2013

Did everyone survive Christmas? Kidding. But, it is a bit exhausting, huh? Ours was great. We did a lot of running around between all of our families, but I’m not complaining…problems of abundance, right? I’m grateful to have our families so close. We spent Christmas Eve at Brian’s parents house for a dinner they host each year. Actually, I learned this year that the tradition started forty years ago. Forty years! They always invite their core group of friends over for a night filled with a lot of laughter, good food and wine. This year Brian and I were trying to figure out if this was my third or fourth Christmas Eve spent at their house. We still don’t know! You’d think we would have been together ten years at this point.

This Christmas was our first year as husband and wife though and that made it feel extra special. I was thinking back to last years Christmas…Brian and I were newly engaged, had just returned from an epic trip to Nepal and were looking to buy our first place. We were high on life and possibility and 2013 did not disappoint. It was a year filled with abundance, growth annnnnd…challanges. We took on a lot this year and I definitely experienced some growing pains. I felt pulled in ways I haven’t before and I only imagine this intensifies as I grow. Some days I felt like I simply couldn’t manage it all and longed for a simpler time. But, I am so grateful for this last year because I’ve gotten everything I wanted. I look at last years vision board and I am wowed by how much has actualized. I have the kind of home that I used to only dream of. I have the puppy I would dream of. But, most importantly….I have the kind of husband that they write about in fairy tales. Seriously, Brian is a everything I could have ever wanted. He’s my rock and my best friend and 2013 will forever be the year I became his wife. Actually when I look back at 2013 I see very clearly that there was a theme…my home life. While other years have been about my career…this year my home life took center stage.

We became a family this year…Brian, Frank & I.

A look back at 2013 through pictures…