I always love New Year's. With exception of last year, I typically have fond memories of all my New Year's past. New Year's Eve is always fun and I really enjoy the new year as a reminder of positive changes I can make in my life. All of my resolutions may not come to fruition but I make goals that get my life moving in a forward direction and that alright by me. I never get discouraged and usually redo my goals each month to try keep the momentum going. Course with school and how busy I have been it's been difficult to constantly be redefining my goals but with this being my last semester I'm going to try and keep up. But for me as long as I keep trying, keep working out and doing what I need to be doing I'm ok with that.

This past weekend was so much fun. Friday I ended up going to a bar to watch the bowl game Iowa State played in. Even though we lost it was fun. I got to hang out with Andrew (the quiet cutie I've been dating that I just can't seem to think of a nickname for, so I guess we'll just use real names now :)) and even met his family. I was nervous as hell but they were in town watching the game and it was a really low key kind of thing which turned out just fine. My New Year's Eve was awesome. I ended up getting all dolled up and went to a house party with one of my favorite people Joni, her husband Jess and Andrew. It was entirely too much fun and the poor thing got to see how ridiculous I can be but we all had so much fun. He told me later that he thought I was adorable on Saturday. I asked if I scared him off and he said nope. So we'll see what ends up happening. I actually spent most of the weekend with him and I really enjoyed spending time with him.

On the dating front. It's interesting to have someone who seems so interested in me. I can't help but think about the ex-new boy this summer and how into him I was and how unaware of how un-into me he was. I saw what I wanted and over looked what I didn't want to see (sounds familiar of my marriage). I just find it interesting how this time I can see things much more clearly and it feels like I can keep my emotions in check to see where he is coming from first and then proceed. And how easy that has been for me because of how upfront he has been with me. He lets me know he likes to spend time with me, that he likes me so I'm not just making it all up in my head. It feels like a good balance and I feel so much more emotionally ready for something then I did in the past. I don't know if this guy will be my next true love but I'm really excited to see where it may go. I feel so cautiously optimistic about it all.

So I need to come up with a New Year's goal list I just haven't had time yet. Of course when I do you know I'll let you know :) I just feel like this year is going to be awesome. I will turn 30, graduate from school, hopefully get a job I love. It's scary but oh so exciting! I hope every one had a fabulous New Year's and hoping for all the best in the new year.
Here are a few pics from Christmas and one from New Year's.

This is Elin (one of my brother's twins)

The other twin Jett. I love the look on his face

Hope and her Papa (my dad). Doesn't he look awesome?! What a difference a year makes.

Here is Hope and my dad last year which was three weeks after he got out of the hospital. He spent most of the time in that chair because it was really hard for him to get around. Reminds me of how grateful I am everything turned out as well as it did.

Me and Joni