Ready for 2015

I was digging through old blog posts on my phone and it looks like I rolled my 2013 resolutions over for 2014. They were pretty good resolutions and worth having for 2 years.

Jason and I went on 24 dates -- one every month. I'm definitely going to keep that one. I may not have ended up working out 3 times every week (especially not lately), but think that running a half marathon was a pretty good accomplishment. I'm seriously considering running another one in 2015. And I think we did a pretty good job getting Molly home from school early as often as we could. My day working from home next year will give us a little extra time, so I should be covered there.

So what to do next year? I have some thoughts. One is to take Molly to a new park every month. We can explore some of the local parks we haven't been to yet and maybe also some of the big parks in Chicago. Another resolution I'd like to make is to pack my lunch at least twice a week. Have I made this one before? I have trouble remembering to do it for some reason.

Instead of setting an overall fitness goal, I think I may just try to do sit ups 3 times a week. And instead of taking on any big house projects, I'd like to focus on one room every month, to get rid of any stuff we don't need, and add little touches like pillows and pictures and knick knacks.

I'm looking forward to 2015. I think it's going to be a good year. I'm excited about my new schedule. Molly is going to be turning 5 and starting kindergarten. Jason and I are planning to get out of the country for a vacation to Spain. What else could be in store?

Merry Christmas from O'Gradyland!

We've been on vacation for almost a week now and Molly has enjoyed every single second of it. I, unfortunately, was sick for a few days in the middle, but am back in action now and ready to enjoy the last few days of freedom!

This is probably the best possible place for me to be sick, because Molly has a full fan club ready and waiting to keep her entertained. I am pretty far down the list of favorites when we're here (seriously, I'm at the end)...but that's okay. I'm happy she has so much fun with her uncles, Aunt Corinne, and grandparents, playing hide and seek, dancing, laughing, and learning all about Superheroes, Star Wars, and The Ninja Turtles. Valuable knowledge she can take back to her friends at school :)

Here's a quick photo recap of our trip so far:

Our first stop was Roanoke, VA (Star City) to visit Uncle Joe

Selfie with Joe and Jon  on our Roanoke Star excursion -- the world's largest man-made illuminated star!

Making bead bracelets with Grandma

Back to Danville, VA -- making Christmas cookies with Uncle Joe

Decorating Christmas cookies with Uncle Jon

Opening presents from each other on Christmas Eve
(O'Grady tradition...Christmas Day is for Santa presents)

The brothers all received adult-sized Underoos. Ha! Jason is He-Man...my favorite

Molly digging into her stocking on Christmas morning

Can you feel the excitement?

Pure joy

The best part is that we still have a long weekend left. We'll probably see a movie today (another O'Grady tradition...the girls are going to see Into the Woods). Jason and I have a date night tomorrow (assuming I feel better, but I'm pretty sure I'm on the mend). And then we still have Saturday and part of Sunday to relax.

Merry Christmas to all. I hope wherever you are, your holiday is as happy as ours!

P.S. This will be my last time posting from Danville, VA...the O'Gradys are moving to Colorado Springs in Feb!

The best gift

There's a new baby in the family! Meet Evan James, my new precious nephew:

Brand new and looking blonde, just like his brother

Awww. Jeremy with his 2 boys. Saying "hi" for the first time

Evan is in Denver, so Jason, Molly, and I won't get to hold him until we visit. But hopefully that's SOON! Congratulations to Jeremy, Megan, and Will on the new adorable addition to your family!