I was going to give you more goodness on the kids bath, but I feel like I need to write this for myself right now.
The monthly challenge for December was Celebrate. Besides our gift guides and our Christmas wish to you, there were no holiday posts around Wills Casa this year. Mainly because well I did not decorate. Before you start thinking I’m a scrooge, I really thought we would be in the house before Christmas/the end of December. There didn’t seem much of a point to decorate while in the middle of a move.
We got some punch you in the gut news today that I will share eventually. I sat down to drown my sorrows with blogs and chocolate since nursing has taken the possibility of drinking my sorrows away. (Wills Casa does not endorse this type of behavior and can’t be held accountable for anyone’s poor choices…even their own.) I read Katja’s post. After the wave of self pity over the current situation subsided (a little), I realized I have a lot to celebrate.
Prep yourself for some deep thoughts from Amber Wills… (aka my personal reminder why life is wonderful in spite of chaos)
These two. I adore my kids and love them an incredibly scary amount. It really is like having your heart walk around outside your body. (Don’t know who said that first but they were a genius.)
Y’all I will be married to Nick for 10 years in May. A decade of marriage. I’m still crazy in love with him. Insert all love cliches here then multiple by infinity and add one just because that still won’t even begin to describe my feelings about this man. Plus he is an incredible father. How did I get so lucky?
If I was being humorous, I would say I celebrate being able to see my forehead. 2014 might be the year I let my bangs grow out. However I’m going to be serious, so I celebrate our closest friends. Jamie (and Pete too why not) knows all my crazy (yes it’s so bad it’s a noun in and of itself) and still likes me. I can’t tell you how much Nick and I rely on them to pretty much make up for all we lack which is more than we like to admit.
Eric and Laurie Parker who have been friends with Nick for 15 years (yikes we aren’t even 30 yet) are such incredible friends and a constant encouragement to us. We are so blessed to have thoughtful and compassionate people in our lives.
The best picture I have to illustration another reason to celebrate is me resting my pregnant self in San Francisco for Alt. My blog friends. Whether I’ve met them in person like Jessica, Court, and Lani. Or just stalk them lovingly – Katja, Kenz, Cassie, Michelle, Kim, Caitlin, Julia, Gretchen, Kelly, Kristin, Anu, Caroline, Emma, and many MANY more.
I’m so thankful for these friendships. It’s amazing to be able to connect to people who share your interests, have such different styles, and are just plain hilarious. Thank you friends, blogs, and internet in general.
So despite my urge to let yesterday’s news drag me into a pit of depression, I’m glad I took time to count all the reasons I have to celebrate. There is a constant good in life regardless of stressful situations. I can’t forget the primary reason I have to celebrate, and it’s a big one.
Happy New Year! I’m off to wallow a little less about everything.
I like that you turned bad news into a positive post! We could all learn a thing or two from you!
Aw thanks May! I really had to do it for my sanity!
aaaw, what a sweet post, amber! you do have so much to be thankful for! i am in the middle of growing out my bangs but thinking of chopping them again already…. i just can’t decide!
Haha don’t tell me that! I want to remain blissfully ignorant on how annoying it is to grow bangs out. It’s been awhile since I’ve had to do it!
Happy New Year Amber!! You have had a beautiful year and the wait on the house will be sooo worth it! xo Kristin
Thanks! Happy New Year Kristin!
I’m thankful for the blog friendships too and hope we can meet in person one day!
Congrats on soon being married for 10 years. Our anniversary is in May too and we will hit the 16 mark, yikes!
We definitely need to figure out a way to meet in person. Maybe a destination blogger vacation on the beach or something! Congrats on 16 years! I bet it doesn’t feel like it was that long ago! I know it doesn’t for me!
You are so damn beautiful inside and out!
I’m SO sorry you’re dealing with something not so great. HUGE e-hugs to you and Nick and those adorable littles. So thankful to know you. Happy New Year!
Thanks Jessica! You are so sweet! Hugs back! Happy New Year!
Wonderful to remind ourselves of our blessings in times of stress, so good for you and I hope that better things can outweigh the bad.
Good luck on the bangs. Be sure to keep us up to date on that. And I think I get to meet you in person Sunday, right? I’m looking forward to that!
Yes! We do get to meet on Sunday! I’m so excited for it! I figured we would meet at a craft show before now, but meeting at a party is much better since there will be cake!
This is a lovely post (and I’m sorry about whatever the bad news was!) I think the last time I had bangs was when I was 14….curse my round, bang-unfriendly face!
Thank you Gretchen! I just keep telling myself it could be worse. (I’m having a hard time believing it at this point though.)
I feel like my face is really too round and chubby for bangs! Also I hate having to fix them every morning!
Leave the bangs! They look so good on you
I wish I had the guts to cut bangs again, but they are too big of a commitment for me because I don’t trust myself to trim them and I know I wouldn’t make it into the hair salon often enough so they would forever be in my eyes. I learned that from experience a few years ago.
looking at the bright side of things is always hard, so mad props, friend! I hope you have a good weekend. I’m glad we were able to meet in 2013. It was definitely a highlight of the year for me 
I’m sorry to hear you received bad news about the house
Haha meeting us and getting married I mean what else does one need from a year!
I’m the worst at trimming my bangs. Now with the 2 kids, I’m even worse at getting to the hair salon. The bangs are really losing the hair battle at the moment.
What a sweet post. My gratitude list is in the same order:) And chin up buttercup…your mansion on a hilltop is looking ah-mazing and you will be living in it before you know it!
I wonder if our boys list is the kids, us and then each other?! Wouldn’t be surprised!
Love your post Amber. I am so sorry about your bad news
I hope it is something that can be turned around for you soon!
Smooch right back at you and I really treasure our friendship as well. It is my favorite part about blogging, I think
{co-celebration of our forehead over here} 😉 Although I love your bangs too. I’m torn…
It is definitely the best thing about blogging. We’ve got a pretty good little community thing going!
I like the bangs and I hate the bangs too. It’s really annoying! Such an insignificant problem that I’m focusing on to divert my attention!
Aww shucks
I think the community we created is one of my favorite things and it keeps me motivated. I hope you’re recovering from your bad news– it can be so hard to find the good sometimes- and I’m glad you looked to the good things 
Take care
Thanks Caroline! Blogging is definitely something you have to be motivated to do. It’s so much work and even more difficult when you think no one cares! I’m so glad I found people that care and that I can support as well!
Your blog is so cute, I’m so glad I stumbled upon it. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Thanks so much Sam! Glad you found us too! Happy New Year to you as well!
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