2012 comes to an end

On the last day of 2012, as I look back over our year, I can't help but feel blessed. This has been a long hard year in many ways, but overall, it has been a wonderful year filled with family, travel, personal accomplishments, growth, and happiness.

Here are just a few things I am thankful for in 2012:

1. God - In 2012, I have learned more about God, I have grown deeper in relationship with Him and I have learned that even when all looks bleak, He is there standing strong and holding me, with a purpose and a plan for my life. I have learned without a doubt that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13. I am in utter amazement of my God who loves me in a way that words could never explain.

2. Allen - This year marked 10 years for Allen and I as couple. As I looked back and reflected over the last 10 years, I realized how truly blessed I am to have such a wonderful man to call my husband. Through our continued struggles with infertility and our three pregnancy losses this year, Allen has been a rock. He is there for me every single day with a smile on his face, loving and encouraging me, walking with me side by side in this journey we call life. He is such a strong, uplifting, and spiritual man. I couldn't dream of a better person to do life with, and I am so thankful to God for blessing me such a wonderful man.

3. Graduating! - After 21 years of schooling, I am finally finished! I not only got my degree, but was blessed to find an amazing job doing what I love. I couldn't dream of a better profession and I am so happy to finally be living my dream.

4. Traveling - From Charleston, to Wilmington, to Boone, to Smith Mountain Lake, to the Bahamas, to Colorado, to Disney, to camping trips, to Lexington, to Georgia, to Greensboro and Raleigh, we have been blessed with the ability to see many new and beautiful places this year. We got to witness several marriages, and spend lots of time with friends and family, allowing us to create memories that will last a lifetime!

5. Family and Friends - We were blessed to spend this year with so many of our family and friends. We know some of the most amazing people and we are so thankful for each and every one of you. Our year would not have been complete without you in it. So thanks for putting up with us :)

I know there are several other things, big and small that I have to be thankful for, but mostly I am just thankful for another wonderful, blessed year. I am very excited about 2013 and can't wait to see what God has in store!

Happy New Year!

Five Christmases

To say Allen and I are spoiled would be an understatement. We are so blessed with lots of family and friends. This year we celebrated five Christmases!

The celebrations started at Midnight on Friday night. We headed to my dad and Lisa's house to celebrate (on top of already going to Disney!) We ate a yummy breakfast and then opened gifts until we finally headed to bed after 2am (way past my bed time!)

Made by my talented sister, Mary!

Allen wasn't feeling so hot!

 My adorable niece, Macie!

Old School ornament!

Saturday morning, we woke up and headed to my mom and Barna's house for Christmas #2. Mom made yummy Chicken and Dumplings and we enjoyed the afternoon, eating and opening gifts. 

My mom likes to give Allen goofy gifts...and he obviously enjoys them! 

 Sunday, we headed to Lexington, SC to celebrate with Allen's grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Again, we ate lots of yummy food and opened (more!) gifts! We also got to watch an hilarious movie Allen's cousins made - their version of "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"! 

Watching "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" and cracking up!

Haha! 

Excited about matching Granny!

Inside Joke! :) -- I think she liked it!

Sunday night we headed back home and celebrated Christmas # 4 with the Amy, Jeff, and Bryan at our house! They spent the night and even made us breakfast - yum!

The puppies enjoying their Christmas gifts!

 Monday, Christmas Eve, Allen and I did some chores around the house, then went to Christmas Eve service at our beautiful (new) church! When we got home we had dinner.

Then, we loaded the dogs up and we went for a family ride to look at Christmas lights. I wanted to get a picture, but the flash was too bright for Allen. After about 25 attempts, I was cracking up and this is the best we got! 

 When we got home, the dogs got to open one gift each- from their Aunt Mary and Uncle Kyle! They loved them!

Tuesday morning, Christmas day,  we woke up to find Santa had come and eaten our cookies and left us gifts!

 

We gave the puppies their gifts first

and then we opened ours:

Cool dude, finally got his fanny pack!

After gifts we ate breakfast casserole, Allen put one of his gifts together, and then we spent the afternoon relaxing.

That night we headed over to Jackie and Brian's for a delicious Christmas dinner!

We had such a wonderful Christmas weekend celebrating with our family and friends. We are thankful we were able to see so much of our family over the weekend, but mostly, we are thankful for Christ's birth and that he came into this world to save us from our sins... Amazing!