In addition to all of my 2014 goals, I also feel the need to majorly prioritize time with my family this year.  My younger sister, Natalie, is heading to Senegal, Africa at the beginning of March for a 2-year service with the Peace Corps.  I admire her adventurous spirit and dedication to fulfilling her goal of pursuing a once-in-a-lifetime experience in a foreign country, but I am going to miss her terribly while she is gone.  My younger brother is a Sophomore in high school and is quickly growing up: in two more years and he will be off to college pursuing his dreams as well.  I also have an amazing mother, who will soon be an empty-nester, so now is the time to take full advantage of the time we have all together.

A few days before Christmas, our family was able to visit Oak Shade Farm in Rixeyville, Virginia to pick out and chop down our own tree.  This has been a tradition of ours for the past couple of years, and I was so glad we could do it again this year!  We lucked out with some magical 70 degree weather that day, perfect for spending the day on a farm looking at trees, drinking warm cider, and cuddling with the most adorable 3-week old bunnies.

The truth is that everything is moving too fast and there’s not enough time to take it all in.  It’s these moments that I will cherish now, and forever.

Photography by Teddy Wolff

Jackietara