We’ve looked back at 2013 as the year of opportunities.
- Lots of travel and seeing the world (I flew across the United States in a day, travelled to several conferences and events, and Ry and I travelled to to Guatemala with Food for the Hungry!).
- We watched SheReadsTruth grow into a great community of women seeking the Lord daily.
- Ryan started a new job that he absolutely loves.
- We embarked on a journey of homeschooling Oliver and he has grown into a fantastic reader.
- We’ve gotten to enjoy the fun things that come with our kids growing up and having personalities and interests of their own.
- Hazel started preschool.
- We wore out our zoo membership.
- And I so enjoyed a number of fun opportunities to work with The Land of Nod.
- We celebrated our 10th anniversary with a trip to Chicago in May.
- Ryan’s dad retired after 39 years at his job and we enjoyed the benefits of having him be more available to do Granddad things.
- The sweetest twin babies were born to our across the street
neighborsfriends. - I got to work with lots of great companies like DAV/D K/ND and StitchFix
- And we said a brief hello and sad goodbye to our 8th child – one very difficult thing about leaving 2013 behind.
What about you, friends? When you look back on 2013, what word would you use to describe it? What were some highs a lows?
I sure have loved sharing our highs and lows with y’all.
xoxo,
Raechel
I love your pictures, and am so sorry for the loss and sorrow that this year brought to you.
I have been trying to think how to describe 2013 for me–and all I can think of it that it is the year that should have broken me, and mostly did, and somehow I am still here, though altered forever. I have a baby in a grave now, and as I think you know, there is no going back to the person you were before that happened. It was the most horrible year of my life so far, and there were some bad ones before it. And yet it was filled with sweet smiles from my living children, and the tight handclasp of my husband and family and friends who walked through it all with me. I haven’t figured out yet how to put that into one word or phrase…maybe it’s not possible.
This was so sweet and sad and honest. I remover the New Years after losing our Evie. I hated going into a year without her in it- knowing that there would be no new memories- it was like we were leaving her behind or moving on without her. I’m so so sorry for your loss and in thankful that you shared that with me here.
Praying a special blessing for you and your family for 2014- a year of gladness that only He can bring!
Hugs. R
beautiful pictures, Rae. Where did you find that spoon with the “no coffee, no workee” phrase?
Hey Tracy!! It was made by a girl I met at a conference I went to last year! Here is the link: http://shopjessicandesigns.com/collections/154803-coffee-tea