2015: year at a glance

It's that time of year again -- the time where we look forward to the coming year. We start our lists of goals, plan for different events, and anticipate the future. I love the freshness of a new planner or journal: the blank space to create new memories, the chance to start anew. One thing I hope to always do at this time is look back. To remember the previous year-- the highs, the lows, the tears, the laughter. The Lord is always good and always faithful. I never want to forget that. Last year, I shared our year at a glance around this time and I thought it would be fun to do that again. As I transfer info from my old planner to the new, it is so neat to see what we were doing and when.

January:

- after months of looking at houses, we found the one we knew we wanted to be our home

-we prepared for Baby C's arrival by attending childbirth classes, celebrating, and some DIY projects

February:

-we closed on and moved into our home!

-we moved just in time to be snowed in for about a week

-Dustin traveled for work (while I prayed Baby C didn't come while he was gone)

March:

-weekly doctor's appointments to monitor Miss C

-we stayed pretty low key anticipating the baby, who was in no rush to join us on her due date!

April:

-April 1st, at 3:24am, Charlotte Lee was born-- all 9lbs 15oz, 21in of her

-we were showered with love through visits and meals from family and friends

May:

-I celebrated my first Mother's Day

-we continued to soak up the newness of being parents to our baby girl

June:

-I went back to work as needed

-we celebrated the beautiful weddings of Micah and Daniel, Katherine and Brent, and some friends

-Dustin celebrated his first Father's Day and traveled for work

July:

-we celebrated 3 years of marriage

-we held a successful yard sale with our Sunday school class

-Charlotte had her first trip to the beach when we went to St. Teresa Florida with the Curtsinger fam

-I celebrated my 26th birthday

August:

-more working for me, finding avenues to serve in our church, playdates, and getting into somewhat of a routine

September:

-Dustin and I took a cooking class together

-Charlotte's baby dedication at church

-more working and traveling

-we attended a lovely wedding

October: 

-we attended three more beautiful weddings

-Charlotte started eating solids

-we celebrated Dustin's brother, Jordan, proposing to Shelby

-we celebrated Dustin's 29th birthday

-we had the cutest little piglet for Halloween

November:

-our church hosted Kelly Minter at the women's conference

-more work and traveling

-celebrating and giving thanks for all of our blessings

December:

-we traveled to Branson for a Christmas trip with my brother and family

-Charlotte met Santa and was not a fan

-lots of celebrating the birth of our Savior with family and friends

It is impossible to include every highlight. It also is impossible to share the extent of growth we have experienced through our struggles, all thanks to God's grace and faithfulness. Parenting has been overwhelming for me in every aspect-- physically, emotionally, spiritually. I can't adequately explain the love I have for Charlotte or her daddy. Our bond is so special and brings me so much joy. The healing from the c-section, the sleepless nights, the continual dying to self, the constant wonder of "is this the right choice?" weren't and aren't always easy but they are so worth it.

2015 has been a blast. I'm so thankful that through Christ, the best is always yet to come.

Happy New Year, everyone!