Monday, January 4, 2016

16 Things I'm Excited for in 2016

Every year for the last five years or so, I've grabbed a post it note and listed out what I was looking forward to in the new year. Things that I was excited about and hoping for and striving for. Things I was dreaming of and praying for and giddy about. The number of items always matched the year: 11 in 2011, 12 in 2012, and so on. I've kept these little sticky notes in a tub on my desk at school. It's fun to look back and read how I was so excited to graduate and get a job in 2011, or how I couldn't wait to become a wife and buy a home in 2013. Every year, I stop to look ahead with eager anticipation and with great thankfulness for all that awaits. Year by year, life has been an adventure, and I'm so excited to see what 2016 will bring. 

And so, without further ado, here are sixteen things I'm looking forward to and dreaming of in 2016! 


1. Greece

I still can't believe that I'll be spending part of July in the most gorgeous place. Can't wait!

2. YoungLife Camp at Crooked Creek

Every year at YL camp is a good one, but this one will be especially good. I spent a week at Crooked Camp the summer after my Junior year of High School, and it's sooo beautiful. Can't wait to be back as a leader.

3. Spring Break Trip to the Northeast

I just realized that my top four "things" are all trips...Aaron and I have travel fever right now! We are making rounds around the nation as we snap state pics and cross them off our list. We've already navigated the Southeast and Southwest, so this year we'll be navigating through the Northeast! We'll be hitting Baltimore, Boston, New York City, and more!

4. Valentine's in Vegas

We didn't travel for the New Year like we normally do, so this year we have a little bonus trip in February! I'll be spending a long weekend in Vegas with my Valentine and some of our very dear friends and favorite baby.

5. Being tenured! 

How is it already the second semester of my 5th year of teaching? Time flies for sure. At the end of this year, I'll officially be district tenured and somewhat of a veteran in my mind ha. I'll still learning, and always will be.

6. New Campaigner Groups

We're trying something new with Campaigners this spring, and I'm excited to spend committed time in the Word with some really sweet girls. Should be an awesome time.

7.  Celebrating Three Years of Marriage

June 15th of 2016 will be our third anniversary. Safe to safe I'm still head over heels for my hubby, and we've had an absolute blast being married and having slumber parties every night.

All Photos: Lacey Rene Studios

8.  Buying a New Car? 

This one is a bit of a wild card...but there is a pretty good chance that this may be the year that we bite the bullet and buy a new (to us) car. Some of this is dependent upon number nine (see below), but we are over 238,000 miles on my car and Aaron's truck isn't always super dependable. We shall see!

9.  Getting the Companion Pass (Fingers Crossed)

Aaron and I love our Southwest Rapid Rewards Card! This year we are hoping to successfully earn a companion pass, which means we would have a ton of Southwest Points and I would be able to fly free as Aaron's companion for what's left of 2016 and all of the next year. Buying a car could help us reach this goal...so we're keeping that in mind.

10.  My Baby Brother Turning 21

It's crazy that my youngest brother will turn 21 in November! Mainly, I'm just excited for the whole fam to be able to go to a Casino, Vegas, or dance the night away at Neon Wild!

11. Loving Others Well

This is one thing that I'm really focusing on this year- striving to love others well and to put their needs before my own. To love them when they haven't done anything to earn it, and even if they don't love me in return. I want to continue to work on putting myself behind others, and to show them the love of Christ (which is a part of my blog tagline).

12. Growing in My Faith

The last few months have been hard for me when it comes to quiet times. I've committing to a more dedicated schedule and an effort to keep what is most important truly most important- my faith. There is always room to grow, and this phase of my life is both wonderful and confusing, so I'm excited to see what the Lord does in me.

13. Continuing Home Updates and Decor

After finishing up the dining room project in the next week, I'm excited to keep working through different rooms of our house, including our outdoor shed and fence. I feel like I'm kind of getting in my groove when it comes to decorating, and I really know what I like and what my desired "style" is.


14. Fun Times with Dear Friends

Aaron and I are blessed with lots of wonderful friends, and we are excited to continue to share life with them and to build lots of new fun memories. We are very grateful for their presence in our lives.

15. Year Two of Currently, Kelsie 

Hard to believe that the one year of anniversary of this blog is coming up fast. I'm excited to see where this blog goes, maybe decide on a more specific niche, or what direction I want to take with it. Thanks for coming along!


16. Following God's Will

At this point in our lives, there are a lot of unknowns and up in the air decisions. It is exciting to think and dream about the future, to wonder how it will all turn out, and to make decisions that we feel the Lord is calling us to. It's both scary and exciting, but we know that it will be an incredible adventure and we trust His direction for our lives. After all, He's the one who is really in control anyways!

Happy New Year to you all! I hope you have 16+ wonderful things you're looking forward to in 2016.

Currently,
Kelsie

I'm linking up with  A. Liz AdventuresMotivational Monday, Modest Mom BlogMe, Coffee, and JesusWhat Joy is MineThe Diary of a Real HousewifeUniquely UnfoldedGrace and Love BlogGrace and Truth, Running for CupcakesMomfessionals, Life in Leggings, Tell it to Me TuesdayBliss and Faith, Raising Fairies and KnightsSweet Little OnesTestimony TuesdayIntentional TuesdayThe Painted TeacupTwinkly Tuesday, Sitting Among FriendsWomen with Intention, Waiting on WednesdayQuintessential MommyMessy Marriage, and DIY Just Cuz. 

95 comments:

  1. Sounds like 2016 is going to be a full year for you!

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    1. It is going to be so awesome! Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. What a fun list, Kelsie!

    You have quite a year in front of you, and I can't wait to read about these events!

    You have inspired me to make a list of my own.

    Found your post today on Modest Mom. Always glad to be "parked" by you!

    Hope you have a blessed day~
    Melanie

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    1. Thank you, Melanie! I'm definitely so excited for all that is to come, and I'm excited that you were inspired to write your own. Can't wait to see it :) Have a wonderful day!

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  3. I feel like the most fun part would be to look back at past years and see what you were excited for! You have so much to look forward to in 2016 in all different aspects of you life - how exciting! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you on the new car & the companion pass ;) I mean who doesn't want to fly for free?!! ~Mattie www.mattiesmakings.com

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    1. It is so so fun! I literally have three years stacked up right on my desk. Thanks for your good luck- flying for free (more than we already do) would be amazing!!

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  4. Kelsie! Thats a cute idea about keeping your ideas on a post it note in plain view everyday! You guys have definitely been traveling everywhere and I'm looking forward to seeing your pics of Greece {and Vegas!}.

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    1. Thanks so much, Ashlyn! We are traveling it up in this stage of life! Can't wait to share pics :)

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  5. 2016 will be a very fun and full year for you! :) God bless!

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    1. It's going to be amazing! Thanks so much for stopping by, Bonnie!

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  6. I love planning trip and adventures at the beginning of the year! It makes them so much fun to look forward to!

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    1. Me too!!! I seriously think I should have been a travel agent!

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  7. Happy New Year! I love the idea of 16 things . . . I may have to steal it :-)

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  8. We just bought our first new car together and love it! Our cars weren't dependable and we were dumping money into them. It's such a huge peace of mind.

    www.carrylovedesigns.com/blog

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    1. That's so awesome! I'm looking forward to those days- mine is an '02 which isn't terrible, but the mileage is high!

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  9. What a great idea! I love that the number grows with the year. Looks like you have lots of fun things planned in the 2016.

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  10. Loved reading this post, Kelsie! I didn't know you were a teacher- totally awesome! I'm in education as well- school counseling. You have so many things to look forward to! GREECE and VEGAS! My oh my! Can't wait to see the pics! (I'm insanely jealous)

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    1. That is so awesome, Chelsea! We education people get each other :) I can't wait to share pics! It's going to be awesome! Can't wait to see your wedding planning and future wedding :)

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  11. I'm most excited for you and your trip to the Northeast! I was born in NH and lived there for nine years. I can't wait to go back someday! You'll LOVE Boston.

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    1. Oooh yay!! I'm really excited. I know it's not the typical beach spring vacation, but I think it will be super fun and full of adventure!

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  12. All of these are so fun! I love your heart for travel and how you guys do both big and little trips. Jordan and I have been talking for so long about getting a Southwest card and really need to get on that! And a new car? So fun and exciting. Hopefully it won't betray you like my car did ;)

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    1. Thanks so much, Lauren! We are really pumped. You should definitely get the Southwest Card- it will help a lot when you're flying back and forth to Cali with baby in tow :) Yes- I am definitely hoping our car doesn't betray us ha. Aaron is going to keep our others alive as long as possible...but some things are just inevitable. Fingers crossed!

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  13. I love #11! That is something I am working on as well! Sounds like you have an exciting year ahead!!

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    1. Thanks, Branson! That is one of my favorites too! It should be a wonderful year :)

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    1. I'm really excited HattieLu!! Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. Happy New Year, Kelsie! We are coming up on 3 years of marriage in April - married life is just the best and I'm glad you write about it and lift it up. I don't know if you've heard of our other blog (www.theaccidentalhouseblog) but as I browsed your house post it made me think to share my space too. I love internet-creeping on people's spaces! haha!

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    1. Thanks so much, Joy! That is so excited- we really love marriage a lot, and I appreciate how you life it up as well! I did look at your blog- loved the laundry post. I agree- totally an internet creeper when it comes to houses :)

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  16. It sounds like you have an exciting year ahead! If you need any suggestions for your Boston trip, I'm an expert shopper and bruncher in the area ;)

    xo,
    Katherine | Style Tab

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    1. I am so pumped!! And yes, I may be asking you for some help when we get to the details :)

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  17. Beyond jealous of Greece!
    Enjoy 2016, girl.

    xoxo, Jenny

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    1. Ahhh!! I still can't believe it is happening. Thanks, Jenny!

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  18. Amazing travel year for you, how exciting! I am such a wanderlust at heart, and wish I could travel more. I always tell my husband that our retirement plan is to build a tiny house on wheels or convert an old bus to travel all over the United States in. :) And what a creative way to bring in each year! Love seeing another sister in Christ trying to live out God's will.

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    1. We are so very excited. My hubby literally last night was saying he wanted to build a tiny house!! Too fun. Thanks so much for stopping by and for the encouragement- it means a lot!

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  19. Looks like you're going to have an exciting year ahead!

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  20. It sounds like 2016 is going to be awesome! Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary! I can't wait to se your posts about Greece in the future.

    All the Best,
    Allison | www.LiveLifeWellBlog.com

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    1. Thanks you so much, Allison- I can't wait to take pictures in Greece- I know it will be breathtaking!!

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  21. It so exciting to get to travel, I hope you have fun in all of your new adventures with your hubby!

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    1. We are beyond excited to continue adventuring together!

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  22. Kelsie, I can feel your enthusiasm! What a fun list!

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    1. Debbie, I am definitely SO SO excited! Thanks for stopping by!

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  23. What a wonderful list and a great way to start the year! It seems like you have lots to look forward to. I can't wait to hear about Greece! #TwinklyTuesday

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  24. What a fantastic list, Kelsey! Definitely a lot to look forward to! My sister will be turning 21, as well!

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    1. Thanks so much, Summer! Isn't it fun when our siblings become fun little adults? :)

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  25. so many things to be excited for in 2016 for you! Enjoy your trips and congrats on 3 years of marriage! that's wonderful :)

    stop by and chat with me ♥ http://storybookapothecary.com

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  26. Sounds like some amazing gifts God is blessing you with! I love your enthusiasm for the New Year! I especially relate to the one about following God's will (my post this week is all about that)..and I pray for all I do based on God's will! I'm so glad I found you on #IntentionalTuesday today!

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    1. We are definitely so so blessed! I can't wait to read your post. Thanks for stopping by!

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  27. I'm so jealous of your Greece trip! SO fun! What a fun full year of goodness and faith you have ahead of you :) can't wait to see how it goes.

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    1. I am so so excited- can't wait to share. Thanks for stopping by!

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  28. All that traveling sounds enjoyable! Stay safe!

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    1. We will definitely stay safe. Thanks for the well-wishes!

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  29. Congrats on the three years and also your blog's forthcoming bday! <3 And about Greece, you really make me want to book something for my summer already. <3

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    1. Thanks so much!! You should get to booking for sure :) Traveling is the best!

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  30. Wow! 2016 sounds exciting for you!! I found you from the Welcome Home Wednesday Linkup :) Have a great day Kelsie!!

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    1. It is going to be such a blast! Thanks for stopping by!

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  31. Looks like you have a very exciting year ahead! Here's to making it a great one!

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  32. So glad we were neighbors today!

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  33. I love that you are going to every state and taking a photo! what a fun thing to look back on and share those memories. This is a great way to anticipate good things for the upcoming year too! thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks, Angela! It has been really fun for us! Thanks for reading :)

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  34. What a fun year you have ahead of you!
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

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  35. So many exciting things to look forward to. Pray the year is filled with wonderful blessings and reasons for joy!

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    1. Thanks, Deb! We are so excited. My prayers are the same for you too.

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  36. so many wonderful things to come for 2016! I love posts like this :) your blog is adorable! i can't wait to follow more and so glad i found you on the linkup! hope you'll stop by mine as well!

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    1. Thanks so much, Cait! You are so sweet. I'm so glad you dropped by!

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  37. Looks like you have lot of lovely things planned for this year! Have fun!

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  38. What a great list. It sounds like you have a wonderful year planned out and have many things to look forward to. Congratulations on 3 years, that's exciting. Thank you for sharing with us at Sitting Among Friends on Wednesday. We look forward to seeing you back next week.

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    1. Thanks so much, Jaime! It is going to be a great year :)

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  39. Looks like you have a great year ahead of you. Greece is my dream vacation.
    I am a southwest companion and it's allowed me to travel so much the past few years... it's not always perfect (on standby) but I'm super grateful.

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    1. That's so awesome! I hope we are able to do it this year. Can't wait for Greece!

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  40. Such a sweet sweet list Kelsie. I hope they all come to life to their fullest.

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  41. #11 is my favorite (and I LOVE your tagline!) - thanks for sharing at Waiting on...Wednesday! Hope to see you back again tomorrow!

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  42. So many things in 2016! I hope they all work out great for you :)

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  43. Love that you make the number match the year! That's so different!
    And I am so glad you guys are trusting in God's will and direction for the future. Like you said, He is in control anyway!

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    1. Thanks, Kristin! It's super fun to do each year. I love finding comfort in the fact that the Lord is always in control!

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  44. What a wonderful list! I hear so much happiness here. - Trish

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  45. 2016 looks like a great year for you!! I would love to visit Greece. It is on my bucket list of places to visit one day. How awesome that you've been married for almost 3 years!!! Congrats!!!

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    1. I am SOOO excited for Greece! Thanks so much, we are loving married life.

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  46. My heart melted at "slumber parties every night" <3 I can't wait to have my own slumber parties every night in December! :-D and, CONGRATS on year two of blogging!

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    1. That's one of my favorite parts of being married :) Congratulations to you, and thanks for reading!

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    2. This is Exciting..Have a look!!!

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    3. My heart melted at "slumber parties every night" <3 I can't wait to have my own slumber parties every night in December! :-D and, CONGRATS on year two of blogging!

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