The Year of Change

You have probably noticed that my blog postings have been less and less regular over the last year. Most of you reading this probably understand why, but the fact that I haven't had time to blog as often I like has made me very sad. In fact one of my three goals for 2013 is to blog more often, along with living a healthier life and saving more money.

Since my blogging has decreased a little, I did add a notifications box in the column to your right, so if you would like to automatically be notified of when I update, that will help you find out quickly when I have (finally) posted. Rest assured, I never plan to stop blogging (I am sure you have been on the edge of your seat wondering), it is my new 'scrapbook' if you will. I can't just 'stop'- I have been doing this for almost 5 years now. So please, never stop checking in on us.

Back to my dwindling number of posts, I do have a pretty good reason for my lack of diligence, actually, I have several good reasons, and I wanted to talk about those a little.

I know, I know... Usually my blog is more of a collage of (adorable) photographs of my kids accompanied by (clever) captions. But in this post I wanted to take a moment to talk about our family, rather than show you pictures of it. Although I have trouble putting everything into words and even thinking about a place to start, I will try.

What a year we have had.

In the last 18 months, our family life has been a whirlwind, and although I somehow remember all of it, it has gone by so fast and kept us all on our toes so much that it feels like we are struggling to keep ahead of the calendar some days. Over the last 18 months we have sold a house, found out we were pregnant with a surprise third baby (when Hazel was barely 1 and Gus was still 2 at the time), moved into a rental, had a baby, bought a home, moved out of the rental, moved into the home, I started a new job, the older kids started attending a preschool for the first time ever, and most recently, Josh started a new job. So, other than planning a wedding, our little family has recently encountered most of the major milestones a person experiences in his or her entire life. And we did it in one and half years.

Those of you who know me well know that I have anxiety issues; about everything related to change stresses me out. So this has all been quite interesting... I know that the support of Josh, a little pharmaceutical assistance, and a lot of Faith in God has been what has gotten me through all of this. I know that there are people, and families, so many that we know even, that struggle with more than what we have had to struggle with. And their struggles are much more trying. Death, illness, divorce, financial loss, many of our friends and extended family have dealt with these devastating issues over the last few years, some on a daily basis. In fact, many of you reading this are probably the people I have in mind. So I know that although it was stressful over the last year or so for me and my family, I do feel guilt in even talking about it with some of you.

I am hopeful that the Year of Change is ending with the close of 2012. I am hopeful that 2013 will be one of those years that you think back upon several years later and can't really remember much of anything about it- if that makes sense. I am just ready for my new life to begin, become predictable and stay consistent for awhile. Josh and I have a home, great friends, wonderful extended family, good jobs, and three of the most healthy and amazing children I could have ever imagined. But, as they say, history often does repeat itself, so I can't completely put the unexpected out of my mind.

I want to thank all of you for the support, prayers, comfort, laughs, tears, and most importantly the Hope that you have given me, us. You are all important to our life, and we consider you all extended members of our family. Happy Holidays- Here's to 2013. Cheers!