Twenty-Four

I'm not sure what I thought I would be doing at 24 when I was younger, but I'm pretty sure I thought that you were a REAL adult then.

You we're officially a "grown-up."

Yeah, 18 is really the age you become an "adult" but let's face it - most of us don't act like it.

I always thought I would have a good job, lots of friends, a boyfriend, living on my own in a cool apartment. Lots of money to spend on myself. Really fancy clothes. All that good stuff.

For the most part I have all that.

A fiance in my case. Renting a house. Some good friends. I do have a good job. Not lots of money, but enough to get by. Clothes aren't too fancy.

And I'm completely content with that right now.

But I don't feel like this birthday is as life changing as I imagined when I was younger.

It's almost just another day - except I actually have a good [instead of a crappy one] excuse to eat cake.

I do feel like I'm at the age where life gets a lot more serious.

Obviously, I'm getting married this year. My fiance and I plan on beginning the house hunting process towards the end of the year. We do want to have kids sooner, rather than much later. 

I think 24 is the year where I get my life together.

And I think I'm ready for the journey.

With y'all following along of course. :)

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Sunday afternoon we headed over to my mom's house to celebrate me turning twenty-four with my family. My mama made yummy lasagna and bought my favorite - cookie cake.
It was nice to spend it with my family, including my grandparents and aunt.

But Maci kinda stole the show with her cuteness. :)
You'll see.

And now for the rest of my birthday - I'll be cozying it up on the couch with my honey bunny, Moo & Hank because SCHOOL IS CANCELLED Y'ALL!

Thank you -10 degree weather. :)

January Goals

I thought it would be beneficial for me to set goals for myself each month in hopes of accomplishing them, but also to take responsibility for the things I want in my life instead of constantly putting things off.

At this point, I feel like it's go time. 

Time to start getting things together, acting like an adult and making things happen.

THIS IS THE YEAR TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN PEOPLE.

I'll do an update in my tabs at the top of my blog, but also a post at the end of the month so y'all can hold me accountable. :)

1. Make an appointment with a mortgage broker.

We want to discuss where we're at & what things we need to do, so we can start looking at buying a home by the end of the year.

2. Begin eating healthy & setting up a workout plan.

Obviously, I need to get in shape for our wedding.

And really, I think it's time I just get in shape period.

It's time to start loving myself & having confidence.

[I'm considering doing a weekly update on my exercise/eating habits for the week. Thinking about. I want to be held accountable. We'll see.]

3. Pick out a cake design & attend our cake tasting to make a final decision. [January 12th is our appointment]

4. Order our wedding invitations.

I can work on addressing them in February & sending them out at the beginning of March.

5. Save. Save. Save. 

Cody & I have started the 52-week savings plan.

I already save money monthly, but there's not much consistency sometimes with the amount. Now we have a reminder on our fridge.

6. Order Cody's wedding band.

Cody won't be wearing it for the first year of our marriage.

He will be wearing his late grandfather's wedding band that his dad also wore for the first few years of his marriage. But Cody wants his wedding band for our wedding pictures, which I think is a sweet idea.

7. Meal plan.

I spend way too much money at the grocery store.

And half the time, we buy things that we don't eat.

I'm going to be buying a lot more cheap, but healthy meals.

And I think the crockpot will become my new best friend.

8. Go to bed early.

During the month of December, I started a bad habit of going to bed around 11 - sometimes later. I just can't do that. I don't wake up on time. I don't feel like working out. I get way to grouchy. I need my sleep. 4:30 comes early y'all.

9. Use my planner.

Turns out I didn't get the planner I originally bought at Target.

[Target planner story here.] 

They sold it to someone else. Grrr.

But I did get another cute one, and I want to put this to use.

I keep everything in my head, and I get overwhelmed so easily. NO MORE!

10. Order bridesmaid dresses.

Two have paid for them, so I just have to get one more in there for ordering.

11.Book our honeymoon by the end of the month.

At least make the down payment to book it. We're thinking cruise. It's cheap and we get to visit more than one place. I like both of those things.

12. Register.

I'm going to set a date, probably a Saturday or Sunday, where we go register at our stores.

Target definitely made the cut. :)

It's a lot for a month.

But I really think these are attainable.

 Wish me luck y'all. :)

Five on Friday

It's been awhile since I have linked up with the Five on Friday ladies and with today being my last day of winter break, [crying...] I thought it would be the perfect day to jump back into the madness.

ONE

Do you see this planner?

Cute right? Yeah, I bought it. 

Where is it?

At Target.

WHERE I LEFT IT.

STUPID me bought this adorable Sugar Paper planner, along with some new pens & eyeliner yesterday, and walked right out of the store bagless. 

I had one bag to grab, and I failed.

Luckily, the store still has my bag and I have to drive an hour to go pick it up.

So goal #1 for 2014 - START USING MY BRAIN. :)

TWO

Next Sunday we have an appointment with our wedding cake lady.

With our venue, the cake was included in the price, so there wasn't much "shopping around" for a cake baker. But from what I've seen in pictures and read from reviews, she does a pretty good job.

I have to bring pictures, and I'm still having a hard time deciding what exactly I like.

Here's what I'm debating between...

I'm quite the flower fanatic, so our wedding cake obviously won't be without.

But I guess I'm just deciding on the style, color, icing... 

Better make my mind up in the next week!

THREE

This video "Joseph's Wish" really reached out to me.

The Georgia Football team & Make-A-Wish got together to help Joseph's dream come true - becoming a Georgia football player. 

It makes me proud to be a Dawg and proud to know that people are making a difference, even in the smallest ways. Something we all could try to do in 2014.

The end made me tear up, I have to admit. :)

Joseph's Wish from Georgia Football on Vimeo.

FOUR

Mason at Mason...Like The Jar has been/is hosting the cutest project on Instagram.
She started this project awhile ago, but I discovered it just this week and thought it was an awesome idea.

Introducing...

A different blogger takes over The Blog Baton instagram account for the day, sharing their day and all the fun activities that they do on a daily basis. It's a great way to get attention to your blog, and a fun way to meet new bloggers!

You can read more about it here and also sign up by emailing her at theblogbaton@gmail.com.

Peach State of Mind is already signed up!

FIVE 

With my birthday coming up on Tuesday, there's never much I want right after Christmas.
Ok. Yes there is. I always want something.
But there are a few big items that are on my birthday wishlist.
WISHlist. Not completely realistic, but hey :) The birthday fairy may love me this year!

Sam Edelman boots / Leather purse / Kate Spade gold jewelry / Fossil watch / Monogram necklace / Ray-Ban sunglasses / Marc Jacobs fragrance / Camera Strap Cover- lens cap pocket and padding included- Monogrammed...

Hope y'all have a fun weekend!

First one in 2014 - make it count!

Hello 2014 [New Year's Recap]

Well, the holidays are officially behind us.

Now, we look to the new year in front of us with hopeful hearts and many goals and resolutions to accomplish. 

After Cody having to work on New Year's last year, I was so excited to be able to actually spend it with my fiance. With 2014 being a huge year for us, I wanted to make sure we spent it together. 

We headed over to my mom's house New Year's Eve to celebrate the New Year in a relaxing fashion. We ate yummy food, played some fun games as a family & watched the Peach Drop in Atlanta. 

 I couldn't have asked for a better, more relaxing and fun night!

 [My family may hate me for posting some of these pictures...LOVE Y'ALL!] 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then there's the day after...

Happy New Year!