a year in review

Looks pretty awesome around here, don't it? Jess over at Wrangling Chaos made me this amazing new design that I keep falling in love with. I adore the simplicity while keeping true to what I love. She did an amazing job and I would recommend her over and over. Please give her all your business, because she rocks.

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2012 has been a total blur. Seriously.

With officially surpassing the 6 month mark until our wedding, unpacking our new home, and finding new careers, 2012 has been a roller coaster. We have laughed, cried, lost and gained friends, found friends again, and watched our relationship be tested over and over again with each hurdle.

I'm happy to report that it hasn't always been easy, but we did it.

Here is our year in review.

In 2012, I vowed to put up or shut up about my weight loss. I was still blogging under the name 20poundslighter and this blog focused mainly on my journey to being a smaller size. I had less than 10 followers and I was still stretching my legs per-se to blogging itself. Up until then, I had been very candid in this space about my body and how I was working through being heavier. I kept trying things but giving up way too easily. I finally decided to stop making excuses and actually taking action.

I also put together my boxes for my bridesmaids to ask them a very important question.

By February, I was doing well with running and really beginning to believe in myself more and more.

C told our love story (that far) through his eyes and I melted a bit.

We welcomed Ruby into our lives by taking the plunge and adopting a dog. We were apprehensive at first, especially Carl, but she is the tiny ginger love of our lives. She is so spoiled and it makes me so happy that she was born at a shelter and never subjected to any cruelty. I think it's one of the reasons why she is so amazingly sweet.

I also surprised Carl for his birthday with a small trip and we got new tattoos.

As spring was approaching, I hit my biggest weight loss goal so far - 25 lbs.

I took my blog public and let the people who know me personally that it exists, with the name change to its current title.

I wrote a letter to my younger self in one of my favorite posts.

Summer is my favorite time of the year. Even though I was awful and didn't go to the beach even once this year, we still were outside all the time enjoying our backyard.

I wrote about the importance of putting my phone away and spending more time in the real world with friends and family. I still try my hardest to hold those values true and continue to enjoy the little moments.

Pam came home and we went wedding dress shopping, but didn't find THE dress.

June took us down south to Texas to visit Pam and Craig, the only vacation we have taken in the past year or two. Texas is hot as anything but we had so much fun.

I wrote about what I wish I knew about dating before meeting the love of my life and blog snobs (one of my most popular posts).

I turned 26 and we had a great time celebrating Father's Day. We also had our engagement party that we did not take a single photo at.

We had an accepted offer on our current home.

I haven't added many baking posts, but the hydrangea cupcakes were one of my favorites this year. I made these for my sister's birthday.

I talked about my relationship with Carl and why sometimes it's hard that he is older than me and we re-did the office and guest bedroom of our old home.

In August, Carl wrote his view on why it's hard to date someone younger sometimes. His posts are loved on this blog and get great comments that I'm debating having him contribute weekly - thoughts?

Pam and Craig came home for a visit and we went to the Portuguese festival. Long live fortified wine.

I also wrote a horrifyingly bad tutorial of how I curl my hair.

I questioned continuing blogging.

I got walking pneumonia and wore shorts for the first time. I also speculated on what I wouldn't do as a parent.

I wiped the fuck out in Stop & Shop in one of the hands-down most embarrassing moments of my entire life.

My Mom started her weight loss journey until my wedding.

I did a Show & Tell link-up where you can see some awkward high school pictures and also shared some very old family photos that are hilarious.

Hurricane Sandy came and went with not much damage to Mass. New Jersey got wrecked and it sucked.

Halloween didn't know what hit it when HONEY BOO BOO CHILLLLE came out to play.

Carl and I got new jobs (at the same place) and we absolutely love it. One of my friends from high school is working there now too and another friend might join the team too. It's the best.

Pam came to visit and I used that as an excuse to make cupcakes.

In November we got the best news ever - we were clear to close on our new home!

We celebrated the Thanksgiving Holiday and it was extra special since my aunt and uncle came. We moved into our home and Carl wrote an amazingly heartfelt post about family.

I talked about the kind of wife I want to be and why.

I also forgot to vote. Because I suck.

We didn't get a Christmas tree this year. Yeah, I know. With all the boxes and work we had to do, we didn't have the space or the time, plus by the time we got in here, we only would have had it for about 2 weeks. Life goes on.

We moved a lot of stuff. Moving a house is nothing like moving an apartment.

I discussed GOMI and why bloggers shouldn't freak out about it.

Ruby had her first snow.

We had an amazing Christmas.

2013 Resolutions:

• Get Wedding Hot
• Use my phone more often to actually talk to people
• Don't get stressed about wedding planning or sweat the small stuff. Enjoy the planning process.
• Be kind to someone every day.

Happy New Year Everyone!!