Monday, December 31, 2012

A Year In Review

Hey guys! I hope everyone had a great holiday season this year, and I have lots of pictures to share with you over the next couple of days, but of course today has to be the obligatory reflective day.

I'm not as eager to break up with 2012 as I was 2011, but I'm certainly not willing to let it linger.

2012 and I did not get off to a good start.  Just a couple weeks into the new year, I lost one of my greatest friends in a horrific car accident.  It was a devastating experience for me, especially considering that my first true experience with grief was with someone I considered so close to me. 

February brought a whole new mess of emotions when we celebrated Centennial Hospital's brand new heart wing.  It was the first time we had visited without a medical reason, and having the opportunity to thank so many people was a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Warmer weather came and Ethan experienced his (and mine!) first encounter with baby ducks.  We went through another pit when we had to find another doctor in Nashville to make sure I didn't have thyroid cancer.  Jason and I celebrated 3 years of marriage, and began to anxiously plan sweet Ethan's first birthday.

Ethan's birthday was such a bittersweet time for me, and I tried so hard to soak up the rest of the baby moments the best I could.  We partied hard, Dr. Suess style, in celebration.

Nearing the end of summer, we took our first vacation as a family of three and spent a week at the beach.  Just a few short days after returning from beach bliss, Ethan began his Early Learning Program, and I struggled with  my heart to let him into the care of people that wasn't family.  It was a big step for all of us.

Fall came and I decided I wanted to take a big leap in to "boy" motherhood and ended up gaining cool points from my niece instead.

I spent a lot of time at the end of this year evaluating my relationships with others.  I've realized that I am my worst enemy when it comes to invalidating my feelings and that I over invest too often. In those moments, though, I realized that I do have some very special friends that are hard to come by.  Friends that are opening their own businesses, buying their first homes, and celebrating upcoming marriages.  It's been so much fun to celebrate those moments with the people I love, and learning to understand how to love whole-heartedly without over investing.

I'm so thankful for a year that I can look back on many wonderful moments instead of just a few.  This year, I'm not feeling as "ready" for new beginnings, I'm just looking forward to continuing on the path we are on.

Here's to 2013.  Full of new babies (not mine), weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and anything else wonderful that may come our way.

Happy New Year!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say Hey! Paige :) I'm also @embraceitmyway on twitter/IG. Just thought I'd wish you and your family a Happy New Year!

I'm trying to get better at reading/commenting on blogs this year!!

Come check out my blog if you want, I just made a cute superhero canvas!

Kar

http://allmylovemommy.blogspot.ca/2013/01/keep-calm-and-be-mom.html

Valerie said...

Happy 2013! Cheers!!
Thanks for your comment on my blog recently!!
I really enjoy reading your posts.... I appreciate the things you share on here.
Looking forward to seeing Ethan grow grow grow!!

Valerie said...

I miss reading your blog entries!! Hope you are having a fantastic spring like week!!