A Look Back & A Look Ahead

A Look Back…
2013 was a year of a lot of changes and a lot of sweet adventures and memories...too many to count really. The Lord was so faithful in His constant provision and abundantly generous with precious blessings. While I could spend hours reflecting on 2013, I thought I would hit the highlights with a not so all inclusive list with some picture assistance (in order of occurrence).

First Trip to Wabash, Indiana

Meeting Jeremy and Carlie Culver

Passion Conference

Living with Lydia and Katelynn

Valentine’s Day Two Day Extravaganza

Wednesday Adventures with Jen

Celebrating Darin’s Birthday and My First Official March Madness Bracket

Skydiving

Woodhill

Zoe Joy Russell’s Birth

Rachel’s Bridal Shower(s)

Baptizing Rhey

Rachel and Jeremy’s Wedding

Trip to Disney World

Day Trip to the Beach

Nannying Warner and Maren

Lake Pickwick

Page Family Reunion in Pennsylvania

Park Date Days…Mount Airy, Mount Adams, Devou, Sawyer Point Park…

Toronto Mission Trip

First 1st Anniversary

Transferring to NKU

Spending Time at Collin’s Elementary

21^st Birthday

Friday Fun Day’s

Central Park Walks

Reading Days/Karen Kingsbury Obsession

Nanny's Visit

Becoming Friends with Jess and Eric

Discovering Parenthood

Thanksgiving

Completing My 5th Semester of College…1st as a Norse

Christmas

2^nd Trip to Wabash

Trip to Lake Pickwick with Linda and Darin

Phew, clearly it was a crazy amazing year! Obviously I am missing many of the quiet and sweet moments with family and friends and many other times that made this year so special. This was just a (not so) quick look at the photographed highlights. Ha! Thank you, Jesus for blessing me so abundantly!

A Look Ahead…

Wow, it seems really crazy to write 2014. I’m not going to lie, I’m a little OCD and it makes me happy to be back in an even year. Yup, I’m weird. And I’m okay with that. This New Year started out differently than any other…and I LOVED it. Darin, Linda, and I spent our New Year (and a couple other perfect days…more to come on that) basking in the serenity and serene perfection of Lake Pickwick. What a way to bring in 2014! Due to the 1-hour time difference (gotta love slow time), we celebrated at 11 and 12 with a huge celebration…okay, maybe not. Our “huge celebration” consisted of sparkling grape juice, a countdown, and a few sentimental remarks. It was perfect. If those first couple days of 2014 are any premonition to what this year is going to look like, it is going to be a great year!

In past years I always thought about “New Year Resolutions” but never even went so far as to write them down. I was THAT ambitious. Ha! This year, however, I have some goals that I really want to accomplish and think that I can…or at least attempt to. I figure if I at least write them down, chances are I’ll feel somewhat accountable. Here goes…

Sweet Love…

Plan Spontaneous Dates

Continue Capturing and Journaling Our Adventures

Accomplish some (or all) of our “Try Something New” Adventures

Complete “The You and Me Book”

Start Writing Our Own Book

Travel

Learn New Ways to Love and Serve Darin

Share Intentional Prayer/Devotional Time Together Each Week

Learn to Cook Together

Be a Better Communicator

Work Out Together

Serve Together

Finish the Parenthood Series (Through Season 5)

Personal…

Attempt Yoga

Find A Place to Serve

Compete in the Flying Pig Relay Race OR Half Marathon

Read A Book A Month (at least)

Connect More Intentionally and Frequently with Rachel

Be Intentional with Friendships

Handle Change More Gracefully

Call Family Members More Often

Blog at Least Once a Month

Handle Stress Better

Make New Friends

Become A More Adventurous Eater

Learn To Enjoy Hot Drinks
Live More Present

Learn More About My Camera (Thank you Page for your help so far!)

Be Less Dependent on Technology

Find A Hobby

House Wife Training…Nobody Panic

Learn to Cook

Learn to Knit or Crochet (depending on finding someone willing to teach me…any takers? ;))

Learn How to Use My Sewing Machine

Do 1 DIY Project A Month

Spiritual…

Memorize Scripture

Read all of The New Testament

Volunteer with Children’s Ministry at Union

Pray More Boldly and Intentionally

Invite More People to Church

School…

Survive (it’s a struggle some days, people)

Maintain A 4.0 GPA

Make New School Friends

Attend 1 NKU Event

Become More Passionate About Teaching

Phew, all of this goal making makes me excited for the year ahead. While some of these goals are quite lofty, at least they are written down this year. Ha! That’s one step in the right direction, right? I really am praying expectantly this year. Expecting for God to continue to shape my heart to look more like His. Expecting that He is going to do really sweet and special things in Darin and my relationship this year. Expecting that with His guidance and strength, I’ll make it through my last 2 semesters of class (and then only have student teaching ahead of me, AH!). Expecting that God is going to lead me into new experiences and opportunities to please and glorify Him. Expecting that He will bless me with some precious new friendships and strengthen the friendships He has already given me. Expecting that there will be days and moments that I want to fast-forward through but also days and moments that I’ll want to press pause on. I feel in my heart that this is going to be a big year and I am excited to see where and how God leads my heart.

2014, I’m ready for you!