2012 in review

As 2012 closes I'm left pondering the last 12 months... the highs, the lows, and the in-betweens.

B and I celebrated our 1st anniversary in July. When I think of our first anniversary my immediate thought is "Thank GOD for prayer!" :) Yes. we struggled a bit. It's different to be married for the second time around. You kind already know what you want and... what you don't. And you've been on your own and have a little life that works just fine... for you. And then you add an opinionated and stubborn person like myself, married to another very opinionated and stubborn person like himself... well it's a good thing we both prayed through that first year!

As much as we clashed, we mashed really well too. We blended, we bent, we c.o.m.p.r.o.m.i.s.e.d (ugh!) and we still managed to wrap up the year with lots more laughs then tears! :)

The kiddos all have birthdays in the fall so that makes things a bit of a scheduling nightmare. We had three parties within 2 weeks. This mama was tired! But the kids seemed to have fun (yay!) and our place stayed intact (double yay!). We now have a 6, 11, and 14 year old. That's a bit freaky isn't it?

My baby started kindergarten this year. Kindergarten. How did that happen? The first day of school was not my favorite. Have you ever seen someone feed lions? Those lions just grab that meat and devour it... that's kinda how I felt leaving my baby this fall (he was the meat, in case you didn't get that analogy). My baby. In the school world with all those mean kids. Well... turns out after a few weeks, my baby can hold his own (let's just leave it at that!).

I celebrated my 32nd birthday in August and truth be told, it freaked me out a bit. I don't feel 32. I don't know what 32 feels like, but it's not fitting me all that well. I don't feel like I look like others who are 32 (I'm talking celebrities at this point - maybe not the best comparison!). My parents weren't/aren't real big on numbers, so I'm not going to worry about it too much.

2012 was also the year my husband finally met my parents. This was a big deal because you see... B is a city boy and I am not from the city (neither are my parents). So... I loaded up the car and headed to Canada with my three favorite pip squeaks and for 23 hours, we laughed, yelled, smelled, and ate in a tin box on wheels. It was SO fun! B joined us later (via an airplane) and met the fam. Everyone hit it off and my nightmares subsided. Yay! We got to do some stand up paddling, kayaking, swimming, hiking, eating, duck feeding, and island relaxing. Glorious! There's no place like home.

This year Mama B also moved to the area (across the street to be exact). What a blessing. I love having her here! She's fabulous. Loving, gracious, calm, patient, funny... She's just a wonderful person to have around!

I was also able to share my testimony with my sister this year and in that same arena, I've been more bold and open with my faith, my walk with Jesus and my love for Him with others as well (maybe that whole getting older thing has its perks!).

Personally, I feel like I'm growing into who God wants me to be. Sure... I'm still a full blown mess, but I'm a mess who is more grounded in her identity. Who has an opinion based on life experiences, who loves freely, who forgives easily and who's excited for another super duper exciting year!