Monday, January 2, 2012

A Look Back at 2011

2011 will FOREVER be remembered as a bitter sweet year for our family! For it was the summer of this year that the Lord graciously called my Grandpa home to heaven. 

Oh how we long to feel his arms around us again and count the kisses he places on our cheeks. --One of the many silly things my sweet Grandpa was known for:)
But we also rejoice knowing that one day we will see him again! 
And even though he is gone physically, his godly legacy continues and I'm certain will continue for MANY years to come!
Yes, our year had moments of tears, 
but THANKFULLY it was also one filled with JOY too!
 Great, abundant, exuberant JOY!
We smiled a lot, laughed a ton, and simply relished in the many blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us!
We rejoiced as rewards for hard work were earned!

We cheered each other on...
 as goals were set... 
and accomplished!
We finished preschool
 
and started Kindergarten!

We turned EIGHT years old,
and entered the THIRD grade!
We enjoyed a SURPRISE trip to Disney with just the BIG boys!
We went to baseball games...
and cheered our team on from the sidelines!
We painted with pudding...
and made fools of ourselves with Oreos.
We played lots of FUN games...
and usually got messy in the process!
 We did A LOT of baking...

and even more crafting!
We made many new friends...
and had to say goodbye to old friends as they moved away;(
We skated and...
learned how to make ice cream!
We spent a week at Surfside Beach and
enjoyed a week of fun in the sun!
We played pretend...
and dressed up like a princess!
We started ballet...
and continued to play soccer!

We picked strawberries,
visited the apple orchard,
and found the perfect pumpkin!
We took bubble baths,
turned THREE, and
hiked in the mountains!
We dressed up like super hero's...
and enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving!

We grew up A LOT
 
and became more independent.
BUT above all else,
2011 will FOREVER be remembered as the year we saw
this precious face for the VERY FIRST TIME!
It was in September of 2011 that God confirmed in our hearts His call for us to adopt again.
So it with great anticipation that we say "Goodbye" to 2011 and welcome in this new year! For this is the year that that precious face will no longer just be hanging in a frame on our wall, but we will wholeheartedly welcome that sweet face into our HOME!!!
We can hardly wait to experience all that the Lord has in store for us THIS year! 













11 comments:

Bethany said...

What a fun post! Looking forward to bringing 2 new babies into our family! God is good!

Love Being A Nonny said...

What a great post! You are so incredibly blesses! Can't wait to share in the joy of your Addie Kate!

Sweat Is My Sanity said...

Wow, what a year. I'm sorry to hear about your sweat grandpa, maybe I forgot, I don't know but I always thought he looked like such a sweetie. :) I just want to tell you thanks Jenny for encouraging me (without even knowing it), to be a better wife, mom and daughter of God. :) I look forward to watching your family grow once again. Happy New Year!

paige said...

Love!!!

Courtney said...

What a great post remembering 2011. I know you miss your grandpa so much. I do everyday and 2 years later it still isn't easy at times.

Celia Jimenez said...

Beautiful post, Jenny! God is good...ALL THE TIME! What an amazing year of blessings and faithfulness! Brought tears to my eyes to see all that God has done through your family. You guys truly are a light set upon a hill!!!

Melanie said...

Jenny, this is a beautiful post! I'm with Celia, tears of joy reading it & knowing the love in your hearts for Addy-Kate! We can't wait to meet her, too! As I was looking through these photos it is Sophie that has changed the most this year, I think...wow, she's certainly becoming a little lady! We love that girl, too! Abundant blessings for your New Year!!!

STEFFIEJ said...

THIS WAS SUCH A SWEET SWEET POST JENNY..I LOVE LOOKING AT ALL THE FUN THINGS YOU DO WITH YOUR BABIES..ONE OF MY RESOLUTIONS THIS YEAR WAS TO DO MORE FUN THINGS WITH MY CHILDREN AND JUST TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE TIME I HAVE WITH THEM...CAN'T WAIT TIL YOU ARE BLESSED WITH A-K IN YOUR HOME..THANKS FOR SHARING..AND GOD BLESS..STEPHANIE

Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan Too said...

Despite the loss, your sweet family had an incredible year. I have a feeling 2012 is going to be a fantastic year for you!

Sara @ Domestically Challenged said...

Beautiful recap of the year! What a blessed year, and 2012 will be the same!

Terri said...

Beautiful, precious family you are. What wonderful memories you make for them all. Thank you for being a blessing to us. Love you all!!! And I can't wait to meet precious, Addy-Kate! Blessings!!!