2012: A Big Year?

Pin It Now! Can you believe another year is already gone?

I was so blessed in 2011. Great family, friends, good laughs and memories, and a lot of love. I really like looking back at pictures and reminding myself of the moments that made me smile. I had GREAT holidays, fun times away at school, a lot of special moments with my family at home, and new friends and relationships that will continue into 2012. What moments in 2011 made you smile?

That's what it's all about anyway isn't it?

 Although I'm not really a fan of New Year's Resolutions.... I'll call this my 'What's Up Wish List for 2012'

1. Challenge myself and learn something new (acoustic guitar perhaps?).
2. Accept my beauty and grow in self-confidence.
3. Make it to NYC. This is the year- I'm feeling good things for this summer... :)
4. Never settle. I have expectations for a reason.
5. Grow in my faith as a Christian and a young woman.
6. Live for the moment.

I call it a wish list because these are things I hope to do my entire life... I don't expect to wake up one day a better and more confident young woman, it's a constant journey. 2012 is only a small part of great things to come.

Do you have a 2012 Wish List?

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
2 Corinthians 5:17 

Peace.Love.Inspiration.
Meaghan

Simple Rules to Live By in 2012

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One of my goals for 2012: Learn to Live for Happiness.

Yes, it's a weighty goal. How does one just decide to be happy? Is it even possible?

I believe that it is. I believe that if we go into each day with the right mindset- thinking about the new, fresh possibilities of each waking day and every new hour that we are blessed with... we are bound to end up thinking positively and being grateful for the simple things that we so often take for granted.

Easier said than done, right?

 I think these 5 rules will be my guide posts for 2012. I want to release my mental burdens, to accept myself for the beautiful individual God has made me, and to start to think of and appreciate the incredible people God has so conveniently placed in my life.

Quite honestly, how did I get so lucky?

I think I will struggle the most with freeing myself from worry and living simply. I worry about almost everything: my grades, my family, my friends, my relationships, my future... you get the picture. I have to learn to let go and trust that everything will turn out in the end.

What are your goals for 2012? Are you willing to live for happiness?

"Rise up, this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it."
Ezra 10:4

Peace.Love.Inspiration.
Meaghan

Breathe Deeply and Slowly

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Woah- I have been so focused on relaxing over break that blogging has completely fallen away from my daily to-do list :) The good and bad about Christmas break... I never really get that much accomplished.
But I guess that's the point, right? 

So far my break has consisted of:
Lots of time with family
Working my way through The Hunger Games novels
Catching up on One Tree Hill
Spending lots of quality time with my puppy in front of the fire
Watching lots of movies and mindless TV
Babysitting, a little
Working at Noodles, quite at bit
And lots of good holiday food (I may actually have Cookie Coma)

Here are a few highlights to catch you up :)

I think we're all growing up a lite bit... It's weird that everyone looks a little older every time I come home. Do you think we look alike? 

I really made it a point this break to let myself relax. Sometimes I don't realize that I'm moving 100 mph (sometimes even faster) in Ann Arbor, and I hardly ever have time to sit enjoy good books, friends, or family. Isn't that the case with most of us? We get so caught up in always being productive and we start to feel guilty if we take time to just be in the moment and relax. 

To live in the moment and to appreciate the simple, little things that drift by unnoticed if we let them. The things we wish we would have done more of in the long run. The things we actually remember in life.

I encourage you to step back these next few days. If you are still on vacation (or still in Holiday mode), take advantage of the quiet time when you have nothing to do and nowhere to be. Breathe deeply and slowly. Smile a lot. Appreciate all that you are blessed with.

LIVE IN THE MOMENT.

"This is the day which the Lord hath made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24

Peace.Love.Inspiration.
Meaghan 

HOME.

Pin It Now! I'm home which means it's time for holiday fun! Up for today- a really cute Christmas recipe I found online that I can hopefully try out sometime this week :)

Melting Snowmen Cookie Balls

Check it out for yourself:

What You Need 
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
24 Nutter Butter Cookies, finely crushed (about 3 cups)
2 pkg. (6 squares each) Baker's White Chocolate, melted
48 Mini Oreo Bite Size Cookies
2 Tbsp. decorating icing

Make It
MIX cream cheese and cookie crumbs until well blended.

SHAPE into 48 (1-inch) balls; place in single layer in shallow pan. Freeze 10 min. Dip balls in chocolate; place in shallow waxed paper-lined pan, allowing excess chocolate to pool at bottom of each ball. Decorate with remaining ingredients as shown in photo.

REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm. Keep refrigerated.

How easy is that? And so cute :)

Happy baking!