2013 Review Extravaganza: January, February, and March

I start this series off the exact same way every year. It just simply cannot be the end of the year yet. It was just January!
But here we are, reviewing the year, month by month. This week's post will have January, February, and March.

January:
I started off my year by making my new year goals. Re-reading that post was hard but it helped me realize that I had picked the perfect word for the year. Faith is something I've relied on to get me through so many things this year. It's actually hard for me to believe that at the beginning of the year, I was still hoping and praying and doing fertility treatments to try and have another baby. That is nowhere near where I am right now. My miracle wasn't a baby. My miracle was having enough faith to endure things I thought I wasn't strong enough to endure.

We were busy taking a gazillion trips to the zoo with our new membership. {And seriously, I forgot how long E's hair was back then and how short Petey's was!}

I talked about being about how I can do hard things. I'd like to revisit that post in a new post someday.

And we can't forget the annual cabin trip for New Year's with my family {which obviously happened before the other picture but I can't seem to switch it to the top of the page}. Maybe in 5-10 years, we can visit that trip. It was amazing, seriously hard, and more amazing to be with my family. I remember that trip vividly and am so glad we went.

February:

In February, my brother in law got married, Spidey got strep throat, and we got Netflix!

It was Spidey's first time having strep and he was miserable.

Then, Petey got strep throat and ended up at the emergency room because we thought there was more going on. There wasn't. Maybe I'm just overprotective.

I wrote a short post about why I'm too happy to be this sad. Though my circumstances are different, that same concept still rings true today!

March:

Petey had her 1st dance concert of 2013. It was hectic to get her there and it was raining and they were dancing outside but she did it!

Immediately after her dance performance, we headed over to Carlsbad because it's a family tradition!

This year, we went to LEGOLAND and both of the kids were big enough for the rollercoasters they wanted to do.

We celebrated my brother in law's wedding and had a wonderful time there.

The last thing we did in March was celebrate Easter.

Stay tuned for next week's review!

2013: Faith

 In 2011, I had a view of where my life would be.

That view was this picture plus one more little one on the way.

That view wasn't a reality.

So I just knew 2012 was going to be the year that view changed to reality. 

Well, hi there, 2013. Where did you come from?

Even though that view is still just a far-away-and possibly-not-going-to-happen view, I am beyond excited for 2013.

And even more than the excitement of 2013, I am grateful for the year 2012.

It is the year:
-Petey learned how to ride a big girl bike.
-Spidey REFUSED to ride the big boy bike or 3 wheeled scooter he got for birthdays/Christmas.
-Boss got a new job and decided on a different career path.
-Petey learned how to write her name.
-I got a gym membership and lost 15 pounds, gained it back, then lost 10 again. (Story of my awesome life)
-My kids met their favorite doggy friend, Paco, and then said goodbye to him later in the year.
-Baby Ellie was born.
-Boss' brother married a wonderful girl.
-Boss shaved Spidey's head.
-Petey cut her own hair.
-We went to Legoland.
-I was called to be in the Relief Society presidency.
-I followed through with my resolutions and organized my house mroe than ever {though it's current condition doesn't show that}.
-My kids were on the cover of a magazine.
-I learned how to cook more than one meal that my husband approves of.
-Boss was in his friend's wedding and looked dashing in his tux.
-Petey turned FOUR.
-Spidey turned THREE.
-I turned TWENTY FIVE.
-Boss turned TWENTY SEVEN.
-We got a zoo membership that we use almost every week.
-Petey learned how to swim.
-Spidey learned how to recognize his ABC's.
-Petey started dance class.
-Spidey learned how to poop paint.
-Spidey managed to need dermabond (strong glue to seal deep cuts) for two different injuries.
-I learned how to french braid.
-We painted and redecorated 3 rooms in our house.
-Bugsy was born.
-A week later, Mini G was born.
-Two of Boss' brothers got engaged.
-We bought a new van.
-Spidey realized his love for The Avengers.
-Petey realized her love for Hello Kitty.
-Petey learned how to do a perfect bridge.
-My sisters and I sang the National Anthem at an ASU game.

So as you can see, 2012 was a great year. Our family has grown so much by the trials and miracles that have been placed in our lives. I truly am thankful for this past year and wouldn't trade the memories we've made for anything.

2013 is going to be a year of good change for our family. Whether our family grows in size or grows in knowledge alone, we look forward to everything 2013 brings us.

My word for 2013 is faith.

Most specifically, faith in His plan for us. Whatever God has in store for us, I hope to be ready for.

I don't have a long list of goals for this year because having faith in God's timing is the most important thing right now. The only goal I am adding to my list is to attend the temple once a month in 2013. I made that goal in 2012 and even though I only remembered to go 7 of the months, it changed my life so much. If I am going to continue having faith in God, I know temple attendance needs to be a priority in my life.

I hope each of you recognizes the blessings you received in 2012 and look forward to what God will bring you in 2013. I know He has a plan for everyone.

And that's how Suze sees it.