a belated new year

happy new year!  here it is, the 11th of january in a new year.  life really does go by much quicker when you are an adult.  oh to be a kid again!  okay, maybe not, but life sure did seem like it went by at a snail's pace when you were a kid, didn't it?

just for my record keeping, i want to briefly share what has happened in my life (and those close to me) over the last few months since i've last posted. 

*dear friends of mine, ashley and miker, welcomed their first child into this world.  emmie is such a doll and the new parents are doing a fantastic job.  so proud of them. *my sweet niece daniellah turned the big ONE.  she is growing up way too fast for aunt randa.  *two other close friends of mine, jenn and clif, became engaged and we are now having a fun time planning their wedding.  i am thrilled to be a part of their wedding in a few months.  it has been a few years since i have been in a wedding party, so i am excited to celebrate with the happy couple.  *my baby sister and brother-in-law welcomed their second child just before christmas.  baby gabriel is a total cutie.  love his chubby cheeks!  *wonderful friend, vince, was accepted into PA school.  so proud he has reached his goal.  praying that the transition for him and christen goes smoothly.  **truly love all my friends and family and am so excited to share in their accomplishments**

now, to evaluate my own 2012 ahead...

new year's resolutions?  i do not necessarily make resolutions, but i do have a few improvements in mind for my life.  this will be rather difficult for me, but i truly want to de-clutter my life, at least begin the process!  here are some other items i want to accomplish, in no particular order:

• grocery shop (lame, yes.  but seriously, my roommate and i went grocery shopping jan. 2.  first time since september)
• make a t-shirt quilt of my childhood-highschool t-shirts
• keep up with my 2012 project life album
• complete my sophomore year of college project life album
• complete my reading list that i started last year (preferably by the april deadline, but that may really be pushing it)
• graduate from my education specialist program
• continue paying a large amount of my student loans (i want to be done with salliemae.  she is no good)
• finish christmas shopping before december
• rolling all of the change in my ginormous crayon bank to use for a tropical vacation or a mission's trip
• get professional family pictures (yes, all of us, together, in one picture)

trips/events to look forward to in 2012...

• {beauty and the beast in 3d} - hands down my favorite disney movie.
• {josh and deborah's wedding in lynchburg} - another close friend from freshman year.  i have been so blessed to keep in touch with so many friends from freshman year.  love it.
• {spa weekend trip to myrtle beach} - first real spa trip.  okay throw a half marathon in there.  i'll be the one with the sign cheering on the runners.
• {march/april marathon birthday celebrations} - myself and lots of friends have birthdays back to back in march and april.
• {titanic in 3d} - roommate kristi has never seen titanic.  we'll be seeing it in 3d for her birthday since it is opening her birthday weekend.
• {jenn and clif's wedding in lynchburg} - stretch hummer, umbrellas, peacock shoes, and all!
• {graduation x3} - graduate from my education specialist program and potentially be done taking classes for a long, long time.  i say that now.  ask me if i'm taking classes again come fall...
• {tatiana and josh's wedding in orlando} - excited to celebrate the marriage of my dear freshman roommie.  goodness, time does fly.
• {high school graduation} - baby brother is graduating from high school.  last arnold to go through eastern.  at least for a long time til the brothers start having babies!
• {women's conference in orlando} - looking forward to spending this trip in scripture and learning from christian leaders.
• {beach} - a time or two cause a girl has to get her tan on.
• {mission's trip with christen} - praying about this one.
• {trip to memphis to visit christen and vince} - once they get settled, i'm going to see them (and elvis).
• {trip to visit mike and beth again in texas} - would love the opportunity to go visit the breams again in texas.  so much fun to be had in the big state!
• {nfl preseason game} - E-A-G-L-E-S vs. steelers.  bring it on, kristi! we love competition.
• {lodge} - because it's one of the best traditions for a group of sixteen people.
• {ringing in 2013 in boston} - a group of my friends and i decided it would be fun to start celebrating each new year in a different city.  destination new year trip anyone??!?!