Look back

I know everyone says that we shouldn't look back because the past is the past for a reason, but sometimes it is good to look back.

I think as women we focus so hard on where we want to go, and what we want to acheive that we sometimes forget to look back at what we have already done.

We think, I haven't lost that stone I wanted to loose, I still haven't got a boyfriend, my job sucks, my house could be nicer, I want better hair, etc etc etc

We forget to see that every single step we take along that road gets us further than we were before.

Yes I didn't lose all the weight I wanted to this year, in fact I only lost about 1/2 stone, but I did get fitter.  I can lift more weight than I could at the start of the year and I can now do push ups and am getting much better at pull ups (assisted ones still at the minute, but I'm getting there!).

I have made some lovely new friends this year, and strengthened some relationships.I didn't fall out with anyone.  So thats GREAT!

I learned new skills.  I joined the Magnus Vikings, so I learnt how to row a viking longship, I am learning how to fight with a sword and sheild, I learnt some battle training, I learnt some self defense/fighting skills, I learnt how to make a sheild wall.




The Magnus Vikings out on Strangford Lough

 

I passed my archery leaders course, and can now teach archery.

Archery!  Look at me go!!

I travelled a lot this past year too.  I went to America, to Portugal, to Majorca, to Scotland.

DunCarron Village in Scotland





Portugal

   



Chicago

 





  

The Caves of Draque, Majorca



Portugal




Majorca



I celebrated my second wedding anniversary.

Cheers

I watched my daughter grow up and secure herself a permanent job, and thrive at that job.

I completed my first 5k race, then learned that I shouldn't run as I have problems with my knees.

I completed the Color Run.

I went to Sunflowerfest (the best festival in Ireland).



Facepainting at Sunflowerfest

 

Weekend adventures

I got married on 30 November 2012

It was the best day I could have imagined.  It was a very small wedding, only my family and his were there.  But we wanted to be with each other for ever.  We wanted to be married.  We didn't particularly want the wedding day, but that had to be first.

It was short, just a civil ceremony, but that didn't matter to us.

There were a lot of giggles during it, and a few tears, but at the end I was married to the man I love.

His dad came up to us after the ceremony, gave me a big hug and turned to R saying "I told you the first time I met her that you should never let her go".  I teared up a little.

This weekend was our anniversary.

We went for a weekend away, just the two of us.  It was luvly.  We went shopping, without buying much, we walked, we talked, we went for dinner, we got tipsy on champagne.  We slept, we ate breakfast, we went for an adventure.

This man personifies everything I could ever want.  He is kind, generous, giving, gentle, strong, funny, caring, stubborn, forgiving, and genuinely the nicest man you will ever meet.  And he picked me.  And a year later he still looks at me with love in his eyes. 

Everything isn't perfect.  We still have disagreements and fights and still go to bed upset with each other sometimes.  But we love each other and we promised this was forever.  So if it gets a little bumpy we hold on tighter.  We work thru our differences.  We don't let go.  And we come thru the stormy times and the water gets still again, and we enjoy ourselves.

Getting away and having time alone reminds us why we picked each other.

I love him.

He loves me.

If you have a partner who still makes you smile, tell them how much you appreciate them.

R, I love you very much.  I appreciate everything you do for me, and for baby girl.  Thank you for being in our lives.