January 6, 2010

Starting Fresh


Last year was.... stressful.


Starting off the year, we had no idea where we were going to live. We were renting my Grandmother's house, but were told we needed to move out by May because they were wanting to sell it. At that point, we assumed that we would have to rent a different house or move into an apartment, because we didn't think we were ready to buy a house.

A few months later, I was on the computer looking at apartments and rentals. Our of curiosity, I looked up houses for sale. The first one I came across was fairly affordable and in the perfect area, but it needed a lot of work. We contacted the listing agent and went to see the house.

The next few months were a whirlwind of meeting our real estate agents, looking at other houses, decided we really just loved that very first house we came across, filling out 800 papers, meeting with countless people, doing lots of waiting, getting very frustrated, and finally... we closed on our first home.

After closing, we immediately went to work on the house. See the before pictures here. It was bad.

We worked and worked and got it livable. We moved in and continued to work. In fact, we are still working on this place.

In the midst of all our our home buying and fixing, the economy was in the crapper, everyone was afraid they were going to lose their jobs, no one could afford gas or groceries, and we wondered if we had made the right decision in buying a house at such a difficult time in history.

I can't forget the good things in 2009, though.

My brother graduated high school and started college, (and just got a 3.2 GPA on his first semester!!).

Summer and Camryn turned 2 and 3, and had a great birthday party with family and friends.

My friend Audrey had her beautiful baby girl, Olivia.

I started my blog design business, Dirt and Lace Designs, and to my surprise, I actually got customers.

Joe and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary, and are still happy and like each other most of the time.

We got a new president, one who I respect and feel will lead our country in a better direction. I felt proud to exercise my right to vote.

In 2010, I am hoping things get better and better for myself and for those I love.

I want us to become as financially healthy as possible. We plan on paying off any debt we have in the next couple months with our tax return.

I want to continue to grow my business. It is something I have come to love doing, and people tell me I'm good at it. I want to learn new things and offer more to my customers. I want to be successful, and I want to be able to contribute to our bank account.

I want us to continue on our new, healthier path. I want to be consistent and stay motivated.

I want us to continue to make our house a home, and to finally get all the things done that we have planned on.

I want to be an even better mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, granddaughter, niece, cousin, neighbor, and human being.

I want to make sure that my kids know how much I love them every second of every day.

I want to figure out who I am, and make decisions according to what I truly feel in my heart will make me the happiest and most fulfilled.

I want to continue to blog and make new friends here. I want to become a better blogger and share more of my heart and soul with you all.

I want to make sure that I am living in every moment, and focusing on what is important at all times. I want to keep my priorities straight, and enjoy all the small things in life.

Those are just a few things that I feel are important for me to focus on as we start a new year.

New year, new attitude, new goals, more improved me.

13 comments:

Missie said...

I think you and your family are off to a great new year!

AUDREY {LIL' BOOGER BLOG} said...

Beautiful post! Stephanie, you are very talented and I have enjoyed getting to know you and your family via our blogs. Wishing you and your sweet family an awesome 2010!

Susie said...

Sounds like you are off to a great start. I wish you luck for the year 2010.

Kaileigh said...

Wonderful post! Hope this year will be wonderful to you! :)

Tiffany Lockette said...

Hmmm, you are motivating me to make a list of goals for 2010. One of those being get you some pictures!! I hope 2010 treats all of us good.

Stephanie said...

I love this post! Here's to a wonderful year!!!!!!

LivingSimply, SimplyLiving said...

What a honest heartfelt post..I love your blog, your designing...you truly are one of a kind..
Here is to a great 2010:) filled with much happiness, good health and safety!

Summer said...

I love and adore your goals....

And your blog design!!! You are genius....wish I had gone with you from the beginning!!! =)

Holly said...

I think many people want this year to be a good year and I hope we can all achieve what we want ourselves to be.

Bridgett said...

As you wish for yourself, I wish for you also. :)

Happy 2010!

JBGRIGS said...

Great Post!!! Good Luck with your goals :)

Terri said...

Hoping 2010 is an amazing year for all of us!

Great goals ~ best of luck!

Hugs
Terri

Tiffany said...

Great entry! You're way more motivated than me though. :)

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