Hey Dolls, Happy NYE !
2014,wow. I can’t believe it’s almost over. I am so sad to see it go. This year has been the most amazing year of my life. There have absolutely been highs and lows, but the birth of my daughter has been the ultimate high. She is the light of my life, her smile brings so much love to my soul. She is my reason for everything now.
This year, I have never been more grateful to have such a loving, supportive, handsome man by my side. We have been through so much together in the past year. But even through the toughest days, he proves to me that marrying him was the best decision I’ve ever made. I could not imagine living this life with anyone but him. He is my rock, and if this year didn’t prove that, I don’t know what would. John, I appreciate you more than you will ever know.
2015 is going to be a wonderful year already. I am so excited to watch as Charlotte grows and learns. But it is also a year of the unknown. Will John stay in the army? This is a big question that is up in the air right now. Whichever path he chooses will bring many changes for us. I am always trying to plan for the future and it keeps me from seeing what is going on in the now. So, in 2015 I am going to try to live in the present more and let go and relax!
There are numerous resolutions I have for 2015. AHH 2015! I cannot believe it’s going to be 2015. It seems like yesterday it was 2000.
Anyway…Like I was saying I have a problem with worrying about the future. With John being in the military, we never know when or where we will go next. I have found myself not decorating our house because I haven’t seen the point. Why decorate if we will not be here long? The same has been true with making friends, I have wondered if it’s worth it trying to make new friends. But thanks to my good friend Elizabeth, I have realized that even if you will not be in the same place forever that doesn’t mean it’s not home. So my first resolution of the new year is to stop thinking ahead and live for now.
My second resolution is my mental and physical health. The past year I have struggled with a lot of depression and anxiety. I think a lot of that has to do with staying in the house far too much and not getting up and getting ready everyday. So Charlotte and I will be venturing out of the house more in the coming year. Taking the dogs to the dog park more, having play dates with other Army wives and their children, having small family trips on the weekends. Anything to get out there and feel the sun light on our faces! As for my physical health, when I was pregnant I felt more healthy than I had in years – after the morning sickness was over of course! After I found out I was pregnant with Charlotte, I gave up smoking and drinking that same day. I also gave up eating over processed foods and artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes. I had never felt better! But over the last few months I have gotten lazier with cooking as Charlotte has become more mobile. Soon Charlotte will be eating everything we are eating and I want her to know and enjoy REAL food. John and I have both decided to get back to eating healthy. No more fast food, frozen meals or over processed foods. It is back to the basics for the Hortons! Organic food in its natural state. Yes, it will be expensive but totally worth it. It’s time for us to revamp our pantry in 2015.
The third resolution is to be the best mother, wife, daughter, sister, and aunt that I can be! With being so far away, I find myself not calling my friends and family back home as much as I should. Most of the calls I have made to them over the past year have been questions about being a mom or needing parenting advise. And I am sure they have all been happy to help, but have I listened to their problems or given my advice when needed? I am so very blessed to have the friends and family I have. This year, I will make more of an effort to be there for them. As a wife I feel I have not been as focused on John as I should be since having our baby. I want us to have more “us time”. Date nights, watching movies together after Char goes to bed, making him feel special the way he does for me. And then there is the most important part of my new year: being an amazing mother to Charlotte. I want to read to her more, take her on adventures & give her all the love she can handle! Help her heart and mind grow as big as it can! Lord help me she is already so sweet and smart!
For my last NYE party look I had to go out with a bang! I have had this black gown for a few years now. I purchased it for NYE a few years back. It was perfect for the fancy dinner and formal after party I attended. To me, there is nothing more elegant than a long black gown. And what else is more glamorous than hair in an updo with a backless dress? I paired this dress with my gold clutch, gold glitter pumps and large teardrop earrings and large bracelet.
dress[express] old but similar here, here and here//heels[bakers shoes] sold out similar here, here & here//clutch [thrifted] similar here, here & here]//earrings[forever21] sold out, [similar here,here & here]//ring [macys]// lipstick japanese maple[mac]
photo credit [elizabeth turner photography]
And to close out 2014 I want to say thank you to all my readers for all the support you have shown The Whitney Story! AND a huge shoutout to my beautiful and talented photographer and best friend, Elizabeth! I couldn’t have done this without you! I cannot wait to see what 2015 brings to this adventure I have started!