How I De-Stress & Relax

During the holiday season schedules can get CRAZY. This December seems extra busy with many holiday parties all crammed in to about two weeks. When I start to feel overwhelmed I try to stop, relax and figure out how we can through the week without losing our minds and still have family couch/tv time. Our couch time is VERY important to us. ;)

The first on my to-do list was to get us a bit healthier. So I bought daily multi-vitamins. This makes sure we get all of the vitamins and minerals we need!

I love fresh juice. Juice Press is my all time favorite. I usually try and get a green juice or smoothie at least once a week during the hectic holidays to try and combat all of the germs going around on the subway. No one likes being sick during the holidays.

With parties comes lack of sleep. I love sleeping and need a lot of it, so this is a big one for me. We really try hard to sleep in on the weekends (9am is late nowadays) just to catch up from the work week. If I know we have a big night out ahead of us I'll get in to bed around 8:30pm the night before - read and turn off the light by 9pm. I know, I know... I'm a grandma... But I need my sleep! Sleeping is also when your body can fight off all of those germs!

I'll also try and get to a yoga class. A relaxed mind and body will do wonders for your spirit and your health. The last thing anyone wants to be is grumpy around the holidays. A little sweat will get your endorphins going and help burn off all of those Christmas cookies!


How do you relax and de-stress?


Thanks for reading,

Give Everything, Expect Nothing

During our wedding ceremony our priest wisely said - Give everything and expect nothing throughout your marriage.
That statement has stuck with me and I try to remember it daily as Ryan and I navigate this life of ours together. I very easily get in Catie mode and forget that Ryan and I are partners. We need to help one another - we're a team. I need to lift him up as much as he lifts me up and supports me.

Even the smallest things like washing the dishes or putting away my clothes adds up and makes him happier, which in turn makes our relationship better. And our home looks neat and organized (post coming on that soon). I also need to learn that just because I do clean the dishes does not mean I get some points in the Catie column. It just means I'm helping out.

Let's say it together - give everything and expect nothing.
My goal each day should be to make Ryan and myself happy. That's a pretty easy goal, right?

So as we come in to our fourth month of being married let's hope I get better and better at being a partner. Everyone has something they need to work on. Mine just might be cleaning...

Thanks for reading,

Getting in the Holiday Spirit

One thing Ryan and I both agree on is how much we love Christmas. We are always so excited to go and pick out our Christmas tree and get it up and decorated. Since I always go home to Oregon for Christmas, Ryan and I celebrate Christmas early.

So, we always like to get the tree early so we can enjoy it before I head to the West Coast.

Since our new apartment has taller ceilings, we opted for a bigger tree... Making maneuvering in and out of the elevator - and down the hallway a bit difficult. Doesn't Ryan look happy?!

Every year we also make the piece they cut off the bottom of the tree into an ornament. This year's ornament is extra special. 

I take tree decorating seriously. I like to make sure the tree is full of beautiful, colorful ornaments that we love. Sometimes I try and hide my not-so-favorite ornaments in the back and Ryan calls me out and moves them to the front... Just another example of me needing to relax and go with the flow :)

We found these two little foxes at HomeGoods over the weekend. The Red Fox is the mascot of the college we both went to so we just had to get them. I think they're just too cute and basically make the tree!

Ryan helped by enjoying his tea and biscotti. And looking festive.

Bailey helped by sleeping and looking just as cute as can be...

Did you decorate your tree this past weekend?

What's your favorite part of the holiday season?

Thanks for reading,