Choose Joy

My one new years resolution for 2012 (ya know, besides losing weight, having a healthy family and happiness..) is to CHOOSE JOY. I have been so incredibly inspired lately by Ashley from Lil Blue Boo. In 2011, not only did her father pass away very unexpectedly but she was also diagnosed with cancer at a very young age. Read more about her story here. Not only is she a great story teller but she also has some amazing tutorials.

The happiest people don't have everything, 

they make the best of everything.

I know that everyone has ups and downs. That's life. But I'm a firm believer that we all have a choice in life to choose happiness. I've always believed that but some days it's harder to remember than others. I bought this bracelet from Lil Blue Boo not only as a reminder to Choose Joy but to also show my support to Ashley, I know she can win this battle!

The bracelets also came with some Bella sized bracelets. She is my little model in the above picture :)

I really feel that 2012 is going to be a fantastic year. I'm so excited to see what it has to offer us!

Top 11 in 2011

11. Shop success!

We have lots of markers of success for our little business. Lots of new designs. Justin joining the team full time. Lots of sales and making Handmadeology's list of top 1000 handmade Etsy sellers.. sliding in at #802! Not bad!

10.  Vegas!

Our first real vacation as a family! It was a blast and Bella did so good in the car. Especially due to my iphone, snacks and the portable DVD player that my sister loaned to us. 

10. Bella's first dance recital!

Bella loves dance and still talks about her dance recital. She loved dancing on the big stage. Probably her favorite moment of 2011!

9. Lazy summer days at the park and zoo!

There is nothing more that we love than hanging out together and the park (or zoo!) is the perfect place for us. We always have so much fun!

8. Celebrating our 5 year anniversary in Park City

Our over night trip to Park City was so much fun! We celebrated our 5 year anniversary. It was our first (and only) overnight stay without Bells and while it was much needed, it was so hard! We came home so early the next day because we both missed her too much.

7. Spending lots of time with my favorite girl!

Making cookies!  Note: Check out the PJs! Those Teletubbies pajamas were uncle Ty Ty's and she LOVES them!

Lots of parades!

Swimming

Car rides!

We always find lots of fun things to do! I love these times where we are making memories and spending time together as a family.

6. Relay for Life

Celebrating my mom as a cancer survivor. Celebrating life. Celebrating HOPE. I love it! I'm on the planning committee for next year and it's going to be great!

5. Spending lots of time with our BFFs!

I love getting together with my best friend Steph. Her little boy, Jake is 4 months older than Bella and they are best buddies. They get along so well! Steph has been my best friend since I was about 3 or 4 years old. We were neighbors growing up. We all love to go shopping, make crafts, hang out at the house, go to the park, go to lunch.. we have so much fun!

4. Carver's Cove

Carver's Cove! It's my favorite place to go to in the springtime. Definitely a family tradition!

3. Polar Express

I don't know what it was about the night we rode the Polar Express but it was something magical! I think about it all the time. For sure one of this years highlights!

2. Bella turned 2!

We loved celebrating Bella's 2nd birthday.. circus style! It was so much fun. Next year she is insisting on a Chuck E Cheese's birthday, so that's what we will do!

1. Our big surprise!

Finding out that we were going to have another baby was definitely our biggest surprise of the year! We have so much to look forward to in 2012. Bring it on!