2013 New Year's Resolutions

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HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!! 

Here are 13 goals for 2013. 

1. Learn how to be a good Mommy and breastfeed for as long as I can in Stella's first year.  (I have heard this takes a lot of work and commitment so it is a huge goal of mine this year!) 

2. Visit a country outside of France.  (Spain, England, Germany, Greece.... maybe all 4? A girl can dream...) 

3. Be better at sending cards and packages.  (Even though it is SO dang expensive to ship things from here!) 

4. Put together a business plan for our family "dream project." - Will post more about this in the future...

5. Once I am cleared to do so, get into great if not BETTER pre-baby shape! I really miss shopping and wearing cute clothes.  Currently I am sporting lots of Logan's sweatpants and undershirts. 

6. Continue to eat at home more and go out to eat less. And along with that, continue to explore new recipes and dishes. I made huge strides in 2012 and hope to make even more this year. 

7. I want to have an Etsy shop... not sure what I want to sell yet, but a HUGE goal of mine is to run a successful shop online that can be run from anywhere in the world.

8. Move back to the United States most likely sometime this FALL. Not sure where... that will depend on the job situation, but the goal is to be stateside. 

9.  In regards to #8, save as much money as we can for the moving expenses, cars, rent on a new place. 

10. Be more consistent in reading my Bible. 

11. Pass my A2 French Exam (in June) so that I can get my permanent resident card for France. 

12. Become a master at driving a standard car without being anxious or nervous every time I get behind the wheel. 

13. Keep up with Stella's baby book/ scrapbook charting my pregnancy and her first year. I know if I don't keep up it may never get done :) 

What are your goals for 2013? 

Wrestling...

I have had a love/hate relationship with France here lately.  I miss my comfort zone, my house in Lakewood, my nights with friends, not missing out on a single birthday party or baby shower, our amazing church, and the ease and flow of simple things like going shopping or driving myself to the grocery store.

I was asked this week if I could see myself making a LIFE in France.  It was such a difficult question to answer.

I LOVE our jobs and the flexibility that comes along with it.  Especially with Stella, I know I am going to be so grateful for our set-up and close proximity. Logan and I will both have a schedule where we will not need to hire an extra caregiver and will be able to be very hands on with our little one. 

I also love ASPECTS of our small town... the slower pace of life, the lack of stress, the relaxation that comes with meals instead of always rushing to get to the next thing, and the feeling of being sheltered and safe. (We don't lock our front doors and we keep the keys in our car... its THAT kind of town.)

BUT

The language barrier is a HUGE deterrent for me because it has caused me to be more codependent on Logan than I would like to be.  I MISS my independence. I miss having easy conversations.  I am hoping the French classes will do their job and as a result, I can function more and more independently in society.

Friends. I love my husband, but he is not enough.  I need girlfriends.  I need community. I need Cafe Brazil breakfasts on Friday mornings, and deep meaningful, share-your-life-together conversations.   Could I find that in a bigger city like Paris? Perhaps... I am sure I would find more girls around my age and in my same phase of life and surely I could even find some Americans or at least English-speaking girls.  In our tiny town, this is honestly just not in the cards.

With that being said...  CAN I see myself building a LIFE here?

Without the above things changing, the answer right now is No.  Can I live here temporarily, grow and stretch as a person, and become better and stronger from the whole experience? Absolutely. I think that is already happening.  I am not the same girl who lived in Dallas a year ago.  A part of her is still there and the other part of her is a bit repressed and isolated, looking for an outlet or way to connect.  However, I've learned to value different things and truly enjoy slowing down and enjoying life rather than racing through it and ultimately missing it.

I don't know where I will end up, but what I do know is that I want to be somewhere where Logan and I can have a good balance of "us" time and plans.  A life that is slower-paced and based more on relationships than things.  Where we have a community to do life with.  A church to raise our kids in.  And jobs that we both love that don't swallow us up and spit us out.  Jobs where we are happy, challenged, and fulfilled.  A balance in between what we had in Dallas and what we have here in France.  A happy medium in between the two extremes. 

I'll let you know once we figure out what and where that is... 

images via pinterest

The Future...

I am terrified and excited about the future of our family.  We wrestle with this decision on a weekly basis... Stay in France? Return to the USA?  Our commitment here is for 2 years and the first year has flown by SO quickly! In order to move back, we have to start thinking through things now.

FIRST AND FOREMOST: WHERE DO WE WANT TO LIVE? We are truly at a crossroads.  We will have a newborn baby girl and a big, white, blank open canvas.... The world at our fingertips. Exciting and TERRIFYING at the same time.

Do we continue our stay in Europe as I continue to learn the language and culture Logan grew up in? Can we really walk away from easy access to all of these unexplored countries right at our fingertips? Beach vacation to Spain or Greece? Completely feasible... not so much if we were flying in from Texas.

OR do we go back to the comfort zone of Texas where all of my family, friends, and any sort of career connections I have reside? But that heat.... oh the heat... 

Do we branch out and try something BRAND NEW? We have done the Dallas thing with my family and the France thing with his family. Maybe we try something fresh, exciting, and new together? Start a life, just the 3 of us. The Carolinas? What about Logan's beloved New England...but I love the West Coast weather...

How do we find a middle ground?  We are starting from what feels like ground zero.  What do you want to be when you grow up? Where do you want to live? These elementary school "MASH" games are now our reality.  My priority is first and foremost my family of 3, but outside of that I do desire for my children to have a close relationship with their grandparents and in our bi-continental situation that is going to take effort.  I know that this decision is not the "end all, be all" of where we will grow old, but I do like the idea of planting roots and growing up in a familiar neighborhood and having lifelong friendships.  I also know that the older we get, the harder it is to uproot your family.

So we are back to the beginning.... What are we going to do? I don't have the answers... we are currently bathing this decision in prayer and hopefully we will get some clear direction in the months to come. I just hope I have the courage and faith to take a leap of faith in whichever direction He leads us. 

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New Years Resolutions: 2012

Source: brentfosterphotography.com via Jeanne on Pinterest

Here are my 2012 Resolutions: 


1. Make time to read.  First up: The Hunger Games

2. Join the Yoga class in Egletons. 

3. Read the Bible.  It is so easy to listen to podcasts or read books about spirituality and for some reason never get around to reading the actual Book. 

4. Learn to drive a stick shift car so I can gain a bit more independence. 

5. Make a French friend. I would love to have coffee dates where I can practice my French and help them practice their English. Fair trade right? 

6. Travel. Logan and I are a train ride away from some of the most fascinating countries in the world so we need to take advantage of that while we are here! 

7. Make another Art Journal. They really are therapeutic and FUN for me. 

8. Be able to hold a dinner conversation in all French. 

9.  Learn how to use Photoshop. I got Photoshop Elements for Christmas... Thanks Mom!

10. Grow in my cooking confidence so that I will be able to cook for Colorado clients, stress-free. 

My Mom & Chris left today after 2 wonderful and full weeks of French vacation. We rang in 2012 with them last night and had an absolute blast! It has been a very hard day knowing that once again, I don't have any family or friends over here with me.  It has left me feeling pretty lonesome. Luckily, I have a very sensitive and sweet husband who has been snuggled up beside me this afternoon and watching hours of The Mentalist. (He got Season 1 & 2 for Christmas!) 

Welcome 2012. I am ready to discover all it is that you have in store for us this year! 

Saying goodbye to Neimans...

Next Friday will be my last day at Neiman Marcus.  This past week has been crazy starting with the 289 unread emails I walked into on Monday -  Hello, reality check! I have been working really hard to do my job, help support my manager (who is in NYC this week), plus wrap up loose ends and get things prepared for the new person who has not been hired yet.  It is such a whirlwind. There is a part of me that never wants to be replaced and doesn't want BG to move on without me because I have loved it so much... the other part of me fully realizes this is not personal, this is business and has to happen. But I can't help but cringe when I am sitting at my desk, listening to interviews for MY JOB and wanting to walk in, wave my arms, and say "I haven't left yet! I am still here!"  So many mixed emotions.

 This week, my SVP called me personally from NYC amidst her busy schedule (she is my "Anna Wintour"- the BIG DOG, the woman Gossip Girl has to contact in order to shoot scenes in her store, she is friends with Tory Burch, you get my drift...I could go on...)  She called to tell me how excited she was for me! She looked at the Colorado website, made a few suggestions, and said that this is going to be the opportunity of a lifetime.  She wanted me to send her postcards from our travels, write a book, and keep in touch. (All of which I plan to do) When I asked her if this was going to mess up my "carreer path" she said "No Abby, if nothing else, by living abroad you are making yourself even more marketable.  Do you know how many people would kill to have that international experience?"  I guess that was the cherry on top.  In the short year and 1/2 I have worked here, I have made an impression and people care about and support me.  It has been such affirmation to me that this is the right thing for us to do, even if I am walking away from a "dream job." 

So I am here.  At a crossroads. About to jump. Take a risk. A leap of faith. And I know it is what I am supposed to do.

Source: urhajos.tumblr.com via Abby on Pinterest

A Numbers Challenge

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I saw this on one of my favorite blogs and thought I would take the challenge as well!

10 things I wish I could say to 10 different people
1. Don't settle. Be patient. You are SO deserving of a great love story.
2. I cannot imagine what you are going through and I am sorry.
3. God's timing is better than our timing.
4. You were my instant soul mate friend. Distance will not take it away from us.
5. I wish you were back, but I live vicariously through your great adventures!
6. I miss you all the time, but know you are in a better place.
7. It is all relative. Count your blessings.
8. You should take advantage of the present...because it is all about to change.
9. Do you even know how blessed you are?
10. How did I get so lucky? I don't feel like I deserve you sometimes.

9 things about myself
1. I get insecure sometimes.
2. I feel like I have a free spirit trapped in corporate America at times.
3. I do NOT like goat cheese.
4. I miss my iPhone... every.single.day.
5. I LOVE reading blogs... send me any good ones you ever run across!
6. I am content and very, very happy MOST of the time.
7. I like to pretend my life is a movie (with a soundtrack) and we are playing parts in a big fat love story adventure called life.  
8. I am super duper hard on myself and HATE letting people down. (Perfectionist since birth)
9. I love a fresh box of markers - it makes me smile ear to ear!

8 ways my husband won my heart
1. He was BOLD and extremely persistent.
2. ROMANTIC
3. those to-die-for blue eyes... give our babies those blue eyes please!
4. the way he would listen to me for hours on end b/c he wanted to know every single thing about me
5. How open he was about his feelings... no analyzing or reading between the lines
6. He thinks he is funny... and he is... but its a goofy sense of humor and he doesn't take life too seriously. He balances my Type A personality out in that way.
7. He is the most loyal friend I could ever have and he is my best friend. I know he would do ANYTHING for me.
8. The only man I could ever truly be 110% my complete "Abby" self with.


7 best feelings in the world
1. Holding a newborn
2. Watching a bride walk down the aisle
3. Getting a good long pedicure and foot rub
4. Fitting into your "skinny" jeans... I mean the ones you aspire to fit into :)
5. Finding the perfect present for someone!
6. Learning something new.
7. CROSSING SOMETHING OFF YOUR TO DO LIST!

6 things I’m trying to improve about myself
1. serve Logan better - be less selfish
2. be okay not having things planned out - more spontaneous
3. read more, less TV
4. be better at saving money
5. being more assertive and confrontational when the time calls for it
6. Let go, and trust God with my future


5 people who inspire me
1. Elsie Flannigan- my favorite crafty self made woman!
2. My husband - because he has his priorities in check and can diffuse even the worst situations.
3. Melissa Jordan- the way she writes MOVES me. I wish I could have words like that to express how I am feeling. She lives a simple, wonderful, beautiful life.
4. Beth Moore - the woman is GIFTED. I love her passion and purpose and her sense of humor.
5. G-daddy  - the way he lived his life, read his Bible, and loved my Nannie. 


4 things I think I do pretty well
1. Encourage and listen to people (even strangers- I love to hear their stories)
2. Friendship.
3. Take pictures (not professional- just to document things)
4. Cook green beans! (random, I know...but I have mastered it)


3 songs that you listen to often (currently)
1. James Morrison- Precious Love
2. Mumford and Sons - Awake my Soul
3. Adele - Rolling in the Deep


2 things you want to do before you die
1. Be a mother
2. Live abroad.


1 confession
1. I used to squeeze all the cookies in the Potbelly line and pick out the softest/ squishiest one. 



Happy weekend!

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I am actually taking the day off today and spending some QT / pampering time with my mom! Then I have a few more birthday celebrations throughout the weekend including ENOS, $1 mimosas, and a drive in movie theater- can't wait! Even though its the day AFTER my 27th... I want to live by the words below... because no matter what, usually everyone wakes up peppy and in a glass half full mood on their special day! Wouldn't it be great if we could live like that? Have a great weekend! Will share stories and pics (somehow?) next week :)

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twenty-seven

Source: sayyestohoboken.com via Leah on Pinterest

My twenty-sixth year has been a fantastic one! I actually found out the day after my birthday last year, that I got the job at Neiman Marcus! I cannot believe I have been here that long. I watched my sis graduate from Baylor and start her first year as a real life Spanish teacher!  Logan and I moved into our Lakewood duplex that we are in love with.  We celebrated our first year as Mr. and Mrs. in Boston :) My mom got happily re-married to a great guy. And our besties (that introduced us at their wedding) popped out a baby a few weeks ago.  I will look back very fondly on my twenty-sixth year! A whole lot of change happened and I feel like I grew up a lot.  My priorities shifted, I mellowed out, and started craving creativity. 

Today I turn twenty-seven. Wow! That is pretty close to 30. (what I used to consider "old" )

BUT, I have a LOT to look forward to in my twenty-seventh year.  I cannot quite tell everyone yet, but its going to be a big year of growth and challenge for me :)  I am hoping that this year, I can get back to the basics.  Enjoy the simple things in life.  Have picnics, ride a bike, read more, listen to more music and watch less TV. I want to learn French so that we can have bilingual babies someday and I want to start sewing and crafting as much as I can.  It is when I am outside doing something creative, that I feel the most alive...Therefore, I want to do that as much as I possibly can!

Thank you Lord for a year full of blessings, health, and new opportunities. I pray that I continue to grow and learn more about who I am in You this upcoming year.  

Happy "Friday" to me! (I took the day off tomorrow...just because!)

2011 Resolutions

1. Read more books. If I had the time to start a book club, I would copy my friend Shannon and do a "Read between the Wines" night every month!

2. I want to find some exercise class that I enjoy and do it consistently (yoga, Bar method, pilates, spin, kick boxing, etc.)

3. I want to start writing my book.... I finally know what I want to write about :)

4. Monthly "dates nights" with my hubby - creative ones, not just dinner and a movie

5. Grow deeper and more in love with my Savior - Memorize more scripture. Worry less and PRAY more.

6. Listen to more music. GOOD music. NEW bands. Fresh sounds.

7. Make BIG headway in the learning French department- Master Rosetta Stone Level 1.

8. Visit a place I have never been before.

9. Continue to chunk away at our wedding debt and keep tithing consistently.

10. Don't overbook myself.

11. Do another Art Journal.... would love to do 1 per year!

Happy 2011!!! What are your resolutions?

Day 29 - 3 Wishes

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1. Long, happy life with Logan... I hope we live to be grandparents someday... old ones that retire and travel the world together. (and spoil grandbabies)

2. Wonderfully healthy and amazing children that will flourish, walk with the Lord, and grow up to get married and have babies of their own someday.

3. Find some sort of job that I can do from home that I LOOOOVE and that can be successful- I am not opposed to having Logan co-run it with me!

Day 13 - Goals

My Goals ... so far :)

1. Learn French (we want to raise our kiddos bilingual)

2. Live in France and explore Europe

3. Write a book someday...even if its not published to the masses

4. Be a MOM! (Logan wants 5 kiddos... eek!)

5. Skydive

6. Be my own boss... would love to come up with some sort of crafty job I could do out of my house so I can stay at home w/ kids someday :)

7. Take a cooking class and a couples dancing class

8. Start a book club / READ MORE!

9. Visit Seattle

10. Learn photography... get a NICE camera and learn how to use it!

11. Find out what my spiritual calling is so I can make an eternal impact for The Kingdom

12. Be SUPERWIFE... 'til death do us part.

13. Sew things out of pretty fabrics

14. Get out of debt and stay that way!

15. Own a home that is perfectly US (when we are ready)

4 Simple Goals

If you didn't already know, I am in love with Elsie and her cute blog! (She also just got engaged, CONGRATS!!!) She posted a challenge for her readers HERE - Join me in making 4 goals that you want to achieve before the end of the year. Goals that will enrich your life.

I am going to list mine here, and as I acheive each of them, I will blog about it. Ready, go!

1. Sew 1 thing before the end of the year. I just inherited my grandmother's vintage sewing machine and I have GOT to put it to good use :)

2. Journal more. My therapy has always been a candle, songs w/ awesome lyrics, a journal, and a pen.... a GOOD pen. I picked up a new journal on Saturday, sat in my red chair, and journaled for 20 minutes...it is SO good for my soul... writing is truly an outlet for me. I need to commit to doing this weekly. (if not more!)

3. Finish our wedding album. I have been thinking, rethinking, re-doing, our wedding album a zillion times... I need to just be decisive and click PURCHASE :)

4. Cook 1 new thing per month! I want to whip out the trusty cookbooks I have been given and try 1 new recipe a month... maybe even start some sort of supper club??? I dont know... I tried a recipe last night from Jen Smith and I am now more confident in my cooking skills...all you have to do is put yourself out there and try new things! I even substituted ingredients... I mean who has paprika!??! not this girl... so we googled substitutes and red pepper came up! Done and Done! I have that... then we didn't have crispy onion rings (the kind you buy in a can)...so I ground up Ritz crackers... why not!??! As for the cream of celery soup, the cream of mushroom soup in my pantry worked JUST fine. So I took some risks, and it ended up being yummy!

What are your 4 goals going to be?

A New Decade Begins...2010

Top 10 Biggest Events of 2009

1. Katy studied abroad in Spain and I lived vicariously through her adventures.

2. Logan got his first post-college job.

3. The rest of the dream team got married! (Broms & Katie)

4. I started renting a super cute townhome and lived by myself for the first time ever, then gained a handsome roomie in Nov ;)

5. I got engaged in Napa Valley and later brought my gals back for my Bachelorette Party!

6. We lost 2 grandparents- Grandma Moose and G-daddy

7. My dad and Kelley got married in May and I gained 3 stepsiblings and a really fun extended family as well :)

8. My first best friend had a baby- Hanna with baby Hudson... thinking 2010 will bring more of those! (not for me!)

9. Random celebrity deaths- Farrah Fawcett, Patrick Swayze, Brittany Murphy, Michael Jackson, etc. Depressing year in Hollywood!

10. I got married to the most wonderful man in the world and we honeymooned in Playa del Carmen :) SO FUN!

Favorites of 2009:

Movie- 500 Days of Summer

Book- Twilight

TV Show- CSI Miami/ White Collar

CD- Taylor Swift

Misc Accomplishments- made my first roast, homemade pie, homemade spaghetti sauce... The cooking has begun!

Looking towards 2010- Resolutions and Such

1. excercise regularly (we do pay for a memebership monthly, we need to use it!)

2. learn to cook more, eat out less

3. get plugged in at Gateway- join a newly married group

4. continue to learn French

5. TRAVEL

6. get out of wedding debt

7. work on being less selfish and more patient

8. read more

9. pick up journaling/ poetry again

10. continue to invest in lifelong friendships