A year of putting down roots!

At 6:30pm we poured the sparkling grape juice, passed out cups of M n M's and party horns, and watched last year's New Year's Eve countdown on Youtube.  We ran around outside screaming HAPPY NEW YEAR and then my kiddos were in bed by 7:30!  I'm hoping they'll sleep through the actual ringing in of the new year, but it's unlikely with all the fireworks!  Either way, I'm glad we celebrated early and got a few good hours of sleep in before the fireworks begin.  My five and four year old just aren't ready to party til midnight.  (Neither am I for that matter!)

Andy has been gone for five days now and we are all eager to get him home tomorrow!  God has provided for me through friends from church. I've had play dates and help putting kids to bed and friends to cook for us and friends to spend the night with me.  I got a break and sat by a lake for an hour!   And I even had a stranger buy my groceries...which is a post of it's own!  I'm so grateful for how well it went...cause let's face it,  I AM NOT GOOD AT SINGLE PARENTING!!! I get frazzled and angry and overwhelmed.  Much help was needed and much help was provided!!!  The Lord was very kind to me.  

I've been thinking about this past year and it's been a year of putting down roots.  2012 was our first full year in our house.  It was first full year as members of our church.  It was Andy's first full year at his new job.

Andy working, well sorta

 It was our first year to have a season pool pass and to attend all the town's holiday events-The Easter Egg Hunt (which involves a helicopter and marshmellows!), Fourth of July Fireworks, and The Santa Drive By (which involves getting pelted with peppermints!) 

My very pregnant Fourth of July with the Aragones Family!

Marshmellows for Easter with the Wilhoits! 

 It was a complete year-and God has richly blessed us with friends this year.  We are known and loved.  We have friends over for lunch after church and friends who babysit our kids and neighbors we carpool to school with. 

Silliness at our Christmas Party with our Gospel Community

We love our little school

 In 2012 we were able to get the 4 plus years worth of leaves off our lawn so that grass can begin to grow.  That was upwards of a 70 bags of raked leaves.  Things are taking shape and we are starting to have a yard and a life here.  Through it all, God has been faithful.  From the days of intense transition where everything was in chaos to our more settled and normal life this year, he continues to show us his heart of love for us.    We were given a grapefruit tree recently and I think it will always remind me that as 2012 was the year it took root in our yard, so it was the year our family began to take root in this town.  

 My favorite moment of the year was having a baby!!!  Judah is precious and I am so thankful for him.  He seems like he's going to be a fun kid.

Blessed with two healthy boys!  

And I have loved how I am learning to walk with the Lord this year.  Deeper trust in him. Seeing how much I need him and learning to look away from myself and look to him for what I need.  The wreath above my desk says "abide."  That was my word this year-to abide, or hide myself in his love for me!  And as I have done that, I have experienced great joy this year.   There have been some really hard things this year for us, and I am so thankful for how he is shown me his deep love and commitment for me, in the midst of those hard things! There has been real joy in connecting with him, especially in the midst of the harder parts of our life.  So I can walk confidently into 2013, knowing he will walk with me, no matter what the year holds!