Questions I Asked Myself Before 2014

I didn't even think I was going to make it to Midnight, but with sleepy eyes, I rolled over to Will {yes, we were in bed already}, and kissed him for the last time of 2013 and the first time of 2014. Last night, we had a quick dinner, watched This Is 40, and 'snuggled'...While others drank and carried on, we couldn't think of a more important place to be than home with each other. I guess it's a testament to where we are in life, and that makes me happy.

Obviously we didn't take any photos, but here is a gem from 2012/13 New Year's that has never been seen. This was right before the Deployment, so I was hanging on extra tight.

I never do 'Resolutions', but I saw that Whitney and Kenzie had some great Q&A's on their blogs, and I wanted to play. They have 25 thought provoking questions, but I narrowed mine to thirteen questions that round out 2013!

1  | What am I most proud of this year? Making it through the hardest work environment I have ever endured! Will has to 'embrace the suck', so I figured I should too.

2  | How can I become a better _____? Domestic. I keep my house 'clean', but I want to be like my mom who works and still does almost ALL the cleaning by herself, and by choice I might add. I want Will to focus on school and training the next two years, so I need to step up my game!

3  | Where am I feeling stuck? In my search for a career. I'm just not one of those people that wants to be a Doctor/Lawyer/Teacher, and I don't see myself sitting behind a desk or doing something mundane. I don't want to settle, but I'm getting to the point where I need to figure it out. I would go back to school, but no clue what the heck for. I need something that is challenging, fun, gives me flexibility so that I can be there for my soldier, and I have to be able to move every three years...Any ideas?

4  | Where do I need to allow myself grace? I hold myself to a higher standard than others could ever hold me, and a level that I would never hold anyone else. I need to just let go.

5  | What lessons have I learned? Don't let one person out of the seven billion in the world bring you down, and ask your spouse before you cause any trouble. They get a vote.

6  | What did my finances look like? Fan-flippin-tastic. We have been budgeting and saving for five years, and we are really seeing the fruits of our labor. My cousin owns a tax company, and while she was just going over our taxes, even she was impressed with our retirement savings and everything we are doing. I refuse to stress about money, so we control our money instead of it controlling us.

7  | How have I taken care of my body this year? Not only have I stuck to a fitness routine all year, I have made sure that I am learning how to do it right. Yes, I have moments when I want to target a "problem area", but I remind myself that in the long run, that will get you nowhere and it's not healthy. I hope 2014 brings even more knowledge, strength, and health.

8  | How have I procrastinated? Um...when have I not procrastinated...but seriously, I think I am getting better at this. Slowly.

9  | In what ways can I re-structure my time? Blog more from my phone, try to spend less time on Pinterest, and become an SAHW some time in the next six months ;)

10 | How have I allowed the fear of failure to hold me back? The two things I enjoy the most are singing and writing, and both scare me to death. It's like if I keep those two dreams to myself they can't ever be taken away from me. Just like anyone else...I'm not good with rejection.

11 | When have I felt the most alive? During all the fun shenanigans that Will and I have had this year. Anything I do with him, makes me a happy girl.

12 | Do you have a list of goals for the next year? I'd like to find more freelance writing jobs, possibly get certified to student teach, take on more domestic duties when I finish at Hooters, volunteer at Fort Rucker, and keep getting my fit on.

13 | What are you most looking forward to in 2014? Italy! One of our best friends is stationed there, so we are planning a visit next Christmas! It's a long way off, and we don't know what the next year holds, but I'm crossing my fingers that it works out!

In closing, 2013 probably rank as one of the best years of my life, because any year following a deployment HAS to kick ass. Here's a Flipogram for reference...

"But if you close your eyes, does it almost feel like

Nothing changed at all?"

So long, 2013!