Good-bye 2013

Recap of previous years posts (click title to go back):

2008 Surprises

2009 Happiness

2010 Peace

2011 Change

2012 Hope

2013 Reflective

 

So, the last 2 years, we got off to a rough start. We started out 2012 with an ectopic pregnancy and 2013 with a miscarriage. Hasn't made for the easiest start of a new year. At times it was easy to feel down, feel sorry for myself or ask why not us? But I've tried to use 2013 as a year to be reflective. To be reflective on all of the blessings we've been given. And there are so, so many and 2013 brought so many happy memories.

 

Like in January, when we celebrated Jake's 4th birthday party with a fire truck party. In February, Jake started playing his first team sport, soccer, the Bush's moved in with us for a few months while their house was rebuilt and we had a fun trip down to Hattiesburg to visit my best friend Amanda. In March, Jake had his first soccer game, he spent spring break with Mimi, Granddad, Granddad Jake & Kathy in Helen, GA. Jake got his first library card and we celebrated Woody's baptism in Atlanta. In April, Jake had fun on his 2nd field trip to Baker's Farm and Robbie & I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary in Chicago. In May, Jake got to visit the Talladega racetrack with Robbie, he got to meet the Gator Boys at the fair and he got his first big boy haircut (that I'm still getting used to). Also in May, we welcomed a new little friend, Cameron. We spent Memorial Day in Seagrove Beach with our good friends from Chattanooga, the Strickland's. In June, we took Jake to his first baseball game (that he will remember!), Jake went to Covington Classical School during the summer and he took his first swim lessons. We spent the 4th of July at the beach with my family and also went to Atlanta to celebrate Woody's first birthday. In August, I had a girls weekend with my 2 best friends from college, Amanda & Stephanie in Destin, FL. We made a trip up to Chattanooga to celebrate Addie's 4th birthday and we welcomed new friends Vivi & Isabella. The month of September, we had a family vacation at the beach, we visited the space museum and celebrated Marrell's 5th birthday. Jake also started his last year of preschool (which was very sad for this momma). During the fall, Jake went to 3 Auburn football games and he loves cheering for Auburn (which is also very sad for this momma). In October, I had another girls weekend with my 2 best friends post-college, Margaret & Kimberly in Rosemary Beach, FL. (What can I say? I'm more reflective at the beach :) Also in October, Grant went to an Auburn game with Jake, Jake was Batman for Halloween (for the second year in a row) and we celebrated Robbie's 35th birthday. Baby Evan joined the Bush family in October as well. During November, Jake went on a field trip to Bud's Best Cookies, he finally got a skateboard and finally got to climb a tree. Finally came December, where I celebrated my 35th birthday, Auburn won the SEC Championship Game and gets to go to the title game (much to Robbie's happiness & to my despise). We celebrated Jake turning 5 and had an amazing Christmas.

 

2013 was a good year, and I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for us.

 

Psalms 139:1-2, 23-24 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.