A year in review: 2012

Well, I didn't blog much this year. So I will wrap up the year with a review of the last year of my life.

January: January came in rather warm for Ohio. Normally I love to hibernate and let the snow fly, but this year I was thankful for the lack of ice. It's hard enough to waddle around big and pregnant, let alone with ice on the ground! On the 31st I had my home visit with Michelle and Kathy and felt really ready for the new arrival.

February: On the 17th I woke up to a flood of amniotic fluid and the following day at 4:22 pm. I gave birth to my love Eden Elizabeth. Her birth transformed and healed me in big ways and I fell in love all over again. She has been such a delight and such a reflection of God's promises to me, His child. It's only fitting that her name mean paradise/God's promise.

March: March was pretty average. Not much going on, except for learning how to juggle 2 babies!

April: In April we celebrated Easter as a family of 4 and it was a great Holiday. Probably one of my favorites to date. Emaline also got a miserable ear infection and hand foot and mouth disease. Ick.

May: David turned the big 3-0! We celebrated quietly, per his request. This month we also started looking for a new home in earnest. That was both a fun and annoying experience. Thank God for Stratton Alt!

June: David traveled with the young adults to Norther Ireland for 2 weeks. God worked in and through him in big ways and my husband came home changed for the better. I missed him terribly, but we made it! During that time the girls and I headed to FL with my family for 5 days of sun and surf. What a fun trip!

July: On the 24th my girl Emaline broke her arm. It was a rough night in the ER requiring sedation, but she made it. It could be much worse, but it was rough on her...and us. I also turned 31 and began packing for our move. July was hotter than Hades and I was pretty miserable!

August: David and I finally told God we were "all in" and decided to move forward to adopt a child. We made contact and began the process with Spirit of Faith adoptions. We are in the early stages still, but plan to move ahead in 2013. I am excited and terrified. In the same week we also found a home, put in an offer and went into contract! Whew, that was a busy week. The end of that week Kelli turned 31 and we celebrated at Molly's and that night was a highlight of my summer. Great time with lovely loves. On the 25th my cousin Katie married her longtime man Zachary. Emaline was a flower girl! She did a great job and loved every minute of it! David and I had fun dancing the night away.

September: On the 9th David and I celebrated 6 years of marriage. What a great 6 years it's been. Not always easy, not always fun, but always good. He is for me, and I for him. We celebrated our Emaline Joy's birth by having a huge train themed bash at the farm. Many special friends and family members came and we all had a grand time! On the 14th we closed on our house! That very day we left for WV to attend the wedding of Holly and Joel! What a celebration of love that was!

October: Emaline had surgery to put in tubes and remove her adenoids on the 10th. She was a model patient and did great. Life has been easier since this surgery for her. No more ear infections. My friend Amanda married her military man Dan Hayes on 10/12. It was such a beautiful day and so much fun to be with old friends! We finally moved into our new house on the 21st. It was an easy move and we had lots of help. We settled quickly in and have loved our new hometown. Trick-or-treat was not so fun in the rain, but we had fun anyway. My little angel and clown were a hit.

November: This month I never really saw my hubby because he was readying our old house for the new tenants. He got it all done though and I'm thankful for that. We traveled to Georgia for Thanksgiving for 4 days of family fun. the girls did well in the car. Dare I say better than their parents? Ha! Thanksgiving was fun though. Very warm and sunny with good food and great people.
Emaline also started school at All Saints Preschool. Girlfriend loves it so much!

December: My mom, aunts Jathy and Teri, my grandma and my girls traveled to Indiana to use a family friends' cabin for 4 days. It was probably the autumn highlight. So relaxing and fun! I look forward to this becoming an annual trip! Christmas was extra special this year. We spent the majority of it at our home. It was Eden's first one and she seemed to love it. We really focused on spending time together as a family during Advent. It was a bright season indeed.

Happy new year!