A year in review 2013

One of my most favorite things to do when it comes to blogging our story is to look back over the past year and remember where we have been and recall what life's journey has been like for the previous 12 months.

Looking back and seeing how my family has grown and changed can sometimes leave me feeling sad and full of sorrow over the quickness of life's pace, but it also fills me with joy and satisfaction in knowing we have accomplished so much on our journey. Not one day passes that I don't thank God for this journey of life and the blessing of being able to walk it with my precious family.

2013 has been a year full of the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. It's been filled with months of tears and sadness and then months of anticipation and joy. I'd say this past year has been the most unpredictable and rollercoaster-like year we have yet to encounter, but it was also a year that we have learned the most. Difficult times have a way of forcing you to learn valuable and life-long lessons...lessons that only strengthen you and make you appreciate the good times so much more.

There have been good days and bad...days when I feel like I have it all together and could accomplish any task thrown my way and days when I can only crumble into my pillow at night and plead with God for another day. A fresh day...I'm learning that each day is a fresh start and I don't have to be defined by the day before...our journey moves on and with that gift comes the ability to start again and be redefined. And for that I'm so thankful...

So 2013...here we go

In January, we were surprised to discover that we were expecting baby #2. We were thrilled to be adding a new addition to the family. We spent that month keeping things quiet because we wanted to make sure baby Moots was ok. We spent lots of time with Bre at the park and doing what she loved best...swinging! I remember spending hours outside in the swing...it was by far her favorite thing to do!

In February, we had a blast celebrating Valentine's Day and showing our love to all those who are dear to us. On Valentine's Day, Christian and I celebrated with a date to our very favorite restaurant, Flemings!  I continued to work part-time at VCA and we were moving and grooving with our schedules. Bre was only 16 months...a fun but very busy age!

We also announced to our families that we were expecting. This was such an exciting moment for us as we rejoiced over the new life that was inside me. We started preparing Bre for life as a big sis!

In March, I was going about cooking dinner one night and all of a sudden I started bleeding. I immediately went to the hospital and we were told that no heartbeat could be found. We were told to come back in another week to double check, perhaps it was still there...just early. We spent that week on our knees, praying for the life of our unborn child. Praying God's will be done, but pleading with Him that we would get to meet this baby this side of heaven.  The next week at our ultrasound we were devastated to learn that the baby was not there. Our world came crashing down as we experienced loss like never before. A baby...no matter how young...is still a mother's baby. My heart ached for this child that I never got to hold in my arms.

I underwent a D&C that next day and spent many, many weeks following in a deep, dark place. A place of sorrow and pain. A pain that only could be healed by knowing God's plan for our family was not complete, but that He had more in store for our lives.

In April, still with fresh wounds, we tried picking up the pieces and moving on with normal life. My heart was broken and grieving, but I clung to the hope that God would show us his plan.

We also held Aubrey a little tighter and cherished those simple moments with her even more.

May brought warmer weather and much brighter spirits for our family. We celebrated Mother's Day and spent a fabulous weekend down in Mississippi with our friends. We absolutely loved getting to spend the weekend at my friend Kayce's family's amazing camp. It was a refreshing weekend with just nature and our family...a time we desperately needed to get back some of our strength and drive. Christian and I vowed that one day...when we strike it rich...we will buy a camp in the country and spend weekends with our kids and grandkids.

June, July and August were jam packed with wonderful memories. I had the blessing of being able to stay home full time with Aubrey for the first time and it was absolutely priceless. We spent our days going to the zoo, the pool, playdates, the library...you name it...we did it!

I'll cherish last summer as a gift with Bre...a time when she and I bonded like never before.

We celebrated Father's Day, took a wonderful trip to Arkansas with our family, went to the beach a few times and just enjoyed being with one another.

It was in the summer that we also found out that we were expecting another baby. Our broken hearts were overjoyed at the chance to welcome another baby into our family. I spent many weeks in fear over losing the pregnancy, but through much prayer and support of my family, we made it through and were over the moon excited to see our baby grow and flourish! God truly worked a miracle and we gave Him alone all the glory for the miracle of new life.

We made the big announcement to our families and waited eagerly to find out what we were having!

In September, we joined together to announce what baby Moots would be...A BOY!!!

We also took a fabulous trip to the beach with my family and soaked up a week of the remainder of the summer sun. What a way to close out the summer! I started back at VCA and Christian was promoted to a new position at work...meaning much better hours and more pay! Holla!

September also was when my big girl started a new school (two days a week) and had a difficult time adjusting. It was extremely hard for me to put her somewhere when she was clearly not comfortable or at ease. It totally broke my heart. However, she and I both pushed through and now she absolutely loves her school and is thriving like never before. She loves her teachers and actually asks to go to school!

In October, we celebrated Aubrey's 2nd birthday. A day full of Minnie Mouse and tootles of fun. Aubrey had a blast and we truly spent time celebrating her precious little life and all that she brings to our family. She is one of a kind and more precious than anything I could have ever imagined.

November was a busy month as we prepared for the holidays. I was growing  increasingly tired and pregnancy was starting to take it's toll on me. I cherished my second pregnancy no matter what because I knew the miracle that was inside me. I was so thankful for an easy pregnancy...no complications, pains or troubles...mostly easy sailing.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with our families and ate the heck out of some turkey and dressing!

December was filled with so much fun and memories. We tried our best to keep up with Christmas traditions and have lots of fun even if I was nine months preggers! Bre had a blast getting to meet Santa and participating in all things FROSTY!!! HAHA!

We had no idea that December would end our year with a bang...my due date wasn't until January so we weren't really sure if December would be baby month or not. I kinda figured I'd have him early...but there is really no guarantee!

On December 29th our little world was blessed beyond measure.

We welcomed a precious baby boy into the world. Weston Hayes Moots was born weighing a whopping 7 pounds 4 ounces and was by far the most adorable little boy I have ever laid eyes on.

He was the absolute "cherry on the top" ending to our year and we are soaking up the days with our new addition.

This year has been an incredible year, jam packed with precious memories that we will cherish for our entire lives. We are looking forward to what lies ahead for us in 2014 and all that God has planned for our journey.

 With our precious family and His loving will...we continue writing the pages of our book.