A year in review

Wow! What a year 2011 has been.  I was talking with Christian last night and I told him I think 2011 has been one of my most challenging years...yet my most rewarding year.  Challenging in lots of little ways...but rewarding in one huge way...a new addition to our family!

January: In January we lost my sweet Grandmother.  Believe it or not, that is the first person I have ever lost that was close to me.  Death was kinda foreign to me so it was a new experience to walk through.  I tasted the bitter loss of losing a loved one and it was tough...even tougher was watching the pain it caused my mother to lose her mom. 

February: In February, much to our surprise we discovered we were expecting!  Can't tell you how shocked we were to learn we were going to be parents!  One of the greatest surprises of our lives!

March: In March, we officially shared with all our friends and family our news.  We had such a blast doing different things in order to share that we were expecting.  Like wrapping a pregnancy test inside a gift bag and giving it to my mom and dad...or posing to take a picture with my in-laws and having Christian say "everyone say...Ashlee's pregnant".  Christian even disguised one announcement in a dinner prayer by blessing our unborn child...let's just say that prayer got interrupted by hoops and hollers!

April: In April, I started a new part time job working at the LPC Board.  Met my dear friend Mary Alice...someone who I know will be a lifetime friend. 

May: In May, we were able to find out the gender of baby Moots...Still one of the best days of my life was the day we found out what we were having.  We had both sets of parents in the room with us to find out...and boy... were we all shocked to discover it was a girl!  I was thrilled!!!!  We celebrated with a fabulous Gender Reveal Party that was just the icing on the cake!

June: In June, we were faced with the horrible news of cysts on Aubrey's brain.  Such a frightening diagnosis to us as new parents.  We had to wait 6 long weeks to find out what would happen with our sweet baby's brain...one of the most difficult things I have had to walk through. It was a time when I had to learn to be just totally dependant on God...nothing I did or didn't do would change the outcome, so I had to surrender all my fears to Him.

July: In July, we took a vacation to the beach with the Moots' family and had a blast.  We also had another ultrasound to check on Aubrey's brain and were ecstatic to learn that she was going to be okay!  Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness.

August: In August, we went on a beach trip with the Craft family and had a wonderful time eating fabulous dinners and lounging at the lazy river...a perfect end to our summer.  I was thrown a beautiful baby shower and celebrated with friends and family the upcoming arrival of baby Aubrey. I also started back teaching at Victory and settled into the last few months of my pregnancy.

September: In September, I was extremely uncomfortable and in a lot of pain...just ready to have that baby!  Can't say I was a lot of fun to be around that month! LSU football also started back up so that was a lot of fun...Saturday nights were always much anticipated in the Moots household!

October: In October, we welcomed our precious bundle of joy into our family.  October 12 was the all-time greatest day in my life (right up there with my wedding day and gender reveal)!  So many emotions and feelings were poured out on that day...just a beautiful experience.  October also brought many challenges for me as a new mother...I'll be the first to admit that having a baby is tough.  I had a difficult delivery and recovery as well as a hard time with nursing...so those first 6 weeks were incredibly challenging for me.  I'm so thankful to have had so much love and support from Christian as well as my family and friends.  I was kinda naive and didn't think it would be that hard...I guess I expected just to know everything but boy was I wrong.  Nothing like a newborn to teach you that you don't know jack!  Ha!! 

November: In November we celebrated Thanksgiving with our families and boy did we have a lot to be thankful for.

December: In December, things started to really settle down and I was much more confident in my mothering abilities.  Aubrey settled into a great routine and has been such an easy baby for me.  She is so content and good...nothing she inherited from me!  Christmas was fabulous and just a great time of fellowship with our family and friends.

Overall this has been a wonderful year.  So many memories and special occasions that I will cherish and hold dear to my heart forever.  I give all praise to my Lord for His faithfulness and goodness throughout this year.  Even when times were tough...He was always right there holding our hands.  I am so sad to see this year come to an end...it will always be a year we remember. 

My hopes for 2012 are simple. I hope to become a better wife and mother.  I hope to make more time for family and friends.  I hope to learn to relax a little and embrace each moment.  I hope to participate in another triathlon.  And last but not least...I hope to draw closer to the Lord and really focus on becoming more passionate and devoted to His word. 

May 2012 be a blessed year for you as well...may your prayers be answered this year and may you draw nearer to God throughout each day. 

So long 2011...you were a great one...