New Years Resolution

Well folks, it is that time. When we all review the year that just took place and look forward to the upcoming, hoping to learn from the past and better our future. This year is no different. Except for the fact that for the first time EVER, I will be making my very FIRST new years resolution. I have never been into new years resolutions. You see, if you know me at all, you know I am embarrassingly one of the most competitive people you may run into throughout your lifetime. I am so competitive that I compete with myself. ALL THE TIME. Its actually really really REALLY annoying. It mostly comes out when I'm at the gym. For example, here is a glimpse of what happens in my head

[Anna thinking to herself]:

"I'll just swim 20 laps, then get out and do some abs.... sounds like a plan."

....about the 18th lap...

"What? Can't do the last 15 laps to finish the mile? That too hard Miller?

"No, its not too hard. I just don't want to."

"Riiiiight. Its cause you can't."

"Nooooo, thats not why. I said, I don't WANT to."

"You can't.."

"Yes I can."

"Can't."

"Can!"

"Can't!"

"OH MY GOSH FINE!!!! Another 2 miles!"

Quiet snickering.

I need help. I know. But anyway, THIS is why I have never made a resolution because I knew I would HAVE to follow through, due to my competitiveness - ALL YEAR LONG. I wouldn't be able to give up. Which is kinda funny cause I feel like most people try their hardest NOT to give up. Me? Nope, don't have the problem. So here I am. Looking into 2010 and am about to embark on a new experience. So here it is:

For an entire year, for personal purchases (will be descibed in detail later) I will ONLY buy used items. Nothing new. It must be bought from garage sales, consignment shops, thrift stores, ebay, or hand-me-downs, the ONLY requirement is that it is used.

I will be blogging about my experience down reused, someone-else's-trash-could-be-someone-else's-treasure lane if you would like to join me. You will find me here, scavenging through other peoples things, looking for all kinds of goodies. Who knows what kind of hunts I will have to go on this year - and hunt I will, because if you have ever spent any amount of time in an Oklahoma thrift store, you would know they are NOT organized the least bit, nor is there rarely anything worth purchasing.

And THIS was my last purchase for the next year as a consumer of all things new and unused. I bought it yesterday, out of sheer terror of losing all things new.:) Just kidding... kinda. I will say though, the last purse I bought was from a flea market for $2, and I get a TON of compliments on it... I wonder if this purse, though $38 more expensive, will evoke the same response.

So I hope you decide to join me on this fun adventure. Happy New Year! Hope to see you at Your Trash, My Treasure!

Phoebes first snow

It was so fun watching Phoebe in the snow. She had a blast. John, Eric and Levi built her this massive snow fort, complete with a slide on top.:) Since she has spent the majority of her little life in LA, this was quite an exciting event for her. She loved to throw snowballs at everyone.

SNOW!!

Man we got a lot of it too. We arrived in Philly around 9pm on Friday night and when we woke up Saturday morning, there was already 6 to 8 inches on the ground. By the 6pm that evening, there was a good 18 inches and in Virginia, Facebook was reporting 20-22 inches. It was SO fun! Except when Eric and I decided to go visit Lauren and Jeff and we had to drive back in it - and we took the wrong road and so it took us 2 1/2 hours instead of the 40 minutes it should have. Seeing the Bryants was definitely worth it though.:) We have missed them and it was good to have lunch and catch up for a bit.

So pretty.

Me and Lauren. It's always a treat to see her. We lived 3 doors down from each other while at JMU and would have sleepovers, wake up and go to class. She was a bridesmaid in our wedding and still remains a dear friend. I love her to death.

The whole Bryant Family.

Ridley and Cooper, the Bryants dogs. They are adorable and very well behaved.

This is on our way home from the Bryants... it was not a drive in the park. We spun out once and that was pretty scary. By His mercy, Jesus got us home safe and sound.

Love me some Hatz's

Eric and I drove started our trek to the East Coast on Thursday. We did a whole 16 hours to Cleveland so we could see some of my family on my Dad's side. They barely know Eric and so it was so fun to stop and spend some time with them. We arrived at 11:30pm after spending 16 hours in the car, drinking nothing so we wouldn't have to make many stops. We ended eating Taco Bell, (which I had not had in 6 years - it'll probably be that long again before I enter one of their establishments) This was the wonderful signed that welcomed us into the Hatz home - it was so sweet! Katherine and Kelsey let us use their room which was so nice of them.

We started the morning with Eric showing everyone up on the piano. Celine Dion, "My Heart Will Go On" is definitely the way to go when you want to get into the Christmas cheer - cause thats what was playing.:)

Their tree was HUGE!!! It was 10 feet tall and that was after shaving off 2 feet! It was beautiful!!! Eric would LOVE to have a tree that size if we had the room - the bigger the better in his opinion.

Love my beautiful cousins Kelsey and Katherine. I helped to take care of Katie when she was just a few months old and spent hours playing with Kels when she was a little girl. They have grown into beautiful young ladies who are such a delight to be with.

And Rock Band begins. Eric had the grand idea of bring our PS2 and the whole Rock Band set so we could play and boy did it come in handy. We heard "Creeper" and "Say it Ain't So" about 10 times each. Eric was so fun with watch trying to instruct everyone on their instruments. "OKAY! We're in BAND now! This is for real! This is the REAL thing! We are ready to ROCK! Are you ready to rock?!?! Let's get ready to ROCK!!!" Hahaha, it was awesome.

Katherine was a natural on the drums. True rocker at heart.

TJ was our singer - ALL DAY. He busted some rhymes like no other.:) What a cutie.

Tim had some serious skills on the guitar. He actually plays the drums in "real life" so of course he was good on those as well.

Kelsey is such a pretty rocker.:) Love you!

Some more pics - I mean seriously, we were on this all day.

Adam and his son JJ. It was the first time I got to meet JJ and he is such a doll!!! Gorgeous blue eyes and the cutest chubby cheeks.

Hanging in the kitchen with everyone. I love this family. We have been through a lot together and its hard not living near them. The Lord is good to give me family that I adore so much.

The many faces of Tyler Mark.:)

Holding the cutie pie JJ.

Love him!

My beautiful cousin Kelly. I have so many fun memories with her and her husband Tim. They are so fun and Kelly is wonderful role model as a mother and wife. She is a lover of Jesus and so precious to me.

The backpack is as big as he is.:)

It was a little heavy.:)

Tyler stepped up and helped out.:)

Happiness is...

These are the things that make me smile these days. Enjoy!

I love my brown glass christmas trees - they're a touch of glam in my living room.

My J.Crew tweed leather gloves that were given to me from my dear friend Holly Myers. I have been wearing them every day this week with all this cold Oklahoma wind.

All the beautiful pictures of friends and family all over the world. Its so much fun seeing them every day on my frig. They remind me to pray for them, they remind me of how blessed I am and how absolutely LOVED I am by my Heavenly Father for so many wonderful people in my life.

I particularly love this one and am SO excited to see this little munchkin.:)

Ahhhh. If you've never had creamed honey, you're missing out on a beautiful part of life. This particular kind is from Trader Joes, which Oklahoma has FAILED to produce. I'm SO excited to stock up on some stuff while we are in VA.

The oil painting I was given by my boss, Rick Fry, for Christmas. He is an extremely talented artist and this painting is no cheap gift. I LOVE it! Now its just getting it framed and finding the perfect spot in the house to hang it.

My teal bowl full of oranges that sits on my dining room table. I love the bowl and I love oranges. And I love teal and orange together - so its pure happiness.

My jars filled with pretty glasses ornaments. I love all the fun colors and that they aren't just gold, red and green. Pink, purple and teal are Christmas colors too!!

The Dove chocolate Eric gave me in my stocking - love it.

Virginia!!! I can't wait to go! We leave tomorrow at the butt crack of dawn. And I don't mind a bit.

And last, but definitely not least, my nativity scene. I didn't add to it this year, but I kinda like it the way it is. Its simple, not overcrowded.