Playing Catch Up Round 1: New Year's & New Orleans

January has been insanely busy and everyday has been packed. So packed I have neglected my blog. Oops.

 I figured I'd start the whole way back at the beginning. Bear with me as I take a look back at this crazy/busy/stressful/fun/eventful month.

Andy and I kicked off the New Year in typical low-key fashion. A group of our friends from high school live together in a house in Arlington, VA and decided to host a small get together for the celebration at the last minute. We got (slightly) dressed up and headed towards the city for the ball dropping and fun with friends. It was a really relaxing New Year's. A couple midnight toasts and gabbing with friends. Just what I needed to ring in the new year

Andy & I

Mikaela, one of my best friends

The next morning, bright & early on New Year's Day, my dad drove me to the airport to catch my flight to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl! (Remember when I asked if you thought there would be a post from New Orleans in my future way back in December? Well, if you guessed yes, you're of course right!) I debated and debated about whether to make the trip to New Orleans, but in the long run, the message "you only live once" resonated in my head. So, a group of 8 of us former Hokies booked our tickets and headed to the Big Easy. I had been to the Sugar Bowl in 2005 when Virginia Tech played Auburn and had a great time. This was no different, even despite the outcome of the game... again.

High school friend Justin & I during our layover en route to New Orleans

My favorite girls on Bourbon Street

BFF's since Elementary & highschool.... and all Hokies!

Late night fun

Balcony Party on Night #2

Highschool Buds

Hokie Hi

Gameday!

All Hokied Up!

Hokies! Proud of these boys despite the loss

Gameday Set

Jackson Square

It was a great trip with the best friends on the planet. We ate delicious food, drank yummy drinks, yelled until we lost our voices, and made great lifetime memories. Hopefully we'll be back in New Orleans for more Hokie football sooner than later! Go Hokies!

Life Lessons

19 days into the new year. And it has already sucked. Seriously. And I am Mrs.Optimistic 99% of the time. Happy-go-lucky. Yeah, not so much this year.

But, I have learned some incredibly valuable lessons and have gained an immense amount of perspective. So, maybe it has all been "meant to be" for those reasons?! I hope so because it's been a long 19 days...

The greatest lesson I have learned from it all- and I refuse to relive it all by writing it down- is that no matter what happens in this world, the greatest part of my life will always be the unwavering love and support of my amazing husband, my wonderful family, and the most reliable friends on the planet. I have been supported in every possible way by them over the past few weeks and I am not sure I would have made it without them. When the chips are down and luck is hard to come by, you definitely find out who the important people in your life are, and if I have taken anything away from all of the stress, chaos and unpredictable events that have occurred, it is that I know what a fabulous support system I have in place in my life.

Today I got some great news and I am hoping it is just the thing I need to turn around my 2012. Maybe I am just the luckiest, unlucky person I know :)