.These days.

These days, it's always a bit of a chase.  

But you know what?  

She has me laughing the whole day through.

Day 1- Is it too early to cry?

Introducing the dissertation depression series...

Data analysis day 1- Is it too early to cry?  

Because I think that might make me feel better.  In the first few hours of sitting down with this raw data (after much procrastination), I've already used three lifelines- my finance-minded husband, an intelligent member of my cohort, and a brilliantly respected committee member.

Still, nothing makes sense.  I'm pretty sure I took all those research and stats classes that are supposed to be an aid in this process.

This new series probably should have started about a year and a half ago when this process began.  I think I've been in a constant loop of most the stages of grief: the denial, bargaining, anger, and depression.  Now I'm learning to accept it.  

Baptism by fire my friends.

Picture source: matchbookmag.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

It's a...

Dylan is going to have a little sister!!  

G is going to be outnumbered, in the most fun way.
We are so excited for you baby girl Tyler.

P.S. Pictures inspired by James's adorable family series, What We Wore.

Sometimes, I wonder if life is always going to be so hard.

.I need your help!!

I need your opinions about social networking, and I know there are plenty!

If you are between the ages of 19-33, please take the survey below for my dissertation research on social networking's influence on users' psychological and social wellbeing.

Feel welcome to share this with others as well. 

https://auburn.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_b3GD6dB0Fg4lLi4

Thank you!!

P.S. This picture is unrelated.  Just wanted to share as well :)

.Winter play.

  Even though the temperature has finally dropped, we still try to get this family some fresh air.  I cherish the few hours taken out of our busy schedules to have a simple picnic in the park or just play outside, because we know all too well how fast it always seems to fly by.

* 18 week bump!

.Welcome to Boston + Happy new year.

We spent the afternoon of Christmas Eve in Boston, and in that brief time we were blown away.  In this first visit, Boston seemed to possess some of our favorite qualities of other places we've visited and loved, and we quickly got caught up in the charm.

Also, Happy New Year! 

My big resolution for this year aside from the classics (i.e. read more, work more intentionally on my spiritual relationship, be more present with my loved ones) is to be more proactive.  I can easily avoid alot of my stress by simply taking initiative instead of always being reactive to my circumstances.  This will involve alot of planning and preparation I usually put off, but I think my mind and patience will thank me for it in the long run.

Any resolutions you're really pumped about?

New York, New York

We've been to NYC several times, but one of the beautiful things about this city is that every time, there's a discovery to be had.  Whether its the views from the top of the Empire State Building, or walks through a different part of Central Park, or trying a new amazing Indian restaurant in Manhattan.  But then, there's also the tried and true favorites like the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, and stuffing your face at a hotdog stand, or the stunning architecture of the Upper East Side, and you understand why people so quickly fall in love with the spirit of the city.

Happy New Year's Eve!  

Hope you all get to spend this exciting evening with the people you love.

.Taking a holiday.

We are back from our Christmas travels and mostly in one piece. We had a wonderful holiday and were even lucky enough to enjoy a white Christmas!  My mom and her husband were great hosts and carried us all over New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts to maximize the few days we were there.

Mystic, Connecticut was this adorably quaint town where we had a warm lunch on the water at S&P Oyster Co. and walked downtown window shopping.  And let me just say, I don't know how you Northern mamas do it.  Dylan would not keep on any of her winter gear no matter how hard we tried; I'm both shocked and relieved that she didn't get frostbite in those conditions.   

New England you sure are pretty, but I think I'll keep my southern winters around for awhile.