Favorite Pictures from 2013

Here they are, my favorite images from the past year. They're not in order, but they are composed from the very beginning of the year to the very end. These pictures show some of the more memorable moments of our year, some are just ones I really like, and some are truly impactful. I feel that all of these are an accurate representation of the past year. 

In 2013, we moved to an actual house instead of an apartment… and then we moved back into one. James went to inpatient all the way in Colorado and I used that month to further dive into photography. This marked the beginning of a lengthy medboard process for James, but we'll both continue to exercise patience because even almost a year later, we're much closer to leaving New York than we ever have been. I launched my photo business, and in turn captured some very intimate moments that happen all the time, all around the world, that I wouldn't have seen otherwise. Two homecomings, a child's first birthday, and how children within a family interact with each other. James and I spent our first holidays together, here in our home in NY and away from family in California. I got my first real Christmas tree, we made a Thanksgiving dinner, and decorated our home for the first time.

The two of us fell in love with a puppy and put all of our love, effort, and time into his adorable face. Unfortunately, we got a lesson in timing and learned that as wonderful as Atlas was, it wasn't meant to be right now and we found him a new home. We learned about what it is to truly miss an animal, a part of our little family, but to take it with a grain of salt because responsibility and maturity means doing what's best for someone else over yourself. We continued to smother Morris with love, and I continue(d) to take way too many pictures of him. 

On top of all of this, I was blessed to get accepted into Penn State and that marks the final step I needed to take to finally get my degree, something I've wanted since I moved up here. Birthdays were celebrated, seasons (very cold ones) have passed, and we grew more. Both together as individuals. 2013 was a year of struggle, stress, never ending patience, love, endurance, enjoyment, and big life moments. I, personally, would say that this year was a hard one and it wouldn't have been my first pick, but looking back on it, I wouldn't have changed how anything worked out. There was equal reward as there was hardship, and I would say the benefit from the rewards heavily outweigh the struggle. I'm greatly looking forward to a new year and to what this year will bring. There's a lot of unknown, but all that means is there's a great adventure in store. 

Oh, Christmas Tree (and decorations)!

This year marks our 3rd Christmas as a married couple, our 2nd spent together, and our very 1st on our own. Unfortunately, due to upcoming events, we weren't able to go home for Christmas this year. Sad, but okay at the same time. It's about time we got to celebrate a big holiday in our own home and start forming our own traditions and holiday habits. 

Growing up, James always had a real tree and I always had a fake one. Trying to find a compromise, I suggested getting one of each (which would mean two trees and that excites me to no end), but that didn't go over too well. With an anticipated move across the country within the next year, we opted for a real tree as we didn't want to bring yet another big thing along with us. Real trees also have that wonderful pine smell, so my arm didn't need to much twisting. 

As suggested by my good friend Brittany (Hey, girl!), we went to a local tree farm called Simmons Farm last Friday. I almost but not really at the same time wish we were having another Christmas here so we could go back next year. Simmons was such a neat little place. Along with their fresh Frazier and Balsam firs, they sold little trinkets and ornaments galore. Like so many other places around here, they also had dogs that roamed freely around the property. If they weren't following you around and being sweet as can be, the dogs were either laying in the middle of the shop or running laps back and forth between the rows of growing trees. Seeing pets meander about is one of my favorite things here, and a thing I'll truly miss. I suppose I'll give it up for an In N Our burger, though. 

Anyway, after a half an hour debate of which tree was the tree, we finally found one that was perfect. James wanted a smaller tree, but that wasn't going to cut it for me and I wanted a bigger one. We settled on one that was kind of in between, but it leaned more on the taller end (of course :D). BUT. James had agreed upon it before he saw how big it really was and that was the end. There was no going back at that point. I was sold and beaming and taking pictures like a mad woman. Tree found, we had it bagged and thrown on top of my car. And, of course, James used 550 cord to strap it down. 

Once home, we let all of the branches fall a bit before stringing lights and hanging ornaments on it. That took a few days seeing as our tree was caked with snow and frozen to the core of the trunk, but it was well worth it. All we needed was the tree, anyway, for the Christmas frenzy to kick in. With a fir now nestled in our home, all the decorations came out and a list was made of what we still needed. By Sunday evening, our home was fully decorated, filled with a warm pine scent, and tree lit and clothed. Coming home from wherever I am is such a pleasure, now. As soon as I walk in the door, I'm greeted with the sight of this beautiful tree and a subtle, but obvious, balsam. It's pure holiday bliss.