Grateful

I can't begin to put into words the year 2013.  The stress, panic, and turmoil of much of this year made me feel sick in my core on many occasions.

Life was just one hit after another for a while.  We'd get on our feet and then something else would happen to knock us out of any sense of normalcy.

I'm so glad we made it through.

Through the break-in/destruction of our house, car wreck, federal furloughs, Maya's surgery, my surgery, government shut down and stress induced sickness we were guilty of asking, why us?

Well, why not us?

2013 showed us some of the grit we're made of.  It showed us that our families and friends will absolutely BE THERE when we need them.  It showed us how to remain positive even when things weren't going well.  It showed us what is REALLY important.  It showed us how to give up and put things in God's hands.  And, it melted down our love into its purest form and made it stronger than it has ever been before.

So honestly,  I'm grateful for all that 2013 dished out to us.

The year is closing out full of life and promise. I know that we had to go through all of this turmoil for a reason. I think the lessons learned will serve us well in 2014 and beyond. We're looking forward to a 2014 full of exhaustion, new routines and learning experiences, incredible uncertainty, poopy diapers, and above all--boundless love.