And so, my friends, 2011 is behind us, and 2012 stretches into our futures (for the next 365 days, at least - or rather, 366 days, since 2012 is a leap year). For many of us, I know that it is a relief to get the last year behind us...so many I know and love have struggled with frustration after frustration. I have my own share of frustrating experiences left behind me in 2011, and it would be easy to fill up this whole post with woes and complaints, but I'm not going to do that. Part of the beauty of a new year is that it suggests an opportunity for new beginnings - and hand in hand with all that frustration go so many blessings.
- After three years in Wyoming, Nick and I kissed his grandparents goodbye, and moved to northern Illinois to be nearer to his parents and siblings. It was a bittersweet parting - I have grown very close to his grandma over the past three years, and it was hard to say goodbye.
- Our nephew, Nico, was born March 15th, shortly after we arrived in Illinois. Nick and I were blessed to be among the first to welcome him into the world, and into the family!
- Nick and I celebrated four years of marriage on March 25th. Every year, I expect to find my anniversary a little more common place, and every year I am struck by how much more I somehow manage to love him, when until that moment I thought my heart could hold no more. Every year, I find that I have grown in my capacity to love and be loved, and that it is all because of him!
- I worked for a commercial photography chain studio from April through August, and while my time there was disappointing, I learned a great many things about marketing and about human nature in relation to sales. I also gained a great deal of confidence in my photography abilities, that I know will serve me well in years to come.
- In the spring, I began reviewing books on my blog, receiving free copies in exchange for honest reviews. What began as a hobby (and a clever way to get books I couldn't afford to buy) quickly developed into something much bigger; I began to host author interviews, and book giveaways, and discovered that I absolutely love using my blog as a platform to share information with other people.
- In August, I was accept as a contributing reviewer to Freckleberry Finds, a popular mommy review blog written by the talented and savvy Ashley. It was a ton of fun, learning how to review a product and write a comprehensive and interesting review. I also learned how to use Rafflecopter (the popular giveaway widget), which has been invaluable on my own blog. Through Ashley's blog, I met several fascinating women, including my friend Stefany, the author of To Be Thode (another great mommy blog), and new mommy to an adorable little girl!
- After six months of searching, Nick found work as a special needs aide on a school bus for our local school district. Even though the hours were not what we had been hoping for, we were both so thankful that God provided him with work. My job with the studio ended the same week, making the timing providential.
- The end of August, I took my first train ride from Chicago's Union Station down to visit my sister, Tina, and her family near Wichita, Kansas. Taking the train was a fun experience, and it was so good to spend time with Tina and Tyler and their kids! While there, I found out...
- We got pregnant!!!
- Nick and I announced our pregnancy to our families the first week of September, and I wrote this post, this post, and this post. After four years of infertility, and giving up trying the previous fall, we were absolutely elated and shocked at this wonderful surprise!
- Our niece, Cinda, turned two on October 19th, and we were delighted to get to spend her birthday with her when she stayed with us (with her grandparents, technically - we live with them) for almost two weeks while her parents attended a training conference with their missions organization in another state. She had a big birthday party when they came home, and it was so much fun celebrating with her!
- We celebrated Thanksgiving with Nick's family, and we had a great time eating his mom's yummy cooking, and playing games that made us all die laughing. Nick's dad made everybody turkey hats out of balloons for our family pictures, and I shared those in this post.
- Nick and I found out on December 6th that we are having a little girl! We made the announcement on our blog in this post, and decided to name her Serenity!
- In an effort to grow my blog, I began reaching out to blogger-friendly companies and social media sources to help me make my blog a more interesting and engaging place for you to visit, and also a source of income for my family. I began writing sponsored posts, and was delighted when I was accepted as a regular writer for the Eden Loves Bloggers program!
- We spent a wonderful Christmas at home this year, celebrating Christ's birth with Nick's parents, brothers, and our niece and nephew and their parents. You can see pictures here and here.
- With only four days left in the year, Nick was hired by a local manufacturing company for full time work to start in the new year. We are so incredibly grateful for this new opportunity, and for all it means for us in 2012!
- New Year's Eve was a fun night of games, food, and conversation at Nick's sister's house. We rang in the new year with friends and family, eagerly anticipating what 2012 will bring.
This new year promises to be one to remember, and we are eager to see what blessings God has in store for our little family. Some things coming in 2012...
- I turn 26 on February 10th.
- We celebrate 5 years of happy marriage on March 25th!
- My sister, Jessica, is flying out from Oregon to see me for a week the end of March.
- We get to move into our first apartment in Illinois (Lord willing) on April 1st.
- Our daughter, Serenity, is due on April 29th!
- My mother, Ellen, is coming out to see me and meet her first grandchild the end of June.
- Nick turns 27 on July 11th.
- My friend, Stefany, is hosting me on her fabulous blog, To Be Thode, to do a product review of some great scrapbooking software!
- I will be a guest blogger on the fantastic mommy review blog, Midnight Mommy, talking about some of the funny things that have happened since I have been pregnant.
- My new friend, Shannon, is hosting me on her delightful blog (one of my favorites!), Peace, Love & Poop, where I will be guest posting about New Year's resolutions.
- To my great delight, Shannon has also invited me to become a regular contributor on Peace, Love & Poop, and I will be appearing on her blog to talk about various things at least once every two weeks! This is a huge honor, and I am so excited to get started!
- The fantastic cloth diaper company, Glow Bug, is sending me one of their adorable diapers for review, and will be sponsoring a giveaway on my blog!
Here's to 2012 ~ may it be the best year, yet!
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