2014

This year,

This year my once immobile baby can now crawl, walk, and run on her own.

This year Adam was laid off; one of the scariest and most stressful times of my life.

This year I got a job that had incredible benefits and great pay.

This year we had an amazing adult weekend getaway. 

This year Adam fell asleep at the wheel and crashed the car.

This year we didn't pay a dime for school thanks to financial aid and student grants.

This year Audrey said her first word "duck", and now speaks a mile a minute. 

This year we made our small apartment into a home.

This year there were times we didn't have enough food to feed ourselves, only Audrey.

This year we paid off all debt, then racked it up again.

This year Adam had a kick ass birthday. 

This year we got an unexpected check for $800.

This year we worked to make amends with our families.

This year we didn't go to urgent care or the ER... not once. :) 

This year we tried new medication, and it WORKED.

This year Audrey learned to sing almost every nursery song.

This year Adam surprised me with a wedding band.

This year I was diagnosed with Crohns.

This year I chopped off all my hair.

This year Audrey went to nursery, and actually stayed in nursery at least 3 times.

This year Adam passed every single class.

This year I replaced my phone three times.

This year we got a new niece, and found out another was on the way.

This year Audrey discovered baby dolls, princesses, and movies.

This year I started on steroids, and quickly became the size of a whale.

The older I get the more I get the "cycle of life". There is a lot of hard stuff, a lot of "how on Earth do we overcome this" moments. But in the middle of all the hard, there is so so much to be grateful for. Life is full of little wonders, and little beauties; which even the darkest of times can't hide. I am so grateful for our challenges, I am so grateful for all these lessons I am learning. During them it sucks; but when they are over I always learn something new, find something new to love and be grateful for.

This year I have learned so much as a mother and wife. I have realized that my poor Mom deserved way more credit that I ever gave her. That my daughter is the greatest lesson and blessing in my life. That literally I will do anything to make sure she is happy and well rounded. I learned so much as a wife; I have had to be the supporter - even when I want to rip my hair off and burn the U to the ground. I have learned that Audrey is our world, but we have to take the time just for us too. I have learned that these sacrifices are so difficult now, but I have faith that they'll be worth it. As long as I continue to support and do all that I can for him. 

I am such a lucky woman to have Adam and Audrey. And even luckier to have the family that I do. That I can turn to them when things are bad; and even if they can't help in any other way but letting me vent, that having their support is worth everything. 

So to sum it up, the biggest lesson I have learned this year would be this;

There is always, ALWAYS something to be grateful for.