Two for Two

I don't know what happened to the last 365 days, but they slipped right through our fingers and FLEW by!  And I mean that in the best of ways!  We have had a whirlwind kind of year.  I wish I could say it was that whirlwind was an easy breeze, but it wasn't ... it was just a straight up whirlwind.   Losing Roger during our first year of marriage was such an assault, but then living out the first year without him during our second year of marriage, doing those "firsts" - holidays, travels, vacations - has really made this second year unique in it's hardships and emotions.  That, along with several other family illnesses and loses, has taught us lessons we really didn't want to learn this early on, but now that we've learned them, they have made us stronger as a pair and have prepared us to face the other tough things that life will inevitably bring with more grace.  I never want to give the image that our life and marriage is perfect ... there is no such thing, but I DO want to convey that what makes our marriage work in a way that is perfect for us is that we really try to learn together in the good and bad, and more than anything that we try to LAUGH as much as possible!!! With that being said, enough about the hard parts of the year, let's revisit the things that made us smile this year!!

1.  Our wanderings! - I can't say enough how fortunate Thomas and I have been so far to be able to travel far and wide.  It's one of those things that I still have to pinch myself about because we have really had some opportunities to do things that I never even imagined.  This year we were able to go visit my sweet, dear friend Millie who lives in Germany!! And it just so happened that we found killer tickets for a week when Oktoberfest was going on ... now THAT made for a lot of laughs!

With Millie in the vineyards of Germany!

In the German Alps

We also made our first trip to our nation's capital together in September for the wedding of some friends.  It was a quick trip (and our first long airplane trip), but we really enjoyed seeing all the tourist sights of Washington, D.C.

With the Washington Monument

The other exciting travel spot we hit was Spain! I was so excited to have some Spanish practice and to see Dylan and meet the Martin Serrano family, who hosted Ellen when she studied in Spain as well. We were able to see some of Madrid, Barcelona, and Trujillo, where Dylan lived. It was a beautiful, fun trip ... And now I want to go back and see Granada and some of that part of the Spanish coast!

Enjoying the coast in Barcelona

In Trujillo's Castle with Dylan!

 2. Our Health! - I was re-reading the 1 year anniversary post from last year and noted all our delicious food! Well, this year we have kept up our food-eating tradition, but we have tried to focus more on our health an fitness. Last July, a friend talked me into trying the local Crossfit gym here in Macon. I pledged to go 3x/week for 1 month and decide whether I wanted to join after that. Considering I just finished a killer workout and am lying here sore already, I guess you could say I got hooked. I also ventured into the world of Zumba, which is some crazy kind of fun (and probably humiliating if I recorded myself). Meanwhile, in December Thomas (out of nowhere, I might add - I'd like to think I motivated him with my dedicated workout routine) decided to start running again. Then he decided to start biking, and before I knew what hit me we were the proud new owners of a (used from eBay) road bike and Thomas was registered to do a half-ironman. I'm still not sure what possessed him, but he really was possessed! All his hard work paid off 3 days before our anniversary, when he completed his first half-ironman (and first triathlon) in 6 hours and 17 minutes! I was so proud!

My half Ironman at the Finish Line

 We also have altered our diet a little and are eating MUCH less grains and sugars. I've noticed a real change in my sinuses and allergies, as well as my general well-being! But that's a while other story ... Actually that's a whole other blog!

3. Our Jobs! - Thomas completed his first full year in his new job (still doing medical sales, different company, different products).  So far, it seems to be a much better fit for us!  He isn't on-call 24/7, which is wonderful.  But it also has plenty of challenge, and Thomas is one to like a good challenge, so he doesn't get bored.  He has done an excellent job embracing his new job and making his business grow!
I also started a new job this year ... from working in a private clinic to practicing in the public schools, with a few private patients of my own after school.  The change has been like a breath of fresh air for my quality of life!  I am still working lots, but I don't have to worry so much about time off, especially around holidays.  And, for some reason, the stress level is significantly decreased ... don't get me wrong, there are very stressful seasons in the school system, but it doesn't feel like I'm constantly running a high speed race.  Plus, I get to do some non-speech related things, like sponsor a Spanish club and read to classes.  I like that!  It keeps me interested and helps me not to burn out.  The other great thing about my new job is that I've met lots of fun people ... my school is full of teachers who WANT to be friends!  It's great!
My private patients continue to be a joy and love for me ... they are very challenging clients in their needs, but it keeps me on my toes and the rejoicing is so intense when we reach a goal!  Plus, the kids and their families have my heart ... nothing like loving the people you get to work with!
*I have pictures of many of my sweet kiddos, but I'm not sure if it would be appropriate for me to post, so just imagine really cute, sweet kids ... because they're pretty much all like that!

4. Our Families - Year two has been a learning lesson in the great balancing act of families.  It is so tough sometimes that his family is so close, and mine is so far, but it is what it is, and we really try to do our best to get in good quality time with both families.  This year, it seems like the nieces and nephews have grown like weeds!  Lilla is 7, and thinks she is a teenager already.  She doesn't like pink because it's too girly, but she loves blue (and she likes girly things ... but not if she thinks they're too girly).

Lilla, 7

Major is 4 and has really turned into a little boy.  He loves sports - baseball, football and soccer - and he loves his Uncle Thomas, and laughs at just about everything Thomas says or does ... and then tries to copy him ... DANGEROUS!

Major, 4

Ande is 2, and she is just precious!  She loves ALL things GIRL ... lip gloss, shoes, dresses, sunglasses, jewelry.  She is going to be a mess and put a hurtin' on her daddy's wallet in a few short years!

Ande, 2

My Bowden is 3, and I can't believe how old he is!  He talks like he is 15, and says the most hilarious things ("Yes, of course!" instead of just yes, is a personal favorite).  He currently loves "Knock, Knock" jokes and he is as busy as a bee with his trains and trucks.

Bowden, 3

This year we welcomed a new niece, Emory Catherine.  She will be one in August, and she is so snuggly-able.  But Ellen says Emy Cate is like her Aunt Mamie ... she's a little moody, and it takes her a while to warm up to people, but once she decides she likes you ... you're in.  I say she's following in good footsteps!

Emy Cate, just a baby

5. Our Home - I've been working and working to make this house more and more our home.  I love every little bit of our home (and in the same way, there are parts of it I just can't stand ... that's how you know it's home!).  We have particularly been focusing on the outside/backyard, the kitchen, and the study.  We totally redid the study when I started seeing private patients to liven it up, and to give me a little space to work.  But since it really is Thomas's office space originally, we kept a Citadel theme.

Cozy spot for parents 

Thomas gets most of the glory for the outside work!  He has really worked hard out there!  He fashioned us some gorgeous wooden shutters, and I stained them.

His hard work!  I need a "finished" picture!

We also got a fence put up to give us some backyard privacy, and created a little outdoor "sitting area" with paper lanterns and our adirondack chairs.

Our new favorite summer "room"

And thanks to Pinterest, we now have really cool wine bottle torches on the perimeter of the fence!

Pinterest-inspired wine torches

The kitchen is still a work in progress, but we're getting there!  We have gotten new appliances - fridge and stove/oven - and let me just say how much I enjoy both.  And just last week, we had new countertops put in.  I'm hoping that we can get the floor re-done and have the cabinets touched up (I have scrubbed half of them, which has already made a difference!) and the walls painted before the third married year passes!!

Before

After

All in all, it's been a good year.  Tomorrow we leave on our first mission trip together ... so I know the third year is going to be full of adventures already!

Goodbye Year 2, Hello Year 3!!