farewell 2011

I just took a quick trip down memory lane and re-read this post from New Year's Day last year. We did have quite a year in 2010, but it's safe to say we had an even bigger year in 2011. As I skimmed over hundreds - ok, maybe thousands - of pictures, I am amazed at the last year. 2011 was a whirlwind for us!

Among the highlights...

We packed up and moved our family to a new town in June. It was an exhausting few months but we settled in and love it here in our new home. We have gained many new friends and plan to stick around for a while. {It was not easy moving with a toddler and a newborn.}

Joe took on his new job as the pastor of Sandersville United Methodist Church. The church is a perfect fit for him and he is very happy there. He finished his coursework for his doctorate last January. He is now busy (repeat: busy) working on his dissertation. If all goes according to plan - and let's just say that it better - Joe will graduate with his Doctor of Ministry degree in December. In the meantime there will be lots and lots of hours of work, study, reading, analyzing, writing, and editing. With all we had going on, he was only able to compete in one triathlon, but continues to maintain his training. Joe has been extremely supportive of me in my role as a mom and is the best husband I could ask for. Of all the things Joe is good at, I am most proud of the person he is as a daddy...

Hannah went from a baby to a child right before my eyes. Her vocabulary exploded and her personality blossomed. She is as stubborn and strong-willed as can be. She makes us laugh everyday. She is very loving, social, and curious. She is also brave. In May, she started wearing braces on her feet, or magic shoes as we called them. She never once cried or complained. She started preschool in September and is thriving. With all of the changes Hannah went through this year - new home, new people, new baby brother, starting school - she amazed us with how well she handled it all. We are so proud of her. She is a great big sister. She is a happy and healthy {and very typical} two year-old...

We welcomed our son, Joseph, in April. He was a wonderful baby, and much lower-maintenance than Hannah was. He continues to nurse like a champ, and I am so thankful for that. He survived months of bad reflux and is now in the midst of teething. We have learned what having a boy is all about. And anyone that has had a baby boy knows what I mean. His daddy baptized him in August and that was a special day. We have celebrated many firsts, including his first trip to the beach and first Georgia Tech game. At Christmas, I found myself more than once holding my baby boy and thinking of Mary holding hers so long ago. Joseph is taking over more and more of my heart every day...

As for me, I've tried to hold it all together, balancing everything as best I can. I packed up our house and feathered our nest in a new place. I delivered my second - and perhaps last - child and celebrated five years being married to my best friend. My children are changing so fast and it's all I can do to try and capture it all in my memory. I am very happy. I strive to be the best Christian, wife, and mother that I can, but just when I think I have things under control, I am humbled and get a reality check that only HE can give. I am bursting with love and can't contain the joy I feel inside when I think about how blessed I am.

Farewell 2011. I am excited about what lies ahead in 2012.