Year End Review 2011

What a year 2011 was!

I am grateful for all the amazing people in my life and all the opportunities both Brandon and I were given this year. I know I'm still a little behind, but I hope everyone had a fantastic 2011 and here's to an amazing, exciting, prosperous, life-changing 2012!

Our 2012 Highlights:
-Brandon got a new job
-Lisa got a new job
-Lisa got a new car
-We added Timmy to our family
- I ran my 2nd half marathon
-We had our first holiday with both sets of parents
-We took our first vacation together
-My best friend had a precious baby boy
-My Godson turned 1
-Girls trip to TAMU for football and fun!
-Dad turned 50! (Whoa!)
-Mom and Dad had their 30th anniversary!
-Oh - and we got engaged!!!!

Some of my favorite pictures from the year:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Things I'm looking forward to in 2012:
-Buying a house
-Getting married!
-Going on my honeymoon
-Turning 7 - that's right - I have a real birthday this year!! Woo hoo!!
-Being done with wedding planning!!!!!!!!!
-Starting the rest of my life with the one I love

Resolutions:
How many of you make new year's resolutions? I don't like to call them resolutions so much as goals for the upcoming year. Some of my major goals I hope to accomplish are:
-Being a better blogger - I'm not off to the best start, but I'd like to start blogging more frequently. I really enjoy the outlet!
-Creating more! Thanks to pinterest I've been inspired and I'm proud to say that I am actually a pinner that can say: "I've made some of the things on my pinterest page!" There are so many great gift and craft ideas for the home and I'm excited about moving into our new home, so that I actually have some room to create and let my inspirations flow!
-Making healthier choices - this is really an ongoing goal. I'm always looking for easy, delicious ways to be healthier as well as finding fun, interactive ways to be more fit.
-With the last goal in mind, I've already come up with a fun way to keep active! 12-n-12! It's the year 2012 now and the past 2 years I've run a half marathon and done a couple of 5k's. My goal in 2012 is to run 12 races, with at least 1 being a half marathon! My first race of the year will be Jan. 28, which will be a 5k. Then another 5k in February - the color run...look it up! I can't wait!!!! March and April aren't scheduled just yet, because of trying to schedule my wedding showers, but I plan to get it all worked out this weekend! I'll probably also do the 10K at cowtown in Ft. Worth, the weekend before my real birthday! yay!
-Being the best I can be as a wife and a mom to our fur-babies! I'm always trying to improve myself and my home!

Make 2012 the best year yet! I think taking things back to simplicity is one of the most amazing things anyone can do! When you just stop, breathe, take in the moment and believe, the simplicity of life will overwhelm you!

Love,
Lisa

Baby it's Cold Outside!

It's a brisk, cold night and I'm bundled up while blogging!! And watching Glee! Oh - and I tried upgrading our internet tonight and talked to an English speaking cust. service rep (which is reason to celebrate on it's own) but he informed me that U-verse is now available at our casa. So see ya later TWC - you suck and it will not make me sad to see you go!!!

In other news...I'm sad to say I've been called a grinch a time or two this holiday season... Let me defend myself: I'm a firm believer in reserving November for Thanksgiving and then celebrating Christmas all December long. I just feel that the reason for the season is lost so much sometimes and the fact that people don't even take a second to enjoy and give Thanks during November and instead want to fight the crowds, push people and buy! buy! BUY! It just beats me down a little. I know that sounds harsh and I know that the majority of the people I surround myself with are nothing like that, and sure, I'll give you the fact that the deals are amazing, but give me the option to relax with some holiday treats and hot chocolate and have good conversation with great company or stand in a line to get 1/2 off a TV or some other electronic, I'll pick laughing with my family and watching football any time! I guess the older I get the more I realize how lucky I've been all my life and how wonderful my family always made the holidays and as life goes by faster and faster, I just want to take those moments in a little more.

Another reason I think I'be been called out is probably because I still have a pumpkin centerpiece and fall flowers in all my vases. I will admit that Christmas decorating is not on my list AT ALL right now and honestly, I don't foresee a tree or lights in our humble abode's future this season. It's a little sad, but I keep telling myself that this time next year, I'll be settled in my new job, married and in our new home and we'll  go totally overboard and make up for this year! Deal? ;) And don't get me wrong - I'm totally thrilled about this holiday season...so much so that I made everyone stop in dwntwn ft. worth when it was freezing a couple of weekends ago to get these pictures:

Yup - Ft. Worth is purty, isn't it?!? It's my new home away from home too... I recently made a huge change and left NSAI to take a job in downtown Fort Worth. I was at NSAI for about 3.5 years and I'd equate leaving my friends there to breaking up with my first love! Ok, so maybe it wasn't that intense, but it definitely goes down as one of the hardest things I've ever had to do! I had an AMAZING group of friends there and I cried a LOT when I had to leave them, but after 3 days at my new company, I know I've made the right decision for my career! I don't think the people at the new place will ever give my NSAI family a run for their money, but the good news is that I know I'll always be friends that group! They really outdid themselves as well when wishing me farewell...it totally made me cry even more, but it was SO sweet and made me laugh as well!

Look closely...you might recognize a few faces! Credits: Angela Blevins = AMAZING paint skills!! 

They also got me the newest poster! Just a matter of time before I hang it in my new office, I'm sure! ;)

My card!

Wedding updates: Brandon's parents came to stay with us over Thanksgiving and we were able to show them the venue and do a cake tasting with them. What fun! We decided on a cake/baker, so we have 1 more thing off of our list. Now I just need to finish the labels for the save-the-dates and then they'll be in the mail! I can't believe how close it's getting. It seems like it's crunch time and there is so much to do, but I can't seem to find the time to do it all. I have a feeling it will all fall into place soon though.

Also, wish us luck - we're going house hunting this weekend and I have my fingers and toes crossed that we find our home! Already tired of driving 1+ hour each way to and from work and so ready to have a yard so I can get my little Timmy back! I think he's having fun with Aunt Becca though! :) They snuggle lots. 

I'll have to tell you all about my wonderful weekend to Philly next time, but overwhelmed as he may have been, I think B had a good time. He asked me at one point "how do you keep all these people straight?!" I think that's a sign that I need to make him some flash cards before the wedding because he still hasn't met more than half of my family and he's already losing track! God Bless the Irish/Italian Catholics...with so many people, there's never a dull moment! haha.

There's either a victoria secret commercial or football on! ;) 

Festive! <3

I think it's time for bed. The rest of the week is looking increasingly busy and I might as well get some ZZ's in while I still can. December is my last month to take it easy and come January, everything will be going into full speed: wedding planning, showers, bachelorette parties, travels, moving, etc... I don't know if I've mentioned this, but man, I can't wait until May 27th! I know that once we get back from the honeymoon something will surely come up and life will be just as busy again, but I'm looking forward to our 2 week break in between the nuptials and the going back to reality...as MRS. TURNER! Yippee!!

Love, 

Lisa Lou

T.G.I.F.

Ahh, the good old days of TGIF on ABC. I miss those Friday nights! ;)

Instead, tonight I will be hanging out with little little sis, packing for a quick trip to Houston to visit baby Andy (yes, he's here...more details to follow) and prepping to get my craft on. Pinterest has spiked my desire to get a little more crafty, so I'll be making some gifts for upcoming events/parties and we'll see how it goes! Becca will be helping, so that's a plus since she got WAY more of the artistic gene then I did!

Have a great weekend everyone! I hope to update more soon! :) In the meantime...the wedding page is up and is still very much a work in progress, but hey...it's a start! ;) http://brandonandlisa.wedquarters.com/