2014: The Year in Review

Happy New Year! I can hardly believe that 2015 marks two HUGE milestones around here: the 9th (!!!) anniversary of this blog and my 40th birthday (!!!!!) Yes, that’s a lot of exclamation points, but well-deserved. If this blog were a person it would be in 3rd grade. Any day now it’s going to hit puberty and start getting all lippy on us. And 40. Whoa. That just happened last weekend, and I’m still processing it. More on that (and the most fabulous party Mike and my friends threw for me) coming soon. But first, I’d love to take a look at the year that was …

January

We saw the beginning of the Polar Vortex, and barely made it back from celebrating my brother’s 50th birthday in Nashville.

I read 26 books in 2013, then promptly set a goal to read even more in 2014. And I did! I read 30 books (with the best books I read coming soon). This year’s goal? 35.

Mike came home with the terrible news that his favorite margarita mix was being discontinued. We spent the better part of early 2014 hunting high and low for any remaining stock. As of today, we have 9 left. I guess our goal for 2015 should be finding Margarita Mike a new signature cocktail.

February

We announced that we were planning a monster trip to Spain! I spent the next four months planning every last detail of the trip like it was my job.

I railed against Fresh Tops, detailing what was, without a doubt, the worst customer service experience I’ve ever had. It remains one of my most popular posts, as people continue to tell me their own horrific Fresh Tops stories. It was never resolved, even after we got the Better Business Bureau involved. Still pisses me off.

On a happier note, my second favorite time of year (after football season) came around again: NFL Combine weekend. Something fun and crazy always seems to happen while we’re at the Combine. This year it was my ZOMG Adam Schefter face.

March

We marked the one-year anniversary of our move into our home. I continue to be in awe of the amazing friendships we’ve made here, and wonder just how we managed to stumble into this wonderful home without even meaning to move in the first place.

I got to meet Clinton Kelly, which was pretty freakin’ fabulous. Thanks to a few hours with him, I’m not the happy owner of a two of 2014’s hottest trends: a lace shirt and a moto jacket.

April

The annual Girls’ Trip! We’ve been making these trips happen in some shape or form since 2007. Long live the Daiquiri Shack and beach-hair-don’t-care.

We had a pet rabbit for about an hour.

School picture day? #nailedit

May

Our family’s favorite little miracle turned 3.

Shortly after, me and my favorite guy celebrated 17 years of marriage.

We mastered the selfie. Or rather, the kids used up every single bit of memory I had on my phone taking selfies.

June

Elena took her ukulele and her bad self to the school’s talent show. I never get tired of watching this video of her performance.

We spent the rest of June and part of July traveling! I still can’t believe we made the trip happen. You can read about our travels to London and Spain here. Believe it or not, I’m still trying to finish editing photos and blogging about our trip! I guess it’s just my way of trying to make the trip last forever.

Elena turned 12 while we were in Spain! We celebrated with pastries, a carriage ride through Sevilla, and some very authentic McDonalds.

July

We wrapped up our trip to Spain. As sad as I was to say goodbye to tapas, churros, and our daily helado, it was good to be home.

August

Eli turned 7! It was a pretty low-key celebration with our cul-de-sac friends, but I don’t think he minded one bit.

It probably helped that the day after his party we welcomed this little guy into our home:

Our lives (and my carpets) will never be the same again.

September

After nearly 3 years of employment, I had to say goodbye to The Container Store. While I don’t miss working weekends or until 1 a.m., I miss the incredible people I worked with terribly. Of course, I still have to get my fix there every couple of weeks (although shopping without the discount isn’t nearly as much fun). And I can’t resist fronting and straightening the shelves when I shop. You can take the employee out of TCS, but you can’t take the TCS out of the employee!

I discovered my newest obsession: B. Happy Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter. Like, if I have it in the house I can barely think about anything else. At the New Year’s Eve party we attended, I found out my neighbors are good friends with the guy that makes it. “We can get it for you by the box, if you want.” This does not bode well for my 2015 weight loss goals.

It only took one month for me to become one of those crazy dog people. I regret nothing.

October

Fantasy Football officially took over my life. I spent hours researching my lineup each week, agonizing over injuries and looking for trades. I spent over half the season in first place, only to lose to GonnaBeALongYear in the playoffs. And then Mike ended up winning the league, which was even worse. Curse you Fantasy Football!

Mike and I did make it to a real game, though, watching the Colts decimate the Bengals.

November

I forgot how hard 7 can be. Whose idea was it to have 7 coincide with full-on tween hormones and drama?

At least I could wash my parenting dilemmas away with some of the best pumpkin beer ever created.

December

So, I barely blogged at all in December. It was a much-needed mental break and a chance to truly savor the holiday season with my family. But I did manage to take what might be my all-time favorite picture of the kids ever. Christmas card 2015 photo? DONE.

Thank you so much for caring about the shenanigans of my little family. Here’s to another year!