexus (15) and Max (the dog)