A Blessed Year

I was reminiscent this morning. I remember waking up on January 1, 2008 anticipating a hard year. One that would be filled with healing, but also wishing and hoping that it would hold more than we could imagine. Both statements are true. Although these pictures don't "show" you all that happened in our lives in 2008, they do share a story of happiness, opportunity, family and love.

Every spring break we head to the Smokey Mountains for a 4 day backpacking trip. This year we went to Abram's Creek trail head and hiked in for 3 nights and 4 days. The weather was perfect and the scenery beautiful! This picture was taken 3 days into the hike.

In April, Mike ran the Music City Marathon with his cousin, Chris. I took this picture when they had both just crossed the finished line, along with hundreds of other people. The tall guy in the middle of the picture with the black t-shirt on is Chris, Mike is behind him.

In mid-May we said goodbye to condo living and bought our first home. We have had a blast working on the "fixer-upper" that just needed a little TLC to bring the character and spirit back to a house that sat empty for over a year.

We went to Chicago for our summer vacation this year. We went in late May, so the weather was still a little chilly, but we both enjoyed the city, took in some Cubs baseball, ate some Chicago style pizza and decided it would be on our "to do again" list.

Jessica, our niece, came for a visit during the Country Music Festival. We surprised her with concert tickets to see Taylor Swift. To all our surprise, the special guests for the night were Rascall Flatts and Jessica Simpson.

Ben and Sam, our nephews, came for a weekend visit a few weeks later. Boys will be boys...they worked in the yard with Mike and then we took them to play miniature golf and go-carts.

Fall came and so did the anticipated anniversary of Allison and Emily's birth and death. September 4th was a huge milestone for both of us. This is the tree that is planted at the top of the row where their grave is.

In the midst of honoring our daughters, we found out we were expecting again!

Another girl!!! This was our Christmas card picture this year.

Christmas was so special this year. As we gathered together as family, we recognized all that the Lord has given us. The grace and mercy that He has shown us and the love that we share for Him and each other.

For me personally, I have been stretched and tested this past year. I was stripped bare of what I thought I needed and wanted in my life and I was forced, in a good way, to lay down my plans, my hopes and my needs and focus on what the Lord wanted for me. It has been hard, but oh so good. The sanctifying work of Christ in my life is just that...a work. It's daily and hourly, as I have readjusted my thinking and my priorities. Instead of "what do I want?" it's "what does the Lord want of me?"

Even though the majority of the time, I post about the day to day things going on in my life, "Nesting in Pleasant View" has provided the opportunity for me to read and be encouraged by so many amazing and godly women who share their wisdom so beautifully through words. I have learned from you and am privileged to know each of you, to know your stories and to share mine with you. We share a bond that is so unique. Although for most of us, we won't meet face to face until we are in heaven, I count you as friends.

I pray that each of you experiences the wonder of Jesus as we begin a new year together!