Where did this month go??

Holy cow!!! It's hard to believe that January is over. I have asked a million times today where in the world did this month go. I always look at January as the longest, dreariest and coldest month - but not this year - this year I feel like I blinked and there went January. So since I have taken over the blog for the past 2 weeks I wanted to update everyone on what Miss Riley has been up to this past month. In no particular order here are some of the events that have occured.

We enjoyed several movie nights. Riley's newest favorite is Horton Hears a Who.

Riley has done a lot of lounging around in the house staying warm from the freezing cold temperatures.

We went to the Museum of Play (and bought a season pass) so we will be making frequent trips there over the next year.

We have spent some time in the snow and even bought a sled.

Riley moved into an even bigger girl bed!

Riley has taken on some art projects.

And finally we have started to get into the Valentine's Day spirit by decorating our windows and doors and making Valentine's cupcakes.

Riley continues to do well with the potty, she still hates sleeping in her room (haven't been able to get rid of those bears), and Riley can now spell her name.

We're looking forward to the month of February. We have Valentine's Day, visitors coming for a long weekend, Riley's half birthday and the Justin Roberts concert! Stay tuned for February updates!

Day 17 - An Art Piece

I have to pick Van Gogh's Starry Night. I have it hanging on the wall in my office and I find it to be a beautiful painting.

Day 16 - A Song that Makes You Cry (or nearly)

It takes a lot to make me cry over a song - but there are lots of songs that make me teary eyed. But only one song really takes the cake and may make me shed a few tears (mostly if I'm by myself) and that is "It's Your Love" by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. This was our wedding song and everytime I hear it I think about our wedding day and how absolutely perfect it was.

Day 15 - Your Role Model

There is no way in the world I can choose just ONE role model, because I have several and for various reasons. Since getting married and having Riley I have 100% become a family person. Before marriage and a baby I was all about my work - now, while work is important it comes after the care and happiness of my family!

And that is why my biggest role models are my parents (for obvious reasons - they have taught me more than I can write down in a blog) but also my mother and father-in-law. The reason for all four being my role model is because of the number of years that they have been married for. My parents celebrated 34 years of marriage, while my in-laws just celebrated 35 years of marriage. Both couples have worked hard at their marriage, raising their families and making a home for them and their families. Both parents are so supportive of the decisions Jeremy and I make. They all have given us countless advice which has been helpful as a young family. Jeremy and I are more than blessed to have them all as Riley's grandparents. We can only hope that we can do the same with our family as they have for theirs.

Of course my sisters are my role models too for various reasons. I know I can count on Laurie to give me fashion advice and Jenn to give me parenting advice. Both are successful ladies, each in their own way. I have learned a little more about being carefree and independent from Laurie and how to work hard for what I want from Jenn. Both are constantly there for me no matter what is going on in my life (the good, the bad and the ugly) and they're honest! These two ladies are my best friends no matter what happens we always come back to each other. And even though we live hours from each other - we make sure that we email, text, call, webcam or facebook each other EVERY.SINGLE.DAY!!!

I love you sisters!!

And that is why I just couldn't pick 1 role model!! :)

Day 14 - A Non-Fictional Book

Ok so the last non-fiction book I read was "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey. Clearly, there was a lot of controversy around this specific book (maybe I should have used it for yesterday's post too). Due to the line of work I am in, I love this book - even if most people consider it fiction. I think that unless you've been through addiction (yourself or within your family) or you work in the field you can't quite understand all of the emotion in the book. I believe that James Frey's memories of how he dealt with addiction, rehab, sobriety and the friends he made and lost along the way were true and for that, I am picking this book as my NON-FICTION book!

Day 13 - A Fictional Book

Ok so I can't just do one book - I have to post about a series - Sweet Valley Twins! Oh how I loved these books as a kid!! I know I did countless book reports on the lives of Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield. Every Christmas I would get a couple that wouldn't last me very long because I would read through them so quickly. Ahhh the memories!!

Day 12 - Something you are OCD about

Make no mistake - I whole-heartedly admit that I am OCD about A LOT of things (just ask my husband). One thing I think I am most OCD about is making sure that I give myself 3 minutes at the end of the day to clean off my desk. I hate leaving work with a messy desk (although I have done it) but I hate even more coming into a messy desk. So if I take the few minutes at the end of the day to clean it off I feel much better when I come in the next morning!!