2019

    I'm never sure how to feel about the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one.  I tend to be sad, as the new year is a reminder of the amount of time passed,  but I am also hopeful for things in the new year. 


    Here are a few highlights of things that happened in 2018. We: 

•  celebrated our 7th anniversary

• Participated in a Star Wars parody Vacation Bible School,

•  Went on a girls trip with my mom and sisters to visit my other sister,

•  explored our own local area while on a staycation,

•      went on a family vacation with 15 of us (parents, siblings/spouses and nieces and nephews),  to my twin brother's wedding in Portland, OR.  16 of us stayed all together in an Airbnb (all except the bride!)

• explored Portland

• I turned 30 in October, and it was pretty emotional for me.  (See previous bog post)  But my birthday itself turned out pretty good. I celebrated the last day of being 29 with my parents and two youngest sisters at a new restaurant,

 and on my birthday our school went on a field trip  to a pumpkin patch, and I was able to go along with one of my coworkers and her three young sons.  We had a lot of fun, and I was able to stay distracted, which was important.  (It was also the beginning of what's shaping up to be a beautiful friendship!)   And once my birthday itself passed, I was able to (mostly) accept my age, and just go with it.

• We also traveled to my in-laws' 1000 miles away for Thanksgiving (even with me just getting over the flu!).  I love being part of their family.  

   My whole family was able to be together for Christmas as well, which is always a great time.

    Unfortunately the last 7 weeks of 2018 I have been sick - first with the flu, then bronchitis, then just all the residual sinus yuck.


    But you know what didn't happen this year?  I didn't get pregnant.  2018 was not our year.  Nothing has changed on our journey to be parents.  And while I am choosing to look forward to a new year and be hopeful for things to be different, it is a choice.  Because it doesn't come naturally after being on this journey for 7 year.  Part of me just thinks "nothing has changed the last 6 years, why would it this year?"  But I believe in a God who does miracles, and whose timing is perfect.  That is why I choose to still start the new year with hope.


    I don't have a word for 2019 yet.  I'm still praying about it.  2018's word started out as "hope", and then I also added "strength" in about September or so. Maybe since I added that word so late in the year it will carry over into this year.

    I don't know what 2019 holds.  But I believe in a God who is in control and loves me and has a beautiful plan for my life, so may His will be done. 

-MNM