i think it is 100% nuts that this year is almost over. it's flown by, faster than you can say… pop? i don't know. but either way, it's been quick. for example, i have a brand new 2013 wall calendar that i bought in january, super cute, that i NEVER used. that's how crazy this year has been. didn't even have time to plan it out or write it down.

big changes are ahead for this shaker family of 2. or 3, if you count gracie. i'm knee deep in finals week, which means that i am (almost) 1/4 of the way done with hygiene school. tax returns are coming up, my second favorite time of the year. my first christmas break in 4 years where i actually have nowhere to be (can i get a what what!). hopefully a grand vacation is in the making. and speaking of grand, this house of ours is calling for a make over. for awhile we were toying with the idea of upsizing, but crunched numbers and decided our best bet is to stay put until i'm done with school. so, in the mean time, this house is getting an upgrade here and there, and i cannot wait until it's all gussied up!

now, let me start by saying that we are on a fixed income of 1 at the moment. and although we are doing pretty great for our age, shifting our lifestyle from 2 full incomes down to 1 has been a big, fat adjustment. but it feels great to know that we can do it. i know one day we'll look back at these times and remember how much we learned and grew, but right now is not that time. it's been hard, but extremely doable. we both know this is all part of growing up and becoming big kids, and in the grand scheme of things, we're doing pretty dang well for ourselves. but that doesn't mean that it's all giggles and smiles when we think about finances. au contrair, it's usually the opposite. but we done good.

i know blogs are supposed to have a point, but honestly, this one doesn't. i mostly just wanted to ramble, and lucky for me, this space is fairly private. i say fairly because sometimes 1 or 2 people look at it. but for the most part.

i'd like to wrap up by saying this: things can change is a second. in one single moment, our lives can be turned upside down. one little decision can affect the rest of our lives. even with the tight budget, the boring house, the very cheap (free, if we can work it out) date nights, i can honestly say that i can't remember a time where i've been more content. this is silly, but i can finally look in the mirror and not only see my chubby back, or birthing hips, but i can actually think to myself, "yeah, i'm no twig, but i look gooooood in this (shirt, pant, skirt, whatever)". mat is a dream, honestly. when i think of how much love we have for each other, and how far we've come together, it makes me so sad to think that not everyone gets to experience this. although we don't agree on everything, we have worked up an amazing amount of respect for each other, and i know that even if i'm crying at a not-cry-worthy part of a movie, mat will still comfort me and not make me feel dumb. i know that if i'm being crazy hormonal, mat will still hug me and tell me its okay. i know that no matter what could possibly happen, mat will be by my side, supporting me and making sure that i know that i am not alone, ever. i bought a print a few months back that said "remember this, that very little is needed to make a happy life." amen, sister (or brother, not sure who wrote it). i can finally say that i am content, and completely happy with everything we have (which is very little), and i cannot wait to see what this coming year has in store for us.

2013, you've been great. but 2014, you'll be much better. i can just feel it.