Looking Back {2015}

Here we are again! Another year is coming to a close, and boy was it a YEAR! I cannot believe we’re approaching 2016, I don’t even own a flying car ?. I do own a NEW car with a camera.  Sadly, I lost my old Nelly this year.

Soooooo…I was told I got my “Washington card” punched ? #wheninrome

A photo posted by Mrs.AOK (@mrs_aok) on Sep 10, 2015 at 7:38pm PDT

Last year, I wrote this post in sunny South Carolina, and today I’m writing this post here in not so sunny Washington. Who knew I’d move again this year, I knew a move was in our future, but I never imagined it would be so soon. (We lived in South Carolina for less than two years, I wrote this post there in 2013.)

  A photo posted by Mrs.AOK (@mrs_aok) on Jan 9, 2015 at 2:55pm PST

New Year’s Eve Thank You Notes At the beginning of this year I chose five words to focus on, was that crazy of me to do, maybe, but I’m sure it has to do more with my inability to be decisive. Don’t ask me where I want to eat, give me two or three options. Sure, I may juggle between the three options, but ultimately I’ll pick one after careful thought. If you give me full range I’ll keep narrowing down my options until your bones are showing and you’ve already set off to raid the fridge. 

  #OnTheBlog: My Words/Goals for 2015 ???✏️?? #LinkInProfile   A video posted by Mrs.AOK (@mrs_aok) on Jan 5, 2015 at 6:16pm PST

Let’s see how I did with my words…..

I think I can honestly say I did pretty good at being present. Last November (2014) I began homeschooling, homeschooling helped me be more present with my babes- we had such a great time. Since we moved to Washington the kids have entered public school, I’m an art docent at the school- I think that counts as being present. I’m currently trying to be present in two places, here on my blog and with the familia. This post has actually taken me a few days to finish because I’ve been juggling my time between family and blog. Truth is I should have finished this post before our vacation, but time. My daughters are with me, one is studying, the other one is writing thank you notes, and we’re playing the YouTube game. I play a song, my eldest plays a song, and my youngest daughter picks who won the battle. 🙂  (I may have missed my calling as a DJ ?)

Anyway, my point is I try my hardest to be present in this life, in my kids’ lives, in my marriage, with family and friends, and of course here on my blog. 🙂

Before we left South Carolina, we tried our hardest to soak in all the good that South Carolina had to offer- we were present.

Second Sunday Revisted 

Thank You Notes: Mom, Charleston, and M’babe

 

Words We Say {The halfway report on my words of 2015}

Thank You Notes|Currently

Currently {JULY}

After our accident in Indiana life just got sweeter. I appreciate every single minute I have on this earth with the people I love. Bad days are better than NO days.

***Road trip update*** We’re alive! And I DO NOT say that lightly. We were in an accident in Indiana on Wednesday- our truck is probably totaled, per our insurance. (Thank goodness for USAA). We were heading to Chicago, but ended up staying in Indiana (the smallest town there) trying to figure out our next step. There was a lot to do before we could leave Indiana: we had to find a car rental (which was 30 min. away),we had to empty our Nelly (my Expedition) and the U-Haul, tie down all our stuff in the only rental that could work for us, a Chevy Silverado, we unloaded at UPS (when we finally found one). And this is us happy to be alive and entering the great state of Illinois! We are excited to be back ? Cue Kayne’s Homecoming?? (Yes we did!) We got into town a little late, so sleep was all we could think about. But today…today will be good & more adventure & life & happiness!!! Sending all of you love & happiness ? Stay safe, m’friends! p.s. Thanks for all the well wishes on our travels, I seriously feel like your love & thoughts (positivity) showered over us while we were traveling. ? #ThankYouNotes #HappyFriday #friyay #abmhappylife

A photo posted by Mrs.AOK (@mrs_aok) on Aug 14, 2015 at 8:05am PDT

This just happened. ? I’m so grateful for these four and all the memories we have & ‘will’ have. A photo posted by Mrs.AOK (@mrs_aok) on Aug 16, 2015 at 5:50pm PDT

Friday I’m in L?VE! (Because it’s Friday… time for Thank You Notes ?) Thank you, life, for showing me that although at times you may seem cold, you are SO sweet! Life is bigger than us, and it’s best served with the ones you love. Life is about big adventure & little ones too. Life is waking up smiling & being grateful where you stand with the ones you love ready for the next brave move or Netflix binge. ? It’s for playing, running, wandering, cuddling, LOVING, creating, hugging, funning, being wild & free!! Go live! Be free!! Love hard! #HighOnLife ? #ThankYouNotes

A photo posted by Mrs.AOK (@mrs_aok) on Aug 21, 2015 at 5:21pm PDT

 

      Awake, Alive, and 35    

    

I love these girls? I hope they will always hold our traditions & culture close to their hearts when I’m long gone. A day like today makes you think about life, love, and beyond. I’m grateful for all the days. Love big, friends! XOXO #LBCmuertos

A photo posted by Mrs.AOK (@mrs_aok) on Nov 1, 2015 at 9:13pm PST

 

I did okay with creating this year, I’m sure I could have done better. That’s What She Said allowed me weekly to challenge myself, I created posts inspired by the words of women, and sometimes those posts were pretty damn good. 🙂 This year I began art journaling, but my art journaling kind of decreased over time. 🙁 I did however learn how to Zentangle and I’m in love with that, more to come soon. 🙂

Fridays are our art days, this is my project. My babies think this looks like Elsa, so Frozen glitter. ? The real question: to color or not to color..? #sharpie   A photo posted by Mrs.AOK (@mrs_aok) on Jul 10, 2015 at 11:22am PDT

Thank You Notes: Jimmy, Family, Hubby

I’ve been wanting to join #DNDchallenge, so I thought today was a good time to join in/// ✒️?✒️?✒️?✒️?✒️ I was Doodling on plastic tubs while the house was getting packed (they’re not done yet) // I’m currently at the orthodontist’s office with my daughter// Tomorrow we hit the road// A photo posted by Mrs.AOK (@mrs_aok) on Aug 11, 2015 at 11:15am PDT

 

Currently {January}     Create It!  

Coconut & Lime Sugar Scrub                   Simple Chilaquiles         Currently {APRIL}    

Candy Cane Sugar Scrub

 

This year was filled with so much negativity that at times it was hard to be positive.

I’m hoping 2016 will bring us peace.

You be the Judge

What do YOU See?

Thoughts

I started to pat myself on the back a little more this year…

Doing It Right!    

This year, I believe, I was a little more brave. Truthfully, I didn’t do all the things I wanted to do. I am proud of how I was able to combat my anxiety this year, and I thank you for helping me! Blogging is a big part of getting out of my own head, I’m able to spill my thoughts here, and in the process I’ve made the most loving and supportive friends. 🙂

I thought it was quite brave of me to cut my own hair!

After. A photo posted by Mrs.AOK (@mrs_aok) on Jan 10, 2015 at 1:16pm PST

Parenting got real, which forced me to put my big girl britches on.

I wrote a post about being brave, but I wrote it about my daughter.

I wrote about race, which I know isn’t everyone’s favorite topic, but it’s one of those topics we should discuss.

And lastly, we (my family & I) bravely drove across country to begin our new chapter here in Washington.

It’s pretty safe to say I win the badge for Encourager. I wrote that Brave post for my daughter, but I needed to focus on me being brave, so I wrote a post for me and you. I kinda Oprah’ed myself with this one. 🙂

I encouraged you to chase your dreams and wave goodbye to fear. #BYEFearlicia

 

I encouraged embracing your silly side.

This year I encouraged anyone who would listen to be the good.

 

 

Giving it away! {Kindness}

 

 

 

 

#RandomAOK Challenge

 

 

 

30 Acts of Kindness 

12 Days of Kindness

I was a cheerleader cheering on my friends to blog, write books, and tackle their goals. I tried to fill mailboxes with encouraging letters and love notes. 🙂

Currently {February}

I Love the Blogging Sisterhood| image credit: Book Delight

 

 

This one was hard for me, I was trying to remain patient with my strides, but still….

I started doing Crossfit this year, but with all the ups and downs of life, I didn’t remain consistent, which is why Jennifer No-Pez.

My Powers Turned On

Thank You Notes: All the C’s

In other news I’m impatiently waiting on the world to change.

 

What can I say I’m a LOVER.

Favorite Picture

This post was pretty deep, nothing like I had ever shared on my blog before.

I love you!!!

Thanks for a wonderful year.