2013

Another year has come and gone. And I ain't gone lie…this year was tough for me. We had a lot of life changes and they put stress and hardship on our family. But we made it. We built and moved into our dream home. Celebrated birthdays. And fell even deeper in love with each other. Here's a look back…

January

We spent most of our time walking over to the house and going place to place to finalize everything.

 Took a trip to the Greenville Zoo on an unusually warm January day.

February

Painted our house Green Earth

 Luke found his feet;)

 Pink, heart pancakes for Valentine's Day

 Luke learned to sit up on his own.

 Our one and only snow!

Walked in the creek.

Installed our cabinets

 Lila fed Luke his first solid food (and he hasn't stopped eating since).

 And pushed him in his first swing ride.

March

Lila drew her first faces (our family) and Drew and I pretty much flipped out with excitement. 

Our baby girl turned 3.

April

Our yard was graded.

And these two began to play with each other:)

May

Mother's Day

My angel.

First double buggy ride at Target:)

 April

Luke started crawling.

 And this girl continued to steal my heart.

 He also learned to stand.

 Lila loved reading to her little brother.

 We picked cherries and played with Aunt Katie and Jeff.

June

Lila learned to ride her tricycle really well.

And she became obsessed with princesses.

Luke looked more adorable than ever.

We swam every day.

We celebrated Father's Day in Blowing Rock, NC.

July

The kids and I would walk over to the house to lay on our brand new carpet;)

 4th of July at the lake with all the cousins.

Water!!!

Luke started walking at 11 months.

And we had our first party at our house (even though we hadn't moved in yet).

The Sleep Fairy paid a visit to Lila for sleeping through the night (because she hadn't done so in many, many months).

August

We put up our house number sign and received our Certification of Occupancy!

We took a trip to the beach!

 And had the best vacation in the history of vacations.

 Luke got his first 2 teeth.

 WE MOVED INTO OUR HOME!!!!!

First morning…coffee and playroom fun.

September

We spent every afternoon outside eating popsicles.

 We watched the newly planted grass grow.

Our baby boy turned ONE!

October

Playing in the sand left in our yard from the building process.

First hand painting for Luke.

Lila and I spent every afternoon on the porch doing crafts while Luke napped.

 Traditional trip to Hickory Nut Gap Farms

Lila started taking dance classes.

November

Happy Thanksgiving

 Luke and Lila's first haircut

December

Picked our Christmas tree.

And saw Santa and Mrs. Claus in uptown Shelby!

Boiling Springs Christmas parade.

Christmas morning.

Although this year was hard and full of tears and worry, it's hard not to only remember the good. Look at these pictures…we made beautiful memories. I am so grateful for my family. 

This year my resolution is simple, yet hard for someone like me:

Find JOY. In everything. Worry less.

"Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy. And your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties."  -Helen Keller