Starting Fresh in 2014

So it's a new day, a new year and a new season of blogging. :) We took a year off from THIS blog (2013 is MIA) as we focused more on our adoption journey and blog. BUT, as I look back at 2013 and the ups and downs we had, here is a quick recap:

• Ellie turned 8 and we celebrated her birthday here at our house with her friends

• Griffin turned 3 and we celebrated his birthday with some friends at a fire station and with a yummy fire truck cake
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• Emma turned 6 and we celebrated with a few families up at the lake on a beautiful October day. We went with the "fall theme" and it was super fun

• We had our third annual luau in June and this year we did not have kids invited. It was a GREAT evening and perfect weather

• It was our first year, from start to finish, without Linda, mom, Mimi. We have missed her so much and talk about her all the time. The kids have each processed it differently but have truly experienced loss in a real way
• Ryan traveled to Haiti in January, with Pastor Brad and Sammy, to look at some potential mission/ministry opportunities

• We had an adoption dessert in February that was a TON of fun and an incredible blessing to us financially

• Ellie learned how to waterski up at the lake (took her just a few times before she got up) and she also started horseback riding lessons over the summer

• Emma made us laugh all year long with her silly faces and diva personality. She is a gem and loved playing dress up, and doing people's hair and nails. She also started Kindergarten at home with me: OHVA

• Griffin is a hoot. He holds his own in this family and isn't afraid to tell his sisters what he thinks. He is a cuddle bug and at the age where everything he says makes us laugh. We just want to eat him up and NEVER want him to grow up

• We traveled as an extended family again, to Hilton Head in the Spring. Despite the weather being sub par, we cherish those trips and time altogether. Irreplaceable.

• Baby #4 is still nameless and unknown to us, but we know he is real and we talk about him everyday. In 2013 we talked about many names we might call him and so far are settling down with GRADY DANIEL SNOW. We can't wait to meet him. 2013 was spent anxiously awaiting an email update every month telling us what number we currently were on the list. A year of waiting...

• Our family traveled to Newnan, GA after Christmas to visit with the Prestons and meet our niece Jenna Jean. What a doll she is and absolute joy. So fun to see adoption fully integrated into our family.

• Ryan and I celebrated 13 years of marriage and we are so so thankful for each other. We can laugh together and we are learning to better plan and make life/family goals together. It has been life giving and so important for our emotional health. :) We got to travel to Ft Walton Beach in May for 3 days together and again to Orlando in November (with the Mitchells) for a 4 day getaway. Was a blast, and SOO very much needed. :) 

 

Now we look ahead to a new year. Man that is a fun thing to think about. Totally starting fresh. Our kids aren't getting younger and time doesn't slow down despite our unbelievable desire for it to do so. We don't have "goals" set for this year, but one thing I do know is that Ryan and I both want to maximize our minutes with our kids. Life is short and they grow fast. We want to play hard, plan fun and special things to do with and for them...and we want to disciple them and make sure they know they are loved.

We want to claim 2014 as THE year our family goes from 5 to 6...please Lord let it be! We may be traveling to Africa (and back) twice this year and despite our excitement and "ready hearts," we are nervous and anxious. So much ahead of us...

So there we go. Here's to a NEW YEAR.
Here's how we spent our day...