Ring out the Old, Ring in the new...

Well the first day of 2014 is here...in someways 2013 seemed like it just flew by, in others it lasted an eternity. Honestly, while it wasn't the worst year ever, it was a harder one. However as I think back there were many good things in midst of the struggles and trials. I'm so thankful for those good blessings in the midst of a year that has left me a bit worn.
Since I wasn't able to send out as many Christmas cards this year, I thought I would give a bit of a 2013 recap...

This year held some pretty big milestones...

I turned 30! I celebrated by having a small group of friends over and centered the festivities around the T.V. show "Friends"-it was "The One Shannon Turned 30". We had a lot of fun just hanging out, eating lasagna, making chalkboards and of course watching Friends!

Gabe Graduated Kindergarden! He had a great first year at school, he had fun participating in the various activities and really enjoyed his teacher. He is a great student and loves to learn (for the most part)

Spud and I celebrated 10 years of marriage. Crazy to think that 10 years have flown by, but at the same time it seems like forever ago when you think of all that has happened in those 10 years. Just like every couple we have our ups and downs, but when it comes right down to it, I am so thankful for the man God has blessed me with. We fight for each other in the hard times, and fight through this life together. I'm so glad I have him for my battle partner. A guy I can laugh with, cry with, fight and make up with. Thanks for putting up with me these past 10 years!

2013 also held celebrations of life-
We welcomed two sweet little ones into our family, our honorary niece Cecilia and my first nephew Oliver! While I get excited for the many friends and family that have brought new life into the world this year, these two are pretty precious additions to our family. I'm so thankful for family no matter what the form.

Cecilia

Oliver (yes I even sported an "Oliver" t-shirt!)

We also celebrated my Grandma's 85th Birthday. My Grandma is one of the most influential people in my life. I'm so glad that we were able to have this celebration to honor her, and the person she has been to all of my family.

In July we made a big change and moved into our smaller house. Yes we have two houses. Up until May of last year my sister-in-law and her husband lived there. After they moved back to California we fixed it up and had it on the market. It didn't sell...and to make a long story short-having two houses is never a good thing. We have gone though much soul searching to seek the path that God would have us take...for awhile we thought it might be to move out of the area. Those doors have not been opened as of right now. However we felt to try and better our situation financially that we would move back into the small house and try and sell our other one. After yet another summer of fixing up a house-it is now on the market and we are just praying that it will sell soon. Honestly it's a great need of ours-so if you are the praying type, we appreciate all of them we can get. However-while still waiting to reap the financial benefits of moving to the smaller, cheaper house...we have seen benefits in other forms. This little poem I saw on Facebook puts it perfectly....

"Love grows best in little houses,
with fewer walls to separate. Where you
eat and sleep so close together, you can't
help but communicate. And if we had more room
between us, think of all we'd miss.
Love grows best in houses just like this."

It's actually been so funny the comments we've gotten about moving back here..."I'm so sorry" and "Isn't it really small for you guys?" Honestly we are fine. Granted there are moments when the close proximity is a bit much...but I wouldn't have it any other way. Honestly this place has always felt like home. I'm thankful for this little house, not only for the simple fact it provides protection from the elements...but also is a place where I can cultivate my precious little family. A place to make memories that can be treasured our whole lives.

Also in July I ran in The Color Run for the second year in a row...my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and I all participated. We all had a rough year this year, Chelse had back problems, and my asthma has seemed to have gotten worse...so I had to walk 1/4 of it and she wasn't able to run at all...but we still had a lot of fun. Our goal is to run the whole thing again in 2014.

In the midst of the crazy we took a few trips out of the area-very short, quick but much needed getaways:

South Dakota for a family wedding reception

K.C. (mostly to get an insulation blower) But we took some family time as well.

And Excelsior Springs for our Anniversary

After the craziness of summer we decided that we were going to Homeschool Gabe this year. Homeschooling is something I've felt that I was supposed to do long before Gabe started school. Last year I wasn't ready---it honestly took about 2 years for me to get my act together again after Tad was born (do the math). While I felt totally unprepared and everything was decided at the last minute it totally fell together perfectly (something I credit to God's provision). While we have our good days and bad days I think it's going really well. It's so exciting when you are teaching him a concept and he gets it. You get a rush when you see progress and get that much needed affirmation that you are teaching him. Gabe really likes it too. While he enjoyed his time at school...there were things that we all felt were going to be barriers in the coming years. And instead of having to fix it after the damage was done, I wanted to take it head on. We are still working out our kinks, but have gotten into a good groove. I'm SO thankful that I have this opportunity to be the one that educates my son. It's an amazing journey.

And there were a few funny moments in-between

So goodbye 2013 and hello 2014 and in the words of George Harrison:

Ring out the old
Ring in the new
Ring out the false
Ring in the true

Yesterday, today was tomorrow
And tomorrow, today will be yesterday

So ring out the old
Ring in the new
Ring out the false
Ring in the true.


I don't know what this year is going to hold for anyone...but I know that through it all I can always cling to what is true: God is good, He loves us, and that no matter what this life brings, He will see us through. I pray that we all resolve to live each day to it's fullest, embracing every blessing no matter how small. May we be in the moment and truly live. From my family to yours, Happy New Year.