2014 went by in a blur... but it was so full of life. Full of days with my puppy by my side, a new camera and all the beautiful things I got to see through its viewfinder, work that I really enjoy, becoming a dedicated Apple product user, and I made a best friend; we had an amazing International Convention in Seattle, I drank way too much coffee for my own good, had one amazing day with my mom and our dogs, second shot a wedding with my friend Bre, had the pleasure of being Poopsie in our local production of The Pajama Game and helped my little sister set up her YouTube channel and Facebook page for her music. Hard to believe its over. But I'm excited for 2015 and the adventures it will bring. A new business venture, perhaps some new flooring for our house, and many more photoshoots. Welcome 2015!!
What are some of your highlights from 2014? What are you most looking forward to next year?
Are you serious? Yeah... it's almost 2015, and I sometimes still write 2013 on my checks. This is kinda crazy-pants!
But here we are...and oh what a year it's been.
I wanted to share my favorite memory from 2014. To chronicle it. To savor it. To embolden my ability to tell the stories of my life.
There wasn't anything necessarily particular about the weekend of September 20th. But I was literally diving head first into the hardest month of my life. Not to be overly dramatic, or anything. Just stating facts here. And so I needed to get out of town. Or "get out of Dodge" as they say...
So we packed up our pillows and our puppy and drove the almost 2 hours north to my parents house. Dad was away, so it was a bonus that we got to keep mom company. But there I was...in a house I used to call home with the 2 people (and 2 dogs) that love me more than anyone else in the world. My husband and my mom.
Saturday morning came easy... we slept in. Had some eggs for breakfast. And took our first cups, of what would end up being 4 pots of coffee, out to the front porch. And for the first time in a long time I smiled for real...and breathed in deep what it felt like to just be.
I didn't put a bra on that day. I remember telling people about my weekend after the fact and this was a big revelation! No bra = extreme comfort and acceptance. Is it weird that my favorite memory involves me not wearing a bra? Maybe, but this is happening.
My mom has made her front porch the epitome of home. They've hung up the porch swing my Dad made years ago from old Kingdom Hall chairs and Mom covered it with blankets and pillows. There are candles of all sorts of colors and smells on every surface. And the bouquet of flowers Dad brought home for her that week sitting next to the other bouquet she got from the dentist. But that's another story... There are two rocking chairs and a vine growing along the railing and hanging pots full of flowers. She calls it her "Porch Resort" and we even made a little sign for her to hang that day.
So we got comfy out there, sometimes just Mom and me...sometimes Chris joined us. We read and talked and slept in the warmth of the late autumn sun. Chris played music on his guitar for us, we talked about the new iPhone update and worked through the new features together.
But all day we let the dogs run loose. And this part of the weekend makes me smile the most. My parents have a mini-schnauzer named Tucker. They got him when I was 15 and he was my buddy when I lived at home. He got to sleep with me and still does whenever I visit. He is the reason I wanted a mini-schnauzer when Chris and I decided it was time to get a puppy for ourselves. We have had Gibson for 2 years now, and he lights up my days.
Tucker and Gibson had interacted once before. Tucker is kind of an old man now...set in his ways. He doesn't like strange dogs in his house with his people. So he usually gets jealous and tends to mark his territory. So we hadn't made it a habit of bringing Gibson with us when we visited. Its Tucker's house...I get it.
But this time it was a last minute trip, and we didn't have a plan. So Gibson came with us. And it turned out to be my favorite part of the weekend. Tucker and Gibson became best friends.
Tucker has a long history of running if he gets loose. He takes off and comes home 2 days later covered in yuck. He is always looking for a way out. Gibson on the other hand, loves to explore, but he always comes when he's called. It was like a revelation to Tucker. "Oh! If I don't run away and come back when I'm called I get to explore and roam around this huge yard we have?! How cool!"
And that's exactly what they did. They chased squirrels and ran out into the field and took turns chasing each other around the pond. But whenever I would call Gibson, they would both come. It was awesome. I was a super proud puppy-mom that day, and it made me happy to see Tucker enjoying his freedom too.
So, my favorite memory from 2014 was a day spent with my 2 favorite people and my 2 favorite dogs, without a bra on. Yup. Pretty much a perfect day.
Today I turn 28 years old. For some reason this one is a hard one for me. I am in my “late 20’s” now and it feels strange to say that. Is there more that I should have accomplished by now? Am I doing an okay job at being an “adult”? These are the things I’ve been thinking about as this day got closer and closer.
But I found the answer in creating this list… my list of 27 things I learned at 27. I’ve done this every year since I was 17. That’s a decade of lessons learned and chronicled. You can see a few of my other lists here.
I’m glad again for the chance to stop and look back on the past year and pull all the truths out of the trials. To see that I did grow and learn and change and become a better person and step into being the adult version of myself, even though it feels strange.
So here is my list for this year…
My favorite part of driving a bright yellow VW Bug is everyone else who sees it and smiles (or gives their friend a “slug-bug”).
I am blessed to be part of a fabulous team of talented people at NICA and to have the chance to learn from them as we tackle projects and work together.
I am still a poet and an artist.
Jehovah always provides exactly what we need. I’ll never forget my hands shaking so badly as I tried to unwrap my new Bible and the amazing 3 days we spent at the International Convention in Seattle. #greyisthenewblack
Clothes that fit right can make you feel how you’ve always wanted to feel, and CAbi does that so well.
Something I made for a Project Life spread that I thought I’d share… its been a really rough month. I am so glad to have little Gibson as my constant companion and friend. The quote is so true of our friendship and my life with him in it.
Hopefully I’ll feel like blogging again sometime soon. There are good things to share… and that’s what this blog is about for me: celebrating the little joys in each day, even when the days are long and hard.
I read an amazing book recently about one woman’s journey through weight gain and loss. I saw myself in so much of what she said, but nothing hit me quite like this quote she included:
“Those who do not move, do not notice their chains.”
That was so true of who I was before we began this journey. I was “content” and “happy with myself” because I didn’t know any different. I just was, and wasn’t moving. I was stagnant in so many ways, physically and emotionally. And because I didn’t “move” I didn’t feel how tied down I was…I didn’t notice my chains.
But looking back on myself at that point from this point…oh man! I was completely a prisoner to the food I was eating and the lifestyle I was leading. Bad choices, and too large of portions, and drinking pop, and sneaking treats, and eating whole loaves of bread in a day. I didn’t see those things as holding me down…I thought that meant I was in control. But things were out of control and I was completely captive to it. I was being held by invisible chains.
And then something clicked in my head and as we started to make changes, drastic ones, I could really see and feel those chains that were holding me down. And I wanted to bust free! And so we’ve been working hard together as a couple to bust free of our chains.
In preparation for this Transformation Tuesday post Chris and I went to our favorite photography spot and recreated some pictures from when we were at our heaviest. The wind was blowing like crazy, so don’t mind my hair!
Images on the left are from October of 2011. Images on the right are from March 16, 2014.
I am truly blown away by these pictures. Our clothes are just hanging off of us. We have really come a long way these last few months, and I think you can see it in our faces. We feel freer… we are freer! We’ve still got more work to do… weight to drop and muscle to build, but the changes we’ve made have been internal and external and monumental.
I have been doing some shifting within my creative space/studio/office lately and its been quite a journey. Finding lots of old treasures and papers and things. Like boxes full of letters from pen pals I had growing up.
And my artwork from high school. I still just love these so much. I’m glad I’m a memory keeper (read: hoarder) and can go back through things like this.
The mountain on the left is an oil painting. Oils were always my favorite medium. I think that has a lot to do with my grandmother and my mom’s paintings. The iris on the right is done in watercolor. There was a hill by my high school that would just be covered in these flowers. I love them. And this isn’t the worst watercolor I’ve ever done...I wish I could have really learned how to use watercolors well. Maybe its something I’ll put on my to-do list for a future time.
Left side is a dahlia painted in acrylics. We had our classroom full of these flowers during this lesson. I have very fond memories of my art teacher, Mr. Brown and our classroom. So many fond memories and unique projects. Like my self-portrait clay statue with moose antlers. Ha! On the right is a self-portrait done in pastels. I love how the face turned out, but I must have really exaggerated my scoliosis. Look at that shoulder! haha!
Its been fun going through all my memory boxes and and collections. I’ve really come to realize that celebrating the everyday is something I’ve always been drawn to, and saving things lets me relive those amazing moments.
So enjoy some high school art of mine…and I’ll be over here enjoying my desk by the window now. The light makes all the difference.
What was your favorite thing about high school? Are you a saver or do you throw everything away? Please share in the comments below.
I recently fell down the rabbit hole online (through Pinterest, of course!) and came across this really great meme called Now & Then. Some of the ones I saw were srslyliz, bedsidesign, and fernaly. I thought I was a super cute way to look back and see how some things change and some things stay the same… and might give you a little bit of insight into my personality.
Here is my take on Now & Then. I thought back about 10-12 years ago when I was 16/17.
Some of the things that stayed the same…obviously my attraction to Christian Bale (from Little Women to Batman!), trying different things with my hair, my love of music and watching shows about families, music and spies.
Things that are different…the way I approach each day has changed, and I also don’t have time to read my Nancy Drew books much anymore. My perspectives and priorities have matured a bit I think. But that comes with getting older.
Such a fun way to look back, right?!
Did you learn something you didn’t know about me? Try this post idea yourself and share your link in the comments. I’d love to see your Now & Then too!
It’s hard to believe that Gibson has been a part of our lives for a whole year. We brought him home on a Saturday afternoon last January 19th. My parents gave us some money (as an early anniversary present) to be able to get Gibson after we’d went to meet him earlier in the week. I knew that I’d wanted a Mini Schnauzer for a long time…my parents have one named Tucker, and he was a huge part of my teenage years. He still loves it when I come to visit because he gets to sleep on the bed with me. I love that these dogs don’t shed and I enjoy their playful spirits and personalities.
And our Gibson has been no exception. He’s been such a joy to have in our lives and he’s been a constant source of joy for me. There were some hard parts in the beginning (the usual training a puppy part) but it has been so worth it. I just love this little guy.
I wanted to share some of my favorite pictures of him from this last year. I might be a bit biased, but I think he’s just the cutest!
Here are some from the day we met him, when we brought him home and after his very first big-boy hair cut.
We bought Cesar’s “How to raise the perfect dog” book and I think we learned a lot from it. We got a good schedule down for walks and bedtime and spent a lot of time with our puppy. He loves riding in the car. We took him for a couple long Russian service days and he loves to go with me when I get coffee or rent a movie. He rides either on my lap or with his head on my shoulder so he can see out the front window. Everyone knows him, says hi and gives him cookies.
Gibson also went through this stage where he would sit right on our shoulders. We called him our Parrot Dog. He’s too big now, but I still crack up when I think back on it. I love him when his hair is long and shaggy cuz he looks like more of a puppy…but after he’s groomed he looks like an old man. Still those soulful eyes though. I just love this pup.
And now at a year old Gibson is 15lbs. He recently had the dreaded surgery, but he did really good. He didn’t have to have the “cone of shame” and didn’t lick his stitches much at all. I was pretty proud of him. While he was there the vet also removed what was left of his baby teeth…which was surprisingly most of them. The vet said he’d never seen a puppy with two sets of back molars in at the same time. We used to call him the land shark because he had two sets of teeth.
My favorite thing is when I’m working in my office and he just comes to sit with me. And how happy he gets when I come home. He likes to tell me all about his day. He loves popcorn and tomatoes and any paper products he can get his hands on. He really enjoys having Chris’ parents and their dog Razy living with us. He has a constant play mate and someone always giving him attention. Chris’ mom made him that adorable winter coat. Gibson got his first full Schnauzer hair cut at the groomers in December. Now that the hair has grown out quite a bit I think it looks like he’s wearing a fuzzy sweater backwards. Time to go back I guess. He gets his hair done as much as I do.
I call him “Little One” and “Buppy” (short for baby puppy) and “Booger.” He’s become a really big part of my life and he brings me a lot of smiles and comfort and companionship. I think getting Gibson was one of the best choices we made. He’s been the perfect addition to our little family.
Happy Puppy Anniversary to us!!
Does your family have a pet? What joys does your pet bring you?
This year has been so full… full of puppy kisses and baby snuggles, lots of time at the theater, new cars and new Bibles, road trips and adventures, a new language and celebrated anniversaries, a weight loss journey and a couple new entries into my Hair Diaries. Thank you 2013 for the joys, the lessons, the struggles and the blessings. And welcome 2014…we’re so ready for you!
What are some of your highlights from 2013? What are you most looking forward to next year?
Hi guys…long time no blog, right?! I’m not going to apologize or make excuses, just say Hi, and nice to see you!
I am so excited about something new and I just had to share. I was invited to a CAbi party by my friend Marta 3 weeks ago. It was my first CAbi experience and I really had no idea what was going to happen. I knew it was clothes, but once I got to the party location I realized it was so much more. The group of ladies who got together were shown a whole season’s worth of clothes and then we got to try them all on! Super cool.
It was actually a really huge moment for me… I have lost over 60 lbs these last few months, and to go to a clothes party with my friends, try on sizes of clothes I’ve never fit into before, look and, more importantly, feel amazing… I was overwhelmed with excitement and happiness. Toni, the CAbi consultant was truly a gem and gave me a moment I’ll never forget that night. Pretty powerful stuff. Of course I wasn’t going to buy everything I fit into (even though I wanted to!) but I was drawn to some key, super cool pieces.
One of those pieces is their Multi-topper. To look at it, it seems kind of like a poncho with sleeves. But there are multiple, innovative ways to wear this garment. It can be a shirt, a sweater, a scarf, a skirt or whatever you can come up with. I just had to have one of these. So I ordered it and got it last Thursday. I literally have wore it every day in a different way since! I’ve been posting to instagram, but just wanted to share here too.
I already worn it as a sweater, a long duster jacket, a dress, a shawl sweater, a halter top, a cowl-neck sweater and a scarf. I’m pretty much in love with this thing. I’ve been having lots of fun with it and just wanted to share.
I’m hosting my own CAbi party in a couple weeks and I can’t wait to share these amazing clothes and this multi-topper with my friends.
Have you ever been to a CAbi party? What is your favorite item of clothing?
Chris took some pictures of me in our backyard and I love how they turned out. I feel like I'm seeing myself through new eyes...like I'm discovering who I am all over again. Love this journey and love this season.
Do you remember to get pictures of yourself often? Big moments and little moments can be celebrated through photography!
October is my favorite month of the year…its always been the month when I feel most like myself. I find comfort in scarfs and hot coffee and falling leaves. I love how the light changes and how the air feels. And this little quote has kind of become my mantra for the autumn season. I am so glad that its October again!
To welcome in the fall I’ve created a little “October looks good on me” download for your computer and your phone.
Life lately…yeah, I think now is a good time for a post like this. My life has been crazy lately! But mostly crazy good.
I have been able to spend a ton of time with my mom this last month and its been such a treat. There were hard circumstances that brought me there but we took full advantage of the chance to visit. We talked and we painted our nails and we did mom’s hair and bought cute earrings. It was hard to be away from Chris for so many days, but a treasure to spend time with my mom. She’s such an amazing woman, and I only wish we lived closer and could spend more time together.
At the beginning of September I gave my two-week’s notice at the credit union and took the position of Project Administrator that was created for me at NICA. I have enjoyed working for NICA for almost 2 years now, and my boss and I make a really good team. We’ve got a lot of big projects in the works and she wanted me completely on board, not splitting my time between the 2 jobs. So she made me this amazing offer and I’m still a bit in shock that this is what I do now! NICA is a non-profit organization and I’m so excited to be coordinating classes, creating and curating curriculum, updating our website and staying on top of our social media campaigns, and so much more. I’m the admin for our flooring apprenticeship program and all the behind the scenes stuff for the company. There are exciting times ahead of me here where I will be able to use my creativity, my passion for people and multitasking skills to their full potential. This is my first full week, and I’m loving it already! I was with the credit union for almost a full year, and I know I will miss everyone there. I learned a lot and enjoyed being a part of such a great company. They got me flowers and a card on my last day to say goodbye. So sweet.
Chris and I are rocking our weight loss!! Chris is down 90lbs and I’m down 55lbs. It has been an amazing journey together and its brought us so much closer. I am proud of the progress we’ve made and excited for what’s to come. Being healthy feels so good!
And finally…we bought a new car!!! It’s a 2012 VW Beetle. I’ve named her Golden. Chris found her online and we drove 4 hours to get her. We got such a good deal…she has under 4000 miles, heated leather seats, Bluetooth and is sooo much fun to drive! I’ve wanted a Bug since forever…but especially since my dad gave me a toy one as a gag graduation present. I’m so glad that everything worked out and now I get to drive this darling car everyday. I love the retro styling and that the inside dash is yellow too. It just makes me smile!
So there are some of the things in my life lately. I’m feeling eager for autumn and getting settled into all these new changes, but I’m happy. Really, really happy. Grateful for the big things and all the everyday little things too. Like Thomas Hammer coffee when I was visiting my mom, and being able to go on a long drive with my dad and just talk; taking Gibson with me to work everyday and seeing my husband reach his goals. And wearing size 14 pants again! Man that feels good!
What’s new with you?
#blogtember
Day 15 Prompt: A ‘life lately’ post. What you’re up to and how you’re feeling.
How is it already the 11th of July? Seriously?? This year is just flying by and I’m hanging on as best as I can. So much going on…working lots, visiting friends and family, creating lots, taking pictures, editing pictures, trying to sleep sometimes in the middle of all of that. But life is fun. Gibson is doing great. We’ve got him potty trained now and on a schedule. We just have to work on the barking when people come to the house. Man does that dog have a set of pipes on him. Hehe.
My favorite way to share all that’s been going on? Instagram of course…here are some of my favorite shots from recent weeks.
1) Gibson with his fresh hair cut and new big boy collar. 2) Wearing a scarf as a headband and loving it! 3) The night when I put all of our forks in the dishwasher right before dinner. We almost ate dinner with a serving fork and a little seafood fork. 4) Roses in the neighborhood on my walk with Gibson. 5) A lovely visit with my mom and dad. 6) I am loving mangos recently!
So what’s new with you? What have you been up to? How is your summer going so far?
There is something so special, so magical about summertime. It is full of iced coffee and driving with the windows down, and staying up late with the sun…having bon fires, trips to the lake, and being adventurous. It holds some of my favorite memories, and I want this summer to have that same kind of feel. That same kind of celebration.
So, I’m participating in my friend Kara’s “Summer of Love” art journaling and photography class to kick-start the summer season and savor each passing moment. She is a killer teacher and I am so looking forward to the journaling prompts and the night photography techniques she’ll be teaching.
The live class starts July 1st (yay!), but you can begin the e-course at any time because you access a blog site where all the content will be uploaded and stored and the students get a PDF of the content after the class. I could see this becoming a summer tradition…
Doesn’t this sound like a great way to welcome in the summer? I am excited to start and would love to have one of you readers join me too. Kara is letting me give away a registration to the course and bring you along with me on this fun little journey.
Just leave a comment below with your email and what you love most about the summertime to be entered to win. But, if you don’t want to wait and would like to begin tomorrow, you can do that too here. I’m sure Kara wouldn’t mind. Hehe.
Leave a comment below with your email and what you love the most about summertime to be entered to win registration to Kara’s “Summer of Love” e-course. Winner will be selected on Wednesday July 3rd and announced on the 4th.
I have had a some really great ones lately…days that make me smile so hard my cheeks hurt and pray in thanks of the wonderful ways that God makes things happen.
I am grateful for goose bump moments and connections that you never thought you’d make. For phone calls that change the momentum and direction of life and bring everything into perspective. For visits with family and generous gifts that make a hard thing a little bit easier. And for new glasses….they’re not ‘rose-colored’ but things sure do look brighter as I look through them.
Incredible opera productions are making me happy, and time spent with friends, and the beginning of spring, and eating amazing food, and coming home to a little bit of a lawn started in the backyard. I love grandma’s that bring little puppies new toys and work opportunities that speak to my heart. I savor the chance the slow down and take it all in for just a moment and write about it…these days that make me smile, and…
Is waking up and taking care of this guy. Gibson has been with us for 2 months now, and they have been full of fun, joy, training, carpet cleaning, frustration, lots of chewing, puppy kisses and life! He’s made our life better; that much I know for sure.
I’m pretty much a really proud puppy mama. He is teaching me as much as he is learning from me, and I think that makes for a good lifelong friendship.
We got a puppy!! Chris and I have been talking about getting a puppy for awhile. After everything that transpired with the puppy we used to have, Spencer, we knew we wanted our situation to be just right before we moved forward with finding the dog for us. And everything came together this week!
Chris found a local Miniature Schnauzer breeder who had two puppies available. We went and visited them on Thursday night and I fell in love with this little salt and pepper boy. He is so sweet, very affectionate, has the best personality and fell asleep on my chest. I couldn’t get him out of my mind. My parents were staying with us for the weekend and they helped us to make the decision, purchase him and get him comfortable in our house. It was really special to have them here for the whole process. They have a mini schnauzer named Tucker, and he has a special place in my heart and was a big reason why we went with this breed of dog.
We decided to name him Gibson…like the guitar. He is pretty stinkin’ cute!
I’m so excited to have a little one running around underfoot. He’s very playful and comical and cuddly….all the things you’d expect a puppy to be.
He’s been the best part of 2013 so far, hands down! Yay for being “puppy parents!”
I’m looking forward to sharing some good Gibson stories here on my blog. I’m sure he’ll be very entertaining, and the companion that we’ve been searching for.
Drinking…peach iced tea, but contemplating a glass of wine after the long day I had.
Watching…Downton Abbey on HULU while I work.
Wearing…very soft pj’s that my mom gave me and my slippers. Pretty cozy!
Reading…the Bible book of Ruth for my daily bible reading and I have a few books from the library that I’m deciding if I really want to read them.
Weather…has been extremely cold the last few days here. Icy roads and parking lots, but they say its supposed to be 30 degrees again by the weekend, and that’s an improvement!
Wanting…to complete my blog posts about my One Little Word. I have a summary of how flourish was a huge part of 2012 and another post introducing my word for 2013. I’m excited to share.
Thinking… about blog design and coding. Its taken over every spare spot in my brain lately. I wish I could get over this hump of learning and just know how to do what I want to do.
Wishing… for the Seafoam edition of Project Life to be available on Amazon soon. I am going to try it this year, and I think that color story that Elise designed is just perfect.
Feeling… anxious for a new hair cut. I’m in love with Becki of Whippy Cake’s hair. I’ve been stalking her instagram for styling ideas and I’m hoping Hannah and I can get together soon to make it happen.
Deciding…what color to pain the big wall in our house. We have a few swatches taped up, and I think we’ve agreed on the one that we’ll choose. Looking forward to doing some more decorating and making our house a home.
Enjoying… my job. I have so much fun and feel fulfilled in my work, even on long days like this.
Loving…my husband. I’m such a lucky girl to have that guy in my life.
What are you up to currently? Link me to your blog so I can see how you’ve been!
It is really the end of the year…the last couple days of the last month of 2012. Whew! What a journey of unraveling and putting bits back together…a convergence of new life lessons and milestones…and growing older in all the right ways. Its been a great year…and I thought to finish it out right I’d share some of my favorite things and moments and treasures with you.
1. Becoming an Auntie to my nephew Emerson and watching him grow up through text message pictures and videos and a couplevisits.
2. Getting hired at Horizon Credit Union. Read the story of how it all came together here, thoughts on my first day here, and my week of training here.
3. My 12 favorite songs of 2012: “Figure 8” by Ellie Goulding, “King and Lionheart” by Of Monsters and Men, the entire “Red” album by Taylor Swift, “Home” by Phillip Phillips, “Call Me Maybe” cover by Ben Howard, “This Is the New Year” by Ian Axel, “Hanging On” by Britt Nicole, “Somebody That I Used to Know” cover by Walk Off The Earth, “Its Time” by Imagine Dragons, “As It Seems” by Lily Kershaw, “Poison & Wine” by The Civil Wars, “Be Mine” by Robyn, “Xyz” by Jack and White.
4. Rebranding my blog to shadylaneblog.com and the month-long blog party all about celebrating the everyday. I had some amazing guest bloggers share their thoughts on the topic. And from then on this blog focused on cherishing the little things and remembering that even though “every day might not be good, but there is something good in every day.”
5. All of my Hair Diaries and experiments this year.
6. Riding the elephant at the fair! Total highlight of the year and my life!
7. Celebrating our 5th Wedding Anniversary and sharing our love story together on my blog. It was so much fun to write together and share with all of you. I am so grateful for Chris and the love he’s brought into my life. Our relationship flourished this year and I hope it continues to grow even more.
8. Instagram for Android!!! I loved seeing the world through those little filtered squares this year and I hope to keep taking and sharing pictures with this platform. It’s a fun way to celebrate the little everyday things.
9. Visits with family. I was a bad blogger and didn’t really take many pictures of this, but this year we had quite a few visits with our families. My papa and his new wife came to stay with us, we went to Whidbey Island and saw Chris’ grandparents and were there for their 65th wedding anniversary. My Canadian family came and spent a couple nights with us and we spent a lot of time singing and playing music together. My mum stayed with us a few times and so did my sister Megan and her husband. It was something I really enjoyed about 2012 and it made me really happy that we have a guest room in our home to share.
10. Starting our journey of learning Russian! We joined the Russian group in our congregation in May of this year and slowly but surely we’re learning the language. It is an exciting time in the history of Jehovah’s people to be involved in a foreign language group. We can’t wait to see where it will lead and what other doors it might open to us.
11. Learning and growing with my blog designing. I got to meet some really amazing ladies and design for some friends this year. I am hoping to continue to grow my skills and my business with blog design.
12. Getting answers about my health. I got sick at the end of 2011 and throughout 2012 I went through lots of ups and downs trying to figure out what it was and then how to get it under control. I was diagnosed with IBS and was able to see a specialist and got the tools I need to continue forward in as much control of it as possible. Getting sick and going through this process has taught me a lot…I’ve learned humility and to rely on Chris even more. It brought us closer together. I am glad to be on the road to health again, and hopefully feeling even more like my self again soon.
It has been quite a year…and I am so excited to welcome in 2013 and see what it brings us.
