2017 /// FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT

You would most likely see me wearing this outfit on my day off running errands. I like to be comfortable and pretty much stay in pajamas all day when I'm not working. When you have that "Oh Shit moment" and you gotta run to the grocery store or the post office no problem! Throw on a long coat and cool kicks and boom problem solved, who cares if you run into someone you know. You'll look like you made effort. And... I look like I'm into football right? Jacob wishes... FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT! 

2017 snuck up on us, am I right? I wasn't even close to being prepared! But since it's here, I am totally welcoming it with open arms. One of my favorite things to do on New Year's Day is look back at the previous year and create new goals and resolutions. I enjoy figuring out the small realistic changes I can make, to make this year the best year. My second favorite NYD tradition is going on a run or working out on Jan 1 to set my physical tone for the year. 

This New Year's Day, we went to Orange Theory with our friends Carrie (she's an instructor) and her husband Matt. It was a lot of fun getting in a good sweat, in good company. One important thing we decided to make priority this year was to choose activities that are healthy for us over any other social activity. We kind of got carried away last year and I didn't make my health a priority which is not good for me mentally or physically. I don't know why either because I love working out and finding new activities. Anyway I'm thankful we have a handful of friends who live that active lifestyle because they inspire us and push us. It's like mama always said, "You are what you hang around!" 

Another really big goal for me this year and one of the most important ones is take interest in the activities Jacob loves. He's really good at taking interest in things I like, but I need to work on it.  Last year I decided to start snowboarding again because he loves it, and we had never gone together! And you know what? We had a blast! We went twice last year. I actually really got into this time and I think it's mostly because we were doing it together. And let's be honest, he's super hot doing his thing. So that wasn't hard.... BUT This year I'm gonna try to watch football or wrestling with him every once in awhile without complaining or making comments 😂😭  wish me luck because I really hate it. He seems to think if I understand and learn the game that I will like it... Little things make a huge difference, especially in marriage. So wrapping it up with this! Make small changes that improve your life instead of a long list of dont's. Try new things and if you suck at it but you enjoy it and you want that end goal. 2017 FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT! 

When my friend Danielle was shooting me I decided the title in my posts will be goals or things I want to achieve in 2017 regardless of what I am wearing in it. Ha! Lets see how long I can keep it up! 

ARUBA /// BUCUTI & TARA RESORT

When our friend Colin told us he was going to propose to his girlfriend Tess, he asked us to go with them to Aruba, Costa Rica, or Belize. To be honest I was praying hard that the final choice would be Aruba, mostly because I have never been and I didn't know much about it. I would have been ecstatic going to any of those choices but mostly we were super pumped about spending a week with Colin and Tess. OMG I was so scared I would text the wrong thread and ruin the surprise too but I didn't!!!!! So WOOO!!! 

We arrived on Thanksgiving to the Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort and they greeted us with champagne and a hot towel. Do you know how good that feels after traveling....it feels amazing! 

We quickly put our suits on and met Colin and Tess at the Beach.... and the vacation began!

We knew we needed the relax and chill time but most importantly where was Colin going to propose and what day? What excursion would it be on? Was I too excited? Was it obvious how I was acting? Maybe but that's ok because Tess had never been on vacation with me so she didn't have anything to compare it to. 

Excursions we took ///

Deep Sea Fishing /// I knew this was not gonna be good for me but I still went to be a trooper and lets get real FOMO. I took dramamine, slept in the cabin almost immediatley, then hung over the side and puked a bunch of water because I didn't eat that day. Never fails, This girl does not belong deep sea fishing.

Snorkel, Booze, and Sail /// THIS WAS THE BEST DAY EVER.... We saw so many fish, we swam and saw shipwrecks, ate lunch, dove off the boat way too many times and PARTIED! I think we were having the most fun out of everyone. True Story. I don't remember the details...

Rented a jeep and drove around the entire island along the coast /// played at secret beaches, stopped at the lighthouse for coconuts and snowcones, went to the oldest church in Aruba, went to natural bridge but it had fallen, went off roading, went to the national park, COLIN PROPOSED IN THE CAVES, Tess chased goats, we saw bats, watched people surf these crazy waves, ate at a local spot called Zeerovers where they serve you the catch of the day (YOU MUST GO), and celebrated at Baby Beach! ALSO BEST DAY EVER!!!!!!

The rest of the days we spent on the beach drinking our drinks and soaking up the sun. If you follow me on IG I'm sure you got a little taste of our experience. None of us wanted to leave the Bucuti... If you go to Aruba without kids you should stay here. They make it really special no matter what the occasion is.

The love birds left on a Tuesday and thats when we headed over to The Renaissance Aruba Resort. I will touch on that in a different post. 

IF WE DID CHRISTMAS CARDS

I wish I was one of those people who got everything on their list done... including Christmas Cards mailed out the first week of December. Those people probably feel real accomplished, stress free,  and I bet they are completely done with all their Christmas shopping too. Not the case for us. We got back from Aruba the first week of December to find out our baby girl (Bootsie) was not acting like herself. If you know us personally, follow us on FB or IG you are aware that we took her to many places to get answers and help and it's been awful. The results came back and Bootsie has cancer. Can I just say it? FUCK CANCER! I'm sorry for my language but that's about the only thing I can say about it. How does this happen? 

Anyway... Since Tuesday she's been feeling better with her meds but we are suppose to be monitoring her and just observing her behavior. I've taken off work a lot to just be with her. All we want is for her to be comfortable and we want to love on her for as long as we are able too without her being in pain. Saturday she was so energetic running up and down the stairs with me, she even wanted to play with her ribbon again. Yesterday she slept a lot and wasn't too active.  Every little snuggle, every meow, and every little lick we are just taking in. I am so happy that I had so much time with her this week when she was back to her old-self. I needed it. I hope she needed it to. Jacob has been having more of a rough time than I thought. I've always pegged him as a dog guy so when I questioned him about it. He said with a dogs love it's automatic they just love you right away. With Cats you have to earn their love, so with Bootsie it's different. 

My cousin Josephine came over twice this week to check on us and cheer us up with lil Wally (her son)  and donuts. It was then that she decided to come back over one morning and take a family photo of us 3. We never took a family photo. Can you believe that? There has been a million of just one of us and her. Anyway, Jo gave us the best gift possible that morning and I am so grateful. I do not want this post to bum you out I just hope it makes you appreciate the time you have with your loved ones. Furry ones and Human ones. We do not have a human baby. We have a fur baby. If you are not pet people you might think we are a little crazy. I assure you WE ARE but it has nothing to do with Pets. A friend of mine, this week said my posts have been a little outrageous. But that is only because he has never raised a pet on his own so I can't be upset by that comment. I am so thankful that our pretty Bootsie found and chose us 6-7 years ago out of all the people on Castle Court. She broke us down and we opened our back door. She is currently right here with me as I type which is funny because she usually sits on the keys so I can no longer type. I guess she feels like being polite or she knows this post involves her so she's cool with me typing. 

So if we did Christmas Cards this year, they would totally be one of these....

I think we need a painting of Bootsie, her face and coloring are just so pretty. I might even try and attempt it. Anyone have a favorite artist out there that I should look into?