Live, Laugh, Love: good-bye 2013

Monday, December 30, 2013

good-bye 2013

I saw this today and thought it might just be the right little quote to start off writing once again. We are indeed hoping for some "good madness" in the coming year, sprinkled with a few magical moments. As I ponder the changes I wish to make in the new year, reflect on the good and not so great events of the past year, and hold onto the hope that all will be well, I am at peace. At peace knowing that I am not in control, but I do have power to make our lives better each day . . . power to make change within myself, to overcome weakness, to become stronger, to accomplish goals, and to share more love and compassion.

Everything that may or may not happen during this coming year is out of my control and that's alright. We have been so blessed and strengthened by the love extended to us by so many cherished friends and family. Honestly, so blessed. You truly see the best in people, understand how much they care for you and your family, and especially realize how much you are loved when something life altering suddenly takes you by surprise.

Speaking of tender mercies, and as I say farewell to 2013, I would like to recount a few of the little miracles that happened to our family this past year:

Ryan's mission call to serve in Ukraine. It has been a great source of strength for each of us knowing Ryan is working hard and sacrificing much to serve the Lord and share the beautiful message and gospel of Jesus Christ to the wonderful people in Ukraine.
Experiences for growth in the lives of our daughters. Each of the girls have been faced with their own personal trials and moments where growing pains were evident. I am grateful for the people in their lives who have strengthened them and offered wise advice and comfort.
Our new home. SO.BLESSED.

I know there are many more little miracles that came our way during 2013, but I am ready to forge ahead to a bright new year and welcome 2014 with an open heart, hoping that I may even "surprise myself" with something unexpected and wonderful . . . some of that "good madness."

Happy New Year my friends!

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Just Finished

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of the most poignant and inspirational memoirs I have read in recent years. It's a story of faith, healing, friendship, mercy, and the power of unconditional love that will touch your heart. A beautiful novel that inspires readers to look beyond physical appearances and situations and peer deeply inside the heart. It almost deserved five stars, but I found the last fourth of the book didn't carry the same unassuming authentic qualities that I had felt during most of the book. However, I highly recommend to any reader who is searching for a true story filled with hope despite the most difficult of life's circumstances.

View all my reviews

My favorite books

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

My rating: 5 of 5 stars I just finished reading TKAM for the 5th time and loved it even more . . . it truly is my absolute favorite book of all time. It's pages are filled with wisdom, insight, and tenderness as it examines innocence and goodness reflected in the human experience. Harper Lee is a genius - her masterpiece touched me as a teenager, college student, teacher, young mother, and again as a mother of children Scout and Jem's age. What an inspiration this book has been in my life . . . I look forward to reading it again and again! View all my reviews >>

and . . .

The Giver by Lois Lowry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars I read this book years ago, but having the experience reading it again with a few more years, maturity, and a little more wisdom under my belt, was simply profound. The author is not only talented and unbelievably creative with her writing and ideas, but her insights into the basic human experience and our deep need to experience the great gift of agency is truly remarkable. I highly recommend this book to everyone I know and love, it will make you think and stay with you for many days after you finish. View all my reviews >>

Our Moments

"Sprinkle, sprinkle"
"Ground control to Major Tom . . ."
"Oh, Really . . ."
"Charlie Cat"
"Oh Gosh"
"Chilula Sauce"
"Um, Grandma Pat . . ."
"Jerry's the broccoli"
"The holy trinity of drama"
". . . so choice . . ."
"Pass the GUAC!"
"beaver house" hot chocolate!
"A Brownie Interaction"
"You're a quality person."
"It's fine . . ."
" . . . ok . . . no answer there . . ."
"Can you study me?"
"are you in trouble with me?"
"has anyone seen my phone???"
"how many of you could there be??"
"I'm just like ELF!!!"
"Where's my freakin' spatula . . ."
"The car that Homer built . . ."
"Bad Mushrooms!"
"MOOPS"
"Um, Dad, he's not your kid . . ."
"Reese's Pieces?"
"Steak sauce?"
"Strivers"
"Marsha and Greg - on steroids"
"RRRR . . . I look like I'm from the 80s!!!"
"Maybe the beach, but the boardwalk?? This is NOT happening!"
"Stirring the pot again, are we?"
"I'm on a horse."
"Matrix . . . Vegas" - all you need to know.
"YOU ARE NOT IN CHARGE!!!"
"Don't . . . GAZELLE!"
"I need a treat . . ."
"Reset . . .yet again"
"Hitched to a star"
"I'm thinking of an animal . . . "
"Feel my ripples"
"You're ruining my LIFE!"
"The gerbil is waking up . . ."
"Movie Snob"
"That's what she said . . ."
"Utter Destruction"
Animal kisses
"Power strips??!"
"The egg sandwich"
"Rats and Bats"
The "pic tick"
"Liza, you are NOT black!"
"Thanks for the good feed"
"I'm all for perky, but . . . "
"Feelin' Groovy . . ."
Caroline's animal identification
"Do you have the Aarp Card?"
Liza's "wedding kiss"
The mystery surrounding the "Spencer salad"
"Tomcat"
Staircase of death
Julie's "Japenese Exchange"
The treat cup
"Miffy" gifts from Holland
Ryan . . ."just believe!"
The seagull & the sandal
"Mr. M, Mr. P"
Blind Monster
English mouse, jazzy mouse
Ketchup on the bum
Mack's
Paki-Jensen!!
Meil, meil, the honey cat
"It's the Canadian Red Breasted Swallow"
. . . and the wolf says, "ooohhh"
Tinkle, tinkle little Fred
Little Sophie Brown
The Chopper
Monster closet
Psycho farm goose
"The Lee-tell Deep-aire"
Dot-to-dot
Chicken boy