2013 reflections

As I sit here, thinking back on this year, what a ride it has been.  Exciting, nerve-wracking, full of changes, heartbreaking, and wonderful.  A few highlights:

January

: bought and moved into our first house

February

: adopted our cherished dog, Mendon

March
: our second niece Aubrey was born

: started our adoption process

April

: celebrated 2 years of marriage with a weekend trip planned by Col to Saratoga Springs

: our roommates/good friends from college's baby Jeremiah was born

May

: Col's 26th birthday

: open house and adoption announcement

June
: paperwork and classes done, ready for home study visits with social worker

: first home study visit

July

: second home study visit
: became a waiting family for our adoption

: offered promotion at work

: Lake Placid Leathersich family vacation

August
: paid off all student loans

: our good friends Katie and Aaron got married 

: annual college friends weekend at Katie's camp

: bridesmaid dress shopping for Rach's wedding

: mom and dad moved back to Batavia

September

: met a bunch of awesome new people at our new community group for church

October

: community group and work baby showers

November
: family baby shower

: began promotion offered in July

: spent time with Deanna home from Nashville

December

: my 27th birthday

: birthday surprise day trip to Skaneateles planned by Col

: Christmas with Zack home

Overall it's been a great year, even though it contained some of the toughest months of our lives.  I am so thankful for all that we experienced in 2013 and the many big moments we were able to enjoy.  Tonight, we will celebrate quietly at home in good company (and of course with good food!).  Here's to 2014, a year full of hope as we continue our adoption journey and whatever else life brings our way!

Happy New Year 2013

Last year I wrote down a month-by-month list of things that I hoped to accomplish.  I'm not sure where it is at the moment as I stopped carrying it around in my planner a few months ago, but I do remember a lot of what I wrote down.  They were all huge life goals, with a few it's-happening-no-matter-what events sprinkled in (just so I could check something off and feel good about the passing of time).  I had them split into categories: personal, professional, spiritual, and there was possibly a fourth.  Some were completed, others almost are (buying a house!), and still many others were pushed into the future.  While I really can't not have goals, because I'm unable to not try to plan out every detail of my life, I'm not sure if I will hold myself so strictly to the month in which I wanted to complete them because let's be honest, God's the one who really holds the plans, and they could be none of the above, or at the very least are probably variations to what I come up with.  While I am super excited to what this year may bring (oh yes, we already have some goals/plans a brewin'), I'm also glad that my worth is not measured in how many check marks I can make on my list.  Honestly, all the little improvements, new experiences, and general enjoying of life while growing closer to God, my hubby, family, and friends are what really count.

This year we spent our first day of the year sleeping in (a rarity), recycling our still beautiful, green tree, purging our closet and dressers of clothes, and enjoying a lazy day off.

What do you hope this new year will bring?

Any plans/goals?

How did you spend the first day?