This time last year, as I was writing my final post of 2012, I was so glad for the year to be ending and for a fresh start. 2012 was not my favorite year, but it led us to a very good year. Sometimes we need a reminder of what is really important in life and that we should not take our happiness for granted. It can change so quickly. I am thrilled to see what 2014 will bring our way, but I am saying goodbye to 2013 with a cheerful heart. One filled with many great memories and a renewed hope in how good life can be. The struggles we endured the previous year ended up being a blessing in disguise; one that helped to build a stronger bond for us as a couple and gave us each an individual strength that will benefit us in our future. As I said in my farewell post to 2012, I have been able to see how "life's lessons of 2012" have changed me as a person, a mom and a wife. I like to think for the better.
In 2013, we (or I)...
*Said some hard goodbyes to family and friends in Virginia as we sold our house and relocated back to Oregon
*Quit my job of 6 years and put my career on hold (temporarily) to spend some time at home with the kids
*Made a point to do more things as a couple (we went to a concert, a symphony orchestra, Vegas, played on a softball team together, and finally went to a Halloween party together)
*Explored Oregon with the kids on hikes and trips to the coast
*Bought a brand new house!!!
*Became a mom of a school-age child (cannot believe Colin is in Kindergarten)
*Took Colin to his first ballet and cheered him on during his second season (actual games this time) of soccer
*Celebrated 6 years of marriage and all of us turned another year older...which we celebrated in style with a treasure hunt for Will and a monster bash for Colin. Meli preferred a low-key affair for her 2nd birthday and I had one of my best birthdays EVER!
*On a sadder note, I said goodbye to a very sweet and dear relative that will be missed...but I will keep the memories and lessons she taught me close
2013 signified an ending of a chapter for us. We left our life in D.C. to come back to the west coast. This wonderful chapter made way for many self discoveries, amazing job opportunities, spectacular adventures discovering the east coast and establishing our family. I am so thankful that life took me to that part of this country and allowed my path to cross with so many wonderful people. I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to work where I did. My job gave me so many great life experiences, job expertise and allowed me to travel the world. I am so blessed.
So, goodbye 2013. Thank you for the memories!
On to 2014! We had a great day yesterday welcoming the new year. We played a new family game, "hide the sock monkey". It was really cute. Quick explanation: one person hides the sock monkey and then the others have to pick a question card to get clues to where it is hidden. We had a blast! Meli was hilarious when it was her turn to hide. She hid it right in front of us and said "hide here". Then when we said OK, lets start. She ran around saying "not here...not here...oh here it is". Too funny!
We said a toast as a family. We were enjoying sparkling apple cider (which Mae thought was "hot", so she had apple juice) as we cheered and clinked our glasses (and sippy cups) to 2014 and all of the possibilities it could hold.
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| Cheers! |
After the kids went to bed, Will and I enjoyed some champagne while trying to figure out how to play backgammon and gin rummy. The couple bottles of champagne made the learning process a bit difficult so we gave up and played war and speed (card games). I had so much fun! We also started a new tradition of burning our "No Mores". Our new attempt at resolutions. We wrote things that we wanted to do "no more" on a piece of paper and then as we read them we lit them on fire. No worries, we were safe...(I am married to a former firefighter)... I think I am going to like this new tradition.
Happy New Year to our family and friends!! I hope that 2014 will bring you joy and happiness. Will and I are hoping for some grand new adventures as we set out to accomplish our goals for 2014. Cheers! Here is to staying steadfast and committing to the changes that we want to make...ones that will hopefully help to create better versions of ourselves!
Well, I will end this post with some our "end of the night" selfies.
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