A Year in Retrospect-2014

I’m not going to lie, as years go, this was one of the more challenging ones since we got married. Without going into all the details lets just say I’m glad it’s over and we can move forward to 2015. But in the midst of the challenges we had so many wonderful memories and truly have found great blessing, rich friendship, support and renewed health. (I got to say goodbye to a body part that had been bothering me for a couple years, and suddenly I want to cook again! So thankful to NOT have my gallbladder anymore ;)

I think one of the hardest parts about this past year is that it just didn’t look at all like we envisioned it when it got started last January. But that’s life right? We have to learn to roll with the punches and come out on top and I think that we did. I’m so glad for this year, because without it we couldn’t move into next year :) I’m not going to make big predictions about next year, but I think it’s going to be fabulous!

This past year I’ve been all about simplifying and that theme is just going to stretch into this year. I still have a lot of stuff to get rid of. We turned the room Jack had been sleeping in, into a craft and now music room. For Christmas we got instruments and music books so we can all start learning an instrument together! I’m really excited about that :)

Sometimes I wish my family looked as neat as this little family looks ;) The amazing thing is no matter what they do, they always look nice! I feel like I know families like this. We are certainly NOT this family, and that’s OK.

I think this is going to be a year where I’m going to get some good female bonding, with friends and our girls. Maybe not THIS many girls but you never know, some of my friends are very prolific in the girl department, some of them, not so much. ;)

And while the girls are out doing our girl things, hopefully the guys can sit around a round block of wood and “chew the fat” or whatever guys do when they get together without the women species around.  These guys are doing a really good job of keeping their hands to themselves, which means nothing will be broken when the women come home (they will also probably not be doing a whole lot of cleaning, but you can’t have everything right?)

Here’s to out with the old and in with the new! I’m ready for this new year and all of it’s unexpected turns. With a heart of renewed faith, a potty trained toddler, a garden just itching to be planted, wooden dolls wanting color, and seven beautiful children anxiously soaking up all they can learn. I have a full heart, and with anticipation I watch this canvas God has set before me, the strokes of the story of our lives together making a beautiful piece of art. My heart is full of gratitude, I have been given so much!

I hope and pray for all of you my friends that you will find renewed faith and hope in the coming year as well!