New Year, New Chances

Steven and I spent the last 10 days in North Carolina visiting his family and friends for Christmas, his birthday, and New Year's Eve. The 16 hour drive went well thanks to Steven, who did most of the driving. Mira made the trip with us and did a much better job traveling than when I took her from Phoenix, AZ to Jackson, TN.

Time flew by in North Carolina and we seemed to always be up to something. We spend a few days after Christmas near Steven's college town (Elon) doing some hunting. It was my first time and I enjoyed it although I am definitely not the hunter Steven is. We saw a movie, had a bonfire, visited the French Broad Brewery, and ate many delicious meals with great company. Mira spent most of her time running around with the 3 dogs at the house. She loved having other pups around to wrestle and play with. It was hard to get her settled down at night but I know she had fun. As a Christmas gift from Steven's dad, I was able to spend a day at the Grove Park Inn Spa with Steven's aunt. I had never had a "spa day" and it had been a few years since I had a massage so I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I think the highlight of Steven's trip was just being able to spend time around the people he cares about.

One bonus of our time in Asheville was that we were able to meet up with Steven's mom and her family a few times. They recently relocated back East and were in South and North Carolina for the holidays. We both enjoyed talking with them and spending time together, as well as meeting some friends of theirs. Who knows whether it will be baseball, the Packers, or a holiday that will bring us together again but we look forward to it!

Amidst all of the hustle and bustle was New Year's Eve. Earlier in our trip we saw the movie "New Year's Eve" and it made me think a little differently about my resolutions this year. Of course I have the standard type (give up drinking soda) but this year I also wanted to make one that would lead to bigger and better things. The movie says New Year's is all about getting another chance, "a chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more." Everything we had heard at PAO resonated and it was clear that making the most of that chance must be my resolution.

In less than a month we will pack up and head to Arizona for another baseball season. From there, only God knows what will happen. Being the planner/organizer/maniac that I am, it worries me. However, I am learning that worry is useless and instead, I am resolving to make the most of whatever chances come my way. I look forward to embracing whatever we are confronted with and seeing it as a chance to make this year the best yet!