Ringing in 2016!

Happy 2016 sweet friends!  It's been an eternity since I've graced this site- and it feels really good to be back.

A lot happened in 2015.  Too much to recap in one post, but if you follow me on Instagram, you're pretty much up to speed.  For those of you that don't, here are the cliff notes:

I'm a mom to a sweet little girl, Ellie.  She's a whopping 10 months old and officially became the center of my universe the moment we met her.  Since becoming a mom, I've gone back to work and months later, decided all the required travel was no longer for me.  So, I left my job and my sister and I started a small business- One Happinest.

Obviously having a baby was all sorts of spectacular.  But the balance, patience, perseverance and learning that followed, was the true challenge within 2015.  Last year, one of my goals was to enjoy being a mom.  And that I did.  Every. Single. Day.  But that enjoyment was flanked by fear, comparison, monotony, and inadequacy,  Raising a little person is tough work.  But with grace and patience and understanding, we are making great strides in this little life.

I'm so looking forward to a new year, new goals, and new challenges.  Bring on the blank pages and let the adventures begin!

the big news.

...and there you have it.  really, we have no words to express how excited we are about our littlest addition!

as of lately.

as of lately, i've become exceptionally motivated to get back into blogging.  it could be the cooler temps or my sudden interest in baking or that i'm dreaming of new spaces to call home.

a. and i started the housing hunt just recently and while it's been frustrating and scary at times, it's also been fun to imagine a life in san diego where we're finally settled in a place we love enough to call home.  after months and months of online hunting we're at the point where we know exactly what we want, now it's just a matter of finding it.

aside from the hunt, i'm finally getting my footing with the new job.  traveling while balancing life and work is no easy feat.  when i accepted this gig i knew there'd be a lot of travel but i had no idea how quickly it would change my life.  don't get me wrong, i love it, but finding balance has been exceptionally tough.

now that things are starting to slow down (or will in about a month) i'm excited to dive back into routine and spend ample time adventuring, with the hubs, and crafting to my hearts content.  sounds pretty good, right?!

weekly letters.

dear europe, your old world charm never ceases to mesmerizes me.  i'm so grateful to be here to experience this.  dear hubby, travel isn't the same without you.  let's plan a getaway stat.  dear data plan, i totally take you for granted.  i'll cherish the days of text messages and phone calls.  dear us of a, i'm forever thankful to call you home & can't wait to see you tomorrow.

weekly letters.

dear june, you bring so much specialness to our lives.  thanks for reminding us to slow down, celebrate love, and bbq often.  dear hubby, can you believe it's been 9 years?  i don't think we look a day over 22 and 23...wouldn't you agree?  i know it always hasn't been easy, so thanks for standing beside me, laughing at my corny jokes, being my best friend, and reminding me daily that a love like ours is always worth fighting for.  dear littlest sis, you graduated high school and i'm an emotional mess.  i'm so happy for the next chapter in your life and the many adventures yet to come.  cheers to you & your many great accomplishments.  dear hot tom oil, only 17 days until i get to mow-down on stretch bread and your goodness.