Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! What a great year 2013 was for me and my family……I started this blog with little expectation, but with a lot of courage. Everyday I’m amazed at how much love, encouragement and support I receive towards my blog and I’m so glad so many people are enjoying it. I also started a new hobby making scarves and it’s turned into a successful side business. My husband turned the big 3-0, and we celebrated in Florida with our best friends. Our son turned 2, and has grown so much in 10 months…..he continues to amaze us everyday. I turned 27, and although it wasn’t a milestone birthday, I felt very happy and fortunate to be healthy and celebrating another year older and wiser. We had many great mini vacations as a family and enjoyed watching our first garden flourish and grow this summer. We welcomed our beautiful baby girl, Maci in November and she is the perfect addition to complete our family. 2013 was also full of challenges and some disappointments, but the good ALWAYS outweighs the bad! As we start 2014, I have a positive outlook, a happy heart & a peaceful soul. I know 2014 will be a great year for our family, and I’m looking forward to all the blessings, challenges and opportunities it may bring!

I greatly appreciate all of my blog followers and I want you to know there will be more tutorials, recipes, tips and DIY posts coming soon! I have been enjoying my maternity leave home with my children and I appreciate your support while I take a brief hiatus. Many good thing to come though in 2014!

My mom gave me this idea to start a jar full of memories in 2014. I’m going to write down any memorable events, moments or important things I want to remember in 2014 and put them in a mason jar. On Dec. 31, 2014 I will open the jar and read all of the great things that happened. What a great way to reflect on the year!

Also we are starting the 52 Week Money Challenge again (see my post from last year). Instead of weekly, which is hard to remember, you can figure out the average and make monthly deposits. That’s what we plan on doing and I set up auto transfers from our checking to our savings account so I don’t have to think about it every month. Other options are figuring out the average weekly amount so it’s the same amount every week or starting with week 52 and going backwards so you don’t have the higher deposits during the holidays. What will you do with your savings next year?

I wish you all a great 2014, and thank you for your support!

– Kelsey